Your Cheapskates Club Newsletter: 14:15 Bright ideas to save you money
1. Cath's Corner
2. In the Tip Store - Laundry Time Saver, Pack a Hospital Grab Bag, Make Beautiful Coffee
3. Cheapskate's Winning Tip - Positive Savings for Family Rewards
4. Submit Your Tip - Share your favourite tip for a chance to win
5. On the Menu with Anne - Meatless Meals
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy - Shopping Lists Part 2
7. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
8. Member's Featured Blog - Solving My Spending Issues
9. Last Week's Question - How can I preserve a glut of peaches?
10. This Week's Question - Does anyone have a recipe for coconut yoghurt?
11. Join the Cheapskates Club
12. Gift Memberships
13. Frequently Asked Questions
14. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
Another week has come and gone and we've been as busy as usual living the Cheapskates way. We've welcomed more new members this week; it is so nice to see new members embrace a new lifestyle with enthusiasm. Here are a couple comments from excited new Cheapskaters.
"I'm proud to say that I have managed to feed my family of 10 for under $500 for the month.
I have done a day of cooking meals and freezing. Ranging from 6 different soups, 5 casseroles, rice and pasta dishes (how I'm loving my 3 slow cookers). The money I have already saved I bought a second hand chest freezer." Mrs. P.
"Hi. I just joined on the weekend and am really excited. I set my monthly menu for April and shopped on the weekend, so much cheaper than I expected. Can't wait to see the financial results at the end of the month." ckandelaars
"You have already saved me! Hi Cheapskaters! I am a newbie (joined a couple of days ago)....can I just tell you how you have already saved me? Twofold?!?! I was reading about the $300 grocery challenge and was reading the Bare Bones recipes when I saw the recipe for Vegetable Soup. I looked through my fridge and found some celery hearts that I bought 2 weeks ago that were starting to turn and some carrots that were not in this weeks "menu planning" and would otherwise be thrown out by the end of the week. I chopped the slightly browning parts off the celery - the rest was perfectly fine upon very careful scrutinising! I had some onions, the carrots were perfect (but would have been tossed before the next shop) and I found some tinned tomatoes in the back of the cupboard. My soup is now simmering away on the stovetop and smells delicious. How did this save me two-fold? Well, I would have shamelessly thrown most of the ingredients away by the end of the week that we worked hard to pay for, and secondly, I am going to freeze the soup, therefore I will pull it out of the freezer on a night where I would have otherwise ordered takeaway - THANKYOU SO MUCH CHEAPSKATERS - My life is changing and I FEEL SO GOOD ABOUT IT!!!!" EmmaWhite
"This is wonderful! Wish I had it 40 years ago, but it is never too late to learn and pass it on to others! Thank you for all the years of dedication in helping others!" Marilyn
I also had an email from the lovely Bess during the week, asking if it was OK for her to share her newsletter with a friend! Of course it is! If you have a friend who may not know about the newsletter by all means share it. If they'd like their own copy each week they just need to subscribe on the website.
Have a great week everyone.
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
Laundry Time Saver
I have two teenagers and lots of washing, I work full time so I tend to do all of the laundry on a Friday night and hang out early Saturday ready to be ironed for the following week. I don't mind hanging it out because the kids are usually still sleeping but the arguments as to who's turn it was to help bring it in and fold it was really annoying. I now have them each bring in and fold only their clothes, anything that needs ironing and towels etc. stays on the line and I get that. So much easier, neither think they are being hard done by, by doing more than their sibling and I get help without having to nag. We have been doing this for about 6 weeks now and it is working great!
Contributed by Lisa Hampton
Pack a Hospital Grab Bag
I have been taken by ambulance a few times now to hospital, and they have had to move my bedroom around now I have a bag that is ready for hospital emergency ready at all times with nightie/toiletries/etc. It saves the medical staff a lot of time. All I have to worry about is my medication and I don't have to worry family members about clothes.
Contributed by Janene Jackson
Editor's note: This is a great idea. After a couple of unplanned hospital trips last year I had a small packed with necessities for a couple of days, and it's been used a couple of times since. If you are pregnant you usually have your hospital bag packed, ready to grab when it's needed. If you have a chronic illness and spend time in hospital this is no different. You're just being organised and prepared. Cath
Make Beautiful Coffee
Approximate $ Savings: $3.00 per cup
At our home we have expresso coffee every day, it is lunch time I look forward to every day for this reason, the coffee! I have a stovetop coffee expresso maker that can be used on an electric or gas cooktop. These can be purchased in kitchen or homemaker stores, the stainless steel model is probably better than the aluminium make.
Undo the expresso maker, fill water to the bottom section up to the bolt, put in the filter, fill with your favourite coffee grounds, level off, and then screw the top on and tighten well. Put on the cooktop on a low setting, wait for the coffee to come up, when the coffeemaker stops making a steaming noise all the coffee has come up and you can turn off the heat.
Serve your coffee how you like it, short black or café latte. I love to have a café latte every day, which is about 1/3 coffee and 2/3 milk. Either the milk can be separately heated, or I pour in cold milk from the fridge and put the complete cup in the microwave for 50 to 60 seconds.
The leftover coffee (there will be heaps) can be poured into a long tall glass jar with a metal lid (recycled passata jars are perfect) and used for the next 2-3 days etc.
My whole family loves this coffee and I must say it doesn't last that long in the fridge. My mother-in-law who is a lovely woman gave me a coffee maker when we got engaged, and we have just celebrated our 30th anniversary and the coffee maker has just died. Last year I purchased a new one from "House". The coffee makers last a long time, but it is better not to put them in the dishwasher. The initial cost is expensive but it is worth the investment.
When we go on holidays I make up a batch of coffee, pour the coffee into a microwave jug, add the milk until colour looks good, put in the microwave until steaming hot, add the sugar, return to the microwave until steaming hot again, stir with a whisk, taste, if good pour into a preheated thermos, and tighten lid. This saves us heaps when travelling, as I always take the food as well. When we stop to eat and drink, it saves us 4 takeaway meals and drinks. The good food and coffee and the break also makes the journey safer also!
Contributed by Annette Cerasi
There are more than 11,000 great tips in the Tip Store
3. Cheapskates Winning tip
This week's winning tip is from Helen Alexander. Helen has won a one year Platinum Cheapskates Club membership for submitting her winning tip.
Positive Savings for Family Rewards
I was tired of grizzling to the kids to be frugal with water, turn off lights, limit hot water usage etc. - it was making parenting a constant negative battle ground. As I strongly promote positive parenting, I was always frustrated with our huge utility bills. I gathered all the bills and had a family meeting. I explained to the kids that if they started turning off lights, using blankets rather than the heaters etc. then any savings on these bills from the same period last year, would be shared between them. They started getting money for simply opening windows rather than using the air conditioner, using a flannel and ceiling fan to keep cool, using cold water to brush their teeth with - the savings were huge and kids' behaviours have been modified for life. The kids immediately started diligently reminding and supporting each other. It's one of the greatest, positive strategies I have ever implemented. We have awesome family time at the pictures or ice-cream treat times with our savings that they have earned without me having to grizzle.
Congratulations Helen, I hope you enjoy your Cheapskates Club membership.
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 with Anne
Meatless Meals
A very easy way to cut your grocery bill is to slip a couple of meatless meals into your meal plan each week. It may be something as simple as grilled cheese sandwiches and vegetable soup or a mushroom quiche and salad or perhaps Italian Vegetarian Meatballs and spaghetti.
Meat is expensive. It is messy to cook, spattering grease and fat everywhere if we're not careful. And most of us tend to eat too much of it - remember the recommended portion size? A piece of meat around the size of the palm of your hand, around 180g, is all you need, any more is excess.
I try to stick to the recommended portion size. I've been known to cut one large piece of steak into four portions for us. And I regularly cut chicken fillets in half. They both stretch the meat I have and save money. But having a meatless meal saves more.
Vegetarian meals don't have to be dry, boring and flavourless. In fact the options for delicious meatless meals are almost unlimited. Think about a pumpkin risotto, or a hearty minestrone. Perhaps marinated tofu on skewers, dressed in a plum sauce and served over steamed or fried rice (if you're not a tofu-type person, try Cath's schnitzel recipe and cut them into chunks - yum!). How about Hunza Pie? It's not only meatless, but really tasty, very healthy and super filling. Oh, and it's cheap too.
What about a lovely salad? Shredded lettuce, sliced tomato, onion, capsicum slivers, cucumber strips, grated carrot, perhaps a spoonful of potato salad, or a nice curried pasta salad, a dollop of coleslaw and a sliced hard-boiled egg presented nicely on a plate is not only meatless, but delicious and healthy and of course cheap.
Or an amazing mixed vegetable curry like the one below served over steamed brown rice? Cheap, tasty, filling and meatless.
If you are struggling with your grocery budget and meal planning try adding one meatless meal a week and see what a difference it makes.
Mixed Vegetable Curry
Ingredients:
1/2 medium cabbage, shredded
1 medium egg-plant, cut into 3.5cm strips
6 fried bean curd puffs, quartered diagonally
20 French beans, cut into 3.5cm strips
2 mediums potatoes, peeled and each cut into 8
1 medium tomato, cut into 8
1 medium carrot, peeled and sliced
1 large onion, peeled and finely chopped
5 tbsp oil
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 dried red chillies, seeded and finely pounded
5 tbsp curry powder
2 tbsp sweet paprika
130ml thick coconut milk
2-3 cups water
1tsp sugar
Salt to taste
Method:
Cut vegetables as above. Heat oil in wok or pan. Fry onion, garlic and chillies till the onion is soft. Add a pinch salt and a little water. Add curry powder and sweet paprika and fry until fragrant. Add potatoes and bean curd puffs. Stir-fry 2-3 minutes. Add eggplant and beans and stir-fry 2-3 minutes. Add cabbage and tomato and stir-fry 2-3 minutes. Lastly, add the coconut milk, water and sugar. Bring to boil and stir constantly. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered until vegies are done. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve hot.
Note: do not overcook cabbage and tomatoes.
Italian Vegetarian Meatballs
Ingredients:
2 onions, finely chopped
¼ cup rolled oats
1 – 1 ½ cups grated tasty cheese
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup breadcrumbs
¾ cup chopped walnuts
1 clove garlic, crushed.
Method:
Combine all the ingredients, mixing well. With wet hands, form into small, even sized balls. Fry in hot oil until browned all over. This recipe can also be made into patties and served with a mushroom gravy and vegetables.
Note: If you don't have walnuts on hand, leave them out and replace with fresh breadcrumbs. Either way it's a great, really cheap and tasty recipe.
This week we will be eating:
Friday: Smoked cod in parsley sauce
Saturday: MOO Hamburgers
Sunday: Roast lamb, baked vegetables, broccoli, carrots, gravy, mint sauce
Monday: Honey Mustard Chicken, sweet potato mash, broccoli, carrot
Tuesday: Sweet Lamb Curry, steamed rice
Wednesday: Schnitzels, wedges, salad, tomato gravy
Thursday: Italian Vegetarian Meatballs in tomato sauce over pasta
In the fruit bowl: Kiwi fruit, oranges, apples, bananas
In the cake tin: Sultana cake, Cranberry Hootycreeks, ANZAC slice, Honey Oat muffins
There are over 1,400 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy
Shopping Lists Part 2
Hello everyone and welcome to the food challenge.
How did everyone go with writing out their shopping lists? Did you find it easier to write because you had a menu plan to work off?
We've had lots of new members join Cheapskates after Cath's appearance on A Current Affair last week. Some of them have ventured on over to the food challenge and are very busy reading through lots of past threads to catch up. So this week I thought I'd make it easy for them and just give a handy hint.
As you know I shop monthly with weekly top ups of milk, fruit and veg. When I write up my monthly shopping list, I also make a start of the next couple of months too. I start my list with the regular items like milk cheese, cream, butter, cat food, flour, sugar etc. etc. Then I check my pantry to see how my stocks are going. If I have one or two jars of Vegemite (for example) then I write it on the current shopping list and on the next two month's shopping lists. I know I don't need it urgently but it only comes on sale every 6 - 8 weeks and sometimes even longer. As this is an expensive product, I don't ever want to pay full price and I don't want to miss out on the sale.
By writing my shopping lists months in advance, I don't ever run out, pay full price or forget any grocery item. Of course I always revise my list before shopping and cross items out or reduce quantities needed.
No matter how you shop, it's great to have a little forward planning.
How far ahead do you write your shopping lists?
Have a great week and BE ENCOURAGED!!!!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2830-300-A-Month-Food-Challenge-31-03-15-Shopping-Lists-Part-2
The Post that Started it All
http://www.cheapskates.com.au/pages/default.cfm?page_id=44265
7. Cheapskates Buzz
This week's hot forum topics
Using Credit the Right Way
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2826-Using-credit-the-right-way
De-cluttering and Downsizing
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2823-De-cluttering-and-downsizing
Dollar/Discount Store Best Buys
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2825-Dollar-Discount-Store-Best-Buys
Most popular blog posts this week
Buying Big
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2015/01/buying-big.html
Where I Shop
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2015/03/where-i-shop.html
31 Days of MOO No. 23 - MOO Tim Tams
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2015/03/31-days-of-moo-no-23-moo-tim-tams.html
8. 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.
Solving My Spending Issues
Hello again everyone! I know I have blogged a lot about my budget and once a month shopping and.... well, pretty much a lot of what happens in my life but I have been rejigging my budget and thought I would share some of my thoughts on my budget.
In the past I have allowed myself $25 a fortnight for miscellaneous expenses, this includes magazines and anything else that is not covered in my budget.
I thought this was not enough so I allowed myself little extras either in my groceries or I made purchases when I would go to the shops for a grocery top up or when I went to the chemist which is in a shopping centre thus tempting me . I stopped doing this some time ago (around the time I joined Cheapskates actually!) but lately I have allowed the habit to creep back in. I have stopped having morning tea at the shops (this was a weekly treat) so I save myself about $10 a week. I then gave myself permission to use this money to buy extra magazines (I purchase 2 magazines every week but I have been buying more). I know I should go to the library and borrow them but I would have to get a taxi there and back as I am unable to get public transport. I could ask my parents to drive me but they would need to wait for me and I like to take my time when I go to the library as I do not go often.
So what should I do?
I have decided that besides my weekly magazines I will choose one monthly magazine that I really enjoy and buy a subscription to it, this might not be the ideal solution however it is one that will work for me, I can order and pay online and find a good deal on the magazine. I have seen some sites where you can save 30% off the magazine’s cover price by buying a subscription so that is my choice.
I have been thinking about my desire to spend money and I am in the process of setting up activities and experiences for myself for when I am bored so I do not feel the need to spend, this includes watching DVDs, going for a swim at my parents place, going for a walk, doing craft, having a friend or family over for morning tea, visiting my grandma and hopefully in the future volunteer work.
I have had a friend over a couple of times and it was good to chat, drink tea and generally relax without opening my purse. All of this may seem basic but I had forgotten that having fun, entertaining myself, socialising whatever you want to call it! does not have to be expensive. I would buy magazines because I was bored then read them in fifteen minutes and discard them. So I have decided that I will share the magazines I buy with my neighbour (I may ask her to help pay for them in the future, which would save us both some money, but for now I will buy them). I have also been inspired to MOO (make our own) more, I am making yoghurt. Where I used to pay $7 a kilo for Greek yoghurt, it now costs me less than $2 for a kilo, saving me $5 a kilo. I have been baking more and only going out for lunch once a fortnight rather than once a week. So I guess I am making some progress. I find doing my groceries online saves me time and money as I write my shopping list and stick to it strictly and I am not tempted by other goodies as I have to click on an aisle to see the products so I just don't go into the chocolate and lolly section, it is a bit easier to do when I am online rather than in a supermarket.
I still have a lot to learn but I will get there, I am saving for two holidays (one for my birthday in September and one early next year) so I need to take control of my spending NOW! Happy saving everyone!
Login to read more Cheapskates Club member blogs
9. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Anna who wrote
"I make all my relishes and also my tomato sauce. I have tons of cling peaches on at the moment, have stewed them till they come out of my ears. Can you suggest what else I can do with them please? We don't eat jam so that is out."
We received a lot of answers to Anna's request for help. Space only allows me to include some of them. Please log in and go to the Latest Tips page to read the other great ideas, there are quite a few.
Caroline Kelly answered
1. You could advertise the peaches (for sale or giveaway) on Ripe Near Me.
2. Organise a swap with your friends or family for something that you need of equitable value.
3. Bake muffins, cakes and tarte tatin with the leftovers.
4. Use some with Peach Melba.
5. Find a recipe for each of peach chutney and peach sauce.
Erica Parker answered
We have found an easy way of making a tasty treat using clingstone peaches. Could use any stone fruit. Peel peaches using a sharp potato peeler or knife, cut off flesh from the stone. Place straight into a blender (we used our Nutribullet) until pureed. Lightly spray with oil (canola/olive oil) your solid plastic tray in your food dehydrator, spreading evenly and dehydrate until dried sufficiently. Roll up while still warm. You can cut it into strips. Do not need to add any sugar. Store in airtight container. Is really yummy eaten with a little dark chocolate. Great to add to kids' lunch boxes.
Wendy Foot answered
Slice or dice your peaches, with or without the skin. Put them in an old sterilised jam jar, cover with medium syrup mixture. Place the metal screw lid (don't use the plastic lids) on top and microwave. If using: 250 to 350 ml jars cook MED HIGH for 5 minutes; 400 to 650 ml jars cook MED HIGH for 8 minutes PLUS 2 minutes for each extra jar. I have done six jars at a time. This process makes the jars convex, and as they cool you can hear them popping as they concave to seal. Once cool turn upside down for an hour just to check the seal has worked. Quick, easy and delicious.
Emma Branson answered
I had nectarines and made marinade/relish by making a basic jam in my slow cooker, then I added some cloves, vinegar and sultanas to taste, and cooked it until thick. I use it as a marinade for meat or as a relish with BBQs.
Ask Your Question
10. This Week's Question
Heather writes
"Does anyone have a good recipe for yoghurt made from coconut milk? I know when using coconut flour more liquid is required than for wheat flour and am wondering what differences there would be for yoghurt."
Do you have the answer?
If you have a recipe or idea for Heather 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. 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!
http://www.cheapskates.com.au/members/join_form.cfm?item_id=2271
12. 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!
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.cheapskates.com.au
[email protected]
2. In the Tip Store - Laundry Time Saver, Pack a Hospital Grab Bag, Make Beautiful Coffee
3. Cheapskate's Winning Tip - Positive Savings for Family Rewards
4. Submit Your Tip - Share your favourite tip for a chance to win
5. On the Menu with Anne - Meatless Meals
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy - Shopping Lists Part 2
7. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
8. Member's Featured Blog - Solving My Spending Issues
9. Last Week's Question - How can I preserve a glut of peaches?
10. This Week's Question - Does anyone have a recipe for coconut yoghurt?
11. Join the Cheapskates Club
12. Gift Memberships
13. Frequently Asked Questions
14. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
Another week has come and gone and we've been as busy as usual living the Cheapskates way. We've welcomed more new members this week; it is so nice to see new members embrace a new lifestyle with enthusiasm. Here are a couple comments from excited new Cheapskaters.
"I'm proud to say that I have managed to feed my family of 10 for under $500 for the month.
I have done a day of cooking meals and freezing. Ranging from 6 different soups, 5 casseroles, rice and pasta dishes (how I'm loving my 3 slow cookers). The money I have already saved I bought a second hand chest freezer." Mrs. P.
"Hi. I just joined on the weekend and am really excited. I set my monthly menu for April and shopped on the weekend, so much cheaper than I expected. Can't wait to see the financial results at the end of the month." ckandelaars
"You have already saved me! Hi Cheapskaters! I am a newbie (joined a couple of days ago)....can I just tell you how you have already saved me? Twofold?!?! I was reading about the $300 grocery challenge and was reading the Bare Bones recipes when I saw the recipe for Vegetable Soup. I looked through my fridge and found some celery hearts that I bought 2 weeks ago that were starting to turn and some carrots that were not in this weeks "menu planning" and would otherwise be thrown out by the end of the week. I chopped the slightly browning parts off the celery - the rest was perfectly fine upon very careful scrutinising! I had some onions, the carrots were perfect (but would have been tossed before the next shop) and I found some tinned tomatoes in the back of the cupboard. My soup is now simmering away on the stovetop and smells delicious. How did this save me two-fold? Well, I would have shamelessly thrown most of the ingredients away by the end of the week that we worked hard to pay for, and secondly, I am going to freeze the soup, therefore I will pull it out of the freezer on a night where I would have otherwise ordered takeaway - THANKYOU SO MUCH CHEAPSKATERS - My life is changing and I FEEL SO GOOD ABOUT IT!!!!" EmmaWhite
"This is wonderful! Wish I had it 40 years ago, but it is never too late to learn and pass it on to others! Thank you for all the years of dedication in helping others!" Marilyn
I also had an email from the lovely Bess during the week, asking if it was OK for her to share her newsletter with a friend! Of course it is! If you have a friend who may not know about the newsletter by all means share it. If they'd like their own copy each week they just need to subscribe on the website.
Have a great week everyone.
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
Laundry Time Saver
I have two teenagers and lots of washing, I work full time so I tend to do all of the laundry on a Friday night and hang out early Saturday ready to be ironed for the following week. I don't mind hanging it out because the kids are usually still sleeping but the arguments as to who's turn it was to help bring it in and fold it was really annoying. I now have them each bring in and fold only their clothes, anything that needs ironing and towels etc. stays on the line and I get that. So much easier, neither think they are being hard done by, by doing more than their sibling and I get help without having to nag. We have been doing this for about 6 weeks now and it is working great!
Contributed by Lisa Hampton
Pack a Hospital Grab Bag
I have been taken by ambulance a few times now to hospital, and they have had to move my bedroom around now I have a bag that is ready for hospital emergency ready at all times with nightie/toiletries/etc. It saves the medical staff a lot of time. All I have to worry about is my medication and I don't have to worry family members about clothes.
Contributed by Janene Jackson
Editor's note: This is a great idea. After a couple of unplanned hospital trips last year I had a small packed with necessities for a couple of days, and it's been used a couple of times since. If you are pregnant you usually have your hospital bag packed, ready to grab when it's needed. If you have a chronic illness and spend time in hospital this is no different. You're just being organised and prepared. Cath
Make Beautiful Coffee
Approximate $ Savings: $3.00 per cup
At our home we have expresso coffee every day, it is lunch time I look forward to every day for this reason, the coffee! I have a stovetop coffee expresso maker that can be used on an electric or gas cooktop. These can be purchased in kitchen or homemaker stores, the stainless steel model is probably better than the aluminium make.
Undo the expresso maker, fill water to the bottom section up to the bolt, put in the filter, fill with your favourite coffee grounds, level off, and then screw the top on and tighten well. Put on the cooktop on a low setting, wait for the coffee to come up, when the coffeemaker stops making a steaming noise all the coffee has come up and you can turn off the heat.
Serve your coffee how you like it, short black or café latte. I love to have a café latte every day, which is about 1/3 coffee and 2/3 milk. Either the milk can be separately heated, or I pour in cold milk from the fridge and put the complete cup in the microwave for 50 to 60 seconds.
The leftover coffee (there will be heaps) can be poured into a long tall glass jar with a metal lid (recycled passata jars are perfect) and used for the next 2-3 days etc.
My whole family loves this coffee and I must say it doesn't last that long in the fridge. My mother-in-law who is a lovely woman gave me a coffee maker when we got engaged, and we have just celebrated our 30th anniversary and the coffee maker has just died. Last year I purchased a new one from "House". The coffee makers last a long time, but it is better not to put them in the dishwasher. The initial cost is expensive but it is worth the investment.
When we go on holidays I make up a batch of coffee, pour the coffee into a microwave jug, add the milk until colour looks good, put in the microwave until steaming hot, add the sugar, return to the microwave until steaming hot again, stir with a whisk, taste, if good pour into a preheated thermos, and tighten lid. This saves us heaps when travelling, as I always take the food as well. When we stop to eat and drink, it saves us 4 takeaway meals and drinks. The good food and coffee and the break also makes the journey safer also!
Contributed by Annette Cerasi
There are more than 11,000 great tips in the Tip Store
3. Cheapskates Winning tip
This week's winning tip is from Helen Alexander. Helen has won a one year Platinum Cheapskates Club membership for submitting her winning tip.
Positive Savings for Family Rewards
I was tired of grizzling to the kids to be frugal with water, turn off lights, limit hot water usage etc. - it was making parenting a constant negative battle ground. As I strongly promote positive parenting, I was always frustrated with our huge utility bills. I gathered all the bills and had a family meeting. I explained to the kids that if they started turning off lights, using blankets rather than the heaters etc. then any savings on these bills from the same period last year, would be shared between them. They started getting money for simply opening windows rather than using the air conditioner, using a flannel and ceiling fan to keep cool, using cold water to brush their teeth with - the savings were huge and kids' behaviours have been modified for life. The kids immediately started diligently reminding and supporting each other. It's one of the greatest, positive strategies I have ever implemented. We have awesome family time at the pictures or ice-cream treat times with our savings that they have earned without me having to grizzle.
Congratulations Helen, I hope you enjoy your Cheapskates Club membership.
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 with Anne
Meatless Meals
A very easy way to cut your grocery bill is to slip a couple of meatless meals into your meal plan each week. It may be something as simple as grilled cheese sandwiches and vegetable soup or a mushroom quiche and salad or perhaps Italian Vegetarian Meatballs and spaghetti.
Meat is expensive. It is messy to cook, spattering grease and fat everywhere if we're not careful. And most of us tend to eat too much of it - remember the recommended portion size? A piece of meat around the size of the palm of your hand, around 180g, is all you need, any more is excess.
I try to stick to the recommended portion size. I've been known to cut one large piece of steak into four portions for us. And I regularly cut chicken fillets in half. They both stretch the meat I have and save money. But having a meatless meal saves more.
Vegetarian meals don't have to be dry, boring and flavourless. In fact the options for delicious meatless meals are almost unlimited. Think about a pumpkin risotto, or a hearty minestrone. Perhaps marinated tofu on skewers, dressed in a plum sauce and served over steamed or fried rice (if you're not a tofu-type person, try Cath's schnitzel recipe and cut them into chunks - yum!). How about Hunza Pie? It's not only meatless, but really tasty, very healthy and super filling. Oh, and it's cheap too.
What about a lovely salad? Shredded lettuce, sliced tomato, onion, capsicum slivers, cucumber strips, grated carrot, perhaps a spoonful of potato salad, or a nice curried pasta salad, a dollop of coleslaw and a sliced hard-boiled egg presented nicely on a plate is not only meatless, but delicious and healthy and of course cheap.
Or an amazing mixed vegetable curry like the one below served over steamed brown rice? Cheap, tasty, filling and meatless.
If you are struggling with your grocery budget and meal planning try adding one meatless meal a week and see what a difference it makes.
Mixed Vegetable Curry
Ingredients:
1/2 medium cabbage, shredded
1 medium egg-plant, cut into 3.5cm strips
6 fried bean curd puffs, quartered diagonally
20 French beans, cut into 3.5cm strips
2 mediums potatoes, peeled and each cut into 8
1 medium tomato, cut into 8
1 medium carrot, peeled and sliced
1 large onion, peeled and finely chopped
5 tbsp oil
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 dried red chillies, seeded and finely pounded
5 tbsp curry powder
2 tbsp sweet paprika
130ml thick coconut milk
2-3 cups water
1tsp sugar
Salt to taste
Method:
Cut vegetables as above. Heat oil in wok or pan. Fry onion, garlic and chillies till the onion is soft. Add a pinch salt and a little water. Add curry powder and sweet paprika and fry until fragrant. Add potatoes and bean curd puffs. Stir-fry 2-3 minutes. Add eggplant and beans and stir-fry 2-3 minutes. Add cabbage and tomato and stir-fry 2-3 minutes. Lastly, add the coconut milk, water and sugar. Bring to boil and stir constantly. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered until vegies are done. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve hot.
Note: do not overcook cabbage and tomatoes.
Italian Vegetarian Meatballs
Ingredients:
2 onions, finely chopped
¼ cup rolled oats
1 – 1 ½ cups grated tasty cheese
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup breadcrumbs
¾ cup chopped walnuts
1 clove garlic, crushed.
Method:
Combine all the ingredients, mixing well. With wet hands, form into small, even sized balls. Fry in hot oil until browned all over. This recipe can also be made into patties and served with a mushroom gravy and vegetables.
Note: If you don't have walnuts on hand, leave them out and replace with fresh breadcrumbs. Either way it's a great, really cheap and tasty recipe.
This week we will be eating:
Friday: Smoked cod in parsley sauce
Saturday: MOO Hamburgers
Sunday: Roast lamb, baked vegetables, broccoli, carrots, gravy, mint sauce
Monday: Honey Mustard Chicken, sweet potato mash, broccoli, carrot
Tuesday: Sweet Lamb Curry, steamed rice
Wednesday: Schnitzels, wedges, salad, tomato gravy
Thursday: Italian Vegetarian Meatballs in tomato sauce over pasta
In the fruit bowl: Kiwi fruit, oranges, apples, bananas
In the cake tin: Sultana cake, Cranberry Hootycreeks, ANZAC slice, Honey Oat muffins
There are over 1,400 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy
Shopping Lists Part 2
Hello everyone and welcome to the food challenge.
How did everyone go with writing out their shopping lists? Did you find it easier to write because you had a menu plan to work off?
We've had lots of new members join Cheapskates after Cath's appearance on A Current Affair last week. Some of them have ventured on over to the food challenge and are very busy reading through lots of past threads to catch up. So this week I thought I'd make it easy for them and just give a handy hint.
As you know I shop monthly with weekly top ups of milk, fruit and veg. When I write up my monthly shopping list, I also make a start of the next couple of months too. I start my list with the regular items like milk cheese, cream, butter, cat food, flour, sugar etc. etc. Then I check my pantry to see how my stocks are going. If I have one or two jars of Vegemite (for example) then I write it on the current shopping list and on the next two month's shopping lists. I know I don't need it urgently but it only comes on sale every 6 - 8 weeks and sometimes even longer. As this is an expensive product, I don't ever want to pay full price and I don't want to miss out on the sale.
By writing my shopping lists months in advance, I don't ever run out, pay full price or forget any grocery item. Of course I always revise my list before shopping and cross items out or reduce quantities needed.
No matter how you shop, it's great to have a little forward planning.
How far ahead do you write your shopping lists?
Have a great week and BE ENCOURAGED!!!!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2830-300-A-Month-Food-Challenge-31-03-15-Shopping-Lists-Part-2
The Post that Started it All
http://www.cheapskates.com.au/pages/default.cfm?page_id=44265
7. Cheapskates Buzz
This week's hot forum topics
Using Credit the Right Way
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2826-Using-credit-the-right-way
De-cluttering and Downsizing
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2823-De-cluttering-and-downsizing
Dollar/Discount Store Best Buys
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2825-Dollar-Discount-Store-Best-Buys
Most popular blog posts this week
Buying Big
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2015/01/buying-big.html
Where I Shop
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2015/03/where-i-shop.html
31 Days of MOO No. 23 - MOO Tim Tams
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2015/03/31-days-of-moo-no-23-moo-tim-tams.html
8. 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.
Solving My Spending Issues
Hello again everyone! I know I have blogged a lot about my budget and once a month shopping and.... well, pretty much a lot of what happens in my life but I have been rejigging my budget and thought I would share some of my thoughts on my budget.
In the past I have allowed myself $25 a fortnight for miscellaneous expenses, this includes magazines and anything else that is not covered in my budget.
I thought this was not enough so I allowed myself little extras either in my groceries or I made purchases when I would go to the shops for a grocery top up or when I went to the chemist which is in a shopping centre thus tempting me . I stopped doing this some time ago (around the time I joined Cheapskates actually!) but lately I have allowed the habit to creep back in. I have stopped having morning tea at the shops (this was a weekly treat) so I save myself about $10 a week. I then gave myself permission to use this money to buy extra magazines (I purchase 2 magazines every week but I have been buying more). I know I should go to the library and borrow them but I would have to get a taxi there and back as I am unable to get public transport. I could ask my parents to drive me but they would need to wait for me and I like to take my time when I go to the library as I do not go often.
So what should I do?
I have decided that besides my weekly magazines I will choose one monthly magazine that I really enjoy and buy a subscription to it, this might not be the ideal solution however it is one that will work for me, I can order and pay online and find a good deal on the magazine. I have seen some sites where you can save 30% off the magazine’s cover price by buying a subscription so that is my choice.
I have been thinking about my desire to spend money and I am in the process of setting up activities and experiences for myself for when I am bored so I do not feel the need to spend, this includes watching DVDs, going for a swim at my parents place, going for a walk, doing craft, having a friend or family over for morning tea, visiting my grandma and hopefully in the future volunteer work.
I have had a friend over a couple of times and it was good to chat, drink tea and generally relax without opening my purse. All of this may seem basic but I had forgotten that having fun, entertaining myself, socialising whatever you want to call it! does not have to be expensive. I would buy magazines because I was bored then read them in fifteen minutes and discard them. So I have decided that I will share the magazines I buy with my neighbour (I may ask her to help pay for them in the future, which would save us both some money, but for now I will buy them). I have also been inspired to MOO (make our own) more, I am making yoghurt. Where I used to pay $7 a kilo for Greek yoghurt, it now costs me less than $2 for a kilo, saving me $5 a kilo. I have been baking more and only going out for lunch once a fortnight rather than once a week. So I guess I am making some progress. I find doing my groceries online saves me time and money as I write my shopping list and stick to it strictly and I am not tempted by other goodies as I have to click on an aisle to see the products so I just don't go into the chocolate and lolly section, it is a bit easier to do when I am online rather than in a supermarket.
I still have a lot to learn but I will get there, I am saving for two holidays (one for my birthday in September and one early next year) so I need to take control of my spending NOW! Happy saving everyone!
Login to read more Cheapskates Club member blogs
9. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Anna who wrote
"I make all my relishes and also my tomato sauce. I have tons of cling peaches on at the moment, have stewed them till they come out of my ears. Can you suggest what else I can do with them please? We don't eat jam so that is out."
We received a lot of answers to Anna's request for help. Space only allows me to include some of them. Please log in and go to the Latest Tips page to read the other great ideas, there are quite a few.
Caroline Kelly answered
1. You could advertise the peaches (for sale or giveaway) on Ripe Near Me.
2. Organise a swap with your friends or family for something that you need of equitable value.
3. Bake muffins, cakes and tarte tatin with the leftovers.
4. Use some with Peach Melba.
5. Find a recipe for each of peach chutney and peach sauce.
Erica Parker answered
We have found an easy way of making a tasty treat using clingstone peaches. Could use any stone fruit. Peel peaches using a sharp potato peeler or knife, cut off flesh from the stone. Place straight into a blender (we used our Nutribullet) until pureed. Lightly spray with oil (canola/olive oil) your solid plastic tray in your food dehydrator, spreading evenly and dehydrate until dried sufficiently. Roll up while still warm. You can cut it into strips. Do not need to add any sugar. Store in airtight container. Is really yummy eaten with a little dark chocolate. Great to add to kids' lunch boxes.
Wendy Foot answered
Slice or dice your peaches, with or without the skin. Put them in an old sterilised jam jar, cover with medium syrup mixture. Place the metal screw lid (don't use the plastic lids) on top and microwave. If using: 250 to 350 ml jars cook MED HIGH for 5 minutes; 400 to 650 ml jars cook MED HIGH for 8 minutes PLUS 2 minutes for each extra jar. I have done six jars at a time. This process makes the jars convex, and as they cool you can hear them popping as they concave to seal. Once cool turn upside down for an hour just to check the seal has worked. Quick, easy and delicious.
Emma Branson answered
I had nectarines and made marinade/relish by making a basic jam in my slow cooker, then I added some cloves, vinegar and sultanas to taste, and cooked it until thick. I use it as a marinade for meat or as a relish with BBQs.
Ask Your Question
10. This Week's Question
Heather writes
"Does anyone have a good recipe for yoghurt made from coconut milk? I know when using coconut flour more liquid is required than for wheat flour and am wondering what differences there would be for yoghurt."
Do you have the answer?
If you have a recipe or idea for Heather 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. 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!
http://www.cheapskates.com.au/members/join_form.cfm?item_id=2271
12. 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!
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.cheapskates.com.au
[email protected]