Your Cheapskates Club Newsletter 44:19
In This Newsletter
1. Cath's Corner
2. From the Tip Store - Mend a Hem with Gladwrap; Chillies for Free; Birthday Favours with Love
3. Share Your Tips
4. Own Your Christmas Challenge Week 5
5. The Living the Cheapskates Way Budget & Lifestyle Planner 2020
6. On the Menu - Summer Breakfasts
7. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - Shopping the Mark Downs
8. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
9. The Cheapskates Club Show
10. Last Week's Question - How can I shift bees without hurting them?
11. Ask A Question - Have a question? Ask it here
12. Join the Cheapskates Club
13. Frequently Asked Questions
14. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,Things seem to have settled down here. After the last few weeks of non-stop everything it's lovely to be back to a normal routine, with the same old, same old day-to-day chores. I know it's only temporary, I've just checked my planner and from next week until after Christmas is packed full of things to do, places to go, people to visit and chores to get done.
Oh well, I think we are all pretty much in the same boat towards the end of the year. I've gone back and blacked out a few spots here and there. These will be my "recuperate" spots. Time when I can just sit, or read, or wander in the garden or sew or knit or even sleep. Time when I don't need to answer to anyone; time just for me.
It's important to remember to take care of yourself when life gets busy. Don't feel guilty for taking 10 minutes here and there for yourself. If you don't take care of yourself, you won't be able to take care of anyone else. So make sure you have you time; it's not selfish or self-indulgent. It's vital.
Have a great (even if it's busy) week everyone.
Happy Cheapskating,
Cath
2. From The Tip Store
Mend a Hem with Gladwrap
Gladwrap is very versatile; not only will it cover school books but it can be used to repair hems, and be used to act as stiffening for collars etc. Simply place your material on ironing board, then cut a strip of gladwrap to width of your hem including the folded part. Then with a layer of baking paper to protect the material from scorching, place a hot DRY iron on the material and press firmly until the hem has been formed. This method can also be used in the normal sewing situation where you set a hem and then stitch to make it permanent, no pins required.
Contributed by Penny Hughes
Chillies for Free
I started keeping a small bowl on my kitchen counter and added a few chilly seeds whenever I cut them for recipes. These dried in their own time and it became a collection of different types of chilli seeds. I plant them in a pot a few at a time, and then get chilly plants whenever I want them. With water, chook run soil, and sunshine I get a good continuous supply of chillies. I am no green thumb but the plants seem quite resilient. I freeze the chilies when picked and use them throughout the year when the chilly plants are not producing.
Contributed by Nova Deacs
Birthday Favours with Love
It's my daughters 23rd birthday in two days' time. I'm sitting here thinking "what do we buy for her"? Being retired and having six children and six grandchildren so far, it becomes extremely expensive come birthdays, Christmas etc. Then an idea came to me - she doesn't own an iron, let alone have time to iron since looking after a 2 year old and 1 year old twins, and starting TAFE 3 days a week. So our birthday present to her is " 4 weeks of ironing" and "dinner cooked for her family once a week for a month". I'm sure this present will be really appreciated. I'll make a heart shaped card, with " Birthday Favours with Love" on the front. I'm just waiting now because I think this might catch on with the rest of the family.
Contributed by Lawrie
Editor's note: This idea is so versatile, Lawrie is right, it could catch on. It could be "Christmas favours" or "New Baby" favours, "House warming favours" or even "Just Married" favours. Actually any gift giving situation you can think of. Cath.
Add a Tip
3. Share Your Tips
The Cheapskate's Club website is thousands of pages of money saving hints, tips and ideas. There are over 12,000 tips to save you money, time and energy; 1,700 budget and family friendly recipes, hundreds of printable tip sheets and ebooks.
Let's get together and make the Cheapskates Club Australia's largest online hint, tip and idea library. Share your favourite money saving, time saving or energy saving hint and be in the running to win a one-year membership to The Cheapskate Club.
Share your favourite hint or tip that saves money, time and energy and be in the running to win a one-year subscription to The Cheapskate Journal.
Remember, you have to be in it to win it!
Share Your Tip
4. Own Your Christmas Challenge Week 5
Have you made your Advent calendar? When our kids were small they loved their Advent calendars. We saved opening a window or putting on a sticker until after tea each night, when we'd read a Christmas bedtime story. And you know what - they're 27, 26 and 23 and still like their Advent calendars!
As you started your meal planning and shopping list this week there are a couple of things to remember.
1. Christmas dinner is just one meal on one day of the year. Make it special, but don't go crazy and spend a month's grocery money on it.
2. Delegate, delegate, delegate. If you are hosting a party or dinner this festive season, delegate some of the catering and the work. No one minds helping out, and it makes the party more enjoyable for you. At the very least make the drinks BYO to keep the cost down.
3. Set up a baking schedule. Sounds rather strict, but just make a note of when you're going to bake and what you plan to cook. Saves time on the day and ensures you get all your baking done. Don't try and do it all on one day, you'll be exhausted and stressed and that's no fun.
Have a lovely week everyone, next week we start to look at decorating.
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.
The tasks are outlined here in greater detail
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. The Living The Cheapskates Way Budget & Lifestyle Planner 2020
1. Cath's Corner
2. From the Tip Store - Mend a Hem with Gladwrap; Chillies for Free; Birthday Favours with Love
3. Share Your Tips
4. Own Your Christmas Challenge Week 5
5. The Living the Cheapskates Way Budget & Lifestyle Planner 2020
6. On the Menu - Summer Breakfasts
7. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - Shopping the Mark Downs
8. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
9. The Cheapskates Club Show
10. Last Week's Question - How can I shift bees without hurting them?
11. Ask A Question - Have a question? Ask it here
12. Join the Cheapskates Club
13. Frequently Asked Questions
14. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,Things seem to have settled down here. After the last few weeks of non-stop everything it's lovely to be back to a normal routine, with the same old, same old day-to-day chores. I know it's only temporary, I've just checked my planner and from next week until after Christmas is packed full of things to do, places to go, people to visit and chores to get done.
Oh well, I think we are all pretty much in the same boat towards the end of the year. I've gone back and blacked out a few spots here and there. These will be my "recuperate" spots. Time when I can just sit, or read, or wander in the garden or sew or knit or even sleep. Time when I don't need to answer to anyone; time just for me.
It's important to remember to take care of yourself when life gets busy. Don't feel guilty for taking 10 minutes here and there for yourself. If you don't take care of yourself, you won't be able to take care of anyone else. So make sure you have you time; it's not selfish or self-indulgent. It's vital.
Have a great (even if it's busy) week everyone.
Happy Cheapskating,
Cath
2. From The Tip Store
Mend a Hem with Gladwrap
Gladwrap is very versatile; not only will it cover school books but it can be used to repair hems, and be used to act as stiffening for collars etc. Simply place your material on ironing board, then cut a strip of gladwrap to width of your hem including the folded part. Then with a layer of baking paper to protect the material from scorching, place a hot DRY iron on the material and press firmly until the hem has been formed. This method can also be used in the normal sewing situation where you set a hem and then stitch to make it permanent, no pins required.
Contributed by Penny Hughes
Chillies for Free
I started keeping a small bowl on my kitchen counter and added a few chilly seeds whenever I cut them for recipes. These dried in their own time and it became a collection of different types of chilli seeds. I plant them in a pot a few at a time, and then get chilly plants whenever I want them. With water, chook run soil, and sunshine I get a good continuous supply of chillies. I am no green thumb but the plants seem quite resilient. I freeze the chilies when picked and use them throughout the year when the chilly plants are not producing.
Contributed by Nova Deacs
Birthday Favours with Love
It's my daughters 23rd birthday in two days' time. I'm sitting here thinking "what do we buy for her"? Being retired and having six children and six grandchildren so far, it becomes extremely expensive come birthdays, Christmas etc. Then an idea came to me - she doesn't own an iron, let alone have time to iron since looking after a 2 year old and 1 year old twins, and starting TAFE 3 days a week. So our birthday present to her is " 4 weeks of ironing" and "dinner cooked for her family once a week for a month". I'm sure this present will be really appreciated. I'll make a heart shaped card, with " Birthday Favours with Love" on the front. I'm just waiting now because I think this might catch on with the rest of the family.
Contributed by Lawrie
Editor's note: This idea is so versatile, Lawrie is right, it could catch on. It could be "Christmas favours" or "New Baby" favours, "House warming favours" or even "Just Married" favours. Actually any gift giving situation you can think of. Cath.
Add a Tip
3. Share Your Tips
The Cheapskate's Club website is thousands of pages of money saving hints, tips and ideas. There are over 12,000 tips to save you money, time and energy; 1,700 budget and family friendly recipes, hundreds of printable tip sheets and ebooks.
Let's get together and make the Cheapskates Club Australia's largest online hint, tip and idea library. Share your favourite money saving, time saving or energy saving hint and be in the running to win a one-year membership to The Cheapskate Club.
Share your favourite hint or tip that saves money, time and energy and be in the running to win a one-year subscription to The Cheapskate Journal.
Remember, you have to be in it to win it!
Share Your Tip
4. Own Your Christmas Challenge Week 5
Have you made your Advent calendar? When our kids were small they loved their Advent calendars. We saved opening a window or putting on a sticker until after tea each night, when we'd read a Christmas bedtime story. And you know what - they're 27, 26 and 23 and still like their Advent calendars!
As you started your meal planning and shopping list this week there are a couple of things to remember.
1. Christmas dinner is just one meal on one day of the year. Make it special, but don't go crazy and spend a month's grocery money on it.
2. Delegate, delegate, delegate. If you are hosting a party or dinner this festive season, delegate some of the catering and the work. No one minds helping out, and it makes the party more enjoyable for you. At the very least make the drinks BYO to keep the cost down.
3. Set up a baking schedule. Sounds rather strict, but just make a note of when you're going to bake and what you plan to cook. Saves time on the day and ensures you get all your baking done. Don't try and do it all on one day, you'll be exhausted and stressed and that's no fun.
Have a lovely week everyone, next week we start to look at decorating.
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.
The tasks are outlined here in greater detail
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. The Living The Cheapskates Way Budget & Lifestyle Planner 2020
The last run of planners is selling quickly. We expect to receive them early December, and we'll be sending them out immediately (on a first ordered, first sent basis). So, it's not too late to order your 2020 Living the Cheapskates Way Budget and Lifestyle Planner.
Click here to find out more and order your 2020 Living the Cheapskates Way Budget and Lifestyle Planner.
6. On The Menu
Summer Breakfasts
This week the mornings have been warm. Well warmer anyway, which means we have all gone off porridge for breakfast. I my family to start the day with a good breakfast, something full of everything they need to get them to lunchtime.
Because we are all in a hurry in the mornings, breakfast has to be quick and easy . It also has to be jam packed full of nutrition, just don't tell my boys! I get round those obstacles by making muesli. We like it toasted, it doesn't have to be - this recipe is fine untoasted. We mix it up by adding either a little milk, or some yoghurt or orange or cranberry juice (if you haven't tried cranberry juice on your muesli do, it is amazing).
Toasted Muesli
Ingredients:
6 tablespoons coconut oil (or butter), melted
2 cups rolled oats (not quick oats)
2 cups shredded coconut
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups nuts - almonds, cashews, pecans, walnuts, roughly chopped
1/2 cup pepitas
1 cup sultanas
1/2 cup dried apricots, diced
1/2 cup dried mango, diced
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
Method:
Preheat oven to 120 degrees Celsius. Mix all ingredients in a bowl, spread evenly on baking paper on a biscuit sheet and bake for about 15-20 minutes, until golden, turning after 10 minutes. When golden remove and cool immediately to get it crispy. The darker the muesli is the crunchier it will be. If you like a very crunchy muesli leave it for 23 - 25 minutes.
I like this with just a little milk or juice, or yoghurt and berries if I have them. The strawberry patch is producing just enough berries for breakfast each day at the moment, so fresh picked strawberries are added to the bowl.
You can get coconut oil in the health food aisle of your supermarket, or at the health food shop. It is a good oil, and adds a lovely flavour to the muesli.
Next week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Lamb
Monday: BBQ, salad
Tuesday: Spag Bol, salad, garlic bread
Wednesday: Sweet lamb curry, rice
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Leftovers, bread
Saturday: Sausages in bread
In the fruit bowl: Mandarins (from our tree!)
In the cake tin: fruit cake, ANZAC slice, scones
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
7. The $300 A Month Food Challenge
Shopping the Mark Downs
I do a big grocery shop once a year. But when I call in to top up the milk each week, I try to time it to mark down time and always have a quick look to see if there's something on my list I can pick up earlier and save a little on.
My local IGA marks down produce on a Monday morning and a Thursday afternoon. Why? Because they get their fresh produce deliveries on Monday morning and Thursday afternoon and they need to clear out the older stock to make room for the new. They mark down meat every day around lunchtime before they re-stock the cabinets for the late afternoon shopping frenzy. Dairy products are marked down every day as they re-stock the cabinet. Bread and cakes are marked down after 3.30pm every afternoon.
My local Coles supermarket marks down meat around 3pm on a Sunday afternoon. I know if I pop in then I might be able to pick up some great bargains.
If I want rock bottom prices on fruit and vegetables I visit my local green grocer after 4pm on a Sunday. They need to clear out the perishable produce before they go to the market on Monday, so it's marked down, often by 50% or more, making shopping on a Sunday afternoon well worth the effort (and I'm not the only one who knows this - the carpark is always jam-packed and the store full of overflowing trolleys).
There are some excellent grocery bargains to be had when you shop the mark-downs. The trick is knowing when your local supermarket marks down. You can't guarantee that you'll be able to get everything on your shopping list, and you must be prepared to make a few substitutes, but if you like a bargain and want to get your grocery bill even lower, shopping the mark downs will definitely help.
These are the guidelines I use to help mark-down bargain grocery shopping. When I stick to these rules I know I'll always get a good deal.
1. Know the regular price of the item - use your price book!
2. Check to see if it’s on your shopping list. If it isn’t, is the item something you use regularly?
3. Will you be able to use it before the Best Before or Use By date?
4. If not, do you have the capability to freeze it, store it, dehydrate it, bottle it?
5. Will you be able to use it within a reasonable period of time? There’s no point in storing 15 cans of furniture polish if you only polish your furniture once a year!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
The Post that Started it All
8. Cheapskates Buzz
From The Article Archive
Spice House V Supermarket - Why Pay 900% More?
6 Ways to Save on Christmas Holiday Travel
How to Shop Monthly, Save Money and Love It!
This Week's Hot Forum Topics
Saving for 3 Months of Living Expenses Emergency Funds.
The Weekly MOO Challenge
Stockpiles
Most Popular Blog Posts This Week
It's Clean Out The Fridge Day
Microwave Strawberry Jam
Spaghetti & Meatballs
9. 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 Schedule
Tuesday: Around the Kitchen Table - join Cath and Hannah for a cuppa and a chat around the kitchen table as they talk about living the Cheapskates way.
Thursday: Cheapskates in the Kitchen - want to know how to cook delicious, healthy and cheap meals? Watch Cath and Hannah as they create cheapskates style cuisine and share their favourite recipes.
Latest Shows
Click here to find out more and order your 2020 Living the Cheapskates Way Budget and Lifestyle Planner.
6. On The Menu
Summer Breakfasts
This week the mornings have been warm. Well warmer anyway, which means we have all gone off porridge for breakfast. I my family to start the day with a good breakfast, something full of everything they need to get them to lunchtime.
Because we are all in a hurry in the mornings, breakfast has to be quick and easy . It also has to be jam packed full of nutrition, just don't tell my boys! I get round those obstacles by making muesli. We like it toasted, it doesn't have to be - this recipe is fine untoasted. We mix it up by adding either a little milk, or some yoghurt or orange or cranberry juice (if you haven't tried cranberry juice on your muesli do, it is amazing).
Toasted Muesli
Ingredients:
6 tablespoons coconut oil (or butter), melted
2 cups rolled oats (not quick oats)
2 cups shredded coconut
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups nuts - almonds, cashews, pecans, walnuts, roughly chopped
1/2 cup pepitas
1 cup sultanas
1/2 cup dried apricots, diced
1/2 cup dried mango, diced
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
Method:
Preheat oven to 120 degrees Celsius. Mix all ingredients in a bowl, spread evenly on baking paper on a biscuit sheet and bake for about 15-20 minutes, until golden, turning after 10 minutes. When golden remove and cool immediately to get it crispy. The darker the muesli is the crunchier it will be. If you like a very crunchy muesli leave it for 23 - 25 minutes.
I like this with just a little milk or juice, or yoghurt and berries if I have them. The strawberry patch is producing just enough berries for breakfast each day at the moment, so fresh picked strawberries are added to the bowl.
You can get coconut oil in the health food aisle of your supermarket, or at the health food shop. It is a good oil, and adds a lovely flavour to the muesli.
Next week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Lamb
Monday: BBQ, salad
Tuesday: Spag Bol, salad, garlic bread
Wednesday: Sweet lamb curry, rice
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Leftovers, bread
Saturday: Sausages in bread
In the fruit bowl: Mandarins (from our tree!)
In the cake tin: fruit cake, ANZAC slice, scones
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
7. The $300 A Month Food Challenge
Shopping the Mark Downs
I do a big grocery shop once a year. But when I call in to top up the milk each week, I try to time it to mark down time and always have a quick look to see if there's something on my list I can pick up earlier and save a little on.
My local IGA marks down produce on a Monday morning and a Thursday afternoon. Why? Because they get their fresh produce deliveries on Monday morning and Thursday afternoon and they need to clear out the older stock to make room for the new. They mark down meat every day around lunchtime before they re-stock the cabinets for the late afternoon shopping frenzy. Dairy products are marked down every day as they re-stock the cabinet. Bread and cakes are marked down after 3.30pm every afternoon.
My local Coles supermarket marks down meat around 3pm on a Sunday afternoon. I know if I pop in then I might be able to pick up some great bargains.
If I want rock bottom prices on fruit and vegetables I visit my local green grocer after 4pm on a Sunday. They need to clear out the perishable produce before they go to the market on Monday, so it's marked down, often by 50% or more, making shopping on a Sunday afternoon well worth the effort (and I'm not the only one who knows this - the carpark is always jam-packed and the store full of overflowing trolleys).
There are some excellent grocery bargains to be had when you shop the mark-downs. The trick is knowing when your local supermarket marks down. You can't guarantee that you'll be able to get everything on your shopping list, and you must be prepared to make a few substitutes, but if you like a bargain and want to get your grocery bill even lower, shopping the mark downs will definitely help.
These are the guidelines I use to help mark-down bargain grocery shopping. When I stick to these rules I know I'll always get a good deal.
1. Know the regular price of the item - use your price book!
2. Check to see if it’s on your shopping list. If it isn’t, is the item something you use regularly?
3. Will you be able to use it before the Best Before or Use By date?
4. If not, do you have the capability to freeze it, store it, dehydrate it, bottle it?
5. Will you be able to use it within a reasonable period of time? There’s no point in storing 15 cans of furniture polish if you only polish your furniture once a year!
The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
The Post that Started it All
8. Cheapskates Buzz
From The Article Archive
Spice House V Supermarket - Why Pay 900% More?
6 Ways to Save on Christmas Holiday Travel
How to Shop Monthly, Save Money and Love It!
This Week's Hot Forum Topics
Saving for 3 Months of Living Expenses Emergency Funds.
The Weekly MOO Challenge
Stockpiles
Most Popular Blog Posts This Week
It's Clean Out The Fridge Day
Microwave Strawberry Jam
Spaghetti & Meatballs
9. 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 Schedule
Tuesday: Around the Kitchen Table - join Cath and Hannah for a cuppa and a chat around the kitchen table as they talk about living the Cheapskates way.
Thursday: Cheapskates in the Kitchen - want to know how to cook delicious, healthy and cheap meals? Watch Cath and Hannah as they create cheapskates style cuisine and share their favourite recipes.
Latest Shows
10. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Denise who wrote
"This is probably a strange question, but I'm not sure who to ask. I encourage bees around my yard, with bushes with lots of flowers bees love, water during summer etc. but right now they are very interested in my garage, looking for a new home. Does anyone have any ideas on deterrents for bees that won't hurt them, just make a space unappealing? Grateful for any ideas."
Edith Wilson answered
If the bees are looking for a new home, maybe you could contact a local beekeeper. There may be a bee keeping society in your area, town, city. They would be happy to provide the bees with a nice cosy hive to live in, and provide honey for the keeper.
Susan Czermak answeredIf the bees need a home, they will go wherever they want, but they will swarm and if you get a swarm contact your local beekeeping society/group who will come and fetch them to put in a hive. However you need to be quick. Leave it a few hours and you might find them in your wall cavity.
Meryll Williams answered
There are free bee swarm removers advertised on Gumtree if you do get a swarm.
Mi Caulfield answered
Try using mothballs to deter the bees, or you can use the homemade mix below:-
Step 1 - Mix soap and water
In an empty spray bottle, combine a few teaspoons of liquid dish washing soap with the water. This will create a sticky, soapy mixture that you can safely spray on anything. Add more or less soap depending on the brand that you use, how sticky you’d like your homemade bee repellent to be, and what you’re spraying it on. For indoor applications, use more water and less soap so that you don’t ruin furniture or create a particularly pungent environment. For plants and outdoor areas, use more soap and less water so that the spray won’t easily wash away due to natural moisture or when it rains.
Step 2 - Add peppermint oil
Step 3 - Add some spice
To really ensure that the bees hate your mixture, add 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon to your sticky mint spray and 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Hornets, bees and wasps hate the scent of cinnamon and spice, so with the help of these two ingredients, your mixture should be strong enough to make bees buzz away.
The water from your homemade bee repellent will evaporate, but the peppermint, cinnamon, and cayenne smells will be left behind to deter insects from spending time in the areas, and the sticky soap left behind will stick to them and fight them off.
Gabrielle Castle answered
Bees often do swarm at this time of year - it's the normal splitting of the hive. Watch for it to happen, then get someone like this to collect the swarm: Bee Swarm Removal South East Melbourne/Gippsland (type this into the Facebook search). Alternatively, instead of deterring them from your garage, you could offer them a better place to swarm to. The above page uses bee rescue boxes - I think they come from Swarm Patrol.
11. 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
12. Join The Cheapskates Club
For just $30 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!
13. 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?
As per the terms of sbucription, your renewal will be processed on the due date. Renewal notices are not sent. You can find your membership expiry date on your profile page (membership are active for one year from the date of joining/renewing).
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.
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We never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone for any reason whatsoever. You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as a result of joining this list.
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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.
14. 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 Denise who wrote
"This is probably a strange question, but I'm not sure who to ask. I encourage bees around my yard, with bushes with lots of flowers bees love, water during summer etc. but right now they are very interested in my garage, looking for a new home. Does anyone have any ideas on deterrents for bees that won't hurt them, just make a space unappealing? Grateful for any ideas."
Edith Wilson answered
If the bees are looking for a new home, maybe you could contact a local beekeeper. There may be a bee keeping society in your area, town, city. They would be happy to provide the bees with a nice cosy hive to live in, and provide honey for the keeper.
Susan Czermak answeredIf the bees need a home, they will go wherever they want, but they will swarm and if you get a swarm contact your local beekeeping society/group who will come and fetch them to put in a hive. However you need to be quick. Leave it a few hours and you might find them in your wall cavity.
Meryll Williams answered
There are free bee swarm removers advertised on Gumtree if you do get a swarm.
Mi Caulfield answered
Try using mothballs to deter the bees, or you can use the homemade mix below:-
Step 1 - Mix soap and water
In an empty spray bottle, combine a few teaspoons of liquid dish washing soap with the water. This will create a sticky, soapy mixture that you can safely spray on anything. Add more or less soap depending on the brand that you use, how sticky you’d like your homemade bee repellent to be, and what you’re spraying it on. For indoor applications, use more water and less soap so that you don’t ruin furniture or create a particularly pungent environment. For plants and outdoor areas, use more soap and less water so that the spray won’t easily wash away due to natural moisture or when it rains.
Step 2 - Add peppermint oil
Step 3 - Add some spice
To really ensure that the bees hate your mixture, add 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon to your sticky mint spray and 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Hornets, bees and wasps hate the scent of cinnamon and spice, so with the help of these two ingredients, your mixture should be strong enough to make bees buzz away.
The water from your homemade bee repellent will evaporate, but the peppermint, cinnamon, and cayenne smells will be left behind to deter insects from spending time in the areas, and the sticky soap left behind will stick to them and fight them off.
Gabrielle Castle answered
Bees often do swarm at this time of year - it's the normal splitting of the hive. Watch for it to happen, then get someone like this to collect the swarm: Bee Swarm Removal South East Melbourne/Gippsland (type this into the Facebook search). Alternatively, instead of deterring them from your garage, you could offer them a better place to swarm to. The above page uses bee rescue boxes - I think they come from Swarm Patrol.
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