(This article was originally written about a year prior to the date of publishing here. More updated articles to follow so watch this space!!)

At the time of writing, we keep being reminded we are in an “economic crisis”.  All of us, in every country, at the same time.

So I thought it would be a good time to share some tips/tricks I use at home.

I hope you find them useful……

1. Split large packs of mince/fish/chicken into the portion sizes before you freeze them. This can help reduce food waste as you’re not trying to cook (and eat) too much food at once.  It is also a much better use of storage space in the freezer.  Its easier to find room for 2 or 3 smaller packs than one bulky pack.  If you want to, you could cook up a huge batch of, spaghetti bolognaise, for example, but freeze the portions individually.

2. Re-use freezer bags.  As long as I haven’t had raw meat in them,  I will rinse out freezer bags and hang to dry so I can use them again.  These things aren’t cheap but they are strong so I’ll use them till they bust!  I’ve found them especially good for storing fruit as even if the fruit gets mushed, its easy to rinse the bag out and you’re good to go again.  Also a great way to store veg such as broad beans, peas or runner beans from the garden.

3. Use old chocolate containers as plant saucers.  Here, I’m talking about the plastic boxes that we tend to get at Christmas.  Once you’ve used one for a sewing box you might be tempted to throw any others out – don’t!

Why buy big saucers for your pots when you can use these tubs?  They fit my bigger pots and mean my plants can get a good amount of water in one go – also handy if you’re going away for a few days and worried about watering your plants.

4.  Try to grow something you can eat.  You don’t need to turn into a farmer but there are a surprising number of things you can grow in a back garden or windowsill.  The picture above shows the tub I’m using to grow some carrots – just put it a little higher up so the carrot fly can’t get to it (apparently they are low flyers).  I’m growing a variety here that gets fat but not too long – perfect for a container.

By growing in your garden/pots/windowsill you can try out a few different plants to see what you like best.  For example, most herbs can be grown in a pot on a windowsill – basil, coriander, thyme, sage, rosemary.  What do you like? If you can’t stand oregano, why would you grow it?  Love parsley?  Throw some seeds on a tray of compost and wait PATIENTLY….they can take a while, but are you in a hurry?  If you are, then radish or salad leaves might be more your thing.

Personally, I usually grow most of my peppers on a windowsill.  However, I am experimenting a bit this year and have left a few plants outside.  I’ve noticed their leaves are smaller but they have more flowers.  This is probably because the indoor plants had an infestation of aphids.  Where do they come from?  I also found a HUGE caterpillar munching away quite happily.  Things have improved on the aphid front considerably since taking a ladybird hostage – she is eating her way to freedom:

I’ve done a few experiments outdoors this year.  The carrots I’ve already told you about; I’ve also sown some runner beans in a small trough.  While we haven’t been inundated with beans, we’ve certainly had enough for quite a few meals – I mean, how many do you actually want on your plate per meal?

We’ve also experimented with seeds from fruit we’ve bought at the supermarket.  We now have 2 lemon plants and an avocado tree!  Will we ever get lemons? Who knows, but I like the plants, even though they look a little ill at the moment:

5.  Use websites where you can pick up what you need for free.  Personally, I love Freecycle and Gumtree.  If you have something to get rid of, these sites are also a great resource.

6.  Squish that toilet roll!  Yes, you heard me.  That roll of expensive tissue on a roll will spin round like a slot machine, wasting your pennies if you don’t.  A little squeeze to dent the cardboard makes it harder to be wasteful!

7.  Cut open your toothpaste tubes.  Why not?  You paid for ’em!  The actual tube usually has enough for 1 or 2 more brushings but the part where the cap goes can keep you going for a few days!

8.  Don’t buy cleaning wipes.  They’re expensive, you don’t need them.  Buy a big bottle of cleaner and decant it into a spray bottle.  Use neat or dilute a little if you need to (depending on use).

9.  Use your freezer more.  If you see meat, veg or fruit on offer at the supermarket – buy it and freeze it.  Meat/fish are easy to freeze.  If you’re not sure how to freeze the veg or fruit – a quick look online will help.  Most fruit I just pop in a bag and gently squish the air out of it, then lay flat. You can also put the fruit on a baking tray, freeze, then bag it.  Always remember to get the air out though – the bag will go flatter and save you freezer space.  Most veg are meant to be blanched – cooked for a minute or two – but I’d be lying if I said I did that all the time!

10.  Use online ‘ingredient’ tools:  Got too much of something or is your cauliflower needing used up?  Just go online, type in ‘what can I make with…(add your item) and hey presto – a ton of suggestions will appear.  I have quite a few sites I use for this and they’re all good.

So, there you have it, 10 tips to help you on your merry way – hope you get something out of them.