Your Cheapskates Club newsletter 51:21
In This Newsletter
1. Cath's Corner
2. From the Tip Store - Last Minute Gifts that Cost Nothing; Show Your Kids How to Stretch Their Christmas Money;
3. Tip of the Week - How to Control Hobby/Craft Spending
4. Share Your Tips
5. On the Menu - What to do with Leftovers
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - The $50 Christmas Dinner - Again!
7. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
8. The Cheapskates Club Show
9. The Weekly MOO Challenge - Super Strength Vinegar Cleaning Spray
10. 2021 Saving Revolution -
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,
Well it's Christmas. If you have littles in the house, I'm sure they are excited and you are grateful that Christmas Day is almost here. It your home is like ours, and no littles, I'm sure you're excited and grateful that Christmas Day is almost here.
From our house to yours, however, wherever you celebrate, we wish you joy and peace and bountiful blessings for this season, and the coming year.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Happy Cheapskating,
Cath
2. From The Tip Store
Last Minute Gifts that Cost Nothing
I have a variety of specialist skills and my most precious resource is my time so I do gift certificates for specialist craft lessons e.g. 1 hour Knitting lesson (Value $15); 1 hour Tatting lesson (Value $15), 2 hours Family history research (Value $120), 2 hours babysitting (Value $40) - I saved at least $60 on one gift. I use free online Christmas and Birthday Gift certificates templates. Just google "free templates" to get a variety of free downloadables.
This is a great way for us oldies to pass on our skills to the interested family and friends. I have done certificates for Crochet, Knitting, dressmaking (sewing), embroidery, patchwork and quilting, lace making, horse riding lessons; babysitting and household chores. All gift certificates are happily received and gratefully used. The concept teaches the younger ones the value of a skill if they had to pay for it themselves and a rewarding time is spent with family and friends. I have never once received a groan from the gift certificate recipient. The trick is to make sure you follow through on the promise and honour the certificate.
Ask yourself - What are your time and skills worth? Beats buying expensive presents that provide Christmas day joy only.
Contributed by Saadia Thomson
Show Your Kids How to Stretch Their Christmas Money
Approximate $ Savings: $100 - $1000
When your kids are given cash for Christmas (or Birthday) presents, help them learn the value of the dollar. Use catalogues or go online to find the price of a toy/game/item they are wanting to buy with their present money. Then go to eBay, or other online websites and search for the same or similar items. Then calculate that they can have say 1 item at at full retail price or several second hand/new/near new items for the same dollar value. I find this helps kids to understand what things actually cost and how to budget for 'wants'. Depending on how much your child has to spend and what they are buying you can save heaps, I estimate that over the years we have saved between $100 - $1000.
Contributed by Chelli
Add a Tip
3. This Week's Winning Tip
This week's winning tip is from Rebecca Akon. Rebecca has won a one year Platinum Cheapskates Club membership for submitting her winning tip.
How to Control Hobby/Craft Spending
I am a self-confessed craft-addict (quilting, cross stitch, embroidery, crochet, knitting) who spends way too much on craft supplies and has accrued a substantial collection of “craft stuff”. My 2022 goal is to use what I have. Part of my collection problem is to browse craft websites and ebay when I am bored, emotional, tired etc. but I stumbled upon a diversion strategy. As soon as I feel the urge to splurge, I browse Pinterest instead. It diverts my attention, and the inspiration and free projects remind me that I have enough already and do not need more. By the time I finish, I no longer have the urge to buy anything. This has saved me hundreds this year, and I have not bought anything I didn’t actually need!
Congratulations Rebecca, I hope you enjoy your Cheapskates Club membership.
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; 1,600 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.
Enter your tip here
4. Share Your Tips
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
5. On The Menu
What to do with Leftovers
Rather than eating leftovers for a week after Christmas or throwing them out and wasting all that money, plan now to use any leftovers as the base of future meals and freeze them. Having a meal base pre-prepared and ready to use is a great standby for those lazy days when you don?t want to cook or for later on in the year when life is busy and time is short.
Follow these three simple steps to keep your frozen food fresh-tasting. It's a good idea to date and label the packages and to include the reheating instructions.
Cooling
Before storing hot foods, be sure to cool them completely. This is important for two reasons: hot foods will raise the temperature of the freezer, slowing the freezing time (and perhaps thawing other foods); also, the centre of the dishes may not freeze quickly enough to prevent spoilage.
Storing
Use storage containers and wrappings designed for the freezer. When freezing in baking dishes, wrap tightly. Otherwise, transfer food to airtight containers, leaving as little air as possible at the top (except for liquids, which need about one inch of air to allow for expansion). Freezing in small containers (less than two litres) will ensure that the food freezes quickly and evenly.
Reheating
Some dishes require defrosting before reheating; check directions in each recipe to be sure. If thawing is called for, the safest way is to thaw in the refrigerator. Move the dish to the fridge the night before you plan to serve it (do not leave out at room temperature, especially during summer), or you can defrost in the microwave (follow the directions on your microwave for best results).
Meal Ideas for Leftovers
• Slice chicken, turkey or ham. Layer slices in a shallow dish. Make up the appropriate gravy and cover the sliced meat. Seal the container (burping to expel trapped air). Label and freeze. Thaw completely before reheating gently in the microwave or in a low oven.
• Mash leftover roast veggies such as potato, pumpkin, onion with leftover peas, corn, carrots, beans etc. Add a beaten egg and mix through. Shape into croquette shapes; roll in plain flour, beaten egg and breadcrumbs. Flash freeze (freeze in a single layer on a biscuit sheet) then store in an airtight container. Thaw before gently frying in shallow oil. These are very nice with a sweet chilli sauce.
• Shred leftover cooked chicken or turkey to make lettuce rolls, cabbage rolls, chicken tacos, curry etc. Store the shredded meat in an airtight container. Thaw before using.
Slice leftover Christmas pudding and freeze in single portions. You'll be able to enjoy yourpudding in winter when the colder weather welcomes heavier desserts. Double wrap in plastic film and store in a ziplock bag (expel the air before sealing).
Do you have a favourite leftover recipe? We can't wait to try it and add it to the Recipe File. Share it with us here.
Next week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Beef
Monday: Curried chicken & noodles
Tuesday: Spinach Ricotta Cannelloni
Wednesday: Curried Beef, rice
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Fish, potato gems, coleslaw
Saturday: Stuffed Potatoes
There are over 1,800 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
6. The $300 A Month Food Challenge
The $50 Christmas Dinner - Again!
I'm a traditionalist (sounds better than lazy) so our Christmas dinner is the same every year - I stick to the $50 meal plan and we always have leftovers for tea and Boxing Day, bringing the cost of the actual meal down to well under the budgeted amount.
I've done the sums and walked the supermarkets to check the prices and checked the pantry and freezer and this year our Christmas dinner will come in at under $50 again, including some treats and nibblies.
We'll be having Golden Roast Chicken with gravy, glazed ham, Potato Bake, honey carrots and peas and corn. The chicken is in the freezer, bought earlier this year when they were on sale for $2.99/kg, the peas and corn are also in the freezer, bought earlier in the year.
For dessert we'll have Ice Cream Christmas Pudding (my own easy version), steamed Christmas pudding (my mother's recipe), custard and cream.
We'll have bowls of lollies and of course our traditional scorched almonds (bought a couple of months ago from Aldi) on the table. And I'll make a couple of dips to have with carrot and celery sticks and Shapes – Barbecue, Cheese and Savoury. Shapes are a Christmas tradition for us, so when they're on half-price close to Christmas, I buy them and put them away.
If you're thinking that our Christmas Dinner is just a standard roast and dessert – you're right! It is.
What makes it special is the way we set the table and the way we serve it, and of course by sharing it with family and friends.
With the menu being so simple, and familiar, there's no stress. All the ingredients are regulars on the shopping list, and things that I make often.
This one meal, on this one day of the year, will be special. It will be extravagant. It will be delicious. And it will be stress free, even on the $300 a Month Food Challenge.
Want to see a $25 Christmas Dinner menu? Or a slightly more extravagant $80 Christmas Dinner menu? They're all here, on our website.
The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
The Post that Started it All
7. Cheapskates Buzz
From The Article Archive
Last Minute Gifts That Cost Nothing
Two Minute Chocolate Fudge
Fast Party Food Cheapskates Style
This Week's Hot Forum Topics
My Craft Room
The Preserving Thread
Gardening Gear
8. The Cheapskates Club Show
Join us live on YouTube every Tuesday 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.
Popular Shows
1. Cath's Corner
2. From the Tip Store - Last Minute Gifts that Cost Nothing; Show Your Kids How to Stretch Their Christmas Money;
3. Tip of the Week - How to Control Hobby/Craft Spending
4. Share Your Tips
5. On the Menu - What to do with Leftovers
6. The $300 a Month Food Challenge - The $50 Christmas Dinner - Again!
7. Cheapskates Buzz - Cheapskaters are talking in the Forum and on Cath's blog
8. The Cheapskates Club Show
9. The Weekly MOO Challenge - Super Strength Vinegar Cleaning Spray
10. 2021 Saving Revolution -
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,
Well it's Christmas. If you have littles in the house, I'm sure they are excited and you are grateful that Christmas Day is almost here. It your home is like ours, and no littles, I'm sure you're excited and grateful that Christmas Day is almost here.
From our house to yours, however, wherever you celebrate, we wish you joy and peace and bountiful blessings for this season, and the coming year.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Happy Cheapskating,
Cath
2. From The Tip Store
Last Minute Gifts that Cost Nothing
I have a variety of specialist skills and my most precious resource is my time so I do gift certificates for specialist craft lessons e.g. 1 hour Knitting lesson (Value $15); 1 hour Tatting lesson (Value $15), 2 hours Family history research (Value $120), 2 hours babysitting (Value $40) - I saved at least $60 on one gift. I use free online Christmas and Birthday Gift certificates templates. Just google "free templates" to get a variety of free downloadables.
This is a great way for us oldies to pass on our skills to the interested family and friends. I have done certificates for Crochet, Knitting, dressmaking (sewing), embroidery, patchwork and quilting, lace making, horse riding lessons; babysitting and household chores. All gift certificates are happily received and gratefully used. The concept teaches the younger ones the value of a skill if they had to pay for it themselves and a rewarding time is spent with family and friends. I have never once received a groan from the gift certificate recipient. The trick is to make sure you follow through on the promise and honour the certificate.
Ask yourself - What are your time and skills worth? Beats buying expensive presents that provide Christmas day joy only.
Contributed by Saadia Thomson
Show Your Kids How to Stretch Their Christmas Money
Approximate $ Savings: $100 - $1000
When your kids are given cash for Christmas (or Birthday) presents, help them learn the value of the dollar. Use catalogues or go online to find the price of a toy/game/item they are wanting to buy with their present money. Then go to eBay, or other online websites and search for the same or similar items. Then calculate that they can have say 1 item at at full retail price or several second hand/new/near new items for the same dollar value. I find this helps kids to understand what things actually cost and how to budget for 'wants'. Depending on how much your child has to spend and what they are buying you can save heaps, I estimate that over the years we have saved between $100 - $1000.
Contributed by Chelli
Add a Tip
3. This Week's Winning Tip
This week's winning tip is from Rebecca Akon. Rebecca has won a one year Platinum Cheapskates Club membership for submitting her winning tip.
How to Control Hobby/Craft Spending
I am a self-confessed craft-addict (quilting, cross stitch, embroidery, crochet, knitting) who spends way too much on craft supplies and has accrued a substantial collection of “craft stuff”. My 2022 goal is to use what I have. Part of my collection problem is to browse craft websites and ebay when I am bored, emotional, tired etc. but I stumbled upon a diversion strategy. As soon as I feel the urge to splurge, I browse Pinterest instead. It diverts my attention, and the inspiration and free projects remind me that I have enough already and do not need more. By the time I finish, I no longer have the urge to buy anything. This has saved me hundreds this year, and I have not bought anything I didn’t actually need!
Congratulations Rebecca, I hope you enjoy your Cheapskates Club membership.
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; 1,600 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.
Enter your tip here
4. Share Your Tips
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
5. On The Menu
What to do with Leftovers
Rather than eating leftovers for a week after Christmas or throwing them out and wasting all that money, plan now to use any leftovers as the base of future meals and freeze them. Having a meal base pre-prepared and ready to use is a great standby for those lazy days when you don?t want to cook or for later on in the year when life is busy and time is short.
Follow these three simple steps to keep your frozen food fresh-tasting. It's a good idea to date and label the packages and to include the reheating instructions.
Cooling
Before storing hot foods, be sure to cool them completely. This is important for two reasons: hot foods will raise the temperature of the freezer, slowing the freezing time (and perhaps thawing other foods); also, the centre of the dishes may not freeze quickly enough to prevent spoilage.
Storing
Use storage containers and wrappings designed for the freezer. When freezing in baking dishes, wrap tightly. Otherwise, transfer food to airtight containers, leaving as little air as possible at the top (except for liquids, which need about one inch of air to allow for expansion). Freezing in small containers (less than two litres) will ensure that the food freezes quickly and evenly.
Reheating
Some dishes require defrosting before reheating; check directions in each recipe to be sure. If thawing is called for, the safest way is to thaw in the refrigerator. Move the dish to the fridge the night before you plan to serve it (do not leave out at room temperature, especially during summer), or you can defrost in the microwave (follow the directions on your microwave for best results).
Meal Ideas for Leftovers
• Slice chicken, turkey or ham. Layer slices in a shallow dish. Make up the appropriate gravy and cover the sliced meat. Seal the container (burping to expel trapped air). Label and freeze. Thaw completely before reheating gently in the microwave or in a low oven.
• Mash leftover roast veggies such as potato, pumpkin, onion with leftover peas, corn, carrots, beans etc. Add a beaten egg and mix through. Shape into croquette shapes; roll in plain flour, beaten egg and breadcrumbs. Flash freeze (freeze in a single layer on a biscuit sheet) then store in an airtight container. Thaw before gently frying in shallow oil. These are very nice with a sweet chilli sauce.
• Shred leftover cooked chicken or turkey to make lettuce rolls, cabbage rolls, chicken tacos, curry etc. Store the shredded meat in an airtight container. Thaw before using.
Slice leftover Christmas pudding and freeze in single portions. You'll be able to enjoy yourpudding in winter when the colder weather welcomes heavier desserts. Double wrap in plastic film and store in a ziplock bag (expel the air before sealing).
Do you have a favourite leftover recipe? We can't wait to try it and add it to the Recipe File. Share it with us here.
Next week we will be eating:
Sunday: Roast Beef
Monday: Curried chicken & noodles
Tuesday: Spinach Ricotta Cannelloni
Wednesday: Curried Beef, rice
Thursday: MOO Pizza
Friday: Fish, potato gems, coleslaw
Saturday: Stuffed Potatoes
There are over 1,800 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
6. The $300 A Month Food Challenge
The $50 Christmas Dinner - Again!
I'm a traditionalist (sounds better than lazy) so our Christmas dinner is the same every year - I stick to the $50 meal plan and we always have leftovers for tea and Boxing Day, bringing the cost of the actual meal down to well under the budgeted amount.
I've done the sums and walked the supermarkets to check the prices and checked the pantry and freezer and this year our Christmas dinner will come in at under $50 again, including some treats and nibblies.
We'll be having Golden Roast Chicken with gravy, glazed ham, Potato Bake, honey carrots and peas and corn. The chicken is in the freezer, bought earlier this year when they were on sale for $2.99/kg, the peas and corn are also in the freezer, bought earlier in the year.
For dessert we'll have Ice Cream Christmas Pudding (my own easy version), steamed Christmas pudding (my mother's recipe), custard and cream.
We'll have bowls of lollies and of course our traditional scorched almonds (bought a couple of months ago from Aldi) on the table. And I'll make a couple of dips to have with carrot and celery sticks and Shapes – Barbecue, Cheese and Savoury. Shapes are a Christmas tradition for us, so when they're on half-price close to Christmas, I buy them and put them away.
If you're thinking that our Christmas Dinner is just a standard roast and dessert – you're right! It is.
What makes it special is the way we set the table and the way we serve it, and of course by sharing it with family and friends.
With the menu being so simple, and familiar, there's no stress. All the ingredients are regulars on the shopping list, and things that I make often.
This one meal, on this one day of the year, will be special. It will be extravagant. It will be delicious. And it will be stress free, even on the $300 a Month Food Challenge.
Want to see a $25 Christmas Dinner menu? Or a slightly more extravagant $80 Christmas Dinner menu? They're all here, on our website.
The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
The Post that Started it All
7. Cheapskates Buzz
From The Article Archive
Last Minute Gifts That Cost Nothing
Two Minute Chocolate Fudge
Fast Party Food Cheapskates Style
This Week's Hot Forum Topics
My Craft Room
The Preserving Thread
Gardening Gear
8. The Cheapskates Club Show
Join us live on YouTube every Tuesday 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.
Popular Shows
9. The Weekly MOO Challenge
Super Strength Vinegar Cleaning Spray
It's tradition in our house to clean from ceiling to floor, inside and out, between Christmas and New Year. Sort of like spring cleaning on steroids. And all so we start the new year with a spotless, tidy home and garden. It's not that hard really because of the routines already in place, but tradition is tradition and who am I to break it!
We all know that ordinary white vinegar is a powerful household cleaner, but sometimes we need a super strength cleaner, one that not only cleans but disinfects as well. There may be sickness in the house, baby may have started crawling or toddling, there may be pets in and out or a hundred other reasons. Or you may just have a between Christmas and New Year cleaning tradition!
This is the vinegar to use when you need super cleaning and disinfecting power.
You will need:
2 litre wide-mouth jar
Lemon rinds to half fill the jar
¼ cup of whole cloves
5 cinnamon sticks, broken up
¼ cup of lavender blossoms or 5 sprigs of lavender
2 tbsp of dried rosemary
1.5 litres white vinegar
Step 1. Put the lemon rinds in the jar, packing them down gently.
Step 2. Add the cloves, cinnamon sticks, lavender and rosemary.
Step 3. Fill the jar with vinegar, being careful to remove the air bubbles (a skewer or chopstick is good for this). Leave a 2cm headspace in the jar, the spices will swell as they absorb the vinegar.
Step 4. Place the jar on a sunny windowsill or in a warm spot (the top of the fridge is a great spot). Cover with a paper towel. Let the vinegar steep for four weeks. Shake the jar once a week to stir things up. Over the four weeks the vinegar will turn a dark brown colour and the spices will swell - this is normal.
Step 5. To use the vinegar, strain the solids (compost them). Pour into a clean 1 litre spray bottle. Spray directly onto the surfaces you want to disinfect and clean - benchtops, basins, cooktops, fridges, highchairs, tables etc. - and wipe clean. Do not rinse off. Let the item dry naturally.
Notes:
This cleaner is an excellent way to use up older spices when you are ready to replenish them (herbs and spices typically have an opened shelf life of six months). If you need to buy fresh spices for this recipe source them from a bulk or wholefoods supplier, Indian or Asian grocer for the best price.
Save lemon rinds when you juice lemons, keep them in the freezer until you have enough to use. You want the complete rind, it's the oils in the skin that you want for your cleaning vinegar.
Get in on the fun and discussions here.
10. 2021 Saving Revolution
Lesson 52: Moving Forward!
It's finally over! If you've stuck to the plan and worked through the lessons each week you will be way ahead with your finances. You'll now control them, they won't be holding you hostage to ever increasing debt and shrinking savings.
Congratulations!
If I could send you a medal I would. Instead now just how very proud I am of you and how happy I am that you lasted the coursed and reached your goal. A year long challenge isn't easy, especially this year, but you've completed it.
I hope you've enjoyed each week, and I really hope that you are ending the year with a greater understanding of your financial life and the incredible possibilities you have when you control your money.
It doesn't have to end tomorrow - you can register for the 2022 Saving Revolution and join the fun and challenge again.
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 $25 a year, you can join the Cheapskates Club and get exclusive access to the Cheapskate Journal, the monthly e-journal that shows you how to cut the costs of everyday living and still have fun.
Joining the Cheapskates Club gives you 24/7 access to the Members Centre with 1000's of money saving tips and articles.
Click here to join the Cheapskates Club today!
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?
Memberships are active for one year from the date of joining. You can also find your membership expiry date on your profile page.
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.
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 I get on this list?
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
Super Strength Vinegar Cleaning Spray
It's tradition in our house to clean from ceiling to floor, inside and out, between Christmas and New Year. Sort of like spring cleaning on steroids. And all so we start the new year with a spotless, tidy home and garden. It's not that hard really because of the routines already in place, but tradition is tradition and who am I to break it!
We all know that ordinary white vinegar is a powerful household cleaner, but sometimes we need a super strength cleaner, one that not only cleans but disinfects as well. There may be sickness in the house, baby may have started crawling or toddling, there may be pets in and out or a hundred other reasons. Or you may just have a between Christmas and New Year cleaning tradition!
This is the vinegar to use when you need super cleaning and disinfecting power.
You will need:
2 litre wide-mouth jar
Lemon rinds to half fill the jar
¼ cup of whole cloves
5 cinnamon sticks, broken up
¼ cup of lavender blossoms or 5 sprigs of lavender
2 tbsp of dried rosemary
1.5 litres white vinegar
Step 1. Put the lemon rinds in the jar, packing them down gently.
Step 2. Add the cloves, cinnamon sticks, lavender and rosemary.
Step 3. Fill the jar with vinegar, being careful to remove the air bubbles (a skewer or chopstick is good for this). Leave a 2cm headspace in the jar, the spices will swell as they absorb the vinegar.
Step 4. Place the jar on a sunny windowsill or in a warm spot (the top of the fridge is a great spot). Cover with a paper towel. Let the vinegar steep for four weeks. Shake the jar once a week to stir things up. Over the four weeks the vinegar will turn a dark brown colour and the spices will swell - this is normal.
Step 5. To use the vinegar, strain the solids (compost them). Pour into a clean 1 litre spray bottle. Spray directly onto the surfaces you want to disinfect and clean - benchtops, basins, cooktops, fridges, highchairs, tables etc. - and wipe clean. Do not rinse off. Let the item dry naturally.
Notes:
This cleaner is an excellent way to use up older spices when you are ready to replenish them (herbs and spices typically have an opened shelf life of six months). If you need to buy fresh spices for this recipe source them from a bulk or wholefoods supplier, Indian or Asian grocer for the best price.
Save lemon rinds when you juice lemons, keep them in the freezer until you have enough to use. You want the complete rind, it's the oils in the skin that you want for your cleaning vinegar.
Get in on the fun and discussions here.
10. 2021 Saving Revolution
Lesson 52: Moving Forward!
It's finally over! If you've stuck to the plan and worked through the lessons each week you will be way ahead with your finances. You'll now control them, they won't be holding you hostage to ever increasing debt and shrinking savings.
Congratulations!
If I could send you a medal I would. Instead now just how very proud I am of you and how happy I am that you lasted the coursed and reached your goal. A year long challenge isn't easy, especially this year, but you've completed it.
I hope you've enjoyed each week, and I really hope that you are ending the year with a greater understanding of your financial life and the incredible possibilities you have when you control your money.
It doesn't have to end tomorrow - you can register for the 2022 Saving Revolution and join the fun and challenge again.
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 $25 a year, you can join the Cheapskates Club and get exclusive access to the Cheapskate Journal, the monthly e-journal that shows you how to cut the costs of everyday living and still have fun.
Joining the Cheapskates Club gives you 24/7 access to the Members Centre with 1000's of money saving tips and articles.
Click here to join the Cheapskates Club today!
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?
Memberships are active for one year from the date of joining. You can also find your membership expiry date on your profile page.
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.
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 I get on this list?
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