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Your Cheapskates Club Newsletter 02:17

​In this newsletter

1. Cath's Corner
2. In the Tip Store - A Really Useful First Home Gift; Recycling Large Dry Dog Food Bags; Personal Notepaper
3. Share Your Tips - You have to be in it to win it!
4. On the Menu - Birds' Nests
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - Leftovers
6. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
7. Member's Featured Blog - Christmas 2016
8. Last Week's Question - Ideas needed to use up excess body lotion
9. This Week's Question - Travel advice needed
10. Ask Cath
11. Join the Cheapskates Club
12. Frequently Asked Questions
13. Contact Details

1. Cath's Corner

Hello Cheapskaters,

Summer has appeared with a vengeance. I hope everyone has survived the heat. Remember to keep well hydrated and out of the sun as much as possible.

Sometimes I do things on auto-pilot, without a conscious thought that I'm doing something to save money, time or energy. This week I was getting the cereal box liners from the Christmas cereals ready to use as freezer go-between. Then this email popped up:

"Hello Cath, we used the tip for using cereal liners for freezer separators, and they worked a treat;
great tip, thank-you." Glenda

I love to hear from you, especially your successes or a new tip or skill learnt, but wasn't it uncanny that I had just finished cutting up cereal box liners and Glenda's email arrived!

Have a great week everyone, and I hope you all manage to save lots of money, time and energy. 

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! 

2. From The Tip Store

A Really Useful First Home Gift
Approximate $ Savings: $30.00
For people setting up home for the first time, it's often the little things that are overlooked. I put together items such as: dust-pan and brush, clothes pegs, MOO laundry powder, paper towels and a pair of tea towels. Place them all in a laundry basket with any other practical items you can think of. I've been thanked so often for this gift. I try to keep one such basket at the ready when a move appears imminent; bought on sale, naturally!
Contributed by Maggie Hodges

Recycling Large Dry Dog Food Bags
After years of packing empty soft drink cans and bottles into the old plastic shopping bags and finding it a hassle to take it to the recyclers I now pack them into the large dry dog food bags (which in the past have seemed a huge waste to just place in the recycling bin without having used them at least once more because they are so durable). Now when I go to the Scout recycling depot the cans and bottles are delivered more easily and the strong bags come home with me for the next time round.  
Contributed by Rachel Ashworth

Editor's note: We use these bags (I have a friend with dogs save them for us) as liners on our wheelie bag we use for rubbish when we go camping. They save a lot of mess (and smell!) and are easy to pull out to dispose of when we get to a tip, and they save a very messy cleaning job when we get home. They're also great for storing kindling and small pieces of firewood when travelling to a campsite. Cath

Personal Notepaper
I have made note paper for the children by using the computer to print their name & address on the top right corner of half a A4 sheet of paper, added a clip art picture that suited each child and printed envelopes to match. I halved a manila folder paced the child’s name on the front and they now have their own personal note paper for letters etc. Costing a small amount for a very personal gift. The kids love them.
Contributed by Merilyn Luscombe

There are currently more than 12,000 great tips in the Tip Store

3. Submit your tip

The Cheapskate's Club website is over 3,000 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.
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

4. On the Menu

Birds' Nests

Leftovers can be just last night's dinner re-heated and dished up again or they can be a whole new dinner.  Birds' nests (that's what my Mum calls them) are a fun and tasty way to serve last night's leftovers for tea tonight.

Ingredients:
3 cups cold mashed potato
1 egg
2 tbsp chopped parsley
1 tbsp margarine, melted
2 cups cooked savoury mince*
1/2 cup grated cheese

Method:
Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees Celsius.  Combine the egg, parsley and mashed potato and mix well.  Shape half a cup of the mixture into a ball. Place on a well-greased or baking paper lined baking sheet and flatten slightly.  Using your thumb make a shallow hollow in the centre of the ball to make a nest shape. Brush with melted butter.  Bake for ten minutes, until the potato is golden.  Heat the savoury mince and fill the centre of each nest. Sprinkle with grated cheese and return to oven for a further 5 - 7 minutes until the cheese melts and is golden.

*Or spag bol sauce, chicken casserole, stew, tuna surprise etc.

This week we will be eating:

Sunday: Roast Chicken

Monday: BBQ sausages, salad

Tuesday: Chicken Alfredo

Wednesday: Vegetable Curry, rice

Thursday: MOO Pizza

Friday: Stir-fry

Saturday: Hamburgers

In the fruit bowl:  bananas, strawberries, peaches

In the cake tin: Chocolate biscuits, shortbread

There are over 1,500 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File.

5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge

Using Leftovers

Leftovers, whether planned or accidental, should always have a plan otherwise you're throwing money in the bin. They can be used for freezer meals - just put the extra serves into containers as you are dishing up and pop them in the freezer. Then you have ready-to-heat meals for those nights when you can't be bothered cooking.

Or you can use them for lunches. Leftovers make great lunches, and in the long run they are much cheaper than buying lunch.

So, what leftovers from the past few dinners are lurking in your fridge right now? If you haven't frozen them for freezer meals and you're not planning on eating them tonight, turn them into lunches for tomorrow.

Before you know it, you’ll be cooking extra at dinner time to make sure everyone in the family gets to take a leftover lunch with them the next day. Here are some ideas.

Meatloaf – Slice up any leftovers and use it to make meatloaf sandwiches, or place one slice on top of a serving of spaghetti and cover with tomato sauce.  When ready to eat, simply pop it in the microwave for a yummy lunch.

Chicken – When you roast or fry a chicken, use the leftovers to make chicken sandwiches, salad or a wrap the next day.  You can also prepare a regular green salad with your favourite toppings like cucumbers, tomatoes and sprouts and top with bite sized chunks of chicken for a grilled chicken salad. Just store the dressing on the side and pour it over the salad when you’re ready to eat.

Pot-Roast – Pot Roast is one of those dishes that gets better each time you heat it up. Pair it with some leftover rice or make a sandwich out of it. Slice up a sub-style roll and fill it with pot roast and slices of tomato for a filling lunch sandwich.

Chops and Steaks – Slice up leftover chops or steak and turn it into yummy sandwiches or wraps. Use chutney or mustard as the spread instead of butter for added flavour. You can also make a filling salad by topping your favourite mixed greens with the meat cut into bite sized chunks.

Soup and Stew - Just about any type of soup or stew makes for a great leftover lunch.  You can heat the soup in the microwave at the office or in school, or if that’s not an option, invest in a small big-mouthed thermos. Fill it with hot soup or stew in the morning and it will still be warm when lunch time rolls around.  Be sure to pack a big piece of French bread for dipping.

Pasta Dishes – Most pasta dishes can be stored in small microwave containers and reheated at lunch time. Just be sure to add a little extra sauce to keep the pasta dish from getting too dry. Simply top your leftover spaghetti with a little cheese, leftover meat, or fresh veggies to make it different from last night’s dinner.

Rice – Rice makes perfect filler for quite a few dishes. Add rice to wraps and burritos or soups and stews. You can also make up a batch of rice pudding and put it into small containers as a great after lunch snack.

Get creative when it comes to incorporating leftovers into lunches such as sandwiches, wraps, salads and more. Don’t forget to invest in a few plastic containers with tight fitting lids that can also be reheated in the microwave. Turn your leftovers into tomorrow’s lunch as you clean up the kitchen and store them in the fridge.

The $300 a Month Food Challenge

The Post that Started it All

6. Cheapskates Buzz

Most popular forum posts this week

MOO Frugal Bird Bath
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?3074-Moo-frugal-bird-bath&p=62217#post62217

Back to Basics
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?3373-Back-to-Basics

The Stash
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?3477-The-Stash

Most popular blog posts this week

A Handmade Christmas Challenge
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2013/07/a-handmade-christmas-challenge.html

Envelope Budgeting that will make you Smile
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2012/02/envelope-budgeting-to-that-will-make.html

Shopping with the Kids - it can be Fun!
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2014/11/shopping-with-kids-it-can-be-fun_7.html

7. Members 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 aprilclark60.

Christmas 2016

Hi, just wanted to say Christmas 2016 was the best financially I have ever had, putting into practice all year the tips from the saving revolution, this is the first year I did not get into debt, all the bills were paid on time no stress and no sleepless nights, I could even give our family money and will be able to feed them all this month till they get paid. Roll on this year as I'm going to do even better.

Login to read more Cheapskates Club Member blogs

8. Last Week's Question

Last week's question was from Echidnatow who wrote
"Over the years I have accumulated vast amounts of body lotion (mainly given as gifts). Has anyone found another use for body lotion - apart from skin application. Can it be used in the laundry or home uses? Most are highly perfumed. "

Marie Nolan answered
I suggest this lady take all the surplus body lotion to her local state member who will be glad to pass them on to a women's refuge. I can't think of a nicer pick-me-up for someone whose life is turned upside down than being able to smooth fragrant lotion all over after a shower.

Annaliese Bishop answered
I use body lotion (or even hand cream) instead of shaving cream. Helps get a nice close shave of the legs, minimises cuts from new razors and moisturises your legs at the same time.

Kate Bradshaw answered
Most body lotions are made from oil/s, emulsifiers, thickeners and fragrance. Due to the oil, I don't think they would be much use adding into the laundry - would probably add oily stains. I would be hesitant to use them on furniture or around the home - at least not without doing a spot test first.
Probably the best use for them would be to use the ones already opened (they make great foot masks when applied thick and left on overnight with socks) and re-gift the ones that haven't been opened. 

Claire Martin answered
What about being a co-ordinator to collect all those excess toiletries (unused of course) from family and friends and donate them to the farmers' wives. The ladies rarely take time out to have some much needed pampering for themselves. We were involved in such an event recently, and it felt so good to know that our donations were very much appreciated. If you don't want to become a co-ordinator, perhaps your local CWA group may be able to help.

9. This Week's Question

Gina writes
"I've been asked to attend a conference in San Francisco in April. My employer will pay my accommodation and conference fees, but he's asked me to pay my air fares. I work for a small (very small) business so I'm excited to be asked to attend. I'm also happy to pay my air fares and spending money, but I've never travelled overseas before. Any suggestions so I can get the best deal on air fares and transport while I'm there (taxi? bus? train?). And lastly, I'll have a week to myself after the conference so what should I see and do while I'm there? I'll be on my own, it's a little scary, but exciting too. Thanks in advance for all everyone's help."

Do you have the answer?
 
If you can help Gina 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

10. Ask Cath

We have lots of resources to help you as you live the Cheapskates way but if you didn't find the answer to your question in our extensive archives please just drop me a note with your question.

I read and answer all questions, either in an email to you, in my weekly newsletter, the monthly Journal or by creating blog posts and other resources to help you (and other Cheapskaters).

Ask Your Question

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!


12. 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.

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Read our privacy policy

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​13. Contact Details
​
The Cheapskates Club -
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debt free, cashed up and laughing!

PO Box 5077 Studfield Vic 3152

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