Your Cheapskates Club Newsletter: 29:14 Bright ideas to save you money
1. Cath's Corner
2. In the Tip Store - Microfibre Cloths Replace Paper Towels, Getting All the Contents from a Container, Use all the Apple
3. Cheapskate's Winning Tip - Cheap Rainy Day Construction Toy
4. Submit Your Tip
5. Living Green in 2014 - Corks!
6. On the Menu with Anne - Ginger Syrup Cake
7. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy - Trying new ingredients
8. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
9. Member's Featured Blog - A Debt Free Life Dream by Swiftgurl
10. Last Week's Question - How do I MOO scented drawer liners?11. This Week's Question - How do I get the best from the toy sales?
12. Join the Cheapskates Club
13. Gift Memberships
14. Frequently Asked Questions
15. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Welcome to another newsletter full of great ideas to save you money, time and energy. This last week has certainly flown by, so I'm not sure if I've saved any time. I have saved energy though - I've farmed out lots of chores to the family to do for me, saving my energy.
We have been able to keep the thermostat set at 18 degrees and stay warm, turning the heating off if the sun so much as peeped through. We've also been even more determined to make sure only appliances we are using are actually on. And money. Well I'd like to say I've saved a bundle but not really. On the other hand I haven't spent a cent more than was necessary (petrol, milk and cheese and a couple of bills).
All little things that in the grand scheme of things may not seem like much. But when you put them all together and add up the savings at the end of the year it is amazing. When you get the "can't be bothereds" remember it's easy to save when your goal is a little each day.
Instead of pizza for tea when you’re tired make toasted sandwiches or eggs on toast and put that $20 you were going to spend on pizza into your Emergency Fund. You were going to spend it anyway so moving it to your EF ensures the money really is saved.
Remember: money isn’t saved until it is in the bank. Until then it is just not spent.
"Love the website and love your books I have given a few books away for presents and they love the books too and follow them all the time. I am very happy today, I have just saved myself $40.00 per fortnight off my Gas and electricity bills. Now I can save for a decking. I also changed my savings accounts and I am saving more WIN WIN I say. I have been struggling for years, now I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. God Bless you and your family." Janene
"I just wanted to say thankyou for an amazing website. We have recently been married, purchased our first home and had a beautiful little girl and have come out of it debt free (obviously still have the monthly mortgage to pay). We are also about to purchase a new car without going into debt. Your tips and recipes have been my saviour. I’m constantly searching through your site for the next way to save a bit more money. Once I realised how much I could save it made me want to save even more. Thankyou for changing my life." Colleen Thomas
"Brilliant website and the weekly letters are wonderful." Monica Brown
"Hi Cath and Cheapskate staff, I was so disheartened the other day because I want to save money and my husband doesn't see the point when he thinks that we'll just lose it somewhere else. He was right because the following day I got a message to say I didn't pay a bill on time so I had to pay an extra $55!My daughter (who is 14) told me to not give up. This made me determined to do better and save where I can. I have bought your three books and am slowly reading through them getting ideas on how I can save money. Sorry this was long but just want to say thank you in advance for the money you are going to help me save, you are so inspirational." Christine Croce
"Just love Cheapskates and have been reinspired by latest newsletter and watching Wendy to really focus on the Cheapskates way. Many thanks." Marguerite Jones
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
Microfibre Cloths Replace Paper Towels
Approximate $ Savings: $50 per annum
I've always used paper towels for wiping down around the kitchen because I'm concerned that a Wettex or similar wipe would not be hygienic. I would go through a roll of paper towel a week, at $1.10-$1.50 per roll. I bought a pack of 20 microfibre cloths at Bunnings for $10.40 and now use them instead. I hang a net washing bag in the laundry for the used cloths and rotate them frequently. When I do a general wash I throw the bag into the machine. I now reserve paper towels for food applications and use 1 roll a month, while the microfiber cloths are so effective I rarely need my Miracle Spray.
Contributed by Andrea Hewett
Getting All the Contents from a Container
I cut the bottom off the toothpaste tube and get six extra cleans. Same with shampoo, and cat food (for the one that comes in a sachet). I use the scissors to cut the end off and then and a sharp knife to get the last bit of washing liquid and dish washing liquid. Use a spatula to scrape jars and cans. Anything that comes in a container can be opened and scraped so you can use all the contents, not just the amount the manufacturer wants you to use.
Contributed by Jennifer Pietikainen
Use all the Apple
Approximate $ Savings: $20
I was given 3 kilos of organic granny smith apples. I decided to dry apple rings in my dehydrator and make one sheet of fruit leather. As I was preparing them using my peeler, slicer and corer I wondered what I could use the peels and cores for rather than just the compost so I made apple jelly, adding a couple of the very small apples and remnants of those affected by codling moth. I cooked the fruit bits with a few cups of water until they were mush. I then strained it through an old boiled pillow case, measured the juice and for each cup added 200 grams of sugar. To this I added the juice of 2 lemons and boiled until it reached gel stage. The result was four large jars of beautiful, clear, deep pink jelly which is delicious on bread. The left over mush was fed to the chickens. Not a thing was wasted!
Contributed by Carol Woolcock
There are more than 11,000 great tips in the Tip Store
3. Cheapskates Winning tip
This week's winning tip is from Meran Robinson. Meran has won a one year Platinum Cheapskates Club membership for submitting her winning tip.
Cheap Rainy Day Construction Toy
Approximate $ Savings: +$20
Kids unwell or confined due to weather during the holidays and bored with their regular toys? Give them a bag of clothes pegs. Yes - clothes pegs! The ORIGINAL construction toy. Let their imagination run wild, or set them some "peg" challenges - make farm animals, houses, arrange into patterns, sort, peg themselves together, make peg "guns" and try shooting the pegs into a washing basket, play peg "tag" (like regular tag, but peg something to the person who is now "it") the possibilities are only as endless as your/your child's imagination. Best part is, all this fun from a household item you are bound to have already - no extra equipment required! Suits kids aged 3-10 years - just modify the "challenges" to suit!
Congratulations Meran, I hope you enjoy your Cheapskates Club membership.
4. Submit your tip
The Cheapskate's Club website is over 3,000 pages of money saving hints, tips and ideas. Let's get together and make the Cheapskates Club Australia's largest online hint, tip and idea library. Share your favourite money saving, time saving or energy saving hint and be in the running to win a one-year membership to The Cheapskate Club. We publish a Winning Tip each Thursday, so enter your great money, time or energy saving idea now.
Share your favourite hint or tip that saves money, time and energy and be in the running to win a one-year subscription to The Cheapskate Journal.
Remember, you have to be in it to win it!
Submit your tip
5. Living Green in 2014
Corks!
Did you know that cork is actually the bark of a cork oak tree? And that tree must be at least 25 years old before the first harvest? And that it is then not harvested again for another nine years, ensuring cork is a sustainable harvested resource? Or that the cork oak is a valuable habitat for a wide variety of birds and wildlife?
If you drink wine regularly, you may be wondering what to do with all the corks you accumulate from the bottles. This is one of those "difficult" recyclables, but it doesn’t have to be.
Here are some creative uses for corks:
Thread a needle and poke the needle through a used cork. Then tie the thread to your key ring. If your keys ever fall into water, the cork will stay afloat and you'll be able to rescue your keys.
This floating ability makes corks a good choice for use with fishing line.
Coarsely chopped corks make good mulch. You can use them whole, too. They do eventually break down.
Trivets, picture frames, wreaths, and other crafts can be made from corks. Even doll-sized chairs and tables can be made from corks. Use a hot glue gun when attaching them.
Use corks on the pointy end of anything sharp to avoid being accidentally stabbed.
I've put a cork on either side of the folding arm on my clotheshorse to keep it in place on the support bar (after 19 years it has decided to start falling off!).
Sew a cork to the back of a snorer's pj top to stop him (or her) from rolling onto his (or her) back. OK, that one may be a stretch but there are plenty of things to do with corks, you just need to use your imagination.
Cork can also be recycled and there are recycling programs all over Australia. Those wine corks can be recycled into cork floor tiles, boat decking and the inner of cricket and hockey balls and a few other items.
To find out more about cork recycling visit the Planet Ark Recycling Near You website
6. On the Menu with Anne
Ginger Syrup Cake
Ginger cake is wonderful for winter, full of warm, spicy goodness and this ginger syrup cake is no exception. We love it warmed with ice cream and a little stewed apple on the side. In our house we just love ginger cake, especially this recipe from the Recipe File.
Ginger Syrup Cake
Ingredients:
60g unsalted butter
1/2 cup golden syrup
3/4 cup plain flour
1/4 cup self-raising four
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 heaped tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp mixed spice
1/2 cup caster sugar
salt
1/2 cup milk
1 egg, beaten
Syrup:
½ cup sugar
½ cup water
1 tbsp finely grated ginger
Method:
Preheat the oven to 170C. Grease a 23 x 12 cm loaf tin and line the base with baking paper. Melt butter and golden syrup together in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat. Sift flour, bicarbonate of soda and spices into a mixing bowl. Stir in the sugar and a pinch of salt, and then add the milk and egg and mix until smooth. Gradually add the melted butter mixture, stirring until well combined. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf tin and bake for 50 -55 minutes, or until risen and firm to the touch. A skewer inserted into the middle of the cake should come out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool.
To make syrup place sugar, water and finely grated fresh ginger in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Pierce top of cake with a skewer. Spoon syrup over hot cake.
This week we will be eating:
Friday: Curried sausages, steamed rice
Saturday: Muffin Surprise
Sunday: Roast Beef, baked vegetables, broccoli, gravy
Monday: Meatloaf, mash, broccoli, carrots, tomato gravy
Tuesday: Spaghetti Bolognaise
Wednesday: Kransky, potato bake, beans
Thursday: Hamburgers
In the fruit bowl: mandarins, apples, bananas
In the cake tin: Boiled chocolate cake, blueberry muffins, gingerbread
There are over 1,300 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File
7. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy
Every year I like to add two new main meal recipes to the list of family favourites. Picking a new recipe to try can be a bit challenging. I need to pick something that I think my family will like, it needs to be reasonably easy to make and most of all, it needs to fit within my food budget.
The first thing I do when I've picked a new recipe is to see if I have every (or at least most) ingredients on hand already. If I don't have all the ingredients I ask myself a few questions. Does this recipe really need all the ingredient? Can I substitute some ingredients?
The next question I ask is can I make this recipe cheaper? By cheaper I mean can I use less meat or a cheaper cut? Many casserole recipes I've come across require 500 grams to 1 kilo of meat. This is a lot of meat for my family of four. The most I would use is 500 grams. Then I bulk it out with extra vegetables. Have you noticed that some recipes only have one or two vegetables in it? Many American recipes I've come across have huge amounts of meat or cheese in them and small amounts of vegetables. I always change the recipe around to make it healthier.
Another question I ask myself is, if I need to buy a new ingredient, will my family like the new flavour? I also only buy a small amount of a new ingredient. A few years ago I decided to try a peanut satay chicken recipe for the slow cooker. It needed coconut milk (or cream) so I bought a few cans thinking my family would like the recipe. They did not. The coconut flavour was too strong and the recipe didn't have a complexity of flavours. Every mouthful was hard to swallow. Never again!!!
I used the other can in a coconut cake recipe - another new recipe. We didn't like the cake either. Once again the coconut flavour was too strong. By then I think I had one can left. I ended giving it to a food drive for Christmas hampers.
I've now learnt my lesson. Only cook what we can afford and only cook what my family likes. If I need to buy anything different I now give it a lot of thought. Will it be money down the drain?
Have you bought different ingredients only to find that the family didn't like it?
Have you found strange ingredients in the back of your pantry?
How do you make a meal cheaper?
Have a great week and BE ENCOURAGED!!!!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?24-Take-up-the-challenge-!!!!
The Post that Started it All
http://www.cheapskates.com.au/pages/default.cfm?page_id=44265
8.Cheapskates Buzz
This week's hot forum topics
Oh my Goodness - How Good are We!
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?532-Oh-my-goodness-how-good-are-we!&highlight=cutegroomz
Dutch Honey Cake
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?247-Dutch-Honey-Cake&highlight=cutegroomz
Freezing Fresh Vegetables
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?293-Freezing-fresh-vegetables&highlight=cutegroomz
Most popular blog posts this week
Laundry Soap and Bicarb Soda
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2011/02/laundry-soap-and-bicarb-soda.html
One is Enough
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2014/01/one-is-enough.html
Top 7 Ways to Cut Grocery Costs
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/p/top-7-ways-to-cut-grocery-costs.html
9. 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 Swiftgurl.
A Debt Free Life Dream
My blog equals the next stage of my life. My goals are:
to eliminate my credit card debt
to be able to have a slush fund to take off 6 months unpaid (already have 6 months annual leave and government maternity leave when I eventually have a baby)
pay off my car
So with that in mind I have started a price book and changing our habits. Next is a stoctake of the pantry and for the next two weeks reduce our grocery bill.
Although myself and my BF do not spend a lot at the supermarket, $100 is our average spend for two people. We are looking at reducing it to around $40 a week for the next two - three weeks.
Week one challenge:
Set up a price book and do a pantry stocktake.
spend no more than $40 at the supermarket for the next two - three weeks
Let's see how I go, will update on progress.
Login to read more Cheapskates Club member blogs
10. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Cass who wrote
"I'd love to MOO scented drawer liners, like the paper ones you can buy. Does anyone have any tips on the paper to use and how to fragrance it?"
Monika OLeary answered
I use left over wrapping paper or butchers paper (The butcher will give you a few sheets if you ask). Cut the paper so it fits into the drawer and spray or dab it with an essential oil (I use lavender) and presto scented drawer liner.
Meryll Williams answered
My nan always left her empty perfume bottles (without a lid) in her undies drawer and the perfume lasted for ages. You can also just put a in bar of unwrapped soap.
Mi Caulfield answered
My grandmother used to get blotting paper, spray it with her favourite perfume (or lightly rub with scented soap), wait for it to dry then line her draws with it, after cutting to size. I believe you can get blotting paper at most good stationery shops.
Robyne Neal answered
I use greaseproof paper and on one side I put scented flowers and spices and some essential oils, any that match the flowers, and spices then put another layer of paper on top and Iron it together. You might need a tea towel so it doesn't stick to your iron. They last about a year.
Do you have a question that needs an answer?
Send us your question and receive the combined knowledge of your fellow Cheapskates to solve your problem!
Ask Your Question
11. This Week's Question
Roseanne writes
"The mid-year toy sales have started, and they seem to have bargains. I have gone to them in the past but there seems to be more hype than bargains. How do you get good deals at the mid-year toy sales and know they really are good deals? I hate getting to December and finding what I queued up to buy cheaper."
Do you have the answer?
If you are a mid-year toy sale expert and have a suggestion or idea for Roseanne, 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
12. 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
13. 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!
14. 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
15. Contact Details
The Cheapskates Club -
Showing you how to live life
debt free, cashed up and laughing!
PO Box 5077 Studfield Vic 3152
www.cheapskates.com.au
[email protected]
2. In the Tip Store - Microfibre Cloths Replace Paper Towels, Getting All the Contents from a Container, Use all the Apple
3. Cheapskate's Winning Tip - Cheap Rainy Day Construction Toy
4. Submit Your Tip
5. Living Green in 2014 - Corks!
6. On the Menu with Anne - Ginger Syrup Cake
7. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy - Trying new ingredients
8. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
9. Member's Featured Blog - A Debt Free Life Dream by Swiftgurl
10. Last Week's Question - How do I MOO scented drawer liners?11. This Week's Question - How do I get the best from the toy sales?
12. Join the Cheapskates Club
13. Gift Memberships
14. Frequently Asked Questions
15. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Welcome to another newsletter full of great ideas to save you money, time and energy. This last week has certainly flown by, so I'm not sure if I've saved any time. I have saved energy though - I've farmed out lots of chores to the family to do for me, saving my energy.
We have been able to keep the thermostat set at 18 degrees and stay warm, turning the heating off if the sun so much as peeped through. We've also been even more determined to make sure only appliances we are using are actually on. And money. Well I'd like to say I've saved a bundle but not really. On the other hand I haven't spent a cent more than was necessary (petrol, milk and cheese and a couple of bills).
All little things that in the grand scheme of things may not seem like much. But when you put them all together and add up the savings at the end of the year it is amazing. When you get the "can't be bothereds" remember it's easy to save when your goal is a little each day.
Instead of pizza for tea when you’re tired make toasted sandwiches or eggs on toast and put that $20 you were going to spend on pizza into your Emergency Fund. You were going to spend it anyway so moving it to your EF ensures the money really is saved.
Remember: money isn’t saved until it is in the bank. Until then it is just not spent.
"Love the website and love your books I have given a few books away for presents and they love the books too and follow them all the time. I am very happy today, I have just saved myself $40.00 per fortnight off my Gas and electricity bills. Now I can save for a decking. I also changed my savings accounts and I am saving more WIN WIN I say. I have been struggling for years, now I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. God Bless you and your family." Janene
"I just wanted to say thankyou for an amazing website. We have recently been married, purchased our first home and had a beautiful little girl and have come out of it debt free (obviously still have the monthly mortgage to pay). We are also about to purchase a new car without going into debt. Your tips and recipes have been my saviour. I’m constantly searching through your site for the next way to save a bit more money. Once I realised how much I could save it made me want to save even more. Thankyou for changing my life." Colleen Thomas
"Brilliant website and the weekly letters are wonderful." Monica Brown
"Hi Cath and Cheapskate staff, I was so disheartened the other day because I want to save money and my husband doesn't see the point when he thinks that we'll just lose it somewhere else. He was right because the following day I got a message to say I didn't pay a bill on time so I had to pay an extra $55!My daughter (who is 14) told me to not give up. This made me determined to do better and save where I can. I have bought your three books and am slowly reading through them getting ideas on how I can save money. Sorry this was long but just want to say thank you in advance for the money you are going to help me save, you are so inspirational." Christine Croce
"Just love Cheapskates and have been reinspired by latest newsletter and watching Wendy to really focus on the Cheapskates way. Many thanks." Marguerite Jones
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
Microfibre Cloths Replace Paper Towels
Approximate $ Savings: $50 per annum
I've always used paper towels for wiping down around the kitchen because I'm concerned that a Wettex or similar wipe would not be hygienic. I would go through a roll of paper towel a week, at $1.10-$1.50 per roll. I bought a pack of 20 microfibre cloths at Bunnings for $10.40 and now use them instead. I hang a net washing bag in the laundry for the used cloths and rotate them frequently. When I do a general wash I throw the bag into the machine. I now reserve paper towels for food applications and use 1 roll a month, while the microfiber cloths are so effective I rarely need my Miracle Spray.
Contributed by Andrea Hewett
Getting All the Contents from a Container
I cut the bottom off the toothpaste tube and get six extra cleans. Same with shampoo, and cat food (for the one that comes in a sachet). I use the scissors to cut the end off and then and a sharp knife to get the last bit of washing liquid and dish washing liquid. Use a spatula to scrape jars and cans. Anything that comes in a container can be opened and scraped so you can use all the contents, not just the amount the manufacturer wants you to use.
Contributed by Jennifer Pietikainen
Use all the Apple
Approximate $ Savings: $20
I was given 3 kilos of organic granny smith apples. I decided to dry apple rings in my dehydrator and make one sheet of fruit leather. As I was preparing them using my peeler, slicer and corer I wondered what I could use the peels and cores for rather than just the compost so I made apple jelly, adding a couple of the very small apples and remnants of those affected by codling moth. I cooked the fruit bits with a few cups of water until they were mush. I then strained it through an old boiled pillow case, measured the juice and for each cup added 200 grams of sugar. To this I added the juice of 2 lemons and boiled until it reached gel stage. The result was four large jars of beautiful, clear, deep pink jelly which is delicious on bread. The left over mush was fed to the chickens. Not a thing was wasted!
Contributed by Carol Woolcock
There are more than 11,000 great tips in the Tip Store
3. Cheapskates Winning tip
This week's winning tip is from Meran Robinson. Meran has won a one year Platinum Cheapskates Club membership for submitting her winning tip.
Cheap Rainy Day Construction Toy
Approximate $ Savings: +$20
Kids unwell or confined due to weather during the holidays and bored with their regular toys? Give them a bag of clothes pegs. Yes - clothes pegs! The ORIGINAL construction toy. Let their imagination run wild, or set them some "peg" challenges - make farm animals, houses, arrange into patterns, sort, peg themselves together, make peg "guns" and try shooting the pegs into a washing basket, play peg "tag" (like regular tag, but peg something to the person who is now "it") the possibilities are only as endless as your/your child's imagination. Best part is, all this fun from a household item you are bound to have already - no extra equipment required! Suits kids aged 3-10 years - just modify the "challenges" to suit!
Congratulations Meran, I hope you enjoy your Cheapskates Club membership.
4. Submit your tip
The Cheapskate's Club website is over 3,000 pages of money saving hints, tips and ideas. Let's get together and make the Cheapskates Club Australia's largest online hint, tip and idea library. Share your favourite money saving, time saving or energy saving hint and be in the running to win a one-year membership to The Cheapskate Club. We publish a Winning Tip each Thursday, so enter your great money, time or energy saving idea now.
Share your favourite hint or tip that saves money, time and energy and be in the running to win a one-year subscription to The Cheapskate Journal.
Remember, you have to be in it to win it!
Submit your tip
5. Living Green in 2014
Corks!
Did you know that cork is actually the bark of a cork oak tree? And that tree must be at least 25 years old before the first harvest? And that it is then not harvested again for another nine years, ensuring cork is a sustainable harvested resource? Or that the cork oak is a valuable habitat for a wide variety of birds and wildlife?
If you drink wine regularly, you may be wondering what to do with all the corks you accumulate from the bottles. This is one of those "difficult" recyclables, but it doesn’t have to be.
Here are some creative uses for corks:
Thread a needle and poke the needle through a used cork. Then tie the thread to your key ring. If your keys ever fall into water, the cork will stay afloat and you'll be able to rescue your keys.
This floating ability makes corks a good choice for use with fishing line.
Coarsely chopped corks make good mulch. You can use them whole, too. They do eventually break down.
Trivets, picture frames, wreaths, and other crafts can be made from corks. Even doll-sized chairs and tables can be made from corks. Use a hot glue gun when attaching them.
Use corks on the pointy end of anything sharp to avoid being accidentally stabbed.
I've put a cork on either side of the folding arm on my clotheshorse to keep it in place on the support bar (after 19 years it has decided to start falling off!).
Sew a cork to the back of a snorer's pj top to stop him (or her) from rolling onto his (or her) back. OK, that one may be a stretch but there are plenty of things to do with corks, you just need to use your imagination.
Cork can also be recycled and there are recycling programs all over Australia. Those wine corks can be recycled into cork floor tiles, boat decking and the inner of cricket and hockey balls and a few other items.
To find out more about cork recycling visit the Planet Ark Recycling Near You website
6. On the Menu with Anne
Ginger Syrup Cake
Ginger cake is wonderful for winter, full of warm, spicy goodness and this ginger syrup cake is no exception. We love it warmed with ice cream and a little stewed apple on the side. In our house we just love ginger cake, especially this recipe from the Recipe File.
Ginger Syrup Cake
Ingredients:
60g unsalted butter
1/2 cup golden syrup
3/4 cup plain flour
1/4 cup self-raising four
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 heaped tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp mixed spice
1/2 cup caster sugar
salt
1/2 cup milk
1 egg, beaten
Syrup:
½ cup sugar
½ cup water
1 tbsp finely grated ginger
Method:
Preheat the oven to 170C. Grease a 23 x 12 cm loaf tin and line the base with baking paper. Melt butter and golden syrup together in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat. Sift flour, bicarbonate of soda and spices into a mixing bowl. Stir in the sugar and a pinch of salt, and then add the milk and egg and mix until smooth. Gradually add the melted butter mixture, stirring until well combined. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf tin and bake for 50 -55 minutes, or until risen and firm to the touch. A skewer inserted into the middle of the cake should come out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool.
To make syrup place sugar, water and finely grated fresh ginger in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Pierce top of cake with a skewer. Spoon syrup over hot cake.
This week we will be eating:
Friday: Curried sausages, steamed rice
Saturday: Muffin Surprise
Sunday: Roast Beef, baked vegetables, broccoli, gravy
Monday: Meatloaf, mash, broccoli, carrots, tomato gravy
Tuesday: Spaghetti Bolognaise
Wednesday: Kransky, potato bake, beans
Thursday: Hamburgers
In the fruit bowl: mandarins, apples, bananas
In the cake tin: Boiled chocolate cake, blueberry muffins, gingerbread
There are over 1,300 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File
7. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy
Every year I like to add two new main meal recipes to the list of family favourites. Picking a new recipe to try can be a bit challenging. I need to pick something that I think my family will like, it needs to be reasonably easy to make and most of all, it needs to fit within my food budget.
The first thing I do when I've picked a new recipe is to see if I have every (or at least most) ingredients on hand already. If I don't have all the ingredients I ask myself a few questions. Does this recipe really need all the ingredient? Can I substitute some ingredients?
The next question I ask is can I make this recipe cheaper? By cheaper I mean can I use less meat or a cheaper cut? Many casserole recipes I've come across require 500 grams to 1 kilo of meat. This is a lot of meat for my family of four. The most I would use is 500 grams. Then I bulk it out with extra vegetables. Have you noticed that some recipes only have one or two vegetables in it? Many American recipes I've come across have huge amounts of meat or cheese in them and small amounts of vegetables. I always change the recipe around to make it healthier.
Another question I ask myself is, if I need to buy a new ingredient, will my family like the new flavour? I also only buy a small amount of a new ingredient. A few years ago I decided to try a peanut satay chicken recipe for the slow cooker. It needed coconut milk (or cream) so I bought a few cans thinking my family would like the recipe. They did not. The coconut flavour was too strong and the recipe didn't have a complexity of flavours. Every mouthful was hard to swallow. Never again!!!
I used the other can in a coconut cake recipe - another new recipe. We didn't like the cake either. Once again the coconut flavour was too strong. By then I think I had one can left. I ended giving it to a food drive for Christmas hampers.
I've now learnt my lesson. Only cook what we can afford and only cook what my family likes. If I need to buy anything different I now give it a lot of thought. Will it be money down the drain?
Have you bought different ingredients only to find that the family didn't like it?
Have you found strange ingredients in the back of your pantry?
How do you make a meal cheaper?
Have a great week and BE ENCOURAGED!!!!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?24-Take-up-the-challenge-!!!!
The Post that Started it All
http://www.cheapskates.com.au/pages/default.cfm?page_id=44265
8.Cheapskates Buzz
This week's hot forum topics
Oh my Goodness - How Good are We!
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?532-Oh-my-goodness-how-good-are-we!&highlight=cutegroomz
Dutch Honey Cake
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?247-Dutch-Honey-Cake&highlight=cutegroomz
Freezing Fresh Vegetables
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?293-Freezing-fresh-vegetables&highlight=cutegroomz
Most popular blog posts this week
Laundry Soap and Bicarb Soda
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2011/02/laundry-soap-and-bicarb-soda.html
One is Enough
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2014/01/one-is-enough.html
Top 7 Ways to Cut Grocery Costs
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/p/top-7-ways-to-cut-grocery-costs.html
9. 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 Swiftgurl.
A Debt Free Life Dream
My blog equals the next stage of my life. My goals are:
to eliminate my credit card debt
to be able to have a slush fund to take off 6 months unpaid (already have 6 months annual leave and government maternity leave when I eventually have a baby)
pay off my car
So with that in mind I have started a price book and changing our habits. Next is a stoctake of the pantry and for the next two weeks reduce our grocery bill.
Although myself and my BF do not spend a lot at the supermarket, $100 is our average spend for two people. We are looking at reducing it to around $40 a week for the next two - three weeks.
Week one challenge:
Set up a price book and do a pantry stocktake.
spend no more than $40 at the supermarket for the next two - three weeks
Let's see how I go, will update on progress.
Login to read more Cheapskates Club member blogs
10. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Cass who wrote
"I'd love to MOO scented drawer liners, like the paper ones you can buy. Does anyone have any tips on the paper to use and how to fragrance it?"
Monika OLeary answered
I use left over wrapping paper or butchers paper (The butcher will give you a few sheets if you ask). Cut the paper so it fits into the drawer and spray or dab it with an essential oil (I use lavender) and presto scented drawer liner.
Meryll Williams answered
My nan always left her empty perfume bottles (without a lid) in her undies drawer and the perfume lasted for ages. You can also just put a in bar of unwrapped soap.
Mi Caulfield answered
My grandmother used to get blotting paper, spray it with her favourite perfume (or lightly rub with scented soap), wait for it to dry then line her draws with it, after cutting to size. I believe you can get blotting paper at most good stationery shops.
Robyne Neal answered
I use greaseproof paper and on one side I put scented flowers and spices and some essential oils, any that match the flowers, and spices then put another layer of paper on top and Iron it together. You might need a tea towel so it doesn't stick to your iron. They last about a year.
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11. This Week's Question
Roseanne writes
"The mid-year toy sales have started, and they seem to have bargains. I have gone to them in the past but there seems to be more hype than bargains. How do you get good deals at the mid-year toy sales and know they really are good deals? I hate getting to December and finding what I queued up to buy cheaper."
Do you have the answer?
If you are a mid-year toy sale expert and have a suggestion or idea for Roseanne, 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
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15. Contact Details
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www.cheapskates.com.au
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