Tips n Wrinkles

Friday, 5 September 2008

Cornflakes Bags and Boxes

When I eat cornflakes and stare at the box that stands in front of me I always recall some 20 years or so ago on the TV programme ‘That Life’. They showed one evening that there was more nutritional value in the packaging than the cornflake contents. That thought had a powerful message that has stuck in my mind ever since.

There were some experiments done as I recall, and it was found that when tested on rats it resulted with the nutritional value of the packaging outweighing the nutritional value of the cornflakes. Now I don’t suggest for one minute that you eat the box, but that is an incredible fact

The absolute mindless waste from packaging is something that many just can’t believe in this day and age still goes on. Why? Pure enticement for the price, a sheep in wolves clothing as far as I can see, that’s exactly what a box of cornflakes is.

So as it stand we are not going to change the way cornflakes is packaged, we are only pawns in this game, but we have made the purchase and paid good money for the goods, why not make the most of what we have here. Yes, eat the cornflakes and what do you have left? You have a well-made cardboard box and a tough waterproof and bag to play with. Don’t throw these away, you have paid for them, they have other uses.

The rigid box can be decorated and used as file-holders. By cutting off the top and trimming down the sides at an angle, they are ideal upright or laid on their side for a file or book holder. The waterproof bags are of course up to food grade standards and perfect for storing other food products and for using in the freezer. They can be washed out and used again time after time. You will be hard pressed to find designer freezer food wrapping as of the quality you have here.

Next time you shop for cornflakes, don’t bother putting file storage holders or freezer bags on you shopping list, you will have that in due course.

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Wednesday, 3 September 2008

Free Clothing - Today's Fashion

Free clothing, what's the catch? None, in today's fashion with spiralling prices there is an option open to get free clothing but not many people go for it.

Buying clothes takes a big chunk out of your household budget and is something many people overlook. Whether for you partner or your children you can save a fortune by using strategies that will still give you the fashion and style you want but at a fraction of the cost.

There are many place you can buy clothes that are substantially cheaper than retail stores, but clothes that are given away are free!

Let's start with the idea of free clothing, as when I was a child this was a common practice and where I got most of my clothing. They call it 'hand me downs' but as we worked and kept the family solvent.

The half of the 20th Century has seen retailers get to grips with our minds. Accepting clothing that is no longer wanted from others has a stigma attached! This is purely due to businesses that want you to buy new. What a waste of resources, money not to mention the negative affect on the environment in producing more clothing just for the whim of profit.

Many people nowadays would rather their surplus to requirement clothing just stored for ever, thrown away or given to charity shops rather than be given directly to friends and relatives. This is mainly due to embarrassment and offence to offer.

I must admit when I was younger some of my most prized clothing was handed down to me, I just couldn't afford to buy such items.

Another way of getting free clothing I recently discovered a group call "Freecycle" Their mission is to build a worldwide gifting movement that reduces waste, saves precious resources & eases the burden on our landfills. This idea is great as it enables many people to benefit from giving and receiving clothing as well as anything else that is surplus to requirements.

Freecycle started off in May 2003 to reduce waste in landfill sites. The main rule is that everything that is posted must be free, legal, and appropriate for all ages. It's a free membership and once registered you just email your local group with a donation or request. It's as simple as that and could fill your wardrobe with clothing that cost nothing. Of course its not all take and your conscience must allow for you to give something in exchange, even if it's just swap of clothing.

If you still feel that there is a stigma from accepting free clothing from people, and really there is no reason you should, just keep you mouth shut and don't tell anyone where you got the clothing from. Only you need to know anyway and you will also have peace of mind of the savings you make, the contribution to the environment and also profits made by retail stores to plough more money into advertising and making the public even more keen to buy new each time.

Can I also emphasise that much of the 'hand me down' is 'as new' anyway, its' just been overtaken by someone buying new every week or who have put on weight, so, let's create a new fashion in 'hand me downs'!

If you are interested in starting a Freecycle group in your area, this page will help you. www.freecycle.org

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http://365bulgarianadvetures.com
http://site4truelove.com
http://therakiasite.com
http://doshforu.com

Monday, 1 September 2008

Economical Driving

Economical driving is easy. Okay it is now accepted that we all have to use cars at some point, if we all drive economically and make it a habit of modern day driving the different would be substantial. The amount of cost and pollution that cars currently throw out is horrendous but we can make a contribution to reduce emission into our environment and reduce the amount of fuel used. This at the end of the day will save you money and you conscience.

So if you drive a car, look at the simple things that will make you an economical driver, if you do this save yourself lots of money. Even if you don't drive you can pass these tips on to someone who does!

Under inflated tyres add another 2% in fuel consumption, so keep you tyre pressures in check.

Just don't drive when you have a short journey. Catalytic converters need to run for up to 10 kilometres to work effectively and you will be using a staggering 100% more fuel with a cold engine.

Avoid sharp acceleration and sudden braking this will reduce CO2 emissions and save on fuel.

When changing gears do so when you revs are running at a lower rate, say 2000 to 2500 rpm. This again save on fuel used.

If you have air conditioning try using it less there are substantial saving on fuel when not in use.

Carrying unnecessary baggage is more work for you engine to pull and burns more fuel. Empty you boot and just carry what you need.

Get some company when driving, give people lifts to save them using their car. They will do the same for you and that's one less car on the road and obvious savings for all.

Don't bother warming the engine up by leaving it running. Leaving you engine running for 30 minutes would be the equivalent of travelling around 6 kilometres.