I recently dyed my hair for the first time in a long time and I used peroxide to bleach out my natural colour then applied a brunette dye two days later.  Boy, did I notice the difference in condition.

Like straw!

I recently read a handy hint - which could well have been here on thriftyfun. Here's what I did just now.

I put a handful of my shampoo in my hand and then mixed in approx. 2 teaspoons of Bicarbonate of Soda [Baking Soda] mixed together then applied to my wet hair. 

Lathering like normal shampoo. Then rinsed. I used conditioner only on the ends of my hair and rinsed again, then I tipped about 4 capfuls of White vinegar on my hair and waited for it to saturate most of my long hair.

One more quick rinse with cool water. Squeezed out the excess and towel dried.

My hair feels silky soft and lovely and light. There seems to be a marked difference. I will keep doing this from now on.

I just thought to share my experience with this tip.

Monique

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Emergency Bread.  I have used this for over 10 years now after finding the recipe in an antiquarian cook book. It has served me well and it's tasty too.

1lb Flour (Plain)   

1 Teaspoon of Salt 

2 Teaspoons of Baking Powder  

Water or milk to mix.

Sift the flour in a bowl, add salt and baking powder, mix to a soft dough with water or milk; knead lightly on a floured board; form into rolls (don't overwork the flour, when not shaped into perfect rounds the rolls take on a rustic look and you get lovely cripsy top).  [Pre-heat] Bake in a hot oven....check after 10 minutes should take between 15-20.

Remember to grease the oven tray before adding the dough rolls.   At the end i dampen the tops with water and sprinkle with sesame or Poppy seeds.

This recipe can be reworked too. In the past I have added herbs to the recipe and cheese.

These are lovely warm slathered with butter or plain for dipping in soup.

One thing I have found though is these must be eaten on the day they are made, they don't keep. But it only takes a few minutes to prepare and make these so it's not a great inconvenience.

Perfect for when you have no bread in the house and you can't get to a shop, and I tell you these are tasty too.

Monique

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This is a way of keeping Mushrooms dry. If they touch each other in storage they tend to go off quicker.

I store mine in an egg box.  I live alone and this works for me.

Yesterday though I bought a big punnet of mushrooms and just cut them into slices and then popped them into ziploc bags and froze about 5 or 6 portions.

It all depends on the amount of mushrooms you buy or need.

Monique

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Light a long piece of dry Spaghetti when lighting the gas hob or more than one candle. You won't burn your fingers like you would if you were using a match.

Good for an emergency too- when you only have ONE match left!

Monique

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When I go away at Xmas for two weeks to visit family I make sure to completely defrost my freezer. The food is given away to someone in my local Freecycle and the freezer is completely turned off for two of those weeks.

When I come home it's time to give my freezer a good wash through then back on with the electric and a 'big shop' at my freezer food store.

But here's my little trick. To save the build up of ice, after I have washed and dried the insides of my freezer I coat the walls and shelving runners with a good smearing of Glycerin.  Glycerin is available cheaply in your local pharmacy.

No ice build up and I extend the life of my freezer as it's not working so hard.   It purrs like a kitten all year long! =^..^=

Monique

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Every month I keep a log of all money that comes in and all the money that goes out in a book. That way I can keep track of everything.

I purchase a cheap blank paged book (£1) and write the date at the top. Then I list all my outgoings. Water, Gas, Electric, food shopping etc. I keep a note of all other expenses too......the odd pint of milk, bread, stamps etc til the next paypay. This way I can see in black and white where the money has gone.

I also make sure I have a small amount saved each week - no matter how little. This will go towards any unexpected bill or for that rainy day.

Hope this tip helps someone else :)

Monique

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