This article by Carrie is one of a series of individual reflections by Transition Falmouth’s members as the cost of living crisis escalates. Comments welcome.

I have never written a blog before but was sufficiently shocked upon listening to a local radio phone in. Someone was reporting that a woman who got her groceries from a food bank admitted that she couldn’t afford to cook them!

My immediate thought to get round rising energy prices was to suggest using a slow cooker. I bought one from a charity shop for five quid and that was 25 years ago. I had a single parent of teenage son crisis at that time and every penny had to count… literally.

Slow cookers are not just capable of producing good stews but also soups, pulled pork/beef, spag bol, roast chicken, cheesecake, apple crumble, bread pudding and much more. In addition the purchase of an electric steamer will give a low wattage advantage and a variety of meals.

https://realfood.tesco.com/recipes.html – click on Recipes Cooking and Baking then scroll down to Slow Cooker. Further down the page is another heading for budget student recipes which might be useful.

Another energy saving is to use low temperature or cold wash cycles in the machine. Clothes still come out clean I’m happy to say. White vinegar can act a bit like a fabric softener and leaves no taint. I think it works by dissolving any soap residue in the wash. Probably cleans the pipework too!

Worried about how to remove stains on clothes? A small scoop of soda crystals in the detergent compartment should solve the problem. A pack can be purchased in most supermarkets for around 80 pence and will last ages. For stubborn stains mix a scoop of soda crystals and water into a paste and spread on affected area. Leave until dry then brush off residue and wash as usual. I used a soda paste on a very stained mattress which came up like new. Previously applied over the counter stain removal products did not work. Soda crystals dissolved in warm or cold water or as a paste will remove grease in kitchens, good for washing up too.

What did people use before washing up liquid was invented? Exactly! I’m not talking ancient history here but during and just after WW2 when goods were in short supply. My mother use to wash her hair with soap and rinse in malt vinegar and got compliments on her shiny hair! I’m not suggesting that we all go around smelling of carbolic and something you pour onto chips but in a budget crisis is there any harm in trying this now and again?

Another saving is to cut in half tubes of moisturiser, hair conditioner, toothpaste etc when they appear to be empty. You will be amazed at the amount still left in the tube.

A final saving might be for those who are on metered water. An empty bucket in the shower will soon fill up with waste water and could be used for toilet flushing. I always try to use water twice. A little warm, soapy washing up water can be transferred into a bucket for floor washing. No need to soak the mop. Use a floor cloth, using the mop on top as a guide. So little water is used but floors are still cleaned and dry ultra quick.

I am in the process of putting together budget and easy recipes, including veggie and vegan. Emphasis on cheap but nutritious.

Hopefully this will help play down my reputation as some kind of ‘Mrs Mop’ cleaning guru!

Hope some of this is useful.

Carrie