Your Cheapskates Club Newsletter 41:20
In This Newsletter
1. Cath's Corner
2. From the Tip Store - Easy Seed Sorting; The Dreaded Sock Matching Chore; Non-Wrapping Christmas Gifts
3. Share Your Tips
4. Own Your Christmas Countdown
5. On the Menu - Hawaiian Haystacks
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge -Split the Christmas Shopping List
7. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
8. The Cheapskates Club Show
9. Last Week's Question
10. Ask A Question - Have a question? Ask it here
11. Join the Cheapskates Club
12. Frequently Asked Questions
13. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
Welcome to our new Cheapskates Club members, we are so glad you've joined us. Please say hello and introduce yourself in the forum, we're a very friendly bunch.
Enjoy your newsletter, and have a great week everyone.
Happy Cheapskating,
Cath
2. From The Tip Store
Easy Seed Sorting
I enjoy growing my own veggies and flowers from seeds but I have trouble remembering what I have and the use by date, so often buy doubles or triples of the same thing. Now I put the seed packets into the photo sleeves of a photo album. I have arranged them in alphabetical order and labelled each page with a letter for easy access and easy identification.
Contributed by Cynthia
The Dreaded Sock Matching Chore
Sick of spending hours trying to match up and pair all your odd socks? I was. I decided that for some reason they were easier to find when they were dirty and just taken off feet so I use a safety pin and pin them together before they go in the wash. They never part then. Then you can, if you like, put them straight away or remove safety pin. I found this a big time saver rather than sitting down in front of an overflowing basket of odd socks trying to pair them. It is also useful for black socks as they are very hard to pair as they look the same. Once paired it is easier to keep them together.
Contributed by Fiona
Non-Wrapping Christmas Gifts
I was interested to read about the non-wrapping of Christmas presents. I have made all my children and grandchildren bags out of material with Christmas decorations on them when each of them were born. They have been used for over 40 years and everyone loves them, and then gives them back to me as they are opened.
Contributed by Irene
Add a Tip
3. Share Your Tips
Share your favourite hint or tip that saves money, time and energy and be in the running to win a one-year subscription to The Cheapskate Journal.
Remember, you have to be in it to win it!
Share Your Tip
4. Own Your Christmas Countdown
Today is the start of week 2 of our annual Own Your Christmas Countdown. It's not too late to join the fun and not only be organised and ready by 1st December, but enjoy a debt free Christmas too.
When you join the fun, don't forget to confirm your subscription so you don't miss any updates or challenges.
Week 2 is trappings and wrappings week, when we get all the supplies needed to wrap, tag, label, decorate and post those Christmas cards and parcels.
The week 2 tasks are outlined in greater detail here.
The Week 1 tasks are here, and you can get the Own Your Christmas planners here too.
If you'd like the weekly tasks and round-up, you can join the Own Your Christmas challenge here
5. On The Menu
Hawaiian Haystacks
The recipe for Haystacks is one I'm often asked for (it's in the Recipe File, on the Vegetarian page). They are not only cheap, quick and easy but they can be really nutritious too.
This is a variation on the original haystacks recipe and it's delicious, especially in summer. It's a little lighter and using seasonal vegetables and fruits as toppings makes it a great summer meal.
Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups rice
2 skinless chicken breast fillets, cut into small chunks, or leftover cooked cubed/shredded chicken from a roast chicken
3 tbsp butter
1 small onion, finely diced
1 tsp salt
1/2 t. pepper
1/4 cup plain flour
3 cups chicken stock
1 cup milk
Toppings:
cheese, shredded coconut, pineapple, celery, mandarin segments, olives, spring onions, grated carrots, diced tomatoes, diced cucumbers
Method:
Cook rice so it’s ready when you need it. In a large frying pan melt butter and cook onions and chicken until cooked through, about 5 minutes. If you’re using leftover chicken that’s already cooked don’t add it now, we’ll do this later. Sprinkle flour over onion/chicken mixture. Stir and cook for one minute. Cooking the flour stops the sauce from tasting like raw flour, don't be tempted to skip this step. Slowly whisk in milk and chicken stock. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, add salt and pepper. If you’re using leftover chicken add it now. Simmer until sauce is thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Ladle chicken over rice. Top with desired toppings.
Next week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Chicken
Monday: Corned Beef Hash
Tuesday: Spag Bol
Wednesday: Chicken & mushroom pie
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Stuffed Drumsticks, baked veg, gravy
Friday: Cheesy Filled & Grilled Quesadillas
In the fruit bowl: bananas, strawberries, mandarins
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
6. The $300 A Month Food Challenge
Split the Christmas Shopping List
It's October already! Time to start the Christmas grocery shopping. Before I started shopping yearly, monthly shopping was my thing. I loved it. Once a month I'd go to the supermarket and greengrocer, armed with my list and bags, and shop for what we needed for the month. Except in October and November. Those months I'd buy extra groceries because I do not do shopping in December. Ever. OK, I'll clarify that: I do go twice to buy fresh fruit and veg and dairy top-ups. I don't go grocery shopping. I don't do meat shopping. I don't buy toiletries or cleaning supplies.
We use pretty much the same ingredients all the time, so I know that December isn't going to be any different. I take the basic list and split it in half. Add half to the October list and the other half to the November list.
It may seem odd but I'm an ingredients shopper. Ingredients give me choices. And save me money. And make it easy to add to a shopping list.
I'll do anything to stay out of the shops in December, including doing bigger shops in October and November.
And I'll share a secret: doing this saves money. Really. I only buy what's on the list, and by not going into a supermarket in December I'm not tempted by all the pretties and the ambience and I'm not pressured by the crowds or exhausted from the heat. Everything we need is on the October and November shopping lists, so we don't miss out.
Even though I now shop once a year, I still split the December perishables between October and November and freeze them so I can stay out of the Christmas chaos in December.
Have you tried split list Christmas shopping? I've been talking about it for donkey's years, so I'd love to know it you do it to, and how it works for you.
The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
The Post that Started it All
7. Cheapskates Buzz
From The Article Archive
Stove Top Potpourri
Top Twelve Crafty Things To Buy At The Op-Shop
Know the Shelf Life of Your Preserved Food
This Week's Hot Forum Topics
Favourite Cheapskates Coffee
A Really Basic MOO
MOO Golden Syrup
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.
Popular Shows
1. Cath's Corner
2. From the Tip Store - Easy Seed Sorting; The Dreaded Sock Matching Chore; Non-Wrapping Christmas Gifts
3. Share Your Tips
4. Own Your Christmas Countdown
5. On the Menu - Hawaiian Haystacks
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge -Split the Christmas Shopping List
7. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
8. The Cheapskates Club Show
9. Last Week's Question
10. Ask A Question - Have a question? Ask it here
11. Join the Cheapskates Club
12. Frequently Asked Questions
13. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
Welcome to our new Cheapskates Club members, we are so glad you've joined us. Please say hello and introduce yourself in the forum, we're a very friendly bunch.
Enjoy your newsletter, and have a great week everyone.
Happy Cheapskating,
Cath
2. From The Tip Store
Easy Seed Sorting
I enjoy growing my own veggies and flowers from seeds but I have trouble remembering what I have and the use by date, so often buy doubles or triples of the same thing. Now I put the seed packets into the photo sleeves of a photo album. I have arranged them in alphabetical order and labelled each page with a letter for easy access and easy identification.
Contributed by Cynthia
The Dreaded Sock Matching Chore
Sick of spending hours trying to match up and pair all your odd socks? I was. I decided that for some reason they were easier to find when they were dirty and just taken off feet so I use a safety pin and pin them together before they go in the wash. They never part then. Then you can, if you like, put them straight away or remove safety pin. I found this a big time saver rather than sitting down in front of an overflowing basket of odd socks trying to pair them. It is also useful for black socks as they are very hard to pair as they look the same. Once paired it is easier to keep them together.
Contributed by Fiona
Non-Wrapping Christmas Gifts
I was interested to read about the non-wrapping of Christmas presents. I have made all my children and grandchildren bags out of material with Christmas decorations on them when each of them were born. They have been used for over 40 years and everyone loves them, and then gives them back to me as they are opened.
Contributed by Irene
Add a Tip
3. Share Your Tips
Share your favourite hint or tip that saves money, time and energy and be in the running to win a one-year subscription to The Cheapskate Journal.
Remember, you have to be in it to win it!
Share Your Tip
4. Own Your Christmas Countdown
Today is the start of week 2 of our annual Own Your Christmas Countdown. It's not too late to join the fun and not only be organised and ready by 1st December, but enjoy a debt free Christmas too.
When you join the fun, don't forget to confirm your subscription so you don't miss any updates or challenges.
Week 2 is trappings and wrappings week, when we get all the supplies needed to wrap, tag, label, decorate and post those Christmas cards and parcels.
The week 2 tasks are outlined in greater detail here.
The Week 1 tasks are here, and you can get the Own Your Christmas planners here too.
If you'd like the weekly tasks and round-up, you can join the Own Your Christmas challenge here
5. On The Menu
Hawaiian Haystacks
The recipe for Haystacks is one I'm often asked for (it's in the Recipe File, on the Vegetarian page). They are not only cheap, quick and easy but they can be really nutritious too.
This is a variation on the original haystacks recipe and it's delicious, especially in summer. It's a little lighter and using seasonal vegetables and fruits as toppings makes it a great summer meal.
Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups rice
2 skinless chicken breast fillets, cut into small chunks, or leftover cooked cubed/shredded chicken from a roast chicken
3 tbsp butter
1 small onion, finely diced
1 tsp salt
1/2 t. pepper
1/4 cup plain flour
3 cups chicken stock
1 cup milk
Toppings:
cheese, shredded coconut, pineapple, celery, mandarin segments, olives, spring onions, grated carrots, diced tomatoes, diced cucumbers
Method:
Cook rice so it’s ready when you need it. In a large frying pan melt butter and cook onions and chicken until cooked through, about 5 minutes. If you’re using leftover chicken that’s already cooked don’t add it now, we’ll do this later. Sprinkle flour over onion/chicken mixture. Stir and cook for one minute. Cooking the flour stops the sauce from tasting like raw flour, don't be tempted to skip this step. Slowly whisk in milk and chicken stock. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, add salt and pepper. If you’re using leftover chicken add it now. Simmer until sauce is thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Ladle chicken over rice. Top with desired toppings.
Next week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Chicken
Monday: Corned Beef Hash
Tuesday: Spag Bol
Wednesday: Chicken & mushroom pie
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Stuffed Drumsticks, baked veg, gravy
Friday: Cheesy Filled & Grilled Quesadillas
In the fruit bowl: bananas, strawberries, mandarins
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
6. The $300 A Month Food Challenge
Split the Christmas Shopping List
It's October already! Time to start the Christmas grocery shopping. Before I started shopping yearly, monthly shopping was my thing. I loved it. Once a month I'd go to the supermarket and greengrocer, armed with my list and bags, and shop for what we needed for the month. Except in October and November. Those months I'd buy extra groceries because I do not do shopping in December. Ever. OK, I'll clarify that: I do go twice to buy fresh fruit and veg and dairy top-ups. I don't go grocery shopping. I don't do meat shopping. I don't buy toiletries or cleaning supplies.
We use pretty much the same ingredients all the time, so I know that December isn't going to be any different. I take the basic list and split it in half. Add half to the October list and the other half to the November list.
It may seem odd but I'm an ingredients shopper. Ingredients give me choices. And save me money. And make it easy to add to a shopping list.
I'll do anything to stay out of the shops in December, including doing bigger shops in October and November.
And I'll share a secret: doing this saves money. Really. I only buy what's on the list, and by not going into a supermarket in December I'm not tempted by all the pretties and the ambience and I'm not pressured by the crowds or exhausted from the heat. Everything we need is on the October and November shopping lists, so we don't miss out.
Even though I now shop once a year, I still split the December perishables between October and November and freeze them so I can stay out of the Christmas chaos in December.
Have you tried split list Christmas shopping? I've been talking about it for donkey's years, so I'd love to know it you do it to, and how it works for you.
The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
The Post that Started it All
7. Cheapskates Buzz
From The Article Archive
Stove Top Potpourri
Top Twelve Crafty Things To Buy At The Op-Shop
Know the Shelf Life of Your Preserved Food
This Week's Hot Forum Topics
Favourite Cheapskates Coffee
A Really Basic MOO
MOO Golden Syrup
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.
Popular Shows
9. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Bev who wrote
"I have 4 VCR tapes from Sydney 2000, which are copyrighted. Does anyone know what I can do with them, so I can watch with today’s technology. Thank you."
Domenica answeredThere is technology that can convert VHS videos to DVDs or onto a USB stick. You can either pay to get this done or some local libraries have the machinery that does this for no cost so it's worthwhile checking out if your local public library has this facility.
Melinda answeredI had some VHS that I wanted to keep, so I found a place that was able to transfer them onto DVD. Another option was to have them put onto USB. There may been other options available now too, even some way to do it yourself. It did cost me $100 (about 3 years ago) to have 4 VHS transfered, but these were of my wedding and my kids younger years that I wanted to preserve.
Estel answeredI can't tell you about the technology, but I can tell you about the legality, because I did this once with a CD that was scratched to bits (copied from a friend's CD).
It's legal to copy the content to another medium because you already own a copy of that content. It's fine as long as you are:
1) watching under the same restrictions as your VHS copy allowed (which usually means home watching, not commercial), and
2) not using the original as well (e.g., lending it to someone with a VHS player).
Treat the original and the copy as the same entity, and you're fine legally.
Robyn answeredIt's amazing what you can find on YouTube these days - have a look on there and see if someone else has posted a copy of the program you're looking for. Otherwise, perhaps an op shop near you might be selling an old VCR for a decent price. Or ask around, a friend might have an old VCR in the back of a cupboard gathering dust that they'd be happy to get rid of to you.
10. Ask A Question
We have lots of resources to help you as you live the Cheapskates way but if you didn't find the answer to your question in our extensive archives please just drop me a note with your question.
I read and answer all questions, either in an email to you, in my weekly newsletter, the monthly Journal or by creating blog posts and other resources to help you (and other Cheapskaters).
Ask Your Question
11. Join The Cheapskates Club
For just $25 a year, you can join the Cheapskates Club and get exclusive access to the Cheapskate Journal, the monthly e-journal that shows you how to cut the costs of everyday living and still have fun.
Joining the Cheapskates Club gives you 24/7 access to the Members Centre with 1000's of money saving tips and articles.
Click here to join the Cheapskates Club today!
12. Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change my email address?
This one is easy. When you login to the Member's Centre just click on your name at the top of the page to go straight to your profile page where you can update your details, change your password and find your subscription details.
Not a Cheapskates Club member? Then please use the Changing Details form found here to update your email address.
How do I know when my membership should be renewed?
Memberships are active for one year from the date of joining. You will be sent a renewal reminder before your subscription is due to renew. You can also find your membership expiry date on your profile page.
When you login to the Member's Centre just click on your name to go straight to your profile page where you can will find your join date and your expiry date.
What will you do with my email address?
We never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone for any reason whatsoever. You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as a result of joining this list.
How did I get on this list?
The only way you can get onto our newsletter mailing list is to subscribe yourself. You signed up to receive our Free Newsletter at our Cheapskates Club Web site or are a Platinum Cheapskates Club member.
13. Contact Cheapskates
The Cheapskates Club -
Showing you how to live life
debt free, cashed up and laughing!
PO Box 5077 Studfield Vic 3152
Contact Cheapskates
Last week's question was from Bev who wrote
"I have 4 VCR tapes from Sydney 2000, which are copyrighted. Does anyone know what I can do with them, so I can watch with today’s technology. Thank you."
Domenica answeredThere is technology that can convert VHS videos to DVDs or onto a USB stick. You can either pay to get this done or some local libraries have the machinery that does this for no cost so it's worthwhile checking out if your local public library has this facility.
Melinda answeredI had some VHS that I wanted to keep, so I found a place that was able to transfer them onto DVD. Another option was to have them put onto USB. There may been other options available now too, even some way to do it yourself. It did cost me $100 (about 3 years ago) to have 4 VHS transfered, but these were of my wedding and my kids younger years that I wanted to preserve.
Estel answeredI can't tell you about the technology, but I can tell you about the legality, because I did this once with a CD that was scratched to bits (copied from a friend's CD).
It's legal to copy the content to another medium because you already own a copy of that content. It's fine as long as you are:
1) watching under the same restrictions as your VHS copy allowed (which usually means home watching, not commercial), and
2) not using the original as well (e.g., lending it to someone with a VHS player).
Treat the original and the copy as the same entity, and you're fine legally.
Robyn answeredIt's amazing what you can find on YouTube these days - have a look on there and see if someone else has posted a copy of the program you're looking for. Otherwise, perhaps an op shop near you might be selling an old VCR for a decent price. Or ask around, a friend might have an old VCR in the back of a cupboard gathering dust that they'd be happy to get rid of to you.
10. Ask A Question
We have lots of resources to help you as you live the Cheapskates way but if you didn't find the answer to your question in our extensive archives please just drop me a note with your question.
I read and answer all questions, either in an email to you, in my weekly newsletter, the monthly Journal or by creating blog posts and other resources to help you (and other Cheapskaters).
Ask Your Question
11. Join The Cheapskates Club
For just $25 a year, you can join the Cheapskates Club and get exclusive access to the Cheapskate Journal, the monthly e-journal that shows you how to cut the costs of everyday living and still have fun.
Joining the Cheapskates Club gives you 24/7 access to the Members Centre with 1000's of money saving tips and articles.
Click here to join the Cheapskates Club today!
12. Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change my email address?
This one is easy. When you login to the Member's Centre just click on your name at the top of the page to go straight to your profile page where you can update your details, change your password and find your subscription details.
Not a Cheapskates Club member? Then please use the Changing Details form found here to update your email address.
How do I know when my membership should be renewed?
Memberships are active for one year from the date of joining. You will be sent a renewal reminder before your subscription is due to renew. You can also find your membership expiry date on your profile page.
When you login to the Member's Centre just click on your name to go straight to your profile page where you can will find your join date and your expiry date.
What will you do with my email address?
We never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone for any reason whatsoever. You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as a result of joining this list.
How did I get on this list?
The only way you can get onto our newsletter mailing list is to subscribe yourself. You signed up to receive our Free Newsletter at our Cheapskates Club Web site or are a Platinum Cheapskates Club member.
13. Contact Cheapskates
The Cheapskates Club -
Showing you how to live life
debt free, cashed up and laughing!
PO Box 5077 Studfield Vic 3152
Contact Cheapskates