Rice up against hunger!

 

Sometimes what is needed is something teeny tiny.  Or even better lots of teeny tinies.  

I spend quite a lot of time sitting.  I can't stay on my feet too long, that's just the way it is.  I do all sorts of things whilst I sit - I sew, knit, complete puzzles, complete surveys and quite a bit more.  I read blogs, surf the net, exchange e mails and all the rest of it.

But there is a very special site which I have been using for years and which I love.  It's Freerice.com Through this site you can give rice through the Word Food Programme and it won't cost you a penny.

All you have to do is answer multiple choice questions on maths, science, language, humanities, or geography.  You even choose how hard the questions are.  For each correct answer ten grains of rice will be given through the World Food Programme.

I love it.  I've expanded my vocabulary, brushed up my geography and even ventured into maths problems.  The site is entertaining and free to use.

No matter how little money you've got you can make a charitable donation this way as no money is asked for.  There's not much that is tinier than a grain of rice but neither is there much which is more vital.  

Having the conversation

Yes, I know it's ridiculously early to be talking about Christmas but Christmas spending can be ridiculous, so here goes.  

Over the last few years I've had "conversations" with quite a few of my friends.  Actually I chat with my friends a lot but here I'm talking about discussions about Christmas presents.  It's a conversation which needs to take place well before Christmas - December is much too late.

I think most adults have more fun giving than receiving.  For myself, I also have the pleasure of making things.  I sew. crochet, knit cook and papercraft most of my Christmas gifts and love to create throughout the year.  However, I am very aware that receiving a Christmas present may create the expectation that someone has to give a Christmas present in return and of similar value. 

What I mean about "the conversation" is agreeing to dial down Christmas presents between friends.  With some friends I have a cooking agreement - I'll make you a pudding, you make mince pies, that sort of thing.  That eases the pre Christmas cooking burden for both of us.  With others it's "let's have a special day out together after Christmas" so the generosity of Christmas is extended into the New Year.  For another I give something to a charity - this year one friend's loo will be twinned with a loo in Nigeria.  That gift is much more than I would normally spend on a Christmas present but it is also a contribution to a cause dear to my own heart, with a charity working in a country with which I have a personal connection.

Apart from the cooking, this doesn't save much money but it is a more thoughtful way of giving and is truly mindful.  

Peak save

 

My current energy fix ending mid-June) is with British Gas and they offer five hours of half price electricity on Sundays.  Five precious hours!

I save laundry for Sunday, especially if I have to do a more expensive load and even more especially if I have to use my tumble dryer.  I realise that some people may be tut-tutting at the very mention of a tumble dryer but please remember that I am disabled and struggle with some tasks.  I hang things on airers when I can.  A couple of weeks ago I washed my bedspread.  It is quilted and heavy and needs quite a bit of tumbling.  While the bedspread was drying, I did the quarterly clean of the washing machine and monthly clean of the dishwasher.

My trundle truck (mobility scooter) goes on charge as do my iPad and iPhone, vacuum cleaner and electric scrubber.   The rechargeable batteries get a treat as well.  I try to do my freezer inventory during these PeakSave times as the freezer door is open quite a bit when I am doing that.  

I didn't use my oven this week but sometimes I fill it with bread and batch cooked meals.  

British Gas offers PeakSave to encourage domestic consumers to use energy during periods of low demand from industrial and commercial consumers.  I get things ready on Saturday as I don't like rushing around on Sundays but most of these things look after themselves once I have switched them on.