A Welcome from Cath
Welcome to our 25th anniversary celebration!
When The Cheapskates Club began in 2001, I could never have imagined where it would lead.
I simply wanted to share the practical things our family was doing to survive unemployment without allowing our lifestyle to fall apart.
Over the past 25 years, The Cheapskates Club has had three versions of its website, and our membership has grown from one member into a thriving community of Cheapskaters.
Along the way, opportunities came that I could never have imagined.
I have:
Some of the people I met through the Club have become lifelong friends.
I have also had the privilege of celebrating some extraordinary moments with members.
I have celebrated as Cheapskaters cleared their first debt, harvested their first crop, made their first batch of taco seasoning, built their first stockpile or enjoyed their first debt-free Christmas.
I have celebrated new babies, new homes, new jobs and fresh beginnings.
I have also mourned the loss of beloved members who became an important part of our community.
Through every change, the heart of The Cheapskates Club has remained the same.
It is a community built on practical ideas, generosity, encouragement and the belief that everyone deserves the chance to live well without spending more than they can afford.
Inside the Member Hub, members receive access to practical Australian money-saving help, including:
You do not need to be perfect with money to become a Cheapskate.
You simply need to be ready to take the next small step.
Join The Cheapskates Club
[Join for $36.50 here
Already a member? Please share the anniversary offer with a friend or family member who may benefit from calm, practical help to live well for less.
Join the 25 Ways in 25 Days Savings Challenge
For 25 years, The Cheapskates Club has shown that small savings really do add up.
To celebrate, I am inviting you to complete one small money-saving action every day for 25 days.
The actions include:
Some actions may save money immediately. Others will reduce waste, prevent future spending or strengthen the habits that protect your household budget week after week.
There are no strict rules and no judgement.
You can complete the challenge in order, swap the activities around or replace an action with one that is more useful for your household.
The goal is progress, not perfection.
Download the 25 Ways in 25 Days Savings Challenge Tracker
Share your progress and savings wins using: #25YearsOfCheapskates
Share Your Cheapskates Story
The greatest success of The Cheapskates Club has always been its members.
Throughout August, I would love to share the stories of the people who have made this community what it is.
You might tell us:
Your story does not need to be dramatic.
Sometimes the most powerful changes are the quiet ones: a bill paid on time, a freezer filled with homemade meals, a Christmas paid for in cash or the relief of knowing there is food in the pantry.
You may share your name, use your first name only or remain anonymous.
When The Cheapskates Club began in 2001, I could never have imagined where it would lead.
I simply wanted to share the practical things our family was doing to survive unemployment without allowing our lifestyle to fall apart.
Over the past 25 years, The Cheapskates Club has had three versions of its website, and our membership has grown from one member into a thriving community of Cheapskaters.
Along the way, opportunities came that I could never have imagined.
I have:
- Published three books.
- Been a regular guest on A Current Affair and ABC Radio.
- Written a column for Woman’s Day magazine.
- Been honoured with business award nominations and awards.
- Hosted workshops around Australia.
- Built the Debt Free, Cashed Up and Laughing YouTube channel.
- Met wonderful Cheapskaters from all around the country.
Some of the people I met through the Club have become lifelong friends.
I have also had the privilege of celebrating some extraordinary moments with members.
I have celebrated as Cheapskaters cleared their first debt, harvested their first crop, made their first batch of taco seasoning, built their first stockpile or enjoyed their first debt-free Christmas.
I have celebrated new babies, new homes, new jobs and fresh beginnings.
I have also mourned the loss of beloved members who became an important part of our community.
Through every change, the heart of The Cheapskates Club has remained the same.
It is a community built on practical ideas, generosity, encouragement and the belief that everyone deserves the chance to live well without spending more than they can afford.
Inside the Member Hub, members receive access to practical Australian money-saving help, including:
- Meal plans and recipes.
- Grocery and pantry resources.
- Budgeting tools.
- Savings challenges.
- Household printables.
- The Tip Store.
- Cost-of-living help.
- Food preservation and stockpiling resources.
- Member-only articles, downloads and support.
You do not need to be perfect with money to become a Cheapskate.
You simply need to be ready to take the next small step.
Join The Cheapskates Club
[Join for $36.50 here
Already a member? Please share the anniversary offer with a friend or family member who may benefit from calm, practical help to live well for less.
Join the 25 Ways in 25 Days Savings Challenge
For 25 years, The Cheapskates Club has shown that small savings really do add up.
To celebrate, I am inviting you to complete one small money-saving action every day for 25 days.
The actions include:
- Checking what you have before shopping.
- Preparing a pantry-first meal.
- Updating your Price Book.
- Having a no-spend day.
- Putting $5 into savings.
- Rescuing food before it spoils.
- Mending something instead of replacing it.
- Checking a household bill.
- Making something instead of buying it.
- Adding up your savings at the end of the challenge.
Some actions may save money immediately. Others will reduce waste, prevent future spending or strengthen the habits that protect your household budget week after week.
There are no strict rules and no judgement.
You can complete the challenge in order, swap the activities around or replace an action with one that is more useful for your household.
The goal is progress, not perfection.
Download the 25 Ways in 25 Days Savings Challenge Tracker
Share your progress and savings wins using: #25YearsOfCheapskates
Share Your Cheapskates Story
The greatest success of The Cheapskates Club has always been its members.
Throughout August, I would love to share the stories of the people who have made this community what it is.
You might tell us:
- How long you have been a member.
- How you first discovered The Cheapskates Club.
- Your favourite Cheapskates memory.
- The best tip you learned.
- A debt you cleared.
- A savings goal you reached.
- A pantry you built.
- A skill you learned.
- How the Club helped you through a difficult season.
- What you would say to a new member.
Your story does not need to be dramatic.
Sometimes the most powerful changes are the quiet ones: a bill paid on time, a freezer filled with homemade meals, a Christmas paid for in cash or the relief of knowing there is food in the pantry.
You may share your name, use your first name only or remain anonymous.
Selected stories may be featured in the Member Hub, newsletter, Facebook posts or anniversary live celebration. Permission will always be requested before personal details or photographs are published.
Thank You for 25 Wonderful Years
The Cheapskates Club began with one family looking for a better way to manage money.
It became a community because thousands of people were willing to share what they knew and encourage one another.
Our Cheapskating community exists because of you—the members who support, encourage, inspire, create and share.
This anniversary is not only a celebration of The Cheapskates Club.
It is a celebration of you.
Thank you for believing in this little idea.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Thank you for encouraging one another.
Thank you for helping The Cheapskates Club grow from one simple webpage into the community it is today.
Here’s to another 25 years of living life the Cheapskates way: Debt free, cashed up and laughing.
Thank You for 25 Wonderful Years
The Cheapskates Club began with one family looking for a better way to manage money.
It became a community because thousands of people were willing to share what they knew and encourage one another.
Our Cheapskating community exists because of you—the members who support, encourage, inspire, create and share.
This anniversary is not only a celebration of The Cheapskates Club.
It is a celebration of you.
Thank you for believing in this little idea.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Thank you for encouraging one another.
Thank you for helping The Cheapskates Club grow from one simple webpage into the community it is today.
Here’s to another 25 years of living life the Cheapskates way: Debt free, cashed up and laughing.