This is a collection of various hints and tips. Some were those I grew up with and were handed down from my mother; others are from friends, other relatives, or have been passed to me online. They are many and varied.
I was asked once as to my motivation for publishing this page and I really had to think hard. It wasn't for money. Saving the world, perhaps? Maybe, in a very low key sort of way... The original reason was much more mundane: I liked collecting information, firstly for myself, and after I got my first computer, I saw it and the 'net as perfect media for storing, collecting and then later for publishing my collections. I guess the motivations for publishing the Slug and Snail FAQ and this page have evolved to be the same: To ensure that alternatives to what is perceived as the 'normal', high impact mindset are presented.
An important reason to me, for having and continuing to develop the collection, is so that more environmentally friendly options are presented. In my experience, environmental friendliness and frugality so very often go comfortably hand in hand.
Frugality means different things to different people. No one person has the right to assume for another what is and isn't 'frugal', unless specifically asked. As difficult as it can be, we just have to accept that some folk don't see frugality the same way we do, some don't know what it is to be 'frugal' and may have no desire to be.
Housekeeping:
I live in Australia. I tell you this because
Product names and brands vary between places, so brand names have been excluded wherever possible in favour of generally known component names.
Most measurements will be metric, although vague references such as a 'handful' or similar are bound to appear. Take them for what they are: approximate. Tablespoon measurements where they appear are 20 ml or 4 teaspoons. For some obscure reason an Australian tablespoon is 4 teaspoons.
I often receive various hints from other people. I try to include most in their relevant area and to keep them within the overall tone of my pages. Regrettably, some are not, so I reserve the right to exclude them, even though I appreciate the fact that they have been forwarded to me in the first place. I also reserve the right to edit them.
I don't do links to commercial sites, so don't ask.
DISCLAIMER: The usual disclaimers apply in that these are my experiences and have worked for me or they appear good but I haven't tried them yet. In either case they may not work for you. As much as I find it unlikely that I should need to do so, I absolve myself of any liability associated with their use. That said, I hope that you find something useful. In the event that you have some additions to the list or comment to make, e-mail me.
© Margaret Van Emmerik 1998-2005.