Your Cheapskates Club Newsletter 21:23
In This Newsletter
1. Cath's Corner
2. From the Tip Store - Degustation Dinner, Another Way to Use up Leftovers; Small Leftovers that Add Up; Adjust Recipes to Save on Unwanted Leftovers
3. Share Your Tips
4. On the Menu - KFC Coating
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - The Winter Shopping List
6. The Weekly MOO Challenge - Staying Warm with a Budget Friendly Hot Chocolate
7. Cheapskates Buzz
8. The Cheapskates Club Show
9. Handmade Christmas - Assembly Line Crafting
10. Join the Cheapskates Club
11. Frequently Asked Questions
12. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
Welcome to our new members and newsletter subscribers, we are so happy to have you join us on our journey to a debt free, cashed up life, laughing all the way!
The sun is shining as I'm typing, but that wind is cold, I felt it when I went to hang out the washing. Here it is May and I'm still hanging washing on the clothes line! I love it, although I do let it air off on the clotheshorse next to the fire overnight.
The things we do every day to save money add up. Line drying clothes or using the clotheshorses instead of the dryer once may not have a huge impact, but if you do it for every load of laundry that's a lot of power you're not using and a lot of money you're not parting with each winter.
If you think the little things aren't important, think again, and then do them secure in the knowledge that you are keeping more of your money.
Have a great week everyone.
Happy Cheapskating,
Cath
PS: Love our site? We love referrals! Send a note to your favourite newspapers, magazines, radio stations, TV stations, friends and relatives, and tell them about us!
2. From The Tip Store
Degustation Dinner, Another Way to Use up Leftovers
Have your own degustation dinner…seven courses of very small meals, slowly served with good dinner conversation.
Course 1: Soup in a ramekin, 3 small croutons. serve with ramekin on a larger plate with the 3 croutons.
Course 2: Chopped up left over roast, 2 spoonful’s of chopped meat with a teaspoon of homemade pickle.
Course 3: Mini salad, slither of cucumber, tomato, capsicum. Small sprinkle of nuts on corner of place and smear salad dressing across the plate.
Course 4: Slivers of sliced chicken breast, fresh chives, herbs and a sprinkle of bacon bits smear a different homemade chutney across place.
Course 5: Mini frittatas/savoury pancakes. Use any leftover veggie, a bit of onion and fry up small teaspoon lots. place 3 little ones staked on each plate and zigzag sauce over the plate.
Course 6: Dessert - use patty papers for tbl spoon of ice cream. smear a choc sauce in circles around the plate. tin of pears, thinly sliced. and placed on the choc sauce. Sprinkle either coconut, or choc sprinkles or whatever you have.
Course 7: One Jatz cracker with a dollop of cheese spread (yes homemade) and a smear of pickle. Place the cracker on a side plate with a square of fudge/chocolate and a shot glass with iced mint (ice, water, mint leaf, sugar blended) to cleanse the palate.
Dad acts as drink waiter so mix up various 'wines' for kid in jugs beforehand. eg ginger cordial with meats. raspberry drink with sweets, iced water with lemon, pear juice from the tin pears with ice blocks etc. dad can have a white towel and serve drinks thru the night as the meal goes along. great fun, kid felt very adult.
Organize a child for hot face washes, wet, roll up, place on plate and microwave. carefully can get hot. use these to wipe hands etc.
This is a delicious least expensive meal with lot of class and teaches the kids how to act in a restaurant.
Contributed by Marie
Small Leftovers that Add Up
Starting 5 months ago I have changed the way I cook meals. Finding low fat recipes I was using ingredients that were canned such as tinned tomatoes, tomato paste, evaporated milk, curry pastes and other tinned ingredients. I bought many sets of small containers and was able to freeze small amounts that were left over. When a recipe requires many of these I am able to defrost a container or two depending on the recipes. This has really saved me a lot of money as I was finding small leftovers were just getting thrown out.
Contributed by Robyn
Adjust Recipes to Save on Unwanted Leftovers
Leftovers are all very well, but we seemed to be getting leftovers after every meal. All the recipes I have feed 4 adults, but my family consists of 2 adults and 2 young children. But trying to cook 2/3 of recipes was too hard when I'm in a hurry. So, instead of using the 500g - 700g of meat called for in a recipe, I started to use 400g. The extra sauce from the meal still gets soaked up in the rice or pasta and doesn't go to waste. Now I buy my meat in bulk and take some time to divide it all up into 400g portions. If I buy 2kg of chicken breasts for example, then instead of getting 4 meals of 500g of meat, I get 5 meals of 400g of meat. I'll adjust the amount of meat in a meal as my family grows.
Contributed by Sarah
There are more than 12,000 great tips in the Tip Store
Add a Tip
3. Share Your Tips
The Cheapskate's Club website is thousands of pages of money saving hints, tips and ideas. There are over 12,000 tips to save you money, time and energy; 1,600 budget and family friendly recipes, hundreds of printable tip sheets and ebooks.
Let's get together and make the Cheapskates Club Australia's largest online hint, tip and idea library. Share your favourite money saving, time saving or energy saving hint and be in the running to win a one-year membership to The Cheapskate Club.
Share your favourite hint or tip that saves money, time and energy and be in the running to win a one-year subscription to The Cheapskate Journal.
Remember, you have to be in it to win it!
Share Your Tip
4. On The Menu
KFC Coating (it's good!)
This gives the crunchiest, tastiest fried (baked) chicken, and it's a pretty good copycat of KFC, without the grease and oil. I quadruple the recipe and keep it in an airtight jar, ready to use when the urge for MOO KFC takes hold.
KFC Coating
Ingredients:
2 cups plain flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp thyme
2 tbsp celery salt
2 tbsp ground black pepper
2 tbsp dry mustard (I like Keens)
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tbsp garlic salt
6 tbsp chicken stock powder (I use Vegeta)
8 tbsp smoky paprika
Method:
Use a balloon whisk to combine ingredients, being sure they are evenly distributed. Store in an air-tight container. To use, dip chicken pieces into flour, then either beaten egg, or milk and then into breadcrumbs, dip into egg or milk again and roll in KFC mixture. Chill in fridge for 30 minutes. Spray a pizza tray or similar baking tray with cooking spray and spread chicken pieces onto tray. Spray chicken with olive oil spray (can use vegetable oil) and bake in a moderate oven 25 - 30 minutes until chicken is cooked through and coating is golden brown and crispy. Turn every 10 minutes so the coating crisps evenly.
Next week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Beef
Monday: Schnitzels, salad
Tuesday: Pasta Bake, salad
Wednesday: MOO KFC, coleslaw
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Tuna Surprise
Saturday: Apricot Chicken, mash, veggies
There are over 1,800 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
The Winter Shopping List
In our house the cooler weather, especially in winter, brings about changes in how we eat.
Over the summer we had lots of salads and barbcues and thoroughly enjoyed them. Most of our meals were cooked outside, either on the barbecue or in the slow cooker on the verandah.
Now summer is over, and the autumn weather is cooling, making more comfort style meals to warm us on cooler evenings more appetising.
I've already made three big pots of soup (lamb and vegetable, Grandma's Chicken Soup and pumpkin). I made cornbread and damper and crumpets to go with the soup, and put the leftovers in the freezer. Soup makes a great lunch on the run, and homemade soup is so cheap.
Last week I made a huge dish of pasta bake and we portioned it out into dinners and a few lunches. We usually have pasta bake with green salad (whatever salad greens are in the fridge).
Years ago, the changes to sturdier meals and more cooking meant the monthly shopping list changed slightly.
With my once-a-year shopping, I plan for these changes, so, come winter time, we can have more Tuna Surprise and fish cakes without affecting the budget. And I've never been happier to do the bulk of my shopping once a year than I am now!
We use less pineapple and beetroot, and more tuna and tomato soup in winter. We eat less salad veg (and I won't buy tomatoes in winter, they're out of season here and far too expensive, so we rely on what I can grow in our little greenhouse) and the boys seem to wolf down more rice and potatoes, cauliflower and broccoli (especially if I make a cheese sauce) and silverbeet.
What I'm really saying is because of the way I shop, and the stocked pantry, my weekly shopping list only has minor changes to adapt to the change in seasons and the way we eat.
I still buy milk and a couple of loaves of bread each week (although I'm giving the bread maker a workout too).
Meat and chicken stay the same. We eat the same cuts, prepared in different ways of course, all year round, so I'm always on the lookout for chicken and mince on sale, for roasting beef and corned beef, legs of lamb and steak (as a special treat).
The fruit and veg I buy change. More citrus, because they're in season and cheap and our trees can't supply enough at the moment; lots of parsnip (I never seem to be able to grow enough), turnips, pumpkin and definitely more potatoes.
If potatoes are too expensive (my absolute top price is $1/kg, but I prefer to pay under 80c/kg) then we'll fill the gaps with pasta and rice.
The shopping list may change - it will depend very much on the fruit and veg prices when I get to the greengrocer.
But the changes are slight, and easily absorbed into our meal plan. My summer or winter shopping list looks pretty much the same all year round. Just a few adjustments to the basic ingredients, otherwise it's my stock once-a-year shopping list.
When Disaster Struck, I realised that most of us eat the same basic foods all the time. It's how they're used that makes the difference. Have a look in your pantry, then look at the meals you make. Chances are there are no more than 25 - 30 different meals that all use the same ingredients in various combinations and that means you can switch up your meals and stay on budget.
The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
The Post that Started it All
6. The Weekly MOO Challenge
Staying Warm with a Budget Friendly Hot Chocolate
This week the weather has been cool, and I've indulged in a hot chocolate every morning for morning tea. It's been delicious! And cheap, because buying hot chocolate mixes is expensive.
I did a price check and the prices range from $16.25 per kilo for the cheapest store brand to $45 per kilo for the most expensive! Ouch!
Here's my recipe and it costs $9.98 per kilo, using brand name milk powder and cocoa. It would be cheaper if you used store brands.
Here it is, enjoy!MOO Hot Chocolate Drink MixIngredients:
2-1/2 cups skim milk powder
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Method:
In medium bowl, combine milk powder, sugar and cocoa.
To serve, place 3 teaspoons cocoa mix in mug. Stir in
3/4 cup boiling water. Store the mix in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Get in on the fun and discussions here.
7. Cheapskates Buzz
From The Article Archive
Scrumptious Savoury Scones
Make a Dusting Spray
Easing the Financial Burden of Becoming a One-Income Household
This Week's Hot Forum Topics
How to Spread Hard Butter
Homemade Ginger Beer
Are You a Cheapskater Near Me?
8. The Cheapskates Club Show
Join Cath and Hannah live Tuesdays on You Tube at 7.30pm AET
Latest Shows
1. Cath's Corner
2. From the Tip Store - Degustation Dinner, Another Way to Use up Leftovers; Small Leftovers that Add Up; Adjust Recipes to Save on Unwanted Leftovers
3. Share Your Tips
4. On the Menu - KFC Coating
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - The Winter Shopping List
6. The Weekly MOO Challenge - Staying Warm with a Budget Friendly Hot Chocolate
7. Cheapskates Buzz
8. The Cheapskates Club Show
9. Handmade Christmas - Assembly Line Crafting
10. Join the Cheapskates Club
11. Frequently Asked Questions
12. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
Welcome to our new members and newsletter subscribers, we are so happy to have you join us on our journey to a debt free, cashed up life, laughing all the way!
The sun is shining as I'm typing, but that wind is cold, I felt it when I went to hang out the washing. Here it is May and I'm still hanging washing on the clothes line! I love it, although I do let it air off on the clotheshorse next to the fire overnight.
The things we do every day to save money add up. Line drying clothes or using the clotheshorses instead of the dryer once may not have a huge impact, but if you do it for every load of laundry that's a lot of power you're not using and a lot of money you're not parting with each winter.
If you think the little things aren't important, think again, and then do them secure in the knowledge that you are keeping more of your money.
Have a great week everyone.
Happy Cheapskating,
Cath
PS: Love our site? We love referrals! Send a note to your favourite newspapers, magazines, radio stations, TV stations, friends and relatives, and tell them about us!
2. From The Tip Store
Degustation Dinner, Another Way to Use up Leftovers
Have your own degustation dinner…seven courses of very small meals, slowly served with good dinner conversation.
Course 1: Soup in a ramekin, 3 small croutons. serve with ramekin on a larger plate with the 3 croutons.
Course 2: Chopped up left over roast, 2 spoonful’s of chopped meat with a teaspoon of homemade pickle.
Course 3: Mini salad, slither of cucumber, tomato, capsicum. Small sprinkle of nuts on corner of place and smear salad dressing across the plate.
Course 4: Slivers of sliced chicken breast, fresh chives, herbs and a sprinkle of bacon bits smear a different homemade chutney across place.
Course 5: Mini frittatas/savoury pancakes. Use any leftover veggie, a bit of onion and fry up small teaspoon lots. place 3 little ones staked on each plate and zigzag sauce over the plate.
Course 6: Dessert - use patty papers for tbl spoon of ice cream. smear a choc sauce in circles around the plate. tin of pears, thinly sliced. and placed on the choc sauce. Sprinkle either coconut, or choc sprinkles or whatever you have.
Course 7: One Jatz cracker with a dollop of cheese spread (yes homemade) and a smear of pickle. Place the cracker on a side plate with a square of fudge/chocolate and a shot glass with iced mint (ice, water, mint leaf, sugar blended) to cleanse the palate.
Dad acts as drink waiter so mix up various 'wines' for kid in jugs beforehand. eg ginger cordial with meats. raspberry drink with sweets, iced water with lemon, pear juice from the tin pears with ice blocks etc. dad can have a white towel and serve drinks thru the night as the meal goes along. great fun, kid felt very adult.
Organize a child for hot face washes, wet, roll up, place on plate and microwave. carefully can get hot. use these to wipe hands etc.
This is a delicious least expensive meal with lot of class and teaches the kids how to act in a restaurant.
Contributed by Marie
Small Leftovers that Add Up
Starting 5 months ago I have changed the way I cook meals. Finding low fat recipes I was using ingredients that were canned such as tinned tomatoes, tomato paste, evaporated milk, curry pastes and other tinned ingredients. I bought many sets of small containers and was able to freeze small amounts that were left over. When a recipe requires many of these I am able to defrost a container or two depending on the recipes. This has really saved me a lot of money as I was finding small leftovers were just getting thrown out.
Contributed by Robyn
Adjust Recipes to Save on Unwanted Leftovers
Leftovers are all very well, but we seemed to be getting leftovers after every meal. All the recipes I have feed 4 adults, but my family consists of 2 adults and 2 young children. But trying to cook 2/3 of recipes was too hard when I'm in a hurry. So, instead of using the 500g - 700g of meat called for in a recipe, I started to use 400g. The extra sauce from the meal still gets soaked up in the rice or pasta and doesn't go to waste. Now I buy my meat in bulk and take some time to divide it all up into 400g portions. If I buy 2kg of chicken breasts for example, then instead of getting 4 meals of 500g of meat, I get 5 meals of 400g of meat. I'll adjust the amount of meat in a meal as my family grows.
Contributed by Sarah
There are more than 12,000 great tips in the Tip Store
Add a Tip
3. Share Your Tips
The Cheapskate's Club website is thousands of pages of money saving hints, tips and ideas. There are over 12,000 tips to save you money, time and energy; 1,600 budget and family friendly recipes, hundreds of printable tip sheets and ebooks.
Let's get together and make the Cheapskates Club Australia's largest online hint, tip and idea library. Share your favourite money saving, time saving or energy saving hint and be in the running to win a one-year membership to The Cheapskate Club.
Share your favourite hint or tip that saves money, time and energy and be in the running to win a one-year subscription to The Cheapskate Journal.
Remember, you have to be in it to win it!
Share Your Tip
4. On The Menu
KFC Coating (it's good!)
This gives the crunchiest, tastiest fried (baked) chicken, and it's a pretty good copycat of KFC, without the grease and oil. I quadruple the recipe and keep it in an airtight jar, ready to use when the urge for MOO KFC takes hold.
KFC Coating
Ingredients:
2 cups plain flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp thyme
2 tbsp celery salt
2 tbsp ground black pepper
2 tbsp dry mustard (I like Keens)
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tbsp garlic salt
6 tbsp chicken stock powder (I use Vegeta)
8 tbsp smoky paprika
Method:
Use a balloon whisk to combine ingredients, being sure they are evenly distributed. Store in an air-tight container. To use, dip chicken pieces into flour, then either beaten egg, or milk and then into breadcrumbs, dip into egg or milk again and roll in KFC mixture. Chill in fridge for 30 minutes. Spray a pizza tray or similar baking tray with cooking spray and spread chicken pieces onto tray. Spray chicken with olive oil spray (can use vegetable oil) and bake in a moderate oven 25 - 30 minutes until chicken is cooked through and coating is golden brown and crispy. Turn every 10 minutes so the coating crisps evenly.
Next week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Beef
Monday: Schnitzels, salad
Tuesday: Pasta Bake, salad
Wednesday: MOO KFC, coleslaw
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Tuna Surprise
Saturday: Apricot Chicken, mash, veggies
There are over 1,800 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
The Winter Shopping List
In our house the cooler weather, especially in winter, brings about changes in how we eat.
Over the summer we had lots of salads and barbcues and thoroughly enjoyed them. Most of our meals were cooked outside, either on the barbecue or in the slow cooker on the verandah.
Now summer is over, and the autumn weather is cooling, making more comfort style meals to warm us on cooler evenings more appetising.
I've already made three big pots of soup (lamb and vegetable, Grandma's Chicken Soup and pumpkin). I made cornbread and damper and crumpets to go with the soup, and put the leftovers in the freezer. Soup makes a great lunch on the run, and homemade soup is so cheap.
Last week I made a huge dish of pasta bake and we portioned it out into dinners and a few lunches. We usually have pasta bake with green salad (whatever salad greens are in the fridge).
Years ago, the changes to sturdier meals and more cooking meant the monthly shopping list changed slightly.
With my once-a-year shopping, I plan for these changes, so, come winter time, we can have more Tuna Surprise and fish cakes without affecting the budget. And I've never been happier to do the bulk of my shopping once a year than I am now!
We use less pineapple and beetroot, and more tuna and tomato soup in winter. We eat less salad veg (and I won't buy tomatoes in winter, they're out of season here and far too expensive, so we rely on what I can grow in our little greenhouse) and the boys seem to wolf down more rice and potatoes, cauliflower and broccoli (especially if I make a cheese sauce) and silverbeet.
What I'm really saying is because of the way I shop, and the stocked pantry, my weekly shopping list only has minor changes to adapt to the change in seasons and the way we eat.
I still buy milk and a couple of loaves of bread each week (although I'm giving the bread maker a workout too).
Meat and chicken stay the same. We eat the same cuts, prepared in different ways of course, all year round, so I'm always on the lookout for chicken and mince on sale, for roasting beef and corned beef, legs of lamb and steak (as a special treat).
The fruit and veg I buy change. More citrus, because they're in season and cheap and our trees can't supply enough at the moment; lots of parsnip (I never seem to be able to grow enough), turnips, pumpkin and definitely more potatoes.
If potatoes are too expensive (my absolute top price is $1/kg, but I prefer to pay under 80c/kg) then we'll fill the gaps with pasta and rice.
The shopping list may change - it will depend very much on the fruit and veg prices when I get to the greengrocer.
But the changes are slight, and easily absorbed into our meal plan. My summer or winter shopping list looks pretty much the same all year round. Just a few adjustments to the basic ingredients, otherwise it's my stock once-a-year shopping list.
When Disaster Struck, I realised that most of us eat the same basic foods all the time. It's how they're used that makes the difference. Have a look in your pantry, then look at the meals you make. Chances are there are no more than 25 - 30 different meals that all use the same ingredients in various combinations and that means you can switch up your meals and stay on budget.
The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
The Post that Started it All
6. The Weekly MOO Challenge
Staying Warm with a Budget Friendly Hot Chocolate
This week the weather has been cool, and I've indulged in a hot chocolate every morning for morning tea. It's been delicious! And cheap, because buying hot chocolate mixes is expensive.
I did a price check and the prices range from $16.25 per kilo for the cheapest store brand to $45 per kilo for the most expensive! Ouch!
Here's my recipe and it costs $9.98 per kilo, using brand name milk powder and cocoa. It would be cheaper if you used store brands.
Here it is, enjoy!MOO Hot Chocolate Drink MixIngredients:
2-1/2 cups skim milk powder
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Method:
In medium bowl, combine milk powder, sugar and cocoa.
To serve, place 3 teaspoons cocoa mix in mug. Stir in
3/4 cup boiling water. Store the mix in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Get in on the fun and discussions here.
7. Cheapskates Buzz
From The Article Archive
Scrumptious Savoury Scones
Make a Dusting Spray
Easing the Financial Burden of Becoming a One-Income Household
This Week's Hot Forum Topics
How to Spread Hard Butter
Homemade Ginger Beer
Are You a Cheapskater Near Me?
8. The Cheapskates Club Show
Join Cath and Hannah live Tuesdays on You Tube at 7.30pm AET
Latest Shows
Subscribe to our You Tube channel and never miss a show.
9. Handmade Christmas Challenge
Assembly Line Crafting
This week I have been cutting out, getting things ready to sew. I like to work in an assembly line fashion, so when I've had 10 or 15 minutes to spare this week, I've moved to the sewing table and cut out and layered up things ready to sew.
I've cut out 4 canning mats, and layered them ready to quilt then bind. I've cut the binding too.
Then there are three kitchen hand towels, ready to sew. The tea towels have been gathered, ready to have the tops stitched to them. I've even pulled out the buttons to hand stitch once they are put together.
I received some gorgeous fabric as a gift, and as soon as I saw it I thought of pot holders. There are three of my favourite no binding pot holders, ready to stitch together. One of these will be for my kitchen, the others are for the present box.
I also packaged up some sets of notecards and envelopes, and while I was at the stamping desk I stamped some bookmarks ready to pass on to my friend for her school ready program.
It looks like it's going to be a cold and wet weekend here, so I won't be spending a lot of time in the garden, and that means I'll have more time to sit and get the sewing done, ready to show you on Monday.
Some weeks I can add lots to the present box and cross off the gift list, other weeks it feels like nothing gets done. But Christmas and birthdays are almost done, and it's still May! That makes me smile and proves that a little bit here and little bit there all adds up in the end.
Don't forget to check in for our Make It Monday show and tell over at Cheapskates Chatter, we'd love to see what you've made.
Handmade Christmas Central
The Handmade Christmas Forum
10. Join The Cheapskates Club
For just $30 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 for a full year.
That's unlimited 24/7 access to EVERYTHING in the Member's Centre!
Click here to join the Cheapskates Club today!
11. Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change my email address?
This one is easy. When you login to the Member's Centre just click on your name at the top of the page to go straight to your profile page where you can update your details, change your password and find your subscription details.
Not a Cheapskates Club member? Then please use the Changing Details form found here to update your email address.
How do I know when my membership should be renewed?
Memberships are active for one year from the date of joining. You will be sent a renewal reminder before your subscription is due to renew. You can also find your membership expiry date on your profile page.
When you login to the Member's Centre just click on your name to go straight to your profile page where you can will find your join date and your expiry date.
What will you do with my email address?
We never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone for any reason whatsoever. You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as a result of joining this list.
How did I get on this list?
The only way you can get onto our newsletter mailing list is to subscribe yourself. You either signed up to receive our Free Newsletter at our Cheapskates Club Web site or are a Platinum Cheapskates Club member.
12. Contact Cheapskates
The Cheapskates Club -
Showing you how to live life
debt free, cashed up and laughing!
PO Box 5077 Studfield Vic 3152
Contact Cheapskates
9. Handmade Christmas Challenge
Assembly Line Crafting
This week I have been cutting out, getting things ready to sew. I like to work in an assembly line fashion, so when I've had 10 or 15 minutes to spare this week, I've moved to the sewing table and cut out and layered up things ready to sew.
I've cut out 4 canning mats, and layered them ready to quilt then bind. I've cut the binding too.
Then there are three kitchen hand towels, ready to sew. The tea towels have been gathered, ready to have the tops stitched to them. I've even pulled out the buttons to hand stitch once they are put together.
I received some gorgeous fabric as a gift, and as soon as I saw it I thought of pot holders. There are three of my favourite no binding pot holders, ready to stitch together. One of these will be for my kitchen, the others are for the present box.
I also packaged up some sets of notecards and envelopes, and while I was at the stamping desk I stamped some bookmarks ready to pass on to my friend for her school ready program.
It looks like it's going to be a cold and wet weekend here, so I won't be spending a lot of time in the garden, and that means I'll have more time to sit and get the sewing done, ready to show you on Monday.
Some weeks I can add lots to the present box and cross off the gift list, other weeks it feels like nothing gets done. But Christmas and birthdays are almost done, and it's still May! That makes me smile and proves that a little bit here and little bit there all adds up in the end.
Don't forget to check in for our Make It Monday show and tell over at Cheapskates Chatter, we'd love to see what you've made.
Handmade Christmas Central
The Handmade Christmas Forum
10. Join The Cheapskates Club
For just $30 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 for a full year.
That's unlimited 24/7 access to EVERYTHING in the Member's Centre!
Click here to join the Cheapskates Club today!
11. Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change my email address?
This one is easy. When you login to the Member's Centre just click on your name at the top of the page to go straight to your profile page where you can update your details, change your password and find your subscription details.
Not a Cheapskates Club member? Then please use the Changing Details form found here to update your email address.
How do I know when my membership should be renewed?
Memberships are active for one year from the date of joining. You will be sent a renewal reminder before your subscription is due to renew. You can also find your membership expiry date on your profile page.
When you login to the Member's Centre just click on your name to go straight to your profile page where you can will find your join date and your expiry date.
What will you do with my email address?
We never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone for any reason whatsoever. You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as a result of joining this list.
How did I get on this list?
The only way you can get onto our newsletter mailing list is to subscribe yourself. You either signed up to receive our Free Newsletter at our Cheapskates Club Web site or are a Platinum Cheapskates Club member.
12. Contact Cheapskates
The Cheapskates Club -
Showing you how to live life
debt free, cashed up and laughing!
PO Box 5077 Studfield Vic 3152
Contact Cheapskates