Your Cheapskates Club 07:20
In This Newsletter
1. Cath's Corner
2. From the Tip Store - Painting a Ceiling; Free Car Fresheners; Having the Things You Want on a Budget
3. Share Your Tips
4. No Spending Month
5. On the Menu - Budget Spag Bol
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - Eating from the Pantry
7. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
8. The Cheapskates Club Show
9. Ask A Question - Have a question? Ask it here
10. Join the Cheapskates Club
11. Frequently Asked Questions
12. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
Hope you're all having a great week, and remembering not to spend!
Something very exciting happened this week: I picked the first ripe tomato from the garden! I've been waiting weeks to start picking tomatoes, but they’re taking their time even hinting at changing colour. I have visions of lots of jars of gorgeous sauce on the pantry shelves, so I hope they hurry up and ripen. I have the jars, lids and rings ready to go; lots of herbs, garlic and onions waiting to be added to the pot and enthusiasm! I'll probably have 400 tomatoes all ready on the same day, but I think that's one of the fun things about growing your own food.
Have a great week.
Happy Cheapskating,
Cath
2. From The Tip Store
Painting a Ceiling
When painting ceilings, cut a child's rubber ball or a tennis ball in half, cut a slit in the bowl and put your paint brush in one of the halves to catch the drips. It's simple but effective and saves a lot of mess.
Free Car Fresheners
When you walk through the fragrance department of large stores, you are usually offered a sample of the current fragrance, sprayed onto a small piece of paper. Never refuse to take them as they can be used as air fresheners in your car. Just pop them into the ashtray, and leave it slightly open so the fragrance can escape. Your car will smell lovely and you won't have any ugly gadgets or gizmos hanging around. They can also be used in shoe boxes, bathroom cupboards, drawers and handbags.
Having the Things You Want on a Budget
For those out there that need THINGS, then by all means make allowances for these in your budget BUT make a rule that you will not buy anyTHING that does not come from a second-hand shop or a garage sale or a recycled centre, that is, don't pay full price for anything. Then use your crafty talents and make those cheap buys into beautiful items that will take pride of place in your new home. Good luck Kelly!
Contributed by E.D.
Add a Tip
3. Share Your Tips
The Cheapskate's Club website is thousands of pages of money saving hints, tips and ideas. There are over 12,000 tips to save you money, time and energy; 1,600 budget and family friendly recipes, hundreds of printable tip sheets and ebooks.
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.
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!
Share Your Tip
4. No Spending Month
How are you going with No Spending Month?
It's been hard. I've been offered so many things I'd like or could use or need that saying "no thank you" has been painful. I did say yes to a super fantastic skin care offer. It's a fraction of the RRP and for the first time in ages my skin isn't itchy, red, tight or blotchy. I had the cash in my purse, so while it wasn't strictly a need, I'll own up to spending some money.
So far this week I've seen two stunning baskets at the op shop for$4 each - better than rock bottom price. I passed them by. If they're still there in March and I have the cash then I will buy one for a project I have in mind.
On the positive side, this week I've bought a bottle of milk, a packet of pastry and a lettuce, so the grocery money is still building up. The ingredients for all our meals have come from the pantry, fridge, freezer or garden. We've been eating from the freezers so that next month I can clean them, repack them and then start looking for good prices on mince, chicken fillets, whole chickens, corned beef, and roasts (beef or lamb, whichever is cheaper).
On Tuesday night I talked about having a $75 a week meal plan, and how to work that meal plan. The first step is to inventory your pantry, fridge, freezer and garden. Now that sounds complicated but it isn't, and it shouldn’t be. Just get some paper and a pen and jot down all the ingredients you have and the quantities. Once you've done this you can make a list of all the dishes you can make with those ingredients, and use that to create a meal plan.
If you're having trouble not buying groceries, watch the show, then take stock, make a meal plan and see if you can stay out of the supermarket this week.
2020 No Spending Month Challenge
5. On The Menu
Budget Spag Bol
Spag bol must be the most popular pasta dish in Australia, it certainly rates high in my family. There are so many variations of the dish, from a slow cooked, tomato rich sauce to this quick, easy, budget friendly version. This is the spag bol sauce I made when our children were small and just starting to try different tastes and textures, and they still love it. Just because it's quick and easy and cheap doesn't mean it' s bland and boring though - it's full of delicious flavour.
Budget Spag Bol
Ingredients:
500g mince
1 tin tomato soup
1 small onion, diced
Garlic -fresh or dried, to taste
1 tsp sweet basil
400g spaghetti
Method:
Get a pot of water on to boil for the pasta.
While the water is coming to the boil, brown the mince. Once it is brown, drain and rinse under hot running water (this gets rid of the fat). Wipe the pan out.
Add the tomato soup, onion, garlic and basil to the pan. Stir, and bring to a simmer.
By now the pot of water should be boiling. Add the spaghetti to the boiling water. Return to the boil. Boil 12 minutes.
Add the mince to the sauce, stir to combine. Bring to a simmer. Simmer 15 minutes.
When pasta is cooked, drain.
To serve, dish up pasta. Use a soup ladle to spoon sauce over pasta.
Garnish with a little grated cheese if you want.
Next week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Chicken
Monday: Mock Fish, Chips, Salad
Tuesday: Spag Bol
Wednesday: Honey Soy Chicken kebabs, fried rice
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: BBQ, salads
Saturday: Freezer Meals
In the fruit bowl: Strawberries, oranges, bananas
There are over 1,700 budget and family friendly recipes in the Cheapskates Club Recipe File, all contributed by your fellow Cheapskates, so you know they're good.
Add A Recipe
Recipe File Index
6. The $300 A Month Food Challenge
Eating From The Pantry
It's been a while since we've had a challenge so here it is: for the next week you are going to live on what food you have in the house. It is No Spending Month after all, so it's also the perfect time to have a pantry challenge. I've been hearing for the last five months about how expensive meat is, how much cheese has gone up, how the cost of fresh fruit and vegetables is skyrocketing - and that's all from Cheapskaters. Then the TV news is bombarding us with threats of huge price hikes on food - it's enough to make you want to stop eating!
Well not quite. But it certainly is putting the fear of going over budget into a lot of folk, and that's not right.
Even if the price of food goes up, you'll be able to eat, and eat well - just follow my tips each week for the next few weeks.
This week we'll start with eating what we have. Go through your pantry, fridge and freezer and make a list. Then work out what meals you need and what recipes you can make or create with the food you have. Make up a shopping list of only the groceries you absolutely must have. Don't put things you want or "might" need on the list this week, you are challenged to spend as little as possible on food for the next 7 days.
If you need ideas, download the Bare Bones Groceries e-book. l It has some basic meal ideas and recipes to get you started or watch my You Tube show from Tuesday night for more ideas. Good luck and happy saving!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
The Post that Started it All
7. Cheapskates Buzz
From The Article Archive
3 Great Reasons To Grow Your Own Salad
Attitude Differences between Those with Debt and Those Without
Living Well Under Budget
This Week's Hot Forum Topics
Can't Get Husband On Board with Living Within Our Means
2020 No Spending Month Challenge
Sorting the Chest Freezer and Keeping Organised
Most Popular Blog Posts This Week
Top 7 Favourite Icy Pole Ideas
How and Why I Started Making Washing Powder
Steam Clean the Kitchen Tiles
8. The Cheapskates Club Show
Join Cath and Hannah live Tuesdays and Thursdays on You Tube at 7.30pm AET
Join us live on YouTube every Tuesday and Thursday and see how we are living debt free, cashed up and laughing - and find out how you can too!
Show Schedule
Tuesday: Around the Kitchen Table - join Cath and Hannah for a cuppa and a chat around the kitchen table as they talk about living the Cheapskates way.
Thursday: Cheapskates in the Kitchen - want to know how to cook delicious, healthy and cheap meals? Watch Cath and Hannah as they create cheapskates style cuisine and share their favourite recipes.
Latest Shows
1. Cath's Corner
2. From the Tip Store - Painting a Ceiling; Free Car Fresheners; Having the Things You Want on a Budget
3. Share Your Tips
4. No Spending Month
5. On the Menu - Budget Spag Bol
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - Eating from the Pantry
7. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
8. The Cheapskates Club Show
9. Ask A Question - Have a question? Ask it here
10. Join the Cheapskates Club
11. Frequently Asked Questions
12. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
Hope you're all having a great week, and remembering not to spend!
Something very exciting happened this week: I picked the first ripe tomato from the garden! I've been waiting weeks to start picking tomatoes, but they’re taking their time even hinting at changing colour. I have visions of lots of jars of gorgeous sauce on the pantry shelves, so I hope they hurry up and ripen. I have the jars, lids and rings ready to go; lots of herbs, garlic and onions waiting to be added to the pot and enthusiasm! I'll probably have 400 tomatoes all ready on the same day, but I think that's one of the fun things about growing your own food.
Have a great week.
Happy Cheapskating,
Cath
2. From The Tip Store
Painting a Ceiling
When painting ceilings, cut a child's rubber ball or a tennis ball in half, cut a slit in the bowl and put your paint brush in one of the halves to catch the drips. It's simple but effective and saves a lot of mess.
Free Car Fresheners
When you walk through the fragrance department of large stores, you are usually offered a sample of the current fragrance, sprayed onto a small piece of paper. Never refuse to take them as they can be used as air fresheners in your car. Just pop them into the ashtray, and leave it slightly open so the fragrance can escape. Your car will smell lovely and you won't have any ugly gadgets or gizmos hanging around. They can also be used in shoe boxes, bathroom cupboards, drawers and handbags.
Having the Things You Want on a Budget
For those out there that need THINGS, then by all means make allowances for these in your budget BUT make a rule that you will not buy anyTHING that does not come from a second-hand shop or a garage sale or a recycled centre, that is, don't pay full price for anything. Then use your crafty talents and make those cheap buys into beautiful items that will take pride of place in your new home. Good luck Kelly!
Contributed by E.D.
Add a Tip
3. Share Your Tips
The Cheapskate's Club website is thousands of pages of money saving hints, tips and ideas. There are over 12,000 tips to save you money, time and energy; 1,600 budget and family friendly recipes, hundreds of printable tip sheets and ebooks.
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.
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!
Share Your Tip
4. No Spending Month
How are you going with No Spending Month?
It's been hard. I've been offered so many things I'd like or could use or need that saying "no thank you" has been painful. I did say yes to a super fantastic skin care offer. It's a fraction of the RRP and for the first time in ages my skin isn't itchy, red, tight or blotchy. I had the cash in my purse, so while it wasn't strictly a need, I'll own up to spending some money.
So far this week I've seen two stunning baskets at the op shop for$4 each - better than rock bottom price. I passed them by. If they're still there in March and I have the cash then I will buy one for a project I have in mind.
On the positive side, this week I've bought a bottle of milk, a packet of pastry and a lettuce, so the grocery money is still building up. The ingredients for all our meals have come from the pantry, fridge, freezer or garden. We've been eating from the freezers so that next month I can clean them, repack them and then start looking for good prices on mince, chicken fillets, whole chickens, corned beef, and roasts (beef or lamb, whichever is cheaper).
On Tuesday night I talked about having a $75 a week meal plan, and how to work that meal plan. The first step is to inventory your pantry, fridge, freezer and garden. Now that sounds complicated but it isn't, and it shouldn’t be. Just get some paper and a pen and jot down all the ingredients you have and the quantities. Once you've done this you can make a list of all the dishes you can make with those ingredients, and use that to create a meal plan.
If you're having trouble not buying groceries, watch the show, then take stock, make a meal plan and see if you can stay out of the supermarket this week.
2020 No Spending Month Challenge
5. On The Menu
Budget Spag Bol
Spag bol must be the most popular pasta dish in Australia, it certainly rates high in my family. There are so many variations of the dish, from a slow cooked, tomato rich sauce to this quick, easy, budget friendly version. This is the spag bol sauce I made when our children were small and just starting to try different tastes and textures, and they still love it. Just because it's quick and easy and cheap doesn't mean it' s bland and boring though - it's full of delicious flavour.
Budget Spag Bol
Ingredients:
500g mince
1 tin tomato soup
1 small onion, diced
Garlic -fresh or dried, to taste
1 tsp sweet basil
400g spaghetti
Method:
Get a pot of water on to boil for the pasta.
While the water is coming to the boil, brown the mince. Once it is brown, drain and rinse under hot running water (this gets rid of the fat). Wipe the pan out.
Add the tomato soup, onion, garlic and basil to the pan. Stir, and bring to a simmer.
By now the pot of water should be boiling. Add the spaghetti to the boiling water. Return to the boil. Boil 12 minutes.
Add the mince to the sauce, stir to combine. Bring to a simmer. Simmer 15 minutes.
When pasta is cooked, drain.
To serve, dish up pasta. Use a soup ladle to spoon sauce over pasta.
Garnish with a little grated cheese if you want.
Next week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Chicken
Monday: Mock Fish, Chips, Salad
Tuesday: Spag Bol
Wednesday: Honey Soy Chicken kebabs, fried rice
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: BBQ, salads
Saturday: Freezer Meals
In the fruit bowl: Strawberries, oranges, bananas
There are over 1,700 budget and family friendly recipes in the Cheapskates Club Recipe File, all contributed by your fellow Cheapskates, so you know they're good.
Add A Recipe
Recipe File Index
6. The $300 A Month Food Challenge
Eating From The Pantry
It's been a while since we've had a challenge so here it is: for the next week you are going to live on what food you have in the house. It is No Spending Month after all, so it's also the perfect time to have a pantry challenge. I've been hearing for the last five months about how expensive meat is, how much cheese has gone up, how the cost of fresh fruit and vegetables is skyrocketing - and that's all from Cheapskaters. Then the TV news is bombarding us with threats of huge price hikes on food - it's enough to make you want to stop eating!
Well not quite. But it certainly is putting the fear of going over budget into a lot of folk, and that's not right.
Even if the price of food goes up, you'll be able to eat, and eat well - just follow my tips each week for the next few weeks.
This week we'll start with eating what we have. Go through your pantry, fridge and freezer and make a list. Then work out what meals you need and what recipes you can make or create with the food you have. Make up a shopping list of only the groceries you absolutely must have. Don't put things you want or "might" need on the list this week, you are challenged to spend as little as possible on food for the next 7 days.
If you need ideas, download the Bare Bones Groceries e-book. l It has some basic meal ideas and recipes to get you started or watch my You Tube show from Tuesday night for more ideas. Good luck and happy saving!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
The Post that Started it All
7. Cheapskates Buzz
From The Article Archive
3 Great Reasons To Grow Your Own Salad
Attitude Differences between Those with Debt and Those Without
Living Well Under Budget
This Week's Hot Forum Topics
Can't Get Husband On Board with Living Within Our Means
2020 No Spending Month Challenge
Sorting the Chest Freezer and Keeping Organised
Most Popular Blog Posts This Week
Top 7 Favourite Icy Pole Ideas
How and Why I Started Making Washing Powder
Steam Clean the Kitchen Tiles
8. The Cheapskates Club Show
Join Cath and Hannah live Tuesdays and Thursdays on You Tube at 7.30pm AET
Join us live on YouTube every Tuesday and Thursday and see how we are living debt free, cashed up and laughing - and find out how you can too!
Show Schedule
Tuesday: Around the Kitchen Table - join Cath and Hannah for a cuppa and a chat around the kitchen table as they talk about living the Cheapskates way.
Thursday: Cheapskates in the Kitchen - want to know how to cook delicious, healthy and cheap meals? Watch Cath and Hannah as they create cheapskates style cuisine and share their favourite recipes.
Latest Shows
9. Ask A Question
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
10. Join The Cheapskates Club
For just $30 a year, 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!
11. Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change my email address?
This one is easy. When you login to the Member's Centre just click on your name at the top of the page to go straight to your profile page where you can update your details, change your password and find your subscription details.
Not a Cheapskates Club member? Then please use the Changing Details form found here to update your email address.
How do I know when my membership should be renewed?
Memberships are active for one year from the date of joining. You will be sent a renewal reminder before your subscription is due to renew. You can also find your membership expiry date on your profile page.
When you login to the Member's Centre just click on your name to go straight to your profile page where you can will find your join date and your expiry date.
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 I get on this list?
The only way you can get onto our newsletter mailing list is to subscribe yourself. You signed up to receive our Free Newsletter at our Cheapskates Club Web site or are a Platinum Cheapskates Club member.
12. Contact Cheapskates
The Cheapskates Club -
Showing you how to live life
debt free, cashed up and laughing!
PO Box 5077 Studfield Vic 3152
Contact Cheapskates
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
10. Join The Cheapskates Club
For just $30 a year, 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!
11. Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change my email address?
This one is easy. When you login to the Member's Centre just click on your name at the top of the page to go straight to your profile page where you can update your details, change your password and find your subscription details.
Not a Cheapskates Club member? Then please use the Changing Details form found here to update your email address.
How do I know when my membership should be renewed?
Memberships are active for one year from the date of joining. You will be sent a renewal reminder before your subscription is due to renew. You can also find your membership expiry date on your profile page.
When you login to the Member's Centre just click on your name to go straight to your profile page where you can will find your join date and your expiry date.
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 I get on this list?
The only way you can get onto our newsletter mailing list is to subscribe yourself. You signed up to receive our Free Newsletter at our Cheapskates Club Web site or are a Platinum Cheapskates Club member.
12. Contact Cheapskates
The Cheapskates Club -
Showing you how to live life
debt free, cashed up and laughing!
PO Box 5077 Studfield Vic 3152
Contact Cheapskates