Your Cheapskates Club Newsletter: 07:15 Bright ideas to save you money
1. Cath's Corner
2. In the Tip Store - Fancy Tuna? I think Not!, Going Cold Turkey on Clothing Purchases,
People safe Rat/Mice Natural Controller
3. Submit Your Tip - Share your tip here for a chance to win
4. On the Menu with Anne - Two Delicious Gluten Free Treats to Try
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy - Sort out your freezer week
6. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
7. Member's Featured Blog - My Cheapskate Achievements by barbw7
8. Last Week's Question - Can you do gluten free on the $300 a Month Food Challenge?
9. This Week's Question - Please help me clean my car!
10. Join the Cheapskates Club
11. Gift Memberships
12. Frequently Asked Questions
13. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
I'm enjoying a lovely short break with Wayne as this newsletter goes out. I know it’s No Spending month, so we're not spending on our break. We're camping, and bush camping at that - no site fees to pay. I’ve taken food from the pantry. We'd be eating at home so eating on holiday isn't costing us anything extra. Oh, I filled the car with petrol before the first of the month, when fuel prices started to drop, and we're not going so far that we'll need to put petrol in it, so no cost there either. It's pretty much a no-spend holiday. How are you going with your No Spending challenge?
I'll be back at my computer tomorrow, relaxed and ready to answer your emails and questions and work on next week's newsletter. And that should keep me from spending for a few more days!
"Hi Cath, I have just renewed my membership, and thoroughly enjoying the information I am getting every day. It's a great sauce of information and tips. Keep up the great work, many thanks," Helen Day
"I have received such good advice from your site, it's more than worth the fee. Thank you so much for setting it up for us. If not for you I'd still be poisoning my family with toxic cleaning and processed foods. Now the kids, the adults and the chooks all enjoy living healthily and the Cheapskate’s way." Ade
Have a great week everyone, and remember - no spending!
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.
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2. From The Tip Store
Fancy Tuna? I think not!
My partner got sucked into the deliciousness and convenience of John West Tomato and Savoury Onion Tuna Rice meals but at $4.20 (but they were on special for $3) each for 5 days a week and just for his morning break it made me feel nearly sick. To stop a grown man tantrum I thought we would do an experiment. I bought some plain Coles Microwave rice at $1.60 each which makes 2 tuna meals worth (I'm slowly learning how to not overcook or undercook rice myself) and a few different flavours of the Coles brand tuna and some small canned chicken (to mix it up) and I made him have a little tester of each. He couldn't tell the difference at all! SUCCESS!!! (John West Savoury Tomato and Onion cans went on special for only $1 each half price so I stocked up and just alternate until the next sales cycle). I also bought some reusable containers that have a compartment for the rice and one for the small can AND it has a small spoon that clips to it. So it's gone from nearly costing us $4.20 per day just $1.60 per day (Coles brand Savoury Tomato just $0.80 each) that's saving us $13 a week (it will only get cheaper when I learn how to make rice properly). He also wants to start taking double for lunch as well. It might seem silly but in our household with his pickiness it's certainly a victory.
Contributed by Tiana Benson
Going Cold Turkey on Clothing Purchases
I have decided not to purchase clothes for the entire 2015 and I started from a week before Christmas. I work full time, am 45 years of age and much into fashion...going cold turkey is the only way I can save money. So no clothes, handbags or shoes because I have so many of them. I have realised that fashion is a rotating factor and everything I own comes back into fashion e.g. playsuits I wore when I was 21 have come back into fashion so no clothes will get thrown out and nothing will be purchased. Good luck to me!
Contributed by Sushill Sami
People safe Rat/Mice Natural Controller
Place potato starch in strategic places inside your home with water close by. After the rats/mice eat the potato starch they head for water, bloat and die.
Contributed by Fiona Russell
There are more than 11,000 great tips in the Tip Store
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3. 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
http://www.cheapskates.com.au/contactform/default.cfm?form_id=125
========================================
4. On the Menu with Anne
Two Delicious Gluten Free Treats to Try
We are not gluten free. I am blessed with a family who doesn't have food sensitivities or allergies and we can all eat pretty much everything. I say pretty much because we're normal, we all have our likes and dislikes. But we all like these two recipes, especially the brownies, they are divine.
And as last week's question was about how to live gluten free and still join the $300 a Month Food Challenge, I thought I'd share them with you. They are of course in the Gluten Free recipe file, along with others that I am sure will tempt your taste buds without breaking your grocery budget.
Fudgy Date Brownies (Gluten-Free)
Sometimes you want a sweet treat that is actually good for you, and these brownies are just the thing.
Using dates and honey instead of sugar and almond meal instead of flour they are dense and moist and so delicious it will be hard to believe they are actually a healthy treat.
Ingredients:
1 cup pitted Medjool dates
3/4 cup hot water
3/4 cup almond meal
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
3 tbsp honey
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Pinch of sea salt
Method:
Preheat oven to 170 degrees Celsius. Grease a 20cm square cake tin and line the base with baking paper.
Pour the hot water over the dates in a bowl and allow to sit for 10 minutes. Drain the water from the dates and place the dates in the bowl of a food processor or in a blender. Process the dates until they are smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Add the almond flour, cocoa powder, honey, vanilla and sea salt to the food processor or blender. Process again until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
Bake for 20 minutes, and allow to cool before cutting. Cut brownies into 16 square pieces. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Gluten Free Tomato Tarragon Chicken
Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
4 single chicken breast fillets
1 brown onion, halved, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
200g button mushrooms, halved
1/2 cup white wine
2 x 400g cans crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup fresh tarragon leaves, chopped
Method:
Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes each side or until browned. Transfer to a plate. Heat remaining oil in pan over medium heat. Cook onion, garlic and mushroom, for 5 minutes or until tender (stirring). Add wine. Cook for 2 minutes or until reduced by half. Add the tomato, stock and tarragon and bring to a simmer. Return the chicken to the pan. Cook for 12-15 minutes until cooked through. Serve with brown rice and steamed green beans.
Contributed by Megan Bennett
This week we will be eating:
Friday: Fish and chips
Saturday: Roast chicken pieces, salad
Sunday: Bacon and eggs, baked beans, toast
Monday: Lamb chops, baked potato, pumpkin, sweet potato, onion, peas, corn
Tuesday: Steak, salad
Wednesday: Spaghetti bolognaise
Thursday: Apricot chicken, savoury rice
In the fruit bowl: kiwi fruit, apples, plums, nectarines, apricots
In the cake tin: Caramel slice, pita chips
There are over 1,300 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File
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5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy
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 items 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
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6. Cheapskates Buzz
This week's hot forum topics
The 2015 No Spending Month Challenge
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2750-The-2015-No-Spending-Month-Challenge
Closet Cheapskate
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2759-Closet-Cheapskate
What Food or Drink can't you Live Without?
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2747-What-food-or-drink-can-t-you-live-without
Most popular blog posts this week
Finding a Substitute for that Weird Ingredient
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2014/07/this-week-in-300-month-food-challenge.html
50 Ways to Save Money on Everyday Items
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2014/10/50-ways-to-save-money-on-everyday-items.html
The Fine Line
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2014/08/the-fine-line.html
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7. 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 Barbw7.
My Cheapskate Achievements
Well those of you who read my blogs would know that I have been on an adventure of savings discovery! I am now trying once a month shopping, including planning for a month’s meals and doing an inventory of what is in my pantry, freezer and fridge and I can highly recommend it. I know it is early days but I have learnt some lessons along my cheapskate’s journey.
1. Determine needs - just because I love chocolate it does not mean it is a need especially if I have plenty of choc chips, baking chocolate etc. which leads me to the next lesson
2. Be creative and resourceful, make or MOO for us cheapskates, e.g. - with the choc chips I can make biscuits or a slice a cake etc.
3. Try to distract yourself with a book (Cath’s are great!), a phone call to a friend instead of online shopping (unless it is a necessary and planned purchase.)
4. Be flexible, like being creative but go with the flow where possible for instance if chicken drumsticks are on special use them as a roast meal (thanks Wendy for this tip).
5. Have fun but be mindful, have a picnic, tea party or pot luck dinner to entertain.
6. Don't be hard on yourself if you make a slip up or buy something unplanned (I just learnt this from Cath)
7. Don't spend money to make yourself feel better, it is just a band aid solution, unless a purchase is needed and budgeted for I don't buy it!
8. Ask friends for support and possibly for items they no longer need, they may have something you need but cannot afford or don't want to pay full price for
And finally
9. Do not compare yourself to others, we all have our own unique needs and ways of life so comparison are not always helpful
I know these are probably basic ideas but when I first joined cheapskates, I did not have much idea! So
I thought this list might help someone, I hope so., especially with no spend February.
I am saving so much money (probably $50 to $80 a month, not sure exactly but I will work it out and let you know!).
Login to read more Cheapskates Club member blogs
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8. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Mark who wrote
"Here is a challenge for Cheapskaters: come up with a list of gluten free products and gluten free menus both for adults and kids. Both I and my daughter have just been diagnosed with coeliac disease which means we have to go gluten free. There are a number of products which are appearing that are gluten free, both Coles and Woolies have their own range. However, if you go into the shops and look at some of the prices for those items you would struggle to meet the current challenge of spending only $300 in a month on food. We typically spend nearly on average $200 a week for two adults and two growing kids. Both of which are fussy eaters. My son only likes sausages, bacon and fish fingers which he can eat (he is non-coeliac). We do eat plenty of veggies and salads. Even they add up. Thanks."
Penny Hughes answered
It is not that bad, you could still stay pretty much in budget if you are prepared to cook. I was diagnosed a few years ago and it took me ages to get my head around it, but in reality it is not that bad. Like anything DON'T buy all the processed foods as the so called gluten free foods are very expensive. The Asian food section often has foods that are gluten free, and not marked as such. I finally went back to very basics and got out my Common Sense Recipe book and just about all the things in that can be substituted with GF flour, and I use the Gluten Replacer and as directed on the packet and that solves many problems. I also recommend joining the Coeliac society and getting their wonderful hand books and it gives you a great little booklet to take to the supermarket so you know what brands are GF.
Glenda Mieni answered
Join the Coeliac Society, they have lists of items and places you can buy from.
Dani Lugosi answered
I'm Dani and I'm coeliac. Sam Mills pasta from Woolworths/Coles is $2.99 and tastes great - make sauce in bulk and freeze in portions. Go fresh, buy only as you need though and don't buy more. Waste on fresh food costs money. Bread is one thing that is depressing buying when GF so this is how I spoil myself - glutenfree4u.com.au is the closest you'll get to "normal" bread at around $10 a loaf, but as I said, this is my treat. Or buy a bread maker! Nothing like fresh bread! Unfortunately trial and error with brands is key. Once you find a brand stick with it! Join the Celiac society as this will entitle you to discounts on your GF products at Coles & Woolworths and provides you with a large support network. Aldi have some great crackers at great prices, their pasta and bread misses the mark though. It's so easy to eat junk and packet food when GF because it's easy. You need to make time to sharpen those kitchen knives and skills. If I wasn't lazy, I'd be a real GF foodie.
Di Watson answered
When it comes to eating gluten free on a tight budget you need to think outside the box. Things like pasta and bread become an occasional treat rather than every day foods. We are an entire family of gluten free eaters. We live in a semi regional/rural area so getting access to fresh produce at a reasonable price takes some problem solving. Knowing prices like you probably already do is essential. Here are a few things we do:
We don't do a conventional weekly shop, we only buy the specials/cherry pick when things are at rock bottom prices, the exception being a2milk.
We grind our own flour and other gluten free grain flours bulk buying a minimum 6 month supply (i.e. tapioca from the pearls, quinoa) when they are on a good special. We use a simple Sunbeam coffee/spice grinder.
We make our own seasoning mixes using spices from the ethnic shops.
We eat lots of dried legumes to bulk up and stretch out our meals (bought from our local ethnic shop where they often start at $2.30 a kg). Red lentils and chickpeas are great meat stretchers in place of breadcrumbs.
We buy whole chickens and break them down making stock from the bones. We look to other cultures to see what they make without gluten; think Indian, Mexican. When vegetables that store well (like carrots, pumpkins, potatoes ) are on special for $1 a kg or less we will buy 5-10 kg at a time which generally lasts until the next special or we go without. Check out your farmers markets for specials as well; at ours we can get zucchini $1 a kg all year round. Whatever veg are on special are your veg for the week. When shopping we read labels on items not marked "gluten free". We have found that we can still eat a lot of conventional foods due to reading labels e.g. homebrand corn flakes. By law products have to say contains gluten or may contain traces. We have found that those that say traces but do not list gluten in the ingredients are generally ok but it does come down to your individual sensitivity. Regular bulk buys are corn chips when $1.50 a bag or less, corn thins-$1, pasta $3 for 500g or more, meat $5/kg up to $9 for organic, rice crackers $1pk.On any given week we will eat for breakfast: congee (Asian rice porridge), fresh fruit, and corn flakes. Lunch can be fried rice, a mix and match skillet meal, salad, cold meat and salad, legume dip with rice crackers and vegetable dippers. inners this week may be mix and match skillet meals; bangers in onion gravy (use rice flour) and mash with frozen veg; savoury mince stretched with red lentils on mash/rice; mild vegetable chickpea curry; Red beans (flavoured with bacon and Mexican flavours) and rice; Nachos made with beans and mince; sausages, potato wedges and frozen vegetables; vegetable bake (layer sliced veg, sprinkle of cheese, sprinkle of bacon like you would lasagne and bake until cheese melted and veg soft; vegetable or meat and vegetable fritters made with chickpea flour; crustless quiches. Winter is by far the cheapest season. We tend to eat a lot more soups/stews with sides of fritters or potato scones to bulk them out. Snacks are homemade dips with crackers and veg dippers, coconut macarons, fresh fruit and nuts etc.
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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9. This Week's Question
Anna writes
"Does anyone know an easy way to clean the black brake dust on my car rims? Ordinary washing is a chore/lots of elbow grease required - not easy with older hands to do the work. Also is there a trick or product that will aid in keeping it off or minimise the mess to clean off the next time. Thanks for your help fellow Cheapskaters."
Do you have the answer?
If you have a suggestion or idea for Anna 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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10. 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!
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11. 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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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
How Did You Get on Our List?
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13. 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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2. In the Tip Store - Fancy Tuna? I think Not!, Going Cold Turkey on Clothing Purchases,
People safe Rat/Mice Natural Controller
3. Submit Your Tip - Share your tip here for a chance to win
4. On the Menu with Anne - Two Delicious Gluten Free Treats to Try
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy - Sort out your freezer week
6. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
7. Member's Featured Blog - My Cheapskate Achievements by barbw7
8. Last Week's Question - Can you do gluten free on the $300 a Month Food Challenge?
9. This Week's Question - Please help me clean my car!
10. Join the Cheapskates Club
11. Gift Memberships
12. Frequently Asked Questions
13. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
I'm enjoying a lovely short break with Wayne as this newsletter goes out. I know it’s No Spending month, so we're not spending on our break. We're camping, and bush camping at that - no site fees to pay. I’ve taken food from the pantry. We'd be eating at home so eating on holiday isn't costing us anything extra. Oh, I filled the car with petrol before the first of the month, when fuel prices started to drop, and we're not going so far that we'll need to put petrol in it, so no cost there either. It's pretty much a no-spend holiday. How are you going with your No Spending challenge?
I'll be back at my computer tomorrow, relaxed and ready to answer your emails and questions and work on next week's newsletter. And that should keep me from spending for a few more days!
"Hi Cath, I have just renewed my membership, and thoroughly enjoying the information I am getting every day. It's a great sauce of information and tips. Keep up the great work, many thanks," Helen Day
"I have received such good advice from your site, it's more than worth the fee. Thank you so much for setting it up for us. If not for you I'd still be poisoning my family with toxic cleaning and processed foods. Now the kids, the adults and the chooks all enjoy living healthily and the Cheapskate’s way." Ade
Have a great week everyone, and remember - no spending!
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.
========================================
2. From The Tip Store
Fancy Tuna? I think not!
My partner got sucked into the deliciousness and convenience of John West Tomato and Savoury Onion Tuna Rice meals but at $4.20 (but they were on special for $3) each for 5 days a week and just for his morning break it made me feel nearly sick. To stop a grown man tantrum I thought we would do an experiment. I bought some plain Coles Microwave rice at $1.60 each which makes 2 tuna meals worth (I'm slowly learning how to not overcook or undercook rice myself) and a few different flavours of the Coles brand tuna and some small canned chicken (to mix it up) and I made him have a little tester of each. He couldn't tell the difference at all! SUCCESS!!! (John West Savoury Tomato and Onion cans went on special for only $1 each half price so I stocked up and just alternate until the next sales cycle). I also bought some reusable containers that have a compartment for the rice and one for the small can AND it has a small spoon that clips to it. So it's gone from nearly costing us $4.20 per day just $1.60 per day (Coles brand Savoury Tomato just $0.80 each) that's saving us $13 a week (it will only get cheaper when I learn how to make rice properly). He also wants to start taking double for lunch as well. It might seem silly but in our household with his pickiness it's certainly a victory.
Contributed by Tiana Benson
Going Cold Turkey on Clothing Purchases
I have decided not to purchase clothes for the entire 2015 and I started from a week before Christmas. I work full time, am 45 years of age and much into fashion...going cold turkey is the only way I can save money. So no clothes, handbags or shoes because I have so many of them. I have realised that fashion is a rotating factor and everything I own comes back into fashion e.g. playsuits I wore when I was 21 have come back into fashion so no clothes will get thrown out and nothing will be purchased. Good luck to me!
Contributed by Sushill Sami
People safe Rat/Mice Natural Controller
Place potato starch in strategic places inside your home with water close by. After the rats/mice eat the potato starch they head for water, bloat and die.
Contributed by Fiona Russell
There are more than 11,000 great tips in the Tip Store
========================================
3. 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
http://www.cheapskates.com.au/contactform/default.cfm?form_id=125
========================================
4. On the Menu with Anne
Two Delicious Gluten Free Treats to Try
We are not gluten free. I am blessed with a family who doesn't have food sensitivities or allergies and we can all eat pretty much everything. I say pretty much because we're normal, we all have our likes and dislikes. But we all like these two recipes, especially the brownies, they are divine.
And as last week's question was about how to live gluten free and still join the $300 a Month Food Challenge, I thought I'd share them with you. They are of course in the Gluten Free recipe file, along with others that I am sure will tempt your taste buds without breaking your grocery budget.
Fudgy Date Brownies (Gluten-Free)
Sometimes you want a sweet treat that is actually good for you, and these brownies are just the thing.
Using dates and honey instead of sugar and almond meal instead of flour they are dense and moist and so delicious it will be hard to believe they are actually a healthy treat.
Ingredients:
1 cup pitted Medjool dates
3/4 cup hot water
3/4 cup almond meal
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
3 tbsp honey
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Pinch of sea salt
Method:
Preheat oven to 170 degrees Celsius. Grease a 20cm square cake tin and line the base with baking paper.
Pour the hot water over the dates in a bowl and allow to sit for 10 minutes. Drain the water from the dates and place the dates in the bowl of a food processor or in a blender. Process the dates until they are smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Add the almond flour, cocoa powder, honey, vanilla and sea salt to the food processor or blender. Process again until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
Bake for 20 minutes, and allow to cool before cutting. Cut brownies into 16 square pieces. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Gluten Free Tomato Tarragon Chicken
Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
4 single chicken breast fillets
1 brown onion, halved, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
200g button mushrooms, halved
1/2 cup white wine
2 x 400g cans crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup fresh tarragon leaves, chopped
Method:
Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes each side or until browned. Transfer to a plate. Heat remaining oil in pan over medium heat. Cook onion, garlic and mushroom, for 5 minutes or until tender (stirring). Add wine. Cook for 2 minutes or until reduced by half. Add the tomato, stock and tarragon and bring to a simmer. Return the chicken to the pan. Cook for 12-15 minutes until cooked through. Serve with brown rice and steamed green beans.
Contributed by Megan Bennett
This week we will be eating:
Friday: Fish and chips
Saturday: Roast chicken pieces, salad
Sunday: Bacon and eggs, baked beans, toast
Monday: Lamb chops, baked potato, pumpkin, sweet potato, onion, peas, corn
Tuesday: Steak, salad
Wednesday: Spaghetti bolognaise
Thursday: Apricot chicken, savoury rice
In the fruit bowl: kiwi fruit, apples, plums, nectarines, apricots
In the cake tin: Caramel slice, pita chips
There are over 1,300 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File
========================================
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy
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 items 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
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6. Cheapskates Buzz
This week's hot forum topics
The 2015 No Spending Month Challenge
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2750-The-2015-No-Spending-Month-Challenge
Closet Cheapskate
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2759-Closet-Cheapskate
What Food or Drink can't you Live Without?
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2747-What-food-or-drink-can-t-you-live-without
Most popular blog posts this week
Finding a Substitute for that Weird Ingredient
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2014/07/this-week-in-300-month-food-challenge.html
50 Ways to Save Money on Everyday Items
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2014/10/50-ways-to-save-money-on-everyday-items.html
The Fine Line
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2014/08/the-fine-line.html
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7. 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 Barbw7.
My Cheapskate Achievements
Well those of you who read my blogs would know that I have been on an adventure of savings discovery! I am now trying once a month shopping, including planning for a month’s meals and doing an inventory of what is in my pantry, freezer and fridge and I can highly recommend it. I know it is early days but I have learnt some lessons along my cheapskate’s journey.
1. Determine needs - just because I love chocolate it does not mean it is a need especially if I have plenty of choc chips, baking chocolate etc. which leads me to the next lesson
2. Be creative and resourceful, make or MOO for us cheapskates, e.g. - with the choc chips I can make biscuits or a slice a cake etc.
3. Try to distract yourself with a book (Cath’s are great!), a phone call to a friend instead of online shopping (unless it is a necessary and planned purchase.)
4. Be flexible, like being creative but go with the flow where possible for instance if chicken drumsticks are on special use them as a roast meal (thanks Wendy for this tip).
5. Have fun but be mindful, have a picnic, tea party or pot luck dinner to entertain.
6. Don't be hard on yourself if you make a slip up or buy something unplanned (I just learnt this from Cath)
7. Don't spend money to make yourself feel better, it is just a band aid solution, unless a purchase is needed and budgeted for I don't buy it!
8. Ask friends for support and possibly for items they no longer need, they may have something you need but cannot afford or don't want to pay full price for
And finally
9. Do not compare yourself to others, we all have our own unique needs and ways of life so comparison are not always helpful
I know these are probably basic ideas but when I first joined cheapskates, I did not have much idea! So
I thought this list might help someone, I hope so., especially with no spend February.
I am saving so much money (probably $50 to $80 a month, not sure exactly but I will work it out and let you know!).
Login to read more Cheapskates Club member blogs
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8. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Mark who wrote
"Here is a challenge for Cheapskaters: come up with a list of gluten free products and gluten free menus both for adults and kids. Both I and my daughter have just been diagnosed with coeliac disease which means we have to go gluten free. There are a number of products which are appearing that are gluten free, both Coles and Woolies have their own range. However, if you go into the shops and look at some of the prices for those items you would struggle to meet the current challenge of spending only $300 in a month on food. We typically spend nearly on average $200 a week for two adults and two growing kids. Both of which are fussy eaters. My son only likes sausages, bacon and fish fingers which he can eat (he is non-coeliac). We do eat plenty of veggies and salads. Even they add up. Thanks."
Penny Hughes answered
It is not that bad, you could still stay pretty much in budget if you are prepared to cook. I was diagnosed a few years ago and it took me ages to get my head around it, but in reality it is not that bad. Like anything DON'T buy all the processed foods as the so called gluten free foods are very expensive. The Asian food section often has foods that are gluten free, and not marked as such. I finally went back to very basics and got out my Common Sense Recipe book and just about all the things in that can be substituted with GF flour, and I use the Gluten Replacer and as directed on the packet and that solves many problems. I also recommend joining the Coeliac society and getting their wonderful hand books and it gives you a great little booklet to take to the supermarket so you know what brands are GF.
Glenda Mieni answered
Join the Coeliac Society, they have lists of items and places you can buy from.
Dani Lugosi answered
I'm Dani and I'm coeliac. Sam Mills pasta from Woolworths/Coles is $2.99 and tastes great - make sauce in bulk and freeze in portions. Go fresh, buy only as you need though and don't buy more. Waste on fresh food costs money. Bread is one thing that is depressing buying when GF so this is how I spoil myself - glutenfree4u.com.au is the closest you'll get to "normal" bread at around $10 a loaf, but as I said, this is my treat. Or buy a bread maker! Nothing like fresh bread! Unfortunately trial and error with brands is key. Once you find a brand stick with it! Join the Celiac society as this will entitle you to discounts on your GF products at Coles & Woolworths and provides you with a large support network. Aldi have some great crackers at great prices, their pasta and bread misses the mark though. It's so easy to eat junk and packet food when GF because it's easy. You need to make time to sharpen those kitchen knives and skills. If I wasn't lazy, I'd be a real GF foodie.
Di Watson answered
When it comes to eating gluten free on a tight budget you need to think outside the box. Things like pasta and bread become an occasional treat rather than every day foods. We are an entire family of gluten free eaters. We live in a semi regional/rural area so getting access to fresh produce at a reasonable price takes some problem solving. Knowing prices like you probably already do is essential. Here are a few things we do:
We don't do a conventional weekly shop, we only buy the specials/cherry pick when things are at rock bottom prices, the exception being a2milk.
We grind our own flour and other gluten free grain flours bulk buying a minimum 6 month supply (i.e. tapioca from the pearls, quinoa) when they are on a good special. We use a simple Sunbeam coffee/spice grinder.
We make our own seasoning mixes using spices from the ethnic shops.
We eat lots of dried legumes to bulk up and stretch out our meals (bought from our local ethnic shop where they often start at $2.30 a kg). Red lentils and chickpeas are great meat stretchers in place of breadcrumbs.
We buy whole chickens and break them down making stock from the bones. We look to other cultures to see what they make without gluten; think Indian, Mexican. When vegetables that store well (like carrots, pumpkins, potatoes ) are on special for $1 a kg or less we will buy 5-10 kg at a time which generally lasts until the next special or we go without. Check out your farmers markets for specials as well; at ours we can get zucchini $1 a kg all year round. Whatever veg are on special are your veg for the week. When shopping we read labels on items not marked "gluten free". We have found that we can still eat a lot of conventional foods due to reading labels e.g. homebrand corn flakes. By law products have to say contains gluten or may contain traces. We have found that those that say traces but do not list gluten in the ingredients are generally ok but it does come down to your individual sensitivity. Regular bulk buys are corn chips when $1.50 a bag or less, corn thins-$1, pasta $3 for 500g or more, meat $5/kg up to $9 for organic, rice crackers $1pk.On any given week we will eat for breakfast: congee (Asian rice porridge), fresh fruit, and corn flakes. Lunch can be fried rice, a mix and match skillet meal, salad, cold meat and salad, legume dip with rice crackers and vegetable dippers. inners this week may be mix and match skillet meals; bangers in onion gravy (use rice flour) and mash with frozen veg; savoury mince stretched with red lentils on mash/rice; mild vegetable chickpea curry; Red beans (flavoured with bacon and Mexican flavours) and rice; Nachos made with beans and mince; sausages, potato wedges and frozen vegetables; vegetable bake (layer sliced veg, sprinkle of cheese, sprinkle of bacon like you would lasagne and bake until cheese melted and veg soft; vegetable or meat and vegetable fritters made with chickpea flour; crustless quiches. Winter is by far the cheapest season. We tend to eat a lot more soups/stews with sides of fritters or potato scones to bulk them out. Snacks are homemade dips with crackers and veg dippers, coconut macarons, fresh fruit and nuts etc.
Do you have a question that needs an answer?
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Ask Your Question
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9. This Week's Question
Anna writes
"Does anyone know an easy way to clean the black brake dust on my car rims? Ordinary washing is a chore/lots of elbow grease required - not easy with older hands to do the work. Also is there a trick or product that will aid in keeping it off or minimise the mess to clean off the next time. Thanks for your help fellow Cheapskaters."
Do you have the answer?
If you have a suggestion or idea for Anna 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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10. 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!
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11. 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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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.
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13. 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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