Your Cheapskates Club Newsletter: 02:15
Bright ideas to save you money
In this newsletter
1. Cath's Corner
2. In the Tip Store - Freezer Meal Planner, Getting Everything from Your Old Fridge, Perpetual Pickle Juice
3. Cheapskate's Winning Tip - Beating the Eating Addiction
4. Submit Your Tip - You have to be in it to win it - share your favourite tip now!
5. On the Menu with Anne - Chicken Fajitas in a Pouch
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy - The $300 a Month Food Challenge Guidelines
7. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
8. Member's Featured Blog -Stop the Madness!
9. Last Week's Question - Where to buy good, cheap spices
10. This Week's Question - What's the deal with solar panels?
11. Join the Cheapskates Club
12. Gift Memberships
13. Frequently Asked Questions
14. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
I'm preparing this newsletter on battery power. We are in the middle of a huge storm and the power is out. I'm hoping it comes back on so I can get it uploaded to the website and our email service tonight (Wednesday) so you'll get it on time tomorrow. If you don't you'll at least know why!
It suddenly occurred to me over the weekend (welcome to all our new Cheapskates Club members too) that it is almost our annual No Spending Month! Well it is just over three weeks away.
If you are new to the Cheapskates Club you may not be aware that every now and then we have challenges. In February we have a no spending challenge - for the entire month! So, with that in mind, I thought I'd remind everyone that it is coming up and if you think you'll need to do some unbudgeted or not strictly necessary spending you might try to get it done before the end of the month.
Come the first of February I'll be issuing daily challenges and goals this year, just to mix things up a little and keep everyone, including myself, motivated. I'll explain more closer to the end of the month, but I know you'll love No Spending Month 2015.
And straight on the heels of No Spending Month comes MOO Month. I love March. Last year we had the 31 Days of MOO and we'll have another 31 Days of MOO this year too, with all new things we can adapt to make our own.
Then throughout the year there will be other fun challenges to keep you on track and happily working towards being debt free and cashed up.
On that note, if you are new to Cheapskates, please remember to log in and have a browse of the Getting Started page. It will help you enormously to navigate the Member's Centre. It is huge and can be overwhelming so take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with how things flow to get the very best out of your membership. And if you're a long-time member you might like to go back and have another read of Getting Started too.
"Dear Cheapskates, I enjoy your weekly newsletter each week and it keeps me motivated. I work part time and my husband had to give up working 3 years ago through ill health so I have to be careful with the finances. Keep up the good work. Have a great Christmas and a terrific 2015, Kind regards," LB
"Hi Cath, Just letting you know I love your books. I am a single parent and a Cheapskate. Your ideas are really helpful. I have your Debt Free, Cashed Up and Laughing and use it all the time. Just borrowed your other books from library but going to slush fund purchase them when money allows. Once again thanks for your great tips." SP
"Hi, I just wanted to say thank you I love your books and website and love receiving the newsletter. I try to be a cheapskate and I'm getting there and I wouldn't know where to even start if I hadn't picked up your book Debt Free, Cashed Up and Laughing. I'm sure you hear this all the time and I'm not normally one to write to someone I don't know but today you saved my Christmas baking. I live half an hour from my nearest shop and thought I had everything I needed only to begin cooking and find I hadn't grabbed sweetened condensed milk. Thankfully I had your book and all the raw ingredients to MOO it myself and bonus - it was so easy. So thank you for all you do, may you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year." JJ
"I'm 53 years old and on my own with two sons in their early 20's. I went back to work as a nurse after a 20 year break and find your newsletter and website invaluable. It inspires me and keeps me focussed on saving money and budgeting etc. I've been making my own laundry supplies and cleaners for the last 7 years and have saved so much as a result. Miracle spray is amazing. You keep it simple and interesting. Thank you so much." KW
Have a great week everyone.
Cath
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.
http://www.cheapskates.com.au/pages/group/default.cfm?group_id=4291&list=Full
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2. From The Tip Store
Freezer Meal Planner
Approximate $ Savings: $100
I have a freezer full of ready meals and ingredients but haven't found an inventory system that worked for me. I now stick a blank monthly calendar on the fridge for meal planning. Then I bought a sheet of blank whiteboard magnet and cut it into small labels. When I batch up meals for the freezer or buy meat etc. I write it on one of the labels and put them on the side of the fridge. When I meal plan I then just stick these to the day I want. Once used the label can be wiped clean for another use. All the little magnet labels on the side of the fridge are a great visual of how much food there is to eat in the freezer making me more likely to use things up. If you have a freezer with shelves you could stick these magnets in layers to show which shelf it is on.
Contributed by Emma Street
Getting Everything from Your Old Fridge
Don't dispose of your old frig when it's no longer working. Here is a list of parts of it which can be reused: The body of the fridge turned on its side, makes a great self-watering wicking container for growing veggies. The flat outside of the door can be covered with mosaic tiles for a lovely garden feature. The wire shelves can be used to protect young seedlings from birds. The glass shelves can be used to cover tender seedlings when a frost is predicted. The nuts, bolts and hinges can be reused for other projects. Even the plastic lining of the door can be reused, just cut it into pieces for durable plant labels. The small light globe (if it's still working) could be reused in a lamp in your house. Any copper wire can be wound around plant pots to deter snails and slugs (it gives them a small electric shock when their mucus contacts it). The electric motor should be taken to a metal recycling yard.
Contributed by Pam Strange
Perpetual Pickle Juice
Approximate $ Savings: $2.00 to $5.00 per jar
I save the liquid from my jars of pickles when they are empty. Then I buy or use cucumbers and onions from the garden, slice and put them in to the jar with the liquid covering them. Finally, cover and refrigerate for four to five days and you will have a new jars of pickles for the cost of the cucumbers or onions.
Contributed by Tracy Shilton
There are more than 11,000 great tips in the Tip Store
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3. Cheapskate's Winning Tip
This week's winning tip is from Joan Traill. Joan has won a one year Platinum Cheapskates Club membership for submitting her winning tip.
Beating the Eating Addiction
My problem was not being able to stop at one biscuit, cake, chocolate, lolly or a small serve of potato crisps. I gave up all those things along with cream and ice cream. Over 15 months I lost 20 kilos as well as saving a lot of money. At the beginning it was quite difficult so when I felt like eating my "addictions" I had a drink of water or if I really wanted something sweet had a piece of chewing gum. As the weight came off occasionally I would have a piece of toast and honey in the afternoon. Three times I hit a plateau and was not losing weight for a couple of weeks so looked at what I was eating and instead of having two sandwiches or soup and two slices of toast cut the sandwiches down to 1-1/2 then 1 and toast with soup down to 1. Five years on have kept the weight off. I eat anything I know I can have a serving of and will not go back for more: fish and chips, lemon meringue pie. Everyone will have their own "addictions". Work out what they are and come up with a plan that will help you overcome them. Good luck.
Congratulations Joan I hope you enjoy your Cheapskates Club membership.
The Cheapskate's Club website is over 2,000 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.
Enter your tip here
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4. Submit your tip
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
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5. On the Menu with Anne
Chicken Fajitas in a Pouch
These fajitas are brilliant for barbecuing and we love them (read: I love them) when we are camping because they are quick, easy and there’s no messy clean up. When we are camping I marinate them in a ziplock bag so there is nothing to wash up.
Ingredients:
4 tsp MOO taco seasoning powder
4 tbsp lime juice
750g chicken, cubed into 1cm pieces
2 capsicums, diced small
2 onions, diced small
8 tortillas for serving
Method:
Mix taco seasoning and lime juice together in a bowl, then add the chicken and capsicum and cover with plastic wrap.
Put in refrigerator for up to 2 hours. Make 4 pouches out of aluminium foil. Spray with cooking spray and spoon the mixture (including the liquid) into the centre of each pouch, dividing ingredients equally. Fold the edges of the pouches tightly to form envelopes, leaving a bit of room for hot air and expansion within the pouch. Put on the barbecue set at medium-high or over hot coals on the edge of a campfire and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, turning the pouches several times to cook evenly. Serve on tortillas with toppings such as diced tomato, shredded lettuce, salsa, grated cheese and sour cream or enjoy them as is.
This week we will be eating:
Friday: Mini Mexican Meatloaves, salad
Saturday: Chicken & vegetables pies, wedges, salad
Sunday: Roast chicken, baked potato, pumpkin, cauliflower, beans, gravy
Monday: Fish cakes, wedges, salad
Tuesday: Sweet & sour chicken over fried rice
Wednesday: Tandoori lamb chops, rice, salad
Thursday: Bean burritos with coriander lime rice and salsa, seasoned wedges
In the fruit bowl: apples, bananas, mandarins
In the cake tin: Lemon coconut slice, Fantasy Slice, fruit cake, pita chips
There are over 1,400 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File
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6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy
Wendy is having a well-deserved break for the next few weeks so we are going to revisit the $300 a Month Food Challenge Archives.
The $300 a Month Food Challenge Guidelines
After a few questions as to how I keep my food budget to $300 a month, I thought it might be helpful if I post my handy hints and encourage others to take up the challenge. It would be great if people could post their progress - as we are all in it together.
1. Do a menu plan for the month.
2. Write a shopping list from your plan
3. Check your freezer, fridge and pantry.
4. Check laundry for cleaning products etc.
5. Check bathroom cupboards for shampoo, soap etc.
6. Cross off anything on your shopping list that you already have plenty of
7. Add 6 empty spaces on your list for sale items.
8. Go to shops "with" shopping list and get $300 out at ATM or bank. It's hard to over spend when that is all the cash you have in your purse.
I buy everything I can no name except toothpaste, women’s products, tomato soup, curry powder, laundry powder, coffee, tea, chocolate - that all I can think of.
If there is something on sale that we use, I buy a few of.
When it comes to buying meat, it has to be less than $8 kg except fish - $10 - $12 kg.
Silverside is cheap at $5 - $6 kg. When I get home I always cut it in half, put in freezer bags and freeze. Each piece is enough for 2 adults and 2 children. I do the same for roasts.
When I buy trays of budget steak. I always cut it into meal sizes for stews, kebabs, and stir-fries etc. - about 400g per meals.
Mince is bought on the largest trays. Each tray gets divided into 8 meal portions -approx. $1 to $1.50 per meal. Some meals need 2 portions like lasagne.
I buy fish from deli at Coles when on sale. I ask for frozen pieces so I can put it in the freezer when I get home.
Chicken fillets are bought with skin on. I take it off when I get home and 2 fillets are enough for each meal. Drumsticks are a great cheap cut.
I guess what I'm trying to say about the meat is that it is all about portion control. Most people eat too much meat and not enough vegies. If you freeze and cook meal sizes there is less chance of cooking too much.
All my meals cost less than $5 unless it's roast lamb $7 to $8 a luxury saved for birthdays etc. I don’t buy pasta sauces. I use No name tinned tomatoes. Pasta sauces have too much salt and sugar.
I also do pasta bakes with mince, vegies, pasta, tomato soup, seasonings and cheese on top. Or chicken, pasta, cream of chicken soup, vegies, seasonings and cheese on top.
Most of my cooking is old style cooking - stews, soups, casseroles, meat pies, lasagne, spag bol, pasta bakes, chicken pieces with homemade flavourings (honey/soy, tomato/bbq sauce and mustard powder, lemon juice), roasts and salmon patties just to name a few. All good food with no expensive or fancy ingredients.
Here is a sample of my monthly shopping list-
Pita bread (for pizzas) crumpets/muffins X1
Peanut butter, jam, vegemite or honey (whatever is needed)
Tinned tuna/salmon X2 taco shells X1
Lasagne sheets X1
Pasta- spiral X2
Rice - brown and white X1
Cling wrap, foil etc. if needed
SR flour and plain flour
Sugar - white, brown, raw or castor if needed
Herbs (dried)
Eggs X 3 doz
Vinegar
Powdered milk if needed
Soup and soup mix
Walnuts, choc chips etc. for baking
Custard powder, yoghurt sachets if needed
Juice X 4lts
Tomato, bbq, mint sauce, mayo, salad dressing
2 min noodle X1 pack of 5
Tea, coffee if needed
Rice pops, wheat biscuits, corn flakes, quick oats
Biscuits - dry and sweet
Milk X 6lts butter X 5, cream X 1
Cheese X 2 1kg blocks marg X 2
Ice-cream X 1 2lts
Frozen beans X 2, corn X 2
Muesli bars X 2
Hairspray, tissues X 4
The list has a few more things on but I could be here for a while.
I then go into the fruit/veg shop and buy enough for 2 weeks.
I shop every week for milk and fruit/veg that has run out.
I buy some meat from a butcher called Tasman Meats (Vic). They are much cheaper than the supermarkets.
I guess what I'm trying to say with all of this information is that you need to be organised, have a list, look out for bargains, be wise and don't be too proud to each cheaply but well. There is no need for scotch fillet. My meals are yummy and healthy. We don't miss out on anything.
Well, after all that typing, let’s see if anyone is up for the challenge. I'd love to hear how you go the next time you go food shopping.
Remember, it is meant to make you smile (see my forum topic "food shopping made me smile")
Be encouraged!!!!!!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2056-The-300-a-Month-Food-Challenge-Guidelines
The Post that Started it All
http://www.cheapskates.com.au/pages/default.cfm?page_id=44265
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7. Cheapskates Buzz
This week's hot forum topics
Grocery Gymnastics
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?1535-Grocery-Gymnastics
Play Centre Snacks, Food and Drinks Ideas
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2719-Play-centre-snacks-food-and-drinks-ideas
What's Best for Menu Planning??
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2716-whats-best-for-menu-planning
Most popular blog posts this week
Make Your Own Grow Bags
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2013/01/make-your-own-grow-bags.html
Natural Air Cleaners
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2013/09/natural-air-cleaners.html
Bread Crumb Biscuits
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2011/06/bread-crumb-biscuits.html
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8. Member's Featured Blog
Platinum Cheapskates Club members have their very own Cheapskating blogs, and they are wonderful and inspirational and encouraging and even funny. This week's featured blog is written by School.
Stop the Madness!
2014 was not the best for me financially and we overspent by about $50 000. Ouch! It all started when our beautiful little poodle died unexpectedly. We were so very sad and the house just wasn't the same so we got two new little poodles to love and cuddle. They are adorable but they cost a lot as did all the initial vet bills. The next thing was my fault, I completely overspent on renovations for the house. I got carried away and while we love it all and am so happy with it, we certainly didn't need everything we did and it has definitely put us behind again in the mortgage department. The third thing was I broke my finger when my hubby and I hired a turf cutter to pull up some grass. Better Homes and Gardens makes it look so easy! Unfortunately as we were trying to get the turf cutter off the ute it fell on my hand, smashing it the bone in one my fingers into a zillion pieces. It required emergency surgery with lots of plates and screws and many months of specialised hand therapy to be able to move it again. So our $300 DIY job ended up costing us $2500 in out of pocket medical expenses! Luckily I have health insurance however, otherwise it would have been a lot more! Then for some reason, my mindset just changed and with all the money flying out of our savings account I just kept spending money all year! It was like I couldn't stop and it became normal. In November we then threw all caution to the wind and bought two new cars at once. We didn't have the money and we had to borrow it. I have never done this before as I always believed in not being in debt for cars. So now we have no savings and have a big mortgage debt and a car debt.
I feel really terrible and very unsettled as we have no emergency money if something bad happens now.
But, I'm determined that 2015 will be different. I have some really specific goals which include...
Have $20 000 in our savings account by the end of the year
Pay $5000 extra to our car loan
Consume less and spend less!
The last goal is going to be my biggest challenge as I really need to get out my spending mentality. I know I can break the habit with a lot of willpower and if I can just do it for a month then I'm sure not spending will become my new habit.
I thought keeping a blog would help me to stay on track by being accountable. So here it goes, bring on 2015, the year of being content with what we've got!
Login to read more Cheapskates Club member blogs
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9. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Bec who wrote
"Where is the best place to buy bulk spices? I live in Ballarat and haven't been able to find anywhere locally. I have found a few websites and would appreciate any suggestions and feedback on which ones are good and any to avoid.
Thanks!!"
Katie Bennett Stenton answered
My husband and I are both super keen cooks and use loads and loads of spices. We discovered a few years ago that many of the Indian grocery stores in Melbourne (around Carlisle Street St Kilda and around Burwood) buy spices in bulk and repackage them in huge bags for an absolute fraction of a grocery store price (even cheaper than Aldi or Costco). They have a massive range and we just buy clear plastic containers with snap close lids to store them in and they stay super fresh. Honestly it's super-duper cheap!
Caroline Keys answered
Bec, have you tried Worldwide Spices at 33 Armstrong Street North? They have an excellent range and their prices are fairly good.
Erica Berkovich answered
http://www.herbies.com.au have stockists in Ballarat and an online store. I used to go to their store in Rozelle.
Kerryn Hampton answered
I buy my spices from Aussie Spices via their online shop. The products are fantastic and reasonably priced. I really recommend them. Their web address is http://www.aussiespices.com.au/
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
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10. This Week's Question
Hazel writes
"My husband and I are considering installing solar panels on our roof and would like some help as to the best deals etc.
Thank you."
Do you have the answer?
If you have a suggestion or idea for Hazel 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
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11. 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
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12. 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!
http://www.cheapskates.com.au/pages/default.cfm?page_id=43740
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13. 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
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14. 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
[email protected]
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1. Cath's Corner
2. In the Tip Store - Freezer Meal Planner, Getting Everything from Your Old Fridge, Perpetual Pickle Juice
3. Cheapskate's Winning Tip - Beating the Eating Addiction
4. Submit Your Tip - You have to be in it to win it - share your favourite tip now!
5. On the Menu with Anne - Chicken Fajitas in a Pouch
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy - The $300 a Month Food Challenge Guidelines
7. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
8. Member's Featured Blog -Stop the Madness!
9. Last Week's Question - Where to buy good, cheap spices
10. This Week's Question - What's the deal with solar panels?
11. Join the Cheapskates Club
12. Gift Memberships
13. Frequently Asked Questions
14. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
I'm preparing this newsletter on battery power. We are in the middle of a huge storm and the power is out. I'm hoping it comes back on so I can get it uploaded to the website and our email service tonight (Wednesday) so you'll get it on time tomorrow. If you don't you'll at least know why!
It suddenly occurred to me over the weekend (welcome to all our new Cheapskates Club members too) that it is almost our annual No Spending Month! Well it is just over three weeks away.
If you are new to the Cheapskates Club you may not be aware that every now and then we have challenges. In February we have a no spending challenge - for the entire month! So, with that in mind, I thought I'd remind everyone that it is coming up and if you think you'll need to do some unbudgeted or not strictly necessary spending you might try to get it done before the end of the month.
Come the first of February I'll be issuing daily challenges and goals this year, just to mix things up a little and keep everyone, including myself, motivated. I'll explain more closer to the end of the month, but I know you'll love No Spending Month 2015.
And straight on the heels of No Spending Month comes MOO Month. I love March. Last year we had the 31 Days of MOO and we'll have another 31 Days of MOO this year too, with all new things we can adapt to make our own.
Then throughout the year there will be other fun challenges to keep you on track and happily working towards being debt free and cashed up.
On that note, if you are new to Cheapskates, please remember to log in and have a browse of the Getting Started page. It will help you enormously to navigate the Member's Centre. It is huge and can be overwhelming so take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with how things flow to get the very best out of your membership. And if you're a long-time member you might like to go back and have another read of Getting Started too.
"Dear Cheapskates, I enjoy your weekly newsletter each week and it keeps me motivated. I work part time and my husband had to give up working 3 years ago through ill health so I have to be careful with the finances. Keep up the good work. Have a great Christmas and a terrific 2015, Kind regards," LB
"Hi Cath, Just letting you know I love your books. I am a single parent and a Cheapskate. Your ideas are really helpful. I have your Debt Free, Cashed Up and Laughing and use it all the time. Just borrowed your other books from library but going to slush fund purchase them when money allows. Once again thanks for your great tips." SP
"Hi, I just wanted to say thank you I love your books and website and love receiving the newsletter. I try to be a cheapskate and I'm getting there and I wouldn't know where to even start if I hadn't picked up your book Debt Free, Cashed Up and Laughing. I'm sure you hear this all the time and I'm not normally one to write to someone I don't know but today you saved my Christmas baking. I live half an hour from my nearest shop and thought I had everything I needed only to begin cooking and find I hadn't grabbed sweetened condensed milk. Thankfully I had your book and all the raw ingredients to MOO it myself and bonus - it was so easy. So thank you for all you do, may you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year." JJ
"I'm 53 years old and on my own with two sons in their early 20's. I went back to work as a nurse after a 20 year break and find your newsletter and website invaluable. It inspires me and keeps me focussed on saving money and budgeting etc. I've been making my own laundry supplies and cleaners for the last 7 years and have saved so much as a result. Miracle spray is amazing. You keep it simple and interesting. Thank you so much." KW
Have a great week everyone.
Cath
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.
http://www.cheapskates.com.au/pages/group/default.cfm?group_id=4291&list=Full
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2. From The Tip Store
Freezer Meal Planner
Approximate $ Savings: $100
I have a freezer full of ready meals and ingredients but haven't found an inventory system that worked for me. I now stick a blank monthly calendar on the fridge for meal planning. Then I bought a sheet of blank whiteboard magnet and cut it into small labels. When I batch up meals for the freezer or buy meat etc. I write it on one of the labels and put them on the side of the fridge. When I meal plan I then just stick these to the day I want. Once used the label can be wiped clean for another use. All the little magnet labels on the side of the fridge are a great visual of how much food there is to eat in the freezer making me more likely to use things up. If you have a freezer with shelves you could stick these magnets in layers to show which shelf it is on.
Contributed by Emma Street
Getting Everything from Your Old Fridge
Don't dispose of your old frig when it's no longer working. Here is a list of parts of it which can be reused: The body of the fridge turned on its side, makes a great self-watering wicking container for growing veggies. The flat outside of the door can be covered with mosaic tiles for a lovely garden feature. The wire shelves can be used to protect young seedlings from birds. The glass shelves can be used to cover tender seedlings when a frost is predicted. The nuts, bolts and hinges can be reused for other projects. Even the plastic lining of the door can be reused, just cut it into pieces for durable plant labels. The small light globe (if it's still working) could be reused in a lamp in your house. Any copper wire can be wound around plant pots to deter snails and slugs (it gives them a small electric shock when their mucus contacts it). The electric motor should be taken to a metal recycling yard.
Contributed by Pam Strange
Perpetual Pickle Juice
Approximate $ Savings: $2.00 to $5.00 per jar
I save the liquid from my jars of pickles when they are empty. Then I buy or use cucumbers and onions from the garden, slice and put them in to the jar with the liquid covering them. Finally, cover and refrigerate for four to five days and you will have a new jars of pickles for the cost of the cucumbers or onions.
Contributed by Tracy Shilton
There are more than 11,000 great tips in the Tip Store
========================================
3. Cheapskate's Winning Tip
This week's winning tip is from Joan Traill. Joan has won a one year Platinum Cheapskates Club membership for submitting her winning tip.
Beating the Eating Addiction
My problem was not being able to stop at one biscuit, cake, chocolate, lolly or a small serve of potato crisps. I gave up all those things along with cream and ice cream. Over 15 months I lost 20 kilos as well as saving a lot of money. At the beginning it was quite difficult so when I felt like eating my "addictions" I had a drink of water or if I really wanted something sweet had a piece of chewing gum. As the weight came off occasionally I would have a piece of toast and honey in the afternoon. Three times I hit a plateau and was not losing weight for a couple of weeks so looked at what I was eating and instead of having two sandwiches or soup and two slices of toast cut the sandwiches down to 1-1/2 then 1 and toast with soup down to 1. Five years on have kept the weight off. I eat anything I know I can have a serving of and will not go back for more: fish and chips, lemon meringue pie. Everyone will have their own "addictions". Work out what they are and come up with a plan that will help you overcome them. Good luck.
Congratulations Joan I hope you enjoy your Cheapskates Club membership.
The Cheapskate's Club website is over 2,000 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.
Enter your tip here
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4. Submit your tip
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!
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5. On the Menu with Anne
Chicken Fajitas in a Pouch
These fajitas are brilliant for barbecuing and we love them (read: I love them) when we are camping because they are quick, easy and there’s no messy clean up. When we are camping I marinate them in a ziplock bag so there is nothing to wash up.
Ingredients:
4 tsp MOO taco seasoning powder
4 tbsp lime juice
750g chicken, cubed into 1cm pieces
2 capsicums, diced small
2 onions, diced small
8 tortillas for serving
Method:
Mix taco seasoning and lime juice together in a bowl, then add the chicken and capsicum and cover with plastic wrap.
Put in refrigerator for up to 2 hours. Make 4 pouches out of aluminium foil. Spray with cooking spray and spoon the mixture (including the liquid) into the centre of each pouch, dividing ingredients equally. Fold the edges of the pouches tightly to form envelopes, leaving a bit of room for hot air and expansion within the pouch. Put on the barbecue set at medium-high or over hot coals on the edge of a campfire and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, turning the pouches several times to cook evenly. Serve on tortillas with toppings such as diced tomato, shredded lettuce, salsa, grated cheese and sour cream or enjoy them as is.
This week we will be eating:
Friday: Mini Mexican Meatloaves, salad
Saturday: Chicken & vegetables pies, wedges, salad
Sunday: Roast chicken, baked potato, pumpkin, cauliflower, beans, gravy
Monday: Fish cakes, wedges, salad
Tuesday: Sweet & sour chicken over fried rice
Wednesday: Tandoori lamb chops, rice, salad
Thursday: Bean burritos with coriander lime rice and salsa, seasoned wedges
In the fruit bowl: apples, bananas, mandarins
In the cake tin: Lemon coconut slice, Fantasy Slice, fruit cake, pita chips
There are over 1,400 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File
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6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy
Wendy is having a well-deserved break for the next few weeks so we are going to revisit the $300 a Month Food Challenge Archives.
The $300 a Month Food Challenge Guidelines
After a few questions as to how I keep my food budget to $300 a month, I thought it might be helpful if I post my handy hints and encourage others to take up the challenge. It would be great if people could post their progress - as we are all in it together.
1. Do a menu plan for the month.
2. Write a shopping list from your plan
3. Check your freezer, fridge and pantry.
4. Check laundry for cleaning products etc.
5. Check bathroom cupboards for shampoo, soap etc.
6. Cross off anything on your shopping list that you already have plenty of
7. Add 6 empty spaces on your list for sale items.
8. Go to shops "with" shopping list and get $300 out at ATM or bank. It's hard to over spend when that is all the cash you have in your purse.
I buy everything I can no name except toothpaste, women’s products, tomato soup, curry powder, laundry powder, coffee, tea, chocolate - that all I can think of.
If there is something on sale that we use, I buy a few of.
When it comes to buying meat, it has to be less than $8 kg except fish - $10 - $12 kg.
Silverside is cheap at $5 - $6 kg. When I get home I always cut it in half, put in freezer bags and freeze. Each piece is enough for 2 adults and 2 children. I do the same for roasts.
When I buy trays of budget steak. I always cut it into meal sizes for stews, kebabs, and stir-fries etc. - about 400g per meals.
Mince is bought on the largest trays. Each tray gets divided into 8 meal portions -approx. $1 to $1.50 per meal. Some meals need 2 portions like lasagne.
I buy fish from deli at Coles when on sale. I ask for frozen pieces so I can put it in the freezer when I get home.
Chicken fillets are bought with skin on. I take it off when I get home and 2 fillets are enough for each meal. Drumsticks are a great cheap cut.
I guess what I'm trying to say about the meat is that it is all about portion control. Most people eat too much meat and not enough vegies. If you freeze and cook meal sizes there is less chance of cooking too much.
All my meals cost less than $5 unless it's roast lamb $7 to $8 a luxury saved for birthdays etc. I don’t buy pasta sauces. I use No name tinned tomatoes. Pasta sauces have too much salt and sugar.
I also do pasta bakes with mince, vegies, pasta, tomato soup, seasonings and cheese on top. Or chicken, pasta, cream of chicken soup, vegies, seasonings and cheese on top.
Most of my cooking is old style cooking - stews, soups, casseroles, meat pies, lasagne, spag bol, pasta bakes, chicken pieces with homemade flavourings (honey/soy, tomato/bbq sauce and mustard powder, lemon juice), roasts and salmon patties just to name a few. All good food with no expensive or fancy ingredients.
Here is a sample of my monthly shopping list-
Pita bread (for pizzas) crumpets/muffins X1
Peanut butter, jam, vegemite or honey (whatever is needed)
Tinned tuna/salmon X2 taco shells X1
Lasagne sheets X1
Pasta- spiral X2
Rice - brown and white X1
Cling wrap, foil etc. if needed
SR flour and plain flour
Sugar - white, brown, raw or castor if needed
Herbs (dried)
Eggs X 3 doz
Vinegar
Powdered milk if needed
Soup and soup mix
Walnuts, choc chips etc. for baking
Custard powder, yoghurt sachets if needed
Juice X 4lts
Tomato, bbq, mint sauce, mayo, salad dressing
2 min noodle X1 pack of 5
Tea, coffee if needed
Rice pops, wheat biscuits, corn flakes, quick oats
Biscuits - dry and sweet
Milk X 6lts butter X 5, cream X 1
Cheese X 2 1kg blocks marg X 2
Ice-cream X 1 2lts
Frozen beans X 2, corn X 2
Muesli bars X 2
Hairspray, tissues X 4
The list has a few more things on but I could be here for a while.
I then go into the fruit/veg shop and buy enough for 2 weeks.
I shop every week for milk and fruit/veg that has run out.
I buy some meat from a butcher called Tasman Meats (Vic). They are much cheaper than the supermarkets.
I guess what I'm trying to say with all of this information is that you need to be organised, have a list, look out for bargains, be wise and don't be too proud to each cheaply but well. There is no need for scotch fillet. My meals are yummy and healthy. We don't miss out on anything.
Well, after all that typing, let’s see if anyone is up for the challenge. I'd love to hear how you go the next time you go food shopping.
Remember, it is meant to make you smile (see my forum topic "food shopping made me smile")
Be encouraged!!!!!!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2056-The-300-a-Month-Food-Challenge-Guidelines
The Post that Started it All
http://www.cheapskates.com.au/pages/default.cfm?page_id=44265
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7. Cheapskates Buzz
This week's hot forum topics
Grocery Gymnastics
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?1535-Grocery-Gymnastics
Play Centre Snacks, Food and Drinks Ideas
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2719-Play-centre-snacks-food-and-drinks-ideas
What's Best for Menu Planning??
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2716-whats-best-for-menu-planning
Most popular blog posts this week
Make Your Own Grow Bags
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2013/01/make-your-own-grow-bags.html
Natural Air Cleaners
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2013/09/natural-air-cleaners.html
Bread Crumb Biscuits
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2011/06/bread-crumb-biscuits.html
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8. Member's Featured Blog
Platinum Cheapskates Club members have their very own Cheapskating blogs, and they are wonderful and inspirational and encouraging and even funny. This week's featured blog is written by School.
Stop the Madness!
2014 was not the best for me financially and we overspent by about $50 000. Ouch! It all started when our beautiful little poodle died unexpectedly. We were so very sad and the house just wasn't the same so we got two new little poodles to love and cuddle. They are adorable but they cost a lot as did all the initial vet bills. The next thing was my fault, I completely overspent on renovations for the house. I got carried away and while we love it all and am so happy with it, we certainly didn't need everything we did and it has definitely put us behind again in the mortgage department. The third thing was I broke my finger when my hubby and I hired a turf cutter to pull up some grass. Better Homes and Gardens makes it look so easy! Unfortunately as we were trying to get the turf cutter off the ute it fell on my hand, smashing it the bone in one my fingers into a zillion pieces. It required emergency surgery with lots of plates and screws and many months of specialised hand therapy to be able to move it again. So our $300 DIY job ended up costing us $2500 in out of pocket medical expenses! Luckily I have health insurance however, otherwise it would have been a lot more! Then for some reason, my mindset just changed and with all the money flying out of our savings account I just kept spending money all year! It was like I couldn't stop and it became normal. In November we then threw all caution to the wind and bought two new cars at once. We didn't have the money and we had to borrow it. I have never done this before as I always believed in not being in debt for cars. So now we have no savings and have a big mortgage debt and a car debt.
I feel really terrible and very unsettled as we have no emergency money if something bad happens now.
But, I'm determined that 2015 will be different. I have some really specific goals which include...
Have $20 000 in our savings account by the end of the year
Pay $5000 extra to our car loan
Consume less and spend less!
The last goal is going to be my biggest challenge as I really need to get out my spending mentality. I know I can break the habit with a lot of willpower and if I can just do it for a month then I'm sure not spending will become my new habit.
I thought keeping a blog would help me to stay on track by being accountable. So here it goes, bring on 2015, the year of being content with what we've got!
Login to read more Cheapskates Club member blogs
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9. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Bec who wrote
"Where is the best place to buy bulk spices? I live in Ballarat and haven't been able to find anywhere locally. I have found a few websites and would appreciate any suggestions and feedback on which ones are good and any to avoid.
Thanks!!"
Katie Bennett Stenton answered
My husband and I are both super keen cooks and use loads and loads of spices. We discovered a few years ago that many of the Indian grocery stores in Melbourne (around Carlisle Street St Kilda and around Burwood) buy spices in bulk and repackage them in huge bags for an absolute fraction of a grocery store price (even cheaper than Aldi or Costco). They have a massive range and we just buy clear plastic containers with snap close lids to store them in and they stay super fresh. Honestly it's super-duper cheap!
Caroline Keys answered
Bec, have you tried Worldwide Spices at 33 Armstrong Street North? They have an excellent range and their prices are fairly good.
Erica Berkovich answered
http://www.herbies.com.au have stockists in Ballarat and an online store. I used to go to their store in Rozelle.
Kerryn Hampton answered
I buy my spices from Aussie Spices via their online shop. The products are fantastic and reasonably priced. I really recommend them. Their web address is http://www.aussiespices.com.au/
Do you have a question that needs an answer?
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10. This Week's Question
Hazel writes
"My husband and I are considering installing solar panels on our roof and would like some help as to the best deals etc.
Thank you."
Do you have the answer?
If you have a suggestion or idea for Hazel 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
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11. Join the Cheapskates Club
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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!
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12. 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!
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14. 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
[email protected]
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