Author: Karen

A sermon from an eighteenth century might seem an off-putting place to find advice for leading the life of a Laughing Garreteer. I’ll admit the title is not the catchiest and starting off with a quote from Ecclesiastes – ‘Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher, all is vanity’ – might make this seem like a…

Some cookery writers are sometimes a little bit snobbish about dried herbs and spices. Dried may mean less flavour but better that than no flavour at all. As a Garreteer, you may lack a space that is proper for growing your own. The kitchen at Laughing Garreteer Towers, for example, lacks a window and therefore…

Five Easy Ways to Cut Your Supermarket Bill This Week (Or Any Week) Go vegetarian for a week. The meats in your trolley might just be the most expensive things in your weekly shop. Check for special offers before you shop. Your favourite supermarket will almost certainly have a website. It will list special offers…

Although it might at first glance seem to be a guide about what not to do, the cult film Withnail & I (Bruce Robinson, 1986) offers wise advice about positive steps that can be taken when one is strapped for cash. Our two eponymous heroes do not realise that a lack of funds is not…

What your local public library can do for you Libraries have always been a part of the Garreteer lifestyle. Local public libraries provide free book loans, newspapers on tap, expensive reference books, and even a place just to sit and think. I worked in a public library in the UK from 1996 to 2000 in…

Looking to your Larder when Money is Tight Kaffir Lime leaf? Why do I even have that? The label helpfully states that it is used in Thai green curries. I don’t even like Thai green curries. Nonetheless, there it sits – unopened – in my kitchen cupboard with an expiration date of ‘Jan 2011’. Waste…