Your Cheapskates Club Newsletter 47:17
In this Newsletter
1. Cath's Corner
2. In the Tip Store - Cute Christmas Placemats for 33 Cents; Making Sure You don't get Caught with an Ambulance Bill; No Need for Baking Paper
3. Cheapskates Club Gift Memberships - On sale now for a limited time!
4. Share Your Tips - Have a favourite tip? Share it here
5. On the Menu - Chicken Alfredo Roll-Ups
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - Three Budget Friendly Christmas Dinners
7. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
8. Last Week's Question - We're off to Europe, advice needed
9. This Week's Question - Help needed with stinky clothes
10. Ask Cath
11. Join the Cheapskates Club
12. Frequently Asked Questions
13. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
November is the month of birthdays in our family - six altogether, and this week has been one hectic, social whirl. And loads of fun, of course. We have celebrated three birthdays, and Tom is leaving for his overseas job tomorrow. He'll be gone up to two years! I'm looking forward to December, so I can slow down!
It's just under five weeks until Christmas. I know that Platinum members have been following the Christmas Countdown and are well and truly ready for the first of December. But if you're not quite that organized there is still time to own your Christmas. Join the rest of the gang over at the Own Your Christmas homepage. You'll find lots of hints and tips, articles and How To... Sheets, printables and more to keep you on track. Start now and you, not the bank, will own your Christmas 2017, you still have plenty of time. And we're all here to cheer and help you on your way.
With Christmas in mind, if you are stuck for ideas, why not give the gift that doesn't take up space or collect dust, is calorie and fat free and won't be returned: a Platinum Cheapskates Club membership. Giving a Platinum membership as a gift gives hope, inspiration, real useful information and unlimited access to the Cheapskates Club Member's Centre for one full year! That's over 3,500 pages of hints, tips, ideas, articles, stories and discussions on living the Cheapskates way.
Click here to order your Christmas Gift memberships today, they're just $30 each and only available for a limited time.
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
Cute Christmas Placemats for 33 Cents
Last Christmas I wanted my dining table to be extra special and festive. I have always loved the Christmas placemats you see in the shops and magazines but can't justify the price of them when we will only use them one day in the year. My placemats are looking a bit old and scratched, which is fine for your everyday use, but not special occasions.
So, I had this bright idea Christmas morning as I was thinking of how to decorate the table. Why not wrap them in Christmas wrapping paper? I got going and had all six placemats wrapped in a matter of minutes and they looked fantastic, even my daughter said, "WOW MUM! You've really gone all out this year. You will have to do this again next year, it's so Christmassy, I love it."
I even looked up quickly on the net on how to make Christmas shaped serviettes. I then realised I didn't have any serviettes in my house, so I got a piece of paper towel from the kitchen and folded it five times in the middle to make a bow shape and got gold ribbon and placed it around the middle to hold it in place. It went beautifully with the Christmas placemats.
The dining table looked magical now and I did it in no time at all. I estimate I have saved at least $30 plus on the placemats and serviettes and it only cost me 33 cents for the wrapping paper (I got 3 x rolls for 99 cents and only used one roll) and I already had the kitchen paper towel and the gold ribbon.
Contributed by Kate Dean
Making Sure You don't get Caught with an Ambulance Bill
On a recent trip out of state Hubby got sick and an ambulance had to be called...all good he is still with us, but it was an emergency at the time. The location we were at meant the bill was going to be horrendous...and we were not disappointed when it arrived the day before yesterday, but the ambulance officers deserve to be paid well for what they do...bless them.
A quick trip to the health fund had the bill tidily paid for and all issues taken out of our hands...no worries about where the money was going to come from.
This one bill was equivalent to what we pay every year into the fund in fees, so I am grateful we have the cover.
If you can afford to have private cover I would recommend it to all. At the least try to get ambulance cover and the basic hospital. The ambulance cover can save you thousands and the basic hospital will make it easy at tax time.
Contributed by Linda Stapleton
Editor's note: Ambulance cover can be bought very cheaply (I've just renewed our family Ambulance Victoria membership for $92.05 for a year - single membership is just $46) and is well worth the money, especially as not all health funds and/or policies cover emergency ambulance transport. In the past year we've used our Ambulance Victoria cover three times for emergency trips to hospital (here's hoping we don't need it again anytime soon!). Thanks to our Ambulance Victoria membership we didn't even see a bill, such a relief when you aren't feeling well. Cath.
No Need for Baking Paper
I use butter and when finished I just fold the wrappers and put it unwashed in a nice container in the fridge ready for baking. It's already greased obviously and easy for lining baking trays or cake tins.
Contributed by Anne Wilson
Note: I do this too! I save the butter wrappers in a ziplock bag in the freezer, and when I need to grease or line an awkward shaped tin or pan (think Bundt pan) I use the butter wrappers from the freezer. Cath
There are currently more than 12,000 great tips in the Tip Store
3. Cheapskates Christmas Gift Memberships
Does the thought of Christmas shopping stress you out?
It doesn't have to be that way....
Give a membership to the Cheapskates Club, the stress free, thoughtful and life-changing gift this Christmas.
This Christmas when you order Cheapskates Club gift memberships, you'll pay just $30 each! That's a saving of 20% off the regular price when you buy these limited time only gift memberships.
Order your Cheapskates Gift Memberships here
4. Submit Your Tip
The Cheapskate's Club website is over 3,000 pages of money saving hints, tips and ideas. Let's get together and make the Cheapskates Club Australia's largest online hint, tip and idea library. Share your favourite money saving, time saving or energy saving hint and be in the running to win a one-year membership to The Cheapskate Club. We publish a Winning Tip each Thursday, so enter your great money, time or energy saving idea now.
Share your favourite hint or tip that saves money, time and energy and be in the running to win a one-year subscription to The Cheapskate Journal.
Remember, you have to be in it to win it!
Submit your tip
5. On the Menu
Chicken Alfredo Roll-Ups
Ingredients:
12 uncooked lasagne sheets
3 cups cooked chicken, shredded
450ml jar alfredo pasta sauce (or MOO it)
Salt and pepper
1-1/2 cups grated cheese (mozzarella is good if you have it)
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Method:
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Boil the lasagne noodles and rinse with cool water. Lay on a clean tea towel and pat dry. Add two tablespoons of sauce onto each noodle and spread evenly over each noodle. Add two tablespoons of shredded chicken onto the sauce on each noodle and spread out. Top with one tablespoon of shredded cheese. Add salt and pepper, as desired. Rollup each lasagne noodle and place into a well-oiled baking dish. Top with alfredo sauce, sprinkle with remaining grated cheese. Finish with grated parmesan. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until cheese has melted on top and is golden brown.
This week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Chicken
Monday: Italian Vegetarian Meatballs, rice
Tuesday: Chicken Alfredo Roll-ups
Wednesday: Butter chicken, steamed rice, pappadums
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Hamburgers
Saturday: Enchiladas
In the fruit bowl: bananas, strawberries
In the cake tin: Weetbix slice
There are over 1,600 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File.
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge
Three Budget Friendly Christmas Dinners
Over the years we've celebrated Christmas on a budget because we live on a budget. Sometimes that budget has been tighter than others, but we've always had a lovely Christmas Dinner, with lots of yummy food and treats. And since we've been back in Melbourne we've always shared our Christmas dinner with family and friends.
I've shared three of my Christmas diner meal plans with Cheapskaters over the years:
Cheapskates $25 Christmas Dinner
Golden roast chicken with bread stuffing
Rosemary and onion baked potatoes
Green beans with almonds
Honey sesame carrots
Cauliflower au gratin
~~~~~
Christmas pudding with stirred custard
Christmas cake
Cheapskates $50 Christmas Dinner
Onion Dip
Taco Dip
Carrot and Celery Sticks
Shapes- Barbecue, Cheese, Savoury
~~~~~
Golden Roast Chicken with gravy
Potato Bake
Honey carrots
Peas and corn
~~~~~
Ice Cream Christmas Pudding with custard and cream
~~~~~
Christmas Cake
Royal Puddings
Cheapskates $80 Christmas Dinner
Cranberry glazed roast rolled turkey breast
Apricot mustard glazed ham
Rosemary and onion baked potatoes
Green beans with almonds
Honey sesame carrots
Cauliflower au gratin
~~~~~
Christmas pudding with stirred custard & brandy cream
Raspberry Ice-Cream Mousse with frozen raspberries
~~~~~
Christmas cake
Assorted cheeses & crackers
If you don't believe you can have a yummy and special Christmas dinner for $25, trust me - you can!
You can have a truly wonderful Christmas dinner (with planned leftovers) for $50, and this has been my budget for years. I feed at least six on this meal plan, and it's always a winner.
And a few times we've really splurged and spent $80 on the food and trimmings for Christmas dinner, adding a little luxury with a stunning glazed ham for those who like it (those years we've had up to 20 for lunch).
So, if you are stuck for ideas for Christmas dinner, and are on a budget, have a look at these meal plans. I've included shopping lists and recipes so getting Christmas dinner on the table will be a breeze.
I do the bulk of my grocery shopping at Aldi, and then fresh fruit and veg at a local greengrocer/market. I shop around between Aldi and a couple of local butchers for the best prices on the meats and poultry I want to buy to stay withing budget.
Click here to download the budget Christmas dinner meal plans
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
The Post that Started it All
7. Cheapskates Buzz
Most popular forum posts this week
Plastic Free Tips
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?3608-Plastic-free-tips
Seniors Discounts
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?15-Seniors-discounts
Amazing Bi Carb of Soda
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?3661-Amazing-Bi-Carb-of-Soda
Most popular blog posts this week
How to Start a Garden Journal
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2013/06/how-to-start-garden-journal.html
How to Have a Beautiful Spring Garden on a Budget
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2015/09/how-to-have-beautiful-spring-garden-on_17.html
Get Your Green Thumbs Going
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2013/11/get-your-green-thumbs-going.html
9. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Kit who wrote
"Myself and husband are planning to travel to Europe next year. I need lots of advice on where to go, what to take, what is the best travel card to take, what is the best travel accommodation on a budget, is train travel the best way to travel around the various countries, etc. Any other tips would be greatly appreciated."
Sarah Daly answered
Citibank has a free transaction account. International ATM withdrawals are free at their ATMs. Also, ING just announced they are rebating international ATM fees. Have a look at these accounts and if they will work for your destinations.
Gaylene Falconer answered
Every two years my granddaughter's school has an 'excursion' to Germany. The past two they have used trains for transport as buses became too expensive. The trains are frequent, reliable and comfortable. Some have free Wi-Fi too. You can be in another country in a couple of hours.
Susie Johnston answered
If your trip includes travelling around Britain I can highly recommend the BritRail pass. I have been using this product for years and it is fantastic value as rail fares are not cheap, even if you buy them in advance on the net. The BritRail enables you to travel anywhere (including on the Heathrow Express), anytime without having to worry about booking. You just get on the train and show your pass when asked. For London (Tube, buses, etc.) I top up the Oyster card I have been using for around eight years. A terrific website for all rail travel anywhere in the world is: The Man in Seat 61. Excellent on Europe. The EurRail pass is similar to the BritRail. London is expensive, so I always stay in self-catering accommodation in Winchester, which has a brilliant rail service to London (55 minutes) and elsewhere. B&B's can be expensive. Lots of places in London (National Gallery, Tate, British Museum, British Library, RAF Museum, National Portrait Gallery, Imperial War Museum, etc) are free. if you are interested in National Trust properties (Sissinghurst for example) then Australian membership is reciprocal so you get in for free - great value as again, entrance fees can be high. Finally, don't take too much stuff, travel light if you can.
Julie Buxton answered
You'll save by not paying departure tax from UK by flying to mainland Europe and training everywhere, including UK. A few years ago, Vienna was the cheapest place to land - air - and then catch efficient, economical trains around Europe. However, research online flights to Europe, don't take too many clothes and ENJOY the trip!
Tracey Dobra answered
When we went to Europe we booked a tour with Expat Explore, it is a budget-friendly tour company we had never heard of and we were a bit worried it wasn't legit cos it was so cheap, but it was a lovely tour staying in cheaper but spotlessly clean accommodation (accommodation is so expensive) and we loved our tour, we booked Airbnb accommodation in England, in London it was very stark but clean and only two mins walk to Big Ben (it was the cheapest we could find for a private room), in Kent it was lovely, with Airbnb look at the photos cos that is exactly what you should get. Airfares can be bought on Easyjet which sells budget airfares but make sure you include luggage when you book, as like here if you come with unbooked luggage, it costs a fortune.
There are more answers to Kit's question in the Travel Tip Store, click here for a sneak peek.
9. This Week's Question
Melissa writes
"My teenager's school uniform polo t-shirts stink in the armpit area, despite using deodorants. Even after a wash in our front loader (used several brands of detergent, including Aldi, Cold Power, OMO) they still stink. Any help will be most appreciated. I am willing to spray the armpits with something before washing or adding something to the wash. I end up washing several times and still smell stays."
Do you have the answer?
With the end of the school year looming, and the opportunity to sell or pass on uniforms, I'm sure this question is one most of us would be wondering about, even if just to ensure we pack away clean uniforms until next year.
If you can help Melissa, let us know. We'll enter your answer into our Tip of the Week competition, with a one-year membership to the Cheapskates Club as the prize too.
Send your answer
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.
Read our privacy policy
How Did You Get on Our List?
You signed up to receive our Free Newsletter at our Cheapskates Club Web site or are a Platinum Cheapskates Club member
13. Contact Details
The Cheapskates Club -
Showing you how to live life
debt free, cashed up and laughing!
PO Box 5077 Studfield Vic 3152
www.cheapskatesclub.net
1. Cath's Corner
2. In the Tip Store - Cute Christmas Placemats for 33 Cents; Making Sure You don't get Caught with an Ambulance Bill; No Need for Baking Paper
3. Cheapskates Club Gift Memberships - On sale now for a limited time!
4. Share Your Tips - Have a favourite tip? Share it here
5. On the Menu - Chicken Alfredo Roll-Ups
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - Three Budget Friendly Christmas Dinners
7. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
8. Last Week's Question - We're off to Europe, advice needed
9. This Week's Question - Help needed with stinky clothes
10. Ask Cath
11. Join the Cheapskates Club
12. Frequently Asked Questions
13. Contact Details
1. Cath's Corner
Hello Cheapskaters,
November is the month of birthdays in our family - six altogether, and this week has been one hectic, social whirl. And loads of fun, of course. We have celebrated three birthdays, and Tom is leaving for his overseas job tomorrow. He'll be gone up to two years! I'm looking forward to December, so I can slow down!
It's just under five weeks until Christmas. I know that Platinum members have been following the Christmas Countdown and are well and truly ready for the first of December. But if you're not quite that organized there is still time to own your Christmas. Join the rest of the gang over at the Own Your Christmas homepage. You'll find lots of hints and tips, articles and How To... Sheets, printables and more to keep you on track. Start now and you, not the bank, will own your Christmas 2017, you still have plenty of time. And we're all here to cheer and help you on your way.
With Christmas in mind, if you are stuck for ideas, why not give the gift that doesn't take up space or collect dust, is calorie and fat free and won't be returned: a Platinum Cheapskates Club membership. Giving a Platinum membership as a gift gives hope, inspiration, real useful information and unlimited access to the Cheapskates Club Member's Centre for one full year! That's over 3,500 pages of hints, tips, ideas, articles, stories and discussions on living the Cheapskates way.
Click here to order your Christmas Gift memberships today, they're just $30 each and only available for a limited time.
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
Cute Christmas Placemats for 33 Cents
Last Christmas I wanted my dining table to be extra special and festive. I have always loved the Christmas placemats you see in the shops and magazines but can't justify the price of them when we will only use them one day in the year. My placemats are looking a bit old and scratched, which is fine for your everyday use, but not special occasions.
So, I had this bright idea Christmas morning as I was thinking of how to decorate the table. Why not wrap them in Christmas wrapping paper? I got going and had all six placemats wrapped in a matter of minutes and they looked fantastic, even my daughter said, "WOW MUM! You've really gone all out this year. You will have to do this again next year, it's so Christmassy, I love it."
I even looked up quickly on the net on how to make Christmas shaped serviettes. I then realised I didn't have any serviettes in my house, so I got a piece of paper towel from the kitchen and folded it five times in the middle to make a bow shape and got gold ribbon and placed it around the middle to hold it in place. It went beautifully with the Christmas placemats.
The dining table looked magical now and I did it in no time at all. I estimate I have saved at least $30 plus on the placemats and serviettes and it only cost me 33 cents for the wrapping paper (I got 3 x rolls for 99 cents and only used one roll) and I already had the kitchen paper towel and the gold ribbon.
Contributed by Kate Dean
Making Sure You don't get Caught with an Ambulance Bill
On a recent trip out of state Hubby got sick and an ambulance had to be called...all good he is still with us, but it was an emergency at the time. The location we were at meant the bill was going to be horrendous...and we were not disappointed when it arrived the day before yesterday, but the ambulance officers deserve to be paid well for what they do...bless them.
A quick trip to the health fund had the bill tidily paid for and all issues taken out of our hands...no worries about where the money was going to come from.
This one bill was equivalent to what we pay every year into the fund in fees, so I am grateful we have the cover.
If you can afford to have private cover I would recommend it to all. At the least try to get ambulance cover and the basic hospital. The ambulance cover can save you thousands and the basic hospital will make it easy at tax time.
Contributed by Linda Stapleton
Editor's note: Ambulance cover can be bought very cheaply (I've just renewed our family Ambulance Victoria membership for $92.05 for a year - single membership is just $46) and is well worth the money, especially as not all health funds and/or policies cover emergency ambulance transport. In the past year we've used our Ambulance Victoria cover three times for emergency trips to hospital (here's hoping we don't need it again anytime soon!). Thanks to our Ambulance Victoria membership we didn't even see a bill, such a relief when you aren't feeling well. Cath.
No Need for Baking Paper
I use butter and when finished I just fold the wrappers and put it unwashed in a nice container in the fridge ready for baking. It's already greased obviously and easy for lining baking trays or cake tins.
Contributed by Anne Wilson
Note: I do this too! I save the butter wrappers in a ziplock bag in the freezer, and when I need to grease or line an awkward shaped tin or pan (think Bundt pan) I use the butter wrappers from the freezer. Cath
There are currently more than 12,000 great tips in the Tip Store
3. Cheapskates Christmas Gift Memberships
Does the thought of Christmas shopping stress you out?
It doesn't have to be that way....
Give a membership to the Cheapskates Club, the stress free, thoughtful and life-changing gift this Christmas.
This Christmas when you order Cheapskates Club gift memberships, you'll pay just $30 each! That's a saving of 20% off the regular price when you buy these limited time only gift memberships.
Order your Cheapskates Gift Memberships here
4. Submit Your Tip
The Cheapskate's Club website is over 3,000 pages of money saving hints, tips and ideas. Let's get together and make the Cheapskates Club Australia's largest online hint, tip and idea library. Share your favourite money saving, time saving or energy saving hint and be in the running to win a one-year membership to The Cheapskate Club. We publish a Winning Tip each Thursday, so enter your great money, time or energy saving idea now.
Share your favourite hint or tip that saves money, time and energy and be in the running to win a one-year subscription to The Cheapskate Journal.
Remember, you have to be in it to win it!
Submit your tip
5. On the Menu
Chicken Alfredo Roll-Ups
Ingredients:
12 uncooked lasagne sheets
3 cups cooked chicken, shredded
450ml jar alfredo pasta sauce (or MOO it)
Salt and pepper
1-1/2 cups grated cheese (mozzarella is good if you have it)
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Method:
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Boil the lasagne noodles and rinse with cool water. Lay on a clean tea towel and pat dry. Add two tablespoons of sauce onto each noodle and spread evenly over each noodle. Add two tablespoons of shredded chicken onto the sauce on each noodle and spread out. Top with one tablespoon of shredded cheese. Add salt and pepper, as desired. Rollup each lasagne noodle and place into a well-oiled baking dish. Top with alfredo sauce, sprinkle with remaining grated cheese. Finish with grated parmesan. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until cheese has melted on top and is golden brown.
This week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Chicken
Monday: Italian Vegetarian Meatballs, rice
Tuesday: Chicken Alfredo Roll-ups
Wednesday: Butter chicken, steamed rice, pappadums
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Hamburgers
Saturday: Enchiladas
In the fruit bowl: bananas, strawberries
In the cake tin: Weetbix slice
There are over 1,600 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File.
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge
Three Budget Friendly Christmas Dinners
Over the years we've celebrated Christmas on a budget because we live on a budget. Sometimes that budget has been tighter than others, but we've always had a lovely Christmas Dinner, with lots of yummy food and treats. And since we've been back in Melbourne we've always shared our Christmas dinner with family and friends.
I've shared three of my Christmas diner meal plans with Cheapskaters over the years:
Cheapskates $25 Christmas Dinner
Golden roast chicken with bread stuffing
Rosemary and onion baked potatoes
Green beans with almonds
Honey sesame carrots
Cauliflower au gratin
~~~~~
Christmas pudding with stirred custard
Christmas cake
Cheapskates $50 Christmas Dinner
Onion Dip
Taco Dip
Carrot and Celery Sticks
Shapes- Barbecue, Cheese, Savoury
~~~~~
Golden Roast Chicken with gravy
Potato Bake
Honey carrots
Peas and corn
~~~~~
Ice Cream Christmas Pudding with custard and cream
~~~~~
Christmas Cake
Royal Puddings
Cheapskates $80 Christmas Dinner
Cranberry glazed roast rolled turkey breast
Apricot mustard glazed ham
Rosemary and onion baked potatoes
Green beans with almonds
Honey sesame carrots
Cauliflower au gratin
~~~~~
Christmas pudding with stirred custard & brandy cream
Raspberry Ice-Cream Mousse with frozen raspberries
~~~~~
Christmas cake
Assorted cheeses & crackers
If you don't believe you can have a yummy and special Christmas dinner for $25, trust me - you can!
You can have a truly wonderful Christmas dinner (with planned leftovers) for $50, and this has been my budget for years. I feed at least six on this meal plan, and it's always a winner.
And a few times we've really splurged and spent $80 on the food and trimmings for Christmas dinner, adding a little luxury with a stunning glazed ham for those who like it (those years we've had up to 20 for lunch).
So, if you are stuck for ideas for Christmas dinner, and are on a budget, have a look at these meal plans. I've included shopping lists and recipes so getting Christmas dinner on the table will be a breeze.
I do the bulk of my grocery shopping at Aldi, and then fresh fruit and veg at a local greengrocer/market. I shop around between Aldi and a couple of local butchers for the best prices on the meats and poultry I want to buy to stay withing budget.
Click here to download the budget Christmas dinner meal plans
The $300 a Month Food Challenge
The Post that Started it All
7. Cheapskates Buzz
Most popular forum posts this week
Plastic Free Tips
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?3608-Plastic-free-tips
Seniors Discounts
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?15-Seniors-discounts
Amazing Bi Carb of Soda
http://www.cheapskatesclub.com.au/memberforum/showthread.php?3661-Amazing-Bi-Carb-of-Soda
Most popular blog posts this week
How to Start a Garden Journal
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2013/06/how-to-start-garden-journal.html
How to Have a Beautiful Spring Garden on a Budget
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2015/09/how-to-have-beautiful-spring-garden-on_17.html
Get Your Green Thumbs Going
http://www.debtfreecashedupandlaughing.com.au/2013/11/get-your-green-thumbs-going.html
9. Last Week's Question
Last week's question was from Kit who wrote
"Myself and husband are planning to travel to Europe next year. I need lots of advice on where to go, what to take, what is the best travel card to take, what is the best travel accommodation on a budget, is train travel the best way to travel around the various countries, etc. Any other tips would be greatly appreciated."
Sarah Daly answered
Citibank has a free transaction account. International ATM withdrawals are free at their ATMs. Also, ING just announced they are rebating international ATM fees. Have a look at these accounts and if they will work for your destinations.
Gaylene Falconer answered
Every two years my granddaughter's school has an 'excursion' to Germany. The past two they have used trains for transport as buses became too expensive. The trains are frequent, reliable and comfortable. Some have free Wi-Fi too. You can be in another country in a couple of hours.
Susie Johnston answered
If your trip includes travelling around Britain I can highly recommend the BritRail pass. I have been using this product for years and it is fantastic value as rail fares are not cheap, even if you buy them in advance on the net. The BritRail enables you to travel anywhere (including on the Heathrow Express), anytime without having to worry about booking. You just get on the train and show your pass when asked. For London (Tube, buses, etc.) I top up the Oyster card I have been using for around eight years. A terrific website for all rail travel anywhere in the world is: The Man in Seat 61. Excellent on Europe. The EurRail pass is similar to the BritRail. London is expensive, so I always stay in self-catering accommodation in Winchester, which has a brilliant rail service to London (55 minutes) and elsewhere. B&B's can be expensive. Lots of places in London (National Gallery, Tate, British Museum, British Library, RAF Museum, National Portrait Gallery, Imperial War Museum, etc) are free. if you are interested in National Trust properties (Sissinghurst for example) then Australian membership is reciprocal so you get in for free - great value as again, entrance fees can be high. Finally, don't take too much stuff, travel light if you can.
Julie Buxton answered
You'll save by not paying departure tax from UK by flying to mainland Europe and training everywhere, including UK. A few years ago, Vienna was the cheapest place to land - air - and then catch efficient, economical trains around Europe. However, research online flights to Europe, don't take too many clothes and ENJOY the trip!
Tracey Dobra answered
When we went to Europe we booked a tour with Expat Explore, it is a budget-friendly tour company we had never heard of and we were a bit worried it wasn't legit cos it was so cheap, but it was a lovely tour staying in cheaper but spotlessly clean accommodation (accommodation is so expensive) and we loved our tour, we booked Airbnb accommodation in England, in London it was very stark but clean and only two mins walk to Big Ben (it was the cheapest we could find for a private room), in Kent it was lovely, with Airbnb look at the photos cos that is exactly what you should get. Airfares can be bought on Easyjet which sells budget airfares but make sure you include luggage when you book, as like here if you come with unbooked luggage, it costs a fortune.
There are more answers to Kit's question in the Travel Tip Store, click here for a sneak peek.
9. This Week's Question
Melissa writes
"My teenager's school uniform polo t-shirts stink in the armpit area, despite using deodorants. Even after a wash in our front loader (used several brands of detergent, including Aldi, Cold Power, OMO) they still stink. Any help will be most appreciated. I am willing to spray the armpits with something before washing or adding something to the wash. I end up washing several times and still smell stays."
Do you have the answer?
With the end of the school year looming, and the opportunity to sell or pass on uniforms, I'm sure this question is one most of us would be wondering about, even if just to ensure we pack away clean uniforms until next year.
If you can help Melissa, let us know. We'll enter your answer into our Tip of the Week competition, with a one-year membership to the Cheapskates Club as the prize too.
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