Your Cheapskates Club Newsletter: 44:14 Bright ideas to save you money
1. Cath's Corner
2. In the Tip Store - Kids Jelly Cups, Souper Tasty Pasta Dish, Modern Take on a Needleworkers Chatelaine
3. Cheapskate's Winning Tip - Never Lose a Spare Button
4. Submit Your Tip - You have to be in it to win!
5. Living Green in 2014 - Eco-Friendly Ways to Clean Your Oven
6. On the Menu with Anne - Apple and Custard Pies
7. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy - Are you paying too much for wrapping?
8. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
9. Member's Featured Blog - Really Getting Back Into It
10. Last Week's Question - Is there a way to get cheaper soft drinks?
11. This Week's Question - Anyone have any frugal cheese substitutes?
12. Join the Cheapskates Club
13. Gift Memberships
14. Frequently Asked Questions
15. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
I hope you're all having a wonderful week. I've been laid up for a few days, but Hannah has been doing a wonderful job, I'm so grateful for her help. And she had a surprise for me too, most of you have probably noticed it already - she's been working really hard on our Facebook page to load it up with lots of interesting tips and stories and recipes for you all. It was a fantastic surprise, I was feeling a little low when she showed me and it has cheered me right up. If you haven't already popped over and noticed please do, I know she'll be thrilled to bits to get your feedback.
The November Journal will be uploaded on Saturday so if you haven't logged in yet to read the October edition you might like to do it before it's archived on Friday night. The new Journal has some great money, time and energy saving ideas in it so please remember to log in on Saturday for a good frugal read.
Have a wonderful week everyone, and if you are in Melbourne, enjoy your extra day off on Tuesday (it's Melbourne Cup Day).
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
Kids Jelly Cups
Approximate $ Savings: $2 - 3
With kids at school who always like surprises in their lunch box it is hard to find cheap snacks. They really enjoy the fruit and jelly but at almost $5.00 for four 100ml cups it is quite expensive. Now I make my own. I use 5 small plastic containers and evenly divide a large can of fruit (i.e. two fruits) between them. Then cover with jelly. At approximately $1.50 for a can of Homebrand fruit and 30 cents for Homebrand jelly, this makes 5 containers of about 200ml in size for a fraction of the cost of readymade.
Contributed by Debbie
Souper Tasty Pasta Dish
Approximate $ Savings: $2 a week
I've just come up with a great use of loads of leftovers. We had a sad looking quarter cabbage that had to be used quickly. I made cabbage soup with that, and that covered one meal for four, with a bit leftover. Scanning the fridge last night, feeling a bit Mother Hubbard, I decided to use the leftover soup in place of the milk and water in one of those pasta side dish packets. I cooked up some extra pasta, stirred through a can of tomatoes, and ended up with a lovely, healthier rich dish that the kids just loved!
Contributed by Kath
Modern Take on a Needleworkers Chatelaine
This is a great hint for sewers who have a sewing room or craft table permanently set up. Use a mug tree (yes one of those horrid old fashioned wooden things from the '70s) to hang your scissors, tape measures etc. on. If you can find one of the older wooden ones with the knobbly end it stops things slipping off quite so easily. The more modern ones have either turned up ends or a rubber stopper type of thing on the end. You can often find them in op shops but they are also available in most department and homewares type shops too.
Contributed by Penny Pinchin' Mum
There are more than 11,000 great tips in the Tip Store
3. Cheapskates Winning tip
This week's winning tip is from Michelle Lambton. I have a button jar and just about every wash day I'm searching the jar for buttons for shirts, they just seem to evaporate between the hanger in the wardrobe and coming out of the washing machine so I like this idea. Michelle has won a one year Platinum Cheapskates Club membership for submitting her winning tip.
Never Lose a Spare Button
When I buy a jacket, blouse or other garment that has extra buttons attached in a little plastic bag I stitch them, using the thread in the bag, to an inside seam allowance and then wind the spare thread around the button, pushing the end under the seam allowance. Then, if I ever lose a button, I know exactly where to find it and I have the right coloured thread to stitch it in place, saving me having to re-stitch all the buttons to match the thread colour.
Congratulations Michelle, 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 tackled my oven this week, in preparation for my Christmas baking I'll start next week. It wasn't bad, it gets cleaned regularly and wiped out every time it is used, but it is still one chore I would rather not have to do. Anything to make it easier and faster is a good thing in my book.
Typical oven cleaners contain multiple chemicals, some quite dangerous, such as sodium hydroxide (commonly known as caustic soda or lye). According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, oven cleaners containing this dangerous chemical can cause burns if they come in contact with skin, and inhalation of them can cause respiratory irritation (that's why the containers have all those warnings about gloves, ventilation and so on). And anytime such a cleaner is used, sodium hydroxide and other chemicals get into the environment.
Thankfully, there are more eco-friendly ways to clean the tough grease and build-up that ovens can accumulate.
1. Bicarb 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 bicarb soda, washing soda can be found in most stores that sell laundry detergent somewhere in the cleaning aisle. 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.
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.
4. Borax
This is another product found in the laundry detergent aisle. It is typically used in addition to detergent as a "boost" for laundry. But it can also be used in oven cleaning. Mix the following into a spray bottle: two tablespoons dishwashing detergent, 2 teaspoons borax, and 1-2 cups warm water. Spray this on the inside of your oven, then leave it for a few hours and wipe off.
Don't forget the microwave. A paste made from just bicarb soda and water has been known to clean dried-on mess from a chili explosion! Simply mix baking soda with water and apply to the inside of your microwave. Let it sit for a few hours or overnight; then wipe out with a soft cloth. You don't want to use scrubbers like steel wool in the microwave.
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
Apple and Custard Pies
I've had a tin of pie apple sitting in the pantry for months, I bought it to make a dessert and never found the time. That tin has been an irritation to me every time I see it. I don't like to have food sitting around without a purpose and this tin, until this week, didn't have one.
Then as I was trawling through the Recipe File, as I do regularly, I came across this recipe for Apple and Custard Pies. Now my boys love their desserts, not that we have them very often, and those Sara Lee fruit and custard pies are right up there with their favourites. This recipe is just as good and so much cheaper, especially if you stew the apple and make the custard yourself. And if you have a pie maker you can have fresh pies in just 10 minutes, and that includes mixing the filling!
Apple and Custard Pies
Ingredients:
1 sheet shortcrust pastry
1 sheet puff pastry
1 cup stewed apple (can use tinned pie apple)
1/4 cup sultanas
1 cup very thick custard (homemade or bought)
1 tbsp sugar
Method:
Thaw pastry. Cut four bases from the shortcrust pastry and four tops from the puff pastry. You may need to jiggle the tops to fit onto the pastry sheet. Mix the apple and sultanas. Press bases into pie maker. Place a quarter cup of custard in the base of each pie. Top with a quarter cup of apple mixture. Place puff pastry tops onto pies. Sprinkle with sugar. Cook as per pie maker instructions.
This week we will be eating:
Friday: Pasta bake, green salad
Saturday: Enchiladas
Sunday: Roast chicken, baked vegetables, broccoli, gravy
Monday: Steak, wedges and salad
Tuesday: Rissoles, sweet potato mash, broccoli, carrots, onion gravy
Wednesday: Mushroom quiche and salad
Thursday: Honey mustard chicken, mash, carrots, peas
In the fruit bowl: bananas, kiwi fruit, and apples
In the cake tin: Sultana biscuits, scones, ANZAC slice
There are over 1,400 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File
7. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy
Welcome to the food challenge.
One part of the food budget that we might not pay too much attention to is food storage and wrapping. Cling wrap, foil, paper towel, go between, snap lock bags, disposable containers, freezer bags, fruit and veg gel bags, paper bags, baking paper, greaseproof paper - the list goes on and on.
While most of us would use these items regular, there is a way to keep costs down. Here's are some great ideas -
* Use no name cling wrap. It works the same as the dear stuff. Use only what you need to wrap an item. Where possible use a container instead.
* Use unit pricing to get the best deal.
* Generally I only use foil to line the grill. On the odd occasion it is used to keep bbq meat hot just before serving. Foil can be wiped and used again.
* Use paper towel to drain fat and oil from food. I don't use it for wiping up spills. That's what my face washer dishcloth is for.
* Go between can be made from cut up plastic cereal packets. It's free and you're recycling.
* Use snap lock bags when containers won't do. If possible I wash the bags and use again.
* Disposable containers are a waste of money. I buy a better brand container and use it over and over again.
* I buy no name freezer bags. They work just fine.
* Fruit and veg gel bags can be used over and over again. Like Cath, I throw them in a linen bag and wash them in the washing machine.
* I buy no name paper bags and really only use them for the odd lunch order.
* I buy no name baking paper and only use it to wrap cheese to stop it from going slimy. To bake biscuits I use silicon / Teflon baking mats. You can use them over and over again.
* Greaseproof paper is in the pantry but I can't remember what I use it for. Maybe to go between layers of slices?!?!
Keeping an eye out for specials, reusing where possible and buying cheaper brands really does keep the costs down. I hardly notice the cost on my shopping docket.
How do you keep wrapping and food storage costs down?
Have a great week and BE ENCOURAGED!!!!!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?24-Take-up-the-challenge-!!!!
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
What Helps You Stay on Track
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2665-what-help-you-stay-on-track
What do You Use for Mulch?
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2667-What-do-you-use-for-mulch
Freezer Habits Unmasked
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?1990-Freezer-habits-unmasked
Most popular blog posts this week
Saving Flavoured Oils
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2010/09/saving-flavoured-oils.html
How Being More Self-Sufficient Saves You Money
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2012/09/how-being-more-self-sufficient-saves.html
The Four Most Common Ways to Dry Foods
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2013/02/the-four-most-common-ways-to-dry-foods.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 Mumof2.
Really Getting Back Into It
Well with my time away from cheapskates I have to say that I still did a lot of cheapskating. I still make my soap powder and miracle spray, I still kept up my budget but I know I could have done a lot better...a lot better but with my health issues (I have CFS & fibro) and also two stays in hospital it took its toll and I went off track.
Now that I am back I am tweaking my budget. I cleaned out the pantry so we know what we have and got rid of the out of date stuff....my hubby does the shopping and cooking so that is a hard area. Although he is an amazing cook he spends a lot of money and he does well with it but we can do a lot better. He is slow to make changes but he has been cheapskating on doing a lot of things to his boat and around the house so will work on the food at a later date...all bills are up to date but my PoM and savings are dismal right now...although in saying that my PoM(where I put my bill money) has been up to date all year and we only have one bill left to pay out of it which we have the money for...but it's all a work in progress
I know with the support here I can get back on track and stay on track like I use to be...wish me luck.
Login to read more Cheapskates Club member blogs
10. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Meryll who wrote
"My husband can't live without his diet cola drink. Is there any cheaper way to get it, are the soda makers cheaper? Does it taste OK?"
Sarah answered
Hello, I have two teenage children who would love to have a never-ending supply of soft drink available in the house. I would limit the purchase of soft drinks to weekends only to find that they had all been finished by kids in record time. To stop this happening (and to save myself a fortune) I bought a soda stream - what a success! After the novelty of being able to make your own drinks had worn off the kids now only make one bottle each per weekend and make it last and we only use half the amount of syrup stated and also use diet cordial or juice as flavourings. With a bottle of syrup about $5 and lasting us months and the gas refill only $19 it is much more economical and healthy.
Contributed by Sara
Elisabeth answered
We purchased a soda stream and extra bottles. A replacement gas bottle is $20 which makes around 60 litres. If I want to flavour the soda water just add a splash of cordial to your glass. Great investment, saved money and we stopped drinking soft drinks.
Ask Your Question
11. This Week's Question
Maggi writes
"Anyone have any suggestions for a cheese substitute as I have someone who is allergic."
Do you have the answer?
If you have a suggestion or idea for Maggi 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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Read our privacy policy
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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
info@cheapskates.com.au
2. In the Tip Store - Kids Jelly Cups, Souper Tasty Pasta Dish, Modern Take on a Needleworkers Chatelaine
3. Cheapskate's Winning Tip - Never Lose a Spare Button
4. Submit Your Tip - You have to be in it to win!
5. Living Green in 2014 - Eco-Friendly Ways to Clean Your Oven
6. On the Menu with Anne - Apple and Custard Pies
7. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy - Are you paying too much for wrapping?
8. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
9. Member's Featured Blog - Really Getting Back Into It
10. Last Week's Question - Is there a way to get cheaper soft drinks?
11. This Week's Question - Anyone have any frugal cheese substitutes?
12. Join the Cheapskates Club
13. Gift Memberships
14. Frequently Asked Questions
15. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
I hope you're all having a wonderful week. I've been laid up for a few days, but Hannah has been doing a wonderful job, I'm so grateful for her help. And she had a surprise for me too, most of you have probably noticed it already - she's been working really hard on our Facebook page to load it up with lots of interesting tips and stories and recipes for you all. It was a fantastic surprise, I was feeling a little low when she showed me and it has cheered me right up. If you haven't already popped over and noticed please do, I know she'll be thrilled to bits to get your feedback.
The November Journal will be uploaded on Saturday so if you haven't logged in yet to read the October edition you might like to do it before it's archived on Friday night. The new Journal has some great money, time and energy saving ideas in it so please remember to log in on Saturday for a good frugal read.
Have a wonderful week everyone, and if you are in Melbourne, enjoy your extra day off on Tuesday (it's Melbourne Cup Day).
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
Kids Jelly Cups
Approximate $ Savings: $2 - 3
With kids at school who always like surprises in their lunch box it is hard to find cheap snacks. They really enjoy the fruit and jelly but at almost $5.00 for four 100ml cups it is quite expensive. Now I make my own. I use 5 small plastic containers and evenly divide a large can of fruit (i.e. two fruits) between them. Then cover with jelly. At approximately $1.50 for a can of Homebrand fruit and 30 cents for Homebrand jelly, this makes 5 containers of about 200ml in size for a fraction of the cost of readymade.
Contributed by Debbie
Souper Tasty Pasta Dish
Approximate $ Savings: $2 a week
I've just come up with a great use of loads of leftovers. We had a sad looking quarter cabbage that had to be used quickly. I made cabbage soup with that, and that covered one meal for four, with a bit leftover. Scanning the fridge last night, feeling a bit Mother Hubbard, I decided to use the leftover soup in place of the milk and water in one of those pasta side dish packets. I cooked up some extra pasta, stirred through a can of tomatoes, and ended up with a lovely, healthier rich dish that the kids just loved!
Contributed by Kath
Modern Take on a Needleworkers Chatelaine
This is a great hint for sewers who have a sewing room or craft table permanently set up. Use a mug tree (yes one of those horrid old fashioned wooden things from the '70s) to hang your scissors, tape measures etc. on. If you can find one of the older wooden ones with the knobbly end it stops things slipping off quite so easily. The more modern ones have either turned up ends or a rubber stopper type of thing on the end. You can often find them in op shops but they are also available in most department and homewares type shops too.
Contributed by Penny Pinchin' Mum
There are more than 11,000 great tips in the Tip Store
3. Cheapskates Winning tip
This week's winning tip is from Michelle Lambton. I have a button jar and just about every wash day I'm searching the jar for buttons for shirts, they just seem to evaporate between the hanger in the wardrobe and coming out of the washing machine so I like this idea. Michelle has won a one year Platinum Cheapskates Club membership for submitting her winning tip.
Never Lose a Spare Button
When I buy a jacket, blouse or other garment that has extra buttons attached in a little plastic bag I stitch them, using the thread in the bag, to an inside seam allowance and then wind the spare thread around the button, pushing the end under the seam allowance. Then, if I ever lose a button, I know exactly where to find it and I have the right coloured thread to stitch it in place, saving me having to re-stitch all the buttons to match the thread colour.
Congratulations Michelle, 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 tackled my oven this week, in preparation for my Christmas baking I'll start next week. It wasn't bad, it gets cleaned regularly and wiped out every time it is used, but it is still one chore I would rather not have to do. Anything to make it easier and faster is a good thing in my book.
Typical oven cleaners contain multiple chemicals, some quite dangerous, such as sodium hydroxide (commonly known as caustic soda or lye). According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, oven cleaners containing this dangerous chemical can cause burns if they come in contact with skin, and inhalation of them can cause respiratory irritation (that's why the containers have all those warnings about gloves, ventilation and so on). And anytime such a cleaner is used, sodium hydroxide and other chemicals get into the environment.
Thankfully, there are more eco-friendly ways to clean the tough grease and build-up that ovens can accumulate.
1. Bicarb 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 bicarb soda, washing soda can be found in most stores that sell laundry detergent somewhere in the cleaning aisle. 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.
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.
4. Borax
This is another product found in the laundry detergent aisle. It is typically used in addition to detergent as a "boost" for laundry. But it can also be used in oven cleaning. Mix the following into a spray bottle: two tablespoons dishwashing detergent, 2 teaspoons borax, and 1-2 cups warm water. Spray this on the inside of your oven, then leave it for a few hours and wipe off.
Don't forget the microwave. A paste made from just bicarb soda and water has been known to clean dried-on mess from a chili explosion! Simply mix baking soda with water and apply to the inside of your microwave. Let it sit for a few hours or overnight; then wipe out with a soft cloth. You don't want to use scrubbers like steel wool in the microwave.
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
Apple and Custard Pies
I've had a tin of pie apple sitting in the pantry for months, I bought it to make a dessert and never found the time. That tin has been an irritation to me every time I see it. I don't like to have food sitting around without a purpose and this tin, until this week, didn't have one.
Then as I was trawling through the Recipe File, as I do regularly, I came across this recipe for Apple and Custard Pies. Now my boys love their desserts, not that we have them very often, and those Sara Lee fruit and custard pies are right up there with their favourites. This recipe is just as good and so much cheaper, especially if you stew the apple and make the custard yourself. And if you have a pie maker you can have fresh pies in just 10 minutes, and that includes mixing the filling!
Apple and Custard Pies
Ingredients:
1 sheet shortcrust pastry
1 sheet puff pastry
1 cup stewed apple (can use tinned pie apple)
1/4 cup sultanas
1 cup very thick custard (homemade or bought)
1 tbsp sugar
Method:
Thaw pastry. Cut four bases from the shortcrust pastry and four tops from the puff pastry. You may need to jiggle the tops to fit onto the pastry sheet. Mix the apple and sultanas. Press bases into pie maker. Place a quarter cup of custard in the base of each pie. Top with a quarter cup of apple mixture. Place puff pastry tops onto pies. Sprinkle with sugar. Cook as per pie maker instructions.
This week we will be eating:
Friday: Pasta bake, green salad
Saturday: Enchiladas
Sunday: Roast chicken, baked vegetables, broccoli, gravy
Monday: Steak, wedges and salad
Tuesday: Rissoles, sweet potato mash, broccoli, carrots, onion gravy
Wednesday: Mushroom quiche and salad
Thursday: Honey mustard chicken, mash, carrots, peas
In the fruit bowl: bananas, kiwi fruit, and apples
In the cake tin: Sultana biscuits, scones, ANZAC slice
There are over 1,400 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File
7. The $300 a Month Food Challenge with Wendy
Welcome to the food challenge.
One part of the food budget that we might not pay too much attention to is food storage and wrapping. Cling wrap, foil, paper towel, go between, snap lock bags, disposable containers, freezer bags, fruit and veg gel bags, paper bags, baking paper, greaseproof paper - the list goes on and on.
While most of us would use these items regular, there is a way to keep costs down. Here's are some great ideas -
* Use no name cling wrap. It works the same as the dear stuff. Use only what you need to wrap an item. Where possible use a container instead.
* Use unit pricing to get the best deal.
* Generally I only use foil to line the grill. On the odd occasion it is used to keep bbq meat hot just before serving. Foil can be wiped and used again.
* Use paper towel to drain fat and oil from food. I don't use it for wiping up spills. That's what my face washer dishcloth is for.
* Go between can be made from cut up plastic cereal packets. It's free and you're recycling.
* Use snap lock bags when containers won't do. If possible I wash the bags and use again.
* Disposable containers are a waste of money. I buy a better brand container and use it over and over again.
* I buy no name freezer bags. They work just fine.
* Fruit and veg gel bags can be used over and over again. Like Cath, I throw them in a linen bag and wash them in the washing machine.
* I buy no name paper bags and really only use them for the odd lunch order.
* I buy no name baking paper and only use it to wrap cheese to stop it from going slimy. To bake biscuits I use silicon / Teflon baking mats. You can use them over and over again.
* Greaseproof paper is in the pantry but I can't remember what I use it for. Maybe to go between layers of slices?!?!
Keeping an eye out for specials, reusing where possible and buying cheaper brands really does keep the costs down. I hardly notice the cost on my shopping docket.
How do you keep wrapping and food storage costs down?
Have a great week and BE ENCOURAGED!!!!!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?24-Take-up-the-challenge-!!!!
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
What Helps You Stay on Track
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2665-what-help-you-stay-on-track
What do You Use for Mulch?
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?2667-What-do-you-use-for-mulch
Freezer Habits Unmasked
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?1990-Freezer-habits-unmasked
Most popular blog posts this week
Saving Flavoured Oils
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2010/09/saving-flavoured-oils.html
How Being More Self-Sufficient Saves You Money
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2012/09/how-being-more-self-sufficient-saves.html
The Four Most Common Ways to Dry Foods
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2013/02/the-four-most-common-ways-to-dry-foods.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 Mumof2.
Really Getting Back Into It
Well with my time away from cheapskates I have to say that I still did a lot of cheapskating. I still make my soap powder and miracle spray, I still kept up my budget but I know I could have done a lot better...a lot better but with my health issues (I have CFS & fibro) and also two stays in hospital it took its toll and I went off track.
Now that I am back I am tweaking my budget. I cleaned out the pantry so we know what we have and got rid of the out of date stuff....my hubby does the shopping and cooking so that is a hard area. Although he is an amazing cook he spends a lot of money and he does well with it but we can do a lot better. He is slow to make changes but he has been cheapskating on doing a lot of things to his boat and around the house so will work on the food at a later date...all bills are up to date but my PoM and savings are dismal right now...although in saying that my PoM(where I put my bill money) has been up to date all year and we only have one bill left to pay out of it which we have the money for...but it's all a work in progress
I know with the support here I can get back on track and stay on track like I use to be...wish me luck.
Login to read more Cheapskates Club member blogs
10. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Meryll who wrote
"My husband can't live without his diet cola drink. Is there any cheaper way to get it, are the soda makers cheaper? Does it taste OK?"
Sarah answered
Hello, I have two teenage children who would love to have a never-ending supply of soft drink available in the house. I would limit the purchase of soft drinks to weekends only to find that they had all been finished by kids in record time. To stop this happening (and to save myself a fortune) I bought a soda stream - what a success! After the novelty of being able to make your own drinks had worn off the kids now only make one bottle each per weekend and make it last and we only use half the amount of syrup stated and also use diet cordial or juice as flavourings. With a bottle of syrup about $5 and lasting us months and the gas refill only $19 it is much more economical and healthy.
Contributed by Sara
Elisabeth answered
We purchased a soda stream and extra bottles. A replacement gas bottle is $20 which makes around 60 litres. If I want to flavour the soda water just add a splash of cordial to your glass. Great investment, saved money and we stopped drinking soft drinks.
Ask Your Question
11. This Week's Question
Maggi writes
"Anyone have any suggestions for a cheese substitute as I have someone who is allergic."
Do you have the answer?
If you have a suggestion or idea for Maggi 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.
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.
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
info@cheapskates.com.au