THE CHEAPSKATES CLUB
  • Home
  • Join the Club!
    • Twenty Reasons to Join the Cheapskates Club
    • Gift Memberships
  • About Us
    • Cath's Story
    • Ask Cath
    • Glossary of Cheapskating Terms
  • Forum
    • Current Forum Discussions
    • How to Use the Member Forum
  • Inspiration
    • Getting Started
    • Handmade Christmas Central >
      • Handmade Christmas 2025 is about to start
    • 31 Days of MOO Index
    • Articles
    • Back to Basics >
      • Back to Basics
      • Back to Basics Index
    • Housekeeping Routines
    • Budget Renovations
    • Saving Stories
  • SAVING REVOLUTION
    • 2025 Saving Revolution Index
    • Saving Revolution Resources
  • Recipes
    • Recipe File Index
    • Meal Plans
    • Add a Recipe
    • $300 a Month Food Challenge >
      • $300 a Month Food Challenge
      • The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
  • Newsletters
    • Newsletters 2025
  • Saving Money
    • Bill Paying System
    • Cheapskates Tip Store
    • Tip Sheets
    • Top Tip Competition
  • Contact
    • Changing Details
    • Help Files
Sentry Page Protection
Please Wait...
et custom HTML

Dear Cath - Saturday 1st August 2015

Q. My clothes sometimes begin to smell musty after not wearing them for a while between seasons. They are stored in a calico covered port-a-robe. Any suggestions for something simple and chemical free that will keep my clothes smelling fresh and rid them of that stale, musty smell? Michelle
Picture
A. Old fashioned lavender is what you need. If you know someone who has it growing ask them for some when it's in bloom. You can then either tie a few sprigs into bunches and tie them to the hanging rail, or take the blossoms off and put them in gauze or linen bags to make sachets.

There are other things you can use if you don't like lavender. In the olden days pomanders were used to freshen the air. They are easy to make, using oranges and whole cloves. Make sure the orange skin isn't broken, then just stud the orange all over with the cloves, completely covering it. Tie a ribbon around the orange to use as a hanger. Or you could try cedar balls. You'll find them at places like Howard's Storage World or even Bunnings.

Q. Hi I am looking for a BBQ Sauce, as natural as possible for children who love it but react to something in the commercial product. Thanks. Sue

A. This is my favourite barbecue sauce. We all love it, and it is AJ's favourite sauce. He has it on just about everything.

Allan's Favourite Barbecue Sauce
Ingredients:
1 cup strong black coffee (instant is fine)
1-/2 cups Worcestershire sauce
1 cup tomato sauce
125g butter
¼ cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (if this is too strong, 1 teaspoon will do).

Method:
Combine all ingredients in a heavy based saucepan. Slowly bring to a simmer. Let simmer 30 minutes over a low heat, stirring occasionally. Sauce should be thick and shiny. Delicious served with steak, chops or sausages.

I use my homemade Worcestershire and tomato sauces, so I know exactly what goes into them. If you use commercial sauces read the labels and check the ingredients for any that might trigger a reaction.

Q. I imagine the $300 a month food challenge is to feed a family. How much/ little do I aim for to feed just me and my Maltese terrier? Tash

A. The $300 a Month Food Challenge is for a family of four, or $75 per person per month. As a single you'd aim for $75 a month. That doesn't sound like much, and when you are starting this challenge you'll probably find it hard to reach. It is just a suggestion, a figure to aim for.  I suggest you start by cutting your current grocery bill by 10 per cent, then when you are comfortable with that, cut it another 10% and so on until you reach your ideal grocery budget. Once you find you can't eat the way you like to eat on the money you are spending increase it by 10 per cent and you'll have your ideal grocery budget.

Not everyone eats the same food, shops the same way, buys the same brands so the figures are just a goal for you to aim for. Meal planning, no waste and shopping wisely will all help you reach your grocery budget goal.
Back
Next

About Cheapskates

Getting Started

Tools & Guides

Follow Us

Cath's Story
You Really Can Live on One Income
Join the Club!
Site Information
Contact
Begin here
Newsletter Archive
Journal Archive
$300 a Month Food Challenge
Forum
Cheapskates Tip Store
Cheapskates Recipe File
Tip Sheets
Facebook
YouTube

Copyright ©2001 - 2025 The Cheapskates Club, All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Join the Club!
    • Twenty Reasons to Join the Cheapskates Club
    • Gift Memberships
  • About Us
    • Cath's Story
    • Ask Cath
    • Glossary of Cheapskating Terms
  • Forum
    • Current Forum Discussions
    • How to Use the Member Forum
  • Inspiration
    • Getting Started
    • Handmade Christmas Central >
      • Handmade Christmas 2025 is about to start
    • 31 Days of MOO Index
    • Articles
    • Back to Basics >
      • Back to Basics
      • Back to Basics Index
    • Housekeeping Routines
    • Budget Renovations
    • Saving Stories
  • SAVING REVOLUTION
    • 2025 Saving Revolution Index
    • Saving Revolution Resources
  • Recipes
    • Recipe File Index
    • Meal Plans
    • Add a Recipe
    • $300 a Month Food Challenge >
      • $300 a Month Food Challenge
      • The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
  • Newsletters
    • Newsletters 2025
  • Saving Money
    • Bill Paying System
    • Cheapskates Tip Store
    • Tip Sheets
    • Top Tip Competition
  • Contact
    • Changing Details
    • Help Files