Your Cheapskates Club Newsletter: 42:14 Bright ideas to save you money
1. Cath's Corner
2. In the Tip Store - Mini Toiletries Just Right for Air Travel, When Strawberries are Plentiful, Earning the Most Interest from Kids' Bank Accounts
3. Submit Your Tip - Share your favourite money saving tip here
4. Living Green in 2014 - Organic Chemical Free Gardening
5. On the Menu with Anne - Simple Sweets
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy -Slash Your Grocery Bill Part 1
7. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
8. Last Week's Question - Junk mail is banned, where can I find the specials online?
9. This Week's Question - Where to find free Kindle books
10. Join the Cheapskates Club
11. Gift Memberships
12. Frequently Asked Questions
13. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
"Thanks for the newsletters." – Jenny, NT "Love the newsletter. Keep up the good work." - MH, Tasmania "Thank you for this wonderful information." – JG, NSW
I love to hear from you and share your success stories and it is because you share that Cheapskates is such a great site. I couldn't do it without your support, help and encouragement so thank you.
We are all different. What works for my family will not necessarily work for anyone else. The Cheapskates Journal and the newsletter offer different ideas so that you can choose what works best for you.
I am passionate about not spending money unnecessarily. I will do whatever I have to so that my family can live the life we want to. I am prepared to cook meals, hang out washing, do my own cleaning and gardening, mend clothes, plan shopping, make gifts, grow our own food and anything else to not spend money unnecessarily.
We live debt free. We pay cash for our purchases. We are able to give our children the things we think the need and most of the stuff they want. That's our choice and I am not going to apologise for making choices. That's our right as it is yours.
Please take what you need from the information on the Cheapskates Club website, in the Member's Centre, in the newsletters and the Journal and use it as a tool to get you where you want to be. And if you'd like to share your success (or your frustrations) with me, I'd love to hear from you.
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
Mini Toiletries Just Right for Air Travel
When staying in motels keep the complimentary soap and bottles. They are the legal size for taking on aeroplanes in hand luggage and the moisturisers are a good size for in the car and handbag. Use the shower gel or shampoo for hand washing clothes in motel rooms.
Contributed by Carol McDonald
When Strawberries are Plentiful
Rinse, hull and cut 3-4 punnets of strawberries into smaller pieces. Place in deep pan with 2 tablespoons caster sugar) 2 teaspoons vanilla, 2 crushed cardamom pods, zest and juice of small lemon, and 1 cinnamon stick. Simmer gently until berries are just tender- this will only a few minutes. The sauce freezes really well and will keep in the fridge for ages. It is far less sweet than jam, much quicker to make and is ideal in smoothies, on ice-cream, with yoghurt or served with cream on chocolate cake or pudding, and on pavlova. I've been buying cheap strawberries and have enough in the freezer to last over the summer season. I also freeze strawberries on a tray, put into snap lock bags to use through the winter. Place frozen berries onto other stewed fruit and top with crumble mixture for a delicious winter dessert.
Contributed by Margaret McLoughlin
Earning the Most Interest from Kids' Bank Accounts
I opened a Bank West savings account for my son a few years ago, at 10% interest for kids it was great. The interest rate has dropped over the years to 5.95%. You can put in up to $250 maximum per month, then it rolls over into a linked very low interest rate account. The teller told me a trick: to transfer it all to a higher paying savings account at another bank and then 'recycle' that year's savings with a monthly deposit back into the Kids Bonus Saver at Bank West. The same money goes between two higher rate savings accounts for my son. This would be something applicable to other banks with high rate children's savings accounts.
Contributed by Amanda Sturrock
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
Organic Chemical Free Gardening
Every year, thousands of chemicals are poured into the environment and millions of litres of water are needlessly wasted. How? By people just like you and me simply growing plants. Sure, most of this is done by large agricultural producers, but a lot of it is still done in personal gardens. And that means that you can make a difference by changing your gardening practices. There are many agricultural producers who have done it, and you can use the same tricks to help your own garden and the planet.
Pick appropriate plants, you don't have to just grow edibles, you can certainly grow plants for their beauty too. Remember that not all plants are appropriate for the area you live in. While you might be able to control the temperature, humidity and rain conditions inside your house, you can’t do it out in the garden. If you pick appropriate plants for your area, you may be able to avoid using fertilizers and save on water too. Research what plants are native to your surrounding areas and try planting them in your own garden.
Pick natural repelling plants. You don’t need to rely on poisons to keep away garden ruining pests. Many plants produce chemicals that repel these insects naturally. By putting them in or around you garden, you can keep your garden safe with little effort and no chemicals. Plus, you can pick parts of these plants and use them to make products to keep them away from you too. I'm growing catnip in the backyard at the moment to be used in insect repellent during the summer and have marigolds in amongst the tomatoes to keep bugs away.
If you don’t want to plant natural repellents in your garden, you can use them to spray your plants without harming them or adding artificial chemicals to your garden. Many herbs like chilli, vanilla and lavender can help repel insects from your garden.
Pull weeds. We’re all looking for a quick and easy way to safely get rid of weeds without chemicals, but the good old fashioned way is still very effective. It you take time every day to pull the weeds you can find, it will only take a few minutes so it doesn’t seem like a lot of work. You can even get the kids involved, just be sure to do it properly so you don’t spread the seeds around. There are even some common weeds that are edible, just make sure there are no pesticides that could have gotten on them. It is much easier to pull the weeds when you see them rather than spray them, wait for them to die then try to pull the dead weeds out - that's twice the effort for the same result, not very efficient gardening!
Crop rotation. Farmers all over the world use crop rotation to naturally fertilize plants. The concept is to change what crop you’re putting in a certain field each year or in the case of your garden which bed or pot. Plants use different nutrients and put other nutrients back into the soil. If you rotate crops that replace the nutrients the other plants use, you will have to fertilize the soil less.
You can use this same concept in your garden by planting different plants every year, or just rotating where you put specific plants in the garden.
And lastly, the most important thing: pass the knowledge on! One garden can make a dent, but more can make a bigger difference. Tell your friends, teach your kids, you can even visit their school and teach your kids' friends! Every little bit helps make a better world.
5. On the Menu with Anne
Simple Sweets
We don't eat a lot of sweets in our house, but occasionally one of us will want something sweet to eat, so I try to have one or two treats to offer, rather than eating a bought lolly or chocolate. Simple things like marshmallows or even old fashioned toffee with hundreds and thousands or a Russian caramel all stop the craving and are easy to make from every day pantry ingredients.
Easy Marshmallow
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon gelatine
1 cup caster sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Red food colouring - optional
Method:
Using a fork, combine gelatine and 1/4 cup cold water in a microwave-safe jug. Microwave, uncovered, on HIGH (100%) for 30 seconds. Stir with fork until mixture is clear. Set aside to cool for 5 minutes.
Using an electric mixer, beat sugar and 1/3 cup water on high speed for 5 minutes or until mixture thickens and turns white. While beating on high speed, pour cooled gelatine mixture into sugar mixture in a thin, steady stream. Beat for 10 minutes or until very thick. Add vanilla and enough colouring to produce a pale pink colour. Continue beating on high speed for 1 minute or until well combined. Pour into a well-buttered lamington tray that has been dusted with icing sugar. Use a wet spatula to even out the top. Cover with clingwrap and put in fridge to set.
Russian Caramels
Ingredients:
125g butter
250g sugar
1 tin condensed milk (or MOO equivalent)
Vanilla essence
Method:
Melt the butter first, then add the sugar and condensed milk. Stir constantly until the mixture boils. Still stirring, allow to boil for 15 minutes then add 1 or two teaspoons vanilla and remove from heat. By this time the mixture should be the colour of light caramel. Test for setting in cold water. Pour into a buttered pan and when cold cut into small squares with a sharp knife.
Old Fashioned Hard Boiled Toffee
Ingredients:
1 cup white sugar
2 tsp butter
2 tbsp boiling water
2 tbsp vinegar
100's and 1000's to decorate
Method:
Line a patty pan with 12 cup cake papers.
Stir sugar, butter, water and vinegar in a small saucepan over low heat until the sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil. Boil, without stirring about 10-15 minutes or until a spoonful of the mixture crackles when dropped in cold water. The mixture will turn a golden colour as it cooks. Pour into paper baking cases in patty pan holes; sprinkle with 100's and 1000's or crushed nuts. Leave to set. Store in an air tight container in a cool spot.
This week we will be eating:
Friday: Ravioli, salad, garlic bread
Saturday: Tacos
Sunday: Roast lamb, baked vegetables, peas, gravy
Monday: Chicken schnitzels, MOO wedges, salad
Tuesday: Lamb and Rosemary pies, sweet potato mash, beans, corn, cauliflower
Wednesday: Apricot chicken, savoury rice
Thursday: MOO Fish Fingers, potato gems, coleslaw
In the fruit bowl: oranges, lemons, kiwi fruit, and apples
In the cake tin: Cranberry Hootycreeks, chocolate cake, pita crisps
There are over 1,400 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy
Hi there everyone.
Have you ever wondered why your grocery bill doesn't decrease to the amount you want? Have you ever wondered why you can't get anywhere near $300 a month for food (based on a family of four)? I have countless people tell me that it's impossible to feed your family for such a small amount of money. YES, people really do tell me that. Yet my food budget has been $300 since about October 2010 and in February this year it was reduced to $270 a month.
Over the next few week I'll show you ways to cut your food budget without going hungry.
This week's topic is DRINKS.
Soft drinks, cordials, juices and bottled water can add unnecessary costs to the food budget. When you think about it, none of these are necessary to keep our bodies functioning. Soft drinks are high in sugar or artificial sugars, flavourings and colourings. Even lite cordials contain too much sugar. Juice is loaded with sugar and some contain preservatives. Bottle water is so unnecessary in Australia. We have some of the best drinking water in the world and yet so much bottled water is sold at a high price.
Have a think about it. Do you really need these drinks in your fridge? There is nothing wrong with having them as treats for special occasions. To keep your body hydrated and your skin and kidneys healthy, water needs to be consumed by the glassful and no, tea and coffee doesn't count towards your fluid intake.
Milk is a great source of calcium no matter what your age is. But all in moderation. I've seen families go through 6 - 8 litres a day and wonder why their children won't eat their meals or drink a glass of water (which is free). A glass or two a day of milk combined with cheese, yoghurt and fruit and vegetables will give you a great dose of much needed calcium.
Next time you write you're shopping list have a think about the drinks you need. Will water and milk be enough?
Have a great week and BE ENCOURAGED!!!!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2587-300-a-month-food-challenge-11-08-14
The Post that Started it All
http://www.cheapskates.com.au/pages/default.cfm?page_id=44265
7. Cheapskates Buzz
This week's hot forum topics
Super Cheap Presents
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?1684-Super-cheap-presents
Car Shampoo/Wash Recipe
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2650-Car-shampoo-wash-recipe
Any Tips for what to Look for in a New Fridge?
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2654-Any-tips-for-what-to-look-for-in-a-new-fridge
Most popular blog posts this week
What is a Server
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2012/07/what-is-serve.html
Peppermint Fresh Foaming Hand Soap
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2012/07/peppermint-fresh-foaming-hand-soap.html
Making Money on a Funeral
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2007/07/making-money-on-funeral.html
8. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Claire who wrote
"Hubby and I live in an over-50's lifestyle village and junk mail is banned from our letter boxes, so do you know of any websites where I can download specials vouchers or coupons for our food shopping?"
Margaret Trounce answered
Coles and Woolworths catalogues are available on their websites - just google "Coles catalogue" and you will get the options. Same with Woolworths.
Sherrie Christon answered
You can either ring or email the shops that you shop at to get on their mailing list, to have it sent to your mail box or give them your email address and they will email link to you every week...choose what option suits you best..
Kathleen Hughes answered
Here is a website called www.lasoo.com.au where you can read most store catalogues for your region. It is really helpful for comparing prices of many different stores sales and you can also search for particular items that are on sale.
Mi Caulfield answered
https://www.ozvoucher.com.au/
http://www.ilovecoupons.com.au/
http://australiashoppingmall.com/
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/supermarket-coupons
http://www.love-my-coupons.com/
http://www.finder.com.au/coupon-codes/food-and-drinks
Do you have a question that needs an answer?
Send us your question and receive the combined knowledge of your fellow Cheapskates to solve your problem!
Ask Your Question
9. This Week's Question
Samantha writes
"I have recently splurged and bought a Kindle reader. I was wanting to know if anyone knew of how to access books for free or cheaply? Thanks."
Do you have the answer?
If you have a suggestion or idea for Samantha 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 - Mini Toiletries Just Right for Air Travel, When Strawberries are Plentiful, Earning the Most Interest from Kids' Bank Accounts
3. Submit Your Tip - Share your favourite money saving tip here
4. Living Green in 2014 - Organic Chemical Free Gardening
5. On the Menu with Anne - Simple Sweets
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy -Slash Your Grocery Bill Part 1
7. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
8. Last Week's Question - Junk mail is banned, where can I find the specials online?
9. This Week's Question - Where to find free Kindle books
10. Join the Cheapskates Club
11. Gift Memberships
12. Frequently Asked Questions
13. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
"Thanks for the newsletters." – Jenny, NT "Love the newsletter. Keep up the good work." - MH, Tasmania "Thank you for this wonderful information." – JG, NSW
I love to hear from you and share your success stories and it is because you share that Cheapskates is such a great site. I couldn't do it without your support, help and encouragement so thank you.
We are all different. What works for my family will not necessarily work for anyone else. The Cheapskates Journal and the newsletter offer different ideas so that you can choose what works best for you.
I am passionate about not spending money unnecessarily. I will do whatever I have to so that my family can live the life we want to. I am prepared to cook meals, hang out washing, do my own cleaning and gardening, mend clothes, plan shopping, make gifts, grow our own food and anything else to not spend money unnecessarily.
We live debt free. We pay cash for our purchases. We are able to give our children the things we think the need and most of the stuff they want. That's our choice and I am not going to apologise for making choices. That's our right as it is yours.
Please take what you need from the information on the Cheapskates Club website, in the Member's Centre, in the newsletters and the Journal and use it as a tool to get you where you want to be. And if you'd like to share your success (or your frustrations) with me, I'd love to hear from you.
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
Mini Toiletries Just Right for Air Travel
When staying in motels keep the complimentary soap and bottles. They are the legal size for taking on aeroplanes in hand luggage and the moisturisers are a good size for in the car and handbag. Use the shower gel or shampoo for hand washing clothes in motel rooms.
Contributed by Carol McDonald
When Strawberries are Plentiful
Rinse, hull and cut 3-4 punnets of strawberries into smaller pieces. Place in deep pan with 2 tablespoons caster sugar) 2 teaspoons vanilla, 2 crushed cardamom pods, zest and juice of small lemon, and 1 cinnamon stick. Simmer gently until berries are just tender- this will only a few minutes. The sauce freezes really well and will keep in the fridge for ages. It is far less sweet than jam, much quicker to make and is ideal in smoothies, on ice-cream, with yoghurt or served with cream on chocolate cake or pudding, and on pavlova. I've been buying cheap strawberries and have enough in the freezer to last over the summer season. I also freeze strawberries on a tray, put into snap lock bags to use through the winter. Place frozen berries onto other stewed fruit and top with crumble mixture for a delicious winter dessert.
Contributed by Margaret McLoughlin
Earning the Most Interest from Kids' Bank Accounts
I opened a Bank West savings account for my son a few years ago, at 10% interest for kids it was great. The interest rate has dropped over the years to 5.95%. You can put in up to $250 maximum per month, then it rolls over into a linked very low interest rate account. The teller told me a trick: to transfer it all to a higher paying savings account at another bank and then 'recycle' that year's savings with a monthly deposit back into the Kids Bonus Saver at Bank West. The same money goes between two higher rate savings accounts for my son. This would be something applicable to other banks with high rate children's savings accounts.
Contributed by Amanda Sturrock
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
Organic Chemical Free Gardening
Every year, thousands of chemicals are poured into the environment and millions of litres of water are needlessly wasted. How? By people just like you and me simply growing plants. Sure, most of this is done by large agricultural producers, but a lot of it is still done in personal gardens. And that means that you can make a difference by changing your gardening practices. There are many agricultural producers who have done it, and you can use the same tricks to help your own garden and the planet.
Pick appropriate plants, you don't have to just grow edibles, you can certainly grow plants for their beauty too. Remember that not all plants are appropriate for the area you live in. While you might be able to control the temperature, humidity and rain conditions inside your house, you can’t do it out in the garden. If you pick appropriate plants for your area, you may be able to avoid using fertilizers and save on water too. Research what plants are native to your surrounding areas and try planting them in your own garden.
Pick natural repelling plants. You don’t need to rely on poisons to keep away garden ruining pests. Many plants produce chemicals that repel these insects naturally. By putting them in or around you garden, you can keep your garden safe with little effort and no chemicals. Plus, you can pick parts of these plants and use them to make products to keep them away from you too. I'm growing catnip in the backyard at the moment to be used in insect repellent during the summer and have marigolds in amongst the tomatoes to keep bugs away.
If you don’t want to plant natural repellents in your garden, you can use them to spray your plants without harming them or adding artificial chemicals to your garden. Many herbs like chilli, vanilla and lavender can help repel insects from your garden.
Pull weeds. We’re all looking for a quick and easy way to safely get rid of weeds without chemicals, but the good old fashioned way is still very effective. It you take time every day to pull the weeds you can find, it will only take a few minutes so it doesn’t seem like a lot of work. You can even get the kids involved, just be sure to do it properly so you don’t spread the seeds around. There are even some common weeds that are edible, just make sure there are no pesticides that could have gotten on them. It is much easier to pull the weeds when you see them rather than spray them, wait for them to die then try to pull the dead weeds out - that's twice the effort for the same result, not very efficient gardening!
Crop rotation. Farmers all over the world use crop rotation to naturally fertilize plants. The concept is to change what crop you’re putting in a certain field each year or in the case of your garden which bed or pot. Plants use different nutrients and put other nutrients back into the soil. If you rotate crops that replace the nutrients the other plants use, you will have to fertilize the soil less.
You can use this same concept in your garden by planting different plants every year, or just rotating where you put specific plants in the garden.
And lastly, the most important thing: pass the knowledge on! One garden can make a dent, but more can make a bigger difference. Tell your friends, teach your kids, you can even visit their school and teach your kids' friends! Every little bit helps make a better world.
5. On the Menu with Anne
Simple Sweets
We don't eat a lot of sweets in our house, but occasionally one of us will want something sweet to eat, so I try to have one or two treats to offer, rather than eating a bought lolly or chocolate. Simple things like marshmallows or even old fashioned toffee with hundreds and thousands or a Russian caramel all stop the craving and are easy to make from every day pantry ingredients.
Easy Marshmallow
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon gelatine
1 cup caster sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Red food colouring - optional
Method:
Using a fork, combine gelatine and 1/4 cup cold water in a microwave-safe jug. Microwave, uncovered, on HIGH (100%) for 30 seconds. Stir with fork until mixture is clear. Set aside to cool for 5 minutes.
Using an electric mixer, beat sugar and 1/3 cup water on high speed for 5 minutes or until mixture thickens and turns white. While beating on high speed, pour cooled gelatine mixture into sugar mixture in a thin, steady stream. Beat for 10 minutes or until very thick. Add vanilla and enough colouring to produce a pale pink colour. Continue beating on high speed for 1 minute or until well combined. Pour into a well-buttered lamington tray that has been dusted with icing sugar. Use a wet spatula to even out the top. Cover with clingwrap and put in fridge to set.
Russian Caramels
Ingredients:
125g butter
250g sugar
1 tin condensed milk (or MOO equivalent)
Vanilla essence
Method:
Melt the butter first, then add the sugar and condensed milk. Stir constantly until the mixture boils. Still stirring, allow to boil for 15 minutes then add 1 or two teaspoons vanilla and remove from heat. By this time the mixture should be the colour of light caramel. Test for setting in cold water. Pour into a buttered pan and when cold cut into small squares with a sharp knife.
Old Fashioned Hard Boiled Toffee
Ingredients:
1 cup white sugar
2 tsp butter
2 tbsp boiling water
2 tbsp vinegar
100's and 1000's to decorate
Method:
Line a patty pan with 12 cup cake papers.
Stir sugar, butter, water and vinegar in a small saucepan over low heat until the sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil. Boil, without stirring about 10-15 minutes or until a spoonful of the mixture crackles when dropped in cold water. The mixture will turn a golden colour as it cooks. Pour into paper baking cases in patty pan holes; sprinkle with 100's and 1000's or crushed nuts. Leave to set. Store in an air tight container in a cool spot.
This week we will be eating:
Friday: Ravioli, salad, garlic bread
Saturday: Tacos
Sunday: Roast lamb, baked vegetables, peas, gravy
Monday: Chicken schnitzels, MOO wedges, salad
Tuesday: Lamb and Rosemary pies, sweet potato mash, beans, corn, cauliflower
Wednesday: Apricot chicken, savoury rice
Thursday: MOO Fish Fingers, potato gems, coleslaw
In the fruit bowl: oranges, lemons, kiwi fruit, and apples
In the cake tin: Cranberry Hootycreeks, chocolate cake, pita crisps
There are over 1,400 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy
Hi there everyone.
Have you ever wondered why your grocery bill doesn't decrease to the amount you want? Have you ever wondered why you can't get anywhere near $300 a month for food (based on a family of four)? I have countless people tell me that it's impossible to feed your family for such a small amount of money. YES, people really do tell me that. Yet my food budget has been $300 since about October 2010 and in February this year it was reduced to $270 a month.
Over the next few week I'll show you ways to cut your food budget without going hungry.
This week's topic is DRINKS.
Soft drinks, cordials, juices and bottled water can add unnecessary costs to the food budget. When you think about it, none of these are necessary to keep our bodies functioning. Soft drinks are high in sugar or artificial sugars, flavourings and colourings. Even lite cordials contain too much sugar. Juice is loaded with sugar and some contain preservatives. Bottle water is so unnecessary in Australia. We have some of the best drinking water in the world and yet so much bottled water is sold at a high price.
Have a think about it. Do you really need these drinks in your fridge? There is nothing wrong with having them as treats for special occasions. To keep your body hydrated and your skin and kidneys healthy, water needs to be consumed by the glassful and no, tea and coffee doesn't count towards your fluid intake.
Milk is a great source of calcium no matter what your age is. But all in moderation. I've seen families go through 6 - 8 litres a day and wonder why their children won't eat their meals or drink a glass of water (which is free). A glass or two a day of milk combined with cheese, yoghurt and fruit and vegetables will give you a great dose of much needed calcium.
Next time you write you're shopping list have a think about the drinks you need. Will water and milk be enough?
Have a great week and BE ENCOURAGED!!!!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2587-300-a-month-food-challenge-11-08-14
The Post that Started it All
http://www.cheapskates.com.au/pages/default.cfm?page_id=44265
7. Cheapskates Buzz
This week's hot forum topics
Super Cheap Presents
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?1684-Super-cheap-presents
Car Shampoo/Wash Recipe
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2650-Car-shampoo-wash-recipe
Any Tips for what to Look for in a New Fridge?
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2654-Any-tips-for-what-to-look-for-in-a-new-fridge
Most popular blog posts this week
What is a Server
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2012/07/what-is-serve.html
Peppermint Fresh Foaming Hand Soap
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2012/07/peppermint-fresh-foaming-hand-soap.html
Making Money on a Funeral
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2007/07/making-money-on-funeral.html
8. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Claire who wrote
"Hubby and I live in an over-50's lifestyle village and junk mail is banned from our letter boxes, so do you know of any websites where I can download specials vouchers or coupons for our food shopping?"
Margaret Trounce answered
Coles and Woolworths catalogues are available on their websites - just google "Coles catalogue" and you will get the options. Same with Woolworths.
Sherrie Christon answered
You can either ring or email the shops that you shop at to get on their mailing list, to have it sent to your mail box or give them your email address and they will email link to you every week...choose what option suits you best..
Kathleen Hughes answered
Here is a website called www.lasoo.com.au where you can read most store catalogues for your region. It is really helpful for comparing prices of many different stores sales and you can also search for particular items that are on sale.
Mi Caulfield answered
https://www.ozvoucher.com.au/
http://www.ilovecoupons.com.au/
http://australiashoppingmall.com/
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/supermarket-coupons
http://www.love-my-coupons.com/
http://www.finder.com.au/coupon-codes/food-and-drinks
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9. This Week's Question
Samantha writes
"I have recently splurged and bought a Kindle reader. I was wanting to know if anyone knew of how to access books for free or cheaply? Thanks."
Do you have the answer?
If you have a suggestion or idea for Samantha 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.
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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