Your Cheapskates Club Newsletter: 37:14 Bright ideas to save you money
1.Cath's Corner
2.In the Tip Store - DIY Creativity Solves a Problem and Saves $70, Using ALL the Broccoli, Save on Vacuum Cleaner Bags
3.Cheapskate's Winning Tip - Car Seat Cover Savers
4 Submit Your Tip - Share your favourite tip for a chance to win
5.Living Green in 2014 - Frugal, Eco-Friendly Ways to Clean Your Oven
6.On the Menu with Anne - Cream Cheese Patties
7.The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy - Stockpiling for the Holidays
8.Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
9.Member's Featured Blog - Confidence by Bluebell234
10. Last Week's Question - How do I meal plan for two?
11. This Week's Question - Ideas to mend my favourite socks?
12. Join the Cheapskates Club
13. Gift Memberships
14. Frequently Asked Questions
15. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
A very short note from me this week; I'm nursing Hannah as she recovers from surgery. She's being brave, I'm not. It's times like this that I really feel being a mother. I hate seeing my children sick and in pain. She's coping well with everything and I'm being typically over-protective. At least she is on the mend (she's already telling me to stop fussing) and will be so much healthier in a few weeks.
Welcome to our many new members, please remember to introduce yourselves in the Member forum. We are a really friendly bunch and love to meet new Cheapskaters.
Have a great week everyone.
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!
PPS: You can read this newsletter and past copies on the website in the Newsletter Archive.
2. From The Tip Store
DIY Creativity Solves a Problem and Saves $70
After looking at the price of a new window washer bottle for our vehicle, to replace the one with a hole in the top and a leak in the seal, DH took out the old one and used Silicone sealer for the hole. He then went to a repair shop and asked about a grommet to fit. The repair guy gave him one and said good luck LOL. He put it all together and we now have a perfectly good, working washer bottle for the cost of a bit of silastic and time. A new one from overseas was going to cost between $50.00 and $70.00 and with no guarantee it would fit. A great saving for us.
Contributed by Terri Mudiman
Using ALL the Broccoli
I was always astounded at the waste of the stalks on Broccoli. One day I thought I would try something new. I cut the ends off, ran a peeler down the stalks cut the remaining stalks into med size slices and boiled them. When they were cooked I mashed them with some butter and created the most beautiful tasting mash. My family love it even more that the broccoli itself. Now I don't waste anything when I buy Broccoli.
Contributed by Diane Koszek
Save on Vacuum Cleaner Bags
I have a vacuum cleaner that uses bags and I was finding that with a big house, 2 outdoorsy kids, a dog a cat and a boyfriend who won't take muddy boots off, I was going through a lot of bags to keep the carpets clean. So I started sweeping the carpet before vacuuming. It picks up loads of pet hair, larger debris and a lot of dirt (kind of scary how much dirt!) I then go over the floor with the vacuum to get the stuff the broom misses. My floors are cleaner, my vacuum bags last much longer and I get a bit of extra exercise.
Contributed by Saima Pyke
There are more than 11,000 great tips in the Tip Store
3. Cheapskates Winning tip
This week's winning tip is from Frances Mavropoulos. Frances has won a one year Platinum Cheapskates Club membership for submitting her winning tip.
Car Seat Cover Savers
We are grandparents, and have just purchased a new (late model) car. We have a two year old granddaughter and another due soon, whom we will have in the back seat. On our first trip, we soon realized the urge to kick the back of the front seats, was unstoppable. We had to protect our new car as cheaply as possible as we want to prolong the life of our investment, so we purchased two plain black, xxxl sized tee shirts. They fit perfectly over the body of the front seats. They are not glamorous, but can be removed quickly for easy washing and only cost $5 each. You could of course recycle Dad's old tees, for $0.
Congratulations Frances, I hope you enjoy your Cheapskates Club membership.
4. 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
5. Living Green in 2014
Eco-Friendly Ways to Clean Your Oven
I am fairly certain cleaning the oven is not a favourite household chore, but it is one that must be done. Clean your oven regularly and it won't take long or be hard. Let the oven go and it becomes a horrible, messy, time consuming major job.
There are a few ways to keep your oven clean and keep the cleaning green into the bargain. You can ditch the expensive commercial cleaners (that smell really bad - there are warnings on the cans about wearing gloves and not breathing in the fumes!) and use some simple homemade cleaners. You won't need to wear gloves or a mask, you won't need to open every window and evacuate the rest of the family. You may need to apply a little elbow grease but frankly you need to do that with commercial cleaners too.
Here are some simple, homemade solutions to your oven cleaning problem:
1. Bicarbonate Soda (sodium bicarbonate)
Always a favourite for natural cleaning, bicarb soda can be used for oven cleaning as well. Simply spray the inside of your oven with water, then sprinkle bicarb soda onto the wet surfaces. Leave it overnight, and in the morning, wipe away the grime. You may have to do some scrubbing (steel wool is effective), but most of the dirt will cling to the bicarb soda.
2. Washing Soda (sodium carbonate)
Not to be confused with bicarbonate soda, washing soda can be found in most stores that sell laundry detergent. Mix one part washing soda with four parts bicarb soda; add enough water to make a paste, and spread it inside your oven. Leave it overnight, then wipe your oven down the next day. Be sure to rinse well.
3. Commercial cleaners that are environmentally friendly
More and more cleaners are becoming available for purchase that do not have the unhealthy chemicals and fumes of traditional oven cleaners. Look for ones that are not packaged in aerosol cans. They may cost a bit more, but with your family's health and the planet to protect, it is a worthy investment.
Don't forget the microwave. Fill a coffee mug with cold water, put it into the centre of your microwave and cook on high for two minutes. Let the steam do the cleaning for you - leave the mug of boiling water in the microwave for five minutes before using a soft, damp cloth to wipe the grime away.
Once your oven is clean keep it that way. Use oven bags to when cooking a roast. Cover dishes that may splatter with foil. Wipe the walls, floor and roof of the oven over each time you use it. Put a tray under any dishes that may overflow to catch the drips.
There are a lot of elaborate substances available to clean your oven effectively. But simple, household items can work nicely, and be eco-friendly.
6. On the Menu with Anne
Cream Cheese Patties
These feature on my menu fairly regularly and I'm often asked for the recipe. You'll find it here today, but if you're looking for it in the future it is in the Recipe File. They are one of my favourite savouries, delicious hot or cold. Best of all my family love them too. I usually make a double recipe and freeze them to use for lunches and quick dinners. They make great vegetarian burgers if you serve them in a toasted roll with lettuce, tomato, beetroot and a little sliced onion drizzled with mayo.
Cream Cheese Patties
Ingredients:
250g cream cheese
1 cup rice
1 large onion, grated
1 large carrot, grated
1 egg
1/2 tsp mixed herbs
Olive oil for frying
Shake'n'bake (or dried breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes or weetbix).1/2 cup milk
Method:
Cook the rice in boiling salted water for 12 minutes. Dice cream cheese into 2cm cubes (this makes it easier to melt). Drain rice. Add remaining ingredients, except shake'n'bake, milk and olive oil, to the hot rice, stirring to melt the cream cheese. Take 1/4 cup of mixture, shape into a patty. Dip in milk then in shake'n'bake to coat. Let the patties rest in the fridge for 30 minutes before frying in hot oil until golden brown on both sides. Can be served hot or cold.
This week we will be eating:
Friday: Crumbed chicken, MOO wedges, coleslaw
Saturday: Hamburgers
Sunday: Roast beef, baked vegetables, gravy
Monday: Spaghetti, garlic bread
Tuesday: Rissoles, potato bake, pumpkin, broccoli, peas, gravy
Wednesday: Curried mince on toast
Thursday: Chicken schnitzels, potato bake, pumpkin, broccoli, peas, gravy
In the fruit bowl: bananas, mandarins, apple
In the cake tin: Ginger snaps, shortbread, choc chip muffin
There are over 1,400 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File
7. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy
I had the pleasure of spending the day with Cath a few weeks ago. We talked all things Cheapskates (as you could imagine) for hours and hours. While I was there Cath mentioned that she's started stockpiling ahead of time for the busy Christmas period. She showed me the extra shelving she has in her laundry - you know the one we see when she's on TV. This is where she keeps her bulk purchases, all nice and neat.
Cath buys enough food ahead of time so she can avoid doing a big food shop over the Christmas and New Year holidays. She's also avoiding the crowds. Sounds like heaven to me.
I was inspired by Cath's idea and I've been thinking about it ever since. So during the last couple of days I've started writing out my shopping lists for September, October and November. I've included extra amounts of the bulky groceries like cereal, paper towel, tissues, as well as the non-perishable items like flour, sugar, tinned goods and pasta. My plan is to buy enough to cover December and January's monthly shop with only the need to buy milk, fruit and veg each week as I usually do
It will be great to duck in and out of the shops during Christmas and not have to wheel a heavy trolley through the crowds.
Do this sound like something you'd like to do?
Do you have plans in place to tackle your Christmas and holiday grocery shopping?
Have a great week and BE ENCOURAGED!!!!!!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2026-300-a-month-food-challenge-10-06-13
The Post that Started it All
http://www.cheapskates.com.au/pages/default.cfm?page_id=44265
8. Cheapskates Buzz
This week's hot forum topics
Today I...
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?820-Today-I...
How have you saved money today?
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?1778-How-have-you-saved-money-today
My Retirement Garden
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2581-My-Retirement-Garden
Most popular blog posts this week
Bring Back the Ritual of Afternoon Tea
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2011/04/bring-back-ritual-of-afternoon-tea.html
How to Freeze Eggs and other Handy Hints
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2012/02/how-to-freeze-eggs-and-other-handy.html
Get a Grip on Ironing
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2011/12/get-grip-on-ironing.html
9. Member's 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 Bluebell234.
Confidence
I have a lot of confidence living the Cheapskates way. I know the mathematical side of it (it helps me live abundantly within my means), I know its practicality and I know it brings a better lifestyle.
What I didn't realise until I started to live this way is just how seriously one has to compete with marketing strategies, I think the worst thing is leading a person to believe they haven't enough time to cook or make cleaning products or the super six won't really do a healthy cleaning job, or the old strategy of "hurry while stocks last", this last strategy tries to cancel the customers own thoughts and replace the customers intention to the store keepers advantage.
In the past, before Cheapskates, I thought I knew all there was to know about stretching a dollar; could you imagine my surprise when I found I could stretch a bar of sunlight soap to last a month by turning it into laundry gel.
If we get caught up in advertising too seriously we miss the opportunity to live simply and abundantly and we miss family life.
To me to live simply is to live abundantly, so for anyone who is feeling as though they must hurry their pace of life or they will not be able to cope, I say keep on doing what you believe in and be confident that living the Cheapskates way is far better than being financially exploited.
Login to read more Cheapskates Club member blogs
10. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Macey who wrote
"I would like to start menu planning for two people. Should I cook for four and freeze the rest or do you have any other ideas? I am finding it hard to get started."
Paula Hill answered
It's so funny how just the use of a different word or way of putting something can be the 'light bulb' moment that we need to start something. I had always known of menu planning; however have never actually done it. I simply didn't know where to start. Then one day I read a response which said 'start your menu planning by writing a list of your family's favourite meals.' Well that was it! Menu planning started. We are a family of two people now and I always cook at least a double batch of meals, put the other two serves into plastic containers, write the meal on the side with a white board marker (comes off when you wash the container up) and we have meals 'at the ready.'
Alison Carkeek answered
Well done Macey you are already steps ahead! Yes cook for four and then freeze some for your 'night off'...I find it is much easier to cook the larger meals. Enjoy!
Jill Brooke answered
I usually buy and cook meat in bulk so that I have plenty of meals in the freezer. I normally divide casseroles, curries, honey baked chicken etc. into enough for two people and either pack in freezer containers or zip lock bags. This way if there are more than two of you for a meal you can simply take out two or more packs. Cooking in bulk also means that you have a meal ready to go when you want it - just take it out of the freezer and thaw. I also make extra soup to freeze and have bake-at-home bread rolls in the freezer for another easy meal. I usually have enough cooked meals in the freezer to last the two of us for a month. Makes menu planning so easy.
Fiona McMahon answered
For myself and my partner I always cook for six. One for tonight, one for tomorrow and one for the freezer. This saves you cooking the following night and it also saves gas/electricity. Wait until you have seven frozen meals in the freezer and then you don't have to cook for one whole week out of every seven. I keep the containers from takeaways and I also use the zip up bags to save space.
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
11. This Week's Question
Pam writes
"I have several pairs of hiking socks that have worn thin on the back of the heel where they rub on my boots. The rest of the sock is in perfect condition. I know I can darn the thin patch with wool, but this tends to rub my skin. Does anyone have another way to mend the worn areas?"
Do you have the answer?
If you have a suggestion or idea for Pam 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
12. 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!
http://www.cheapskates.com.au/members/join_form.cfm?item_id=2271
13. Gift Memberships
Your family and friends will thank you for a whole year when you give them a Platinum Cheapskates Club membership as a gift.
It's so simple: just select the number of gift memberships required, click the Buy Now button and complete the Gift Membership order form (you must use this form to order gift memberships) and we'll get in touch with you to confirm the gift subscriptions.
Click here to order a gift membership right now!
14. Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change my email address?
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.
How do I know when my membership should be renewed?
When you login to the Member's Centre you will be told how many days of membership you have left once you have 30 days left. Just click on the link to renew and your membership will just continue on, uninterrupted.
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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.
Read our privacy policy
How Did You Get on Our List?
You signed up to receive our Free Newsletter at our Cheapskates Club Web site or are a Platinum Cheapskates Club member
15. Contact Details
The Cheapskates Club -
Showing you how to live life
debt free, cashed up and laughing!
PO Box 5077 Studfield Vic 3152
www.cheapskates.com.au
[email protected]
2.In the Tip Store - DIY Creativity Solves a Problem and Saves $70, Using ALL the Broccoli, Save on Vacuum Cleaner Bags
3.Cheapskate's Winning Tip - Car Seat Cover Savers
4 Submit Your Tip - Share your favourite tip for a chance to win
5.Living Green in 2014 - Frugal, Eco-Friendly Ways to Clean Your Oven
6.On the Menu with Anne - Cream Cheese Patties
7.The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy - Stockpiling for the Holidays
8.Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
9.Member's Featured Blog - Confidence by Bluebell234
10. Last Week's Question - How do I meal plan for two?
11. This Week's Question - Ideas to mend my favourite socks?
12. Join the Cheapskates Club
13. Gift Memberships
14. Frequently Asked Questions
15. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
A very short note from me this week; I'm nursing Hannah as she recovers from surgery. She's being brave, I'm not. It's times like this that I really feel being a mother. I hate seeing my children sick and in pain. She's coping well with everything and I'm being typically over-protective. At least she is on the mend (she's already telling me to stop fussing) and will be so much healthier in a few weeks.
Welcome to our many new members, please remember to introduce yourselves in the Member forum. We are a really friendly bunch and love to meet new Cheapskaters.
Have a great week everyone.
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!
PPS: You can read this newsletter and past copies on the website in the Newsletter Archive.
2. From The Tip Store
DIY Creativity Solves a Problem and Saves $70
After looking at the price of a new window washer bottle for our vehicle, to replace the one with a hole in the top and a leak in the seal, DH took out the old one and used Silicone sealer for the hole. He then went to a repair shop and asked about a grommet to fit. The repair guy gave him one and said good luck LOL. He put it all together and we now have a perfectly good, working washer bottle for the cost of a bit of silastic and time. A new one from overseas was going to cost between $50.00 and $70.00 and with no guarantee it would fit. A great saving for us.
Contributed by Terri Mudiman
Using ALL the Broccoli
I was always astounded at the waste of the stalks on Broccoli. One day I thought I would try something new. I cut the ends off, ran a peeler down the stalks cut the remaining stalks into med size slices and boiled them. When they were cooked I mashed them with some butter and created the most beautiful tasting mash. My family love it even more that the broccoli itself. Now I don't waste anything when I buy Broccoli.
Contributed by Diane Koszek
Save on Vacuum Cleaner Bags
I have a vacuum cleaner that uses bags and I was finding that with a big house, 2 outdoorsy kids, a dog a cat and a boyfriend who won't take muddy boots off, I was going through a lot of bags to keep the carpets clean. So I started sweeping the carpet before vacuuming. It picks up loads of pet hair, larger debris and a lot of dirt (kind of scary how much dirt!) I then go over the floor with the vacuum to get the stuff the broom misses. My floors are cleaner, my vacuum bags last much longer and I get a bit of extra exercise.
Contributed by Saima Pyke
There are more than 11,000 great tips in the Tip Store
3. Cheapskates Winning tip
This week's winning tip is from Frances Mavropoulos. Frances has won a one year Platinum Cheapskates Club membership for submitting her winning tip.
Car Seat Cover Savers
We are grandparents, and have just purchased a new (late model) car. We have a two year old granddaughter and another due soon, whom we will have in the back seat. On our first trip, we soon realized the urge to kick the back of the front seats, was unstoppable. We had to protect our new car as cheaply as possible as we want to prolong the life of our investment, so we purchased two plain black, xxxl sized tee shirts. They fit perfectly over the body of the front seats. They are not glamorous, but can be removed quickly for easy washing and only cost $5 each. You could of course recycle Dad's old tees, for $0.
Congratulations Frances, I hope you enjoy your Cheapskates Club membership.
4. 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
5. Living Green in 2014
Eco-Friendly Ways to Clean Your Oven
I am fairly certain cleaning the oven is not a favourite household chore, but it is one that must be done. Clean your oven regularly and it won't take long or be hard. Let the oven go and it becomes a horrible, messy, time consuming major job.
There are a few ways to keep your oven clean and keep the cleaning green into the bargain. You can ditch the expensive commercial cleaners (that smell really bad - there are warnings on the cans about wearing gloves and not breathing in the fumes!) and use some simple homemade cleaners. You won't need to wear gloves or a mask, you won't need to open every window and evacuate the rest of the family. You may need to apply a little elbow grease but frankly you need to do that with commercial cleaners too.
Here are some simple, homemade solutions to your oven cleaning problem:
1. Bicarbonate Soda (sodium bicarbonate)
Always a favourite for natural cleaning, bicarb soda can be used for oven cleaning as well. Simply spray the inside of your oven with water, then sprinkle bicarb soda onto the wet surfaces. Leave it overnight, and in the morning, wipe away the grime. You may have to do some scrubbing (steel wool is effective), but most of the dirt will cling to the bicarb soda.
2. Washing Soda (sodium carbonate)
Not to be confused with bicarbonate soda, washing soda can be found in most stores that sell laundry detergent. Mix one part washing soda with four parts bicarb soda; add enough water to make a paste, and spread it inside your oven. Leave it overnight, then wipe your oven down the next day. Be sure to rinse well.
3. Commercial cleaners that are environmentally friendly
More and more cleaners are becoming available for purchase that do not have the unhealthy chemicals and fumes of traditional oven cleaners. Look for ones that are not packaged in aerosol cans. They may cost a bit more, but with your family's health and the planet to protect, it is a worthy investment.
Don't forget the microwave. Fill a coffee mug with cold water, put it into the centre of your microwave and cook on high for two minutes. Let the steam do the cleaning for you - leave the mug of boiling water in the microwave for five minutes before using a soft, damp cloth to wipe the grime away.
Once your oven is clean keep it that way. Use oven bags to when cooking a roast. Cover dishes that may splatter with foil. Wipe the walls, floor and roof of the oven over each time you use it. Put a tray under any dishes that may overflow to catch the drips.
There are a lot of elaborate substances available to clean your oven effectively. But simple, household items can work nicely, and be eco-friendly.
6. On the Menu with Anne
Cream Cheese Patties
These feature on my menu fairly regularly and I'm often asked for the recipe. You'll find it here today, but if you're looking for it in the future it is in the Recipe File. They are one of my favourite savouries, delicious hot or cold. Best of all my family love them too. I usually make a double recipe and freeze them to use for lunches and quick dinners. They make great vegetarian burgers if you serve them in a toasted roll with lettuce, tomato, beetroot and a little sliced onion drizzled with mayo.
Cream Cheese Patties
Ingredients:
250g cream cheese
1 cup rice
1 large onion, grated
1 large carrot, grated
1 egg
1/2 tsp mixed herbs
Olive oil for frying
Shake'n'bake (or dried breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes or weetbix).1/2 cup milk
Method:
Cook the rice in boiling salted water for 12 minutes. Dice cream cheese into 2cm cubes (this makes it easier to melt). Drain rice. Add remaining ingredients, except shake'n'bake, milk and olive oil, to the hot rice, stirring to melt the cream cheese. Take 1/4 cup of mixture, shape into a patty. Dip in milk then in shake'n'bake to coat. Let the patties rest in the fridge for 30 minutes before frying in hot oil until golden brown on both sides. Can be served hot or cold.
This week we will be eating:
Friday: Crumbed chicken, MOO wedges, coleslaw
Saturday: Hamburgers
Sunday: Roast beef, baked vegetables, gravy
Monday: Spaghetti, garlic bread
Tuesday: Rissoles, potato bake, pumpkin, broccoli, peas, gravy
Wednesday: Curried mince on toast
Thursday: Chicken schnitzels, potato bake, pumpkin, broccoli, peas, gravy
In the fruit bowl: bananas, mandarins, apple
In the cake tin: Ginger snaps, shortbread, choc chip muffin
There are over 1,400 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File
7. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy
I had the pleasure of spending the day with Cath a few weeks ago. We talked all things Cheapskates (as you could imagine) for hours and hours. While I was there Cath mentioned that she's started stockpiling ahead of time for the busy Christmas period. She showed me the extra shelving she has in her laundry - you know the one we see when she's on TV. This is where she keeps her bulk purchases, all nice and neat.
Cath buys enough food ahead of time so she can avoid doing a big food shop over the Christmas and New Year holidays. She's also avoiding the crowds. Sounds like heaven to me.
I was inspired by Cath's idea and I've been thinking about it ever since. So during the last couple of days I've started writing out my shopping lists for September, October and November. I've included extra amounts of the bulky groceries like cereal, paper towel, tissues, as well as the non-perishable items like flour, sugar, tinned goods and pasta. My plan is to buy enough to cover December and January's monthly shop with only the need to buy milk, fruit and veg each week as I usually do
It will be great to duck in and out of the shops during Christmas and not have to wheel a heavy trolley through the crowds.
Do this sound like something you'd like to do?
Do you have plans in place to tackle your Christmas and holiday grocery shopping?
Have a great week and BE ENCOURAGED!!!!!!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2026-300-a-month-food-challenge-10-06-13
The Post that Started it All
http://www.cheapskates.com.au/pages/default.cfm?page_id=44265
8. Cheapskates Buzz
This week's hot forum topics
Today I...
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?820-Today-I...
How have you saved money today?
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?1778-How-have-you-saved-money-today
My Retirement Garden
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2581-My-Retirement-Garden
Most popular blog posts this week
Bring Back the Ritual of Afternoon Tea
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2011/04/bring-back-ritual-of-afternoon-tea.html
How to Freeze Eggs and other Handy Hints
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2012/02/how-to-freeze-eggs-and-other-handy.html
Get a Grip on Ironing
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2011/12/get-grip-on-ironing.html
9. Member's 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 Bluebell234.
Confidence
I have a lot of confidence living the Cheapskates way. I know the mathematical side of it (it helps me live abundantly within my means), I know its practicality and I know it brings a better lifestyle.
What I didn't realise until I started to live this way is just how seriously one has to compete with marketing strategies, I think the worst thing is leading a person to believe they haven't enough time to cook or make cleaning products or the super six won't really do a healthy cleaning job, or the old strategy of "hurry while stocks last", this last strategy tries to cancel the customers own thoughts and replace the customers intention to the store keepers advantage.
In the past, before Cheapskates, I thought I knew all there was to know about stretching a dollar; could you imagine my surprise when I found I could stretch a bar of sunlight soap to last a month by turning it into laundry gel.
If we get caught up in advertising too seriously we miss the opportunity to live simply and abundantly and we miss family life.
To me to live simply is to live abundantly, so for anyone who is feeling as though they must hurry their pace of life or they will not be able to cope, I say keep on doing what you believe in and be confident that living the Cheapskates way is far better than being financially exploited.
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10. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Macey who wrote
"I would like to start menu planning for two people. Should I cook for four and freeze the rest or do you have any other ideas? I am finding it hard to get started."
Paula Hill answered
It's so funny how just the use of a different word or way of putting something can be the 'light bulb' moment that we need to start something. I had always known of menu planning; however have never actually done it. I simply didn't know where to start. Then one day I read a response which said 'start your menu planning by writing a list of your family's favourite meals.' Well that was it! Menu planning started. We are a family of two people now and I always cook at least a double batch of meals, put the other two serves into plastic containers, write the meal on the side with a white board marker (comes off when you wash the container up) and we have meals 'at the ready.'
Alison Carkeek answered
Well done Macey you are already steps ahead! Yes cook for four and then freeze some for your 'night off'...I find it is much easier to cook the larger meals. Enjoy!
Jill Brooke answered
I usually buy and cook meat in bulk so that I have plenty of meals in the freezer. I normally divide casseroles, curries, honey baked chicken etc. into enough for two people and either pack in freezer containers or zip lock bags. This way if there are more than two of you for a meal you can simply take out two or more packs. Cooking in bulk also means that you have a meal ready to go when you want it - just take it out of the freezer and thaw. I also make extra soup to freeze and have bake-at-home bread rolls in the freezer for another easy meal. I usually have enough cooked meals in the freezer to last the two of us for a month. Makes menu planning so easy.
Fiona McMahon answered
For myself and my partner I always cook for six. One for tonight, one for tomorrow and one for the freezer. This saves you cooking the following night and it also saves gas/electricity. Wait until you have seven frozen meals in the freezer and then you don't have to cook for one whole week out of every seven. I keep the containers from takeaways and I also use the zip up bags to save space.
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11. This Week's Question
Pam writes
"I have several pairs of hiking socks that have worn thin on the back of the heel where they rub on my boots. The rest of the sock is in perfect condition. I know I can darn the thin patch with wool, but this tends to rub my skin. Does anyone have another way to mend the worn areas?"
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If you have a suggestion or idea for Pam 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.
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15. Contact Details
The Cheapskates Club -
Showing you how to live life
debt free, cashed up and laughing!
PO Box 5077 Studfield Vic 3152
www.cheapskates.com.au
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