Your Cheapskates Club Newsletter 19:20
In This Newsletter
1. Cath's Corner
2. From the Tip Store - Make a No-Sew Fleece Lap Rug; White Chocolate Body Butter Recipe; Beautiful Beaded Birthday Presents
3. Share Your Tips
4. On the Menu - Pizza Meatloaf
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - How to Make a Stock Soup
6. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
7. The Cheapskates Club Show
8. Ask A Question - Have a question? Ask it here
9. Join the Cheapskates Club
10. Frequently Asked Questions
11. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
I hope you are all well and that life in lockdown isn't proving too awful for you. It's not really changed for me. I love home, and working from home I'm not in the habit of going out, but even I am missing being able to visit in person with friends and family. We've tried Zoom a couple of times and it's been fun, but face to face with a cuppa is more fun
But isn't it exciting to see the end in sight? Restrictions are easing, and fewer and fewer Australians are being hit with this virus. So, while isolation and staying home hasn't been great, getting back to normal sooner than was predicted sounds pretty good to me.
I know some of you are struggling with isolation and lockdown, working from home, distance learning and social distancing.
A long time ago I learned that I can do almost anything for 15 minutes (except hold my breath!), so I'm looking on this crisis as "15 minutes" when I have to do anything to stay healthy and keep my family healthy and safe. If I can do it, so can you!
It's not going to last forever, and in the grand scheme of things, a few months out of one year of your life, isn't a long time. Look to the future, take the time now to plan and plot and prepare for when life gets back to normal and I can guarantee there'll be someone who'll start wishing for lockdown as soon as we get back on the hamster wheel of life in the 21st century!
Oh, and remember that the price of new Cheapskates Club memberships is staying at $25 until this crisis is over.
2. From The Tip Store
Make a No Sew Fleece Lap Rug
It's time to bring out the knee rugs for winter. This is a really simple way to make a cosy rug to throw over your legs when the nights are cold. We all have them, and the kids have been known to put them on their beds too.
To make the rug you will need:
1.5 metres plain fleece (for the backing)
1.5 metres print fleece (for the front)
Lay the printed fleece on top of the plain fleece, wrong sides together. Yes, fleece does have a right and wrong side. It doesn't really matter as long as you have like sides facing. Trim the fleece to an identical size. It shouldn't take much trimming, perhaps just the selvedge on each piece. Make sure they are square.
Cut a 15cm square from each corner. Then cut a 2cm x 15cm fringe around each of the four edges. Tie the front to the back with a granny knot (left over right, then right over left). This way the knot will lay flat.
White Chocolate Body Butter
This is such a rich and soothing cream to use on heels, knees, elbows - anywhere there is dry skin.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup shea butter
1/4 cup cocoa butter
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup sweet almond oil
10-20 drops of essential oil
Step 1. Combine all ingredients, except the essential oils, in a small pot or double boiler. Gently melt and stir over medium-low heat until the mixture is liquid.
Step 2. Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to thicken and partially set.
Step 3. Once the mixture is partially set, add the essential oils of your choice, and whip with a hand mixer or stand mixer until the body butter is fluffy and stiff peaks have formed. It will look like stiffly beaten meringue.
Step 4. Spoon into a clean jar. Apply as needed to hands, elbows, knees, heels and anywhere else dry skin is a problem.
Beautiful Beaded Presents
I recently had two birthday parties to attend. I considered buying each friend a present which cost $20 each, but that would total $40. In the end, I made each friend a piece of beaded jewellery. I was able to save a bundle of money and my friends love their handmade gifts. If you don't know how to make beaded jewellery, you can learn how to make it, or any craft from various websites or classes. You can purchase the materials from junk stores, Spotlight, Lincraft or craft stores. Sometimes the staff in these places can even give you good tips.
Contributed by AE
Editor's note: Look at the jewellery in op shops for beautiful beads and baubles. You can often get them for just a few cents each, saving a fortune on buying beads. If you take them apart carefully you can reuse the clasps and even the wire, saving even more money. Vintage style beads are expensive to buy from craft shops, so why not get true vintage for under $1 at an op shop? Cath
Add a Tip
3. Share Your Tips
Share your favourite hint or tip that saves money, time and energy and be in the running to win a one-year subscription to The Cheapskate Journal.
Remember, you have to be in it to win it!
Share Your Tip
4. On The Menu
Pizza Meatloaf
This is a fun variation on meatloaf - and who doesn't need a little fun right now? We have this meatloaf with salad, but you could serve it with veggies, or salad and wedges and a side of garlic bread.Pizza MeatloafIngredients:
750g mince
1 egg
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup pizza sauce
1 to 2 cups grated cheese (mozzarella or tasty)
Pepperoni and other favourite pizza toppings (mushrooms, capsicum, tomato, onion, pineapple etc.)
Directions
Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius.
In a mixing bowl, combine the mince, egg and breadcrumbs. Add the meat mixture to a 22cm (9″) round pie dish and press evenly into the dish.
Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until meatloaf is cooked through in the middle.
Once meatloaf is baked, spread the pizza sauce directly onto the “meatloaf crust,” then add pizza toppings of choice and cover with grated cheese.
Note: if need be, drain any extra fat from the top of the meatloaf, before adding pizza toppings.
Return to the oven for 10 minutes until cheese is melted and golden. Cut into “pizza slices” to serve.
Next week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Chicken
Monday: Mock Fish, Chips, Salad
Tuesday: Mexican Lasagne
Wednesday: Stir-fry with left-over chicken & rice
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Pizza Meatloaf, wedges, salad
Saturday: Haystacks
In the fruit bowl: limes, bananas
There are over 1,700 budget and family friendly recipes in the Cheapskates Club Recipe File, all contributed by your fellow Cheapskates, so you know they're good.
Add A Recipe
Recipe File Index
5. The $300 A Month Food Challenge
How To Make A Stock Soup
Stock soups are made from stock (preferably MOO) with the addition of meat and fresh vegetables and a grain, cereal or bean i.e. dried lentils, kidney beans, rice or macaroni. And they are cheap, and cheap means they are grocery budget friendly.
Most soups use ingredients you already have in the fridge, that would normally be composted or fed to the chooks or, shock, horror, binned.
Don't put your money in the bin, instead, turn it into a thick, hearty, warming soup that is perfect for lunch or dinner.
To make a basic thick soup you will need:
4 - 6 litres stock, including the meat from the bones
1 large onion, finely diced
1 large carrot, finely diced
2 celery ribs, sliced
1 small turnip, peeled and diced
1 parsnip, peeled and diced
2 cups soup mix - a mixture of lentils and beans
1. Bring the stock to a rolling boil in a large stockpot.
2. Add the vegetables and the soup mix and stir.
3. Turn the heat down until the liquid is at a rolling simmer. This is important because unless you want to stand and stir constantly for hours, you need the vegetables and soup mix to keep rolling around in the pot. If they settle they will stick to the bottom of the pot and burn, ruining the soup.
You can add any other vegetables you like to your soup pot. Potato makes a good addition, bulking out the meal and acting as a thickener when soup mix is scarce. You can also add tomatoes, mushrooms, zucchini, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage - you are limited only by your imagination and the contents of your fridge.
To make your own soup recipe follow this outline:
1. Start with a stock (choose one)- chicken, beef or lamb.
2. Add a protein (choose one) - meat, chicken, lamb, ham or bacon bones
3. Choose a thickener (choose one, measure 2 cups) - soup mix, beans, lentils, macaroni, pasta twirls, broken spaghetti, rice or barley
4. Throw in the vegetables (as many as you like, about 4 cups) - onion, carrot, celery, zucchini, cabbage, capsicums, tomatoes, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, parsnip, turnip, swede, squash, pumpkin, green beans, peas,
5. Season to taste* - salt, pepper, bouquet garni, thyme, parsley, chives, coriander
Bring the stock to the boil in a large stockpot. Add the other ingredients of your choice and simmer for at least 1 hour.
*It is better to under season and add more at the table than it is to over-season and have a soup that is too salty or too spicy. If you do over-salt the soup, add two potatoes, peeled and halved, about 20 minutes before the end of cooking time. The potato will absorb some of the salt.
The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
The Post that Started it All
6. Cheapskates Buzz
From The Article Archive
Making Vinegar
How to Spend the Rest of Your Life Debt Free
How to Shop Monthly, Save Money and Love It
This Week's Hot Forum Topics
Home Made Mustard
The Weekly MOO Challenge
Scenario: Living on WWII Rations
Most Popular Blog Posts This Week
Happy Mother's Day
Baked Rice Custard
Pie Maker Pineapple Upside Down Cake
7. The Cheapskates Club Show
Join Cath and Hannah live Tuesdays and Thursdays on You Tube at 7.30pm AET
Join us live on YouTube every Tuesday and Thursday and see how we are living debt free, cashed up and laughing - and find out how you can too!
Show ScheduleTuesday: Around the Kitchen Table - join Cath and Hannah for a cuppa and a chat around the kitchen table as they talk about living the Cheapskates way.
Thursday: Cheapskates in the Kitchen - want to know how to cook delicious, healthy and cheap meals? Watch Cath and Hannah as they create cheapskates style cuisine and share their favourite recipes.
Latest Shows
The Cheapskates Club: Meal Stretchers
The Cheapskates Club: Stockpiling 101 Part 4: Non-food Stockpiles
Haystacks
How much should be in your emergency fund?
8. Ask A Question
We have lots of resources to help you as you live the Cheapskates way but if you didn't find the answer to your question in our extensive archives please just drop me a note with your question.
I read and answer all questions, either in an email to you, in my weekly newsletter, the monthly Journal or by creating blog posts and other resources to help you (and other Cheapskaters).
Ask Your Question
9. Join The Cheapskates Club
For just $25 a year, you can join the Cheapskates Club and get exclusive access to the Cheapskate Journal, the monthly e-journal that shows you how to cut the costs of everyday living and still have fun.
Joining the Cheapskates Club gives you 24/7 access to the Members Centre with 1000's of money saving tips and articles.
Click here to join the Cheapskates Club today!
10. Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change my email address?
This one is easy. When you login to the Member's Centre just click on your name at the top of the page to go straight to your profile page where you can update your details, change your password and find your subscription details.
Not a Cheapskates Club member? Then please use the Changing Details form found here to update your email address.
How do I know when my membership should be renewed?
Memberships are active for one year from the date of joining. You will be sent a renewal reminder before your subscription is due to renew. You can also find your membership expiry date on your profile page.
When you login to the Member's Centre just click on your name to go straight to your profile page where you can will find your join date and your expiry date.
What will you do with my email address?
We never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone for any reason whatsoever. You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as a result of joining this list.
How did I get on this list?
The only way you can get onto our newsletter mailing list is to subscribe yourself. You signed up to receive our Free Newsletter at our Cheapskates Club Web site or are a Platinum Cheapskates Club member.
11. Contact Cheapskates
The Cheapskates Club -
Showing you how to live life
debt free, cashed up and laughing!
PO Box 5077 Studfield Vic 3152
Contact Cheapskates
1. Cath's Corner
2. From the Tip Store - Make a No-Sew Fleece Lap Rug; White Chocolate Body Butter Recipe; Beautiful Beaded Birthday Presents
3. Share Your Tips
4. On the Menu - Pizza Meatloaf
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - How to Make a Stock Soup
6. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
7. The Cheapskates Club Show
8. Ask A Question - Have a question? Ask it here
9. Join the Cheapskates Club
10. Frequently Asked Questions
11. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
I hope you are all well and that life in lockdown isn't proving too awful for you. It's not really changed for me. I love home, and working from home I'm not in the habit of going out, but even I am missing being able to visit in person with friends and family. We've tried Zoom a couple of times and it's been fun, but face to face with a cuppa is more fun
But isn't it exciting to see the end in sight? Restrictions are easing, and fewer and fewer Australians are being hit with this virus. So, while isolation and staying home hasn't been great, getting back to normal sooner than was predicted sounds pretty good to me.
I know some of you are struggling with isolation and lockdown, working from home, distance learning and social distancing.
A long time ago I learned that I can do almost anything for 15 minutes (except hold my breath!), so I'm looking on this crisis as "15 minutes" when I have to do anything to stay healthy and keep my family healthy and safe. If I can do it, so can you!
It's not going to last forever, and in the grand scheme of things, a few months out of one year of your life, isn't a long time. Look to the future, take the time now to plan and plot and prepare for when life gets back to normal and I can guarantee there'll be someone who'll start wishing for lockdown as soon as we get back on the hamster wheel of life in the 21st century!
Oh, and remember that the price of new Cheapskates Club memberships is staying at $25 until this crisis is over.
2. From The Tip Store
Make a No Sew Fleece Lap Rug
It's time to bring out the knee rugs for winter. This is a really simple way to make a cosy rug to throw over your legs when the nights are cold. We all have them, and the kids have been known to put them on their beds too.
To make the rug you will need:
1.5 metres plain fleece (for the backing)
1.5 metres print fleece (for the front)
Lay the printed fleece on top of the plain fleece, wrong sides together. Yes, fleece does have a right and wrong side. It doesn't really matter as long as you have like sides facing. Trim the fleece to an identical size. It shouldn't take much trimming, perhaps just the selvedge on each piece. Make sure they are square.
Cut a 15cm square from each corner. Then cut a 2cm x 15cm fringe around each of the four edges. Tie the front to the back with a granny knot (left over right, then right over left). This way the knot will lay flat.
White Chocolate Body Butter
This is such a rich and soothing cream to use on heels, knees, elbows - anywhere there is dry skin.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup shea butter
1/4 cup cocoa butter
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup sweet almond oil
10-20 drops of essential oil
Step 1. Combine all ingredients, except the essential oils, in a small pot or double boiler. Gently melt and stir over medium-low heat until the mixture is liquid.
Step 2. Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to thicken and partially set.
Step 3. Once the mixture is partially set, add the essential oils of your choice, and whip with a hand mixer or stand mixer until the body butter is fluffy and stiff peaks have formed. It will look like stiffly beaten meringue.
Step 4. Spoon into a clean jar. Apply as needed to hands, elbows, knees, heels and anywhere else dry skin is a problem.
Beautiful Beaded Presents
I recently had two birthday parties to attend. I considered buying each friend a present which cost $20 each, but that would total $40. In the end, I made each friend a piece of beaded jewellery. I was able to save a bundle of money and my friends love their handmade gifts. If you don't know how to make beaded jewellery, you can learn how to make it, or any craft from various websites or classes. You can purchase the materials from junk stores, Spotlight, Lincraft or craft stores. Sometimes the staff in these places can even give you good tips.
Contributed by AE
Editor's note: Look at the jewellery in op shops for beautiful beads and baubles. You can often get them for just a few cents each, saving a fortune on buying beads. If you take them apart carefully you can reuse the clasps and even the wire, saving even more money. Vintage style beads are expensive to buy from craft shops, so why not get true vintage for under $1 at an op shop? Cath
Add a Tip
3. Share Your Tips
Share your favourite hint or tip that saves money, time and energy and be in the running to win a one-year subscription to The Cheapskate Journal.
Remember, you have to be in it to win it!
Share Your Tip
4. On The Menu
Pizza Meatloaf
This is a fun variation on meatloaf - and who doesn't need a little fun right now? We have this meatloaf with salad, but you could serve it with veggies, or salad and wedges and a side of garlic bread.Pizza MeatloafIngredients:
750g mince
1 egg
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup pizza sauce
1 to 2 cups grated cheese (mozzarella or tasty)
Pepperoni and other favourite pizza toppings (mushrooms, capsicum, tomato, onion, pineapple etc.)
Directions
Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius.
In a mixing bowl, combine the mince, egg and breadcrumbs. Add the meat mixture to a 22cm (9″) round pie dish and press evenly into the dish.
Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until meatloaf is cooked through in the middle.
Once meatloaf is baked, spread the pizza sauce directly onto the “meatloaf crust,” then add pizza toppings of choice and cover with grated cheese.
Note: if need be, drain any extra fat from the top of the meatloaf, before adding pizza toppings.
Return to the oven for 10 minutes until cheese is melted and golden. Cut into “pizza slices” to serve.
Next week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Chicken
Monday: Mock Fish, Chips, Salad
Tuesday: Mexican Lasagne
Wednesday: Stir-fry with left-over chicken & rice
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Pizza Meatloaf, wedges, salad
Saturday: Haystacks
In the fruit bowl: limes, bananas
There are over 1,700 budget and family friendly recipes in the Cheapskates Club Recipe File, all contributed by your fellow Cheapskates, so you know they're good.
Add A Recipe
Recipe File Index
5. The $300 A Month Food Challenge
How To Make A Stock Soup
Stock soups are made from stock (preferably MOO) with the addition of meat and fresh vegetables and a grain, cereal or bean i.e. dried lentils, kidney beans, rice or macaroni. And they are cheap, and cheap means they are grocery budget friendly.
Most soups use ingredients you already have in the fridge, that would normally be composted or fed to the chooks or, shock, horror, binned.
Don't put your money in the bin, instead, turn it into a thick, hearty, warming soup that is perfect for lunch or dinner.
To make a basic thick soup you will need:
4 - 6 litres stock, including the meat from the bones
1 large onion, finely diced
1 large carrot, finely diced
2 celery ribs, sliced
1 small turnip, peeled and diced
1 parsnip, peeled and diced
2 cups soup mix - a mixture of lentils and beans
1. Bring the stock to a rolling boil in a large stockpot.
2. Add the vegetables and the soup mix and stir.
3. Turn the heat down until the liquid is at a rolling simmer. This is important because unless you want to stand and stir constantly for hours, you need the vegetables and soup mix to keep rolling around in the pot. If they settle they will stick to the bottom of the pot and burn, ruining the soup.
You can add any other vegetables you like to your soup pot. Potato makes a good addition, bulking out the meal and acting as a thickener when soup mix is scarce. You can also add tomatoes, mushrooms, zucchini, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage - you are limited only by your imagination and the contents of your fridge.
To make your own soup recipe follow this outline:
1. Start with a stock (choose one)- chicken, beef or lamb.
2. Add a protein (choose one) - meat, chicken, lamb, ham or bacon bones
3. Choose a thickener (choose one, measure 2 cups) - soup mix, beans, lentils, macaroni, pasta twirls, broken spaghetti, rice or barley
4. Throw in the vegetables (as many as you like, about 4 cups) - onion, carrot, celery, zucchini, cabbage, capsicums, tomatoes, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, parsnip, turnip, swede, squash, pumpkin, green beans, peas,
5. Season to taste* - salt, pepper, bouquet garni, thyme, parsley, chives, coriander
Bring the stock to the boil in a large stockpot. Add the other ingredients of your choice and simmer for at least 1 hour.
*It is better to under season and add more at the table than it is to over-season and have a soup that is too salty or too spicy. If you do over-salt the soup, add two potatoes, peeled and halved, about 20 minutes before the end of cooking time. The potato will absorb some of the salt.
The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
The Post that Started it All
6. Cheapskates Buzz
From The Article Archive
Making Vinegar
How to Spend the Rest of Your Life Debt Free
How to Shop Monthly, Save Money and Love It
This Week's Hot Forum Topics
Home Made Mustard
The Weekly MOO Challenge
Scenario: Living on WWII Rations
Most Popular Blog Posts This Week
Happy Mother's Day
Baked Rice Custard
Pie Maker Pineapple Upside Down Cake
7. The Cheapskates Club Show
Join Cath and Hannah live Tuesdays and Thursdays on You Tube at 7.30pm AET
Join us live on YouTube every Tuesday and Thursday and see how we are living debt free, cashed up and laughing - and find out how you can too!
Show ScheduleTuesday: Around the Kitchen Table - join Cath and Hannah for a cuppa and a chat around the kitchen table as they talk about living the Cheapskates way.
Thursday: Cheapskates in the Kitchen - want to know how to cook delicious, healthy and cheap meals? Watch Cath and Hannah as they create cheapskates style cuisine and share their favourite recipes.
Latest Shows
The Cheapskates Club: Meal Stretchers
The Cheapskates Club: Stockpiling 101 Part 4: Non-food Stockpiles
Haystacks
How much should be in your emergency fund?
8. Ask A Question
We have lots of resources to help you as you live the Cheapskates way but if you didn't find the answer to your question in our extensive archives please just drop me a note with your question.
I read and answer all questions, either in an email to you, in my weekly newsletter, the monthly Journal or by creating blog posts and other resources to help you (and other Cheapskaters).
Ask Your Question
9. Join The Cheapskates Club
For just $25 a year, you can join the Cheapskates Club and get exclusive access to the Cheapskate Journal, the monthly e-journal that shows you how to cut the costs of everyday living and still have fun.
Joining the Cheapskates Club gives you 24/7 access to the Members Centre with 1000's of money saving tips and articles.
Click here to join the Cheapskates Club today!
10. Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change my email address?
This one is easy. When you login to the Member's Centre just click on your name at the top of the page to go straight to your profile page where you can update your details, change your password and find your subscription details.
Not a Cheapskates Club member? Then please use the Changing Details form found here to update your email address.
How do I know when my membership should be renewed?
Memberships are active for one year from the date of joining. You will be sent a renewal reminder before your subscription is due to renew. You can also find your membership expiry date on your profile page.
When you login to the Member's Centre just click on your name to go straight to your profile page where you can will find your join date and your expiry date.
What will you do with my email address?
We never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone for any reason whatsoever. You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as a result of joining this list.
How did I get on this list?
The only way you can get onto our newsletter mailing list is to subscribe yourself. You signed up to receive our Free Newsletter at our Cheapskates Club Web site or are a Platinum Cheapskates Club member.
11. Contact Cheapskates
The Cheapskates Club -
Showing you how to live life
debt free, cashed up and laughing!
PO Box 5077 Studfield Vic 3152
Contact Cheapskates