Your Cheapskates Club Newsletter 02:18
In this Newsletter
1. Cath's Corner
2. In the Tip Store - Pastry Twists; Getting Everything from the Tube and Keeping It Safe; Shifting Thick Soap Scum
3. Cheapskate's Winning Tip - Homestyle Toy Library is Loads of Fun
4. Share Your Tips
5. On the Menu - Chicken Alfredo Roll-Ups
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy - Freezer Clean Out
7. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
8. Member's Featured Blog - 2018 Savings Revolution: Lesson 1
9. Last Week's Question - Where to start?
10. This Week's Question - Meal planning on a single pension
11. Ask Cath
12. Join the Cheapskates Club
13. Frequently Asked Questions
14. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
Hello, another week has flown past already! The days just fly by in summer, there is so much to do around home. I’ve been picking up all the little apples on the ground, or at least the ones the bats haven't attacked, and stewing them up. The wind has been strong this past week and every morning there is at least a bucketful of little apples on the grass. The tree is still loaded, so hopefully we'll get some nice big fruit too.
Now the Christmas craziness is over, it's time to get back on track and one way to do that is to stop spending. That's hard to do when you are on holiday and have children who want to be entertained so free fun or at the very most, frugal fun is essential. Then there are the usual back-to-school costs and, if you didn’t own Christmas 2017, some extra bills to pay.
That's why we have No Spend February. It's coming up, so if you'd like to join the challenge, it's time to get ready, it starts on 1st February.
Have a great week everyone.
Happy Cheapskating,
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!
2. From The Tip Store
Pastry Twists
Never waste a sheet of pastry again!
Use up left-over nuts, bacon, that odd slice of salami.
For savoury twists; brush a sheet of puff pastry with a beaten egg (or milk is on a really tight budget), sprinkle Parmesan cheese, garlic salt, chilli flakes, or finely chopped bacon/salami/ham. Cut into strips and twist. Sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds, or Parmesan. Place on baking tray, bake 180 for about 15 - 20 mins
For sweet twists; brush a sheet of puff pastry with a beaten egg, sprinkle with crushed pecans/walnuts, brown sugar & cinnamon. Cut into strips and twist. Sprinkle with Sesame seeds or brush with just plain egg wash or milk. Place on baking tray, bake 180 for about 15 - 20 mins
If not using immediately, bake for only 10-12 mins, cool and freeze. Then to serve just bake for another 8 - 10 mins
Contributed by Annie Stuart
Getting Everything from the Tube and Keeping It Safe
After cutting the bottom (or top) off an "empty" tube of make-up or hand cream or toothpaste, I go one step further because sometimes air still gets in to cut tubes even with the other half on top and the edges can be sharp and a long way to the bottom! I keep tiny jars like the ones gift honey and jam come in or more often the tiny plastic lidded containers that takeaway sauces and mayonnaises come in (or you can buy a cheap bag of reusable ones at the $2 shop) and once I have cut the tube I get a spatula and clean it all out - throw the cut tube in the recycle bin if it has a symbol and put the contents into the little plastic lidded container with a lid and label it then u have a cute airtight pot of whatever you rescued :-) Much cuter, airtight and takes up less room! lol Good for travelling too! or overnight stays :-)
Contributed by Nadia Fedorenko
Shifting Thick Soap Scum
Cleaning the caked-on soap off the soap dish in my shower was the bane of my existence. It sets like rock and nothing would shift it. In desperation I tried plain white vinegar (Homebrand of course, $1.19 for 2L at Woolworths) with amazing results. Best of all, no fumes, no scrubbing and no effort...now that's how I like to clean!
For best results, scrape off all the large pieces of soap first (I just used my thumb) then wrap a cloth (microfibre or Homebrand Chux) soaked in vinegar around the soap dish, making sure to 'stick' it to all surfaces. Leave for an hour then wipe dish with the cloth. If you need to scrub, flip the cloth over apply more vinegar and repeat the process. The vinegar will dissolve the soap and it just wipes off effortlessly. Hooray!!
Contributed by Kelly Patrick
There are currently more than 12,000 great tips in the Tip Store
3. Cheapskates Winning Tip
This week's winning tip is from Jenny Greene. Jenny has won a one-year Platinum Cheapskates Club membership for submitting her winning tip.
Homestyle Toy Library is Loads of Fun
Our three children (5, 3, 1) received so many new toys and books for Christmas that our house looked like a toy shop had exploded. Not only were the toys everywhere, but the children were overwhelmed after a couple of days and I realised they weren't playing with any of them - just moving them around. After talking to DH about this, we decided on a plan. He took them to the park on Sunday afternoon and I spent an hour with some boxes (left from Christmas), packing up "kits" of toys and books. There were so many I made up six kits! I put five away and left one out for them to play with. Upshot is the family room is tidy (well tidier) and the toys and books are being used, not just moved from pile to pile. The plan is to rotate through the boxes, getting out a new one each week, and putting the used one away. I'm sure the kids will think they have new toys, they won't get bored and I won't be tempted to just buy something new to keep them amused. Best of all, each night before bath time, the toys and books are put away in their "special" toy box.
Congratulations Jenny, I hope you enjoy your Cheapskates Club membership.
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.
4. 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
5. On the Menu
Chicken Alfredo Roll-Ups
Ingredients:
12 uncooked lasagne sheets
3 cups cooked chicken, shredded
450ml jar alfredo pasta sauce (or MOO it)
Salt and pepper
1-1/2 cups grated cheese (mozzarella is good if you have it)
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Method:
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Boil the lasagne noodles and rinse with cool water. Lay on a clean tea towel and pat dry. Add two tablespoons of sauce onto each noodle and spread evenly over each noodle. Add two tablespoons of shredded chicken onto the sauce on each noodle and spread out. Top with one tablespoon of shredded cheese. Add salt and pepper, as desired. Rollup each lasagne noodle and place into a well-oiled baking dish. Top with alfredo sauce, sprinkle with remaining grated cheese. Finish with grated parmesan. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until cheese has melted on top and is golden brown.
Notes: I make this a cheaper meal by making the lasagne sheets; to make 12 large lasagne sheets costs approximately $1,60 (less if you have your own eggs).
This week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Chicken
Monday: Mini Meatloaf, salad
Tuesday: Chicken Alfredo Roll-ups
Wednesday: BBQ sausages, salad
Thursday: Moo Pizza
Friday: Haystacks
Saturday: Toasted Sandwiches
In the fruit bowl: strawberries, bananas
In the cake tin: Crackers, pita chips, chocolate cake, cinnamon scrolls
There are over 1,500 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File.
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy
Freezer Clean Out
Welcome fellow Cheapskaters to a new week of trimming our food budgets. This year is off to a flying start. Last week's challenge was to clean and sort out our pantries and dry goods storage areas. How did you go? Did you find any surprises? Did anyone find an item that was months or years out of date?
I gave my pantry a quick sort out and tidied the shelves. I like everything in nice neat rows. Probably a bit OTT but nothing gets lost or hidden. I found some apricots that were out of date. They didn't smell too good, so I threw them out. Next time I'll buy a smaller packet. Lesson learnt. I don't like throwing money down the drain.
The next step to reducing your food budget is to sort out your freezer. In my case (and others) it's freezers. I have three. One is my side by side fridge freezer, one is a 120 litre little freezer and the third on is a 180 litre freezer.
If you get the chance this week, have a good sort out of your freezer/s. As you sort them out, here's some questions to ask yourself -
*Can I stack things better?
*Can I package things better?
*Do I know what's in that unmarked package?
*Will I use it?
*Can I group like items together?
*Do I need to buy more of something?
*Can I cross something off my shopping list?
As you are sorting if you find something that really needs to be used up, put it to the front of the shelf. It's also a great idea to write it in your menu plan.
So, who's going to sort out their freezer this week? I sorted mine out a few weeks ago but I'm doing this challenge with you all, so I'll have another look to see if everything is still neat and tidy.
Have a great week and BE ENCOURAGED!!!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
The Post that Started it All
7. Cheapskates Buzz
Most popular forum posts this week
Living with Bushfires
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?3690-Living-with-bushfires
Question: What are Your Three Biggest Financial Challenges?
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?3689-Question-What-are-your-three-biggest-financial-challenges
TLC for Pets
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?1996-TLC-for-Pets
Most popular blog posts this week
Painless Ways to Save a Bit of Money this Year
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2018/01/painless-ways-to-save-bit-of-money-this.html
Cleaning the Wheelie Bin
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2018/01/cleaning-wheelie-bin.html
My Grocery Budget for 2018
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2018/01/my-grocery-budget-for-2018.html
8. 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 J.
2018 Savings Revolution: Lesson 1
Hello out there! This is my first ever blog post and please forgive me - even though I'm under forty technology is not my thing! Now that both on my boys are at school full time I will be able to post and keep up with the Lessons (hopefully)!
This is my third year participating in the Savings Revolution and my family and I have made great progress, but this will be the best year yet. We have many exciting things on the agenda, but the one we are looking forward to most is that my mum's coming for a visit from the US in Sept/Oct school holidays, so I am busily planning a trip up to Kalbarri and Coral Bay and Rottnest Island for her to enjoy with our two boys.
But already we have an expense that is not planned for and would be quite devastating if we did not have any savings. Our ceiling in our master bedroom started cracking over Christmas so we got out some tradies out for a quote. It will run just over $3000 for the repairs to three rooms, replace insulation in the roof space and replace one wall in the living room. We could get away with something cheaper, but I think it is well worth the money to get all the work done at once and have it done properly. My husband has wanted to replace the roof insulation since we bought the house 9 years ago for something more efficient and the wall repair just needs to happen- it so bowed that it's hard to hang frames. Hubby has suggested that we remove the insulation ourselves and put in the replacement, but when we did the sums it was not worth the time off work he'd have to take. I'll do the painting as I was going to repaint once the kiddies were back to school anyway. I'll also be replacing the wardrobes in the master as they are part of the ceiling issue and possibly the ceiling fan. All of this will run between 4 and 5 grand after the tradies are through and we replace wardrobes and paint and the great part- we can pay cash for it all!!! This is why we have savings - and we will replace the spent savings by the end of the year- it's already in the spending plan for the year!
Have a great week and remember to keep going! The greatest journey starts with the first step!
Login to read more Cheapskates Club Member blogs
9. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Julia who wrote
"I've just joined Cheapskates (in November), so am relatively new and loving every minute. I'm a little overwhelmed at all the information and struggling to really start. My DH and I have set goals to clear our CC debt this year and to increase our mortgage payment by $120 a week (an extra $6,240 paid off this year!) and on paper we should be able to do it, but our money just seems to disappear - hence joining (we need the inspiration and the motivation). Do you have any suggestions to new members where to start? For example, I have the forum always open, joined the Saving Revolution and bookmarked Tip Store pages so I can refer back to them. Does anyone have any other suggestions we can use to reach our goals this year? What do other members do to get the best out of Cheapskates?"
Helen answered
You need to put the money aside as soon as it comes in to avoid spending it. If you could, set up an automatic deposit into your home loan each week via net bank (say if you get paid Thursday set it up for Friday, just to be sure the funds are cleared etc.). We have redraw on our home loan and I treat this as our savings account but am loath to touch it unless urgent, I look at the account summary to check the term it will take under normal repayments versus what it is taking with extra repayments, that is incentive enough. Same principle can apply to CC debt as well if you have any, but cut up the cards. Also try to pay a little each week off your utility bills so they aren't such a burden when they come in. What is left, put a little aside in a separate account for backup funds and the rest is for groceries, petrol etc. a separate account for this is also helpful); just make sure the separate accounts are fee free. It isn't easy but with perseverance you'll get there.
Annabel answered
My advice is to identify your biggest money leaks and attack those first as they will produce the biggest savings i.e. if its takeaway, learn to make nice pizza or if its buying lunches start packing lunches, if its buying coffee out start making them at home etc. Record your savings and each week add a new area and work out how to save in a new way.
Saima answered
If you find your "money just disappears" it may be worth taking some time to track your spending. I do a monthly review of our spending on Excel by listing areas of spending (rent/mortgage, groceries, eating out, child care, school costs, petrol, power etc.) then I go through my monthly statements and record what payments were made in which areas (I rarely use cash any more). I then have a record of exactly what I am spending on what and how much per month on average. I was able to sort out what were fixed costs (rent for example) and which were flexible, and I could do something about. Using that information, I can look at where I can make savings - for example I was spending way too much on groceries, so I was able to look at the Cheapskates tips on how to save on groceries. I looked into renegotiating my power bills. We are now debt free and have saved enough for a deposit on our first home. I know it can seem overwhelming at first, but taking time to really look at what your expenses really are is an essential starting point. For example, no good saving on groceries if your real problem is that you buy lunch every day and actually you would be better off buying more groceries and packing lunches. Best of luck! It can be fun, finding creative ways to save and watching those debts disappear.
Barb answered
My suggestion is to join in on the forum or at least read some of the threads there, Cheapskates supporting each other and giving advice on many, many different topics. Also as others have said track your spending and another idea that works for me is to blog about the Cheapskates experience and Savings Revolution in particular on the Cheapskates forum. Please take your time to explore the site and choose one or two things you would like to change or start to do. For example, instead of buying washing powder you might make the Cheapskates Washing Powder or instead of buying expensive cleaning items you could make Miracle Spray or window cleaner or both or make your own snacks, meals from scratch etc. Just choose a starting point and work from there. Welcome to Cheapskates and well done on taking control of your finances.
Michelle answered
My suggestion is to get Cath's book - Debt Free, Cashed Up and Laughing. It gets you right to the beginnings of getting financially organised.
Meagan Louise answered
The things that have made the biggest impact for me have been:
1. doing a monthly meal plan;
2. creating a price book (unit pricing); and
3. tracking my grocery spend for six months to work out my weekly average.
Enjoy the journey!
Lee answered
I found using the 31 days of MOO and Cleaning with the Super Six PDFs to start making things, so you don't have to buy them helped me at the start. They were tangible things that I made cheaply that I knew I wasn't going to have to buy anymore.
10. This Week's Question
Pauline writes
"My husband passed away 3 weeks before Christmas. I am now on a single disability pension and have no money left after his cremation etc. After I pay my bills I'm left with approximately $100 per fortnight for food. I do most of my shopping at Aldi, but I'm finding it hard to work out a meal plan to get me through. I don't have a computer and really don't know where to begin. I was hoping for your help."
Do you have the answer?
If you can help Pauline, 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
11. 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
12. 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!
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.
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
14. Contact Details
The Cheapskates Club -
Showing you how to live life
debt free, cashed up and laughing!
1. Cath's Corner
2. In the Tip Store - Pastry Twists; Getting Everything from the Tube and Keeping It Safe; Shifting Thick Soap Scum
3. Cheapskate's Winning Tip - Homestyle Toy Library is Loads of Fun
4. Share Your Tips
5. On the Menu - Chicken Alfredo Roll-Ups
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy - Freezer Clean Out
7. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
8. Member's Featured Blog - 2018 Savings Revolution: Lesson 1
9. Last Week's Question - Where to start?
10. This Week's Question - Meal planning on a single pension
11. Ask Cath
12. Join the Cheapskates Club
13. Frequently Asked Questions
14. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
Hello, another week has flown past already! The days just fly by in summer, there is so much to do around home. I’ve been picking up all the little apples on the ground, or at least the ones the bats haven't attacked, and stewing them up. The wind has been strong this past week and every morning there is at least a bucketful of little apples on the grass. The tree is still loaded, so hopefully we'll get some nice big fruit too.
Now the Christmas craziness is over, it's time to get back on track and one way to do that is to stop spending. That's hard to do when you are on holiday and have children who want to be entertained so free fun or at the very most, frugal fun is essential. Then there are the usual back-to-school costs and, if you didn’t own Christmas 2017, some extra bills to pay.
That's why we have No Spend February. It's coming up, so if you'd like to join the challenge, it's time to get ready, it starts on 1st February.
Have a great week everyone.
Happy Cheapskating,
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!
2. From The Tip Store
Pastry Twists
Never waste a sheet of pastry again!
Use up left-over nuts, bacon, that odd slice of salami.
For savoury twists; brush a sheet of puff pastry with a beaten egg (or milk is on a really tight budget), sprinkle Parmesan cheese, garlic salt, chilli flakes, or finely chopped bacon/salami/ham. Cut into strips and twist. Sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds, or Parmesan. Place on baking tray, bake 180 for about 15 - 20 mins
For sweet twists; brush a sheet of puff pastry with a beaten egg, sprinkle with crushed pecans/walnuts, brown sugar & cinnamon. Cut into strips and twist. Sprinkle with Sesame seeds or brush with just plain egg wash or milk. Place on baking tray, bake 180 for about 15 - 20 mins
If not using immediately, bake for only 10-12 mins, cool and freeze. Then to serve just bake for another 8 - 10 mins
Contributed by Annie Stuart
Getting Everything from the Tube and Keeping It Safe
After cutting the bottom (or top) off an "empty" tube of make-up or hand cream or toothpaste, I go one step further because sometimes air still gets in to cut tubes even with the other half on top and the edges can be sharp and a long way to the bottom! I keep tiny jars like the ones gift honey and jam come in or more often the tiny plastic lidded containers that takeaway sauces and mayonnaises come in (or you can buy a cheap bag of reusable ones at the $2 shop) and once I have cut the tube I get a spatula and clean it all out - throw the cut tube in the recycle bin if it has a symbol and put the contents into the little plastic lidded container with a lid and label it then u have a cute airtight pot of whatever you rescued :-) Much cuter, airtight and takes up less room! lol Good for travelling too! or overnight stays :-)
Contributed by Nadia Fedorenko
Shifting Thick Soap Scum
Cleaning the caked-on soap off the soap dish in my shower was the bane of my existence. It sets like rock and nothing would shift it. In desperation I tried plain white vinegar (Homebrand of course, $1.19 for 2L at Woolworths) with amazing results. Best of all, no fumes, no scrubbing and no effort...now that's how I like to clean!
For best results, scrape off all the large pieces of soap first (I just used my thumb) then wrap a cloth (microfibre or Homebrand Chux) soaked in vinegar around the soap dish, making sure to 'stick' it to all surfaces. Leave for an hour then wipe dish with the cloth. If you need to scrub, flip the cloth over apply more vinegar and repeat the process. The vinegar will dissolve the soap and it just wipes off effortlessly. Hooray!!
Contributed by Kelly Patrick
There are currently more than 12,000 great tips in the Tip Store
3. Cheapskates Winning Tip
This week's winning tip is from Jenny Greene. Jenny has won a one-year Platinum Cheapskates Club membership for submitting her winning tip.
Homestyle Toy Library is Loads of Fun
Our three children (5, 3, 1) received so many new toys and books for Christmas that our house looked like a toy shop had exploded. Not only were the toys everywhere, but the children were overwhelmed after a couple of days and I realised they weren't playing with any of them - just moving them around. After talking to DH about this, we decided on a plan. He took them to the park on Sunday afternoon and I spent an hour with some boxes (left from Christmas), packing up "kits" of toys and books. There were so many I made up six kits! I put five away and left one out for them to play with. Upshot is the family room is tidy (well tidier) and the toys and books are being used, not just moved from pile to pile. The plan is to rotate through the boxes, getting out a new one each week, and putting the used one away. I'm sure the kids will think they have new toys, they won't get bored and I won't be tempted to just buy something new to keep them amused. Best of all, each night before bath time, the toys and books are put away in their "special" toy box.
Congratulations Jenny, I hope you enjoy your Cheapskates Club membership.
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.
4. 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
5. On the Menu
Chicken Alfredo Roll-Ups
Ingredients:
12 uncooked lasagne sheets
3 cups cooked chicken, shredded
450ml jar alfredo pasta sauce (or MOO it)
Salt and pepper
1-1/2 cups grated cheese (mozzarella is good if you have it)
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Method:
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Boil the lasagne noodles and rinse with cool water. Lay on a clean tea towel and pat dry. Add two tablespoons of sauce onto each noodle and spread evenly over each noodle. Add two tablespoons of shredded chicken onto the sauce on each noodle and spread out. Top with one tablespoon of shredded cheese. Add salt and pepper, as desired. Rollup each lasagne noodle and place into a well-oiled baking dish. Top with alfredo sauce, sprinkle with remaining grated cheese. Finish with grated parmesan. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until cheese has melted on top and is golden brown.
Notes: I make this a cheaper meal by making the lasagne sheets; to make 12 large lasagne sheets costs approximately $1,60 (less if you have your own eggs).
This week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Chicken
Monday: Mini Meatloaf, salad
Tuesday: Chicken Alfredo Roll-ups
Wednesday: BBQ sausages, salad
Thursday: Moo Pizza
Friday: Haystacks
Saturday: Toasted Sandwiches
In the fruit bowl: strawberries, bananas
In the cake tin: Crackers, pita chips, chocolate cake, cinnamon scrolls
There are over 1,500 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File.
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy
Freezer Clean Out
Welcome fellow Cheapskaters to a new week of trimming our food budgets. This year is off to a flying start. Last week's challenge was to clean and sort out our pantries and dry goods storage areas. How did you go? Did you find any surprises? Did anyone find an item that was months or years out of date?
I gave my pantry a quick sort out and tidied the shelves. I like everything in nice neat rows. Probably a bit OTT but nothing gets lost or hidden. I found some apricots that were out of date. They didn't smell too good, so I threw them out. Next time I'll buy a smaller packet. Lesson learnt. I don't like throwing money down the drain.
The next step to reducing your food budget is to sort out your freezer. In my case (and others) it's freezers. I have three. One is my side by side fridge freezer, one is a 120 litre little freezer and the third on is a 180 litre freezer.
If you get the chance this week, have a good sort out of your freezer/s. As you sort them out, here's some questions to ask yourself -
*Can I stack things better?
*Can I package things better?
*Do I know what's in that unmarked package?
*Will I use it?
*Can I group like items together?
*Do I need to buy more of something?
*Can I cross something off my shopping list?
As you are sorting if you find something that really needs to be used up, put it to the front of the shelf. It's also a great idea to write it in your menu plan.
So, who's going to sort out their freezer this week? I sorted mine out a few weeks ago but I'm doing this challenge with you all, so I'll have another look to see if everything is still neat and tidy.
Have a great week and BE ENCOURAGED!!!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
The Post that Started it All
7. Cheapskates Buzz
Most popular forum posts this week
Living with Bushfires
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?3690-Living-with-bushfires
Question: What are Your Three Biggest Financial Challenges?
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?3689-Question-What-are-your-three-biggest-financial-challenges
TLC for Pets
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?1996-TLC-for-Pets
Most popular blog posts this week
Painless Ways to Save a Bit of Money this Year
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2018/01/painless-ways-to-save-bit-of-money-this.html
Cleaning the Wheelie Bin
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2018/01/cleaning-wheelie-bin.html
My Grocery Budget for 2018
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2018/01/my-grocery-budget-for-2018.html
8. 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 J.
2018 Savings Revolution: Lesson 1
Hello out there! This is my first ever blog post and please forgive me - even though I'm under forty technology is not my thing! Now that both on my boys are at school full time I will be able to post and keep up with the Lessons (hopefully)!
This is my third year participating in the Savings Revolution and my family and I have made great progress, but this will be the best year yet. We have many exciting things on the agenda, but the one we are looking forward to most is that my mum's coming for a visit from the US in Sept/Oct school holidays, so I am busily planning a trip up to Kalbarri and Coral Bay and Rottnest Island for her to enjoy with our two boys.
But already we have an expense that is not planned for and would be quite devastating if we did not have any savings. Our ceiling in our master bedroom started cracking over Christmas so we got out some tradies out for a quote. It will run just over $3000 for the repairs to three rooms, replace insulation in the roof space and replace one wall in the living room. We could get away with something cheaper, but I think it is well worth the money to get all the work done at once and have it done properly. My husband has wanted to replace the roof insulation since we bought the house 9 years ago for something more efficient and the wall repair just needs to happen- it so bowed that it's hard to hang frames. Hubby has suggested that we remove the insulation ourselves and put in the replacement, but when we did the sums it was not worth the time off work he'd have to take. I'll do the painting as I was going to repaint once the kiddies were back to school anyway. I'll also be replacing the wardrobes in the master as they are part of the ceiling issue and possibly the ceiling fan. All of this will run between 4 and 5 grand after the tradies are through and we replace wardrobes and paint and the great part- we can pay cash for it all!!! This is why we have savings - and we will replace the spent savings by the end of the year- it's already in the spending plan for the year!
Have a great week and remember to keep going! The greatest journey starts with the first step!
Login to read more Cheapskates Club Member blogs
9. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Julia who wrote
"I've just joined Cheapskates (in November), so am relatively new and loving every minute. I'm a little overwhelmed at all the information and struggling to really start. My DH and I have set goals to clear our CC debt this year and to increase our mortgage payment by $120 a week (an extra $6,240 paid off this year!) and on paper we should be able to do it, but our money just seems to disappear - hence joining (we need the inspiration and the motivation). Do you have any suggestions to new members where to start? For example, I have the forum always open, joined the Saving Revolution and bookmarked Tip Store pages so I can refer back to them. Does anyone have any other suggestions we can use to reach our goals this year? What do other members do to get the best out of Cheapskates?"
Helen answered
You need to put the money aside as soon as it comes in to avoid spending it. If you could, set up an automatic deposit into your home loan each week via net bank (say if you get paid Thursday set it up for Friday, just to be sure the funds are cleared etc.). We have redraw on our home loan and I treat this as our savings account but am loath to touch it unless urgent, I look at the account summary to check the term it will take under normal repayments versus what it is taking with extra repayments, that is incentive enough. Same principle can apply to CC debt as well if you have any, but cut up the cards. Also try to pay a little each week off your utility bills so they aren't such a burden when they come in. What is left, put a little aside in a separate account for backup funds and the rest is for groceries, petrol etc. a separate account for this is also helpful); just make sure the separate accounts are fee free. It isn't easy but with perseverance you'll get there.
Annabel answered
My advice is to identify your biggest money leaks and attack those first as they will produce the biggest savings i.e. if its takeaway, learn to make nice pizza or if its buying lunches start packing lunches, if its buying coffee out start making them at home etc. Record your savings and each week add a new area and work out how to save in a new way.
Saima answered
If you find your "money just disappears" it may be worth taking some time to track your spending. I do a monthly review of our spending on Excel by listing areas of spending (rent/mortgage, groceries, eating out, child care, school costs, petrol, power etc.) then I go through my monthly statements and record what payments were made in which areas (I rarely use cash any more). I then have a record of exactly what I am spending on what and how much per month on average. I was able to sort out what were fixed costs (rent for example) and which were flexible, and I could do something about. Using that information, I can look at where I can make savings - for example I was spending way too much on groceries, so I was able to look at the Cheapskates tips on how to save on groceries. I looked into renegotiating my power bills. We are now debt free and have saved enough for a deposit on our first home. I know it can seem overwhelming at first, but taking time to really look at what your expenses really are is an essential starting point. For example, no good saving on groceries if your real problem is that you buy lunch every day and actually you would be better off buying more groceries and packing lunches. Best of luck! It can be fun, finding creative ways to save and watching those debts disappear.
Barb answered
My suggestion is to join in on the forum or at least read some of the threads there, Cheapskates supporting each other and giving advice on many, many different topics. Also as others have said track your spending and another idea that works for me is to blog about the Cheapskates experience and Savings Revolution in particular on the Cheapskates forum. Please take your time to explore the site and choose one or two things you would like to change or start to do. For example, instead of buying washing powder you might make the Cheapskates Washing Powder or instead of buying expensive cleaning items you could make Miracle Spray or window cleaner or both or make your own snacks, meals from scratch etc. Just choose a starting point and work from there. Welcome to Cheapskates and well done on taking control of your finances.
Michelle answered
My suggestion is to get Cath's book - Debt Free, Cashed Up and Laughing. It gets you right to the beginnings of getting financially organised.
Meagan Louise answered
The things that have made the biggest impact for me have been:
1. doing a monthly meal plan;
2. creating a price book (unit pricing); and
3. tracking my grocery spend for six months to work out my weekly average.
Enjoy the journey!
Lee answered
I found using the 31 days of MOO and Cleaning with the Super Six PDFs to start making things, so you don't have to buy them helped me at the start. They were tangible things that I made cheaply that I knew I wasn't going to have to buy anymore.
10. This Week's Question
Pauline writes
"My husband passed away 3 weeks before Christmas. I am now on a single disability pension and have no money left after his cremation etc. After I pay my bills I'm left with approximately $100 per fortnight for food. I do most of my shopping at Aldi, but I'm finding it hard to work out a meal plan to get me through. I don't have a computer and really don't know where to begin. I was hoping for your help."
Do you have the answer?
If you can help Pauline, 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
11. 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
12. 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!
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.
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
14. Contact Details
The Cheapskates Club -
Showing you how to live life
debt free, cashed up and laughing!