Your Cheapskates Club Newsletter 46:18
In this Newsletter
1. Cath's Corner
2. In the Tip Store - MOO Rose Fertiliser; Get Ready for Summer with this MOO Aftershave; Kids’ Licensed Clothing for Less
3. Share Your Tips
4. On the Menu - Homemade Yoghurt the Cheapskates Way
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - A Quick Pre-Christmas Pantry Challenge
6. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
7. Own Your Christmas Challenge - Week 7 Tasks and Tips
8. Last Week's Question - Cheapest diet shakes?
9. This Week's Question
10. Ask Cath
11. Join the Cheapskates Club
12. Frequently Asked Questions
13. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
I'm so excited. Firstly, the November Journal has been uploaded to the Member's Centre, so login and have fun with all the great ways to save money, time and energy.
Secondly, we are welcoming lots of new Cheapskaters this week. It positively makes me smile when someone makes the choice to live life on their terms, and ignore the pressures from everyone else. We decided 24 years ago to ditch the stuff that wasn't important to us, so we'd have the cash to enjoy the things that are, and we haven't regretted that decision once.
We still live the Cheapskates way. We still ignore stuff we don't really care about, and we always focus on living life debt free, so we can be cashed up and laughing.
Thirdly, in case you've missed it, The Crafy Mums Co-op is having their first ever Christmas Craft Sale this weekend. The Crafty Mums are a group of Cheapskaters who get together once a month (sometimes more often) to make cards and craft. They support a number of charities with the cards and other crafts they make, as well as doing a lot of talking and drinking of tea and coffee. Best of all, it's all done on a budget. Well what would you expect from a group of dyed-in-the-wool Cheapskaters! You can find out more about the sale here.
Don't forget to log in and catch up with the November Journal.
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
MOO Rose Fertiliser
If your roses are looking a little sad, give them a boost with this really simple rose food. Just take a banana peel and cut it up into rough chunks. Place it into a blender or food processor with two cups of water and blend to a smooth liquid. Then take the blender jug outside and pour the mixture around the base of your rose bush. Your roses will love the boost of potassium and you won't have to buy rose food ever again. Use one banana peel per rose bush and feed as per your regular fertilizing schedule.
Contributed by Anne Fergusson
Get Ready for Summer with this MOO Aftershave
Approximate $ Savings: $8-$20 per 100 mL
I have found a homemade aftershave solution that combats acne, blemishes, ugly razor bumps and ingrown hairs just in time for summer, with ingredients you may have in your cupboard.
To make the solution, put 150mLs of rubbing alcohol (Isocol) into a glass with 18 aspirin. Then get a second glass, add 75mLs of witch hazel and drop 8 aspirin into the second glass. Let the aspirin dissolve in both glasses, stir it around and then add the solution to a recycled jar with a tight lid. The aspirin won't completely dissolve, so just shake before each use and apply to the affected area with a cotton wool ball.
You should see results within hours for both men and women. It can also be applied to acne or blemishes with great results.
The total cost is free if you already have the ingredients, but if you make it up it should cost about $7.30:
witch hazel = $1.90
Isocol rubbing alcohol $4.35
aspirin $1.05
This is so much cheaper than store brought ingrown hair/razor bump solutions, which range from $14 - $40 for so much less product!
Contributed by Leah
Kids’ Licensed Clothing for Less
Approximate $ Savings: $10 per item of clothing (estimate)
It can be hard when your child wants to have the latest Disney/Pixar/Spiderman fad emblazoned across their clothes, costing a small fortune but making them feel part of the crowd. For a tiny fraction of what Barbie or Thomas clothes will cost you can buy an iron-on transfer from Spotlight, eBay or the like and iron on to any of their existing shirts/jeans/backpacks/hats/socks/underwear/singlets etc. and no-one will know the difference. Transfers at Spotlight are as little as a dollar and eBay the same cost plus a dollar for postage. Makes a great gift on an inexpensive t-shirt as well. Everyone's happy!
Contributed by Cindy
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
Homemade Yoghurt the Cheapskates Way
How to make yoghurt is one of our most requested tip sheets (how to make washing powder tops the list). Making your own yoghurt is not only cheap; it’s so easy and quick. In less than 5 minutes you can have the yoghurt mixture prepared, ready to set overnight.
To make 1 litre of yoghurt you will need:
A clean 1 litre jar with a screw top lid
A wide mouthed thermos that will hold the jar
2 cups milk powder (either full cream or skim, it’s up to you)
2 tablespoons natural yoghurt (this is the starter)
Cool water (tap water is fine as long as it’s not really cold).
Half fill the jar with cool water; add the milk powder and the 2 tablespoons natural yoghurt. Put the lid on and shake well to combine. Make sure there are no lumps of milk powder left. Fill the jar to the top with more water, seal and shake well.
Place the jar in the thermos. Pour boiling water around the jar until it reaches approximately 2/3 of the way up the sides. Put the lid on the thermos, sealing it tight.
Set aside for 8—12 hours, depending on how thick you like your yoghurt. Once it has reached the consistency you like, place the jar of yoghurt in the fridge to cool.
Sweeten to taste with sugar or honey and add fruit, syrups, muesli etc.
Some suggestions:
Vanilla: Add 1tsp vanilla essence, 1tbspn vanilla ice-cream flavouring and 2 tsp sugar. Mix well.
Strawberry: Add 2tbspn strawberry topping and 1/2 cup sliced strawberries
Honey: Add 1tsp vanilla essence and 1 tbsp honey. Mix well.
Notes:
*If you have an Easiyo thermos and jar, use these to make your yoghurt.
*If you use skim milk powder the end result will be a thinner yoghurt, more like the commercial product.
*For thicker yoghurt use a good Greek yoghurt as the starter, full cream milk powder and let it set for 18 - 24 hours.
*You can leave your yoghurt to set for up to 24 hours before removing from the thermos and refrigerating.
*The longer you let your yoghurt set, the more tart it will become.
*If the weather is particularly cold wrap the thermos in a towel for extra insulation. This will help the yoghurt to set.
This week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Chicken
Monday: Schnitzels, potato & pumpkin bake
Tuesday: Spaghetti pie, tossed green salad
Wednesday: Company Roast, steamed vegetables, gravy
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Sweet Lamb Curry, steamed rice
Saturday: Haystacks
In the fruit bowl: bananas, apples, lemons, mandarins, oranges
In the cake tin: Banana cake, Whole Orange Cake, brownies, fruit cake
There are over 1,600 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File.
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge
A Quick Pre-Christmas Pantry Challenge
November may seem like a strange time for a pantry challenge, but I think it's the perfect time.
For most of us, we need to make room in the pantry, fridge and freezer for the Christmas and New Year grocery shopping. I need to make sure there's room for the yearly stockpile shopping, as well as the extra Christmas goodies.
I've already started the stockpile shopping, trying to get a head start, and I have a few non-perishable Christmas goodies stashed in my wardrobe. I still need to make room though.
The meal plan for November is done and on the fridge, so I'll do my best to stick to it. If there's something we don't have, I'll hunt around for a substitute.
This week is baking and cooking week - or the planning thereof - if you're following the Own Your Christmas Countdown.
I still need to make the puddings. This is something I always did with Mum, but she's no longer able to help with this family tradition, so Hannah has taken my place and I've become the teacher of the cake and pudding making for the family.
The baking list is long, it always is at this time of year:
Large Christmas cakes, small Christmas cakes, two Christmas puddings, shortbread, fruit mince pies, fudge, Christmas Snickerdoodles, Cranberry Hootycreeks and lemon cheesecakes.
With all the baking and cooking to be done, we need room in the pantry for the ingredients and the fridge and freezer for the finished products. We also need room in the grocery budget to buy the extra special ingredients needed for Christmas baking.
And that's why I've given myself a pantry challenge. It's a good way to clean out the pantry, without wasting food (and therefore money). And because you're not doing the regular grocery shopping, you aren't spending all your grocery budget, giving you some to shift to the slush fund for those special ingredients.
Of course a pantry challenge means shifting around the meal plan. Monday night had vegetable moussaka listed, but instead we had a free barbecue chicken and salad. The chicken was free on a rain check from Coles because they didn't have any when I was there on Friday. I wasn't going to buy a rotisserie chicken, but I did notice the cabinet was empty and remembered the rain check policy (if there aren't any cooked chooks available, you get one free) so I took advantage and asked for a rain check. Who doesn't love free food!
So are you going to join me? Do you need room for all the Christmas food? Have you thought about the money you'll save by using up what you have? Have you started your Christmas baking? Have you finished your Christmas baking?
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
The Post that Started it All
6. Cheapskates Buzz
From the Article Archive
MOO Almond Rocca, a Quick Gift Idea
https://www.cheapskatesclub.net/moo-almond-rocca-a-quick-gift-idea---december-2016.html
Butter Me Up
https://www.cheapskatesclub.net/butter-me-up---september-2017.html
How to Keep your Pantry Organized
https://www.cheapskatesclub.net/how-to-keep-your-pantry-organized---tuesday-1st-september-2015.html
Most popular forum posts this week
Lactose free ideas
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?835-Lactose-free-ideas
I know it sounds ridiculous but ..... have you started planning for Christmas yet?!
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?487-I-know-it-sounds-ridiculous-but-.....-have-you-started-planning-for-Christmas-yet-!
Today I...
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?820-Today-I...
Most popular blog posts this week
From Spendthrift to Cheapskate in 4 Easy Stages
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2011/08/from-spendthrift-to-cheapskate-in-4.html
You don't need Mr Muscle!
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2010/03/you-dont-need-mr-muscle.html
No-bake Malteser Slice
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2011/02/no-bake-malteser-slice.html
7. Own Your Christmas Challenge
Week 7 : Christmas Food
This week we focus on Christmas food. Planning menus, shopping lists, baking and cooking. Some Cheapskaters have already finished making Christmas cakes and puddings, but there is plenty of other food to think about.
Task 1. Plan your baking/cooking/preparation. Plan to make as much of your holiday food ahead as you possibly can. Remember you can freeze just about anything as long as it is wrapped properly.
Task 2. Check your dishes, cutlery, serving platters and table linen. Replace anything that needs to be replaced, launder and freshen up your linens.
Task 3. Write up this week's Christmas cards.
Task 4. Buy, wrap and label the fifth 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. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Janie who wrote
"I'm wondering if anyone knows of a cheaper version of diet shakes? My doctor has recommended them and I've cut it down to one a day, as they cost $5 each. I have 20 kgs to lose so I really need to keep the momentum going as I'm terribly weak willed with diets. Thank you."
Pauline Richardson answered
Buy your diet shakes from Aldi. They are less than half the cost from anywhere else and yummy too.
Kerrie Sheehan answered
ALDI sell them for $1.99 and they taste good, however we make our own using low fat milk and add some banana and blend. We substitute berries or mangoes when in season. You can use frozen ones if they have no sugar. We also sometimes add natural yoghurt but be careful you don't add too many calories if on a diet. A dash of vanilla in low fat milk blended tastes good too. Just experiment and see what you like. We do.
D M answered
Hi Janie, I am on the same journey with the weight loss. If you have a juice extractor and a blender you can make healthy, filling and tasty meal replacements in your own kitchen. Vegetable and fruit juice make an excellent health meal. Skim milk, frozen fruit and vegetables like spinach, avocado etc. also work well in the blender and will get you good results. The combinations are endless and you can buy fruit and veg on sale and freeze it or store in the crisper.
Homemade veg soup is also a good light meal and keeps well in the fridge.
Alison M answered
I used the IsoWhey shakes, one a day. They are mostly on special at Chemist Warehouse, $29.95 a tub, which lasts 3 weeks; that's $10 a week. The coffee flavour is the nicest. This brand was recommended to me as the best on the market to supply the right amount of vitamins and minerals. I just cut back on all the carbs and fatty foods. Best thing I have ever done.
Veronica Blair answered
FatBlaster Ultimate Diet Shakes. They come in a box of 21 sachets with 4 flavours to choose from. Chemist Warehouse sell them for $25 per box, but keep an eye out for when they're on special to stock up and save even more.
Lyn Tisdell answered
Try Idealbreakfastshake.com.au They are great.
9. This Week's Question
Q. Two dogs have made the sun room their home over winter with the result we now have a sofa covered in dog hairs. Vacuuming is hard work and does not really do the job. Any other suggestions. N
A. Put a disposable rubber glove on each hand and wipe over the furniture. The glove will gather the hair into a ball that you can pick up in your fingers and dispose of. It may sound like hard work but you'll find you will have all the hair picked up in no time. To pick up pet hair off hard floors, slip a stocking over the head of your broom and sweep. The hair will stick to the stocking, leaving the floor hair free. You can then just wipe the hair off the stocking and re-use it or dispose of it hair and all in the rubbish bin.
10. 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
11. 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!
12. 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
13. 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 - MOO Rose Fertiliser; Get Ready for Summer with this MOO Aftershave; Kids’ Licensed Clothing for Less
3. Share Your Tips
4. On the Menu - Homemade Yoghurt the Cheapskates Way
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - A Quick Pre-Christmas Pantry Challenge
6. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
7. Own Your Christmas Challenge - Week 7 Tasks and Tips
8. Last Week's Question - Cheapest diet shakes?
9. This Week's Question
10. Ask Cath
11. Join the Cheapskates Club
12. Frequently Asked Questions
13. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
I'm so excited. Firstly, the November Journal has been uploaded to the Member's Centre, so login and have fun with all the great ways to save money, time and energy.
Secondly, we are welcoming lots of new Cheapskaters this week. It positively makes me smile when someone makes the choice to live life on their terms, and ignore the pressures from everyone else. We decided 24 years ago to ditch the stuff that wasn't important to us, so we'd have the cash to enjoy the things that are, and we haven't regretted that decision once.
We still live the Cheapskates way. We still ignore stuff we don't really care about, and we always focus on living life debt free, so we can be cashed up and laughing.
Thirdly, in case you've missed it, The Crafy Mums Co-op is having their first ever Christmas Craft Sale this weekend. The Crafty Mums are a group of Cheapskaters who get together once a month (sometimes more often) to make cards and craft. They support a number of charities with the cards and other crafts they make, as well as doing a lot of talking and drinking of tea and coffee. Best of all, it's all done on a budget. Well what would you expect from a group of dyed-in-the-wool Cheapskaters! You can find out more about the sale here.
Don't forget to log in and catch up with the November Journal.
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
MOO Rose Fertiliser
If your roses are looking a little sad, give them a boost with this really simple rose food. Just take a banana peel and cut it up into rough chunks. Place it into a blender or food processor with two cups of water and blend to a smooth liquid. Then take the blender jug outside and pour the mixture around the base of your rose bush. Your roses will love the boost of potassium and you won't have to buy rose food ever again. Use one banana peel per rose bush and feed as per your regular fertilizing schedule.
Contributed by Anne Fergusson
Get Ready for Summer with this MOO Aftershave
Approximate $ Savings: $8-$20 per 100 mL
I have found a homemade aftershave solution that combats acne, blemishes, ugly razor bumps and ingrown hairs just in time for summer, with ingredients you may have in your cupboard.
To make the solution, put 150mLs of rubbing alcohol (Isocol) into a glass with 18 aspirin. Then get a second glass, add 75mLs of witch hazel and drop 8 aspirin into the second glass. Let the aspirin dissolve in both glasses, stir it around and then add the solution to a recycled jar with a tight lid. The aspirin won't completely dissolve, so just shake before each use and apply to the affected area with a cotton wool ball.
You should see results within hours for both men and women. It can also be applied to acne or blemishes with great results.
The total cost is free if you already have the ingredients, but if you make it up it should cost about $7.30:
witch hazel = $1.90
Isocol rubbing alcohol $4.35
aspirin $1.05
This is so much cheaper than store brought ingrown hair/razor bump solutions, which range from $14 - $40 for so much less product!
Contributed by Leah
Kids’ Licensed Clothing for Less
Approximate $ Savings: $10 per item of clothing (estimate)
It can be hard when your child wants to have the latest Disney/Pixar/Spiderman fad emblazoned across their clothes, costing a small fortune but making them feel part of the crowd. For a tiny fraction of what Barbie or Thomas clothes will cost you can buy an iron-on transfer from Spotlight, eBay or the like and iron on to any of their existing shirts/jeans/backpacks/hats/socks/underwear/singlets etc. and no-one will know the difference. Transfers at Spotlight are as little as a dollar and eBay the same cost plus a dollar for postage. Makes a great gift on an inexpensive t-shirt as well. Everyone's happy!
Contributed by Cindy
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
Homemade Yoghurt the Cheapskates Way
How to make yoghurt is one of our most requested tip sheets (how to make washing powder tops the list). Making your own yoghurt is not only cheap; it’s so easy and quick. In less than 5 minutes you can have the yoghurt mixture prepared, ready to set overnight.
To make 1 litre of yoghurt you will need:
A clean 1 litre jar with a screw top lid
A wide mouthed thermos that will hold the jar
2 cups milk powder (either full cream or skim, it’s up to you)
2 tablespoons natural yoghurt (this is the starter)
Cool water (tap water is fine as long as it’s not really cold).
Half fill the jar with cool water; add the milk powder and the 2 tablespoons natural yoghurt. Put the lid on and shake well to combine. Make sure there are no lumps of milk powder left. Fill the jar to the top with more water, seal and shake well.
Place the jar in the thermos. Pour boiling water around the jar until it reaches approximately 2/3 of the way up the sides. Put the lid on the thermos, sealing it tight.
Set aside for 8—12 hours, depending on how thick you like your yoghurt. Once it has reached the consistency you like, place the jar of yoghurt in the fridge to cool.
Sweeten to taste with sugar or honey and add fruit, syrups, muesli etc.
Some suggestions:
Vanilla: Add 1tsp vanilla essence, 1tbspn vanilla ice-cream flavouring and 2 tsp sugar. Mix well.
Strawberry: Add 2tbspn strawberry topping and 1/2 cup sliced strawberries
Honey: Add 1tsp vanilla essence and 1 tbsp honey. Mix well.
Notes:
*If you have an Easiyo thermos and jar, use these to make your yoghurt.
*If you use skim milk powder the end result will be a thinner yoghurt, more like the commercial product.
*For thicker yoghurt use a good Greek yoghurt as the starter, full cream milk powder and let it set for 18 - 24 hours.
*You can leave your yoghurt to set for up to 24 hours before removing from the thermos and refrigerating.
*The longer you let your yoghurt set, the more tart it will become.
*If the weather is particularly cold wrap the thermos in a towel for extra insulation. This will help the yoghurt to set.
This week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Chicken
Monday: Schnitzels, potato & pumpkin bake
Tuesday: Spaghetti pie, tossed green salad
Wednesday: Company Roast, steamed vegetables, gravy
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Sweet Lamb Curry, steamed rice
Saturday: Haystacks
In the fruit bowl: bananas, apples, lemons, mandarins, oranges
In the cake tin: Banana cake, Whole Orange Cake, brownies, fruit cake
There are over 1,600 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File.
5. The $300 a Month Food Challenge
A Quick Pre-Christmas Pantry Challenge
November may seem like a strange time for a pantry challenge, but I think it's the perfect time.
For most of us, we need to make room in the pantry, fridge and freezer for the Christmas and New Year grocery shopping. I need to make sure there's room for the yearly stockpile shopping, as well as the extra Christmas goodies.
I've already started the stockpile shopping, trying to get a head start, and I have a few non-perishable Christmas goodies stashed in my wardrobe. I still need to make room though.
The meal plan for November is done and on the fridge, so I'll do my best to stick to it. If there's something we don't have, I'll hunt around for a substitute.
This week is baking and cooking week - or the planning thereof - if you're following the Own Your Christmas Countdown.
I still need to make the puddings. This is something I always did with Mum, but she's no longer able to help with this family tradition, so Hannah has taken my place and I've become the teacher of the cake and pudding making for the family.
The baking list is long, it always is at this time of year:
Large Christmas cakes, small Christmas cakes, two Christmas puddings, shortbread, fruit mince pies, fudge, Christmas Snickerdoodles, Cranberry Hootycreeks and lemon cheesecakes.
With all the baking and cooking to be done, we need room in the pantry for the ingredients and the fridge and freezer for the finished products. We also need room in the grocery budget to buy the extra special ingredients needed for Christmas baking.
And that's why I've given myself a pantry challenge. It's a good way to clean out the pantry, without wasting food (and therefore money). And because you're not doing the regular grocery shopping, you aren't spending all your grocery budget, giving you some to shift to the slush fund for those special ingredients.
Of course a pantry challenge means shifting around the meal plan. Monday night had vegetable moussaka listed, but instead we had a free barbecue chicken and salad. The chicken was free on a rain check from Coles because they didn't have any when I was there on Friday. I wasn't going to buy a rotisserie chicken, but I did notice the cabinet was empty and remembered the rain check policy (if there aren't any cooked chooks available, you get one free) so I took advantage and asked for a rain check. Who doesn't love free food!
So are you going to join me? Do you need room for all the Christmas food? Have you thought about the money you'll save by using up what you have? Have you started your Christmas baking? Have you finished your Christmas baking?
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
The Post that Started it All
6. Cheapskates Buzz
From the Article Archive
MOO Almond Rocca, a Quick Gift Idea
https://www.cheapskatesclub.net/moo-almond-rocca-a-quick-gift-idea---december-2016.html
Butter Me Up
https://www.cheapskatesclub.net/butter-me-up---september-2017.html
How to Keep your Pantry Organized
https://www.cheapskatesclub.net/how-to-keep-your-pantry-organized---tuesday-1st-september-2015.html
Most popular forum posts this week
Lactose free ideas
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?835-Lactose-free-ideas
I know it sounds ridiculous but ..... have you started planning for Christmas yet?!
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?487-I-know-it-sounds-ridiculous-but-.....-have-you-started-planning-for-Christmas-yet-!
Today I...
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?820-Today-I...
Most popular blog posts this week
From Spendthrift to Cheapskate in 4 Easy Stages
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2011/08/from-spendthrift-to-cheapskate-in-4.html
You don't need Mr Muscle!
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2010/03/you-dont-need-mr-muscle.html
No-bake Malteser Slice
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2011/02/no-bake-malteser-slice.html
7. Own Your Christmas Challenge
Week 7 : Christmas Food
This week we focus on Christmas food. Planning menus, shopping lists, baking and cooking. Some Cheapskaters have already finished making Christmas cakes and puddings, but there is plenty of other food to think about.
Task 1. Plan your baking/cooking/preparation. Plan to make as much of your holiday food ahead as you possibly can. Remember you can freeze just about anything as long as it is wrapped properly.
Task 2. Check your dishes, cutlery, serving platters and table linen. Replace anything that needs to be replaced, launder and freshen up your linens.
Task 3. Write up this week's Christmas cards.
Task 4. Buy, wrap and label the fifth 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. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Janie who wrote
"I'm wondering if anyone knows of a cheaper version of diet shakes? My doctor has recommended them and I've cut it down to one a day, as they cost $5 each. I have 20 kgs to lose so I really need to keep the momentum going as I'm terribly weak willed with diets. Thank you."
Pauline Richardson answered
Buy your diet shakes from Aldi. They are less than half the cost from anywhere else and yummy too.
Kerrie Sheehan answered
ALDI sell them for $1.99 and they taste good, however we make our own using low fat milk and add some banana and blend. We substitute berries or mangoes when in season. You can use frozen ones if they have no sugar. We also sometimes add natural yoghurt but be careful you don't add too many calories if on a diet. A dash of vanilla in low fat milk blended tastes good too. Just experiment and see what you like. We do.
D M answered
Hi Janie, I am on the same journey with the weight loss. If you have a juice extractor and a blender you can make healthy, filling and tasty meal replacements in your own kitchen. Vegetable and fruit juice make an excellent health meal. Skim milk, frozen fruit and vegetables like spinach, avocado etc. also work well in the blender and will get you good results. The combinations are endless and you can buy fruit and veg on sale and freeze it or store in the crisper.
Homemade veg soup is also a good light meal and keeps well in the fridge.
Alison M answered
I used the IsoWhey shakes, one a day. They are mostly on special at Chemist Warehouse, $29.95 a tub, which lasts 3 weeks; that's $10 a week. The coffee flavour is the nicest. This brand was recommended to me as the best on the market to supply the right amount of vitamins and minerals. I just cut back on all the carbs and fatty foods. Best thing I have ever done.
Veronica Blair answered
FatBlaster Ultimate Diet Shakes. They come in a box of 21 sachets with 4 flavours to choose from. Chemist Warehouse sell them for $25 per box, but keep an eye out for when they're on special to stock up and save even more.
Lyn Tisdell answered
Try Idealbreakfastshake.com.au They are great.
9. This Week's Question
Q. Two dogs have made the sun room their home over winter with the result we now have a sofa covered in dog hairs. Vacuuming is hard work and does not really do the job. Any other suggestions. N
A. Put a disposable rubber glove on each hand and wipe over the furniture. The glove will gather the hair into a ball that you can pick up in your fingers and dispose of. It may sound like hard work but you'll find you will have all the hair picked up in no time. To pick up pet hair off hard floors, slip a stocking over the head of your broom and sweep. The hair will stick to the stocking, leaving the floor hair free. You can then just wipe the hair off the stocking and re-use it or dispose of it hair and all in the rubbish bin.
10. 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).
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