Your Cheapskates Club Newsletter 44:18
In this Newsletter
1. Cath's Corner
2. In the Tip Store - Protecting the Christmas Table; Line the Freezer to Keep it Tidy; Easily Wrap Big Gifts
3. Share Your Tips -
4. On the Menu - Simple Salad Dressings
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - Non Food Stockpiles
6. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
7. Own Your Christmas Challenge - Week 5 Tasks and Tips
8. This Week's Question -
9. Ask Cath
10. Join the Cheapskates Club
11. Frequently Asked Questions
12. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
The news last week was grim, and I think for many, terrifying. Stockmarkets around the world were crashing, suffering huge losses. As I watched the news, I just kept thinking "we're OK, we're Cheapskates". I could think that because we live the Cheapskates way - debt free, cashed up and yes, on Thursday evening, I was laughing. Of course we haven't always been so smart, it took a disaster to change not just the way we live but our attitude to the way we live.
I used shopping as an entertainment, just like most of the people we knew did. It was nothing for me to go shopping three, even four days a week and each time I went out I'd spend money. I may not always buy something expensive but I always bought something. It may have just been morning tea but it all added up to a whole lot of money that could have been used to build an emergency fund (which we really, really could have used). Instead it was frittered away on nothing.
I had to learn how to spend less. This is a step that many people have to confront in order to become a Cheapskate. Many people find this tough since they haven’t had to do anything about this. Learning to spend less is difficult until you have too. Unless you put pencil to paper and are determined to make this a goal you will struggle. Without determination and a goal to strive for, this won’t work. Make up your mind you are going to spend less and it just happens.
You may only not spend a dollar or two at first, but you've started. The longer you play the game the easier it becomes, until one day you realise that you have all the things you need and most, if not all, of the things you want and you are spending less than ever before.
If you really want to spend less, I suggest you sit down and take a look at where your money has been going. Write down everything you have spent your money on, from fast food restaurants to clothes shopping to grocery shopping to parking meters. This is tracking your spending.
Some people find it handy to get a small notebook that they can carry in their purse or pocket and write down every transaction they make (I do), others use aps on their phones. Make sure you write the date at the beginning of each new day and it is helpful to write which day of the week it is to be able to figure out why you are doing what you are doing. Be sure to write down the bills you pay and whether or not you paid for it in person or online.
The reason for writing it all down is to find out where the money is going. Once you find out how many times a week you are actually eating lunch out and how many cups of coffee you are consuming each day, just how much your chocolate addiction is costing you and what you are really paying for parking you’ll quickly figure out where you can cut expenses. Track your spending for at least a month, it gives you a good record of your spending habits before the end of the year.
Once you’ve written all these details down, take a look at what you’re buying. Total up how much you spent on everything. No matter how much you think you spend on "nothing", It will be surprising exactly how much money is spent on non-essential things. This isn’t a tactic to destroy your spirits, but instead an eye-opener to begin a plan of action to figure out ways to spend less in 2019.
You can choose what changes to make to your spending. It may be as simple as switching to a cash budget or perhaps you'll give yourself a cash allowance each week to spend as you wish and once it's gone, that's it until the next week.
As a Cheapskate you have a choice. You can choose to ditch the things that aren't important to you, so you have the cash to enjoy the things that are. Or not, and continue on the debt treadmill.
You can choose to spend your money on things that aren't really that important to you or you can choose to skip them and spend it on the things that are.
I choose to live the Cheapskates way, how about you?
Have a great week everyone,
Happy Cheapskating,
Cath
PS: Love our site? We love referrals! Send a note to your favourite newspapers, magazines, radio stations, TV stations, friends and relatives, and tell them about us!
2. From The Tip Store
Protecting the Christmas Table
Each year for Christmas I use my best table linens. I protect the linens from stains with a clear plastic sheet that is the same size approximately as the linens, that way things like beetroot juice, wine stains or food stains are a simple as wiping away with a damp cloth. Any clean plastic sheeting will be perfect and it can be held with bull dog clips for outdoor use.
Contributed by Laurian Whyte
Line the Freezer to Keep it Tidy
Save large pieces of bubble wrap to line the bottom of your chest freezer. Frozen goods do not stick to bottom of freezer. This enables you to turn and shift things around with ease.
Contributed by Irene
Easily Wrap Big Gifts
A cheaper alternative to wrapping very large presents is to buy a plastic tablecloth from a $2 shop. Cut it to size to easily and neatly wrap the gift. The tablecloths are cheaper than the big gift bags and easier to store with your wrapping supplies. Choose a plain colour or look for the patterns to suit the occasion i.e. Christmas designs for Christmas presents, balloons for birthdays etc.
There are currently more than 12,000 great tips in the Tip Store
3. 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
4. On the Menu
Simple Salad Dressings
Salad season is almost here. I love salads and we eat them all year round with different dressings. A good salad dressing can turn plain old iceberg lettuce, cucumber and onion into something sensational. They also make a great spread on sandwiches instead of butter and can be stirred through cooked pasta for a quick lunch or easy dinner with a difference.
Hard Boiled Egg Mayonnaise
Ingredients:
1 cup plain yoghurt
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp prepared mustard
1 hard-boiled egg
1/4 tsp celery seed
1/2 tsp salt
Method:
Put all ingredients in food processor or blender and pulse until well blended and smooth. If you prefer, you can also just chop the boiled egg very small and blend ingredients together with a fork or whisk. Keep refrigerated in jar with tight lid. Be sure to chill thoroughly before you use.
Old Fashioned Mayonnaise
Ingredients:
2 egg yolks
1 tsp salt
1 tsp dry mustard
2 cups vegetable oil
1 to 2 tbsp white vinegar
Method:
Whisk egg yolks, salt and mustard in a large bowl until light and frothy. Put one drop of oil in bowl and whisk vigorously, then put in another drop and whisk vigorously again. Keep adding oil one drop at a time, whisking all the time, until mixture thickens. It is important to just add a drop of oil at a time at this stage. Once the mixture has thickened continue drizzling in the oil at a slow stream, whisking continuously, until oil is all incorporated and mixture is emulsified. Whisk in the vinegar now until blended well; start with 1 tablespoon and add more if needed to get the consistency you want. Pour into a tightly sealed sterilized jar and store in refrigerator until needed. This mayonnaise will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator.
Yogurt Coleslaw Dressing
Ingredients:
1/3 cup low-fat mayonnaise
1/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt
2 tbsp cider vinegar
2 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp Tabasco sauce
Method:
In a medium bowl, whisk together all the ingredients until nice and smooth. Store in jar with tight lid and refrigerate until needed. This dressing will keep in the refrigerator for at least one week. You'll need to shake it up before using each time.
Amy's Vinaigrette
Ingredients:
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup spicy mustard
1/4 cup dry white wine
1/2 tbsp paprika
1/2 tbsp Tabasco sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1/8 tsp cayenne
2 cups olive oil
Method:
In large bowl, whisk together the first 8 ingredients until well blended. While whisking vigorously, drizzle in oil, continuing to whisk until mixture is smooth and emulsified. Poor into tightly sealed glass jars and refrigerate until needed. Keep refrigerated and use as salad dressing or marinade. This dressing keeps for up to two months in the fridge.
Do you have a favourite salad dressing recipe? Share it with us here, we can't wait to try it.
This week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Chicken
Monday: Bean & Vegetable Hot Pot
Tuesday: Mexican Lasagne, tossed salad
Wednesday: Oven Baked Apricot Chicken, vegetables
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Kranksy, hot potato salad
Saturday: Toasted sandwiches, tomato soup
In the fruit bowl: bananas, oranges
In the cake tin: Lunchbox Cookies
There are over 1,600 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File.
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge
Non-Food Stockpiles
Not everything in my stockpile is food related, although food was the reason I started stockpiling.
I stockpile toiletries, cleaning products, garden needs, gifts, clothes and lots of other things to save money, save time when shopping and to ensure that if disaster strikes again we will be able to eat and stay clean, keep the house clean, the garden growing and celebrate, amongst other things.
Right now in my non-food pantry stockpile you'll find:
Oven bags
Freezer bags
Foil
Clingwrap
Vacuum bags (for the Foodsaver, not the vacuum cleaner!)
Baking paper
Patty pans of various sizes
Freezer paper
Paper bags
Foil trays
Serviettes
Plastic tablecloths
In the cleaning stockpile you'll find:
Laundry soap
Borax
Washing Soda
Bicarbonate Soda
Citric Acid
Eucalyptus oil
Lavender oil
Ti Tree oil
Salt
Ocedar furniture oil
White vinegar
Dishwashing detergent
Dishwasher powder
Scrub buds
Matches
Spare gas lighters (2)
Bug spray
In the toiletries stockpile:
Toothpaste
Toothebrushes
Toothbrush heads (for the electric toothbrushes)
Mouthwash
Dental floss
Shampoo
Conditioner
Hair spray
Deodorant
Moisturiser
BB cream
Mascara
Lipstick
Lip balm
Razors
Shaving cream
Bodywash
Soap
Dove bars
Body cream
Handcream
Sunscreen
In the first aid stockpile:
Bandaids of various shapes and sizes
Burn cream
Burn dressings
Betadine gargle
Betadine
Dettol
Antiseptic cream
Antiseptic wipes
Peroxide
Bandages
Elastic bandages
Paracetamol
Ibuprofen
Zyrtec
Immodium
Saline
Eye bath
Water purification tablets
In the garden stockpile you'll find:
Lots of different types of seeds
Icy pole sticks to use as plant markers
Twine
Torn sheets to use as ties
Brass hose fittings (2 spare sets)
In the clothing stockpile (these days I only stockpile for Wayne and myself) you'll see:
Socks
Underwear
T-shirts
Long sleeved t-shirts
PJs
Nighties
Track pants (for Wayne)
Slippers
Gloves
Beanies
Scarves
Spencers
Warm winter jackets (bought at Aldi on half-price clearance - $9.95 each!)
In the gift stockpile you'll find:
Wrapping paper
Gift bags (new)
Gift bags (recycled)
Cards & envelopes (birthday, thank you, thinking of you etc.)
Gift cards & envelopes
Gift tags
Sticky tape
Double-sided tape
Ribbons
Bows
Curling Ribbon
And lots of things for presents, but because the recipients read my blog, I'm not listing them!
As you can see by my lists, stockpiles aren't just for food, they can be for anything you use.
Everything is bought on sale, just like the grocery stockpile. I keep an eye open for specials on all these things through the year, buying them as they come up.
And like the grocery stockpile, I try to keep a 12 month supply on hand.
What non-food items do you stockpile?
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
The Post that Started it All
6. Cheapskates Buzz
From the Article Archive
Feed Your Family for $80 a Week
The Just in Case Picnic Basket
That Four Letter Word "Free"
Most popular forum posts this week
Christmas Goodies
What Did You do Today that Saved You Money?
Cheapskates Way to Christmas 2018
Most popular blog posts this week
31 Days of MOO No. 25 - Monte Carlos
Stamp Your Style
Easy Wrapping with Oven Bags
7. Own Your Christmas Challenge
Week 5 Tasks and Tips
We're on the home stretch now and going by your emails, it's going to be a debt free Christmas 2018 for everyone who has joined the Own Your Christmas challenge! I'm so excited!
I'm loving the way you're making the challenge your own. Anne-Marie wrote that she doesn't send Christmas cards in the post, but she's designed a Christmas email and scheduled it to go out on 1st December instead. She took the time to personalise it for everyone on her card list, just as she would a physical card, and she's using the money she would normally spend on cards and postage to boost her 2019 school fee account, so she can pay a year in advance and get a 10% discount on fees. I love that thinking.
This week's tasks are:
Advent Calendar - if you are going to make one, start this week so it is ready to start on the 1st December. If you normally buy Advent Calendars, get them this week. If they have chocolates in them store them in a cool cupboard, ready to start on 1st December.
Task 1. Write up a shopping list of ingredients you need. Make a list of extra groceries (chips, soft drinks etc).
Task 2 Divide your ingredients shopping list into 4, having 3 lists of non-perishables and one list of perishables. Add the first of the non-perishables to your shopping this week. Order your Christmas ham, turkey, duck etc from the butcher or deli now so you'll be sure to have them in time for Christmas.
Task 3 Write up this week's Christmas cards.
Task 4 Buy, wrap and label the third lot of gifts
Task 5 Continue working on handmade gifts, wrapping and labelling as you finish them.
It's not too late to join the Own Your Christmas Challenge, there's plenty of time left for you to get organised before the big day.
Get all the tip sheets, planners and tips for owing your Christmas here.
8. This Week's Question
Q. I like to buy rice and flour in bulk, but recently my husband spotted some small, silvery weevilly moth-type things reproducing in the top of the packs (and promptly threw out $30 worth of groceries!) What's the best way to prevent these flying bugs? Sarah
A. Weevils and pantry moths are often in dry goods when you buy them.
Freezing all dry goods (rice, flour, pasta etc) for at least 72 hours will kill the eggs and stop them hatching, thus breaking the breeding cycle. Weevils will even infest rock salt so don't think anything is safe. Even sealed packets and jars can contain weevils.
If you already have weevils you will need to dispose of any infected foodstuffs. I know it's a waste but if you don't they will just keep breeding. Then wash all the containers thoroughly in hot, soapy water and dry completely. Wipe over all the shelves, walls, floor, skirting boards, behind doors, even the ceiling and light fitting if you have one, in the pantry.
Then to keep the moths away (and stop them laying eggs which hatch to become weevils) place bay leaves every 30cm or so along the shelves and hang a small bunch behind the door.
Always wash and dry canisters before re-filling.
It sounds like a lot of work, but it will save you a fortune in ruined food. - Cath
9. Ask Cath
We have lots of resources to help you as you live the Cheapskates way but if you didn't find the answer to your question in our extensive archives please just drop me a note with your question.
I read and answer all questions, either in an email to you, in my weekly newsletter, the monthly Journal or by creating blog posts and other resources to help you (and other Cheapskaters).
Ask Your Question
10. Join the Cheapskates Club
For just $25 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!
11. 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.
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
12. Contact Details
The Cheapskates Club -
Showing you how to live life
debt free, cashed up and laughing!
Contact Cheapskates
1. Cath's Corner
2. In the Tip Store - Protecting the Christmas Table; Line the Freezer to Keep it Tidy; Easily Wrap Big Gifts
3. Share Your Tips -
4. On the Menu - Simple Salad Dressings
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - Non Food Stockpiles
6. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
7. Own Your Christmas Challenge - Week 5 Tasks and Tips
8. This Week's Question -
9. Ask Cath
10. Join the Cheapskates Club
11. Frequently Asked Questions
12. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
The news last week was grim, and I think for many, terrifying. Stockmarkets around the world were crashing, suffering huge losses. As I watched the news, I just kept thinking "we're OK, we're Cheapskates". I could think that because we live the Cheapskates way - debt free, cashed up and yes, on Thursday evening, I was laughing. Of course we haven't always been so smart, it took a disaster to change not just the way we live but our attitude to the way we live.
I used shopping as an entertainment, just like most of the people we knew did. It was nothing for me to go shopping three, even four days a week and each time I went out I'd spend money. I may not always buy something expensive but I always bought something. It may have just been morning tea but it all added up to a whole lot of money that could have been used to build an emergency fund (which we really, really could have used). Instead it was frittered away on nothing.
I had to learn how to spend less. This is a step that many people have to confront in order to become a Cheapskate. Many people find this tough since they haven’t had to do anything about this. Learning to spend less is difficult until you have too. Unless you put pencil to paper and are determined to make this a goal you will struggle. Without determination and a goal to strive for, this won’t work. Make up your mind you are going to spend less and it just happens.
You may only not spend a dollar or two at first, but you've started. The longer you play the game the easier it becomes, until one day you realise that you have all the things you need and most, if not all, of the things you want and you are spending less than ever before.
If you really want to spend less, I suggest you sit down and take a look at where your money has been going. Write down everything you have spent your money on, from fast food restaurants to clothes shopping to grocery shopping to parking meters. This is tracking your spending.
Some people find it handy to get a small notebook that they can carry in their purse or pocket and write down every transaction they make (I do), others use aps on their phones. Make sure you write the date at the beginning of each new day and it is helpful to write which day of the week it is to be able to figure out why you are doing what you are doing. Be sure to write down the bills you pay and whether or not you paid for it in person or online.
The reason for writing it all down is to find out where the money is going. Once you find out how many times a week you are actually eating lunch out and how many cups of coffee you are consuming each day, just how much your chocolate addiction is costing you and what you are really paying for parking you’ll quickly figure out where you can cut expenses. Track your spending for at least a month, it gives you a good record of your spending habits before the end of the year.
Once you’ve written all these details down, take a look at what you’re buying. Total up how much you spent on everything. No matter how much you think you spend on "nothing", It will be surprising exactly how much money is spent on non-essential things. This isn’t a tactic to destroy your spirits, but instead an eye-opener to begin a plan of action to figure out ways to spend less in 2019.
You can choose what changes to make to your spending. It may be as simple as switching to a cash budget or perhaps you'll give yourself a cash allowance each week to spend as you wish and once it's gone, that's it until the next week.
As a Cheapskate you have a choice. You can choose to ditch the things that aren't important to you, so you have the cash to enjoy the things that are. Or not, and continue on the debt treadmill.
You can choose to spend your money on things that aren't really that important to you or you can choose to skip them and spend it on the things that are.
I choose to live the Cheapskates way, how about you?
Have a great week everyone,
Happy Cheapskating,
Cath
PS: Love our site? We love referrals! Send a note to your favourite newspapers, magazines, radio stations, TV stations, friends and relatives, and tell them about us!
2. From The Tip Store
Protecting the Christmas Table
Each year for Christmas I use my best table linens. I protect the linens from stains with a clear plastic sheet that is the same size approximately as the linens, that way things like beetroot juice, wine stains or food stains are a simple as wiping away with a damp cloth. Any clean plastic sheeting will be perfect and it can be held with bull dog clips for outdoor use.
Contributed by Laurian Whyte
Line the Freezer to Keep it Tidy
Save large pieces of bubble wrap to line the bottom of your chest freezer. Frozen goods do not stick to bottom of freezer. This enables you to turn and shift things around with ease.
Contributed by Irene
Easily Wrap Big Gifts
A cheaper alternative to wrapping very large presents is to buy a plastic tablecloth from a $2 shop. Cut it to size to easily and neatly wrap the gift. The tablecloths are cheaper than the big gift bags and easier to store with your wrapping supplies. Choose a plain colour or look for the patterns to suit the occasion i.e. Christmas designs for Christmas presents, balloons for birthdays etc.
There are currently more than 12,000 great tips in the Tip Store
3. 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
4. On the Menu
Simple Salad Dressings
Salad season is almost here. I love salads and we eat them all year round with different dressings. A good salad dressing can turn plain old iceberg lettuce, cucumber and onion into something sensational. They also make a great spread on sandwiches instead of butter and can be stirred through cooked pasta for a quick lunch or easy dinner with a difference.
Hard Boiled Egg Mayonnaise
Ingredients:
1 cup plain yoghurt
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp prepared mustard
1 hard-boiled egg
1/4 tsp celery seed
1/2 tsp salt
Method:
Put all ingredients in food processor or blender and pulse until well blended and smooth. If you prefer, you can also just chop the boiled egg very small and blend ingredients together with a fork or whisk. Keep refrigerated in jar with tight lid. Be sure to chill thoroughly before you use.
Old Fashioned Mayonnaise
Ingredients:
2 egg yolks
1 tsp salt
1 tsp dry mustard
2 cups vegetable oil
1 to 2 tbsp white vinegar
Method:
Whisk egg yolks, salt and mustard in a large bowl until light and frothy. Put one drop of oil in bowl and whisk vigorously, then put in another drop and whisk vigorously again. Keep adding oil one drop at a time, whisking all the time, until mixture thickens. It is important to just add a drop of oil at a time at this stage. Once the mixture has thickened continue drizzling in the oil at a slow stream, whisking continuously, until oil is all incorporated and mixture is emulsified. Whisk in the vinegar now until blended well; start with 1 tablespoon and add more if needed to get the consistency you want. Pour into a tightly sealed sterilized jar and store in refrigerator until needed. This mayonnaise will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator.
Yogurt Coleslaw Dressing
Ingredients:
1/3 cup low-fat mayonnaise
1/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt
2 tbsp cider vinegar
2 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp Tabasco sauce
Method:
In a medium bowl, whisk together all the ingredients until nice and smooth. Store in jar with tight lid and refrigerate until needed. This dressing will keep in the refrigerator for at least one week. You'll need to shake it up before using each time.
Amy's Vinaigrette
Ingredients:
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup spicy mustard
1/4 cup dry white wine
1/2 tbsp paprika
1/2 tbsp Tabasco sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1/8 tsp cayenne
2 cups olive oil
Method:
In large bowl, whisk together the first 8 ingredients until well blended. While whisking vigorously, drizzle in oil, continuing to whisk until mixture is smooth and emulsified. Poor into tightly sealed glass jars and refrigerate until needed. Keep refrigerated and use as salad dressing or marinade. This dressing keeps for up to two months in the fridge.
Do you have a favourite salad dressing recipe? Share it with us here, we can't wait to try it.
This week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Chicken
Monday: Bean & Vegetable Hot Pot
Tuesday: Mexican Lasagne, tossed salad
Wednesday: Oven Baked Apricot Chicken, vegetables
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Kranksy, hot potato salad
Saturday: Toasted sandwiches, tomato soup
In the fruit bowl: bananas, oranges
In the cake tin: Lunchbox Cookies
There are over 1,600 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File.
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge
Non-Food Stockpiles
Not everything in my stockpile is food related, although food was the reason I started stockpiling.
I stockpile toiletries, cleaning products, garden needs, gifts, clothes and lots of other things to save money, save time when shopping and to ensure that if disaster strikes again we will be able to eat and stay clean, keep the house clean, the garden growing and celebrate, amongst other things.
Right now in my non-food pantry stockpile you'll find:
Oven bags
Freezer bags
Foil
Clingwrap
Vacuum bags (for the Foodsaver, not the vacuum cleaner!)
Baking paper
Patty pans of various sizes
Freezer paper
Paper bags
Foil trays
Serviettes
Plastic tablecloths
In the cleaning stockpile you'll find:
Laundry soap
Borax
Washing Soda
Bicarbonate Soda
Citric Acid
Eucalyptus oil
Lavender oil
Ti Tree oil
Salt
Ocedar furniture oil
White vinegar
Dishwashing detergent
Dishwasher powder
Scrub buds
Matches
Spare gas lighters (2)
Bug spray
In the toiletries stockpile:
Toothpaste
Toothebrushes
Toothbrush heads (for the electric toothbrushes)
Mouthwash
Dental floss
Shampoo
Conditioner
Hair spray
Deodorant
Moisturiser
BB cream
Mascara
Lipstick
Lip balm
Razors
Shaving cream
Bodywash
Soap
Dove bars
Body cream
Handcream
Sunscreen
In the first aid stockpile:
Bandaids of various shapes and sizes
Burn cream
Burn dressings
Betadine gargle
Betadine
Dettol
Antiseptic cream
Antiseptic wipes
Peroxide
Bandages
Elastic bandages
Paracetamol
Ibuprofen
Zyrtec
Immodium
Saline
Eye bath
Water purification tablets
In the garden stockpile you'll find:
Lots of different types of seeds
Icy pole sticks to use as plant markers
Twine
Torn sheets to use as ties
Brass hose fittings (2 spare sets)
In the clothing stockpile (these days I only stockpile for Wayne and myself) you'll see:
Socks
Underwear
T-shirts
Long sleeved t-shirts
PJs
Nighties
Track pants (for Wayne)
Slippers
Gloves
Beanies
Scarves
Spencers
Warm winter jackets (bought at Aldi on half-price clearance - $9.95 each!)
In the gift stockpile you'll find:
Wrapping paper
Gift bags (new)
Gift bags (recycled)
Cards & envelopes (birthday, thank you, thinking of you etc.)
Gift cards & envelopes
Gift tags
Sticky tape
Double-sided tape
Ribbons
Bows
Curling Ribbon
And lots of things for presents, but because the recipients read my blog, I'm not listing them!
As you can see by my lists, stockpiles aren't just for food, they can be for anything you use.
Everything is bought on sale, just like the grocery stockpile. I keep an eye open for specials on all these things through the year, buying them as they come up.
And like the grocery stockpile, I try to keep a 12 month supply on hand.
What non-food items do you stockpile?
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
The Post that Started it All
6. Cheapskates Buzz
From the Article Archive
Feed Your Family for $80 a Week
The Just in Case Picnic Basket
That Four Letter Word "Free"
Most popular forum posts this week
Christmas Goodies
What Did You do Today that Saved You Money?
Cheapskates Way to Christmas 2018
Most popular blog posts this week
31 Days of MOO No. 25 - Monte Carlos
Stamp Your Style
Easy Wrapping with Oven Bags
7. Own Your Christmas Challenge
Week 5 Tasks and Tips
We're on the home stretch now and going by your emails, it's going to be a debt free Christmas 2018 for everyone who has joined the Own Your Christmas challenge! I'm so excited!
I'm loving the way you're making the challenge your own. Anne-Marie wrote that she doesn't send Christmas cards in the post, but she's designed a Christmas email and scheduled it to go out on 1st December instead. She took the time to personalise it for everyone on her card list, just as she would a physical card, and she's using the money she would normally spend on cards and postage to boost her 2019 school fee account, so she can pay a year in advance and get a 10% discount on fees. I love that thinking.
This week's tasks are:
Advent Calendar - if you are going to make one, start this week so it is ready to start on the 1st December. If you normally buy Advent Calendars, get them this week. If they have chocolates in them store them in a cool cupboard, ready to start on 1st December.
Task 1. Write up a shopping list of ingredients you need. Make a list of extra groceries (chips, soft drinks etc).
Task 2 Divide your ingredients shopping list into 4, having 3 lists of non-perishables and one list of perishables. Add the first of the non-perishables to your shopping this week. Order your Christmas ham, turkey, duck etc from the butcher or deli now so you'll be sure to have them in time for Christmas.
Task 3 Write up this week's Christmas cards.
Task 4 Buy, wrap and label the third lot of gifts
Task 5 Continue working on handmade gifts, wrapping and labelling as you finish them.
It's not too late to join the Own Your Christmas Challenge, there's plenty of time left for you to get organised before the big day.
Get all the tip sheets, planners and tips for owing your Christmas here.
8. This Week's Question
Q. I like to buy rice and flour in bulk, but recently my husband spotted some small, silvery weevilly moth-type things reproducing in the top of the packs (and promptly threw out $30 worth of groceries!) What's the best way to prevent these flying bugs? Sarah
A. Weevils and pantry moths are often in dry goods when you buy them.
Freezing all dry goods (rice, flour, pasta etc) for at least 72 hours will kill the eggs and stop them hatching, thus breaking the breeding cycle. Weevils will even infest rock salt so don't think anything is safe. Even sealed packets and jars can contain weevils.
If you already have weevils you will need to dispose of any infected foodstuffs. I know it's a waste but if you don't they will just keep breeding. Then wash all the containers thoroughly in hot, soapy water and dry completely. Wipe over all the shelves, walls, floor, skirting boards, behind doors, even the ceiling and light fitting if you have one, in the pantry.
Then to keep the moths away (and stop them laying eggs which hatch to become weevils) place bay leaves every 30cm or so along the shelves and hang a small bunch behind the door.
Always wash and dry canisters before re-filling.
It sounds like a lot of work, but it will save you a fortune in ruined food. - Cath
9. Ask Cath
We have lots of resources to help you as you live the Cheapskates way but if you didn't find the answer to your question in our extensive archives please just drop me a note with your question.
I read and answer all questions, either in an email to you, in my weekly newsletter, the monthly Journal or by creating blog posts and other resources to help you (and other Cheapskaters).
Ask Your Question
10. Join the Cheapskates Club
For just $25 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!
11. 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.
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
12. Contact Details
The Cheapskates Club -
Showing you how to live life
debt free, cashed up and laughing!
Contact Cheapskates