Help-I've got no dosh!

Chapter 3. Food and cooking.

2012-09-09T05:11:00.001-07:00

Food and shopping is generally far more expensive than it was say even five years ago. You will have all noticed that you are getting far less for your money these days. The Thrift Sisters recommend shopping around and definitely don't dismiss the budget supermarkets. Ok you may have to queue for longer and pack yourself but in the more expensive supermarkets guess who is paying for these extra staff? You, of course.
Aldi and Lidl have just as good vegetables and meat so give them a go too. There vegetables may not be class one but are just as tasty and fresh.
Shopping comparison sites are also very useful to judge the real cost of these so called grocery 'offers' which have received a lot of bad publicity lately. Research them carefully. You may be spending less on them but the other none offer products can more than make up for this meaning you are not actually saving anything.
Markets are a great way to save and you can buy excellent fruit veg and meat. Also make a shopping list, stick to it and base it on a meal planner so you don't come home and find you are missing vital ingredients for main meals.
If you can shop without the kids then do so as that way you won't find lots of sweets, cd's magazines and even toys finding there way into your basket!
Cook from scratch when you can. There are some fabulous websites, blogs and cooking programmes. Teach your kids too. Also , a slow cooker can prove invaluable in the winter months and few minutes in the morning assembling ingredients can mean you have a economical, healthy meal ready when you come home from work.
For more ideas check out our eBook-'Help-I've got no dosh!' available from Smashwords .

Chapter 2. Household and Toiletries.

2012-08-14T23:48:00.002-07:00

Chapter 2.

Facial oils can be made using olive oil as a base and adding essential oils to your personal taste. Simply place in a pretty bottle and use morning and night.

Household Cleaners.
These can contain many harmful chemicals. There are many general cleaners that can be made quite easily

General glass/window cleaner
Add water, 3 tbs vinegar and a squirt of washing up liquid to a spray bottle. This makes an excellent window cleaner.
General cleaner.
Bicarbonate of soda is a very useful household substance. This can be made into a paste and use as a general cleaner , stain remover and as a milder alternative to bleach.
Grated Soap can be used as a cheaper alternative to washing powder and has similar results. Please check out our eBook for more advice. Follow this link. http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/164781

2012-07-29T02:54:00.001-07:00

We are serialising our eBook- 'Help-I've got no dosh!'. Here is an excerpt of the first chapter on finances.

Chapter 1 Finances

Sometimes this is an uncomfortable topic that can generate a lot of anxiety. If you have debts though, as most people do then its time to take a deep breath and really look at what you owe especially if any of the following apply to you.

· Your credit card balances are steadily increasing but your income is steady or decreasing.

· You can only afford the minimum repayment on your cards.

· You are juggling bills and using credit cards for essential items such as food or utility bills.

· You are near the limit on your credit cards.

· You are working overtime or have a second job just to pay off your debts.

· You do not know much you owe and are scared to find out.

· You are hiding the extent of your debts from your partner or loved one.

· You avoid answering the telephone to creditors and are worried about bailiffs calling.

· You constantly worry about money.

· You have used or are considering using ‘pay day loans’ just to get by.

Please check out our eBook for more advice. Follow this link. http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/164781

Green celebrities-Bill Gates.

2012-07-22T06:24:00.001-07:00

Bill Gates

Another surprise new entrant to the Ecorazzi, Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates has shown his heart is in the right place on both the environment and ethical issues. He recently made an appearance at the Live 8 concert in London's Hyde Park in a bid to urge world leaders to do more to ease the problem of Africa's crippling debt and extreme poverty. Since making his fortune, Gates has pursued a number of philanthropic endeavors, donating large amounts of money (about 52% of his total fortune) to various charitable organizations and scientific research programs through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, founded in 2000. Go go Gates!
For money saving advice you can buy our book,'Help-I've got no dosh!' available from Smashwords and Barnes and Noble for $1.95. Follow this link
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/164781 for more information.

Green celebrities- George Clooney

2012-07-14T07:17:00.001-07:00

He saved plenty of lives as a doctor on ER, but we'd say he's had a larger impact on the real world, now that he tirelessly fights to aid refugees around the world. Clooney is a United Nations Messenger of Peace and has supported organizations such as Save Darfur. He has also worked to raise awareness about and decrease our nation's dependence on oil by being a part of films such as "Syriana"--which fictionalized the rampant corruption of the oil industry--and by driving an electric car.

For more money saving advice buy our eBook 'Help-I've got no dosh!' now available at Smashwords for $1.95. Follow this link https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/164781 payment by Paypal.

Green celebrities- Leonardo diCaprio

2012-07-08T01:45:00.002-07:00

Check out our green celebrities series. Starting with Leonardo diCaprio.

This outspoken young star has been a driving force behind the green movement for over a decade. He lends his talents to projects like the climate change documentary The 11th Hour (which he narrated, co-produced and wrote) and the upcoming eco-friendly reality program "Greensburg" (he's the executive producer) airing on the Discovery Channel's Planet Green, which chronicles the green rebuilding of a town in Kansas that was destroyed by a tornado; he established the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation which helps raise awareness of environmental issues; and he's often caught tooling around Tinseltown in his Toyota Prius hybrid. DiCaprio stays green at home, too-with his $3,200 eco-friendly toilet!

For money saving advice buy our book 'Help-I've got no dosh! ' available from Smashwords by using this link https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/164781 Purchase price is $1.95 via Paypal.

Kate Middleton recycles clothes!

2012-06-30T00:19:00.001-07:00

Although it may not seem much to us, it it quite a major step for such a high profile person to be photographed twice wearing the same outfit. Check out the above photographs. Kate looks fantastic and is setting a good example. She is also reported to be arranging to sleep on the streets overnight in order to raise awareness for homeless charities. Prince William has already undertaken this task as this was an issue close to his mother's, Princess Diana's heart.
For money saving advice buy our book 'Help-I've got no dosh! ' available from Smashwords by using this link https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/164781 Purchase price is $1.95 via Paypal.

Make elderflower wine!

2012-06-23T01:56:00.002-07:00

Elderflower Wine
Ingredients

1 pint elderflowers (remove stalks)
8 pints boiling water
3lbs sugar
Juice of 1 lemon
Grated rind of 1 lemon
½oz yeast

Method

Add lemon rind to the elderflowers, pour boiling water over them and stand for four days, stirring occasionally. Strain through a fine sieve or muslin , then stir in sugar, lemon juice and yeast. Ferment at room temperature (not below 18˚C). When the bubbling has ceased, stir the wine and allow to settle for three days. Strain again carefully. Put in a demijohn to mature for three months, then bottle.
Elderflowers are currently in abundance so why not give this a go?
If you would like more money saving tips and halve your expenditure then buy our book available from smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/164781 available at an introductory price of $2.95 or £1.90

10 ways to save money on holidays!

2012-06-16T04:41:00.000-07:00

If the cost of holidays is making you edgy then check out our top ten ways to reduce costs.

1. Book early
It may seem obvious but the holiday industry is like any other business affected by the basic economics of supply and demand. The best time to book, according to travel agent Trailfinders, is 11 months before you're due to travel. The flights have just been released and there's plenty of cheaper seats available.

2. Book late
The rules of supply and demand also apply in last few days before the departure date. If there are unsold seats and hotel rooms, you can bag a bargain with a few clicks of the mouse, or a phone call or two.

3. Buy a package
The internet has been a godsend for people who wish to bypass the travel agent and arrange their own trips. But here's a little-known tip: if you are booking a flight and a car, or flight and accommodation, by packaging the two deals together, an agent can often offer a much better deal than if you were to book separately, even online.

4. Travel on the ferry at unsociable times
After years of outrageously high fares, the cross-Channel ferry operators have woken up to the fact that people aren't prepared to pay up to £600 to cross a stretch of water so short you can see the other side from our shores - especially as you can fly to Spain for a few quid. As a result, fares have plunged and if you can travel at night, it's even cheaper.

5. Stay at home
A change is good as a rest so why not move into the spare room or swap rooms with your kids for a week or two. It's free and can be great fun – especially if you can agree to swap roles so the children do all the cooking.

6. Share the cost
A holiday home that sleeps 12 people isn't usually six times more expensive than one that sleeps two. So if you can bear to share with friends or family you could save a packet.

7. House swap
You may think you live in a horrid, torrid suburban time warp - but to an American visitor your home could well the quaint historic corner of Britain that they've been yearning for. Likewise, their 'small' tumble-down hovel will probably feel like a mansion. Give it at try.

8. Check out the special 'anti-truancy' deals
As part of the Government's Every Lesson Counts campaign to cut down on truancy, major holiday companies have developed special deals such as free child places and money off for adults. Ask your school for details or contact the travel firms - but bear in mind that many of these offers may still be cheaper elsewhere.

9. Surf for a deal
It's one of the things the internet does best. Compare flights, create your own holidays and book online - or use it for research then phone around the High Street chains and haggle.

10. Check back later
Travel agents and internet users can reserve flights and holidays for several days without purchasing them. So if at first you find a deal is unavailable at the price you want to pay, you have a choice: pay the higher price or wait a few days to see if the places become available again.

We will be considering other tips so keep checking in with us. Bon voyage!

Art from toilet rolls!

2012-06-10T02:16:00.001-07:00

Ever wondered what to do with your left over toilet roll cardboard? Have a look at the picture above. Here the cardboard has been sliced and interesting pictures glued on them. The cardboard circles have then been arranged into an interesting shape and mounted on a wall to create an interesting and original piece of art work. This is easy to do and a brilliant way to recycle. Why not give this a go?

Jubilee pictures!

2012-05-31T11:01:00.000-07:00

With the diamond jubilee approaching, why not have a go at this picture made by using spare buttons. Just arrange how you wish, glue and voila! This would make an excellent centre piece for your Jubilee celebrations. You could do something similar using scrap paper, or general trash. Why not give this a go!

Fix an old garden chair!

2012-05-24T11:20:00.001-07:00

Do you have any old garden chairs? As the weather has perked up you may be spending more time in the garden. Instead of throwing away old chairs why not weave acrylic wool as above to create a colourful, original chair. The weaving is quite straightforward and easy to do. Why not give it go?

Bonsai tree made from trash!

2012-05-17T12:21:00.001-07:00

From Tokyo check out this bonsai tree made from trash. This is a really imaginative way of reusing rubbish and creating something lasting and beautiful from nothing. If you fancy having a go then gather and clean rubbish and consider a backdrop. Arrange your rubbish and let your imagination run riot? The beauty of this is that what have you got to lose-absolutely nothing ! Go on give it a go!

Cocktail umbrella light shade!

2012-05-10T10:46:00.001-07:00

What do you think of these lamp shades made out of cocktail unbrellas? Cocktail umbrella sticks have been opened out, arranged to slightly overlap and glued together to create fabulous and unique shades. To create the circle fitting over the bulb two umbrellas have been opened and a glued together. A circle has then been cut through the middle to create the hole. The whole structure has then been glued onto the central umbrella. If you have any cocktail umbrellas lying around why not give it a go for a new and original look.

Advanced recycled art!

2012-05-06T11:45:00.001-07:00

These two pictures were made entirely out of recycled scraps such as beads, plastic, paper,pasta and buttons to name but a few. It is best to sketch out a rough outline first, gather your junk scraps and have fun arranging them. When you are happy with the colour and positioning then you can simply glue in place. This is an advanced project so keep persevering until you are happy with the results. Why not give it a go?

Recycled candlesticks!

2012-05-03T11:50:00.002-07:00

These have been made by using two different sized plastic bottles, one slightly larger than the other. Both bottles should be cut about two to three inches beneath the spout. The smaller spout can then be inserted upside down into the larger spout and glued together to form the candlestick. These are both stylish and cost almost nothing to make.Why not give it a try ?

Junk mail tree picture!

2012-04-28T02:01:00.000-07:00

Here junk mail has been cut into tree like shapes and glued onto a white canvass. The canvass has been framed to make a lovely, simple yet original picture. Junk mail can be used as it gives a unique, textured effect. Makes you almost wish for more deliveries. Why not give it a try?

More Junk Mail Art!

2012-04-23T10:57:00.000-07:00

Here I have used junk mail and cut it into a two heart outlines and one heart. The paper is then stuck onto canvasses which I bought for about £4. Overall the effect is pleasing and stylish and a great way to recycle and make stylish art at the same time. You could cut out all sorts of other shapes to suit your particular interests. Why not give it a go?

Junk mail art!

2012-04-18T23:54:00.000-07:00

Hate junk mail ? Why not gather it up and make a stunning picture as above. This is made using junk mail cut into interesting shapes and glued onto a canvas. The effect is a unique picture which can be hung pride of place in your home. Next time you have junk mail pushed through your letter box why not try a creative way of recycling it? The results could be amazing!

Recycling glass bottles!

2012-04-15T00:56:00.001-07:00

If you are feeling artistic then why not have a go at painting left over glass bottles? These are wine bottles with the label removed. You need to use acrylic paints on glass. It may be helpful to practice complex paint ideas first but at least any errors can be rectified by simply wiping them off whilst wet. Or you could try geometric or abstract designs for starters. These bottles have had inserts added so they can be used to store olive oil. They would also make lovely gifts or could be used for home made wine,candle holders etc. Why not give it a go?

Painted plant pots!

2012-04-10T00:13:00.000-07:00

Now that Spring is here and you are starting to plant why not get out your paints to liven up plant pots? As seen above even a little paint on the rim can dramatically alter and improve the humble plant pot. Any paints can be used but if using water based paints it is best to varnish in order to protect your art work Ceramic pots work best and can be easily and dramatically improved with a little imagination. These also make great presents all year round so why not give it a go?

Mini eggs in a mug !

2012-04-04T13:03:00.001-07:00

Fed up of the expense of easter eggs and the large amount of packing rather than chocolate? Why not buy a mug and fill with mini eggs instead? This is not only a cost effective alternative to easter eggs it also means you have a mug to keep having eaten all the lovely eggs. Here we have placed a bag of mini eggs and chocolate bunnies in a mug but you could also use an egg cup as an alternative. Why not try this as a simple alternative to easter eggs?

Yarn Easter Eggs!

2012-04-02T10:11:00.001-07:00

Why not have a go at making these yarn easter eggs, which look amazing. All you need are balloons blown up and tied. yarn, pva glue and a sharp needle. Simply place pva glue on the wool/yarn and wrap around the balloon evenly. Wait for the glue to dry completely and prick the balloon and remove. This makes a great craft activity for the kids so why not give it a try?

Tin can as gifts!

2012-03-31T03:30:00.000-07:00

This soft drinks can has been recycled to make an interesting gift. The can has been washed,covered in paper and small sweets such as smarties have been inserted through the tab hole. The tab has then been carefully glued down with a glue gun and the tab decorated with ribbons to make an interesting gift. You could use other cans where the whole lid comes off to insert larger items such as little Easter eggs for an Easter present with a twist. Why not give this a go?

Recycled plastic vase!

2012-03-27T13:21:00.001-07:00

I had this pop bottle lying around and decided to make a vase. I sliced off the top of the bottle with a sharp knife and cut the bottle into equal 1 inch vertical strips. The strips were then heated carefully over a gas hob, at a distance until the strips formed interesting shapes. The effect is simple yet effective. Why not give this a try rather than just simply recycling as this is a lot more fun!