When life feels overwhelming, there’s something immensely comforting to hear about what to do, whether it’s the little things — how to quickly chill wine or fake your back — or the big things, like how to support a friend going through IVF. deal with or deal with grief.
Given the stresses of life today, Sali Hughes’ new book, Everything Is Washable And Other Life Lessons, is a welcome relief.
Inspired in style, if not tone, by her love of 1950s housewives, the comprehensive guide is divided into chapters devoted to the home, food and drink, fashion, health and beauty, life and finance, and friends, relationships, and family. . It’s packed with tips and wise advice to help us navigate modern life.
“I’m a practical person by nature and if people are looking for some sort of publication in a friendly, useful book, I hope I can help with that,” said Hughes, an acclaimed Brighton journalist and columnist whose followers and friends on social media the media regularly bombards her with questions.
Here’s a snippet of her life hack that can save you money and time.
Be smart when buying second-hand clothes
“Always buy out of season, when people are clearing out their wardrobes (a jacket in the summer, holiday clothes in the fall/winter). The best way to get a high quality wearable designer item for a fraction of the original price is to buy something made famous by another designer. So instead of a Burberry or Aquascutum trench coat, check out Max Mara and APC, both of which are less sought after and cost less on used resale.
“For high street clothes, instead of looking for a Topshop tea dress, look for sister brand Miss Selfridge. You might get it for £5 instead of £25. Get to know the websites and how you like to shop.
“Would you rather pay what the seller asks, like on Vinted and Depop, or enjoy the thrill of bidding, like on eBay? In an auction, bidding an odd number – £31.26 instead of £30 – can make all the difference. I never bid until the last day, otherwise you’ll just push the price up.’
Make friends with your freezer
‘You make it difficult and more expensive if you need a new recipe every time you cook a dish. Instead, learn how to cook a base for things — be it soup, curry, or stew — then adjust it according to what you have in the fridge.
Also freeze as much as possible: nuts, bananas (from the skins), chopped onions, mashed potatoes, spinach, pastries, egg whites, leftover wine for cooking, peas, herbs, vegetable scraps – the list goes on. It’s so much better to put them in a freezer bag than in the trash.’
Box smart with beauty products
“I understand that a really luxurious texture or nice packaging can be part of the sensory pleasure for people, but I hate shoppers who think they have to spend a lot of money to get good skin care and makeup. It’s worth spending money on foundation and perfume, but for the most part you can get great mascara, lipstick and eyeshadow from drugstores and supermarkets.”
When it comes to skin care, it is certainly not true that the more you spend, the higher the concentration of ingredients. You can buy an expensive serum with three percent vitamin C and an affordable serum with 15 percent vitamin C. Find out what your skin needs and see what’s for sale.”
Get cozy cheap
‘I am a real homebody and would rather be at home than anywhere else. Beautiful blankets instantly soften surfaces and transform the look of a room. My worn out couch cost me £136 on eBay over 18 years ago and I keep changing the vintage blankets. It’s the same with pillows: change them every few years and you’ll feel like you’ve spruced up your room.
‘Mix different types of textured wooden picture frames for a well-groomed feel. For lighting, use fairy lights and a soft light bulb for a womb-like feel.
“When it comes to lamps, keep your foot simple and cheap (feet is a good thing). Have fun with color and shape with your lampshade by swapping out a regular one for something more chic (much cheaper than buying a designer lamp).
“There are tons of beautiful shades on Etsy, Pooky and valuelights.co.uk. You can make your own from otherwise useless wallpaper or scrap fabric – expect to pay something like a tenner for a pack of wires, clippers and so on.”
Have your own bank account
‘I say this from my own experience: it is so important not to have a joint account as the only account. Things happen and people break up. If you have a joint account, make it a secondary account where you pay bills. Don’t pour your salary into it.’
And speaking of money…
“It’s so funny that what most couples discuss the most is the one thing they don’t talk about before they get married. They talk about whether they want children or where they want to live, but not whether they are spending or saving money – or whether they view the money they have as what is in their account or what they can borrow. In general, people don’t change their money outlook without a brutal lesson, so talk about it early to avoid a huge amount of conflict later on.”
Everything is washable and other life lessons from Sali Hughes are now available
Household Items: Save or Spend?
splurge
Mattress: You spend a third of your life sleeping, so don’t be skimpy
Garbage bags: Cheap black garbage bags are the ultimate fake economy
Pillows: Find one that hits the sweet spot between soft and firm
Bank: It is one of the vital organs of your home and it must be good
Towels: A few pounds more and they stay soft, bouncy and absorb moisture better
Save
Paint: Buy a sample of more expensive paint and take it to a dealer to mix it up
Toasters: The less it looks like a vintage Winnebago, the more likely it will last a long time
Pillows: Spend money on the big things and then distribute cheap decorative items
Kitchens: Unit carcasses are many of a multitude. Good taps, countertops and fixtures make it high-end
Sheets: More important than a high thread count is whether it fits well
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