Your Cheapskates Club Newsletter 27:15
In this Newsletter
1. Cath's Corner
2. In the Tip Store - Stock, Using Zinio for iPad, iPhone or Tablet, Fragrant Alternative to Moth Balls
3. Submit Your Tip - You have to be in it to win it!
4. On the Menu with Anne - 7 Days of dinners, done just for you!
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy - Buying At Other Shops for Groceries
6. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
7. Member's Featured Blog - Starting Over at 50
8. Join the Cheapskates Club
9. Gift Memberships
10. Frequently Asked Questions
11. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
Hasn't Hannah done a great job with the newsletters? And AJ has done a fantastic job of looking after memberships, especially as he's new to the admin side of Cheapskates and only had a couple of hours with me to pick things up before we left.
I'm writing this from a very comfy bed in a lovely motel, not too far from home, and we will be home tomorrow. My feet are chilly, I certainly know we are back in Victoria. Our trip plans had a few last minute changes so we have visited places we hadn't planned on and missed out on some of the places we had wanted to see. It was still a great trip; we live in a truly vast and amazing country and I feel blessed to be able to see even a little bit. Anyway, I have a hot chocolate waiting for me, so this will be short.
The July Journal has been uploaded to the website, so members can log in and read it to their hearts' content. The first of the Christmas in July features has been posted to my blog too.
I'm looking forward to getting home, catching up with the kids and Mum and of course all the emails, questions and notes I have waiting from you (Hannah and AJ tell me I have a "few" to get through).
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!
PPS: You can read this newsletter and past copies on the website in the Newsletter Archive.
2. From The Tip Store
Stock
Approximate $ Savings: $2.09 per 500mls (Campbells) or $2.00 per Litre (No name)
Every time you cook your vegetables - no matter which vegetable or the amount of water that they are cooked in, save the water and freeze. This is your vegetable stock that can be used anywhere that you need stock. Sieve it so you have no additional bits in it or have as is for gravy. You have total control over the amount of salt that is added. This is better than any stock that you will buy.
Contributed by Chris Arenell
Editor's note: I save the water from steamed or boiled vegetables in a tall Tupperware Square Round container in the freezer. I just top the container up with the water until it is full. Once the last top-up is frozen the contents are put into a freezer bag. I use this as the "water" part of the soups I make. No waste of water or nutrition and the soups have a great flavour. Cath.
Using Zinio for iPad, iPhone or Tablet
Approximate $ Savings: $100's on Magazines
A lot of people now have electronic devices, through the local library you can join Zinio for libraries and read many magazines. I have found this really a saving as no more purchasing of magazines and I do not have to leave home to receive the most up to date magazine e.g. Better Homes and Garden, Big League Weekly, ABC Gardening, Readers Digest and many more.
Contributed by Ann Yoxall
Fragrant Alternative to Moth Balls
A friend of mine puts a bar of soap in every drawer of clothes and she finds this keeps moths away, clothes smell nice and she has an emergency supply of soap.
Contributed by Ann Green
There are currently more than 11,000 great tips in the Tip Store
3. 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
4. On the Menu with Anne
Anne and her husband are still enjoying their holiday, but she sent her meal plan in and assures me this is what they will be eating, with most of the meals pre-prepared at home and frozen so they won't be relying on takeaway or expensive junk food. Sound like a great plan to me.
This week we will be eating:
Friday: Tacos
Saturday: Spaghetti Bolognese
Sunday: Greek lamb, herb roasted vegetables, gravy and mint sauce
Monday: Lemon fish fillets, homemade wedges, coleslaw
Tuesday: Homemade pita pizzas, salad
Wednesday: Rissoles, steamed vegetables and gravy
Thursday: Haystacks
In the fruit bowl: Bananas and apples
In the cake tin: ANZAC biscuits, muesli bars, coconut biscuits
Do you have a meal planning question? Click here to ask your question, you may see your answer in next week's newsletter.
There are over 1,500 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File.
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy
Buying At Other Shops for Groceries
Welcome to a new week on the food challenge.
When it comes to finding the best deal on your groceries, it really does pay to think outside the square. Major supermarkets do not always offer the best price. Have a look at large and small discounts stores, local independent grocery stores, fruit and veg markets, spice shops, farmer's markets, cannery outlets, butchers and chemists.
Here's a list of what other shops can offer at bargain prices -
Spice shops - Herbs and spices in bulk (varying sizes), flours, sugars, rice, sauces and baking ingredients.
Discount stores - shower gels, soaps, toothpaste, toothbrushes, cleaning products, tea, chocolate, lollies, biscuits and tinned food.
Local grocers - sliced meat, tinned soup, oil. Look out for their market day specials.
Fruit and veg shops / markets - fruit and veg ( obviously ), sauces, tinned foods, eggs, flowers, bread and snacks.
Farmers Markets - fruit and veg, meat and cheeses. Try going at closing time to get a good deal.
Cannery outlets - tinned fruit, veg and soups, toiletries, dried fruits, nuts, chocolates and lollies.
Butchers - meat, eggs, pasta, sauces, freezer bags and bread.
Chemists - soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes and laundry powder.
If you are unsure of where your local discount stores and spice shops are, try the internet or asking friends. You might just be surprised at what is in your local area. When you do find something cheap, buy enough stock so that you are not making weekly trips that will take up your time and petrol. When I found a great and very cheap spice shop I went with a list of what I needed for at least six months. By doing this I was able to buy my herbs and spices in larger quantities which worked out even cheaper.
What types of stores have you found grocery bargains in?
Have a great week and BE ENCOURAGED!!!!!!
Click here to go to this week's $300 a Month Food Challenge
Click here to read the post that started it all
6. Cheapskates Buzz
Most popular forum posts this week
Click and Collect Shopping Woolworths
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2902-Click-and-Collect-Shopping-Woolworths
My family's lifestyle change for 2014
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2300-My-family-s-lifestyle-change-for-2014
Challenge: throw out 2 things a day for a year!
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2913-Challenge-throw-out-2-things-a-day-for-a-year!
Most popular blog posts this week
Aprons, Aprons Everywhere
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2011/05/aprons-aprons-everywhere.html
Corned Beef Pie
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2010/07/corned-beef-pie.html
Keep Up with the Mending
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2011/05/keep-up-with-mending.html
7. Members Featured Blog
Platinum Cheapskates Club members have their very own Cheapskating blogs, and they are wonderful and inspirational and encouraging and even funny. This week's featured blog is written by DiddaDreaming.
Starting over at 50
I am new to this site so a quick introduction. I am a single Mum hitting fifty later this year. I separated from my husband over 12 years ago and had five children at home with me. Since then I have paid large sums in legal fees (custody), extensive medical bills for two of my three daughters and private college fees for my two youngest. I am down to having just the two girls at home one in year 12 and one in year 10.
Last year I was finally in the position to buy my first home. Very exciting and I even had a nice emergency fund we settled and moved in January last year. In August I needed surgery, having Private Health Insurance I felt covered and had a few gap bills to pay but nothing too serious. It was expected I would need 6 weeks off work. Being casual and no pay I was not worried I had enough to have 12 weeks off if needed. Then Murphy stepped in, I was off work over six months. I used everything I had and even racked up some nasty debt but we got through I went back to work this January but lost my job at the end of March.
Still trying to play catch up I have been just keeping my head above water. Having a well-stocked pantry has been a blessing indeed. We have been cutting back on groceries and I am averaging $30 per week but I cannot keep that up. I have made arrangements with the school in regards to school fees. I have rung all my service providers and made sure I am getting the best deal I can. The insurances have been looked at as well. This week I saw a financial advisor and she was able to inform me of a few more discounts I was eligible for.
I have a new job and I am grateful for it though the pay is a lot less than I was getting and the hours reduced. We are making do. We have been blessed with people in the community reaching out to us. I received a wonderful food hamper yesterday and this will help us out through many weeks.
So now I need to focus on finding every dollar I can to pay off the mortgage and start funding my retirement to the best of my ability. 15 years until retirement....time to get moving.
Login to read more Cheapskates Club Member blogs
8. 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!
9. 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!
10. 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
11. Contact Details
The Cheapskates Club -
Showing you how to live life
debt free, cashed up and laughing!
PO Box 5077 Studfield Vic 3152
1. Cath's Corner
2. In the Tip Store - Stock, Using Zinio for iPad, iPhone or Tablet, Fragrant Alternative to Moth Balls
3. Submit Your Tip - You have to be in it to win it!
4. On the Menu with Anne - 7 Days of dinners, done just for you!
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy - Buying At Other Shops for Groceries
6. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
7. Member's Featured Blog - Starting Over at 50
8. Join the Cheapskates Club
9. Gift Memberships
10. Frequently Asked Questions
11. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
Hasn't Hannah done a great job with the newsletters? And AJ has done a fantastic job of looking after memberships, especially as he's new to the admin side of Cheapskates and only had a couple of hours with me to pick things up before we left.
I'm writing this from a very comfy bed in a lovely motel, not too far from home, and we will be home tomorrow. My feet are chilly, I certainly know we are back in Victoria. Our trip plans had a few last minute changes so we have visited places we hadn't planned on and missed out on some of the places we had wanted to see. It was still a great trip; we live in a truly vast and amazing country and I feel blessed to be able to see even a little bit. Anyway, I have a hot chocolate waiting for me, so this will be short.
The July Journal has been uploaded to the website, so members can log in and read it to their hearts' content. The first of the Christmas in July features has been posted to my blog too.
I'm looking forward to getting home, catching up with the kids and Mum and of course all the emails, questions and notes I have waiting from you (Hannah and AJ tell me I have a "few" to get through).
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!
PPS: You can read this newsletter and past copies on the website in the Newsletter Archive.
2. From The Tip Store
Stock
Approximate $ Savings: $2.09 per 500mls (Campbells) or $2.00 per Litre (No name)
Every time you cook your vegetables - no matter which vegetable or the amount of water that they are cooked in, save the water and freeze. This is your vegetable stock that can be used anywhere that you need stock. Sieve it so you have no additional bits in it or have as is for gravy. You have total control over the amount of salt that is added. This is better than any stock that you will buy.
Contributed by Chris Arenell
Editor's note: I save the water from steamed or boiled vegetables in a tall Tupperware Square Round container in the freezer. I just top the container up with the water until it is full. Once the last top-up is frozen the contents are put into a freezer bag. I use this as the "water" part of the soups I make. No waste of water or nutrition and the soups have a great flavour. Cath.
Using Zinio for iPad, iPhone or Tablet
Approximate $ Savings: $100's on Magazines
A lot of people now have electronic devices, through the local library you can join Zinio for libraries and read many magazines. I have found this really a saving as no more purchasing of magazines and I do not have to leave home to receive the most up to date magazine e.g. Better Homes and Garden, Big League Weekly, ABC Gardening, Readers Digest and many more.
Contributed by Ann Yoxall
Fragrant Alternative to Moth Balls
A friend of mine puts a bar of soap in every drawer of clothes and she finds this keeps moths away, clothes smell nice and she has an emergency supply of soap.
Contributed by Ann Green
There are currently more than 11,000 great tips in the Tip Store
3. 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
4. On the Menu with Anne
Anne and her husband are still enjoying their holiday, but she sent her meal plan in and assures me this is what they will be eating, with most of the meals pre-prepared at home and frozen so they won't be relying on takeaway or expensive junk food. Sound like a great plan to me.
This week we will be eating:
Friday: Tacos
Saturday: Spaghetti Bolognese
Sunday: Greek lamb, herb roasted vegetables, gravy and mint sauce
Monday: Lemon fish fillets, homemade wedges, coleslaw
Tuesday: Homemade pita pizzas, salad
Wednesday: Rissoles, steamed vegetables and gravy
Thursday: Haystacks
In the fruit bowl: Bananas and apples
In the cake tin: ANZAC biscuits, muesli bars, coconut biscuits
Do you have a meal planning question? Click here to ask your question, you may see your answer in next week's newsletter.
There are over 1,500 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File.
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy
Buying At Other Shops for Groceries
Welcome to a new week on the food challenge.
When it comes to finding the best deal on your groceries, it really does pay to think outside the square. Major supermarkets do not always offer the best price. Have a look at large and small discounts stores, local independent grocery stores, fruit and veg markets, spice shops, farmer's markets, cannery outlets, butchers and chemists.
Here's a list of what other shops can offer at bargain prices -
Spice shops - Herbs and spices in bulk (varying sizes), flours, sugars, rice, sauces and baking ingredients.
Discount stores - shower gels, soaps, toothpaste, toothbrushes, cleaning products, tea, chocolate, lollies, biscuits and tinned food.
Local grocers - sliced meat, tinned soup, oil. Look out for their market day specials.
Fruit and veg shops / markets - fruit and veg ( obviously ), sauces, tinned foods, eggs, flowers, bread and snacks.
Farmers Markets - fruit and veg, meat and cheeses. Try going at closing time to get a good deal.
Cannery outlets - tinned fruit, veg and soups, toiletries, dried fruits, nuts, chocolates and lollies.
Butchers - meat, eggs, pasta, sauces, freezer bags and bread.
Chemists - soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes and laundry powder.
If you are unsure of where your local discount stores and spice shops are, try the internet or asking friends. You might just be surprised at what is in your local area. When you do find something cheap, buy enough stock so that you are not making weekly trips that will take up your time and petrol. When I found a great and very cheap spice shop I went with a list of what I needed for at least six months. By doing this I was able to buy my herbs and spices in larger quantities which worked out even cheaper.
What types of stores have you found grocery bargains in?
Have a great week and BE ENCOURAGED!!!!!!
Click here to go to this week's $300 a Month Food Challenge
Click here to read the post that started it all
6. Cheapskates Buzz
Most popular forum posts this week
Click and Collect Shopping Woolworths
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2902-Click-and-Collect-Shopping-Woolworths
My family's lifestyle change for 2014
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2300-My-family-s-lifestyle-change-for-2014
Challenge: throw out 2 things a day for a year!
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2913-Challenge-throw-out-2-things-a-day-for-a-year!
Most popular blog posts this week
Aprons, Aprons Everywhere
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2011/05/aprons-aprons-everywhere.html
Corned Beef Pie
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2010/07/corned-beef-pie.html
Keep Up with the Mending
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2011/05/keep-up-with-mending.html
7. Members Featured Blog
Platinum Cheapskates Club members have their very own Cheapskating blogs, and they are wonderful and inspirational and encouraging and even funny. This week's featured blog is written by DiddaDreaming.
Starting over at 50
I am new to this site so a quick introduction. I am a single Mum hitting fifty later this year. I separated from my husband over 12 years ago and had five children at home with me. Since then I have paid large sums in legal fees (custody), extensive medical bills for two of my three daughters and private college fees for my two youngest. I am down to having just the two girls at home one in year 12 and one in year 10.
Last year I was finally in the position to buy my first home. Very exciting and I even had a nice emergency fund we settled and moved in January last year. In August I needed surgery, having Private Health Insurance I felt covered and had a few gap bills to pay but nothing too serious. It was expected I would need 6 weeks off work. Being casual and no pay I was not worried I had enough to have 12 weeks off if needed. Then Murphy stepped in, I was off work over six months. I used everything I had and even racked up some nasty debt but we got through I went back to work this January but lost my job at the end of March.
Still trying to play catch up I have been just keeping my head above water. Having a well-stocked pantry has been a blessing indeed. We have been cutting back on groceries and I am averaging $30 per week but I cannot keep that up. I have made arrangements with the school in regards to school fees. I have rung all my service providers and made sure I am getting the best deal I can. The insurances have been looked at as well. This week I saw a financial advisor and she was able to inform me of a few more discounts I was eligible for.
I have a new job and I am grateful for it though the pay is a lot less than I was getting and the hours reduced. We are making do. We have been blessed with people in the community reaching out to us. I received a wonderful food hamper yesterday and this will help us out through many weeks.
So now I need to focus on finding every dollar I can to pay off the mortgage and start funding my retirement to the best of my ability. 15 years until retirement....time to get moving.
Login to read more Cheapskates Club Member blogs
8. 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!
9. 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!
10. 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
11. Contact Details
The Cheapskates Club -
Showing you how to live life
debt free, cashed up and laughing!
PO Box 5077 Studfield Vic 3152