Your Cheapskates Club Newsletter 34:17
In this Newsletter
1. Cath's Corner
2. In the Tip Store - The No Cash Way of Controlling Spending; Patch, Cut, Hem, Wear; My Electric Scooter has Changed My Attitude to Shopping
3. Share Your Tips
4. On the Menu - Vegeballs
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - How to Build Your Stockpile Part 3
6. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
7. Member's Featured Blog - Discharged Mortgage, but Not Quite Debt Free
8. Ask Cath
9. Join the Cheapskates Club
10. Frequently Asked Questions
11. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
I hope you've all had a wonderful week living the Cheapskates way.
We have visitors this weekend for the AMRA model train exhibition at Caulfield Racecourse. I know Joy of Quilting and Wendy will be visiting the exhibition, and I'll be there on Saturday so please say hello if you're there.
The newsletter is long this week, so I won't keep you, but let you get on and enjoy the read.
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
The No Cash Way of Controlling Spending
Lots of us can't seem to keep track of our spending unless we have actual cash, because the bank account or credit card seems bottomless when you keep whipping out your plastic card at every store. But some of us don't like carrying cash.
I've discovered a new budgeting method that helps with this problem, and earns you frequent flyer points as well. And it's FREE to use!
Join Virgin's Velocity Frequent Flyer program and take up their offer of a pre-paid Visa card. You load it up with whatever funds you want, just via internet banking or Bpay, so you can control how much goes on the card, and when it's gone, it's gone, you have to top up again (like cash).
Added bonus, every $2 you spend in Australia (and $1 overseas) gets you one frequent flyer point. If you're using it for all your shopping and fuel, it will add up quickly and you might find yourself with a free flight! Just be careful of credit card surcharges - don't use it at Aldi (or a lot of other places).
Contributed by Robyn Thomas
Patch, Cut, Hem, Wear
My husband gets holes in his long work pants from kneeling, which I patch up once. When the patched-up parts get holes instead of throwing the long work pants away I cut off just above the knees and hem them to make work shorts to wear in the warmer weather. Last time I made three pairs of work shorts and saved approximately $100.00!
Contributed by Mara Cvejic
My Electric Scooter has Changed My Attitude to Shopping
A few months ago, I invested in a Fonzerelli motor scooter. I wanted to move away from fossil fuels...but it's had more benefits to my budget than I expected! The first benefit was that it only cost $1 a week to run on electricity...free if I charge at my mums with her solar panels. The second was that, because I only have a small amount of room to bring groceries home, I can only buy what is necessary to feed my family...I've slashed my usual spend in half!!!
It started me thinking...the space I have to bring things home is equivalent to two and a half reusable shopping bags from Coles or Woolies. What if we all shopped using the bag system? If it doesn't fit in the bag you can't buy it that shop. It forces you to only buy the needs, not wants.
Good luck Cheapskaters!
Contributed by Kate Crawford
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. On the Menu
Magic Meatless Meals
We often have meatless or vegetarian meals, although when you look at my meal plan you may not know it. Apart from our Sunday roast, every other dinner this week is meatless. With the price of red meat going through the roof, having one or two meatless meals each week means you have the cash to still have meat on your meal plan.
Meatless meals in our house are tasty and appetising; I don't serve (and wouldn't) overcooked beans or lentils or soggy veggies and call it a meal. Instead I make meatless meatballs, meatless rissoles, vegetable spaghetti, vegetarian pizzas and yummy meatless tacos that taste so good no one misses the meat.
Vegeballs
Ingredients:
60g grated cheese
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 cups rolled oats
1 egg
1 cup evaporated milk
1 large tin tomato soup
1/2 - 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
oil for frying
Method:
Beat egg into evaporated milk. Add onion, cheese and rolled oats. Add breadcrumbs until stiff. Roll dessertspoonsful into balls. Fry in hot oil until browned all over. Drain on paper towel. Place in casserole dish. Mix tomato soup with a 1/2 tin of water. Pour over vegeballs. Bake in moderate oven until soup starts to simmer, about 30 minutes. Serve hot over spaghetti or with mashed potato and steamed veggies.
This week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Beef
Monday: Vegeballs, mash, greens
Tuesday: Spaghetti pie, tossed green salad
Wednesday: Curried Nut Croquets, steamed vegetables
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Tacos
Saturday: Pumpkin soup
In the fruit bowl: Oranges, lemons, apples
In the cake tin: Cookies'n'Cream Slice, fruit cake, Choc Chip Cookie Slice
There are over 1,500 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File.
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge
How to Build Your Stockpile Part 3
Building a stockpile is a personal thing. It needs to contain items that you use, otherwise it's just wasted money. There are all sorts of lists and suggestions around, and they are great to use as a starting point.
In my dreams, I can just make a list, go shopping and buy everything we need for the next twelve months.
In reality, I have a grocery budget that I need to stick to, so building the stockpile must fit into my grocery budget, and if you want to build your stockpile and save money, rather than go into debt, your buys will need to fit into your budget too.
Here's a list of what is in (or will be in) our stockpile for 2016 to see us through 2016. Remember as you read this that this is for my family of 5, you may or may not use/need/want some/any/all of these things - write your list to suit your needs. And remember, I wasn't starting from scratch, I already had a very good stockpile, at least three months of most things, six months of some others and a one-year supply of cleaning supplies.
Groceries:
Baked Beans x 104
Baking Paper x 1
Cereal - Ricies x 12
Cereal - Weetbix -1.2kg x 24
Cereal -All Bran x 24
Cereal -Rolled Oats x 10kg
Choc Bits/Melts x 12
Clingwrap x 1
Cocoa x 2
Condiments - Coleslaw dressing x 12
Condiments - Herbs
Condiments - Honey x 6
Condiments - Jam
Condiments - Mayo x 2
Condiments - Nutella x 6
Condiments - Peanut butter x 24
Condiments - Peppercorns x 1
Condiments - Salt x 5kg
Condiments - Spices
Condiments - Stock cubes x 4
Condiments - Vegemite x 2
Cornflour x 3
Cream of Chicken Soup x 24
Custard Powder x 2
Dried Fruit - Cherries x 1kg
Dried Fruit - Dates x 6
Dried Fruit - Mixed Fruit x 5kg
Dried Fruit - Sultanas x 5kg
Drinks - Coffee, Instant x 2kg
Drinks - Coffee, Pods x 48pks
Drinks - Cordial MOO
Drinks - Tea bags - 100pk x 4
Flour - Gluten x 5kg
Flour - Plain x 112kg
Flour - SR x 60kg
Foil x 1
Icing Sugar x 12
Legumes - black beans (canned) x 12
Legumes - soup mix x 3kg
Legumes - split peas x 3kg
Legumes - kidney beans x 5kg
Molasses x 1
Mustard - wholegrain x 12
Nuts: almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, peanuts
Oil - Olive x 12L
Oil - Vegetable x 4L
Pasta - Noodles x 12
Pasta - Spaghetti x 26
Pineapple rings x 12
Popping corn x 1kg
Powdered Milk x 12kg
Rice x 20kg
Sauce - BBQ 250ml x 6
Sauce - Soy x 2
Sauce - Sweet Chilli x 1
Sauce - Tomato 2L x 4
Spaghetti - tinned x 12
Sugar x 48kg
Tinned fruit x 24
Tomato Soup x 104
Tuna x 24
Yeast x 2
Freezer:
Butter x 24kg
Casserole/Stewing Steak x 15kg
Cheese - Tasty x 24kg
Chicken - Drumsticks x 15kg
Chicken - Fillets x 52kg
Chicken - Wings x 12kg
Chickens - Whole x 26
Corned Beef x 12
Fruit - oranges, strawberries, apples, lemons, peaches
Legs of Lamb x 13
Mince x 40kg
Roasting Beef x 13
Sausage mince x 5kg
Sausages x 12kg
Steak x 12kg
Vegetables - carrots x 20kg
Vegetables - celery, onion, eggplant, capsicum, beans, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potato, pumpkin, tomatoes from garden
Vegetables - corn x 12kg
Vegetables - Peas x 12kg
Cleaning:
Bicarb soda x 5kg
Borax x 3
Bug Spray x 4
Dishwasher powder x 12
Dishwashing liquid x 6
Eucalyptus oil x 3
Laundry soap x 3
Scrub buds x 3
Washing soda x 4
White vinegar x 5L
Toiletries:
Body wash x 12
Conditioner x 12
Deodorant x 43
Hairspray x 4
Hand wash x 12
Moisturiser x 4
Mouthwash x 6
Razors x 4
Shampoo x 18
Shaving foam x 6
Soap x 60
Toilet paper - 12pk x 12
Toothbrush Heads x 6
Toothbrushes x 24
Toothpaste x 30
First Aid:
Band Aids x 2
Bandages x 2
Betadine ointment & drops x 1
Ginger tablets x 1
Hydrogen Peroxide x 1
Immodium x 1
Isopropyl Alcohol x 1
Nurofen x 2
Paracetamol x 2
Saline x 1
Savlon cream x 1
Zyrtec/Telfast/Claratyne x 3
Boy, we eat a lot! And that list doesn't include the produce from the garden that will be dried, bottled, pickled or frozen over the summer.
When I look at that list I wonder where in our home I'll be able to store it all, but it all fits. So where to do I store all these groceries?
Grocery items are either in the pantry in the kitchen, in other cupboards (tea and coffee are above the kettle, spices and herbs are above the bench) or the shelving. Bulk dry goods are in labelled tubs in the laundry.
Cleaning supplies are under the laundry sink. Dishwashing liquid and dishwasher powder are under the kitchen sink.
Toiletries are in the bathroom cupboards.
The first aid box lives on a shelf in the linen cupboard.
Frozen food is of course in the freezers, one in the laundry and I've "borrowed" my mother's chest freezer for the overflow.
I've found the hardest thing to store is the toilet paper, mainly because it is so bulky. At the moment, it is in the garden shed and I bring in one pack a month as it's needed.
I don’t have a lot of designated storage space in this house so I make do with what I have and sometimes I need to be a little creative and shuffle things around.
As long as I remember to update the inventory when I move things nothing gets lost and I won't be tearing my hair out trying to find the peanut butter when I know we have it but it's not on the bottom shelf of the pantry!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
The Post that Started it All
6. Cheapskates Buzz
Most popular forum posts this week
Buying In Season
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?3625-300-A-Month-Food-Challenge-14-8-17-Buying-In-Season
Receipts and Proof of Ownership
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?3626-Receipts-and-Proof-of-ownership
Presents for the Elderly - Any Suggestions?
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?3124-Presents-for-the-Elderly-Any-Suggestions
Most popular blog posts this week
Independence Day
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2013/08/independence-day.html
Sausage Rolls
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2017/08/sausage-rolls.html
MOO Stain Removing Soap
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/p/how-to-make-stain-removing-soap.html
7. 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 long time Cheapskates Club member Jenny.
Discharged Mortgage, but Not Quite Debt Free
Well it's been a long time since l have updated my position. back in 2013 when l became a member l had $730,000 of debt and declining health as l struggle with MS.
Back then l started a complete review of my spending patterns and commitments and became aware of many over spending habits mainly an addiction to the newest technologies. Basically, I had every version on Apple technology that was available plus an office (I am an accountant) full of windows pcs.
About a month ago l sold the commercial building that I ran my office out of and after five years of struggling with huge repayments I had paid it down so that at the sale I paid out the rental AND the housing loan, leaving me $190.
I can't explain the feeling when you go to the bank to pick up your title, a very emotional yet proud experience.
I must say that l sort of cheated as l am not debt free as l still have my credit cards. I wanted to make sure that the roof over our head was totally safe and I would never again have the temptation to lend against the house again. I know that it mathematically is a mistake as the interest on the cards is higher but I won't lie here (husband doesn't know the plastic cards are quite that high), you may think that is terrible but l am not sad. He has been retired for a few years and l am the bread winner so they are mine to pay.
I want to feel proud of my achievements as I have gone from $730,000 of debt to $65,000 of debt (yes that's credit cards)! I would have never started this journey if hadn't become a member and if you search my blogs here you will see it has been quite a journey.
I have stayed on renting at my office for a year as l wait for the last of my children to move out as currently building their first home. I will bring the office home at Christmas as I have a large area in the house that is now free due to children moving out.
I must say God has been very kind to me as I am blessed to have a few acres, with multiple houses on them, so bringing the title home has been a huge achievement for me as l get closer to being debt free.
I now have the last part of the journey, settling the office home at Christmas and the credit cards.
I have now entered a spending freeze as I have that much stuff to keep me amused from my rampant eBay spending days.
I have also become a bit more religious now as I have found peace with myself and my health and accepted l must focus on my physical and mental health. I can no longer walk but have mobility chairs that have completely changed my life. I call a taxi know and they pick me up and I can go wherever l desire. l have booked my first cruise in January which will be my first holiday in 20 years.
I know go on the last part of my journey, paying of the plastic and having the guts to chop them up. They are still my current safety blanket.
I think what I am saying to people is never give up as you will find your way through whatever challenges you face on your debt free journey if you keep your will power.
It's nice to read about your individual journeys.
Happy Cheapskating!
Login to read more Cheapskates Club Member blogs
8. 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
9. 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!
10. Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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11. 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 - The No Cash Way of Controlling Spending; Patch, Cut, Hem, Wear; My Electric Scooter has Changed My Attitude to Shopping
3. Share Your Tips
4. On the Menu - Vegeballs
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - How to Build Your Stockpile Part 3
6. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
7. Member's Featured Blog - Discharged Mortgage, but Not Quite Debt Free
8. Ask Cath
9. Join the Cheapskates Club
10. Frequently Asked Questions
11. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
I hope you've all had a wonderful week living the Cheapskates way.
We have visitors this weekend for the AMRA model train exhibition at Caulfield Racecourse. I know Joy of Quilting and Wendy will be visiting the exhibition, and I'll be there on Saturday so please say hello if you're there.
The newsletter is long this week, so I won't keep you, but let you get on and enjoy the read.
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
The No Cash Way of Controlling Spending
Lots of us can't seem to keep track of our spending unless we have actual cash, because the bank account or credit card seems bottomless when you keep whipping out your plastic card at every store. But some of us don't like carrying cash.
I've discovered a new budgeting method that helps with this problem, and earns you frequent flyer points as well. And it's FREE to use!
Join Virgin's Velocity Frequent Flyer program and take up their offer of a pre-paid Visa card. You load it up with whatever funds you want, just via internet banking or Bpay, so you can control how much goes on the card, and when it's gone, it's gone, you have to top up again (like cash).
Added bonus, every $2 you spend in Australia (and $1 overseas) gets you one frequent flyer point. If you're using it for all your shopping and fuel, it will add up quickly and you might find yourself with a free flight! Just be careful of credit card surcharges - don't use it at Aldi (or a lot of other places).
Contributed by Robyn Thomas
Patch, Cut, Hem, Wear
My husband gets holes in his long work pants from kneeling, which I patch up once. When the patched-up parts get holes instead of throwing the long work pants away I cut off just above the knees and hem them to make work shorts to wear in the warmer weather. Last time I made three pairs of work shorts and saved approximately $100.00!
Contributed by Mara Cvejic
My Electric Scooter has Changed My Attitude to Shopping
A few months ago, I invested in a Fonzerelli motor scooter. I wanted to move away from fossil fuels...but it's had more benefits to my budget than I expected! The first benefit was that it only cost $1 a week to run on electricity...free if I charge at my mums with her solar panels. The second was that, because I only have a small amount of room to bring groceries home, I can only buy what is necessary to feed my family...I've slashed my usual spend in half!!!
It started me thinking...the space I have to bring things home is equivalent to two and a half reusable shopping bags from Coles or Woolies. What if we all shopped using the bag system? If it doesn't fit in the bag you can't buy it that shop. It forces you to only buy the needs, not wants.
Good luck Cheapskaters!
Contributed by Kate Crawford
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. On the Menu
Magic Meatless Meals
We often have meatless or vegetarian meals, although when you look at my meal plan you may not know it. Apart from our Sunday roast, every other dinner this week is meatless. With the price of red meat going through the roof, having one or two meatless meals each week means you have the cash to still have meat on your meal plan.
Meatless meals in our house are tasty and appetising; I don't serve (and wouldn't) overcooked beans or lentils or soggy veggies and call it a meal. Instead I make meatless meatballs, meatless rissoles, vegetable spaghetti, vegetarian pizzas and yummy meatless tacos that taste so good no one misses the meat.
Vegeballs
Ingredients:
60g grated cheese
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 cups rolled oats
1 egg
1 cup evaporated milk
1 large tin tomato soup
1/2 - 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
oil for frying
Method:
Beat egg into evaporated milk. Add onion, cheese and rolled oats. Add breadcrumbs until stiff. Roll dessertspoonsful into balls. Fry in hot oil until browned all over. Drain on paper towel. Place in casserole dish. Mix tomato soup with a 1/2 tin of water. Pour over vegeballs. Bake in moderate oven until soup starts to simmer, about 30 minutes. Serve hot over spaghetti or with mashed potato and steamed veggies.
This week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Beef
Monday: Vegeballs, mash, greens
Tuesday: Spaghetti pie, tossed green salad
Wednesday: Curried Nut Croquets, steamed vegetables
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Tacos
Saturday: Pumpkin soup
In the fruit bowl: Oranges, lemons, apples
In the cake tin: Cookies'n'Cream Slice, fruit cake, Choc Chip Cookie Slice
There are over 1,500 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File.
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge
How to Build Your Stockpile Part 3
Building a stockpile is a personal thing. It needs to contain items that you use, otherwise it's just wasted money. There are all sorts of lists and suggestions around, and they are great to use as a starting point.
In my dreams, I can just make a list, go shopping and buy everything we need for the next twelve months.
In reality, I have a grocery budget that I need to stick to, so building the stockpile must fit into my grocery budget, and if you want to build your stockpile and save money, rather than go into debt, your buys will need to fit into your budget too.
Here's a list of what is in (or will be in) our stockpile for 2016 to see us through 2016. Remember as you read this that this is for my family of 5, you may or may not use/need/want some/any/all of these things - write your list to suit your needs. And remember, I wasn't starting from scratch, I already had a very good stockpile, at least three months of most things, six months of some others and a one-year supply of cleaning supplies.
Groceries:
Baked Beans x 104
Baking Paper x 1
Cereal - Ricies x 12
Cereal - Weetbix -1.2kg x 24
Cereal -All Bran x 24
Cereal -Rolled Oats x 10kg
Choc Bits/Melts x 12
Clingwrap x 1
Cocoa x 2
Condiments - Coleslaw dressing x 12
Condiments - Herbs
Condiments - Honey x 6
Condiments - Jam
Condiments - Mayo x 2
Condiments - Nutella x 6
Condiments - Peanut butter x 24
Condiments - Peppercorns x 1
Condiments - Salt x 5kg
Condiments - Spices
Condiments - Stock cubes x 4
Condiments - Vegemite x 2
Cornflour x 3
Cream of Chicken Soup x 24
Custard Powder x 2
Dried Fruit - Cherries x 1kg
Dried Fruit - Dates x 6
Dried Fruit - Mixed Fruit x 5kg
Dried Fruit - Sultanas x 5kg
Drinks - Coffee, Instant x 2kg
Drinks - Coffee, Pods x 48pks
Drinks - Cordial MOO
Drinks - Tea bags - 100pk x 4
Flour - Gluten x 5kg
Flour - Plain x 112kg
Flour - SR x 60kg
Foil x 1
Icing Sugar x 12
Legumes - black beans (canned) x 12
Legumes - soup mix x 3kg
Legumes - split peas x 3kg
Legumes - kidney beans x 5kg
Molasses x 1
Mustard - wholegrain x 12
Nuts: almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, peanuts
Oil - Olive x 12L
Oil - Vegetable x 4L
Pasta - Noodles x 12
Pasta - Spaghetti x 26
Pineapple rings x 12
Popping corn x 1kg
Powdered Milk x 12kg
Rice x 20kg
Sauce - BBQ 250ml x 6
Sauce - Soy x 2
Sauce - Sweet Chilli x 1
Sauce - Tomato 2L x 4
Spaghetti - tinned x 12
Sugar x 48kg
Tinned fruit x 24
Tomato Soup x 104
Tuna x 24
Yeast x 2
Freezer:
Butter x 24kg
Casserole/Stewing Steak x 15kg
Cheese - Tasty x 24kg
Chicken - Drumsticks x 15kg
Chicken - Fillets x 52kg
Chicken - Wings x 12kg
Chickens - Whole x 26
Corned Beef x 12
Fruit - oranges, strawberries, apples, lemons, peaches
Legs of Lamb x 13
Mince x 40kg
Roasting Beef x 13
Sausage mince x 5kg
Sausages x 12kg
Steak x 12kg
Vegetables - carrots x 20kg
Vegetables - celery, onion, eggplant, capsicum, beans, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potato, pumpkin, tomatoes from garden
Vegetables - corn x 12kg
Vegetables - Peas x 12kg
Cleaning:
Bicarb soda x 5kg
Borax x 3
Bug Spray x 4
Dishwasher powder x 12
Dishwashing liquid x 6
Eucalyptus oil x 3
Laundry soap x 3
Scrub buds x 3
Washing soda x 4
White vinegar x 5L
Toiletries:
Body wash x 12
Conditioner x 12
Deodorant x 43
Hairspray x 4
Hand wash x 12
Moisturiser x 4
Mouthwash x 6
Razors x 4
Shampoo x 18
Shaving foam x 6
Soap x 60
Toilet paper - 12pk x 12
Toothbrush Heads x 6
Toothbrushes x 24
Toothpaste x 30
First Aid:
Band Aids x 2
Bandages x 2
Betadine ointment & drops x 1
Ginger tablets x 1
Hydrogen Peroxide x 1
Immodium x 1
Isopropyl Alcohol x 1
Nurofen x 2
Paracetamol x 2
Saline x 1
Savlon cream x 1
Zyrtec/Telfast/Claratyne x 3
Boy, we eat a lot! And that list doesn't include the produce from the garden that will be dried, bottled, pickled or frozen over the summer.
When I look at that list I wonder where in our home I'll be able to store it all, but it all fits. So where to do I store all these groceries?
Grocery items are either in the pantry in the kitchen, in other cupboards (tea and coffee are above the kettle, spices and herbs are above the bench) or the shelving. Bulk dry goods are in labelled tubs in the laundry.
Cleaning supplies are under the laundry sink. Dishwashing liquid and dishwasher powder are under the kitchen sink.
Toiletries are in the bathroom cupboards.
The first aid box lives on a shelf in the linen cupboard.
Frozen food is of course in the freezers, one in the laundry and I've "borrowed" my mother's chest freezer for the overflow.
I've found the hardest thing to store is the toilet paper, mainly because it is so bulky. At the moment, it is in the garden shed and I bring in one pack a month as it's needed.
I don’t have a lot of designated storage space in this house so I make do with what I have and sometimes I need to be a little creative and shuffle things around.
As long as I remember to update the inventory when I move things nothing gets lost and I won't be tearing my hair out trying to find the peanut butter when I know we have it but it's not on the bottom shelf of the pantry!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
The Post that Started it All
6. Cheapskates Buzz
Most popular forum posts this week
Buying In Season
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?3625-300-A-Month-Food-Challenge-14-8-17-Buying-In-Season
Receipts and Proof of Ownership
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?3626-Receipts-and-Proof-of-ownership
Presents for the Elderly - Any Suggestions?
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?3124-Presents-for-the-Elderly-Any-Suggestions
Most popular blog posts this week
Independence Day
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2013/08/independence-day.html
Sausage Rolls
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2017/08/sausage-rolls.html
MOO Stain Removing Soap
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/p/how-to-make-stain-removing-soap.html
7. 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 long time Cheapskates Club member Jenny.
Discharged Mortgage, but Not Quite Debt Free
Well it's been a long time since l have updated my position. back in 2013 when l became a member l had $730,000 of debt and declining health as l struggle with MS.
Back then l started a complete review of my spending patterns and commitments and became aware of many over spending habits mainly an addiction to the newest technologies. Basically, I had every version on Apple technology that was available plus an office (I am an accountant) full of windows pcs.
About a month ago l sold the commercial building that I ran my office out of and after five years of struggling with huge repayments I had paid it down so that at the sale I paid out the rental AND the housing loan, leaving me $190.
I can't explain the feeling when you go to the bank to pick up your title, a very emotional yet proud experience.
I must say that l sort of cheated as l am not debt free as l still have my credit cards. I wanted to make sure that the roof over our head was totally safe and I would never again have the temptation to lend against the house again. I know that it mathematically is a mistake as the interest on the cards is higher but I won't lie here (husband doesn't know the plastic cards are quite that high), you may think that is terrible but l am not sad. He has been retired for a few years and l am the bread winner so they are mine to pay.
I want to feel proud of my achievements as I have gone from $730,000 of debt to $65,000 of debt (yes that's credit cards)! I would have never started this journey if hadn't become a member and if you search my blogs here you will see it has been quite a journey.
I have stayed on renting at my office for a year as l wait for the last of my children to move out as currently building their first home. I will bring the office home at Christmas as I have a large area in the house that is now free due to children moving out.
I must say God has been very kind to me as I am blessed to have a few acres, with multiple houses on them, so bringing the title home has been a huge achievement for me as l get closer to being debt free.
I now have the last part of the journey, settling the office home at Christmas and the credit cards.
I have now entered a spending freeze as I have that much stuff to keep me amused from my rampant eBay spending days.
I have also become a bit more religious now as I have found peace with myself and my health and accepted l must focus on my physical and mental health. I can no longer walk but have mobility chairs that have completely changed my life. I call a taxi know and they pick me up and I can go wherever l desire. l have booked my first cruise in January which will be my first holiday in 20 years.
I know go on the last part of my journey, paying of the plastic and having the guts to chop them up. They are still my current safety blanket.
I think what I am saying to people is never give up as you will find your way through whatever challenges you face on your debt free journey if you keep your will power.
It's nice to read about your individual journeys.
Happy Cheapskating!
Login to read more Cheapskates Club Member blogs
8. 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
9. 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.
Click here to join the Cheapskates Club today!
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11. 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