homesaver

Our top fixes for common household dilemmas plus expert money-saving tips to keep your house running smoothly

Household dilemmas solved

To-do list

A few things to try this month...

sort the pantry Spare an afternoon to give your cupboards a good declutter. Out-of-date chocolates and half-eaten packets of biscuits won’t tempt anyone, so take stock and clear out. Adopt the rule of ‘first in, first out’ to ensure nothing goes out of date, treat yourself to some pretty, stackable tins for home-baked goods and have a go at labelling up your jars.

start a veggie garden What could be more rewarding than eating produce that you’ve grown in the back garden? Start in the autumn and plant spring cabbages, garlic and onions, and sow broad beans – you’ll have crops ready to harvest in the spring and summer. The Royal Horticultural Society website, rhs.org.uk, has month-by-month advice and tips on how to grow fruit and veg.

try freezer cooking Life can get very busy at this time of year. With all the kids’ parties, household chores and after-school clubs, time can slip away. Before you know it, it’s dinner time and you’ve got to feed your brood! Get ahead by bulk-cooking meals that you can divide into individual or family-sized portions and pop in the freezer – it’ll save you both time and money. Lakeland sells a great range of freezer pots, bags and pens for labelling.