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SuperScrimping – Patching It Up And Polishing It Out

January 24, 2012 by SimplyBeingMum

This post was originally planned for yesterday but I’m glad I delayed it, as last night I watched SuperScrimpers on Channel 4.

It would appear that the subject of this post is becoming popular once more.

Patching it up, polishing it out, making do and mending. And of course reducing what we waste, be that food, cloth or just items that we would once have disposed of, that we can breath new life into.

Repair rather than replace.

The comments made by you Guys to my post last Wednesday were amazing. Thank you all. I immediately located some denim patches to resurrect my favourite jeans (boy! I wish I hadn’t ragged the last two pairs of that cut/style). Then as fate would have it, Dan’s jean’s developed a hole also. Two pairs of jeans are about to be repaired at a total cost of less than £1.

Whilst I’m in the ‘make do and mend’ groove I’m going to polish my favourite boots.

These boots arrived at Chez Wright, with one previous owner, about 3 years ago. They cost £35, second-hand. They get worn day in, day out, apart from the summer when they get replaced by a pair of flip flops. We almost parted company early last year when I developed very wet feet on one rainy school run. Temptation called, and a pair of Dune boots I had seen many months before were delivered. And then they were returned and refunded. I couldn’t do it. My trusty riding boots were repaired at the local cobblers for £12.50 (10% off the cost of the new pair). A simple thing like polishing them should delay significant aging and deterioration.

I really enjoyed SuperScrimpers. Not because it taught me anything I don’t already know (metal skewer through jacket potatoes for more efficient cooking? I’ve been doing it years!), but because it’s promoting a culture I believe in. I don’t want a disposable, consumable life to be the norm and any help in spreading the word if so welcomed.

The highlight of the program for me was watching Gem show ladies how to ‘superscrimp’ on their nail art. Demystifying the techniques of applying polish so that the added value prices of nail boutiques can be avoided. I love a bit of creativity! She’s a real DIY girl! Go Gem!

(The shock of the show was the family wasting £50 worth of food a week – but more on that on Friday as part of No Waste Tastes Great)

What ‘make do and mend tips’ do you have? Have you salvaged something that was headed for the bin, or are there some things that just need to go?

_____________________________________________________________

Don’t forget I am now posting daily on Facebook! There’s some good conversation going, so if Facebook’s your thing why not head on over?

(there’ll be a photo of my freshly polished boots later – what a glamorous life I lead? haha!)

Filed Under: Conscious Spending, Life simplification, Minimalism, Money Tips, Simple Tips Tagged: make do and mend, polishing boots, recycling clothing, reducing waste, repairing clothing, SuperScrimpers

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. faraway2112 says

    January 25, 2012 at 2:49 am

    On the topic of mending… I have a problem where I pop the elbows on my left sleeve,, (I get bored at work and rest my chin on my left hand while my right works the computers mouse). Needless to say, I have busted out some really cool shirts. Some were a little too small to continue in service and have been ‘assigned other duties’. But the ones that are still fine otherwise I have taken to a local tailor and he’s fixed them on the cheap! I saved more shirts from the rag bag and extended their life. Also, saved money buying more shirts!

    Can’t wait to see the boots!

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      January 25, 2012 at 3:57 pm

      Hey Mike – Like the blue shirt on your ‘about’ photo! Still having an outta body experience with the comments, everyone’s talking about stuff I’ve been up to these last 24 hours! So glad a tailor can fix them up for you, it makes sense all round. You’re reducing waste, saving money (and time shopping) and also giving a skilled person some work rather than consuming. Makes sense to me. I popped into a tailors yesterday to see whether I could have my jeans replicated, but it is rather expensive plus the material so I need to give it some thought. However I really like the idea of having my own unique pair of jeans, that may even be made out of part recycled fabrics etc…
      Sorry no photo yet of the boots on Facebook, I’m a little behind on a few things today… getting round to it! Will be heading on over to your blog when I get 5 to sit with a coffee!

      Reply
      • faraway2112 says

        January 25, 2012 at 11:11 pm

        That is my oldest and favorite shirt that I needed to have mended. I thought, no body looks at my elbow, so why not fit it. So many others would have just tossed it away. I think, we need to be more pratical with our things and try to have them fixed before we dispose of them.

        Take it easy!

        Reply
        • simplybeingmum says

          January 27, 2012 at 10:42 am

          Agree! 🙂

          Reply
  2. faraway2112 says

    January 25, 2012 at 2:49 am

    On the topic of mending… I have a problem where I pop the elbows on my left sleeve,, (I get bored at work and rest my chin on my left hand while my right works the computers mouse). Needless to say, I have busted out some really cool shirts. Some were a little too small to continue in service and have been ‘assigned other duties’. But the ones that are still fine otherwise I have taken to a local tailor and he’s fixed them on the cheap! I saved more shirts from the rag bag and extended their life. Also, saved money buying more shirts!

    Can’t wait to see the boots!

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      January 25, 2012 at 3:57 pm

      Hey Mike – Like the blue shirt on your ‘about’ photo! Still having an outta body experience with the comments, everyone’s talking about stuff I’ve been up to these last 24 hours! So glad a tailor can fix them up for you, it makes sense all round. You’re reducing waste, saving money (and time shopping) and also giving a skilled person some work rather than consuming. Makes sense to me. I popped into a tailors yesterday to see whether I could have my jeans replicated, but it is rather expensive plus the material so I need to give it some thought. However I really like the idea of having my own unique pair of jeans, that may even be made out of part recycled fabrics etc…
      Sorry no photo yet of the boots on Facebook, I’m a little behind on a few things today… getting round to it! Will be heading on over to your blog when I get 5 to sit with a coffee!

      Reply
      • faraway2112 says

        January 25, 2012 at 11:11 pm

        That is my oldest and favorite shirt that I needed to have mended. I thought, no body looks at my elbow, so why not fit it. So many others would have just tossed it away. I think, we need to be more pratical with our things and try to have them fixed before we dispose of them.

        Take it easy!

        Reply
        • simplybeingmum says

          January 27, 2012 at 10:42 am

          Agree! 🙂

          Reply
  3. Slackerjo says

    January 25, 2012 at 12:48 pm

    My entire apartment is a shrine to recycled goods. I put up quite a few shelves to display things (I have enough stuff for a 2 bedroom apt but live in a 1 bedroom which saves me quite a bit of money) and all but 4 of the shelves are made from recycled materials from the garbage. I made a video about it and you can see it here:

    I have no more room for any garbage finds so now I load up my car and drop them off at various thrift stores. So far since December, I have filled my car with 7 loads of stuff. Sadly, if unclaimed in the free cycle section of our building, the staff has no choice but to put it curbside to go to the landfill 🙁

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      January 25, 2012 at 3:50 pm

      Thank you so much for sharing your video! Fantastic! Hurrah indeed for shelves!
      I’m having a bit of an out of body experience today. Sharron below is talking spag bol which is what I was photographing for a post and you’re talking about going up! I had an idea earlier about ‘going up’ – my Son has a castle in his bedroom and it’s taking up loads of floor space. I was thinking of getting a pulley system going so we can raise the castle off the floor (safely of course!)…
      I’ll be heading on over to your blog to check it out!
      Loving the music (and of course Bo!)

      Reply
      • Slackerjo says

        January 25, 2012 at 11:24 pm

        I am a bit of zealot when it comes to shelving and libraries so thanks for the kind words.

        It’s never too young to get kids interested in shelving (I am a 2nd generation shelver!) so the castle on the shelf idea might work.

        Bo and I went to England in Sept and a great time. Just did not have much time to do any garbage picking but did get a cute toy truck at a charity shop. I was pretty excited because the toy truck was only £1.

        London
        http://www.flickr.com/photos/50294796@N03/sets/72157627599378083/
        Leeds
        http://www.flickr.com/photos/50294796@N03/6185549880/in/set-72157627757242042

        Reply
        • simplybeingmum says

          January 27, 2012 at 10:43 am

          We have some great Charity shops in the UK! Some good finds!

          Reply
  4. Slackerjo says

    January 25, 2012 at 12:48 pm

    My entire apartment is a shrine to recycled goods. I put up quite a few shelves to display things (I have enough stuff for a 2 bedroom apt but live in a 1 bedroom which saves me quite a bit of money) and all but 4 of the shelves are made from recycled materials from the garbage. I made a video about it and you can see it here:

    I have no more room for any garbage finds so now I load up my car and drop them off at various thrift stores. So far since December, I have filled my car with 7 loads of stuff. Sadly, if unclaimed in the free cycle section of our building, the staff has no choice but to put it curbside to go to the landfill 🙁

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      January 25, 2012 at 3:50 pm

      Thank you so much for sharing your video! Fantastic! Hurrah indeed for shelves!
      I’m having a bit of an out of body experience today. Sharron below is talking spag bol which is what I was photographing for a post and you’re talking about going up! I had an idea earlier about ‘going up’ – my Son has a castle in his bedroom and it’s taking up loads of floor space. I was thinking of getting a pulley system going so we can raise the castle off the floor (safely of course!)…
      I’ll be heading on over to your blog to check it out!
      Loving the music (and of course Bo!)

      Reply
      • Slackerjo says

        January 25, 2012 at 11:24 pm

        I am a bit of zealot when it comes to shelving and libraries so thanks for the kind words.

        It’s never too young to get kids interested in shelving (I am a 2nd generation shelver!) so the castle on the shelf idea might work.

        Bo and I went to England in Sept and a great time. Just did not have much time to do any garbage picking but did get a cute toy truck at a charity shop. I was pretty excited because the toy truck was only £1.

        London
        http://www.flickr.com/photos/50294796@N03/sets/72157627599378083/
        Leeds
        http://www.flickr.com/photos/50294796@N03/6185549880/in/set-72157627757242042

        Reply
        • simplybeingmum says

          January 27, 2012 at 10:43 am

          We have some great Charity shops in the UK! Some good finds!

          Reply
  5. sharron says

    January 25, 2012 at 3:06 pm

    Jo, i could write a book on making do and mend, i’ve been doing it most of my life!! It comes so naturally to me i wonder how i ever got in debt!! (all gone now) I have a very similar pair of boots from duo, i bought them on the hottest day in July 3 years ago on Ebay, i paid £15 including postage (they retail at £150-£175) and had only been worn once. I love them and they get better with wear. Once the sole goes i know i will be replacing it.

    Now superscrimpers had me screaming at the telly, i am the queen of convnience and even i couldn’t spend £200 on food a week. But did you see when she did go shopping, she bought Dolmio!? And that was her scrimping pff!!

    The lovely lady with the radtior has a blog that i enjoy reading and the cooking lady is marvelous. Got to say i’m so glad being thrifty is cool again, might get ‘enuf respecto’ of my kiddos for the way i am (Although i should let you all know, i spent many years in the darkness, largely ignoring thriftyness and being spend a holic)

    Good job on the jeans jo!

    Sharron x

    P.s i bought a slow cooker !!

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      January 25, 2012 at 3:45 pm

      Firstly so glad you got a slow cooker! Yay!
      I didn’t catch the Dolmio bit, I must have been doing something (as was pottering in kitchen). I do keep a jar in for emergencies from time to time, but only for emergency lasagne not spag bol (I keep a jar of white sauce also). In fact this is rather weird but this PM I’ve made a spag bol from scratch and photographed it. I’m going to post my simple spag bol recipe tonight.
      I’m with you on thrifty being cool! Long may it last, it’s no longer a taboo subject we can rejoice in our frugality! Hurrah 🙂

      Reply
      • Jo H. says

        January 26, 2012 at 7:09 pm

        Chiming in to say I am so glad it’s no longer shameful to be frugal! – Jo H.

        Reply
        • simplybeingmum says

          January 27, 2012 at 10:44 am

          I know! We’re ‘bang on trend’ as Gok Wan would say! Great to see you here Jo! Hope all good!

          Reply
  6. sharron says

    January 25, 2012 at 3:06 pm

    Jo, i could write a book on making do and mend, i’ve been doing it most of my life!! It comes so naturally to me i wonder how i ever got in debt!! (all gone now) I have a very similar pair of boots from duo, i bought them on the hottest day in July 3 years ago on Ebay, i paid £15 including postage (they retail at £150-£175) and had only been worn once. I love them and they get better with wear. Once the sole goes i know i will be replacing it.

    Now superscrimpers had me screaming at the telly, i am the queen of convnience and even i couldn’t spend £200 on food a week. But did you see when she did go shopping, she bought Dolmio!? And that was her scrimping pff!!

    The lovely lady with the radtior has a blog that i enjoy reading and the cooking lady is marvelous. Got to say i’m so glad being thrifty is cool again, might get ‘enuf respecto’ of my kiddos for the way i am (Although i should let you all know, i spent many years in the darkness, largely ignoring thriftyness and being spend a holic)

    Good job on the jeans jo!

    Sharron x

    P.s i bought a slow cooker !!

    Reply
    • simplybeingmum says

      January 25, 2012 at 3:45 pm

      Firstly so glad you got a slow cooker! Yay!
      I didn’t catch the Dolmio bit, I must have been doing something (as was pottering in kitchen). I do keep a jar in for emergencies from time to time, but only for emergency lasagne not spag bol (I keep a jar of white sauce also). In fact this is rather weird but this PM I’ve made a spag bol from scratch and photographed it. I’m going to post my simple spag bol recipe tonight.
      I’m with you on thrifty being cool! Long may it last, it’s no longer a taboo subject we can rejoice in our frugality! Hurrah 🙂

      Reply
      • Jo H. says

        January 26, 2012 at 7:09 pm

        Chiming in to say I am so glad it’s no longer shameful to be frugal! – Jo H.

        Reply
        • simplybeingmum says

          January 27, 2012 at 10:44 am

          I know! We’re ‘bang on trend’ as Gok Wan would say! Great to see you here Jo! Hope all good!

          Reply

Trackbacks

  1. What I Do Buy And Why | Simply Being Mum says:
    May 1, 2012 at 10:57 am

    […] a self-confessed superglue fan. As someone who likes to make do and mend superglue can solve a barrage of breakages. Currently we have a few things waiting to be […]

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  2. What I Do Buy And Why | Simply Being Mum says:
    May 1, 2012 at 10:57 am

    […] a self-confessed superglue fan. As someone who likes to make do and mend superglue can solve a barrage of breakages. Currently we have a few things waiting to be […]

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  3. Repairing Boots, School Lunches, Cupboard Clutter, Sentimental Hoarding & An Admission | Simply Being Mum says:
    October 2, 2012 at 3:23 pm

    […] Despite my best efforts to extend their life, they’ve been recycled. The parting incident was when one of the zips broke. […]

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  4. Repairing Boots, School Lunches, Cupboard Clutter, Sentimental Hoarding & An Admission | Simply Being Mum says:
    October 2, 2012 at 3:23 pm

    […] Despite my best efforts to extend their life, they’ve been recycled. The parting incident was when one of the zips broke. […]

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  5. Every Little Helps | Simply Being Mum says:
    October 22, 2012 at 11:06 am

    […] Patch up a pair of jeans: […]

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  6. Every Little Helps | Simply Being Mum says:
    October 22, 2012 at 11:06 am

    […] Patch up a pair of jeans: […]

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  7. Beware Of Project Clutter | Simply Being Mum says:
    August 12, 2013 at 11:40 am

    […] for a reality check. Although I don’t like waste and try to breathe life into items that may be thrown away, I need to remember clutter is a huge weight on a person’s shoulders. There’s only so […]

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  8. Beware Of Project Clutter | Simply Being Mum says:
    August 12, 2013 at 11:40 am

    […] for a reality check. Although I don’t like waste and try to breathe life into items that may be thrown away, I need to remember clutter is a huge weight on a person’s shoulders. There’s only so […]

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Welcome to SimplyBeingMum – one mother’s personal website documenting the journey toward a family life simply done.Here you will find a collection of recipes, ideas, musings and philosophies related to families who feel a pull toward a more conscious, mindful and simpler way of life.

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