YOUR CHEAPSKATES CLUB NEWSLETTER 34:20
In This Newsletter
1. Cath's Corner
2. From the Tip Store - Cheap MOO Yoghurt Flavour; Easy Cleaning Oven Glass; Double Duty Coriander Seeds
3. Share Your Tips
4. On the Menu - Cheapskates Fried Rice
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - Slush Funds Are Wonderful Things
6. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
7. The Cheapskates Club Show
8. This Week's Question -Budget wedding ideas needed please
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,
I hope this finds you all well. I'd like to give a warm welcome to our new members, we are so glad you've decided to join us in our journey to living the Cheapskates way. Please introduce yourself in the Forum, we're a friendly bunch and love to make new friends, especially like-minded friends.
This last week has been non-stop here. The dehydrators have been going 24/7; I've been planting seeds for the spring garden; Wayne has been working on little odd jobs, making use of his forced time off. All three kids are still working from home so my days are topsy turvy still, but it is nice to have lunch with them and have someone to talk to during the day.
I tried a few new recipes last week and they'll be in the Member's Centre for tomorrow's article updates. Two really easy, really delicious, very cheap recipes - and they both make great gifts too! It's not too early to start thinking of Christmas folks - it's only four months away! I wonder what Christmas 2020 will look like for us?
I'll leave you with that thought. Have a great week everyone.
Happy Cheapskating,
Cath
2. From The Tip Store
Cheap MOO Flavoured Yoghurt
I used to make homemade yogurt but it always lacked a little flavour and my young kids (5 under 8 years) weren't at all keen on eating it. Yesterday I decided to give it another go but their attitude didn't really change. In the past I've tried strawberry puree, and toppings to give it more appeal but it never really worked well, so my yogurt was always wasted. Today I found some strawberry jelly in the cupboard and decided - with not much to lose anyway - I'd give it a try. The results were fantastic! The yogurt was a tad thicker; it had a beautiful pink colour, and tasted amazing - not too sweet! It looked and tasted like store bought! The kids absolutely devoured it asking for thirds! Looks like I can start making yoghurt again!
Contributed by Victoria
Easy Cleaning Oven Glass
Recently there was a tip about using Aldi Pre Stain Remover to clean the oven. I used this product and was pleased with the results in the oven, however I was unable to clean the glass door. After more investigation I found another tip to clean the glass oven door by using a dishwasher tablet ( I used a Finish tablet) I am happy to report the glass oven door came up sparkling. Just add a bit of water to the glass door and wipe with the dishwasher tablet until it is all dissolved, wipe grime off with paper towel then finish with a damp cloth. Finished!
Contributed by Susan Frazier
Editor's note: I love dishwasher powder or tablets for cleaning the oven racks too. I add 1/4 cup of powder to the laundry sink, fill with hot water and add the racks. Let them soak till the water is cold, and then wipe them clean. They sparkle! And no scrubbing necessary! Cath
Double Duty Coriander Seeds
I recently discovered that coriander plants will grow from the seeds I buy to make an Indian dish. Scatter a few seeds and cover with a little soil, they come up easily. If you do this every few weeks you'll have a continuous, almost free supply of coriander and that packet of coriander in the spice cupboard can do double duty. Coriander is a heavy feeder so you could water it with some worm juice or even the banana skin tea recently featured.
Contributed by Sam Etheridge
Add a Tip
3. Share Your Tips
I want your tips!
We are rebuilding the Tip Store, removing all the old tips that are no longer relevant to living the Cheapskates way, and deleting double-ups. This means you'll see changes in the Tip Store, with one being the total number of tips will go down. And that means there will be room for new tips!
So, I want you to share your best money, time and energy saving ideas, there will be a weekly prize of a one year Cheapskates Club membership and a monthly prize of a one-year Cheapskates Club membership and $50. T
Prizes will be announced in the newsletter each week, with the prize for the tip of the month announced in the first newsletter of the next month.
It's easy and the rules are simple:
The tip must be cheap a genuine money, time or energy saver.
The tip must be of a practical nature.
The tip can be for anything home, garden, car, budget, children etc.
Please be specific in your tip i.e. "use vinegar and bi-carb for cleaning" won't win you a prize.
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
Cheapskates Fried Rice
Quick, easy and tasty, this can be a one bowl dinner or a side dish to accompany another savoury. I like to make a double batch and put the leftovers in the fridge for lunches, I'm sure it gets better after a day or two in the fridge.
Cook 1 cup of rice the day before. Spread it over a shallow tray and leave in the fridge overnight.
Ingredients:
½ small cabbage, finely shredded
1 large onion, finely diced
1 small carrot, finely diced
2 sticks celery, sliced
3 - 4 mushrooms, sliced
4 – 5 eggs
Sprinkle of ginger powder
Soy Sauce to taste
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Method:
Shred or slice all the vegetables and sauté in hot oil. Add seasonings and cook 2 – 3 minutes. Beat eggs and add to mixture. Keep stirring until eggs are cooked. Add Tender Pieces. Add rice and stir-fry.
Next week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Beef
Monday: Chicken in plum sauce, fried rice
Tuesday: Vego Pasta Bake
Wednesday: Fish, wedges, coleslaw
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Meat pie, chips, salad, gravy
Saturday: Enchiladas
In the fruit bowl: Oranges
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
Slush Funds Are Wonderful Things
They give you the cash to buy those super special grocery bargains when they pop up, without going over budget.
On that note, they keep you on budget. The slush fund is technically a part of your grocery budget, so using it to stock up just means you are using all your allocated grocery budget. At the end of the year, if you budgeted $3,000 for the year, you should have spent $3,000. Of course the dollar value of your pantry will be much more because you've used your slush fund wisely.
Building a slush fund is pretty simple. For example, if you shop monthly and allocate $300 a month for groceries, but only spend $270, what is left from the $3000 is put into your slush fund. Next month draw $300 and do the shopping. What isn't spent goes into the slush fund.
And that's how a slush fund is built, Cheapskates style.
This money is then used to build your stockpile or pick up a few extra good specials or even treats without needing to find the money - it's in the slush fund.
I carry my slush fund money in my purse so that if I am out and see a really super fantastic special, I can buy it. Sometimes it's used for a bulk meat buy when there's a super special on. I've been known to clear supermarket shelves on a really good sale, all made possible because I have a slush fund.
Without it, I'd be scrabbling to find extra money to buy that special or clear those shelves. Then the money would either have to come from future grocery allocation or another category, leaving it short.
Building a grocery slush fund is a wise move for any homemaker, regardless of the size of the household. Singles can benefit just as much as families and couples.
Your grocery slush fund is allocated money you've not spent, and so put it in reserve, and use it when you need money for those grocery bargains and bulk buys so you can stock up debt free.
Do you have a slush fund? How do you use it?
The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
The Post that Started it All
6. Cheapskates Buzz
From The Article Archive
Butter Me Up
Filling in a Hole (or How to Darn a Sock)
Six Months to Becoming a Stay-at-Home Mum
This Week's Hot Forum Topics
Paula’s Pasta
MOO Pizza Sauce
How Many of You Shop Monthly?
7. The Cheapskates Club Show
Join Cath and Hannah live Tuesdays on You Tube at 7.30pm AET
Join us live on YouTube every Tuesday and see how we are living debt free, cashed up and laughing - and find out how you can too!
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.
Latest Shows
1. Cath's Corner
2. From the Tip Store - Cheap MOO Yoghurt Flavour; Easy Cleaning Oven Glass; Double Duty Coriander Seeds
3. Share Your Tips
4. On the Menu - Cheapskates Fried Rice
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - Slush Funds Are Wonderful Things
6. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
7. The Cheapskates Club Show
8. This Week's Question -Budget wedding ideas needed please
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,
I hope this finds you all well. I'd like to give a warm welcome to our new members, we are so glad you've decided to join us in our journey to living the Cheapskates way. Please introduce yourself in the Forum, we're a friendly bunch and love to make new friends, especially like-minded friends.
This last week has been non-stop here. The dehydrators have been going 24/7; I've been planting seeds for the spring garden; Wayne has been working on little odd jobs, making use of his forced time off. All three kids are still working from home so my days are topsy turvy still, but it is nice to have lunch with them and have someone to talk to during the day.
I tried a few new recipes last week and they'll be in the Member's Centre for tomorrow's article updates. Two really easy, really delicious, very cheap recipes - and they both make great gifts too! It's not too early to start thinking of Christmas folks - it's only four months away! I wonder what Christmas 2020 will look like for us?
I'll leave you with that thought. Have a great week everyone.
Happy Cheapskating,
Cath
2. From The Tip Store
Cheap MOO Flavoured Yoghurt
I used to make homemade yogurt but it always lacked a little flavour and my young kids (5 under 8 years) weren't at all keen on eating it. Yesterday I decided to give it another go but their attitude didn't really change. In the past I've tried strawberry puree, and toppings to give it more appeal but it never really worked well, so my yogurt was always wasted. Today I found some strawberry jelly in the cupboard and decided - with not much to lose anyway - I'd give it a try. The results were fantastic! The yogurt was a tad thicker; it had a beautiful pink colour, and tasted amazing - not too sweet! It looked and tasted like store bought! The kids absolutely devoured it asking for thirds! Looks like I can start making yoghurt again!
Contributed by Victoria
Easy Cleaning Oven Glass
Recently there was a tip about using Aldi Pre Stain Remover to clean the oven. I used this product and was pleased with the results in the oven, however I was unable to clean the glass door. After more investigation I found another tip to clean the glass oven door by using a dishwasher tablet ( I used a Finish tablet) I am happy to report the glass oven door came up sparkling. Just add a bit of water to the glass door and wipe with the dishwasher tablet until it is all dissolved, wipe grime off with paper towel then finish with a damp cloth. Finished!
Contributed by Susan Frazier
Editor's note: I love dishwasher powder or tablets for cleaning the oven racks too. I add 1/4 cup of powder to the laundry sink, fill with hot water and add the racks. Let them soak till the water is cold, and then wipe them clean. They sparkle! And no scrubbing necessary! Cath
Double Duty Coriander Seeds
I recently discovered that coriander plants will grow from the seeds I buy to make an Indian dish. Scatter a few seeds and cover with a little soil, they come up easily. If you do this every few weeks you'll have a continuous, almost free supply of coriander and that packet of coriander in the spice cupboard can do double duty. Coriander is a heavy feeder so you could water it with some worm juice or even the banana skin tea recently featured.
Contributed by Sam Etheridge
Add a Tip
3. Share Your Tips
I want your tips!
We are rebuilding the Tip Store, removing all the old tips that are no longer relevant to living the Cheapskates way, and deleting double-ups. This means you'll see changes in the Tip Store, with one being the total number of tips will go down. And that means there will be room for new tips!
So, I want you to share your best money, time and energy saving ideas, there will be a weekly prize of a one year Cheapskates Club membership and a monthly prize of a one-year Cheapskates Club membership and $50. T
Prizes will be announced in the newsletter each week, with the prize for the tip of the month announced in the first newsletter of the next month.
It's easy and the rules are simple:
The tip must be cheap a genuine money, time or energy saver.
The tip must be of a practical nature.
The tip can be for anything home, garden, car, budget, children etc.
Please be specific in your tip i.e. "use vinegar and bi-carb for cleaning" won't win you a prize.
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
Cheapskates Fried Rice
Quick, easy and tasty, this can be a one bowl dinner or a side dish to accompany another savoury. I like to make a double batch and put the leftovers in the fridge for lunches, I'm sure it gets better after a day or two in the fridge.
Cook 1 cup of rice the day before. Spread it over a shallow tray and leave in the fridge overnight.
Ingredients:
½ small cabbage, finely shredded
1 large onion, finely diced
1 small carrot, finely diced
2 sticks celery, sliced
3 - 4 mushrooms, sliced
4 – 5 eggs
Sprinkle of ginger powder
Soy Sauce to taste
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Method:
Shred or slice all the vegetables and sauté in hot oil. Add seasonings and cook 2 – 3 minutes. Beat eggs and add to mixture. Keep stirring until eggs are cooked. Add Tender Pieces. Add rice and stir-fry.
Next week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Beef
Monday: Chicken in plum sauce, fried rice
Tuesday: Vego Pasta Bake
Wednesday: Fish, wedges, coleslaw
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Meat pie, chips, salad, gravy
Saturday: Enchiladas
In the fruit bowl: Oranges
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
Slush Funds Are Wonderful Things
They give you the cash to buy those super special grocery bargains when they pop up, without going over budget.
On that note, they keep you on budget. The slush fund is technically a part of your grocery budget, so using it to stock up just means you are using all your allocated grocery budget. At the end of the year, if you budgeted $3,000 for the year, you should have spent $3,000. Of course the dollar value of your pantry will be much more because you've used your slush fund wisely.
Building a slush fund is pretty simple. For example, if you shop monthly and allocate $300 a month for groceries, but only spend $270, what is left from the $3000 is put into your slush fund. Next month draw $300 and do the shopping. What isn't spent goes into the slush fund.
And that's how a slush fund is built, Cheapskates style.
This money is then used to build your stockpile or pick up a few extra good specials or even treats without needing to find the money - it's in the slush fund.
I carry my slush fund money in my purse so that if I am out and see a really super fantastic special, I can buy it. Sometimes it's used for a bulk meat buy when there's a super special on. I've been known to clear supermarket shelves on a really good sale, all made possible because I have a slush fund.
Without it, I'd be scrabbling to find extra money to buy that special or clear those shelves. Then the money would either have to come from future grocery allocation or another category, leaving it short.
Building a grocery slush fund is a wise move for any homemaker, regardless of the size of the household. Singles can benefit just as much as families and couples.
Your grocery slush fund is allocated money you've not spent, and so put it in reserve, and use it when you need money for those grocery bargains and bulk buys so you can stock up debt free.
Do you have a slush fund? How do you use it?
The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
The Post that Started it All
6. Cheapskates Buzz
From The Article Archive
Butter Me Up
Filling in a Hole (or How to Darn a Sock)
Six Months to Becoming a Stay-at-Home Mum
This Week's Hot Forum Topics
Paula’s Pasta
MOO Pizza Sauce
How Many of You Shop Monthly?
7. The Cheapskates Club Show
Join Cath and Hannah live Tuesdays on You Tube at 7.30pm AET
Join us live on YouTube every Tuesday and see how we are living debt free, cashed up and laughing - and find out how you can too!
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.
Latest Shows
8. This Week's Question
Jane writes
After 20 years together, my fella and I would like to get married! I would love some advice on how to create a beautiful, simple celebration please. Where to spend money? Where to save it? I love the idea of a beach wedding but not so sure how to weatherproof it. I have thought about a ceremony with lots of friends followed by a meal with immediate family. I have been a bridesmaid 6 times and I've seen crazy amounts of money spent on weddings...including a horse and carriage, sports cars and limos, a cathedral, designer bridesmaid dresses, expensive hairdressers…I know special doesn't need to be expensive. Thank you :)
If you have a suggestion or idea for Jane 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
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 $25 for the first 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
Jane writes
After 20 years together, my fella and I would like to get married! I would love some advice on how to create a beautiful, simple celebration please. Where to spend money? Where to save it? I love the idea of a beach wedding but not so sure how to weatherproof it. I have thought about a ceremony with lots of friends followed by a meal with immediate family. I have been a bridesmaid 6 times and I've seen crazy amounts of money spent on weddings...including a horse and carriage, sports cars and limos, a cathedral, designer bridesmaid dresses, expensive hairdressers…I know special doesn't need to be expensive. Thank you :)
If you have a suggestion or idea for Jane 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
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 $25 for the first 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