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Latest Tips & Recipes August 2021

Here you'll find the latest tips and recipes added to the Tip Store and Recipe File during 

​If you have a car key with electric buttons, they can be very expensive to replace, upwards of $125. I have used paper and sticky tape to try and refurbish it but this only lasts so long, and doesn’t look great. My husband found that you can get replacement key heads (the electric part) from Supercheap Auto from about$12. There is a short video online to show you how to replace the head, and 5 minutes of work and a brand new key. 
Contributed by Denise Scotford

Editor's note: From the resident locksmith - be very careful with these keys. If the key to your car has a transponder in it, then the cheap key will open the car, but it won't start it. The key needs to be programmed to match your car (they are all, or should all be, unique). It is this that costs so much, not the actual key.  The cheap key might get you into the car in an emergency, but don't rely on it.  Cath.

Labelled Pillows

​If you are one of us that has many pillows for their bed, it can be frustrating and time consuming when it’s time to remake the bed… which pillow goes where, what pillowcase goes on what pillow, especially when you are being helped. So take a permanent marker and write a description on the labels attached to the pillows. Eg head, feet, arm.. or left top, left middle, left top (fancy). Whatever makes sense to you and those helping you.
Contributed by Denise Scotford

Building Six Months of Expenses

​Someone suggested that an emergency fund should be six months of expenses. The way I am achieving this is to pay extra each month on my bills until there is enough to cover each bill for six months. For example, if a bill is usually $50 a month, build this up to have $300 credit. One advantage of doing this has been I never miss out on the pay on time discounts. This system may not suit everyone.
Ann Green

A Low Maintenance Garden

​Rather than seeing lockdowns as wasted time I used lockdowns five and six to create a low maintenance garden. Instead of lawn, the front and backyard is covered in wood chip mulch and the nature strip is lily dale toppings. The front has fruit trees, the entire backyard is for growing vegetables. The mulch keeps plants warmer in winter, cooler in summer, reduces evaporation, keeps weeds out and as it breaks down provides nutrients for the plants. I save time and money. No gardening equipment like mowers needed, no mowing and weeding time is reduced.
Contributed by Ann Green

Rapid Mortgage Reduction Tip

​Banks do not expect a payment on the day of settlement. The first payment is a month later. During that month you are being charged interest. On settlement day pay a lump sum. I did this many years ago and it reduced the term of the mortgage from 30 years to 17 years. Then I changed to fortnightly payments and extra payments when I could and the mortgage was paid in 5 years.
Contributed by Ann Green

Every Dollar Counts

​It might be hard to be motivated to save money. I found the following helped me to stay motivated. $1 invested in 30 years time is worth $8. Start multiplying this and it adds up over time.
Contributed by Ann Green

Easy Bill Payments 

​I have organised direct debits for all my bills to be paid. Council and water rates , phone, mobiles, electricity etc. When Council rates arrive I schedule payments (select frequency that suits your pay cycle). Electricity etc. I schedule payments fortnightly based on previous bills. Good news when bill arrives as it is paid or in credit. No stress having to outlay a large amount to pay in full.
Contributed by Sue Richardson 

Make It More Relaxing

​Add a few drops of Lavender oil or Eucalyptus oil to your bi carb soda bath and relax even more.
Contributed by Wendy Bailey

Pretty Eyes for Less

​I started tinting my eyelashes and eyebrows at home after it became too expensive to pay the $35 -$50 a go that it costs at the beauty salon. I initially bought the special eyelash/eyebrow tint from the chemist for $18 which gave me 12 treatments, then I came up with an even better way to save. A male friend had pointed out to me that men’s hair colour comes in resealable tubes so I purchased a box of men’s hair colour from Woolworths for $13.50 and tried it. So far I have been using the same box of colour for the last two years about 12 times a year and I’m not even a third of the way through the tube. All it takes is a small amount of hair dye and developer mixed together and then you can apply it to your brows and lashes. I use a bit of Vaseline around my eyes to protect my skin from discolouring and then go about cleaning the house, putting out washing or whatever needs to be done and then wash it off after 10 minutes. Voila you have beautiful eyebrows and eyelashes for a fraction of what it would cost at a salon plus it only takes about 5 minutes if your time to apply and wash off. 
Note - if you have blonde hair like me you just buy a light brown tint for your brows and black for your lashes.
Contributed by Victoria Vosloo

Take a Second Look at Your Instruction Manuals

​By re-reading my instruction manuals, I've discovered two new things just in one week. I've discovered my electric frying pan is dishwasher safe. win! :) and I've also discovered that I have been using the spacer for my asthma puffer incorrectly, potentially putting my health at risk. So give some thought to re-reading your manuals. You never know what you might discover.
Contributed by Paula Hill