Your Cheapskates Club Newsletter 30:19
In This Newsletter
1. Cath's Corner
2. From the Tip Store - Cheap But Classy Plant Stand; Saving Water and Giving Plants a Drink; Hours of Cat Toy Fun
3. Share Your Tips -
4. On the Menu - Vego Pasta Bake
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - Golden Rules for Saving Money on Your Weekly Food Bill
6. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
7. The Cheapskates Club Show -
8. This Week's Question - Why aren't there any questions?
9. Ask A Question - Have a question? Ask it here
10. Join the Cheapskates Club
11. Frequently Asked Questions
12. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
Welcome! Have you seen the number on this newsletter? It's number 30, that means we are 30 weeks through 2019. There are 30 newsletters in the newsletter archive (if you're a new newsletter subscriber you may like to go back and look through the archive to catch up). It means we are more than half-way through 2019 - yes, we are on the downhill run towards the end of the year.
This week over on Cheapskates Chatter, there's been a bit of talk about getting ready for Christmas. I smiled at Maureen's comment - it comes around at the same time every year, so it shouldn't be a surprise. My sentiments exactly! And just as Christmas is the same time every year, so is Easter (give or take a few weeks), back-to-school, birthdays, anniversaries, holidays. None of these things should catch you by surprise because they happen same time, every year.
There are two ways you can manage these irregular but regular events: write them into your budget/spending plan each month, or create a Peace of Mind account for each one and add to it regularly, so when the time comes, you have the cash to cover the expenses.
Then you won't be surprised when you realise it's already more than half-way through the year and Christmas, New Year, holidays and back-to-school will be here almost before you can blink.
Take advantage of the hints and tips in the Member's Centre to get a head start, follow the Christmas in July daily tips, update your budget/spending plan and choose to be prepared rather than surprised.
Have a great week everyone.
Happy Cheapskating,
Cath
2. From The Tip Store
Cheap But Classy Plant Stand
I was trying to find reasonably priced shelving for my chaotic pot plants but they all came in over $40. I also wanted to avoid the wood plank on bricks scenario. After some searching at shops and online I browsed Gumtree and my heart skipped a beat when I found a portable wardrobe rack for $10 close by. I procrastinated for a couple of days during which it’s price lowered to $5.00! Once I had it home I loaded it up with plants and it’s perfect. It takes up little space, it has shelving along the top, bottom and down one side. Each side end has sturdy metal mesh for hanging things on hooks and training creepers, it has a hanging bar for a hanging basket and BONUS it’s on castors so I can find or avoid the sun and move the whole thing for cleaning beneath. I am so impressed with my find and repurpose that I’m searching for another one. Saving $35.00 + pleasure and satisfaction.
Contributed by Melody Francia
Saving Water and Giving Plants a Drink
When our little home was built - and we moved in - I discovered it took a least a litre of water before it heated for washing up. So, I save my milk containers and fill them, store and use on my plants. That way I don't feel so guilty using our tank water, as I can supplement it with the saved water.
Contributed by Lorraine McNeair
Note: We catch the warm up water in our showers, and the kitchen sink, and I tip it into the washing machine. With five of us showering every day, it adds up to a couple of bucketsful, and 20 litres or so not being wasted is money in my bank account. We have a grey water system hooked up to the washing machine, and the rinse water is diverted onto the grass and flower beds (I don't use grey water on our veggie beds). Cath
Hours of Cat Toy Fun
I have a very energetic kitten. Her most loved toy so far costs me next to nothing. I take a small empty box, it can be any box, usually, something headed for recycling. I just used a water cracker box and she's currently playing merrily in the background. I tape it closed and cut a paw-sized hole into it. Then I put a few dry food treats in the box. She has hours of fun trying to extract the treats, batting, tackling and chewing at it until she gets her treats. Sometimes I reuse a box a couple of times. Then it goes to recycling, having had one more life as kitten entertainment before it retires.
Contributed by Kelly Medhurst
Add a Tip
3. Share Your Tips
Share your favourite hint or tip that saves money, time and energy and be in the running to win a one-year subscription to The Cheapskate Journal.
Remember, you have to be in it to win it!
Share Your Tip
4. On The Menu
Next week we have four meatless meals on the menu. Meat and poultry is getting to be too expensive to eat every night so I slip in meatless meals where I can. This pasta bake is delicious, and cheap - about $2.80 to make 8 serves - just 35 cents a serve! I usually add a green salad - lettuce, cucumber, spring onion from the garden - and garlic bread or rolls or pizza (whatever is on hand) to round it out.
Vego Pasta Bake
Ingredients:
500g packet noodles
1 tin tomatoes
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, grated
1 zucchini, grated
½ cup corn kernels
good pinch mixed herbs
garlic to taste
100ml sour cream
1 cup grated cheese
Method:
Cook the noodles in boiling water until tender. Drain well. In a microwave safe combine the tomatoes, carrot, onion, zucchini and corn kernels the mixed herbs and the garlic. Cook on high for two minutes, stirring half way through. Stir through the noodles. Stir through the sour cream. Grease a baking dish and add the noodle mixture. Sprinkle evenly with grated cheese. Bake in a moderate oven for 25 – 30 minutes until cheese is golden brown.
This week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Beef
Monday: Vegetable Moussaka
Tuesday: Vego Pasta Bake, salad
Wednesday: Chicken casserole
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Rissoles, gravy, mash, veg
Saturday: Soup & Crumpets
In the fruit bowl: bananas, mandarins
In the cake tin: Hedgehog Slice
There are over 1,700 budget and family friendly recipes in the Cheapskates Club Recipe File, all contributed by your fellow Cheapskates, so you know they're good.
Add A Recipe
Recipe File Index
5. The $300 A Month Food Challenge
Golden Rules for Saving Money on Your Weekly Food Bill
Food is one of the necessities in life. It's also something that most of us spend entirely too much money on. Even those who think they're doing well when they do their grocery shopping are often paying more than they need to for their families' food.
By following a few simple rules, you can greatly reduce your weekly food bill. Here they are:
1. Avoid eating out. Going to restaurants is enjoyable, and it's easier than cooking for ourselves. But it's also very expensive compared to eating at home. While there's nothing wrong with enjoying an occasional meal at a restaurant, most of us do so entirely too much. Cooking at home is much more cost effective.
2. Cook from scratch as much as possible. Few of us have the time to bake all of our own bread or make all of our own snacks. But by using more raw ingredients and less prepackaged foods, we can save a lot of money. And freshly cooked food tastes much better and is more nutritious than prepackaged items, so your family will thank you for it.
3. When shopping, make sure you're getting the best possible deal on each item. Figure up the unit cost of each package of everything you buy. For instance, when buying juice, divide the price by the number of mililitres in the bottle to determine the price per ounce. This will tell you which size bottle is the best deal.
4. Don't rule out store brands. For the most part, they are of comparable quality to national brands but priced much lower. Give them a chance, and you might find that you like them just as well.
5. Comparison shop. Comparing prices at different supermarkets could save you a surprising amount on your grocery bill. But don't drive all over town every time you go shopping. That will cost you more in gas than it will save you. Find the store that consistently has the lowest prices on most of the things you buy, and stick with it unless you hear about a great deal on something you use a lot of at another store.
6. Shop wisely for produce. Buy fruits and vegetables that are in season, because they are much less expensive than those that are out of season. And buy from the local farmer's market or co-op if possible. Their produce is usually significantly cheaper since it is grown locally and doesn't have to be transported far.
7. Go shopping in the right frame of mind. Eat before going to the store so you will be less likely to make impulse buys, and leave the kids at home if possible. This way you can focus on buying only what you truly need.
The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
The Post that Started it All
6. Cheapskates BuzzFrom
The Article Archive
The Cheapskates Guide to Getting the Best from Op Shopping
Finding the Time to Live Like a Cheapskate
Gourmet Coffee the Cheapskates Way
Most Popular Blog Posts This Week
How To Make A Stock Soup
Is This All Just About Frugality?
Make-Do Kitchen Tools
7. The Cheapskates Club Show
Join Cath and Hannah live Tuesdays and Thursdays on You Tube at 7.30pm AET
Show Schedule
Tuesday: Around the Kitchen Table - join Cath and Hannah for a cuppa and a chat around the kitchen table as they talk about living the Cheapskates way.
Thursday: Cheapskates in the Kitchen - want to know how to cook delicious, healthy and cheap meals? Watch Cath and Hannah as they create cheapskates style cuisine and share their favourite recipes.
Latest Shows
1. Cath's Corner
2. From the Tip Store - Cheap But Classy Plant Stand; Saving Water and Giving Plants a Drink; Hours of Cat Toy Fun
3. Share Your Tips -
4. On the Menu - Vego Pasta Bake
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - Golden Rules for Saving Money on Your Weekly Food Bill
6. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
7. The Cheapskates Club Show -
8. This Week's Question - Why aren't there any questions?
9. Ask A Question - Have a question? Ask it here
10. Join the Cheapskates Club
11. Frequently Asked Questions
12. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
Welcome! Have you seen the number on this newsletter? It's number 30, that means we are 30 weeks through 2019. There are 30 newsletters in the newsletter archive (if you're a new newsletter subscriber you may like to go back and look through the archive to catch up). It means we are more than half-way through 2019 - yes, we are on the downhill run towards the end of the year.
This week over on Cheapskates Chatter, there's been a bit of talk about getting ready for Christmas. I smiled at Maureen's comment - it comes around at the same time every year, so it shouldn't be a surprise. My sentiments exactly! And just as Christmas is the same time every year, so is Easter (give or take a few weeks), back-to-school, birthdays, anniversaries, holidays. None of these things should catch you by surprise because they happen same time, every year.
There are two ways you can manage these irregular but regular events: write them into your budget/spending plan each month, or create a Peace of Mind account for each one and add to it regularly, so when the time comes, you have the cash to cover the expenses.
Then you won't be surprised when you realise it's already more than half-way through the year and Christmas, New Year, holidays and back-to-school will be here almost before you can blink.
Take advantage of the hints and tips in the Member's Centre to get a head start, follow the Christmas in July daily tips, update your budget/spending plan and choose to be prepared rather than surprised.
Have a great week everyone.
Happy Cheapskating,
Cath
2. From The Tip Store
Cheap But Classy Plant Stand
I was trying to find reasonably priced shelving for my chaotic pot plants but they all came in over $40. I also wanted to avoid the wood plank on bricks scenario. After some searching at shops and online I browsed Gumtree and my heart skipped a beat when I found a portable wardrobe rack for $10 close by. I procrastinated for a couple of days during which it’s price lowered to $5.00! Once I had it home I loaded it up with plants and it’s perfect. It takes up little space, it has shelving along the top, bottom and down one side. Each side end has sturdy metal mesh for hanging things on hooks and training creepers, it has a hanging bar for a hanging basket and BONUS it’s on castors so I can find or avoid the sun and move the whole thing for cleaning beneath. I am so impressed with my find and repurpose that I’m searching for another one. Saving $35.00 + pleasure and satisfaction.
Contributed by Melody Francia
Saving Water and Giving Plants a Drink
When our little home was built - and we moved in - I discovered it took a least a litre of water before it heated for washing up. So, I save my milk containers and fill them, store and use on my plants. That way I don't feel so guilty using our tank water, as I can supplement it with the saved water.
Contributed by Lorraine McNeair
Note: We catch the warm up water in our showers, and the kitchen sink, and I tip it into the washing machine. With five of us showering every day, it adds up to a couple of bucketsful, and 20 litres or so not being wasted is money in my bank account. We have a grey water system hooked up to the washing machine, and the rinse water is diverted onto the grass and flower beds (I don't use grey water on our veggie beds). Cath
Hours of Cat Toy Fun
I have a very energetic kitten. Her most loved toy so far costs me next to nothing. I take a small empty box, it can be any box, usually, something headed for recycling. I just used a water cracker box and she's currently playing merrily in the background. I tape it closed and cut a paw-sized hole into it. Then I put a few dry food treats in the box. She has hours of fun trying to extract the treats, batting, tackling and chewing at it until she gets her treats. Sometimes I reuse a box a couple of times. Then it goes to recycling, having had one more life as kitten entertainment before it retires.
Contributed by Kelly Medhurst
Add a Tip
3. Share Your Tips
Share your favourite hint or tip that saves money, time and energy and be in the running to win a one-year subscription to The Cheapskate Journal.
Remember, you have to be in it to win it!
Share Your Tip
4. On The Menu
Next week we have four meatless meals on the menu. Meat and poultry is getting to be too expensive to eat every night so I slip in meatless meals where I can. This pasta bake is delicious, and cheap - about $2.80 to make 8 serves - just 35 cents a serve! I usually add a green salad - lettuce, cucumber, spring onion from the garden - and garlic bread or rolls or pizza (whatever is on hand) to round it out.
Vego Pasta Bake
Ingredients:
500g packet noodles
1 tin tomatoes
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, grated
1 zucchini, grated
½ cup corn kernels
good pinch mixed herbs
garlic to taste
100ml sour cream
1 cup grated cheese
Method:
Cook the noodles in boiling water until tender. Drain well. In a microwave safe combine the tomatoes, carrot, onion, zucchini and corn kernels the mixed herbs and the garlic. Cook on high for two minutes, stirring half way through. Stir through the noodles. Stir through the sour cream. Grease a baking dish and add the noodle mixture. Sprinkle evenly with grated cheese. Bake in a moderate oven for 25 – 30 minutes until cheese is golden brown.
This week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Beef
Monday: Vegetable Moussaka
Tuesday: Vego Pasta Bake, salad
Wednesday: Chicken casserole
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Rissoles, gravy, mash, veg
Saturday: Soup & Crumpets
In the fruit bowl: bananas, mandarins
In the cake tin: Hedgehog Slice
There are over 1,700 budget and family friendly recipes in the Cheapskates Club Recipe File, all contributed by your fellow Cheapskates, so you know they're good.
Add A Recipe
Recipe File Index
5. The $300 A Month Food Challenge
Golden Rules for Saving Money on Your Weekly Food Bill
Food is one of the necessities in life. It's also something that most of us spend entirely too much money on. Even those who think they're doing well when they do their grocery shopping are often paying more than they need to for their families' food.
By following a few simple rules, you can greatly reduce your weekly food bill. Here they are:
1. Avoid eating out. Going to restaurants is enjoyable, and it's easier than cooking for ourselves. But it's also very expensive compared to eating at home. While there's nothing wrong with enjoying an occasional meal at a restaurant, most of us do so entirely too much. Cooking at home is much more cost effective.
2. Cook from scratch as much as possible. Few of us have the time to bake all of our own bread or make all of our own snacks. But by using more raw ingredients and less prepackaged foods, we can save a lot of money. And freshly cooked food tastes much better and is more nutritious than prepackaged items, so your family will thank you for it.
3. When shopping, make sure you're getting the best possible deal on each item. Figure up the unit cost of each package of everything you buy. For instance, when buying juice, divide the price by the number of mililitres in the bottle to determine the price per ounce. This will tell you which size bottle is the best deal.
4. Don't rule out store brands. For the most part, they are of comparable quality to national brands but priced much lower. Give them a chance, and you might find that you like them just as well.
5. Comparison shop. Comparing prices at different supermarkets could save you a surprising amount on your grocery bill. But don't drive all over town every time you go shopping. That will cost you more in gas than it will save you. Find the store that consistently has the lowest prices on most of the things you buy, and stick with it unless you hear about a great deal on something you use a lot of at another store.
6. Shop wisely for produce. Buy fruits and vegetables that are in season, because they are much less expensive than those that are out of season. And buy from the local farmer's market or co-op if possible. Their produce is usually significantly cheaper since it is grown locally and doesn't have to be transported far.
7. Go shopping in the right frame of mind. Eat before going to the store so you will be less likely to make impulse buys, and leave the kids at home if possible. This way you can focus on buying only what you truly need.
The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
The Post that Started it All
6. Cheapskates BuzzFrom
The Article Archive
The Cheapskates Guide to Getting the Best from Op Shopping
Finding the Time to Live Like a Cheapskate
Gourmet Coffee the Cheapskates Way
Most Popular Blog Posts This Week
How To Make A Stock Soup
Is This All Just About Frugality?
Make-Do Kitchen Tools
7. The Cheapskates Club Show
Join Cath and Hannah live Tuesdays and Thursdays on You Tube at 7.30pm AET
Show Schedule
Tuesday: Around the Kitchen Table - join Cath and Hannah for a cuppa and a chat around the kitchen table as they talk about living the Cheapskates way.
Thursday: Cheapskates in the Kitchen - want to know how to cook delicious, healthy and cheap meals? Watch Cath and Hannah as they create cheapskates style cuisine and share their favourite recipes.
Latest Shows
Coming Up
Thursday 25th July: Meal Stretchers
Tuesday 30th July: Stockpiling 101 Part 4: Non-food Stockpiles
8. This Week's Question
Peter writes
"My question is: "Why aren't there any questions?" Once upon a time, questions were posted and then subsequently answered by e-letter subscribers. But seems to be no longer the case... Why??"
Well, I print questions when I get them, I can't print what doesn't come in! So do you have a question about living the Cheapskates way? Don't be shy, ask and see what answers your fellow Cheapskaters come up with. Don't want your name published with your question? Just mention that when you ask, it's not a problem.
Go down to Part 9 of our newsletter, and ask your questions, then sit back and wait for the answers. And remember, we publish one question a week, then the answers are published the next week, so be patient :)
9. Ask A Question
We have lots of resources to help you as you live the Cheapskates way but if you didn't find the answer to your question in our extensive archives please just drop me a note with your question.
I read and answer all questions, either in an email to you, in my weekly newsletter, the monthly Journal or by creating blog posts and other resources to help you (and other Cheapskaters).
Ask Your Question
10. Join The Cheapskates Club
For just $36.50 a year, you can join the Cheapskates Club and get exclusive access to the Cheapskate Journal, the monthly e-journal that shows you how to cut the costs of everyday living and still have fun.
Joining the Cheapskates Club gives you 24/7 access to the Members Centre with 1000's of money saving tips and articles.
Click here to join the Cheapskates Club today!
11. Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change my email address?
This one is easy. When you login to the Member's Centre just click on your name at the top of the page to go straight to your profile page where you can update your details, change your password and find your subscription details.
Not a Cheapskates Club member? Then please use the Changing Details form found here to update your email address.
How do I know when my membership should be renewed?
Memberships are active for one year from the date of joining. You will be sent a renewal reminder before your subscription is due to renew. You can also find your membership expiry date on your profile page.
When you login to the Member's Centre just click on your name to go straight to your profile page where you can will find your join date and your expiry date.
What will you do with my email address?
We never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone for any reason whatsoever. You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as a result of joining this list.
How did I get on this list?
The only way you can get onto our newsletter mailing list is to subscribe yourself. You signed up to receive our Free Newsletter at our Cheapskates Club Web site or are a Platinum Cheapskates Club member.
12. Contact Cheapskates
The Cheapskates Club -
Showing you how to live life
debt free, cashed up and laughing!
PO Box 5077 Studfield Vic 3152
Contact Cheapskates
Thursday 25th July: Meal Stretchers
Tuesday 30th July: Stockpiling 101 Part 4: Non-food Stockpiles
8. This Week's Question
Peter writes
"My question is: "Why aren't there any questions?" Once upon a time, questions were posted and then subsequently answered by e-letter subscribers. But seems to be no longer the case... Why??"
Well, I print questions when I get them, I can't print what doesn't come in! So do you have a question about living the Cheapskates way? Don't be shy, ask and see what answers your fellow Cheapskaters come up with. Don't want your name published with your question? Just mention that when you ask, it's not a problem.
Go down to Part 9 of our newsletter, and ask your questions, then sit back and wait for the answers. And remember, we publish one question a week, then the answers are published the next week, so be patient :)
9. Ask A Question
We have lots of resources to help you as you live the Cheapskates way but if you didn't find the answer to your question in our extensive archives please just drop me a note with your question.
I read and answer all questions, either in an email to you, in my weekly newsletter, the monthly Journal or by creating blog posts and other resources to help you (and other Cheapskaters).
Ask Your Question
10. Join The Cheapskates Club
For just $36.50 a year, you can join the Cheapskates Club and get exclusive access to the Cheapskate Journal, the monthly e-journal that shows you how to cut the costs of everyday living and still have fun.
Joining the Cheapskates Club gives you 24/7 access to the Members Centre with 1000's of money saving tips and articles.
Click here to join the Cheapskates Club today!
11. Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change my email address?
This one is easy. When you login to the Member's Centre just click on your name at the top of the page to go straight to your profile page where you can update your details, change your password and find your subscription details.
Not a Cheapskates Club member? Then please use the Changing Details form found here to update your email address.
How do I know when my membership should be renewed?
Memberships are active for one year from the date of joining. You will be sent a renewal reminder before your subscription is due to renew. You can also find your membership expiry date on your profile page.
When you login to the Member's Centre just click on your name to go straight to your profile page where you can will find your join date and your expiry date.
What will you do with my email address?
We never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone for any reason whatsoever. You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as a result of joining this list.
How did I get on this list?
The only way you can get onto our newsletter mailing list is to subscribe yourself. You signed up to receive our Free Newsletter at our Cheapskates Club Web site or are a Platinum Cheapskates Club member.
12. Contact Cheapskates
The Cheapskates Club -
Showing you how to live life
debt free, cashed up and laughing!
PO Box 5077 Studfield Vic 3152
Contact Cheapskates