Your Cheapskates Club Newsletter 32:19
In This Newsletter
1. Cath's Corner
2. From the Tip Store - Other Uses for Plastic Bag Storage Tubes; Freezer Inventory vs Insurance Company; Making Your Own Cosmetics to Suit You
3. Share Your Tips
4. On the Menu - Homemade Butter Chicken - you'll never use a jar again!
5 The $300 a Month Food Challenge -Slow Cooking for Great Dinners
6. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
7. The Cheapskates Club Show - Join Cath & Hannah on You Tube every Tuesday and Thursday
8. Last Week's Question - Food Allergies and the $300 a Month Food Challenge
9. This Week's Question - Does anyone know of a lycra substitute?
10. Ask A Question - Have a question? Ask it here
11. Join the Cheapskates Club
12. Frequently Asked Questions
13. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
Welcome to another newsletter, and a warm welcome to our new members.
There's lots going on in this week's newsletter, so sit back and enjoy the read.
I will be away until Tuesday morning, so please, if you contact me (please use the Contact Us form - it's the only way to guarantee I'll get your email), be patient. I won't be answering emails while I'm away, but when I get back to the office on Tuesday I will, in the order they came in. So first in, first answered.
Lastly, the sale on new memberships ends at 8pm next Wednesday night - 14th August. Find out more here.
Have a great week everyone.
Happy Cheapskating,
Cath
2. From The Tip Store
Other Uses for Plastic Bag Storage Tubes
The question of how to repurpose plastic bag dispensers was raised in a chat group. I use mine to store cleaning rags; clean underwear (frees up drawer space), scraps of crafting fabric, partially used skeins of wool. Some other contributors suggested using the Ikea style ones for storing wrapping paper rolls and umbrellas. I store my home made netting produce bags in one of the cloth tubes, to keep them dust free.
Contributed by Dianne Kelly
Freezer Inventory vs Insurance Company
Our power went off for a couple of days, and we decided to claim the freezer contents on our insurance policy. The freezer inventory was right up to date as guests were expected and I didn't want to be rattling the menu plan without ticking that it was ready and on the freezer inventory. So, when it came time to make the claim, I was so covered by the freezer inventory list, complete with number of servings and date frozen. Claiming on an insurance policy with awesome detail to hand was easy. Next thing to arrive was the insurance payout. I was very pleased with the only extra the small amount of time the lists took and with the complete acceptance of my hand written lists by a huge insurance company. If I ever wondered about the point of keeping the inventory up to date, I don't now.
Contributed by Carol Ryan
Making Your Own Cosmetics to Suit You
For the last six months I have been making my own face creams and body butters and it has saved me hundreds of dollars. I have very sensitive skin so I have to be very careful of what I put on my skin. I have been getting all of my recipes from "The Inspired Little Pot" I bought her books but she has a lot of her recipes on her website or you can join her club for free and get a lot of them there. Not only are her recipes easy to use, the products are beautiful and with no nasties in them. She uses a lot of the same ingredients as well. Because of my sensitive skin the only products I could use before were quite expensive so I have saved over $600 and my skin feels great.
Contributed by Joanne Dodd
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
I've had to adjust the meal plan for four nights as I'm away for four days, leaving just Wayne and the boys at home. It wasn't hard to switch things around, and I've left four meals in the freezer that they just need to thaw and heat. One of the meals is butter chicken and rice - a favourite that I know will be eaten.
You'll never buy a jar of butter chicken sauce again after you've tried this oh-so-simple homemade version. Best of all you'll probably have all the spices already in your spice cupboard, so nothing exotic or expensive to buy.
Butter Chicken
Ingredients:
3 skinless chicken breasts
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 teaspoon crushed ginger in jar
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cumin
2 chicken stock cubes
1/2 cup tomato paste
375ml can of evaporated light milk (MOO is fine)
Method:
Cut chicken into bite sized pieces. Heat oil in large non-stick frypan or wok and sauté chicken, garlic and ginger until the chicken is almost cooked, about 5 - 6 minutes. Add all the spices and crumbled stock cubes. Stir for a minute to coat the chicken and release the fragrance of the spices. Add tomato paste and fold through chicken. Slowly add the evaporated milk to the pan, stirring continuously and gently so you don't break up the chicken. Stir gently until the mixture comes to the boil, turn the heat down to a gently simmer and cook a further 5 - 10 minutes, until the chicken is cooked and the sauce has thickened slightly. Serve over steamed rice with homemade naan bread.
Next week we will be eating:
Sunday: Butter chicken and rice
Monday: Meat pie, mash, veggies, gravy
Tuesday: Spag Bol, salad, garlic bread
Wednesday: Sausages, mash,cauliflower, beans, carrots, onion gravy
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Stuffed Potatoes
Saturday: Tacos
In the fruit bowl: mandarins
In the cake tin: Double choc brownies, fruit cake, blackberry & white choc muffins, ANZAC slice, vanilla cupcakes
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
Slow Cooking for Great DinnersI love my slow cooker; I love how it helps me to keep our grocery bill, particularly the meat component, down. I love how it takes tough cuts and gently turns them into melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness, so I thought I'd share some tips I've found useful and a favourite slow cooker recipe.
I have two slow cookers, a small 3.5 litre that is just the right size for desserts like rice pudding, and a larger, 6 litre, that is perfect for family size stews and casseroles. I use the larger slow cooker to make pasta sauce and cook roasts and corned beef too.
The older slow cooker cooks, well slowly. My newer, and much bigger cooker, cooks much faster. I use it for roasts (yes, you can cook a roast in the slow cooker) and larger sauces, soups, stews etc. I usually use it on the low setting and find that it is just right.
The small cooker (3.5 litres) is great for casseroles and braises that need long, very slow cooking. I turn it on early in the morning and let it cook all day.
The best tip I ever picked up for using a slow cooker is to make sure it is at least three quarters full for cooking; that's another reason having the two sizes is very handy.
Always make sure there is liquid in the bottom of the crock. This stops the food from sticking to the bottom and burning. As it cooks, the food will release juices and condensation will drip off the lid, creating a really nice stock you can use to make a gravy.
There are some delicious slow cooker recipes in the Slow Cooker Recipe File https://www.cheapskatesclub.net/slowcooker.html.
And here's a tasty recipe for slow cooker curry.
Curried Beef
Ingredients:
1 kg stewing steak (gravy/chuck), cut into 4 cm cubes
2 medium onions cut into large cubes
3 tbsp flour
1-½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
¼ tsp garlic powder
1-½ tsp curry powder
425 ml tomato sauce
2 tbsp kecap manis
2 tsp beef stock powder
½ tsp sugar
Method:
Combine the first 7 ingredients in a 3.5 litre slow cooker. Stir well making sure all meat is coated in flour. Stir the remaining 4 ingredients in bowl. Pour over the top. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 - 10 hours or on HIGH for 4 – 5 hours.
The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
The Post that Started it All
6. Cheapskates Buzz
From The Article Archive
Adapting Recipes for the Slow Cooker
Budgeting For Your Road Trip
Groceries I don't Buy
Most Popular Blog Posts This Week
What We Ate Last Week
Top 10 Stockpile Items
We've Eaten Down the Freezer
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 - Other Uses for Plastic Bag Storage Tubes; Freezer Inventory vs Insurance Company; Making Your Own Cosmetics to Suit You
3. Share Your Tips
4. On the Menu - Homemade Butter Chicken - you'll never use a jar again!
5 The $300 a Month Food Challenge -Slow Cooking for Great Dinners
6. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
7. The Cheapskates Club Show - Join Cath & Hannah on You Tube every Tuesday and Thursday
8. Last Week's Question - Food Allergies and the $300 a Month Food Challenge
9. This Week's Question - Does anyone know of a lycra substitute?
10. Ask A Question - Have a question? Ask it here
11. Join the Cheapskates Club
12. Frequently Asked Questions
13. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
Welcome to another newsletter, and a warm welcome to our new members.
There's lots going on in this week's newsletter, so sit back and enjoy the read.
I will be away until Tuesday morning, so please, if you contact me (please use the Contact Us form - it's the only way to guarantee I'll get your email), be patient. I won't be answering emails while I'm away, but when I get back to the office on Tuesday I will, in the order they came in. So first in, first answered.
Lastly, the sale on new memberships ends at 8pm next Wednesday night - 14th August. Find out more here.
Have a great week everyone.
Happy Cheapskating,
Cath
2. From The Tip Store
Other Uses for Plastic Bag Storage Tubes
The question of how to repurpose plastic bag dispensers was raised in a chat group. I use mine to store cleaning rags; clean underwear (frees up drawer space), scraps of crafting fabric, partially used skeins of wool. Some other contributors suggested using the Ikea style ones for storing wrapping paper rolls and umbrellas. I store my home made netting produce bags in one of the cloth tubes, to keep them dust free.
Contributed by Dianne Kelly
Freezer Inventory vs Insurance Company
Our power went off for a couple of days, and we decided to claim the freezer contents on our insurance policy. The freezer inventory was right up to date as guests were expected and I didn't want to be rattling the menu plan without ticking that it was ready and on the freezer inventory. So, when it came time to make the claim, I was so covered by the freezer inventory list, complete with number of servings and date frozen. Claiming on an insurance policy with awesome detail to hand was easy. Next thing to arrive was the insurance payout. I was very pleased with the only extra the small amount of time the lists took and with the complete acceptance of my hand written lists by a huge insurance company. If I ever wondered about the point of keeping the inventory up to date, I don't now.
Contributed by Carol Ryan
Making Your Own Cosmetics to Suit You
For the last six months I have been making my own face creams and body butters and it has saved me hundreds of dollars. I have very sensitive skin so I have to be very careful of what I put on my skin. I have been getting all of my recipes from "The Inspired Little Pot" I bought her books but she has a lot of her recipes on her website or you can join her club for free and get a lot of them there. Not only are her recipes easy to use, the products are beautiful and with no nasties in them. She uses a lot of the same ingredients as well. Because of my sensitive skin the only products I could use before were quite expensive so I have saved over $600 and my skin feels great.
Contributed by Joanne Dodd
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
I've had to adjust the meal plan for four nights as I'm away for four days, leaving just Wayne and the boys at home. It wasn't hard to switch things around, and I've left four meals in the freezer that they just need to thaw and heat. One of the meals is butter chicken and rice - a favourite that I know will be eaten.
You'll never buy a jar of butter chicken sauce again after you've tried this oh-so-simple homemade version. Best of all you'll probably have all the spices already in your spice cupboard, so nothing exotic or expensive to buy.
Butter Chicken
Ingredients:
3 skinless chicken breasts
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 teaspoon crushed ginger in jar
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cumin
2 chicken stock cubes
1/2 cup tomato paste
375ml can of evaporated light milk (MOO is fine)
Method:
Cut chicken into bite sized pieces. Heat oil in large non-stick frypan or wok and sauté chicken, garlic and ginger until the chicken is almost cooked, about 5 - 6 minutes. Add all the spices and crumbled stock cubes. Stir for a minute to coat the chicken and release the fragrance of the spices. Add tomato paste and fold through chicken. Slowly add the evaporated milk to the pan, stirring continuously and gently so you don't break up the chicken. Stir gently until the mixture comes to the boil, turn the heat down to a gently simmer and cook a further 5 - 10 minutes, until the chicken is cooked and the sauce has thickened slightly. Serve over steamed rice with homemade naan bread.
Next week we will be eating:
Sunday: Butter chicken and rice
Monday: Meat pie, mash, veggies, gravy
Tuesday: Spag Bol, salad, garlic bread
Wednesday: Sausages, mash,cauliflower, beans, carrots, onion gravy
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Stuffed Potatoes
Saturday: Tacos
In the fruit bowl: mandarins
In the cake tin: Double choc brownies, fruit cake, blackberry & white choc muffins, ANZAC slice, vanilla cupcakes
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
Slow Cooking for Great DinnersI love my slow cooker; I love how it helps me to keep our grocery bill, particularly the meat component, down. I love how it takes tough cuts and gently turns them into melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness, so I thought I'd share some tips I've found useful and a favourite slow cooker recipe.
I have two slow cookers, a small 3.5 litre that is just the right size for desserts like rice pudding, and a larger, 6 litre, that is perfect for family size stews and casseroles. I use the larger slow cooker to make pasta sauce and cook roasts and corned beef too.
The older slow cooker cooks, well slowly. My newer, and much bigger cooker, cooks much faster. I use it for roasts (yes, you can cook a roast in the slow cooker) and larger sauces, soups, stews etc. I usually use it on the low setting and find that it is just right.
The small cooker (3.5 litres) is great for casseroles and braises that need long, very slow cooking. I turn it on early in the morning and let it cook all day.
The best tip I ever picked up for using a slow cooker is to make sure it is at least three quarters full for cooking; that's another reason having the two sizes is very handy.
Always make sure there is liquid in the bottom of the crock. This stops the food from sticking to the bottom and burning. As it cooks, the food will release juices and condensation will drip off the lid, creating a really nice stock you can use to make a gravy.
There are some delicious slow cooker recipes in the Slow Cooker Recipe File https://www.cheapskatesclub.net/slowcooker.html.
And here's a tasty recipe for slow cooker curry.
Curried Beef
Ingredients:
1 kg stewing steak (gravy/chuck), cut into 4 cm cubes
2 medium onions cut into large cubes
3 tbsp flour
1-½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
¼ tsp garlic powder
1-½ tsp curry powder
425 ml tomato sauce
2 tbsp kecap manis
2 tsp beef stock powder
½ tsp sugar
Method:
Combine the first 7 ingredients in a 3.5 litre slow cooker. Stir well making sure all meat is coated in flour. Stir the remaining 4 ingredients in bowl. Pour over the top. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 - 10 hours or on HIGH for 4 – 5 hours.
The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
The Post that Started it All
6. Cheapskates Buzz
From The Article Archive
Adapting Recipes for the Slow Cooker
Budgeting For Your Road Trip
Groceries I don't Buy
Most Popular Blog Posts This Week
What We Ate Last Week
Top 10 Stockpile Items
We've Eaten Down the Freezer
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 8th August: Do Ahead Travel Snacks
8. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Jordan who wrote
"I have food allergies, specifically gluten and dairy free and was wondering how to participate in the $300 a month grocery challenge when grocery item substitutes are quite expensive or can’t be substituted at all?"
Marcia Harris answered
Jordan, I too am allergic to dairy and gluten, plus all colour/food additives and preservatives. I eventually found Macrobiotic Cooking and did a cooking course which was a blessing. I started out with 'nothing out of a packet and nothing out of a tin' and I made an overnight change. Cold decked it, ate a lot of rice cakes and made sure I ate every 3-4 hours to help balance blood sugar. My butter substitute is Nuttelex as it has no preservatives and I use soy milk. My diet consists of rice based products, fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, chicken and turkey, fresh garden herbs and dried sea veg. I'm having success with sourdough breads, even bought a bread machine to make my own bread. Being able to grow your own salad vegetables is a blessing. Even now, I still consider my diet one of trial and error.
Kasey Ball answered
I’ve been gluten free since I was 9, and a previous partner was lactose intolerant. We found the best strategy was to avoid using replacement products where possible. Pick rice dishes instead of pasta, and your cost drops by 500%, avoid bread based meals and there is no need to buy gluten free bread. A meat and veggies dish, or Asian noodle stir fry with vermicelli will cost you the same as anyone else. If you have a family without these needs, while it’s inconvenient, avoid making everyone the substitute option (make gf pasta for just the person who needs it). We also found cheaper milk substitutes, including coconut milk powder from Asian stores and DIY almond or rice milk using a blender and a paint strainer bag.
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
9. This Week's Question
Danette writes
"Repairing expensive underwear: the mesh back panels of bras tend to wear out before the rest and the mesh fabric is about $18/m online. A double layer of lycra works well but I'm almost through my stash of offcuts, has anyone had success with other fabrics?"
Do you have the answer?
If you have a suggestion or idea for Danette, 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
10. 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
11. Join The Cheapskates Club
Until Wednesday 14th August 2019, new Cheapskates Club memberships are just $25 a year. 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!
12. 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.
13. 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 8th August: Do Ahead Travel Snacks
8. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Jordan who wrote
"I have food allergies, specifically gluten and dairy free and was wondering how to participate in the $300 a month grocery challenge when grocery item substitutes are quite expensive or can’t be substituted at all?"
Marcia Harris answered
Jordan, I too am allergic to dairy and gluten, plus all colour/food additives and preservatives. I eventually found Macrobiotic Cooking and did a cooking course which was a blessing. I started out with 'nothing out of a packet and nothing out of a tin' and I made an overnight change. Cold decked it, ate a lot of rice cakes and made sure I ate every 3-4 hours to help balance blood sugar. My butter substitute is Nuttelex as it has no preservatives and I use soy milk. My diet consists of rice based products, fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, chicken and turkey, fresh garden herbs and dried sea veg. I'm having success with sourdough breads, even bought a bread machine to make my own bread. Being able to grow your own salad vegetables is a blessing. Even now, I still consider my diet one of trial and error.
Kasey Ball answered
I’ve been gluten free since I was 9, and a previous partner was lactose intolerant. We found the best strategy was to avoid using replacement products where possible. Pick rice dishes instead of pasta, and your cost drops by 500%, avoid bread based meals and there is no need to buy gluten free bread. A meat and veggies dish, or Asian noodle stir fry with vermicelli will cost you the same as anyone else. If you have a family without these needs, while it’s inconvenient, avoid making everyone the substitute option (make gf pasta for just the person who needs it). We also found cheaper milk substitutes, including coconut milk powder from Asian stores and DIY almond or rice milk using a blender and a paint strainer bag.
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
9. This Week's Question
Danette writes
"Repairing expensive underwear: the mesh back panels of bras tend to wear out before the rest and the mesh fabric is about $18/m online. A double layer of lycra works well but I'm almost through my stash of offcuts, has anyone had success with other fabrics?"
Do you have the answer?
If you have a suggestion or idea for Danette, 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
10. 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
11. Join The Cheapskates Club
Until Wednesday 14th August 2019, new Cheapskates Club memberships are just $25 a year. 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!
12. 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.
13. 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