Day 3 — MOO One Thing and Keep the Difference

Make Our Own: Small Effort, Real Savings

​Today is a MOO day.

If you are new to Cheapskates, MOO means Make Our Own.
It is one of the loveliest ways to save because it often gives you something better, fresher and cheaper than the bought version.

But here is the important bit: you do not need to MOO everything.

You do not need to spend all day in the kitchen.
You do not need to suddenly make every household product from scratch.

Today, you only need to choose one thing.
What Could You MOO Today?

Choose something simple, practical and made from ingredients you already have.

You could make:
• Muffins 
• Pikelets 
• Biscuits 
• A cake or slice 
• Breadcrumbs 
• Croutons 
• Soup 
• White sauce 
• Salad dressing 
• Taco seasoning 
• Pancake mix 
• A simple cleaning spray 
• Lunchbox snacks 
• Homemade pizza 
• A quick dessert 

Perhaps you have bananas that need using and can make muffins.

Perhaps stale bread can become breadcrumbs.

Perhaps soup made from fridge vegetables will prevent waste and provide a lunch.

Perhaps homemade snacks will stop a bakery or supermarket snack purchase this week.

That is MOOing at its best: useful, simple and money-saving.

Today’s Challenge
MOO one thing you would otherwise have bought.
Then work out, roughly, what the bought version would have cost and what your homemade version cost.

You do not need exact figures. A sensible estimate is enough.

Example Savings
Bought muffins or snacks: $8
Homemade batch using pantry ingredients: approximately $3
Saving: $5
Bought cleaning spray: $4.50
Homemade version using ingredients already on hand: less than $1
Saving: approximately $3.50
Bought takeaway lunch: $15
Soup and toast made at home: approximately $3
Saving: $12

Little amounts? Yes.

Very useful little amounts? Absolutely.

Find More Help in the Hub
Members can explore:
• 31 Days of MOO 
• Recipe Files 
• Household MOO recipes 
• Pantry staples ideas 
• Cleaning and laundry tips 
• Tip Store MOO ideas 

What did you MOO today, and how much do you estimate it saved?
A photo is welcome too — we love seeing real Cheapskates kitchens in action.