Your Cheapskates Club Newsletter: 17:15 Bright ideas to save you money
1. Cath's Corner
2. In the Tip Store - The Humble Milk Bottle
3. Cheapskate's Workshops - The Art of Living the Cheapskates Way 1 Day Workshop
4 Submit Your Tip - Send us your favourite money saving tip for a chance to win
5. On the Menu with Anne - Meatballs in Gravy
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy - MOOing Snacks for the First Time
7. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
8. Member's Featured Blog - Giving the Grocery thing a Go
9. Last Week's Question - How can I recycle old jumpers?
10. This Week's Question - Too tired to cook for one, what can I do?
11. Join the Cheapskates Club
12. Gift Memberships
13. Frequently Asked Questions
14. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
And welcome to another Bright Ideas newsletter. I hope you've had a wonderful week of Cheapskating.
We've all been busy in our house. Wayne has been tinkering with cars, rotating tyres and changing oil and making a rather nifty shower contraption for when we go camping. We have one of the amazing folding shower tent things - it's so amazing that once opened it is almost impossible to fold again. This one is a frame attached to the roof rack that slides in and out, with a shower curtain that clips to the frame. No folding necessary and no more rolling about laughing at his efforts as he tries to get it to go back into the bag :) Best of all he used tubing we already had and I scrounged up some Velcro and a shower curtain from the bottom of the linen cupboard. The cost, around $8 for the bolts and pins to attach the frame to the roof rack. I can't wait to try it out, now having a shower when we're camping won't be such a rigmarole!
I also did a meat shop last week, so that meant sorting, tidying and cleaning the freezer. It's now chock-a-block full, with enough roasts, chicken pieces, sausages, steak, mince, chops and stewing meat to last us until the end of July. It feels good to have a full freezer.
I've been asked about my monthly meal plan. I post a meal plan in the Journal every month, and you can log in and view it or even print it. Be warned: we do not eat extravagant or fancy meals. Simple, tasty, healthful, cheap, quick and easy are the things I consider when I am choosing what we are going to eat.
I have some library talks coming up, as well as the 1 Day Workshop. I'll be at the Hampton Park Library on Saturday 2nd May, and then the Knox Library on Wednesday 13th May. The workshop is on Saturday 16th May. You can find out all the details for the library talks here. Both library talks are free, but you will need to book as places are limited at both sessions. And you can find out more about the 1 Day Workshop below or on the Cheapskates Club website.
Enjoy your newsletter and have a wonderfully frugal 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
The Humble Milk Bottle
I would like to throw down the gauntlet for all those interested to find out how many different ways you can use empty milk bottles. I use mine for various things, after a good washing to remove odours of course.
These are some of the ways I use mine:
1. Storage containers for rice, sugar, flour, oats, semolina, etc.
2. As a watering can for my plants.
3. As a funnel when the base is cut off.
4. As open storage holders for nails, screws, children's colouring pencils, etc... (ideal to use what is left over from making funnel).
5. As storage holder for the worm liquid and castings from the worm farm.
6. As a base for Christmas table decorations (cut off top to just past handle, remove front part leaving handle and the complete lid intact, then proceed to decorate using lid part as base/stand).
7. As an oil catcher for the car when doing an oil change, leave lid on, slice downwards and open up one side of the container (3 litre bottle best for this).
8. Re 7: pour into another bottle and store ready for appropriate disposal.
9. Cut into strips and weave into placemats (glue down ends with glue gun).
10. Ideal to use when painting instead of managing large can.
11. Glue coloured paper (from glossy magazines or recycled Christmas wrap) onto bottles, allow to dry, cut into open rings and make chain decorations.
12. With recycled cardboard draw up a square with 9 boxes, taking 8 bottle lids, with permanent marker place '0' on 4 lids and a 'X' on the other.....making up a game of "0' and 'X's.
13. Also use lids and permanent marker and build up an alphabet set or numerical set for children's learning.
14. Cut out shapes etc. and use as templates for drawing.
15. As a slow water release container for plants by placing small holes in one side of container and laying hole side down.
Anyway, these a few things that can be done with the humble empty milk bottle, I could go on with more but I would love to know what other people's ideas are.
Sandra Glusa
There are more than 11,000 great tips in the Tip Store
3. Cheapskates Workshops
The Art of Living the Cheapskates Way 1 Day Workshop
Join us on the 16th May for a day full of Cheapskating fun. You'll spend the day with like-minded people, learning the secrets to living life debt free, cashed up and laughing. This is a full day workshop - you'll cover all four Cheapskates workshops in one day and come away with the information and tools you need to starting living like a champion Cheapskate.
Sessions include:
The Art of Living the Cheapskates Way
Creating a $300 a Month Meal Plan and the Shopping List to Go With It
Sustainable Cheapskating
Let's All MOO!
During the day we'll discuss the art of living the Cheapskates way and share favourite Cheapskating tips and tricks for saving money, time and energy on your journey to living life debt free, cashed up and laughing.
When: Saturday 16th May
Where: Orana Neighbourhood House, 62 Coleman Rd, Wantirna South
Time: 10am - 4pm
Investment: $135 per person
Click here for more details and to book your spot at this exciting workshop
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
With the cooler nights my family are looking for heartier, more filling meals. These meatballs and the delicious gravy they are cooked in are just the thing. I serve them with fluffy mashed potato to soak up the gravy and the plates are always scraped clean - not a drop is left. I freeze the leftovers in single portions to use as freezer meals for extra busy nights.
Meat Balls & Gravy
Ingredients:
500g beef mince
250g pork mince
1/2 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup fine dry bread crumbs
1 tbsp parsley
1-1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
Method:
Mix all ingredients. Shape into balls the size of walnuts. Brown in 1/4 cup vegetable oil. Remove meat balls and make gravy. Return meatballs to gravy. Cook 15 to 20 minutes.
Meat Ball Gravy
Ingredients:
1/4 cup plain flour
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 tbsp butter
2 cups boiling water
3/4 cup sour cream
Method:
Melt butter until bubbling in a frypan. Stir in flour, paprika, salt and pepper. Cook 1 minute. Stir boiling water and cup sour cream. Return to boil, stirring constantly. Turn off, do not boil.
This week we will be eating:
Friday: Meat pie, wedges and salad
Saturday: Fish'n'chips
Sunday: Roast beef, baked vegetables
Monday: Meatballs in gravy, mash, beans, corn, carrot
Tuesday: Crumbed chicken, potato bake, broccoli & carrot
Wednesday: Kransky, potato bake, broccoli & carrot
Thursday: Curried chicken and rice
In the fruit bowl we have grapes, kiwi fruit, apples, oranges and mandarins
In the cake tin we have blueberry muffins, scones, ANZAC slice and banana bread
There are over 1,400 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy
MOOing Snacks for the First Time
Welcome to a new week of the food challenge.
I'm sure you've all heard the term “MOOing ". It means “Make Our Own ". It's one of my favourite Cheapskate's topic. A benefit to MOOing is that it reduces the food bill. Since joining Cheapskates almost five years ago I've reduced our food bill from well over $400 a month to just under $250 a month. During this time, my girls have grown and so have their appetites. I've also been able to maintain well stocked freezers, pantry and fridge. My stockpile has grown enormously too.
Probably the biggest reduction to my food bill has been the snacks. I no longer buy readymade snacks for home and lunchboxes. I make my own muesli bar slice, cakes, muffins, biscuits, pita chips and dips etc. Homemade tastes so much better than store bought, has less packaging and we know exactly what we are eating. No artificial preservatives, colourings, flavourings and additives. You also get better value for money.
A great way to start MOOing snacks for your family is to pick something you'd like to make yourself. There are lots of great baking recipes in the recipe file on the Cheapskates website. Find one you like the sound of and bake / make it. Then the next time you make it include any adjustments to suit your tastes. For example - less sugar or different dried fruit. Write down these adjustments and bake it again until you have perfected the recipe. Then you can move onto a new recipe and build up your repertoire.
My first ever baking experience as a newlywed was Anzac biscuits. I just loved them (still do) but the store bought variety didn't taste right. So I found a recipe in a basic cook book. One of the ingredients needed was golden syrup. I didn't have any in the pantry, remembering I was new to this baking caper and my pantry was only stocked with basics. I did have honey on hand so I thought I'd use it instead. I've stuck with the honey for almost twenty years as it worked and is much cheaper.
Serving MOO biscuits, cakes and other snacks to family and friends gives you a sense of joy and achievement. I've found that guests are more appreciative of homemade. I've never heard anyone raving about a packet of biscuits being served up. I must admit, it's wonderful to say that I made it myself.
What is your favourite snack to serve up to visitors?
Have a great week and BE ENCOURAGED!!!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2859-300-A-Month-Food-Challenge-20-04-15-MOOing-Snacks-For-The-First-Time
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
Savings vs Bills
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2681-savings-vs-bills
Panic is Setting in
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2447-Panic-is-setting-in
Where to Buy Molasses
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?1531-where-to-buy-molasses
Most popular blog posts this week
Poor Man's Lasagne
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2010/05/poor-mans-lasagne.html
Don't Need it anymore?
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2010/08/dont-need-it-anymore.html
Lemon Fresh
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2010/05/lemon-fresh.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 School.
Giving the Grocery thing a Go
I saw the Current Affair program and am now feeling empowered enough to give the monthly grocery shop a go. Well, it has taken me a week but I am so organised now. I cleared out the kitchen from top to bottom, cleaned cupboards, drawers, shelves, behind the dishwasher and fridge - it was an extreme clean! I then cleaned out a hallway cupboard and managed to get a previously packed cupboard empty. This led to an overhaul of the whole house (I'm on holidays and got very carried away but it has been so good). I have a SUV and filled it to the brim 3 times with household things that I gave to charity. I had a goal to basically halve the amount of 'stuff' in our house. What a tremendous feeling! The charity shop loved it because it was really good stuff but I just had too much of it at home so I felt good that I could help out our local children's haven in this process.
Anyway, back to the original mission. The pantry and hallway cupboard was cleared, all Tupperware and containers washed out, shelves cleaned and shining and I was ready to begin. It took a few days but I have now stocked up on our general groceries for a month. It felt really weird buying so many packets of cereal at once! People must have thought I was a bit crazy. I 'interviewed' my hubby and kids to check that I was accommodating everyone's needs and likes which helped them to feel included and understand what I was doing and that if they used it up before the next month's shop that was it, they had to eat whatever else was in the cupboard.
So that was the general stuff. Next was the menu plan for dinners. Well, I got out all my cookbooks, favourite recipes and family favourites and was able to create 3 months of dinners with very little repeats! (My family doesn't like eating the same thing all the time and we were in a huge rut so I'm hoping this will invigorate the cooking situation at home). I was so excited. Then I made up the monthly grocery needs for all the dinners and today I'm off to the shops to get the month of dinner ingredients.
It's hard to explain but because of the massive clean out I feel like a load has been lifted off my shoulders and I can think clearly again and not just about cooking and groceries. This morning I saw 3 old limes in my fridge and because I had sorted and labelled all my baking products I was inspired to bake a Lime Syrup Cake which I have been wanting to make for about 4 years. It's amazing how getting rid of so much unnecessary 'stuff' and cleaning up can affect your mental state so positively. So now we get to enjoy a delicious Lime Syrup Cake for morning tea and I had all the ingredients in the cupboard already!
Feeling so proud…..
Login to read more Cheapskates Club member blogs
9. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Sue who wrote
"I am looking for suggestions on what to do with old commercially made but much-loved winter woollen jumpers which are still good but no longer needed."
Saadia Thomson answered
With regard to old commercially made woollen jumpers - whack them into the washing machine on a hot wash and you have felt! Some woollies may need 2 washes. Once dry cut into flat panels then get crafty with your felt. I have done this with our old woollies very successfully. I use the felted pieces to make hot water bottle covers, felted flowers for decorations and hair clips, felted slippers for little people, felt bags and jewellery rolls. You can even do fancy felted beanies. The options for felt work are endless and easy to make. Any decent pieces you no longer want can be donated to childcare for craft work (the teachers will LOVE you).
Ashlee Wilson answered
Cut sleeves off old woollen jumpers and upcycle into winter leg warmers! Pair them with the torso part of the jumper to make a hot water bottle cover. By rugging up you will also save on heating costs. Or upcycle them for winter warmers for your pets. Pinterest has lots of tutorials on how to do both of these :)
Narelle Bigrigg answered
A friend of mine had old wool jumpers so she had her children place their hand on them and traced around them with texta then cut out the shapes and applied to an old blanket or quilt for extra warmth. They looked very colourful and pretty and became a keepsake of her children's handprints. If you have an overlocker you could also cut wide strips from the back or sides and make a cushion cover or pet blanket.
Robyn Thomas answered
Take an old woollen jumper. Tuck the arms in (or cut them off and stitch up the holes with matching or contrasting wool), insert a cushion insert, stitch up the neck and waist and you have a new fluffy unique cushion for your couch, bed, car, something for the kids to cuddle up to, etc.
Ask Your Question
10. This Week's Question
Sue writes
"I'm living on my own now mum is in a nursing home. Too tired to cook when I get home, I tend to buy frozen dinners. Any hints for this lazy bones please? Doing menu for one etc., just need a prod!! Thanks."
Do you have the answer?
If you have a suggestion or idea for Sue 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
2. In the Tip Store - The Humble Milk Bottle
3. Cheapskate's Workshops - The Art of Living the Cheapskates Way 1 Day Workshop
4 Submit Your Tip - Send us your favourite money saving tip for a chance to win
5. On the Menu with Anne - Meatballs in Gravy
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy - MOOing Snacks for the First Time
7. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
8. Member's Featured Blog - Giving the Grocery thing a Go
9. Last Week's Question - How can I recycle old jumpers?
10. This Week's Question - Too tired to cook for one, what can I do?
11. Join the Cheapskates Club
12. Gift Memberships
13. Frequently Asked Questions
14. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
And welcome to another Bright Ideas newsletter. I hope you've had a wonderful week of Cheapskating.
We've all been busy in our house. Wayne has been tinkering with cars, rotating tyres and changing oil and making a rather nifty shower contraption for when we go camping. We have one of the amazing folding shower tent things - it's so amazing that once opened it is almost impossible to fold again. This one is a frame attached to the roof rack that slides in and out, with a shower curtain that clips to the frame. No folding necessary and no more rolling about laughing at his efforts as he tries to get it to go back into the bag :) Best of all he used tubing we already had and I scrounged up some Velcro and a shower curtain from the bottom of the linen cupboard. The cost, around $8 for the bolts and pins to attach the frame to the roof rack. I can't wait to try it out, now having a shower when we're camping won't be such a rigmarole!
I also did a meat shop last week, so that meant sorting, tidying and cleaning the freezer. It's now chock-a-block full, with enough roasts, chicken pieces, sausages, steak, mince, chops and stewing meat to last us until the end of July. It feels good to have a full freezer.
I've been asked about my monthly meal plan. I post a meal plan in the Journal every month, and you can log in and view it or even print it. Be warned: we do not eat extravagant or fancy meals. Simple, tasty, healthful, cheap, quick and easy are the things I consider when I am choosing what we are going to eat.
I have some library talks coming up, as well as the 1 Day Workshop. I'll be at the Hampton Park Library on Saturday 2nd May, and then the Knox Library on Wednesday 13th May. The workshop is on Saturday 16th May. You can find out all the details for the library talks here. Both library talks are free, but you will need to book as places are limited at both sessions. And you can find out more about the 1 Day Workshop below or on the Cheapskates Club website.
Enjoy your newsletter and have a wonderfully frugal 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
The Humble Milk Bottle
I would like to throw down the gauntlet for all those interested to find out how many different ways you can use empty milk bottles. I use mine for various things, after a good washing to remove odours of course.
These are some of the ways I use mine:
1. Storage containers for rice, sugar, flour, oats, semolina, etc.
2. As a watering can for my plants.
3. As a funnel when the base is cut off.
4. As open storage holders for nails, screws, children's colouring pencils, etc... (ideal to use what is left over from making funnel).
5. As storage holder for the worm liquid and castings from the worm farm.
6. As a base for Christmas table decorations (cut off top to just past handle, remove front part leaving handle and the complete lid intact, then proceed to decorate using lid part as base/stand).
7. As an oil catcher for the car when doing an oil change, leave lid on, slice downwards and open up one side of the container (3 litre bottle best for this).
8. Re 7: pour into another bottle and store ready for appropriate disposal.
9. Cut into strips and weave into placemats (glue down ends with glue gun).
10. Ideal to use when painting instead of managing large can.
11. Glue coloured paper (from glossy magazines or recycled Christmas wrap) onto bottles, allow to dry, cut into open rings and make chain decorations.
12. With recycled cardboard draw up a square with 9 boxes, taking 8 bottle lids, with permanent marker place '0' on 4 lids and a 'X' on the other.....making up a game of "0' and 'X's.
13. Also use lids and permanent marker and build up an alphabet set or numerical set for children's learning.
14. Cut out shapes etc. and use as templates for drawing.
15. As a slow water release container for plants by placing small holes in one side of container and laying hole side down.
Anyway, these a few things that can be done with the humble empty milk bottle, I could go on with more but I would love to know what other people's ideas are.
Sandra Glusa
There are more than 11,000 great tips in the Tip Store
3. Cheapskates Workshops
The Art of Living the Cheapskates Way 1 Day Workshop
Join us on the 16th May for a day full of Cheapskating fun. You'll spend the day with like-minded people, learning the secrets to living life debt free, cashed up and laughing. This is a full day workshop - you'll cover all four Cheapskates workshops in one day and come away with the information and tools you need to starting living like a champion Cheapskate.
Sessions include:
The Art of Living the Cheapskates Way
Creating a $300 a Month Meal Plan and the Shopping List to Go With It
Sustainable Cheapskating
Let's All MOO!
During the day we'll discuss the art of living the Cheapskates way and share favourite Cheapskating tips and tricks for saving money, time and energy on your journey to living life debt free, cashed up and laughing.
When: Saturday 16th May
Where: Orana Neighbourhood House, 62 Coleman Rd, Wantirna South
Time: 10am - 4pm
Investment: $135 per person
Click here for more details and to book your spot at this exciting workshop
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
With the cooler nights my family are looking for heartier, more filling meals. These meatballs and the delicious gravy they are cooked in are just the thing. I serve them with fluffy mashed potato to soak up the gravy and the plates are always scraped clean - not a drop is left. I freeze the leftovers in single portions to use as freezer meals for extra busy nights.
Meat Balls & Gravy
Ingredients:
500g beef mince
250g pork mince
1/2 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup fine dry bread crumbs
1 tbsp parsley
1-1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
Method:
Mix all ingredients. Shape into balls the size of walnuts. Brown in 1/4 cup vegetable oil. Remove meat balls and make gravy. Return meatballs to gravy. Cook 15 to 20 minutes.
Meat Ball Gravy
Ingredients:
1/4 cup plain flour
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 tbsp butter
2 cups boiling water
3/4 cup sour cream
Method:
Melt butter until bubbling in a frypan. Stir in flour, paprika, salt and pepper. Cook 1 minute. Stir boiling water and cup sour cream. Return to boil, stirring constantly. Turn off, do not boil.
This week we will be eating:
Friday: Meat pie, wedges and salad
Saturday: Fish'n'chips
Sunday: Roast beef, baked vegetables
Monday: Meatballs in gravy, mash, beans, corn, carrot
Tuesday: Crumbed chicken, potato bake, broccoli & carrot
Wednesday: Kransky, potato bake, broccoli & carrot
Thursday: Curried chicken and rice
In the fruit bowl we have grapes, kiwi fruit, apples, oranges and mandarins
In the cake tin we have blueberry muffins, scones, ANZAC slice and banana bread
There are over 1,400 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy
MOOing Snacks for the First Time
Welcome to a new week of the food challenge.
I'm sure you've all heard the term “MOOing ". It means “Make Our Own ". It's one of my favourite Cheapskate's topic. A benefit to MOOing is that it reduces the food bill. Since joining Cheapskates almost five years ago I've reduced our food bill from well over $400 a month to just under $250 a month. During this time, my girls have grown and so have their appetites. I've also been able to maintain well stocked freezers, pantry and fridge. My stockpile has grown enormously too.
Probably the biggest reduction to my food bill has been the snacks. I no longer buy readymade snacks for home and lunchboxes. I make my own muesli bar slice, cakes, muffins, biscuits, pita chips and dips etc. Homemade tastes so much better than store bought, has less packaging and we know exactly what we are eating. No artificial preservatives, colourings, flavourings and additives. You also get better value for money.
A great way to start MOOing snacks for your family is to pick something you'd like to make yourself. There are lots of great baking recipes in the recipe file on the Cheapskates website. Find one you like the sound of and bake / make it. Then the next time you make it include any adjustments to suit your tastes. For example - less sugar or different dried fruit. Write down these adjustments and bake it again until you have perfected the recipe. Then you can move onto a new recipe and build up your repertoire.
My first ever baking experience as a newlywed was Anzac biscuits. I just loved them (still do) but the store bought variety didn't taste right. So I found a recipe in a basic cook book. One of the ingredients needed was golden syrup. I didn't have any in the pantry, remembering I was new to this baking caper and my pantry was only stocked with basics. I did have honey on hand so I thought I'd use it instead. I've stuck with the honey for almost twenty years as it worked and is much cheaper.
Serving MOO biscuits, cakes and other snacks to family and friends gives you a sense of joy and achievement. I've found that guests are more appreciative of homemade. I've never heard anyone raving about a packet of biscuits being served up. I must admit, it's wonderful to say that I made it myself.
What is your favourite snack to serve up to visitors?
Have a great week and BE ENCOURAGED!!!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2859-300-A-Month-Food-Challenge-20-04-15-MOOing-Snacks-For-The-First-Time
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
Savings vs Bills
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2681-savings-vs-bills
Panic is Setting in
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2447-Panic-is-setting-in
Where to Buy Molasses
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?1531-where-to-buy-molasses
Most popular blog posts this week
Poor Man's Lasagne
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2010/05/poor-mans-lasagne.html
Don't Need it anymore?
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2010/08/dont-need-it-anymore.html
Lemon Fresh
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2010/05/lemon-fresh.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 School.
Giving the Grocery thing a Go
I saw the Current Affair program and am now feeling empowered enough to give the monthly grocery shop a go. Well, it has taken me a week but I am so organised now. I cleared out the kitchen from top to bottom, cleaned cupboards, drawers, shelves, behind the dishwasher and fridge - it was an extreme clean! I then cleaned out a hallway cupboard and managed to get a previously packed cupboard empty. This led to an overhaul of the whole house (I'm on holidays and got very carried away but it has been so good). I have a SUV and filled it to the brim 3 times with household things that I gave to charity. I had a goal to basically halve the amount of 'stuff' in our house. What a tremendous feeling! The charity shop loved it because it was really good stuff but I just had too much of it at home so I felt good that I could help out our local children's haven in this process.
Anyway, back to the original mission. The pantry and hallway cupboard was cleared, all Tupperware and containers washed out, shelves cleaned and shining and I was ready to begin. It took a few days but I have now stocked up on our general groceries for a month. It felt really weird buying so many packets of cereal at once! People must have thought I was a bit crazy. I 'interviewed' my hubby and kids to check that I was accommodating everyone's needs and likes which helped them to feel included and understand what I was doing and that if they used it up before the next month's shop that was it, they had to eat whatever else was in the cupboard.
So that was the general stuff. Next was the menu plan for dinners. Well, I got out all my cookbooks, favourite recipes and family favourites and was able to create 3 months of dinners with very little repeats! (My family doesn't like eating the same thing all the time and we were in a huge rut so I'm hoping this will invigorate the cooking situation at home). I was so excited. Then I made up the monthly grocery needs for all the dinners and today I'm off to the shops to get the month of dinner ingredients.
It's hard to explain but because of the massive clean out I feel like a load has been lifted off my shoulders and I can think clearly again and not just about cooking and groceries. This morning I saw 3 old limes in my fridge and because I had sorted and labelled all my baking products I was inspired to bake a Lime Syrup Cake which I have been wanting to make for about 4 years. It's amazing how getting rid of so much unnecessary 'stuff' and cleaning up can affect your mental state so positively. So now we get to enjoy a delicious Lime Syrup Cake for morning tea and I had all the ingredients in the cupboard already!
Feeling so proud…..
Login to read more Cheapskates Club member blogs
9. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Sue who wrote
"I am looking for suggestions on what to do with old commercially made but much-loved winter woollen jumpers which are still good but no longer needed."
Saadia Thomson answered
With regard to old commercially made woollen jumpers - whack them into the washing machine on a hot wash and you have felt! Some woollies may need 2 washes. Once dry cut into flat panels then get crafty with your felt. I have done this with our old woollies very successfully. I use the felted pieces to make hot water bottle covers, felted flowers for decorations and hair clips, felted slippers for little people, felt bags and jewellery rolls. You can even do fancy felted beanies. The options for felt work are endless and easy to make. Any decent pieces you no longer want can be donated to childcare for craft work (the teachers will LOVE you).
Ashlee Wilson answered
Cut sleeves off old woollen jumpers and upcycle into winter leg warmers! Pair them with the torso part of the jumper to make a hot water bottle cover. By rugging up you will also save on heating costs. Or upcycle them for winter warmers for your pets. Pinterest has lots of tutorials on how to do both of these :)
Narelle Bigrigg answered
A friend of mine had old wool jumpers so she had her children place their hand on them and traced around them with texta then cut out the shapes and applied to an old blanket or quilt for extra warmth. They looked very colourful and pretty and became a keepsake of her children's handprints. If you have an overlocker you could also cut wide strips from the back or sides and make a cushion cover or pet blanket.
Robyn Thomas answered
Take an old woollen jumper. Tuck the arms in (or cut them off and stitch up the holes with matching or contrasting wool), insert a cushion insert, stitch up the neck and waist and you have a new fluffy unique cushion for your couch, bed, car, something for the kids to cuddle up to, etc.
Ask Your Question
10. This Week's Question
Sue writes
"I'm living on my own now mum is in a nursing home. Too tired to cook when I get home, I tend to buy frozen dinners. Any hints for this lazy bones please? Doing menu for one etc., just need a prod!! Thanks."
Do you have the answer?
If you have a suggestion or idea for Sue 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.
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When you login to the Member's Centre you will be told how many days of membership you have left once you have 30 days left. Just click on the link to renew and your membership will just continue on, uninterrupted.
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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