Your Cheapskates Club Newsletter 08:17
In this newsletter
1. Cath's Corner
2. In the Tip Store - How to Open a Stuck Jar Lid; Skip the Specials and Save Big for No Spending Month; The Easiest Way to Empty the Rubbish Bins
3. February Spending Freeze - How much can you not spend this month?
4. Share Your Tips
5. On the Menu - Vego Pasta Bake
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - Guerrilla Grocery Shopping Part 4: Resist Impulse Shopping
7. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
8. Member's Featured Blog - What Makes Me Feel Rich
9. Last Week's Question - Recommendations needed for a coffee grinder
10. This Week's Question - Is a food dehydrator worth the money?
11. Ask Cath
12. Join the Cheapskates Club
13. Frequently Asked Questions
14. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
What an amazing time I had last week. Two days in Perth, two great workshops and an afternoon filming for Today Tonight (which I believe screens tonight in WA) and lots of fun meeting Cheapskaters in person and putting faces to names.
Then off to Adelaide on Friday. Wow was I grateful the workshop was last weekend and not the weekend before, the weather was quite cool while we were there. Again, it was an absolute pleasure and privilege to meet so many lovely Cheapskaters in person and put faces to names at last.
The highlight of the trip of course was seeing everyone realise that they really can live well for much less than they thought when they shop the Cheapskates way.
Something that cropped up both in Perth and in Adelaide, and a couple of times over the last few weeks was my affiliation with Aldi.
Let me go on the record and say I am not paid by Aldi. I do not work for Aldi. I have never worked for Aldi and I have never been paid by Aldi (or Coles, or Woolworths either). When I say I like a product or a store, it is because I like it, not because I'm trying to keep a job (I have a job right here and I'm not going anywhere).
So, if you've ever doubted that my opinions are just that, rest assured they are, and they can't be bought.
Before I go, how is your spending freeze going? There's only a few days left, have you started counting your savings?
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
How to Open a Stuck Jar Lid
There is nothing more frustrating than reaching for that jar of something tasty and finding the lid stuck tight.
Here are two really simple but very, very effective ways of "unsticking" that stubborn lid so you can get to the goodies inside.
Method 1: Give it a good thump on the bench
This is my preferred method and it works every time. Simply take the jar and gently but firmly thump the rim of the lid on the bench, rotating the jar two or three times.
This will relieve any pressure built up in the jar and it will open easily.
Method 2: Soak it
Fill a small bowl with very hot tap water. Put the jar in the water, lid down. Let it sit for about five minutes, then carefully take the jar out, wipe it with a tea towel and open the lid.
It should open easily. If the jar is very hot use the tea towel to open the lid.
To prevent the lid sticking again, make sure you give it a wipe inside and then wipe around the rim and outside of the jar with a damp cloth.
Skip the Specials and Save Big for No Spending Month
No Spending month has boosted our savings by almost $100 already, and simply because I've not bought the specials. I love a bargain, and our stockpile is slowly, slowly growing with the basic grocery items we need. Where I come a cropper is those too good to resist but really not essential specials. The catalogues have been full of them lately, things like Tim Tams and Mint Slice on sale for half price, chips half price, Prima juice boxes half price at Coles, 500g bags of chips - all things we love and would happily enjoy, but even on half-price sale we don't need them and they're not really included in the grocery budget. On top of that, I don't need the extra kilojoules (My Darling doesn't either but don't tell him, he'll deny it). The juice boxes are convenient to grab and put in My Baby's bag for when we're out, but he is just as happy with water. This week alone I've skipped the specials and not spent $22.30 on things that weren't on my list, even if they were on sale. Don't get me wrong, I could have easily bought the Tim Tams, Mint Slice, juice boxes and chips but it is No Spending month and I'd rather use that $22.30 to boost our Emergency Fund. And if I stick to not spending on specials we don't really need, I figure our EF will be around $500 (or more) healthier at the end of the year and my thighs won't be a few thousand kilojoules bigger.
Contributed by Sarah Andrews
The Easiest Way to Empty the Rubbish Bins
It really isn't that hard to pick up a rubbish bin in the bathroom or the kitchen or study and run it out to the recycle or garbage bin. But it is so much easier if the bin is lined. Trouble is lining those bins can be fiddly and expensive if you buy bin liners.
Firstly, save money by recycling bread bags or plastic grocery bags (if you still use them) or even veggie bags. At least using them as bin liners is making them more than single use tip fill.
Secondly, save time and energy by stacking 12 bags on top of each other. Then each time you empty the bin just pick up the top bag and take it away and forget about having to go back and line the bin - it's already done!
There are currently more than 12,000 great tips in the Tip Store
3. February Spending Freeze
This is the sixteenth year we have had an official No Spending month, complete with guidelines and tools to help you survive a whole month of no spending.
By taking a break from spending, especially at the beginning of the year, right after the Christmas and back-to-school expenses you are setting yourself up with good spending habits for the rest of the year.
It takes 21 repetitions to develop a habit, so by not spending for 28 days you have not only developed the habit but reinforced it too!
Of course, you'll need to spend some money during February. It would be unrealistic to expect you to not spend a cent. But the difference is you'll only be spending money you've budgeted for. Every cent you spend will be allocated in your Spending Plan so you know exactly where it is to go.
The rules are simple:
In line with our spending freeze you can spend money on essential items such as:
Rent/mortgage
Utilities: gas, electricity, phone, water if the bill is due during the month (but look for ways to lower these bills during the month so the next bill is cheaper)
Food: shop at home first. Check your pantry, fridge and freezer and menu plan with what you have. You may find, like me, that you really don't need to go grocery shopping this month.
Medical/pharmacy: don't scrimp on your health – the future cost would be far too great
Petrol and transport: unless you can walk everywhere you'll need your car. But try to limit how far you go and how often you use it. Carpool if you can, share the school run with another mother, make one trip and do all your errands. Ditto for bus, train and tram. If you have a bike now might be a good time to start riding to work or school.
Other regular monthly bills you have
You can't spend money on
magazines
takeaway meals
movies
new clothes
toys
DVDs and CDs
manicures
or anything else that isn't essential to living for 28 days.
Are you in? Do you think you can go 28 days without spending?
Read more about the spending freeze here
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
Vego Pasta Bake
A hearty, cheap meal that is just as good in summer as it is in winter. I serve this dish with green salad and garlic or herb bread.
Ingredients:
500g packet noodles - 60c
1 tin tomatoes - 60c
1 onion, chopped - 15c
1 carrot, grated - 25c
1 zucchini, grated - 50c
½ cup corn kernels - 30c
good pinch mixed herbs =5c
garlic to taste
100ml sour cream - 40c
1 cup grated cheese - 35c
Method:
Cook the noodles in boiling water until tender. Drain well. In a microwave safe dish, combine the tomatoes, carrot, onion, zucchini and corn kernels the mixed herbs and the garlic. Cook on high for two minutes, stirring half way through. Stir through the noodles. Stir through the sour cream. Grease a baking dish and add the noodle mixture. Sprinkle evenly with grated cheese. Bake in a moderate oven for 25 – 30 minutes until cheese is golden brown.
Total Cost: $3.20
Serves: 6 at 53 cents per serve
All ingredients for this dish were bought at Aldi
This week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Chicken
Monday: BBQ sausages, salad
Tuesday: Vego Pasta Bake
Wednesday: Devilled Chicken Wings
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Hamburgers
Saturday: Corn Fritters & salad
In the fruit bowl: Oranges, figs, grapes
In the cake tin: Fruit mince pies, jam drops
There are over 1,500 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File.
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge
Guerrilla Grocery Shopping Part 4: Resist Impulse Shopping
Guerrilla Shoppers are strong, they resist impulse shopping. Australians waste thousands of dollars a year on spontaneous, impulsive, un-planned purchases. The sad thing is if you were to ask them if they were impulse shoppers they would deny it. Yes, they are in a state of shopping denial.
Here are some tips that will help you resist impulse buying and keep more of your money in your bank account.
1. Just say no. It's usually the first real work babies learn, so if a baby can say it so can you! Marketing experts depend on our inability to say no. They place the most expensive items at eye level in the most eye-catching displays. The real bargains are on the top and bottom shelves. Say no to expensive eye-level buys and look high, look low for the real bargains.
2. Take time to smell the roses, just don't buy them. As soon as you walk in the door of the supermarket you are surrounded by the fresh flower display, with the scent of freshly baked bread wafting across, tormenting you and tempting you to wander over to see what is good. You have to cross these sections to get into the supermarket, but you don't need to stop. If you stop you're sunk. By all means sniff as you push your trolley through these money traps.
3. Don't shop hungry. It is an oldie, but it's true. If you are hungry when you shop are far more likely to end up with around $35 worth of foodstuffs you don't really want in your trolley. Have a sandwich and a cuppa before you leave home and keep your $35.
4. Become a lone shopper. I know it's difficult, I once had three kids under 4, but if you possibly can leave the little ones at home when you shop. For a start, you'll be so much faster. And more relaxed. You won't be distracted by lots of questions and making sure little fingers aren't tossing things into the trolley to "help" you. Oh, and you get to miss out on the deliberately placed kid sized temptations at the checkout.
5. Make a list, check it twice and then stick to it. It is just commonsense - you've made your shopping list, you've checked it and it has everything on it that you need so stick to it! Do not deviate from that list. Research shows that shoppers who use a written shopping list consistently spend less. Who would have thought a sheet of paper could have such an influence?
6. New Improved? Really? The product or the packaging? Signs like "new and improved" and pretty new packaging are deliberate attempts to weaken your defenses. Before you buy, check the labels. Often times not much, if anything has changed in terms of the product, it's just the packaging and price that have had the facelift. Evaluate every item to determine whether or not it is a good buy and ignore the marketing hype.
7. Shopping is not a hobby. I like shopping but it's not my hobby and it shouldn’t be yours. Shopping centres are not entertainment precincts regardless of how they advertise themselves. Shopping is a chore to be done. Make it a habit to go to the shops no more than once a week. Over-exposure to supermarkets makes you much more vulnerable to the marketing ploys designed to get you to part with your cash.
8. Don't fight the crowds. Work out the least busy time at your supermarket and do your shopping then. It's more relaxing for a start. And you won't be battling trolleys coming the other way down the aisle. The checkout queue should be a breeze and you'll be done and dusted, home enjoying a cuppa before you know it.
9. Cash only. Leave your credit and debit cards at home. Take your grocery money in cash. There's nothing quite like the fear of not having enough money to help you stick to your shopping list. There is nothing as embarrassing as finding yourself at the checkout with too many groceries and not enough cash!
10. Shop the loss leaders. And only the loss leaders. Loss leaders are designed to draw you into the store to get the low, low price and then you are tempted by the regular priced accessory items surrounding it. Go and buy just the loss leaders (if they are on your list and you will use them) and leave. Do not buy another thing! Just the loss leaders. Sure, the stores will be losing money, but that's the risk they take. You are stronger and smarter than that - you are a Guerrilla Shopper and you want to save BIG!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
The Post that Started it All
7. Cheapskates Buzz
Most popular forum posts this week
New Year, New Food Goals
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?3525-300-A-Month-Food-Challenge-20-02-17-New-Year-New-Food-Goals.
2017 No Spending Month Challenge
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?3510-2017-No-Spending-Month-Challenge
Senior Moments
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2607-Senior-Moments
Most popular blog posts this week
Dinner with Friends
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2011/03/dinner-with-friends.html
Precycling
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2013/12/precycling.html
How to Pay Bills During Financially Hard Times
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2014/05/how-to-pay-bills-during-financially.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 suesproperty1.
What Makes Me Feel Rich
This took me a while to be able to share, as I am generally quite funny about these things for some reason. We all have our own little idiosyncrasies. I guess it comes from being told as a child to keep your opinions to yourself and thinking that no one was really interested in what you were doing. Best be interested in other people that way you will get on in the world.
However, it's really important to know what actually does make you happy, how can you be happy for others if you don't know what makes you happy. As I have read many times and heard as well - you can't give what you don't have yourself.
So, without more rambling here is my top 5 things that make me happy, makes me smile and makes me feel rich even when my bank account says differently:
1. Seeing my husband - he works away a lot, whenever he arrives home, and I hear the car come up the driveway it makes me smile and my heart sing.
2. Unexpected calls from family and friends - whether that is by text, phone, email, Skype or FB messaging - I love hearing from those that a close to me especially if they are on the other side of the world.
3. Working out - exercise is my release from the everyday, I love getting my gym gear ready (often the night before) and heading out the door - I then get to see my workout buddies and we say we hate every minute of the workout - but we smile and keep coming back for more.
4 Walking on the beach- this is my meditation time. I do it alone most days, but love to share the experience with my husband when he's home. It clears my mind and invigorates my soul.
5. Last but not least being in my garden, where I can potter around with all my plants, grow my veggies and just be myself.
I'd say I had riches beyond compare.
Login to read more Cheapskates Club Member blogs
9. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Priyanka who wrote
"I have a coffee grinder machine. The motor works perfectly fine but the top plastic cover has developed cracks on it. I feel bad to purchase an entire machine only because of that. Any suggestions? I had bought it only about a year back from Myer and lost the receipt to add to my misery."
Vanessa Reynolds answered
For less than or about a year old, I would argue that the product is not fit for the purpose and the lid should be replaced as faulty. If you paid cash for the machine then it is harder to prove how long you have had it but you should try, since that is not really good enough. Hopefully though, you used a debit or credit card to buy it, because then you can get a copy of your receipt. To get a copy of your receipt, you need to go back to the SAME shop, not just any Myer shop. You go to customer service and ask them to check against the SAME card account that you used by giving them the card to scan. That will bring up on their computer all transactions (over years) made by you on that card. When they/you find the transaction for the coffee grinder, ask for a copy of the receipt. Then show them the faulty lid with the receipt and insist that a year of use is really not enough. Although it is a hassle, it is worth doing because it holds manufacturers and the retailer to account for making shoddy goods.
Fulvio Gerardi answered
Depending on the type of plastic, you can use a solvent such as Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) to weld cracks shut. A small artist's brush dipped in MEK and dabbed on the crack is all you need. Capillary action will draw it in and weld the plastic together stronger than it was. Note that this will NOT fill gaps. My bottle came from Selby's, and in 20 years I've used no more than 300 ml of it.
Elizabeth Spiegel answered
I had this happen to a grinder I was given as a wedding present so I really wanted to keep it. It's simple really, sticky tape placed firmly around the top and when it gets a bit shabby just put some fresh tape on.
Toni C answered
On the machine will be a compliance plate. Google the manufacturer with the make and serial and explain about the cracked lid. Most times they will send a free part but if not it will be cheaper than buying the whole thing again and save landfill at the same time.
10. This Week's Question
Karen writes
"Hi everyone, I was going to buy a food dehydrator. Can anyone tell me which is the best brand to get or do they all do the same thing.?"
Do you have the answer?
If you can help Karen 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.
Read our privacy policy
How Did You Get on Our List?
You signed up to receive our Free Newsletter at our Cheapskates Club Web site or are a Platinum Cheapskates Club member
14. Contact Details
The Cheapskates Club -
Showing you how to live life
debt free, cashed up and laughing!
PO Box 5077 Studfield Vic 3152
www.cheapskatesclub.net
1. Cath's Corner
2. In the Tip Store - How to Open a Stuck Jar Lid; Skip the Specials and Save Big for No Spending Month; The Easiest Way to Empty the Rubbish Bins
3. February Spending Freeze - How much can you not spend this month?
4. Share Your Tips
5. On the Menu - Vego Pasta Bake
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - Guerrilla Grocery Shopping Part 4: Resist Impulse Shopping
7. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
8. Member's Featured Blog - What Makes Me Feel Rich
9. Last Week's Question - Recommendations needed for a coffee grinder
10. This Week's Question - Is a food dehydrator worth the money?
11. Ask Cath
12. Join the Cheapskates Club
13. Frequently Asked Questions
14. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
What an amazing time I had last week. Two days in Perth, two great workshops and an afternoon filming for Today Tonight (which I believe screens tonight in WA) and lots of fun meeting Cheapskaters in person and putting faces to names.
Then off to Adelaide on Friday. Wow was I grateful the workshop was last weekend and not the weekend before, the weather was quite cool while we were there. Again, it was an absolute pleasure and privilege to meet so many lovely Cheapskaters in person and put faces to names at last.
The highlight of the trip of course was seeing everyone realise that they really can live well for much less than they thought when they shop the Cheapskates way.
Something that cropped up both in Perth and in Adelaide, and a couple of times over the last few weeks was my affiliation with Aldi.
Let me go on the record and say I am not paid by Aldi. I do not work for Aldi. I have never worked for Aldi and I have never been paid by Aldi (or Coles, or Woolworths either). When I say I like a product or a store, it is because I like it, not because I'm trying to keep a job (I have a job right here and I'm not going anywhere).
So, if you've ever doubted that my opinions are just that, rest assured they are, and they can't be bought.
Before I go, how is your spending freeze going? There's only a few days left, have you started counting your savings?
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
How to Open a Stuck Jar Lid
There is nothing more frustrating than reaching for that jar of something tasty and finding the lid stuck tight.
Here are two really simple but very, very effective ways of "unsticking" that stubborn lid so you can get to the goodies inside.
Method 1: Give it a good thump on the bench
This is my preferred method and it works every time. Simply take the jar and gently but firmly thump the rim of the lid on the bench, rotating the jar two or three times.
This will relieve any pressure built up in the jar and it will open easily.
Method 2: Soak it
Fill a small bowl with very hot tap water. Put the jar in the water, lid down. Let it sit for about five minutes, then carefully take the jar out, wipe it with a tea towel and open the lid.
It should open easily. If the jar is very hot use the tea towel to open the lid.
To prevent the lid sticking again, make sure you give it a wipe inside and then wipe around the rim and outside of the jar with a damp cloth.
Skip the Specials and Save Big for No Spending Month
No Spending month has boosted our savings by almost $100 already, and simply because I've not bought the specials. I love a bargain, and our stockpile is slowly, slowly growing with the basic grocery items we need. Where I come a cropper is those too good to resist but really not essential specials. The catalogues have been full of them lately, things like Tim Tams and Mint Slice on sale for half price, chips half price, Prima juice boxes half price at Coles, 500g bags of chips - all things we love and would happily enjoy, but even on half-price sale we don't need them and they're not really included in the grocery budget. On top of that, I don't need the extra kilojoules (My Darling doesn't either but don't tell him, he'll deny it). The juice boxes are convenient to grab and put in My Baby's bag for when we're out, but he is just as happy with water. This week alone I've skipped the specials and not spent $22.30 on things that weren't on my list, even if they were on sale. Don't get me wrong, I could have easily bought the Tim Tams, Mint Slice, juice boxes and chips but it is No Spending month and I'd rather use that $22.30 to boost our Emergency Fund. And if I stick to not spending on specials we don't really need, I figure our EF will be around $500 (or more) healthier at the end of the year and my thighs won't be a few thousand kilojoules bigger.
Contributed by Sarah Andrews
The Easiest Way to Empty the Rubbish Bins
It really isn't that hard to pick up a rubbish bin in the bathroom or the kitchen or study and run it out to the recycle or garbage bin. But it is so much easier if the bin is lined. Trouble is lining those bins can be fiddly and expensive if you buy bin liners.
Firstly, save money by recycling bread bags or plastic grocery bags (if you still use them) or even veggie bags. At least using them as bin liners is making them more than single use tip fill.
Secondly, save time and energy by stacking 12 bags on top of each other. Then each time you empty the bin just pick up the top bag and take it away and forget about having to go back and line the bin - it's already done!
There are currently more than 12,000 great tips in the Tip Store
3. February Spending Freeze
This is the sixteenth year we have had an official No Spending month, complete with guidelines and tools to help you survive a whole month of no spending.
By taking a break from spending, especially at the beginning of the year, right after the Christmas and back-to-school expenses you are setting yourself up with good spending habits for the rest of the year.
It takes 21 repetitions to develop a habit, so by not spending for 28 days you have not only developed the habit but reinforced it too!
Of course, you'll need to spend some money during February. It would be unrealistic to expect you to not spend a cent. But the difference is you'll only be spending money you've budgeted for. Every cent you spend will be allocated in your Spending Plan so you know exactly where it is to go.
The rules are simple:
In line with our spending freeze you can spend money on essential items such as:
Rent/mortgage
Utilities: gas, electricity, phone, water if the bill is due during the month (but look for ways to lower these bills during the month so the next bill is cheaper)
Food: shop at home first. Check your pantry, fridge and freezer and menu plan with what you have. You may find, like me, that you really don't need to go grocery shopping this month.
Medical/pharmacy: don't scrimp on your health – the future cost would be far too great
Petrol and transport: unless you can walk everywhere you'll need your car. But try to limit how far you go and how often you use it. Carpool if you can, share the school run with another mother, make one trip and do all your errands. Ditto for bus, train and tram. If you have a bike now might be a good time to start riding to work or school.
Other regular monthly bills you have
You can't spend money on
magazines
takeaway meals
movies
new clothes
toys
DVDs and CDs
manicures
or anything else that isn't essential to living for 28 days.
Are you in? Do you think you can go 28 days without spending?
Read more about the spending freeze here
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
Vego Pasta Bake
A hearty, cheap meal that is just as good in summer as it is in winter. I serve this dish with green salad and garlic or herb bread.
Ingredients:
500g packet noodles - 60c
1 tin tomatoes - 60c
1 onion, chopped - 15c
1 carrot, grated - 25c
1 zucchini, grated - 50c
½ cup corn kernels - 30c
good pinch mixed herbs =5c
garlic to taste
100ml sour cream - 40c
1 cup grated cheese - 35c
Method:
Cook the noodles in boiling water until tender. Drain well. In a microwave safe dish, combine the tomatoes, carrot, onion, zucchini and corn kernels the mixed herbs and the garlic. Cook on high for two minutes, stirring half way through. Stir through the noodles. Stir through the sour cream. Grease a baking dish and add the noodle mixture. Sprinkle evenly with grated cheese. Bake in a moderate oven for 25 – 30 minutes until cheese is golden brown.
Total Cost: $3.20
Serves: 6 at 53 cents per serve
All ingredients for this dish were bought at Aldi
This week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Chicken
Monday: BBQ sausages, salad
Tuesday: Vego Pasta Bake
Wednesday: Devilled Chicken Wings
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Hamburgers
Saturday: Corn Fritters & salad
In the fruit bowl: Oranges, figs, grapes
In the cake tin: Fruit mince pies, jam drops
There are over 1,500 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File.
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge
Guerrilla Grocery Shopping Part 4: Resist Impulse Shopping
Guerrilla Shoppers are strong, they resist impulse shopping. Australians waste thousands of dollars a year on spontaneous, impulsive, un-planned purchases. The sad thing is if you were to ask them if they were impulse shoppers they would deny it. Yes, they are in a state of shopping denial.
Here are some tips that will help you resist impulse buying and keep more of your money in your bank account.
1. Just say no. It's usually the first real work babies learn, so if a baby can say it so can you! Marketing experts depend on our inability to say no. They place the most expensive items at eye level in the most eye-catching displays. The real bargains are on the top and bottom shelves. Say no to expensive eye-level buys and look high, look low for the real bargains.
2. Take time to smell the roses, just don't buy them. As soon as you walk in the door of the supermarket you are surrounded by the fresh flower display, with the scent of freshly baked bread wafting across, tormenting you and tempting you to wander over to see what is good. You have to cross these sections to get into the supermarket, but you don't need to stop. If you stop you're sunk. By all means sniff as you push your trolley through these money traps.
3. Don't shop hungry. It is an oldie, but it's true. If you are hungry when you shop are far more likely to end up with around $35 worth of foodstuffs you don't really want in your trolley. Have a sandwich and a cuppa before you leave home and keep your $35.
4. Become a lone shopper. I know it's difficult, I once had three kids under 4, but if you possibly can leave the little ones at home when you shop. For a start, you'll be so much faster. And more relaxed. You won't be distracted by lots of questions and making sure little fingers aren't tossing things into the trolley to "help" you. Oh, and you get to miss out on the deliberately placed kid sized temptations at the checkout.
5. Make a list, check it twice and then stick to it. It is just commonsense - you've made your shopping list, you've checked it and it has everything on it that you need so stick to it! Do not deviate from that list. Research shows that shoppers who use a written shopping list consistently spend less. Who would have thought a sheet of paper could have such an influence?
6. New Improved? Really? The product or the packaging? Signs like "new and improved" and pretty new packaging are deliberate attempts to weaken your defenses. Before you buy, check the labels. Often times not much, if anything has changed in terms of the product, it's just the packaging and price that have had the facelift. Evaluate every item to determine whether or not it is a good buy and ignore the marketing hype.
7. Shopping is not a hobby. I like shopping but it's not my hobby and it shouldn’t be yours. Shopping centres are not entertainment precincts regardless of how they advertise themselves. Shopping is a chore to be done. Make it a habit to go to the shops no more than once a week. Over-exposure to supermarkets makes you much more vulnerable to the marketing ploys designed to get you to part with your cash.
8. Don't fight the crowds. Work out the least busy time at your supermarket and do your shopping then. It's more relaxing for a start. And you won't be battling trolleys coming the other way down the aisle. The checkout queue should be a breeze and you'll be done and dusted, home enjoying a cuppa before you know it.
9. Cash only. Leave your credit and debit cards at home. Take your grocery money in cash. There's nothing quite like the fear of not having enough money to help you stick to your shopping list. There is nothing as embarrassing as finding yourself at the checkout with too many groceries and not enough cash!
10. Shop the loss leaders. And only the loss leaders. Loss leaders are designed to draw you into the store to get the low, low price and then you are tempted by the regular priced accessory items surrounding it. Go and buy just the loss leaders (if they are on your list and you will use them) and leave. Do not buy another thing! Just the loss leaders. Sure, the stores will be losing money, but that's the risk they take. You are stronger and smarter than that - you are a Guerrilla Shopper and you want to save BIG!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
The Post that Started it All
7. Cheapskates Buzz
Most popular forum posts this week
New Year, New Food Goals
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?3525-300-A-Month-Food-Challenge-20-02-17-New-Year-New-Food-Goals.
2017 No Spending Month Challenge
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?3510-2017-No-Spending-Month-Challenge
Senior Moments
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2607-Senior-Moments
Most popular blog posts this week
Dinner with Friends
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2011/03/dinner-with-friends.html
Precycling
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2013/12/precycling.html
How to Pay Bills During Financially Hard Times
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2014/05/how-to-pay-bills-during-financially.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 suesproperty1.
What Makes Me Feel Rich
This took me a while to be able to share, as I am generally quite funny about these things for some reason. We all have our own little idiosyncrasies. I guess it comes from being told as a child to keep your opinions to yourself and thinking that no one was really interested in what you were doing. Best be interested in other people that way you will get on in the world.
However, it's really important to know what actually does make you happy, how can you be happy for others if you don't know what makes you happy. As I have read many times and heard as well - you can't give what you don't have yourself.
So, without more rambling here is my top 5 things that make me happy, makes me smile and makes me feel rich even when my bank account says differently:
1. Seeing my husband - he works away a lot, whenever he arrives home, and I hear the car come up the driveway it makes me smile and my heart sing.
2. Unexpected calls from family and friends - whether that is by text, phone, email, Skype or FB messaging - I love hearing from those that a close to me especially if they are on the other side of the world.
3. Working out - exercise is my release from the everyday, I love getting my gym gear ready (often the night before) and heading out the door - I then get to see my workout buddies and we say we hate every minute of the workout - but we smile and keep coming back for more.
4 Walking on the beach- this is my meditation time. I do it alone most days, but love to share the experience with my husband when he's home. It clears my mind and invigorates my soul.
5. Last but not least being in my garden, where I can potter around with all my plants, grow my veggies and just be myself.
I'd say I had riches beyond compare.
Login to read more Cheapskates Club Member blogs
9. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Priyanka who wrote
"I have a coffee grinder machine. The motor works perfectly fine but the top plastic cover has developed cracks on it. I feel bad to purchase an entire machine only because of that. Any suggestions? I had bought it only about a year back from Myer and lost the receipt to add to my misery."
Vanessa Reynolds answered
For less than or about a year old, I would argue that the product is not fit for the purpose and the lid should be replaced as faulty. If you paid cash for the machine then it is harder to prove how long you have had it but you should try, since that is not really good enough. Hopefully though, you used a debit or credit card to buy it, because then you can get a copy of your receipt. To get a copy of your receipt, you need to go back to the SAME shop, not just any Myer shop. You go to customer service and ask them to check against the SAME card account that you used by giving them the card to scan. That will bring up on their computer all transactions (over years) made by you on that card. When they/you find the transaction for the coffee grinder, ask for a copy of the receipt. Then show them the faulty lid with the receipt and insist that a year of use is really not enough. Although it is a hassle, it is worth doing because it holds manufacturers and the retailer to account for making shoddy goods.
Fulvio Gerardi answered
Depending on the type of plastic, you can use a solvent such as Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) to weld cracks shut. A small artist's brush dipped in MEK and dabbed on the crack is all you need. Capillary action will draw it in and weld the plastic together stronger than it was. Note that this will NOT fill gaps. My bottle came from Selby's, and in 20 years I've used no more than 300 ml of it.
Elizabeth Spiegel answered
I had this happen to a grinder I was given as a wedding present so I really wanted to keep it. It's simple really, sticky tape placed firmly around the top and when it gets a bit shabby just put some fresh tape on.
Toni C answered
On the machine will be a compliance plate. Google the manufacturer with the make and serial and explain about the cracked lid. Most times they will send a free part but if not it will be cheaper than buying the whole thing again and save landfill at the same time.
10. This Week's Question
Karen writes
"Hi everyone, I was going to buy a food dehydrator. Can anyone tell me which is the best brand to get or do they all do the same thing.?"
Do you have the answer?
If you can help Karen 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
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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).
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14. Contact Details
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