Your Cheapskates Club Newsletter 35:22
In This Newsletter
1. Cath's Corner
2. From the Tip Store - Spring Fresh Air Freshener; MOO Wool Mix; Wet Wipe Wonder
3. Share Your Tips
4. On the Menu - Old Fashioned Meatloaf (a Pressure Cooker meal)
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - Knowing the True Cost of Meat
6. The Weekly MOO Challenge - Schnitzels
7. Cheapskates Buzz
8. The Cheapskates Club Show
9. Join the Cheapskates Club
10. Frequently Asked Questions
11. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,Welcome to another newsletter full of bright ideas to save you money, time and energy.
It's spring! That means spring cleaning. Getting everything freshened up after a very long, cold, damp winter. Using sunny days to open windows and doors to let fresh air blow the stale air of winter out of our homes. In a word, or three, it's spring cleaning time!
You'll notice in the sidebar a link to a new video series: Spring Clean Your Finances. Part 1 is up and ready for you to watch, so you can join in and get your finances spring cleaned. We spring clean our homes, so why not our finances too? It just makes sense.
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
Spring Fresh Air Freshener
Keep your home scented and fresh all year round with a beautiful homemade air freshener.
You will need:
6 Drops Eucalyptus Oil
10 Drops Rose Oil
10 Drops Lavender Oil
A small dish or bowl, about 1 cup capacity
Half fill the dish with boiling water. Add the oils and stir. The heat from the water will warm the oils and your home will smell absolutely wonderful.
Contributed by Elizabeth
MOO Wool Mix
I use this wool wash recipe, which is based on the Martha Gardener Wool Mix available at supermarkets. I've used it for 30 years on all our woollens and delicates and anything clothing or manchester that is stored away. It leaves woollens especially soft and clean, and helps to deter bugs like silverfish and moths that like to feast on our woollies.
Ingredients:
4 cups Lux flakes*
4 cups boiling water
1 cup methylated spirits
2 tbsp eucalyptus oil
Method:
Mix together and bottle. To use dissolve mixture in hot water, cool before gently kneading woollens to wash. Rinse well and dry carefully in the shade, preferably flat to retain shape.
*Lux flakes - you can use any pure soap flakes or grate cakes of pure soap to get the flakes. Depending on the size of the cakes of soap you'll need 2 or 3. If you use the zester side of your grater the soap will dissolve easily and quickly.
Wet Wipe Wonder
Recently getting ready for birthday celebration and just coming into spring the window panes and skirting areas needed attention. A friend helping me with the prep asked if I had wet wipes. I said yes just use them for make-up removal, I had the fragrance/alcohol free ones. Voila next thing in a space of ten minutes she had cleaned all the areas that needed doing removing the build-up of mildew within seconds and the place was sparkling. Wet wipes $1.99 for 100 wipes many surfaces cleaned. I was instantly invigorated and went out and bought the ones with alcohol in them and have continued spring cleaning the rest of the house. Time saver, cheaper than the normal cleaning products and instant gratification. I have since used those handy little towelettes in all areas of the house even up to the interior of my car and I am never disappointed.
Contributed by Bernadine
There are more than 12,000 great tips in the Tip Store
Add a Tip
3. Share Your Tips
The Cheapskate's Club website is thousands of pages of money saving hints, tips and ideas. There are over 12,000 tips to save you money, time and energy; 1,600 budget and family friendly recipes, hundreds of printable tip sheets and ebooks.
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.
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
Old Fashioned Meatloaf (a Pressure Cooker meal)
Prepare the meat in the morning and chill to firm for a nice quick dinner.
Ingredients:
750g mince
Ground black pepper
2 slices bread, soaked in water and squeezed dry
2 tbsp parsley
1 med onion, minced
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 egg
2 tbsp chicken stock
2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup tomato sauce
1 cup water
Method:
In a bowl, combine the meat, pepper, bread, parsley, onion, garlic, egg, chicken stock and Worcestershire sauce. Shape into two small loaves. Wrap each in silicone paper and chill several hours to firm.
When ready to cook, heat the oil in the pressure cooker and brown the loaves well on all sides. Discard the oil and combine the tomato sauce and water and season with salt and pepper and spread over the loaves. lock lid and bring to pressure. Lower heat and cook for 15 minutes on high pressure (15psi). Allow pressure to drop by quick release method or automatic release method, slice and serve. Serves 4 - 6.
Next week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Beef
Monday: Chicken Curry & Rice
Tuesday: Spag Bol
Wednesday: Meatloaf, veggies
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Tuna Surprise
Saturday: Tacos
There are over 1,800 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
Knowing the True Cost of Meat
Meat is expensive so it pays to know exactly how much each cut actually cost. We're all in the habit of searching for those mark down prices, and buying on sale. But are we really getting a good deal, even with the price reduction?
Here are some facts for you. Bone-in or skin on chicken (breast or thigh fillets, whole chickens, wings, drumsticks, marylands etc.) is about one-third waste. Bone in red meat (steaks, chops etc.) is about one-fifth waste. Minced beef is about 20% fat, unless you pay the premium for low-fat mince.
You are paying for that waste, it's money in the bin unless you really are getting a great deal.
So how do you calculate the true price of the meat? The calculation is quite easy.
For chicken, multiply by 1.5 to get the boneless/skinless price; for beef multiply by 1.25 to get the boneless price and for mince multiply by 1.2 to account for the fat (you usually drain it off rather than eat it).
If you need too, jot these down in your planner or on your shopping list, or add them as a note to your phone (that's what I've done, because I always have my phone with me and it has a calculator so I don't need to rely on my very tired brain to get the price).
For example Store A has T-bone steak on sale for $7.99/kg while Store B has Porterhouse on sale for $8.99/kg. Which one is the best buy?
Initially it looks like the T-bone as it's cheaper, but don't forget you are paying for the bone, and you can't eat bone so why pay for it?
To find the best buy do your sums: multiply the price of the T-bone by $7.99 x 1.25 = $9.99/kg to account for the cost of the bone.
Surprising isn't it? Looks, or rather price tags, can be deceiving.
The porterhouse is actually the best buy with a saving of $1 per kilo.
Use the calculator on your phone to calculate the true cost of the meat you are buying (or carry a little calculator with you) to make sure that sale price really is going to give you more bang for your buck and that you really are paying the lowest price for the meat you are buying.
1. Cath's Corner
2. From the Tip Store - Spring Fresh Air Freshener; MOO Wool Mix; Wet Wipe Wonder
3. Share Your Tips
4. On the Menu - Old Fashioned Meatloaf (a Pressure Cooker meal)
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - Knowing the True Cost of Meat
6. The Weekly MOO Challenge - Schnitzels
7. Cheapskates Buzz
8. The Cheapskates Club Show
9. Join the Cheapskates Club
10. Frequently Asked Questions
11. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,Welcome to another newsletter full of bright ideas to save you money, time and energy.
It's spring! That means spring cleaning. Getting everything freshened up after a very long, cold, damp winter. Using sunny days to open windows and doors to let fresh air blow the stale air of winter out of our homes. In a word, or three, it's spring cleaning time!
You'll notice in the sidebar a link to a new video series: Spring Clean Your Finances. Part 1 is up and ready for you to watch, so you can join in and get your finances spring cleaned. We spring clean our homes, so why not our finances too? It just makes sense.
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
Spring Fresh Air Freshener
Keep your home scented and fresh all year round with a beautiful homemade air freshener.
You will need:
6 Drops Eucalyptus Oil
10 Drops Rose Oil
10 Drops Lavender Oil
A small dish or bowl, about 1 cup capacity
Half fill the dish with boiling water. Add the oils and stir. The heat from the water will warm the oils and your home will smell absolutely wonderful.
Contributed by Elizabeth
MOO Wool Mix
I use this wool wash recipe, which is based on the Martha Gardener Wool Mix available at supermarkets. I've used it for 30 years on all our woollens and delicates and anything clothing or manchester that is stored away. It leaves woollens especially soft and clean, and helps to deter bugs like silverfish and moths that like to feast on our woollies.
Ingredients:
4 cups Lux flakes*
4 cups boiling water
1 cup methylated spirits
2 tbsp eucalyptus oil
Method:
Mix together and bottle. To use dissolve mixture in hot water, cool before gently kneading woollens to wash. Rinse well and dry carefully in the shade, preferably flat to retain shape.
*Lux flakes - you can use any pure soap flakes or grate cakes of pure soap to get the flakes. Depending on the size of the cakes of soap you'll need 2 or 3. If you use the zester side of your grater the soap will dissolve easily and quickly.
Wet Wipe Wonder
Recently getting ready for birthday celebration and just coming into spring the window panes and skirting areas needed attention. A friend helping me with the prep asked if I had wet wipes. I said yes just use them for make-up removal, I had the fragrance/alcohol free ones. Voila next thing in a space of ten minutes she had cleaned all the areas that needed doing removing the build-up of mildew within seconds and the place was sparkling. Wet wipes $1.99 for 100 wipes many surfaces cleaned. I was instantly invigorated and went out and bought the ones with alcohol in them and have continued spring cleaning the rest of the house. Time saver, cheaper than the normal cleaning products and instant gratification. I have since used those handy little towelettes in all areas of the house even up to the interior of my car and I am never disappointed.
Contributed by Bernadine
There are more than 12,000 great tips in the Tip Store
Add a Tip
3. Share Your Tips
The Cheapskate's Club website is thousands of pages of money saving hints, tips and ideas. There are over 12,000 tips to save you money, time and energy; 1,600 budget and family friendly recipes, hundreds of printable tip sheets and ebooks.
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.
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
Old Fashioned Meatloaf (a Pressure Cooker meal)
Prepare the meat in the morning and chill to firm for a nice quick dinner.
Ingredients:
750g mince
Ground black pepper
2 slices bread, soaked in water and squeezed dry
2 tbsp parsley
1 med onion, minced
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 egg
2 tbsp chicken stock
2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup tomato sauce
1 cup water
Method:
In a bowl, combine the meat, pepper, bread, parsley, onion, garlic, egg, chicken stock and Worcestershire sauce. Shape into two small loaves. Wrap each in silicone paper and chill several hours to firm.
When ready to cook, heat the oil in the pressure cooker and brown the loaves well on all sides. Discard the oil and combine the tomato sauce and water and season with salt and pepper and spread over the loaves. lock lid and bring to pressure. Lower heat and cook for 15 minutes on high pressure (15psi). Allow pressure to drop by quick release method or automatic release method, slice and serve. Serves 4 - 6.
Next week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Beef
Monday: Chicken Curry & Rice
Tuesday: Spag Bol
Wednesday: Meatloaf, veggies
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Tuna Surprise
Saturday: Tacos
There are over 1,800 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
Knowing the True Cost of Meat
Meat is expensive so it pays to know exactly how much each cut actually cost. We're all in the habit of searching for those mark down prices, and buying on sale. But are we really getting a good deal, even with the price reduction?
Here are some facts for you. Bone-in or skin on chicken (breast or thigh fillets, whole chickens, wings, drumsticks, marylands etc.) is about one-third waste. Bone in red meat (steaks, chops etc.) is about one-fifth waste. Minced beef is about 20% fat, unless you pay the premium for low-fat mince.
You are paying for that waste, it's money in the bin unless you really are getting a great deal.
So how do you calculate the true price of the meat? The calculation is quite easy.
For chicken, multiply by 1.5 to get the boneless/skinless price; for beef multiply by 1.25 to get the boneless price and for mince multiply by 1.2 to account for the fat (you usually drain it off rather than eat it).
If you need too, jot these down in your planner or on your shopping list, or add them as a note to your phone (that's what I've done, because I always have my phone with me and it has a calculator so I don't need to rely on my very tired brain to get the price).
For example Store A has T-bone steak on sale for $7.99/kg while Store B has Porterhouse on sale for $8.99/kg. Which one is the best buy?
Initially it looks like the T-bone as it's cheaper, but don't forget you are paying for the bone, and you can't eat bone so why pay for it?
To find the best buy do your sums: multiply the price of the T-bone by $7.99 x 1.25 = $9.99/kg to account for the cost of the bone.
Surprising isn't it? Looks, or rather price tags, can be deceiving.
The porterhouse is actually the best buy with a saving of $1 per kilo.
Use the calculator on your phone to calculate the true cost of the meat you are buying (or carry a little calculator with you) to make sure that sale price really is going to give you more bang for your buck and that you really are paying the lowest price for the meat you are buying.
The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
The Post that Started it All
6. The Weekly MOO Challenge
Schnitzels
Schnitzels feature heavily on our menu in one form or another.
I love them because they cook quickly, the kids love them because the leftovers make great sandwiches the next day and Wayne loves them because they make a hearty meal.
It comes as no surprise that I get a lot of questions about how we can possibly have schnitzel so often when even chicken fillets are around $10 a kilo (I NEVER pay more than $6/kg for chicken fillets), with beef and veal being upwards of $15 a kilo.
I'll let you into a little secret - my schnitzels are vegetarian! I make them myself from scratch and they are delicious, tender and moist. They are also a fraction of the cost - around $2 for five large schnitzels.
Don't be put off by the fact they are vegetarian, try them. They really are something special.Cath's SchnitzelsIngredients:
1 cup gluten flour*
1 cup water
2 eggs
1 tsp Marmite (or Vegemite)
breadcrumbs
Oil for frying
Gravy:
1 pkt French onion soup mix (MOO is fine)
1 tsp Marmite (or Vegemite)
2 cups water
Method:
Mix gluten flour, water, 1 egg and Marmite together with a fork until dough forms. If you have a food processor, place all ingredients in bowl and process until dough forms. Roll dough into a log and slice into six evenly sized pieces. Beat the remaining egg, dip each schnitzel into egg then into breadcrumbs. Refrigerate 30 minutes to let crumbs set. Heat oil in a heavy based frying pan. Brown each schnitzel on both sides. Drain on paper towel. When all have been browned add soup mix, marmite and water to pan. Stir until boiling. Return schnitzels to pan, turn heat down and simmer gently for 30 minutes. You may need to add more water to the gravy during this time. After 30 minutes the schnitzels should be puffed and the gravy thick.
Serve hot with vegetable and gravy or cold with salad. They are also great on a roll or sandwich with lettuce and mustard mayo.
I often mix these up, and use a tomato gravy instead of the brown gravy. It's easy to make, tomato paste and a little cream (or sour cream works too).
To serve, a mushroom gravy goes nicely with the schnitzels and veggies.
These schnitzels can be frozen in the gravy and then just thawed and heated for a quick dinner.
*Gluten flour can be bought in the health food aisle at the supermarket or from health food stores, but it is much cheaper to buy in bulk, it's about half the price. I suggest, if you aren't a baker who uses gluten flour, to buy a small packet to try the schnitzels and if you like them, then consider buying in bulk from a local wholefoods/bulk foods store.
Get in on the fun and discussions here.
7. Cheapskates Buzz
From The Article Archive
Spring Cleaning Checklist
Make Money with Spring Cleaning
Spring Cleaning your Wardrobe - from Chaos to Fabulous in 5 Easy Steps
This Week's Hot Forum Topics
Folded Card
A Cheapskating Journey.....
A Card a Day Challenge
8. The Cheapskates Club Show
Join Cath and Hannah live Tuesdays and Thursdays on You Tube at 7.30pm AET
Join us live on YouTube every Tuesday and Thursday and see how we are living debt free, cashed up and laughing - and find out how you can too!
Show ScheduleTuesday: 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
The Post that Started it All
6. The Weekly MOO Challenge
Schnitzels
Schnitzels feature heavily on our menu in one form or another.
I love them because they cook quickly, the kids love them because the leftovers make great sandwiches the next day and Wayne loves them because they make a hearty meal.
It comes as no surprise that I get a lot of questions about how we can possibly have schnitzel so often when even chicken fillets are around $10 a kilo (I NEVER pay more than $6/kg for chicken fillets), with beef and veal being upwards of $15 a kilo.
I'll let you into a little secret - my schnitzels are vegetarian! I make them myself from scratch and they are delicious, tender and moist. They are also a fraction of the cost - around $2 for five large schnitzels.
Don't be put off by the fact they are vegetarian, try them. They really are something special.Cath's SchnitzelsIngredients:
1 cup gluten flour*
1 cup water
2 eggs
1 tsp Marmite (or Vegemite)
breadcrumbs
Oil for frying
Gravy:
1 pkt French onion soup mix (MOO is fine)
1 tsp Marmite (or Vegemite)
2 cups water
Method:
Mix gluten flour, water, 1 egg and Marmite together with a fork until dough forms. If you have a food processor, place all ingredients in bowl and process until dough forms. Roll dough into a log and slice into six evenly sized pieces. Beat the remaining egg, dip each schnitzel into egg then into breadcrumbs. Refrigerate 30 minutes to let crumbs set. Heat oil in a heavy based frying pan. Brown each schnitzel on both sides. Drain on paper towel. When all have been browned add soup mix, marmite and water to pan. Stir until boiling. Return schnitzels to pan, turn heat down and simmer gently for 30 minutes. You may need to add more water to the gravy during this time. After 30 minutes the schnitzels should be puffed and the gravy thick.
Serve hot with vegetable and gravy or cold with salad. They are also great on a roll or sandwich with lettuce and mustard mayo.
I often mix these up, and use a tomato gravy instead of the brown gravy. It's easy to make, tomato paste and a little cream (or sour cream works too).
To serve, a mushroom gravy goes nicely with the schnitzels and veggies.
These schnitzels can be frozen in the gravy and then just thawed and heated for a quick dinner.
*Gluten flour can be bought in the health food aisle at the supermarket or from health food stores, but it is much cheaper to buy in bulk, it's about half the price. I suggest, if you aren't a baker who uses gluten flour, to buy a small packet to try the schnitzels and if you like them, then consider buying in bulk from a local wholefoods/bulk foods store.
Get in on the fun and discussions here.
7. Cheapskates Buzz
From The Article Archive
Spring Cleaning Checklist
Make Money with Spring Cleaning
Spring Cleaning your Wardrobe - from Chaos to Fabulous in 5 Easy Steps
This Week's Hot Forum Topics
Folded Card
A Cheapskating Journey.....
A Card a Day Challenge
8. The Cheapskates Club Show
Join Cath and Hannah live Tuesdays and Thursdays on You Tube at 7.30pm AET
Join us live on YouTube every Tuesday and Thursday and see how we are living debt free, cashed up and laughing - and find out how you can too!
Show ScheduleTuesday: 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
9. Join The Cheapskates Club
For just $25 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 for a full year.
That's unlimited 24/7 access to EVERYTHING in the Member's Centre!
Click here to join the Cheapskates Club today!
10. 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 either signed up to receive our Free Newsletter at our Cheapskates Club Web site or are a Platinum Cheapskates Club member.
11. 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
For just $25 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 for a full year.
That's unlimited 24/7 access to EVERYTHING in the Member's Centre!
Click here to join the Cheapskates Club today!
10. 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 either signed up to receive our Free Newsletter at our Cheapskates Club Web site or are a Platinum Cheapskates Club member.
11. 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