and yams are so easy to grow..Just plant a handful and they just grow anywhere without any help.

neldav - 2008-04-17 13:43:00

This is a great site http://cooking.lifetips.com/cat/7436/cooking-on-a-budget-ide
as/index.html

lots of budget tips for cleaning and cooking.

addington261 - 2008-04-17 22:49:00

Hey Kob, just a question regarding the spreadable butter. Why store it in glass jars? Thanks

beagle12 - 2008-04-18 07:38:00

Kob, a question. With the lux and washing soda mixture, is it supposed to be just like water or is it supposed to be gluggy like I imagine the hand soap is? Just made up the 2 litre version and I thought it would be thick and gluggy (cool word huh!) but it is all liquid so I hope I did it right.

cautis - 2008-04-19 15:42:00

Cautis, I make this it sets to a jelly 'gloop' as it cools - just be sure to give it a good shake every so often while cooling to keep even in texture.

tumbleweeds2011 - 2008-04-19 16:22:00

Hi and great thread! Years ago I was told by a commercial cleaner that the anti-static stuff for clothes was actually disenfectant.. and the mould cleaner for outdoor items was just janola with a slight thickener in it to stop it running off so fast! I also remember on the old janola hints they had the SUPER strong version where you add white vinegar to it and water - pretty eye watering stuff if ya make it too strong lol Always wondered if thats what exit mould was.

maegit - 2008-04-19 22:00:00

Budget Bump Bump...Bump...Bump

blass - 2008-04-19 22:51:00

Hmm, tumbleweeds I must have done something wrong then cos two days later it is just a slightly thicker than water liquid. Will have to try again and see how I go.

cautis - 2008-04-22 07:08:00

cautis it sort of resembles when shaken before use a milkshake syrup(only think i can think off) but you do need to shake it before each use other wise the hard sedament sticks to the bottom of the bottle and is hard to break up....DONT use this mix for whites as it does turn them grey but great for every other item of laundry needed to be washed and you can personalise it by adding the essentials oils.

kob - 2008-04-22 11:53:00

Ok, I definitely did something wrong the first time round lol cos it has turned out much better this time doing it in an ice cream container and stirring it with a spoon, then transferring it once it had cooled down. Now for another problem, don't use with whites? I do not seperate my washing as I would be doing three 1/4 loads each day and i'm afraid that won't do much for my power bill. The only thing I do seperate is towels when I have more than one or two. So with throwing the whites in with my other clothes will this still turn them gray?

cautis - 2008-04-22 21:09:00

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hoochie-mama - 2008-04-23 14:28:00

not 100% sure on this just know that altho this liquid is fantastic on normal washing it turns whites grey.

kob - 2008-04-23 15:16:00

Great Thread!! Am off to supermarket tomorrow for glycerine, lux flakes, washing soda and of course more b.soda and vinegar!! Then 2 the $2 shop for some spray bottles. I think my house will look like a chemist too! o but what a challenge!

kabre - 2008-04-26 19:46:00

Whites turning grey Cautis, I've been using Kob's mix for a couple of weeks now and I don't seperate my washing and 'touch wood' nothing has gone grey yet! In fact, I'm so happy with how my washing is coming out all soft and snuggly and it smells clean not all chemical smelling.
I wonder if you could add some white vinegar as was mentioned in another thread? I'm going to try it next time I wash.
Kob, thanks for your ideas, they are awesome!! I'm just learning to budget better and am loving making my own things. :-) xx

natcat2104 - 2008-04-26 20:19:00

Thanks natcat. I've been using the detergent for about a week and also putting white vinegar in where the fabric softener is supposed to go. (My kids all look at me funny when they see me doing that!) Was thinking, it must be the washing soda crystals that turn the whites gray cos I used to use just Lux for my cloth nappies and they stayed white.

cautis - 2008-04-26 20:54:00

ive also been using this mixture for my washing...mixing it up in 2L milk containers. Ive not experienced anything going grey either but just wanted to ask what the white vinegar added to the wash does? Thanks for the tips...Im sure its going to save me heaps.

chickadee15 - 2008-04-26 23:15:00

cancel that about the white vinegar... i just read it in another thread.

chickadee15 - 2008-04-26 23:20:00

the washing soda actually draws the stuck on grease and grim from the washing machine and puts it onto your clothese, if you actually read all the great properties that it has it does heaps and can be used for heaps......I must point out that I dont seperate any clothing except my good work white clothes which I do wash in commercial wash powder but everything else gets done in the liquid and I to make up the 3 L containers i have given so many people the recipe over the months i have used it, and had only good comments, I guess you could add the vinegar to the mix i mighteven try it myself, I to use vinegar for lots of things from descaling the coffee machine to cleaning the kettle and mixing with the baking soda for the SS Shower tray.

kob - 2008-04-27 07:02:00

Ummm dont want to sound silly but have just found this forum and am wondering what Project 10 is? I am a sahm and have 5 children including 3 teenagers.What do you feed your pets?

basslake - 2008-04-27 08:17:00

Bumpin for a poster from the parenting thread :o)

jenna68 - 2008-04-27 10:00:00

What do you mean , what is Project 10? I am just another cook, cleaner bottlewasher who, like a lot of others, had to do lots of budgeting. And enjoys this site a lot. You should have seen Project 9. LOL

project10 - 2008-04-27 22:48:00

good Mornining In the previouss page there was a reference to 'Project 10'.I didnt realise it could have been refering to you. I also see people where joining and seeing as I am in the position of needing to tighten my own purse strings I was wondering what it was about.I am a mum of 5 and would love some more tips on being frugule (sp). We are finding that their is no way that we can live on my husbands income which is why I do childcare in my own home.

basslake - 2008-04-28 06:31:00

Hi Basslake - do you have a vegetable garden? That would be the single biggest thing you could do to save money. I wouldn't be without one and I bottle, freeze and preserve like crazy in summer. Also if you are in your own home plant fruit trees as food is just going to get dearer and dearer. Source places for cheap plants and trees. Cook everything from scratch, don't rely on convenience foods, and bake. Join the library and don't buy books, or magazines - you can read them there. Buy only secondhand, I get everything good, used. Become a op shopper, I couldn't bring myself to pay a new price now for anything!

tumbleweeds2011 - 2008-04-28 09:24:00

Thanks tumbleweeds we have a small garden. I am embaressed to say I have never perserved in my life:( We dont own our own home (the ex got it). We had to start from scratch my boys are geting older which is creating more pressure on the budget as well as unwise decisions on my part.But I want to do better and show my children the art of budgeting and spending money wiser.Thanks though for your wise words.

basslake - 2008-04-28 10:09:00

Its taken me more than a few mins to get through this fantastic thread. Just want to ask I have 10litre water bottles that I thought I could make Kobs laundry liquid in. But I wonder if as it sets I wont be able to shake it to well.. Might have to let hubby recycle them and use smaller bottles. Ill get mt lux etc next week and start producing.. Cant wait.. MInd you I have powder left so beter use that first I suppose.. lol.. Keep up the good work everyone. This is great

popeye333 - 2008-04-28 13:43:00

Hi Basslake :) Don't be embarrassed to say you have never preserved - its not a prerequisite of being a Mum! I never did while my children were growing up - I do it now they have all left home so I can pass stuff onto them. We live and learn though, if I had done while they were teenagers (4 of them) I possibly wouldn't have spent the mealtimes I did watching them eat and not being able to afford for me to. We all learn to do the things that suit us in order to make ends meet. This forum is invaluable for its passed on skills and advice, pick what you can from it and don't feel guilty for anything you don't do - OR may have done in the past - every day is a new day and lots of things can be changed or started tomorrow.

tumbleweeds2011 - 2008-04-28 17:18:00

Thanks It is something I would love to learn.I have taught myself how to cook Tea and bake yummy biscuits so am sure peserving should be a peice of cake ;).I have been blessed with a wonderful Husband that is a great chef and doesnt mind leting me out for some excercise while He cooks Tea.As a teenager I grew up in Gypsy caravans so onle had 2 elements to cook on and baking was definitly not done.I have made it my mission to teach my own how to cook and bake before they leave home.Mr 16 cooked anzac biscuits today cause he was hungry so had a look in the pantry and decided we had ingredients.

basslake - 2008-04-28 19:13:00

Bumping for today ..

popeye333 - 2008-04-29 14:31:00

would love a recipe for dishwashing liquid if anyone has one. My tip on how to save a bit of money - Buy a deodarent stone/crystal from the health shop. Initially it costs a lot more but it lasts a very very long time. I have been using these since '99 and only on the hottest and muggiest days do I notice any 'odour' about me, and then it's not to bad. They do shatter when dropped and are then unusable so please be careful. All natural as well.

dibble35 - 2008-04-29 21:30:00

Hi basslake. Welcome to the best budget site. When I first got married I could bake but not cook a meal. This site is for people to ask how and recieve answers. How I wish it had been available when I needed it, so I am happy to help in anyway I can.

project10 - 2008-04-30 01:07:00

Thanks for that Dibble I've been wondering if those stones were any good. I have tried a few organic roll ons but not been very impressed with them or the cost.

tumbleweeds2011 - 2008-04-30 12:16:00

does anyone know what could be used to stop the static in the clothes from the dryer? There are occasions where I have to use it.

whiteraven - 2008-04-30 18:59:00

salt deo sticks I cant recommend them enough! I bought a small one and its still going 2yrs later! only on really warm days do you notice any odour. I used to work in a cafe kitchen between 2 commercial ovens and only about half a dozen days in full summer did i ever notice a bit of BO. You can get them at some supermarkets and chemists.

mvr - 2008-05-01 19:37:00

worth it aye mvr. As I said i've been using them since I did an organic growing course in '99. I've probably spent $50-$70 on these stones in 9 years. And i've never worn one out, had to replace because I dropped them. They range in price from about $8 - $20, mind you it's been awhile since I bought one.

dibble35 - 2008-05-02 17:09:00

Another budgeting tip - dont get a pet! but if like me you already have one (3 for me) then you can save a bit of money by buying dog food from a rural supply store. I buy a 20kg bag of good quality dog biscuits for about $40. It's all natural which appealed to me to start but compared to similar quality in supermarkets it's a bargain.

dibble35 - 2008-05-02 17:13:00

smellys for kobs washing liquid? I'm going to have a crack at kobs washing liquid this weekend, i read that to get a nice smell just to add some essence. Would this be the oil essence kind that goes in the oil burner thing? If so,would the essence at the $2 shop be ok?

just_lookin1 - 2008-05-02 20:36:00

hi all am starting to notice, as have others who have commented to me, that some items are already less showing up on supermarket shelves than before. also in watching business news in the mornings have noted that rice, flour, sugar are going to be in short supply and we will see a continueing of price increases upto and including the next four years. have gone back to pretty much making own bread and making sure that we have a stock up on all baking stuff. home brand products not too bad at all - recomend to all! blessings for the day

timetable - 2008-05-03 08:18:00

bumping someone looking for budget ideas

natcat2104 - 2008-05-03 13:18:00

Bu... mp

paghan - 2008-05-03 13:19:00

I buy my milk from Fruitworld now A 2 litre of Meadowfresh Calci-trim is only $3.39 at Fruitworld, where as its $4.19 at Pak n Save and Foodtown. I don't understand how the supermarkets can charge 80 cents more - bizarre!!!!

sellmyhouse - 2008-05-03 13:35:00

Milk couplands sell 2x 2 litre milk bottle for $5 or $5.50. I get mine with my .99c bread

just_lookin1 - 2008-05-03 20:26:00

I have just made pasties and the filling is two nights leftovers.
I had just over 1/2 cup mince and the same with mashed potatoes. The pastie was made from 250grams of plain flour and 125grams cold butter mixed in a food processor till it was mixed together then I added just over 100mls icy cold water and blended it together very quickly. The mixture was divided into 4 portions and rolled out till just over a saucer size. I added the mince and potato to the middle with a little bit of cheese. I folded over the pastry to join, I used a little water to seal joins. The pasties are in the fridge for 20 mins and then I will bake for approx 30-35mins at 200C and will turn down to 180C after 15mins. This is a cheap meal. Technically what I made was more of a turnover. I used Pams butter $3.59 (90 cents worth) and Homebrand flour $1.89 (approx 30 cents worth). This recipe can easily be doubled. If you use raw meat then cook at 220C for 15mins and 170C for 30 mins.

malcovy - 2008-05-04 16:18:00

H.E.L.P! I was on another budgeting thread and I think it was kob invited me on this one.Gr8 thread! but it was mentioned that there was advice on how to stock you pantry so you don't waste anything...I need this advise badly,I've just read through entire thread and can't see it-did I miss it or how do I get it???

1rosco - 2008-05-04 23:35:00

I will check in tomorrow need sleep now.

1rosco - 2008-05-04 23:36:00

1rosco the best tip i can give is to keep an tidy pantry and also keep an itenery of it, eg know that you have 3 tins of spaggeti & 1 creamed corn, know you hace a spare packet of noodles or a pkt of mashed potateos.....this may seem silly but get a white board and write these things down as when its shopping day you can look at your white board and know what you already have so you dont waste money buying it again...

kob - 2008-05-05 06:19:00

cont I always am 1 pky ahead for cereals and if the kids dont follow the riules they will miss out as i need then to tell me mum ive openeed the new weetbix etc they learn fast cause they miss out.The freezer is the same if you have a big chest freezer and have no idea whats in there have a note book or add it to your white board, I work long hours so when im home do alot of cooking for other times so i write down what meals i have frozen so i am alerted.This saves you money and you control only neccesary buying you can set a quantity of a certain product & just by looking at your sheet can work it out without tirelessly going through your panytry all the time

kob - 2008-05-05 06:20:00

good one kob! sound and sensible advice. the other thing that i have always done is to stock up as much as is able on non perishables, meat, soups in the frezzer, jams, preserves etc so that during the winter our food bill is right down to nothing much other than dairy, fruit, vege, and a bit of meat - chicken and fish if on special - we are blessed with a cattle beast and 2 pigs thru the year. that way with the increased costs of power etc we are able to not hit the budget any harder. over the years we have worked it to pretty much have 3 months worth of stock and that makes a big difference thru the coldest part of the winter. blessings all!

timetable - 2008-05-05 07:52:00

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graysonthemove - 2008-05-05 08:01:00

Thanks kob and timetable I work a similar way too but I have Fibromyalgia I get bad brain fog with it and my memory is shot, the white board idea just might work, so off I go to get one, going to try the soap things too!Luckly I only have one bomarang Daughter living at home at the moment and she is very thifty with her money so she will hopefully help me.
It is great to get you own meat off the land it is such a saving.
I hope to pop in to this thread now and then to pick up some more neat hints and give some if I have any.Have a good day all!

1rosco - 2008-05-05 10:44:00

Love this thread.... Keep it coming!

solo2 - 2008-05-05 14:47:00