Your Cheapskates Club Newsletter 29:17
In this Newsletter
1. Cath's Corner
2. In the Tip Store - Op Shop Uniform Saver; Vacuuming Sealing for the Better; Tips from a Top Housekeeper
3.Share Your Tips - Have a great money saving idea? Share it here!
4. Cheapskates Journal Sneak Peek - See what members are reading this month
5. On the Menu - Chilli Con Carne Cheapskates Style
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - Guerrilla Shopping Part 2: The Price Book
7. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
8. Member's Featured Blog - Aiming for August
9. Last Week's Question - Skin care advice needed
10. This Week's Question - How do we budget on a single, irregular income with young children
11. Ask Cath
12. Join the Cheapskates Club
13. Frequently Asked Questions
14. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
What a week it has been! We've had some visitors, I hosted a card making day, the July Journal has been posted to the Member's Centre and finally the weather really has turned wintery here in Melbourne. Up until now it's been quite mild, but this week….brrrr…..
This cold snap has been a real boon to my budget, it's just been too cold and wet to go out. I've saved on petrol (yay, because it's gone back up), avoided impulse buys (even I'm tempted by a sale sign), stuck to the grocery list and not spent a cent that wasn't budgeted and planned. I love weeks like this, and it was just in time for the cash challenge too.
I've used just cash for all purchases this week. I went to the supermarket and withdrew just the cash I needed for the week. Why the supermarket? Because there's no charge for a cash withdrawal, it was convenient and I was able to get the money in the denominations I wanted - I can't do that at an ATM.
It was nice using cash instead of cards. Before I bought anything, even a bottle of milk, I thought about whether it was a want or a need and if it was a planned purchase, then made sure I had the exact amount in my purse. It's empowering to know exactly how much money you have and what it is spent on.
So how did you go with the challenge? Did you find it easy? Did you try the cash budget for the week? And did you save any money? I can't wait to hear from you.
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
Op Shop Uniform Saver
My daughter has just started secondary school and required a school rugby jumper as part of the uniform. A new jumper in the uniform shop was around $80. So, I decided that I would check out the local op shops in the area around the school. There I found one in as new condition and for only $4. What a bargain and a great saving.
Contributed by Julie McSparron
Vacuuming Sealing for the Better
So, vacuuming is my pet hate. I have broken so many that I am banned from vacuuming which is a win, but my partner brought me a food vacuum sealer and OMG, what am amazing machine - it is like printing money. I buy meat like everyone else and buy in bulk but when the meat was stored in my freezer, it was getting white and burnt. That's when we invested in the magic vac machine. You can label everything and vacuum seal it and of course, no air means less waste, which is my goal. I hate throwing out food and vacuum sealing aids in keeping it for longer because there is no way that air can get into the packages. I buy the bags for the vacuum sealer from eBay and they work out to be 3 cents each, which for me is worth the extra 1 cent each as they work so much better and last longer.
Contributed by Claire Nelson
Tips from a Top Housekeeper
My darling wife, a top housekeeper and cook, suggests the following for getting rid of weevils and pantry moths.
1. Put some Bay leaves in the pantry.
2. Put the flour etc in the freezer for 24-48 hours to kill off weevils,
3. Purchase some airtight containers for storage such as Sistema from Big W,
4. Do all of the above.
Hope this helps.
Contributed by Alan Noble
There are currently more than 12,000 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. Cheapskates Journal Sneak Peek
July 2017 Journal Index
From Cath's Desk
Feature Article: Spice House V Supermarket - Why Pay 900% More?
A Thoughtful Moment: The Story of The King's Highway
Am I Australia's Most Boring Shopper?
Does the $300 a Month Shopping Plan Still Work?
Cooking for One or Two
How to Clean Mud from Carpets and Rugs
Dear Cath: The lowdown on Miracle Spray
July Tip Sheet: Cake in a Mug Recipe Sheet
Menu Planners: July and August
On the Menu: Cake in a Mug - the Easiest Dessert Ever
Quote of Note
Cheapskates Tip Store: 12 brand new tips for you to try
Click here to read more
5. On the Menu
There's nothing chilly about this chilli dinner. This version of the traditional favourite Chilli Con Carne is simple, quick, cheap and very warming - just right for this time of year. Team it with brown rice and a chunk of warm cornbread and you'll have the family begging for seconds.
Chilli Con Carne
Ingredients:
500gms mince steak
2 tbsp of oil
1 onion chopped
1 tsp of salt
1 tbsp vinegar
4 tbsp tomato sauce
1 tbsp chilli powder (more or less to taste)
1 can red kidney beans, drained
1 can baked beans
Method:
Fry mince in oil until lightly browned. Add other ingredients and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Add kidney beans and simmer another ten minutes. Good with rice, tossed salad and cornbread.
Easy Corn Bread
Ingredients:
1-1/4 cups plain flour
3/4 cup polenta
1/4 cup sugar*
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 egg, beaten
Method:
Heat oven to 205 degrees Celsius. Grease a 20cm square cake tin or Pyrex casserole dish. Combine dry ingredients. Stir in milk, oil and egg until moistened. Pour into pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Alternately, grease muffin tins and divide the mixture between 12. Bake for 12 - 15 minutes, testing after 12 minutes to see if the cornbread muffins are cooked through.
*I don't add the sugar, we are not used to the sweet breads of the USA, so it tastes odd to us. If you are worried about leaving it out, start by cutting it down to 2 tablespoons and see how you like it. If it's too sweet, just keep decreasing the sugar a tablespoon at a time until it's right for your palate.
This week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Chicken
Monday: Crumbed sausages, veggies
Tuesday: Chicken Alfredo
Wednesday: Shredded beef & gravy pan fried sandwiches
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Stir-fry
Saturday: Tomato Vegetable Soup, toasted crumpets
In the fruit bowl: mandarins
There are over 1,500 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File.
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge
Guerrilla Shopping Part 2: The Price Book
A very important tool in a Guerrilla Shopper's arsenal is their price book. This little book contains the prices of every item they buy. I say "prices" because there will be multiple prices for each item. There will be the regular price for store A, and the sale price at Store B, the really good sale price at Store C, then perhaps the regular sale price (yes there is a regular sale price) for Store A and so on.
Your price book determines when and where you buy your groceries. As you make up your shopping list you'll be checking with your price book to see where it is cheapest at the moment. If it's not on sale and you can do without it, don't put it on your list. If you need it right now, then just buy the exact number you need.
The idea of a price book is to give you the power: the power to choose when to buy, the power to choose how much to pay. With your price book, you will be able to track sale cycles and know when something is at its lowest price. And that's when you stock up, buying enough to last you until the next sale cycle.
Start building your price book today. Use your grocery dockets, the junk mail, get online and check the prices of your grocery items.
Your price book will help you to never pay full price for your groceries again.
Guerrilla Grocery Shopping Part 1
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
The Post that Started it All
7. Cheapskates Buzz
Most popular forum posts this week
Fake Away Food Fix, Help Please
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?3612-Fake-away-food-fix-help-please
What Aussies Spend on Groceries
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?3535-What-Aussies-Spend-on-Groceries
Fed Up with Improved Products.
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?363-Fed-up-with-improved-products
Most popular blog posts this week
Old Fashioned Budgeting Saves Real Money
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2015/01/old-fashioned-budgeting-saves-real-money.html
16 Things to do with Stale Bread
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2014/10/16-things-to-do-with-stale-bread.html
Used v New
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2014/01/used-versus-new.html
8. 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 barbw7.
Aiming for August
Hello Everyone,
I know the title of my blog post has August in it and you may be thinking "slow down Barb, it's only July". However, as my title suggests, I am Aiming for August; it's in my sights! You see, if I aim to get through July and into August then it is not long until what has become my annual holiday.
I am really excited because I am only $100 away from reaching my holiday savings goal. I already have enough saved for my accommodation and most of my spending and grocery money. I am only really needing the $100 for groceries for when I get home. I will shop online on the last day of our holiday and have the groceries delivered the day we get back.
We are going to the same resort as last year, and have an ocean front unit. My mum, who knows the value of a dollar, asked the resort manager if they did seniors discount or pensioners discount and he took almost $100 off the total of our holiday accommodation. All it took was one question, easy!
I have a few goals for jolly July, I have been working on them for a while.
1. To continue working on my grocery budget, any dollars saved at the supermarket will be going into my slush fund for after I get my new kitchen in, which should be in the next two months.
2. I will aim to increase my emergency fund by putting $20 a fortnight away, it will add up quickly. While it's not as much as I would like to put away, I need to be realistic and work within my spending plan which brings me to:
3. I will review my spending plan, which really should have been my Number 1. Goal but my grocery budget urgently needs reviewing so it will remain at Number 1. My spending plan is going OK, but could be better.
4. To remember to include some fun/entertainment/treats in my life. This may seem like an odd thing to have as a goal, however I tend to think seriously and all or nothing style so I am reminding myself to include some treats in the mix. I am making a list of fun, relaxing and most important of all, low or no cost activities and treats. So far, I have:
*foot bath: soaking my feet in a large tub filled with warm water and Epsom salts or foot soak, both of which I have in my bathroom already so a free thing to do and very relaxing. I have very painful feet so this is a top priority for me
*word puzzles and tea time: I have several word puzzle books, two of which have been gifted to me so another almost free activity. I say almost free because I include a cup of tea in this treat and I am including a small costing for a tea bag, electricity and milk but it would only be about 40 cents. I love a cup of tea on my front patio and often take a book out there
*colouring in. I have many colouring books (the ones made for adults, not a child's book, although I have been tempted to buy a Finding Nemo book I saw!). This is a free activity for me because I have the books and gel pens and coloured pencils etc.
And last but not least:
*craft: I am participating in Carol's use up your craft stash year and have purchased very few craft items this year so far. I love to make cards and learn new techniques. I consider craft to me an almost free activity or free if I buy nothing more.
I aim to do more free activities to boost my holiday savings. I am nearly there, it is a relief to have my goal almost met.
If you have read this whole blog post, bonus points to you, I tend to ramble when I am happy or have something to say and saving is an exciting topic for me!
Take care and I hope you are keeping warm.
Login to read more Cheapskates Club Member blogs
9. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Kit who wrote
"Does anyone have a tried and successful recipe for removing skin pigmentation (brown spots) from face and hands. I have tried a product from the chemist but without success. Thank you."
I know I shouldn't have to write this, as we should all use our common sense, but please remember these are general skin care tips that are being shared, they are not advice from medical professionals. Get a referral to a dermatologist if you are at all concerned about any spot or change to your skin. It’s a small price to pay for an expert opinion and advice on treatment.
Katrina Small answered
This is a tricky problem Kit and even the most expensive products on the market don't come with a guarantee. I recommend first point of call is a visit to a (bulk-billing) GP to check for an easily treated cause or preventative for further pigmentation. Then, assuming it is normal pigmentation (usually from sun damage) you can make your own pigmentation cream for much less than a commercial product. The ingredients that commercial products use are usually Vitamin A (aka Retinol), Vitamin E, Salicylic Acid and a sunscreen. You can purchase Vitamin A and E oils cheaply online and then mix into a cheap moisturiser with UV blocking. Salicylic Acid is harder, as it comes as a powder, but the Reject Shop sells a product for ingrown hairs which is a salicylic acid cream and is quite cheap. I recommend using the salicylic acid cream before bed and then the Vitamin-boosted cream in the morning - you can of course use both creams more often, but keep in mind the salicylic acid cream can make your skin more sensitive, so extra sun protection is needed if you're out and about during the day.
Jenny Sabine answered
I just recently came across this tip which I am trying for myself. It said to put Apple cider vinegar on the dark spots (use a cotton bud to get it only on the spot area). It works like an exfoliator. Do it twice a day. I am 64 now and have always looked after my skin so was sad when a couple of those appeared on my face. I am expecting a great result and hope other Cheapskaters will also.
Melinda Brindley answered
I have many sun spots on my hands and some pigmentation on my face also. In the past I have tried products on the market without success (and not too good on the hip pocket either!), so definitely don't waste any money buying more products. I've resigned myself to the fact that my sun spots will have to stay and I'm a lot more conscious about putting sun screen on them. I have heard that you can lighten them with lemon juice, but I haven't done this. My face is a different story though as I'm self-conscious about them, so my doctor has used dry ice to 'burn' them off. This has been successful, though it can be uncomfortable and not look the best for about a week. I am happy with the result. This cost me nothing.
10. This Week's Question
Amy writes
"I have recently worked through the Living the Cheapskates Way free e-course - what an eye opener! I'm very keen to get ourselves free of debt (besides the mortgage... for now!) and it seems so simple. I have gathered up my bills and have a clear picture of all our out-goings. My problem is that our income is not regular. My husband works for himself and draws a very intermittent income supplemented now and then with some casual work. I am a SAHM, caring for our three children (4, 2-1/2 and 5 months). How do we plan and create a budget when we can't be sure exactly what our income will be? I'm sure I can't be the only one; what do other families with casual or intermittent work and pay do?"
Do you have the answer?
If you can help Amy let us know. We'll enter your answer into our Tip of the Week competition, with a one-year membership to the Cheapskates Club as the prize too.
Send your answer
11. Ask Cath
We have lots of resources to help you as you live the Cheapskates way but if you didn't find the answer to your question in our extensive archives please just drop me a note with your question.
I read and answer all questions, either in an email to you, in my weekly newsletter, the monthly Journal or by creating blog posts and other resources to help you (and other Cheapskaters).
Ask Your Question
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!
13. Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change my email address?
This one is easy. Members can update their email address or any other details by clicking on "Edit Profile" directly under their membership number after they have logged in to the Member's Centre. Subscribers to our free newsletter can use the Change Your Address form (under Customer Service in the menu) and fill it out. Once you've filled it in click the send button and we'll do the rest. Please remember to include your old email address so we can find it in the list as well as the new one.
How do I know when my membership should be renewed?
When you login to the Member's Centre you will be told how many days of membership you have left once you have 30 days left. Just click on the link to renew and your membership will just continue on, uninterrupted.
What will you do with my email address?
We never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone for any reason whatsoever. You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as a result of joining this list.
Read our privacy policy
How Did You Get on Our List?
You signed up to receive our Free Newsletter at our Cheapskates Club Web site or are a Platinum Cheapskates Club member
14. Contact Details
The Cheapskates Club -
Showing you how to live life
debt free, cashed up and laughing!
PO Box 5077 Studfield Vic 3152
www.cheapskatesclub.net
1. Cath's Corner
2. In the Tip Store - Op Shop Uniform Saver; Vacuuming Sealing for the Better; Tips from a Top Housekeeper
3.Share Your Tips - Have a great money saving idea? Share it here!
4. Cheapskates Journal Sneak Peek - See what members are reading this month
5. On the Menu - Chilli Con Carne Cheapskates Style
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - Guerrilla Shopping Part 2: The Price Book
7. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
8. Member's Featured Blog - Aiming for August
9. Last Week's Question - Skin care advice needed
10. This Week's Question - How do we budget on a single, irregular income with young children
11. Ask Cath
12. Join the Cheapskates Club
13. Frequently Asked Questions
14. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
What a week it has been! We've had some visitors, I hosted a card making day, the July Journal has been posted to the Member's Centre and finally the weather really has turned wintery here in Melbourne. Up until now it's been quite mild, but this week….brrrr…..
This cold snap has been a real boon to my budget, it's just been too cold and wet to go out. I've saved on petrol (yay, because it's gone back up), avoided impulse buys (even I'm tempted by a sale sign), stuck to the grocery list and not spent a cent that wasn't budgeted and planned. I love weeks like this, and it was just in time for the cash challenge too.
I've used just cash for all purchases this week. I went to the supermarket and withdrew just the cash I needed for the week. Why the supermarket? Because there's no charge for a cash withdrawal, it was convenient and I was able to get the money in the denominations I wanted - I can't do that at an ATM.
It was nice using cash instead of cards. Before I bought anything, even a bottle of milk, I thought about whether it was a want or a need and if it was a planned purchase, then made sure I had the exact amount in my purse. It's empowering to know exactly how much money you have and what it is spent on.
So how did you go with the challenge? Did you find it easy? Did you try the cash budget for the week? And did you save any money? I can't wait to hear from you.
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
Op Shop Uniform Saver
My daughter has just started secondary school and required a school rugby jumper as part of the uniform. A new jumper in the uniform shop was around $80. So, I decided that I would check out the local op shops in the area around the school. There I found one in as new condition and for only $4. What a bargain and a great saving.
Contributed by Julie McSparron
Vacuuming Sealing for the Better
So, vacuuming is my pet hate. I have broken so many that I am banned from vacuuming which is a win, but my partner brought me a food vacuum sealer and OMG, what am amazing machine - it is like printing money. I buy meat like everyone else and buy in bulk but when the meat was stored in my freezer, it was getting white and burnt. That's when we invested in the magic vac machine. You can label everything and vacuum seal it and of course, no air means less waste, which is my goal. I hate throwing out food and vacuum sealing aids in keeping it for longer because there is no way that air can get into the packages. I buy the bags for the vacuum sealer from eBay and they work out to be 3 cents each, which for me is worth the extra 1 cent each as they work so much better and last longer.
Contributed by Claire Nelson
Tips from a Top Housekeeper
My darling wife, a top housekeeper and cook, suggests the following for getting rid of weevils and pantry moths.
1. Put some Bay leaves in the pantry.
2. Put the flour etc in the freezer for 24-48 hours to kill off weevils,
3. Purchase some airtight containers for storage such as Sistema from Big W,
4. Do all of the above.
Hope this helps.
Contributed by Alan Noble
There are currently more than 12,000 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. Cheapskates Journal Sneak Peek
July 2017 Journal Index
From Cath's Desk
Feature Article: Spice House V Supermarket - Why Pay 900% More?
A Thoughtful Moment: The Story of The King's Highway
Am I Australia's Most Boring Shopper?
Does the $300 a Month Shopping Plan Still Work?
Cooking for One or Two
How to Clean Mud from Carpets and Rugs
Dear Cath: The lowdown on Miracle Spray
July Tip Sheet: Cake in a Mug Recipe Sheet
Menu Planners: July and August
On the Menu: Cake in a Mug - the Easiest Dessert Ever
Quote of Note
Cheapskates Tip Store: 12 brand new tips for you to try
Click here to read more
5. On the Menu
There's nothing chilly about this chilli dinner. This version of the traditional favourite Chilli Con Carne is simple, quick, cheap and very warming - just right for this time of year. Team it with brown rice and a chunk of warm cornbread and you'll have the family begging for seconds.
Chilli Con Carne
Ingredients:
500gms mince steak
2 tbsp of oil
1 onion chopped
1 tsp of salt
1 tbsp vinegar
4 tbsp tomato sauce
1 tbsp chilli powder (more or less to taste)
1 can red kidney beans, drained
1 can baked beans
Method:
Fry mince in oil until lightly browned. Add other ingredients and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Add kidney beans and simmer another ten minutes. Good with rice, tossed salad and cornbread.
Easy Corn Bread
Ingredients:
1-1/4 cups plain flour
3/4 cup polenta
1/4 cup sugar*
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 egg, beaten
Method:
Heat oven to 205 degrees Celsius. Grease a 20cm square cake tin or Pyrex casserole dish. Combine dry ingredients. Stir in milk, oil and egg until moistened. Pour into pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Alternately, grease muffin tins and divide the mixture between 12. Bake for 12 - 15 minutes, testing after 12 minutes to see if the cornbread muffins are cooked through.
*I don't add the sugar, we are not used to the sweet breads of the USA, so it tastes odd to us. If you are worried about leaving it out, start by cutting it down to 2 tablespoons and see how you like it. If it's too sweet, just keep decreasing the sugar a tablespoon at a time until it's right for your palate.
This week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Chicken
Monday: Crumbed sausages, veggies
Tuesday: Chicken Alfredo
Wednesday: Shredded beef & gravy pan fried sandwiches
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Stir-fry
Saturday: Tomato Vegetable Soup, toasted crumpets
In the fruit bowl: mandarins
There are over 1,500 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File.
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge
Guerrilla Shopping Part 2: The Price Book
A very important tool in a Guerrilla Shopper's arsenal is their price book. This little book contains the prices of every item they buy. I say "prices" because there will be multiple prices for each item. There will be the regular price for store A, and the sale price at Store B, the really good sale price at Store C, then perhaps the regular sale price (yes there is a regular sale price) for Store A and so on.
Your price book determines when and where you buy your groceries. As you make up your shopping list you'll be checking with your price book to see where it is cheapest at the moment. If it's not on sale and you can do without it, don't put it on your list. If you need it right now, then just buy the exact number you need.
The idea of a price book is to give you the power: the power to choose when to buy, the power to choose how much to pay. With your price book, you will be able to track sale cycles and know when something is at its lowest price. And that's when you stock up, buying enough to last you until the next sale cycle.
Start building your price book today. Use your grocery dockets, the junk mail, get online and check the prices of your grocery items.
Your price book will help you to never pay full price for your groceries again.
Guerrilla Grocery Shopping Part 1
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
The Post that Started it All
7. Cheapskates Buzz
Most popular forum posts this week
Fake Away Food Fix, Help Please
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?3612-Fake-away-food-fix-help-please
What Aussies Spend on Groceries
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?3535-What-Aussies-Spend-on-Groceries
Fed Up with Improved Products.
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?363-Fed-up-with-improved-products
Most popular blog posts this week
Old Fashioned Budgeting Saves Real Money
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2015/01/old-fashioned-budgeting-saves-real-money.html
16 Things to do with Stale Bread
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2014/10/16-things-to-do-with-stale-bread.html
Used v New
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2014/01/used-versus-new.html
8. 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 barbw7.
Aiming for August
Hello Everyone,
I know the title of my blog post has August in it and you may be thinking "slow down Barb, it's only July". However, as my title suggests, I am Aiming for August; it's in my sights! You see, if I aim to get through July and into August then it is not long until what has become my annual holiday.
I am really excited because I am only $100 away from reaching my holiday savings goal. I already have enough saved for my accommodation and most of my spending and grocery money. I am only really needing the $100 for groceries for when I get home. I will shop online on the last day of our holiday and have the groceries delivered the day we get back.
We are going to the same resort as last year, and have an ocean front unit. My mum, who knows the value of a dollar, asked the resort manager if they did seniors discount or pensioners discount and he took almost $100 off the total of our holiday accommodation. All it took was one question, easy!
I have a few goals for jolly July, I have been working on them for a while.
1. To continue working on my grocery budget, any dollars saved at the supermarket will be going into my slush fund for after I get my new kitchen in, which should be in the next two months.
2. I will aim to increase my emergency fund by putting $20 a fortnight away, it will add up quickly. While it's not as much as I would like to put away, I need to be realistic and work within my spending plan which brings me to:
3. I will review my spending plan, which really should have been my Number 1. Goal but my grocery budget urgently needs reviewing so it will remain at Number 1. My spending plan is going OK, but could be better.
4. To remember to include some fun/entertainment/treats in my life. This may seem like an odd thing to have as a goal, however I tend to think seriously and all or nothing style so I am reminding myself to include some treats in the mix. I am making a list of fun, relaxing and most important of all, low or no cost activities and treats. So far, I have:
*foot bath: soaking my feet in a large tub filled with warm water and Epsom salts or foot soak, both of which I have in my bathroom already so a free thing to do and very relaxing. I have very painful feet so this is a top priority for me
*word puzzles and tea time: I have several word puzzle books, two of which have been gifted to me so another almost free activity. I say almost free because I include a cup of tea in this treat and I am including a small costing for a tea bag, electricity and milk but it would only be about 40 cents. I love a cup of tea on my front patio and often take a book out there
*colouring in. I have many colouring books (the ones made for adults, not a child's book, although I have been tempted to buy a Finding Nemo book I saw!). This is a free activity for me because I have the books and gel pens and coloured pencils etc.
And last but not least:
*craft: I am participating in Carol's use up your craft stash year and have purchased very few craft items this year so far. I love to make cards and learn new techniques. I consider craft to me an almost free activity or free if I buy nothing more.
I aim to do more free activities to boost my holiday savings. I am nearly there, it is a relief to have my goal almost met.
If you have read this whole blog post, bonus points to you, I tend to ramble when I am happy or have something to say and saving is an exciting topic for me!
Take care and I hope you are keeping warm.
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9. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Kit who wrote
"Does anyone have a tried and successful recipe for removing skin pigmentation (brown spots) from face and hands. I have tried a product from the chemist but without success. Thank you."
I know I shouldn't have to write this, as we should all use our common sense, but please remember these are general skin care tips that are being shared, they are not advice from medical professionals. Get a referral to a dermatologist if you are at all concerned about any spot or change to your skin. It’s a small price to pay for an expert opinion and advice on treatment.
Katrina Small answered
This is a tricky problem Kit and even the most expensive products on the market don't come with a guarantee. I recommend first point of call is a visit to a (bulk-billing) GP to check for an easily treated cause or preventative for further pigmentation. Then, assuming it is normal pigmentation (usually from sun damage) you can make your own pigmentation cream for much less than a commercial product. The ingredients that commercial products use are usually Vitamin A (aka Retinol), Vitamin E, Salicylic Acid and a sunscreen. You can purchase Vitamin A and E oils cheaply online and then mix into a cheap moisturiser with UV blocking. Salicylic Acid is harder, as it comes as a powder, but the Reject Shop sells a product for ingrown hairs which is a salicylic acid cream and is quite cheap. I recommend using the salicylic acid cream before bed and then the Vitamin-boosted cream in the morning - you can of course use both creams more often, but keep in mind the salicylic acid cream can make your skin more sensitive, so extra sun protection is needed if you're out and about during the day.
Jenny Sabine answered
I just recently came across this tip which I am trying for myself. It said to put Apple cider vinegar on the dark spots (use a cotton bud to get it only on the spot area). It works like an exfoliator. Do it twice a day. I am 64 now and have always looked after my skin so was sad when a couple of those appeared on my face. I am expecting a great result and hope other Cheapskaters will also.
Melinda Brindley answered
I have many sun spots on my hands and some pigmentation on my face also. In the past I have tried products on the market without success (and not too good on the hip pocket either!), so definitely don't waste any money buying more products. I've resigned myself to the fact that my sun spots will have to stay and I'm a lot more conscious about putting sun screen on them. I have heard that you can lighten them with lemon juice, but I haven't done this. My face is a different story though as I'm self-conscious about them, so my doctor has used dry ice to 'burn' them off. This has been successful, though it can be uncomfortable and not look the best for about a week. I am happy with the result. This cost me nothing.
10. This Week's Question
Amy writes
"I have recently worked through the Living the Cheapskates Way free e-course - what an eye opener! I'm very keen to get ourselves free of debt (besides the mortgage... for now!) and it seems so simple. I have gathered up my bills and have a clear picture of all our out-goings. My problem is that our income is not regular. My husband works for himself and draws a very intermittent income supplemented now and then with some casual work. I am a SAHM, caring for our three children (4, 2-1/2 and 5 months). How do we plan and create a budget when we can't be sure exactly what our income will be? I'm sure I can't be the only one; what do other families with casual or intermittent work and pay do?"
Do you have the answer?
If you can help Amy let us know. We'll enter your answer into our Tip of the Week competition, with a one-year membership to the Cheapskates Club as the prize too.
Send your answer
11. Ask Cath
We have lots of resources to help you as you live the Cheapskates way but if you didn't find the answer to your question in our extensive archives please just drop me a note with your question.
I read and answer all questions, either in an email to you, in my weekly newsletter, the monthly Journal or by creating blog posts and other resources to help you (and other Cheapskaters).
Ask Your Question
12. Join the Cheapskates Club
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Joining the Cheapskates Club gives you 24/7 access to the Members Centre with 1000's of money saving tips and articles.
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14. Contact Details
The Cheapskates Club -
Showing you how to live life
debt free, cashed up and laughing!
PO Box 5077 Studfield Vic 3152
www.cheapskatesclub.net