Your Cheapskates Club Newsletter 33:19
In This Newsletter
1. Cath's Corner
2. From the Tip Store - Living With a Gluten Free Family; How to Always Have Juicy Oranges; Free Resealable Bags
3. Share Your Tips
4. On the Menu - Refrigerator Lasagne
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - Getting More From a Meal
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 - Does anyone know of a lycra substitute?
9. This Week's Question - I need a solution to a furry problem!
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 Cheapskates Club newsletter. This week's newsletter is huge and full of great ideas.
I suggest you get a cuppa and sit back to enjoy the read.
Happy Cheapskating,
Cath
2. From The Tip Store
Living with a Gluten Free Family
I've become excited to purchase a loaf on mark down for $1.80. Rice becomes a staple starch, as does potato. Many pasta sauces work just as well. Corn Thins become the new bread and $1 a package on special is stock up price. A dash of mayo makes a good melted cheese/sour cream substitute in savoury dishes as does a cracked egg (e.g. substitute for cheese on pizza). Lard can replace butter in biscuits as can coconut oil, both now often cheaper than butter. A can of coconut cream can be divided into three, mixed with about 700ml water and used as milk for coffee/baking. Making your own nut milks takes a bit of time but is so easy and the results are delicious. I find lots of inspiration from looking at vegan equivalent recipes or recipes from cultures that do not rely heavily on wheat (Indian/Asian/Mexican etc.). These cultures are also typically poorer people as well and base recipes are simple with few ingredients. For example, cheddar cheese is typically an American addition to Mexican food. Fish sauce can double as soy for some dishes. Lastly get very good at scanning food labels. Many products e.g. Smith's chips are naturally gf, but not advertised as such due to the expense involved. By law products have to state if they contain gluten. It's a huge challenge but it can be achieved....it's all in the mindset:)
Contributed by Di Watson
How to Always Have Juicy Oranges
We share an orange tree with a neighbour When i pick them i put one in the freezer, next day thaw it out cut in half and you have the juiciest orange to eat beware the juice will run down your arm
Contributed by Rosie
Free Resealable Bags
Many products now come in resealable bags especially at Aldi e.g. split peas, ginger, sunflower seeds etc. When I buy products that come in these I save them and reuse them a number of times as they are very strong and the resealing tracks on them are very strong. Larger ones such as dog food bags I use as bin liners.
Contributed by Susan Denne
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
Refrigerator Lasagne
Years ago, when money was really tight, I came across this recipe and fell in love. It is very inexpensive, quick to make, easily feeds us for at least three meals (four when we had small children who only ate a half portion each) and tastes great.
It can be halved for smaller families. It freezes, thaws and reheats beautifully. And of course it is the best make-ahead meal, ideal for when you know you have a busy night coming up.
Refrigerator Lasagne
Ingredients:
500g mince
2 tins baked beans
250g grated mozzarella
250g grated tasty cheese
250g cottage cheese
2 tins tomato soup
1 tin diced tomatoes
1 large onion, diced
1 tsp dried basil
1 clove garlic, crushed
Lasagne noodles - dry, not fresh
Method:
Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Brown meat, garlic, basil and onions; drain. Whizz baked beans until they resemble the mince. Combine baked beans, meat, tomato soup, diced tomatoes and simmer. Use 9"x13" cake pan. Pour just enough sauce to cover bottom of pan. Layer raw (uncooked) noodles, sauce, half mozzarella, half tasty cheese and cottage cheese until all used up. Cover with foil. Refrigerate overnight. Bake at 180 degrees Celsius for 1 hour. Can be frozen after overnight refrigeration.
This makes an extra-large lasagne. I make it in my Corningware baking dish. Halve the recipe if you don't want planned leftovers.
This week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Chicken
Monday: Cream cheese patties, salad
Tuesday: Lasagne & salad
Wednesday: Vegetable Moussaka
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Fish, wedges, salad
Saturday: Hamburgers
In the fruit bowl: oranges, bananas
In the cake tin: Fruit loaf
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
Getting More From A Meal
An easy way to get more from a meal is simple: stretch food the food you have; and I don't mean by pulling!
Think about the food you have on your shopping list, and the food you have on hand. Now think about how you can stretch those foods, and still eat well, and enough.
I always start with meat. Meat is the most expensive component of most meals, so to me it's the obvious place to start with the stretching.
Then think about vegetables and fruit. Do you use all the fruit and veg you have? Or do you find, come garbage day, that you're dumping fuzzy or slimy or stinky or hairy fruit and veg? Because if you're buying it, and then dumping it, you may as well just put the money straight into the bin!
Some simple ways to stretch food to produce more serves are:
1. Add an equal quantity of TVP, rolled oats or cooked rice to mince when making rissoles and meatballs. You'll get double the quantity, giving you and extra meal for less than half the price.
2. Stretch mince based pasta sauces and taco fillings by whizzing a tin of baked beans per 500g mince in the food processor until the crumbs are the same size as the mince crumbs, and add to the dish. You're adding bulk, and fibre, and doubling the recipe for a fraction of the cost of the same quantity of mince . When the baked beans are whizzed, they can't be detected in the pasta sauce or taco filling. Mince is $8/kg (the cheapest around here right now), while baked beans are around $2/kg. The saving is obvious isn't it?
3. Add a tablespoon (or two) of milk to mayonnaise jars and bottles when they are getting low. Shake well to combine and no one will know the difference.
4. Add a little water or stock to pasta sauce jars, swish and pour into pasta sauces. You'll get every drop of sauce from the bottle and stretch it at the same time.
5. Use a silicone spatula to scrape out margarine containers, peanut butter, jam, honey, cream and Vegemite jars. You'll be shocked at just how much is left in the jar if you use just a knife to scrape it - easily two or three sandwiches worth, and that's money you'd be putting in the bin if you don't scrape.
6. Instead of serving whole chicken fillets, dice them into 2cm cubes. Two medium chicken breast fillets will then easily serve four (or five in our case!).
7. Don't pound meat to make it thin. Slice chicken fillets and steaks in half through the middle, creating two full fillets or steaks from each one, then gently pound them to stretch and flatten. Cut larger steaks down so they're about the size of the palm of your hand - that's all that's required for a serve, anymore and you're just overeating and over-spending.
8. Always take the tenderloins off chicken breast fillets and use them for a separate meal. Save them in the freezer until you have enough to make crumbed chicken wraps or dice them use them in curries and stews.
9. When mashing potato use some of the water it was steamed or boiled in instead of milk. The potato will be lovely and fluffy, no added fat and no extra cost.
10. Always make stock from roast bones. Chicken carcasses and lamb bones make lovely stock which can then be used to make soup, gravies and risottos and cook rice or pasta.
These are just some ways I've managed to keep our food bill down over the years. It was a learning curve, and I'm still on it. I'm always looking for ways to trim the grocery budget, without compromising nutrition and taste.
If I can do it, you can too!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
The Post that Started it All
6. Cheapskates Buzz
From The Article Archive
7 Freezer Meals in One Hour for under $30
TVP – a Meat Budget Friend
Groceries I don't Buy
Most Popular Blog Posts This Week
We're Doing OK, No Need To Panic
The Fine Line
What Does It Mean To Be "Frugal"?
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 - Living With a Gluten Free Family; How to Always Have Juicy Oranges; Free Resealable Bags
3. Share Your Tips
4. On the Menu - Refrigerator Lasagne
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - Getting More From a Meal
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 - Does anyone know of a lycra substitute?
9. This Week's Question - I need a solution to a furry problem!
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 Cheapskates Club newsletter. This week's newsletter is huge and full of great ideas.
I suggest you get a cuppa and sit back to enjoy the read.
Happy Cheapskating,
Cath
2. From The Tip Store
Living with a Gluten Free Family
I've become excited to purchase a loaf on mark down for $1.80. Rice becomes a staple starch, as does potato. Many pasta sauces work just as well. Corn Thins become the new bread and $1 a package on special is stock up price. A dash of mayo makes a good melted cheese/sour cream substitute in savoury dishes as does a cracked egg (e.g. substitute for cheese on pizza). Lard can replace butter in biscuits as can coconut oil, both now often cheaper than butter. A can of coconut cream can be divided into three, mixed with about 700ml water and used as milk for coffee/baking. Making your own nut milks takes a bit of time but is so easy and the results are delicious. I find lots of inspiration from looking at vegan equivalent recipes or recipes from cultures that do not rely heavily on wheat (Indian/Asian/Mexican etc.). These cultures are also typically poorer people as well and base recipes are simple with few ingredients. For example, cheddar cheese is typically an American addition to Mexican food. Fish sauce can double as soy for some dishes. Lastly get very good at scanning food labels. Many products e.g. Smith's chips are naturally gf, but not advertised as such due to the expense involved. By law products have to state if they contain gluten. It's a huge challenge but it can be achieved....it's all in the mindset:)
Contributed by Di Watson
How to Always Have Juicy Oranges
We share an orange tree with a neighbour When i pick them i put one in the freezer, next day thaw it out cut in half and you have the juiciest orange to eat beware the juice will run down your arm
Contributed by Rosie
Free Resealable Bags
Many products now come in resealable bags especially at Aldi e.g. split peas, ginger, sunflower seeds etc. When I buy products that come in these I save them and reuse them a number of times as they are very strong and the resealing tracks on them are very strong. Larger ones such as dog food bags I use as bin liners.
Contributed by Susan Denne
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
Refrigerator Lasagne
Years ago, when money was really tight, I came across this recipe and fell in love. It is very inexpensive, quick to make, easily feeds us for at least three meals (four when we had small children who only ate a half portion each) and tastes great.
It can be halved for smaller families. It freezes, thaws and reheats beautifully. And of course it is the best make-ahead meal, ideal for when you know you have a busy night coming up.
Refrigerator Lasagne
Ingredients:
500g mince
2 tins baked beans
250g grated mozzarella
250g grated tasty cheese
250g cottage cheese
2 tins tomato soup
1 tin diced tomatoes
1 large onion, diced
1 tsp dried basil
1 clove garlic, crushed
Lasagne noodles - dry, not fresh
Method:
Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Brown meat, garlic, basil and onions; drain. Whizz baked beans until they resemble the mince. Combine baked beans, meat, tomato soup, diced tomatoes and simmer. Use 9"x13" cake pan. Pour just enough sauce to cover bottom of pan. Layer raw (uncooked) noodles, sauce, half mozzarella, half tasty cheese and cottage cheese until all used up. Cover with foil. Refrigerate overnight. Bake at 180 degrees Celsius for 1 hour. Can be frozen after overnight refrigeration.
This makes an extra-large lasagne. I make it in my Corningware baking dish. Halve the recipe if you don't want planned leftovers.
This week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Chicken
Monday: Cream cheese patties, salad
Tuesday: Lasagne & salad
Wednesday: Vegetable Moussaka
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Fish, wedges, salad
Saturday: Hamburgers
In the fruit bowl: oranges, bananas
In the cake tin: Fruit loaf
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
Getting More From A Meal
An easy way to get more from a meal is simple: stretch food the food you have; and I don't mean by pulling!
Think about the food you have on your shopping list, and the food you have on hand. Now think about how you can stretch those foods, and still eat well, and enough.
I always start with meat. Meat is the most expensive component of most meals, so to me it's the obvious place to start with the stretching.
Then think about vegetables and fruit. Do you use all the fruit and veg you have? Or do you find, come garbage day, that you're dumping fuzzy or slimy or stinky or hairy fruit and veg? Because if you're buying it, and then dumping it, you may as well just put the money straight into the bin!
Some simple ways to stretch food to produce more serves are:
1. Add an equal quantity of TVP, rolled oats or cooked rice to mince when making rissoles and meatballs. You'll get double the quantity, giving you and extra meal for less than half the price.
2. Stretch mince based pasta sauces and taco fillings by whizzing a tin of baked beans per 500g mince in the food processor until the crumbs are the same size as the mince crumbs, and add to the dish. You're adding bulk, and fibre, and doubling the recipe for a fraction of the cost of the same quantity of mince . When the baked beans are whizzed, they can't be detected in the pasta sauce or taco filling. Mince is $8/kg (the cheapest around here right now), while baked beans are around $2/kg. The saving is obvious isn't it?
3. Add a tablespoon (or two) of milk to mayonnaise jars and bottles when they are getting low. Shake well to combine and no one will know the difference.
4. Add a little water or stock to pasta sauce jars, swish and pour into pasta sauces. You'll get every drop of sauce from the bottle and stretch it at the same time.
5. Use a silicone spatula to scrape out margarine containers, peanut butter, jam, honey, cream and Vegemite jars. You'll be shocked at just how much is left in the jar if you use just a knife to scrape it - easily two or three sandwiches worth, and that's money you'd be putting in the bin if you don't scrape.
6. Instead of serving whole chicken fillets, dice them into 2cm cubes. Two medium chicken breast fillets will then easily serve four (or five in our case!).
7. Don't pound meat to make it thin. Slice chicken fillets and steaks in half through the middle, creating two full fillets or steaks from each one, then gently pound them to stretch and flatten. Cut larger steaks down so they're about the size of the palm of your hand - that's all that's required for a serve, anymore and you're just overeating and over-spending.
8. Always take the tenderloins off chicken breast fillets and use them for a separate meal. Save them in the freezer until you have enough to make crumbed chicken wraps or dice them use them in curries and stews.
9. When mashing potato use some of the water it was steamed or boiled in instead of milk. The potato will be lovely and fluffy, no added fat and no extra cost.
10. Always make stock from roast bones. Chicken carcasses and lamb bones make lovely stock which can then be used to make soup, gravies and risottos and cook rice or pasta.
These are just some ways I've managed to keep our food bill down over the years. It was a learning curve, and I'm still on it. I'm always looking for ways to trim the grocery budget, without compromising nutrition and taste.
If I can do it, you can too!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
The Post that Started it All
6. Cheapskates Buzz
From The Article Archive
7 Freezer Meals in One Hour for under $30
TVP – a Meat Budget Friend
Groceries I don't Buy
Most Popular Blog Posts This Week
We're Doing OK, No Need To Panic
The Fine Line
What Does It Mean To Be "Frugal"?
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
8. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Danette who wrote
"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?"
Louise answered
"I use offcuts of stretch lace. I find them in op shops, bargain bins at Spotlight etc. I never pay more than $3 for a piece and often it is enough to make two or three repairs. The lace is soft, being stretch, and easy to sew, as well as pretty."
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
Denise writes
"We have two cats, and fur has become a major problem, especially in the washing machine. I either have to take all their blankets to the laundromat and pay to use the pet machine or wash at home and do a drum clean (or two) after the blanket wash. Does anyone know where to get, or how to make, fur catching balls that can be used in a front loader? I have looked and looked with no success. Thanks."
Do you have the answer?
If you have a suggestion or idea for Denise, 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
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!
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
Last week's question was from Danette who wrote
"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?"
Louise answered
"I use offcuts of stretch lace. I find them in op shops, bargain bins at Spotlight etc. I never pay more than $3 for a piece and often it is enough to make two or three repairs. The lace is soft, being stretch, and easy to sew, as well as pretty."
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
Denise writes
"We have two cats, and fur has become a major problem, especially in the washing machine. I either have to take all their blankets to the laundromat and pay to use the pet machine or wash at home and do a drum clean (or two) after the blanket wash. Does anyone know where to get, or how to make, fur catching balls that can be used in a front loader? I have looked and looked with no success. Thanks."
Do you have the answer?
If you have a suggestion or idea for Denise, 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
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!
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