Well, between cutting back on food and driving, I think I saved about $80, so that'd be about 50 quid. Not bad... many thanks to all you folk down the lane for encouragement and ideas!

Sorry, that should have been:
http://crunchbanglinux.org/

Hang in there Spudley! I know how much of a struggle it can be to make those extra mortgage payments. Especially when you look around and see everyone else living the high life. I know I used to shake my head and wonder why we bothered -- but as we get closer to the end goal, I feel that all it's be...

Fell of the frugal wagon this week, and bought a few bottles of wine. We're having friends over, and I wanted to make sure I had enough social lubricant on hand. Entertaining at home is much cheaper than going out, so I'll justify the expense that way. Still doing fairly well in the other areas. Hun...

You know, I should look around and see if there's anything I can put up for sale on Fleabay... been meaning to list a few used books on Amazon too. Thanks for the idea!

I like your savings snail! Great idea -- keeps your eye on the prize.

If you follow these things gromit you probably already know about The Oil Drum web site, but in case you haven't heard about it, you can read an interesting technical backgrounder about the Guardian post here: http://www.theoildrum.com/node/7465 It is all very, very worrying. I think there are some ...

Does it matter what sort of sand is used to store the carrots? We used standard landscaping sand (cheap stuff). I remember going out to the quarry and filling plastic buckets to bring home. Should be slightly damp too. I found this web site that might be of use: http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-store...

Sorry to hear about the cold and the oil bill. And the weather too. Not much you can do about any of them, really!

Hope the second half of the month is kinder to you

Well, nearly half way through the month. Mileage to date is only 76 kms, so I'm under my limit. I did break down and buy a new shirt/tie combo for $7 (mostly because my wife thinks my current dress duds are a bit threadbare), but other than that, holding fast to my frugality. Had to ration out the c...

I think I found one for you.

There's a link to a PDF version of the manual at the very last line of this review:
http://www.fidelgastro.co.uk/reviews/appliances-reviews/tesco-bms1-breadmaker/2009/08/

I downloaded it (it's about 12 megs), and it opened okay for me.

I have turned the heating down to 60 today, but I am freezing! I keep the central heating for the house at 15 C (that's about the same as 60F I think) during the day. But I still heat my office with a small electric rad. I would just put on gloves and throw a blanket over my head, but the cat insis...

Well, yesterday was very frugal -- stayed at home because of the weather and my snowblower runs on beer. 250km in a month is a pretty easy target for us, as Mrs. Canuck and I both work locally (and I usually work from home), and any time we head into the Big Smoke we take public transit. Already che...

DON'T MAKE CABBAGE WINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The neighbours will think someone has died months ago Mike A friend of mine was in the navy, and used to say that, if you were desperate, you could ferment anything (in his defence, he made a good elderberry wine)... but cabbage? Yikes. My wine making skill an...