Your Cheapskates Club Newsletter: 39:14 Bright ideas to save you money
1. Cath's Corner
2. In the Tip Store - Work before Play, Meet Your Basic Clothing Needs to Save Money, Meet Your Basic Clothing Needs to Save Money
3. Submit Your Tip - You have to be in it for your chance to win
4. Living Green in 2014 - Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at Home Part 2
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy - Time to get into the garden
6. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
7. Member's Featured Blog - Let's Try this Bread
8. Last Week's Question - Is there a recipe for MOO floor polish?
9. This Week's Question - I’d like a MOO substitute to liquid shoe stretcher
10. Join the Cheapskates Club
11. Gift Memberships
12. Frequently Asked Questions
13. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
A shortened version of your usual newsletter this week. Anne is on holiday and I'm working on a story and preparing for the workshop this weekend.
It still has some great ideas and lots and lots of inspiration for you, including a couple of comments from Cheapskates Club members, below.
"I love your website. I have been a member for a couple of months now and it has helped me to focus on my finances and where we are going. I think I am probably a similar age to you and a Christian. We have had huge problems these past 3 years both financially and health wise and I can say honestly it has been my saving grace to have found it.
Many thanks,"
Janet
"Just wanted to let everyone know I love being a Cheapskate. In the short time I have been a member I have managed to cut my weekly grocery bills by heaps (some weeks I only need fresh fruit/veg and meat), I also have a huge stockpile of supplies, have made various push payments and am ahead on our mortgage. I now no longer run to the shops every day and we have planned meals every night. One more thing, I love getting on the forum sharing ideas - thanks everyone :)"
Maggie
Have a great week everyone,
PS: Love our site? We love referrals! Send a note to your favourite newspapers, magazines, radio stations, TV stations, friends and relatives, and tell them about us!
PPS: You can read this newsletter and past copies on the website in the Newsletter Archive.
2. From The Tip Store
Work before Play
How many times have you purposely put a task off in order to go do something more enjoyable and thought, “I'll do it later”? I know I'm guilty. The problem with this is that many times the task we put off doesn't get done…or it takes a lot longer to do than it would have had we just done it.
It's important to get all of your “to-do” items out of the way before you head out to have a little fun. If you can set a time in the morning or afternoon that is dedicated to your “to-do” list, and stick to it, then you'll truly be able to enjoy the activities you do afterwards. You'll also find that your productivity level increases when you have a designated work time.
Meet Your Basic Clothing Needs to Save Money
Clothing is a without-a-doubt a basic necessity. However, notice the key word in that sentence? It's “basic.” The clothing you and your family members wear doesn't have to be brand new or the latest brand name fashions either. What you need are clothes that fit properly, keep you warm (or cool in the summer) and look nice. While you may want the name brand clothes, it may not be feasible at this time. You'll save a lot of money if you rein yourself in and only buy the clothes you and your family members really need. You'll save money on wasted clothes, wardrobe space and laundering too.
Breakfast Rice
Whenever I cook rice for dinner I cook extra to use for breakfast the next morning. Leftover cooked rice is wonderful hot cereal when porridge gets boring. I just steam the rice with a little bit of water in the microwave then serve add a little milk, dried fruit and cinnamon. We all love Breakfast Rice and my family think they are getting something really special instead of everyday rolled oats.
Contributed by Catherine Goodall
There are more than 11,000 great tips in the Tip Store
3. Submit your tip
The Cheapskate's Club website is over 3,000 pages of money saving hints, tips and ideas. Let's get together and make the Cheapskates Club Australia's largest online hint, tip and idea library. Share your favourite money saving, time saving or energy saving hint and be in the running to win a one-year membership to The Cheapskate Club. We publish a Winning Tip each Thursday, so enter your great money, time or energy saving idea now.
Share your favourite hint or tip that saves money, time and energy and be in the running to win a one-year subscription to The Cheapskate Journal.
Remember, you have to be in it to win it!
Submit your tip
4. Living Green in 2014
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at Home Part 2
Buy locally grown food in season. Ever wonder how supermarkets get such great looking veggies in the winter? They ship them in from all over the world. Even though you’re not the one driving, your food still used all that gas to get to your plate. Try joining a co-op or going to a farmer’s market and research which foods are grown when in your local area.
If you live in an area where power is generated by coal burning (which many of us still do), using less electricity is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint.
Turn off lights. This one is simple, but also very easy to forget. You could try Wendy's two light rule, only having two lights on at once. In our house the rule is no lights on during the day. Of an evening we use table lamps with compact fluorescent bulbs in them or desk lamps that use LEDs if we are working.
Unplug appliances. You can also use power strips and turn them off when you’re not using them. Seriously phantom power use is huge in modern households and it's not just bad for the environment it's costing you a fortune.
Use alternative energy. You can do research on installing solar power or even small wind turbines to your house. This can help supplement or even replace your current power source.
There’s a good chance you’ve heard about the three Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle. And when it comes to reducing your carbon footprint, these three Rs are extremely important. Go through your garbage and figure out what you can keep from going into the trash. This means fewer new products will need to be made by companies and less energy will be used.
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy
Welcome to another week of learning new ways to save money on the food budget.
Spring is a great time to get outside and get your garden in order before the summer heat arrives. Spring is also the time to plant lettuce, tomato, corn, beans, zucchini, cucumber, silverbeet and a variety of other vegetable seeds.
Many vegetables can be grown in pots as well as a garden bed. Growing vegetables in pots can be a great option for those who are renting or who are elderly. You can place the pots on a plant stand or an old table. When the summer heat arrives, the plants can be moved out of the searing heat. Just make sure the pots are reasonably deep and you feed and water the plants regularly as they can dry out quickly
Growing your own vegetables is an easy way to reduce your grocery budget. For example, lettuce can be grown all year round for just a couple of dollars. The salad mix variety looks pretty with all its different colours. It's good for you and you can pick as much or as little as you need for each meal. Lettuce prices in the supermarkets vary for $1 - $3 so growing you own could save you a small fortune.
When starting a vegetable garden for the first time, it's best to start off small. Pick two or three vegetables for the first year and see how you go. Then for the following years add an extra one or two as your confidence and knowledge improves. By doing it this way you're not shelling out a small fortune.
Will you be growing vegetables for the first time this year?
Have you planted your seeds or seedlings this spring?
Have a great week and BE ENCOURAGED!!!!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2638-300-a-month-food-challenge-22-09-14&p=45103
The Post that Started it All
http://www.cheapskates.com.au/pages/default.cfm?page_id=44265
6. Cheapskates Buzz
This week's hot forum topics
Hello from NOR Perth
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2641-Hello-from-NOR-Perth
Digital Scrapbooking
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2632-Digital-Scrapbooking
Is it Possible to survive on Centrelink Job Search Allowance?
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2571-Is-it-Possible-to-survive-on-Centrelink-Job-Search-Allowance
Most popular blog posts this week
Helping Kids Understand Electricity isn't Free
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2014/02/helping-kids-understand-electricity.html
Living with a Spendaholic Spouse
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2014/01/living-with-spendaholic-spouse.html
Fresh Milk v Powdered Milk
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2013/12/fresh-milk-v-powdered-milk.html
7. Member's Featured Blog
Platinum Cheapskates Club members have their very own Cheapskating blogs, and they are wonderful and inspirational and encouraging and even funny. This week's featured blog is written by syd_mum.
Let's Try this Bread
I have been toying with the idea of making my own bread but had not actually tried it ... until now that is!
I have been pacing back and forwards from the oven to the computer checking. My first loaf ever is sitting in there taking a lifetime to brown! I am actually excited to see how it turns out and to try it out.
I bought some bread flour many months ago when I decided I wanted to have fresh bread without all the chemicals in it. Also to save money as I have heard often that it is much more economical.
So what inspired me today?
Not much really except the use by date! When I purchased it, I thought its ok I have months before it expires. With my new found sense of responsibility with food and waste this year, I do not wish to have anything thrown out, especially something that through no fault of its own ran out of date!!
So here I swing between pacing and sitting awaiting the arrival of my new loaf of bread!
Login to read more Cheapskates Club member blogs
8. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Lynette who wrote
"I have wooden floors and I don't want them natural and I have looked for floor polish to no avail. Does anyone have a recipe for making my own polish for the floor?"
Cheryl Hughes answered
There used to be a 2000 car wash polish, which I would use quite successfully on wooden floors that covered scratches and the floor shone beautifully. Not sure if it's still available, but trialling different car waxes is my suggestion.
Grace McGowan answered
Not making your own but old fashioned floor wax does an amazing job of treating floors and hiding surface scratches. You will need a floor polisher or be prepared to put a lot of elbow grease into getting your floors polished but the results are worth it.
Ask Your Question
9. This Week's Question
Diana writes
How can I make a substitute for "shoe Stretch" liquid in a small spray pump bottle used for spraying inside tight shoes in order to stretch them?
Do you have the answer?
If you have a suggestion or idea for Diana let us know. We'll enter your answer into our Tip of the Week competition, with a one-year membership to the Cheapskates Club as the prize too.
Send your answer
10. Join the Cheapskates Club
For just 10 cents a day you can join the Cheapskates Club and get exclusive access to the Cheapskate Journal, the monthly e-journal that shows you how to cut the costs of everyday living and still have fun.
Joining the Cheapskates Club gives you 24/7 access to the Members Centre with 1000's of money saving tips and articles.
Click here to join the Cheapskates Club today!
http://www.cheapskates.com.au/members/join_form.cfm?item_id=2271
11. Gift Memberships
Your family and friends will thank you for a whole year when you give them a Platinum Cheapskates Club membership as a gift.
It's so simple: just select the number of gift memberships required, click the Buy Now button and complete the Gift Membership order form (you must use this form to order gift memberships) and we'll get in touch with you to confirm the gift subscriptions.
Click here to order a gift membership right now!
12. Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change my email address?
This one is easy. Members can update their email address or any other details by clicking on "Edit Profile" directly under their membership number after they have logged in to the Member's Centre. Subscribers to our free newsletter can use the Change Your Address form (under Customer Service in the menu) and fill it out. Once you've filled it in click the send button and we'll do the rest. Please remember to include your old email address so we can find it in the list as well as the new one.
How do I know when my membership should be renewed?
When you login to the Member's Centre you will be told how many days of membership you have left once you have 30 days left. Just click on the link to renew and your membership will just continue on, uninterrupted.
What will you do with my email address?
We never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone for any reason whatsoever. You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as a result of joining this list.
Read our privacy policy
How Did You Get on Our List?
You signed up to receive our Free Newsletter at our Cheapskates Club Web site or are a Platinum Cheapskates Club member
13. Contact Details
The Cheapskates Club -
Showing you how to live life
debt free, cashed up and laughing!
PO Box 5077 Studfield Vic 3152
www.cheapskates.com.au
info@cheapskates.com.au
2. In the Tip Store - Work before Play, Meet Your Basic Clothing Needs to Save Money, Meet Your Basic Clothing Needs to Save Money
3. Submit Your Tip - You have to be in it for your chance to win
4. Living Green in 2014 - Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at Home Part 2
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy - Time to get into the garden
6. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
7. Member's Featured Blog - Let's Try this Bread
8. Last Week's Question - Is there a recipe for MOO floor polish?
9. This Week's Question - I’d like a MOO substitute to liquid shoe stretcher
10. Join the Cheapskates Club
11. Gift Memberships
12. Frequently Asked Questions
13. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
A shortened version of your usual newsletter this week. Anne is on holiday and I'm working on a story and preparing for the workshop this weekend.
It still has some great ideas and lots and lots of inspiration for you, including a couple of comments from Cheapskates Club members, below.
"I love your website. I have been a member for a couple of months now and it has helped me to focus on my finances and where we are going. I think I am probably a similar age to you and a Christian. We have had huge problems these past 3 years both financially and health wise and I can say honestly it has been my saving grace to have found it.
Many thanks,"
Janet
"Just wanted to let everyone know I love being a Cheapskate. In the short time I have been a member I have managed to cut my weekly grocery bills by heaps (some weeks I only need fresh fruit/veg and meat), I also have a huge stockpile of supplies, have made various push payments and am ahead on our mortgage. I now no longer run to the shops every day and we have planned meals every night. One more thing, I love getting on the forum sharing ideas - thanks everyone :)"
Maggie
Have a great week everyone,
PS: Love our site? We love referrals! Send a note to your favourite newspapers, magazines, radio stations, TV stations, friends and relatives, and tell them about us!
PPS: You can read this newsletter and past copies on the website in the Newsletter Archive.
2. From The Tip Store
Work before Play
How many times have you purposely put a task off in order to go do something more enjoyable and thought, “I'll do it later”? I know I'm guilty. The problem with this is that many times the task we put off doesn't get done…or it takes a lot longer to do than it would have had we just done it.
It's important to get all of your “to-do” items out of the way before you head out to have a little fun. If you can set a time in the morning or afternoon that is dedicated to your “to-do” list, and stick to it, then you'll truly be able to enjoy the activities you do afterwards. You'll also find that your productivity level increases when you have a designated work time.
Meet Your Basic Clothing Needs to Save Money
Clothing is a without-a-doubt a basic necessity. However, notice the key word in that sentence? It's “basic.” The clothing you and your family members wear doesn't have to be brand new or the latest brand name fashions either. What you need are clothes that fit properly, keep you warm (or cool in the summer) and look nice. While you may want the name brand clothes, it may not be feasible at this time. You'll save a lot of money if you rein yourself in and only buy the clothes you and your family members really need. You'll save money on wasted clothes, wardrobe space and laundering too.
Breakfast Rice
Whenever I cook rice for dinner I cook extra to use for breakfast the next morning. Leftover cooked rice is wonderful hot cereal when porridge gets boring. I just steam the rice with a little bit of water in the microwave then serve add a little milk, dried fruit and cinnamon. We all love Breakfast Rice and my family think they are getting something really special instead of everyday rolled oats.
Contributed by Catherine Goodall
There are more than 11,000 great tips in the Tip Store
3. Submit your tip
The Cheapskate's Club website is over 3,000 pages of money saving hints, tips and ideas. Let's get together and make the Cheapskates Club Australia's largest online hint, tip and idea library. Share your favourite money saving, time saving or energy saving hint and be in the running to win a one-year membership to The Cheapskate Club. We publish a Winning Tip each Thursday, so enter your great money, time or energy saving idea now.
Share your favourite hint or tip that saves money, time and energy and be in the running to win a one-year subscription to The Cheapskate Journal.
Remember, you have to be in it to win it!
Submit your tip
4. Living Green in 2014
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at Home Part 2
Buy locally grown food in season. Ever wonder how supermarkets get such great looking veggies in the winter? They ship them in from all over the world. Even though you’re not the one driving, your food still used all that gas to get to your plate. Try joining a co-op or going to a farmer’s market and research which foods are grown when in your local area.
If you live in an area where power is generated by coal burning (which many of us still do), using less electricity is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint.
Turn off lights. This one is simple, but also very easy to forget. You could try Wendy's two light rule, only having two lights on at once. In our house the rule is no lights on during the day. Of an evening we use table lamps with compact fluorescent bulbs in them or desk lamps that use LEDs if we are working.
Unplug appliances. You can also use power strips and turn them off when you’re not using them. Seriously phantom power use is huge in modern households and it's not just bad for the environment it's costing you a fortune.
Use alternative energy. You can do research on installing solar power or even small wind turbines to your house. This can help supplement or even replace your current power source.
There’s a good chance you’ve heard about the three Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle. And when it comes to reducing your carbon footprint, these three Rs are extremely important. Go through your garbage and figure out what you can keep from going into the trash. This means fewer new products will need to be made by companies and less energy will be used.
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy
Welcome to another week of learning new ways to save money on the food budget.
Spring is a great time to get outside and get your garden in order before the summer heat arrives. Spring is also the time to plant lettuce, tomato, corn, beans, zucchini, cucumber, silverbeet and a variety of other vegetable seeds.
Many vegetables can be grown in pots as well as a garden bed. Growing vegetables in pots can be a great option for those who are renting or who are elderly. You can place the pots on a plant stand or an old table. When the summer heat arrives, the plants can be moved out of the searing heat. Just make sure the pots are reasonably deep and you feed and water the plants regularly as they can dry out quickly
Growing your own vegetables is an easy way to reduce your grocery budget. For example, lettuce can be grown all year round for just a couple of dollars. The salad mix variety looks pretty with all its different colours. It's good for you and you can pick as much or as little as you need for each meal. Lettuce prices in the supermarkets vary for $1 - $3 so growing you own could save you a small fortune.
When starting a vegetable garden for the first time, it's best to start off small. Pick two or three vegetables for the first year and see how you go. Then for the following years add an extra one or two as your confidence and knowledge improves. By doing it this way you're not shelling out a small fortune.
Will you be growing vegetables for the first time this year?
Have you planted your seeds or seedlings this spring?
Have a great week and BE ENCOURAGED!!!!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2638-300-a-month-food-challenge-22-09-14&p=45103
The Post that Started it All
http://www.cheapskates.com.au/pages/default.cfm?page_id=44265
6. Cheapskates Buzz
This week's hot forum topics
Hello from NOR Perth
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2641-Hello-from-NOR-Perth
Digital Scrapbooking
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2632-Digital-Scrapbooking
Is it Possible to survive on Centrelink Job Search Allowance?
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2571-Is-it-Possible-to-survive-on-Centrelink-Job-Search-Allowance
Most popular blog posts this week
Helping Kids Understand Electricity isn't Free
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2014/02/helping-kids-understand-electricity.html
Living with a Spendaholic Spouse
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2014/01/living-with-spendaholic-spouse.html
Fresh Milk v Powdered Milk
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2013/12/fresh-milk-v-powdered-milk.html
7. Member's Featured Blog
Platinum Cheapskates Club members have their very own Cheapskating blogs, and they are wonderful and inspirational and encouraging and even funny. This week's featured blog is written by syd_mum.
Let's Try this Bread
I have been toying with the idea of making my own bread but had not actually tried it ... until now that is!
I have been pacing back and forwards from the oven to the computer checking. My first loaf ever is sitting in there taking a lifetime to brown! I am actually excited to see how it turns out and to try it out.
I bought some bread flour many months ago when I decided I wanted to have fresh bread without all the chemicals in it. Also to save money as I have heard often that it is much more economical.
So what inspired me today?
Not much really except the use by date! When I purchased it, I thought its ok I have months before it expires. With my new found sense of responsibility with food and waste this year, I do not wish to have anything thrown out, especially something that through no fault of its own ran out of date!!
So here I swing between pacing and sitting awaiting the arrival of my new loaf of bread!
Login to read more Cheapskates Club member blogs
8. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Lynette who wrote
"I have wooden floors and I don't want them natural and I have looked for floor polish to no avail. Does anyone have a recipe for making my own polish for the floor?"
Cheryl Hughes answered
There used to be a 2000 car wash polish, which I would use quite successfully on wooden floors that covered scratches and the floor shone beautifully. Not sure if it's still available, but trialling different car waxes is my suggestion.
Grace McGowan answered
Not making your own but old fashioned floor wax does an amazing job of treating floors and hiding surface scratches. You will need a floor polisher or be prepared to put a lot of elbow grease into getting your floors polished but the results are worth it.
Ask Your Question
9. This Week's Question
Diana writes
How can I make a substitute for "shoe Stretch" liquid in a small spray pump bottle used for spraying inside tight shoes in order to stretch them?
Do you have the answer?
If you have a suggestion or idea for Diana let us know. We'll enter your answer into our Tip of the Week competition, with a one-year membership to the Cheapskates Club as the prize too.
Send your answer
10. Join the Cheapskates Club
For just 10 cents a day you can join the Cheapskates Club and get exclusive access to the Cheapskate Journal, the monthly e-journal that shows you how to cut the costs of everyday living and still have fun.
Joining the Cheapskates Club gives you 24/7 access to the Members Centre with 1000's of money saving tips and articles.
Click here to join the Cheapskates Club today!
http://www.cheapskates.com.au/members/join_form.cfm?item_id=2271
11. Gift Memberships
Your family and friends will thank you for a whole year when you give them a Platinum Cheapskates Club membership as a gift.
It's so simple: just select the number of gift memberships required, click the Buy Now button and complete the Gift Membership order form (you must use this form to order gift memberships) and we'll get in touch with you to confirm the gift subscriptions.
Click here to order a gift membership right now!
12. Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change my email address?
This one is easy. Members can update their email address or any other details by clicking on "Edit Profile" directly under their membership number after they have logged in to the Member's Centre. Subscribers to our free newsletter can use the Change Your Address form (under Customer Service in the menu) and fill it out. Once you've filled it in click the send button and we'll do the rest. Please remember to include your old email address so we can find it in the list as well as the new one.
How do I know when my membership should be renewed?
When you login to the Member's Centre you will be told how many days of membership you have left once you have 30 days left. Just click on the link to renew and your membership will just continue on, uninterrupted.
What will you do with my email address?
We never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone for any reason whatsoever. You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as a result of joining this list.
Read our privacy policy
How Did You Get on Our List?
You signed up to receive our Free Newsletter at our Cheapskates Club Web site or are a Platinum Cheapskates Club member
13. Contact Details
The Cheapskates Club -
Showing you how to live life
debt free, cashed up and laughing!
PO Box 5077 Studfield Vic 3152
www.cheapskates.com.au
info@cheapskates.com.au