Lighting up the birthday cake
Getting all the candles lit on a birthday cake can be tricky - matches burn down so fast when you are trying to get all the candles alight at ones. If you don't have extra long matches, try lighting a piece of spaghetti. It will burn for a while and allow you to light multiple candles without burning your fingers.
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
Monday, 8 June 2009
Tip of the Day June 8, 2009
Re-invent second-hand jewellery and save on new beads
The latest craze seems to be making your own jewellery. When buying beads, clips etc it can be very expensive from the bead shops. I now go to second hand clothing stores such as Lifeline, the Salvation Army etc and buy very cheap second hand jewellery. I then dismantle the items and reinvent my own fabulous necklaces, earnings bracelets etc. often for less than the price of one special bead.
Contributed by Robyn, Redland Bay
The latest craze seems to be making your own jewellery. When buying beads, clips etc it can be very expensive from the bead shops. I now go to second hand clothing stores such as Lifeline, the Salvation Army etc and buy very cheap second hand jewellery. I then dismantle the items and reinvent my own fabulous necklaces, earnings bracelets etc. often for less than the price of one special bead.
Contributed by Robyn, Redland Bay
Sunday, 7 June 2009
Tip of the Day June 7, 2009
A safer substitute for Round-up
Here is a great weed killer you can make for less than $4. Dissolve 2 cups table salt in 5 litres white vinegar (generic is ideal). Add 8 drops of liquid dishwashing detergent (this helps plant material absorb the liquid). Label and keep out of reach of children. Use this solution in an ordinary spray bottle. This non-toxic formulation acts quickly and is very effective, so don't spray near roots of trees, shrubs, or plants you'd like to keep. This is especially effective on edges, driveways, footpaths ... any place you don't want anything to grow.
Here is a great weed killer you can make for less than $4. Dissolve 2 cups table salt in 5 litres white vinegar (generic is ideal). Add 8 drops of liquid dishwashing detergent (this helps plant material absorb the liquid). Label and keep out of reach of children. Use this solution in an ordinary spray bottle. This non-toxic formulation acts quickly and is very effective, so don't spray near roots of trees, shrubs, or plants you'd like to keep. This is especially effective on edges, driveways, footpaths ... any place you don't want anything to grow.
Saturday, 6 June 2009
Tip of the Day June 6, 2009
A long weekend - the perfect excuse to bake a cake
No matter what you have planned this long weekend, take some time out to relax with a cuppa and a slice of this delicious, chocolate cake.
Boiled Chocolate Cake
Ingredients:
1 cup water
2 tbsp cocoa
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
125g butter
1 1/2 cups SR flour
1/2 tsp bicarb soda
Method:
Place sugar, water, butter, cocoa and bicarb soda into a medium saucepan and stir over a low heat until butter has melted. Bring to boil and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. When mixture cools stir in beaten eggs and SR flour. Beat well. Turn into a greased and lined 18cm round cake tin. Bake in a moderate oven for 1 hour. Cool in tin 5 minutes before turning onto a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with icing sugar to serve.
No matter what you have planned this long weekend, take some time out to relax with a cuppa and a slice of this delicious, chocolate cake.
Boiled Chocolate Cake
Ingredients:
1 cup water
2 tbsp cocoa
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
125g butter
1 1/2 cups SR flour
1/2 tsp bicarb soda
Method:
Place sugar, water, butter, cocoa and bicarb soda into a medium saucepan and stir over a low heat until butter has melted. Bring to boil and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. When mixture cools stir in beaten eggs and SR flour. Beat well. Turn into a greased and lined 18cm round cake tin. Bake in a moderate oven for 1 hour. Cool in tin 5 minutes before turning onto a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with icing sugar to serve.
Friday, 5 June 2009
Tip of the Day June 5, 2009
Easy firelighters
It is officially winter, time to light the fire and get cosy. For a cheap fire starter, save your cardboard egg cartons and fill each compartment with dryer lint (if you use your dryer) or the dried lint from the lint filter in your washing machine or shredded paper (let the kids do this). Carefully melt the stubs from old candles and pour the wax over each section to seal the lint in. Pull the carton apart into individual sections and use one starter with the kindling when lighting a fire. You'll have a cheery blaze going in no time.
It is officially winter, time to light the fire and get cosy. For a cheap fire starter, save your cardboard egg cartons and fill each compartment with dryer lint (if you use your dryer) or the dried lint from the lint filter in your washing machine or shredded paper (let the kids do this). Carefully melt the stubs from old candles and pour the wax over each section to seal the lint in. Pull the carton apart into individual sections and use one starter with the kindling when lighting a fire. You'll have a cheery blaze going in no time.
Thursday, 4 June 2009
Tip of the Day June 4 2009
Carry a floor plan of your supermarket and save time and money
Do you want to save time and money at the supermarket? Then ask at the service desk of your regular supermarket for a floor plan and laminate it to use as your shopping list. You'll save time and not buy the extra goods you do not really need. This also helps if you have kids with you as they tend to cause distractions-just stick to the list you have marked. Use a whiteboard marker when making your list and crossing your purchases off so it can be used from week to week.
Do you want to save time and money at the supermarket? Then ask at the service desk of your regular supermarket for a floor plan and laminate it to use as your shopping list. You'll save time and not buy the extra goods you do not really need. This also helps if you have kids with you as they tend to cause distractions-just stick to the list you have marked. Use a whiteboard marker when making your list and crossing your purchases off so it can be used from week to week.
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Tip of the Day June 3, 2009
Balance your bank account regularly
In order for you to have a good idea of how much money is sitting in your bank account, what deposits and payments have cleared, and any errors that you, or your bank, may have made you must balance your bank account. It really doesn't take that long, if you balance your bank account the same day your statement arrives from the bank, each month or quarter. Keep all your banking paperwork (ATM receipts, deposit books, cheque books, statements etc) in the same place so it's easy to find and the job will be done in no time.
In order for you to have a good idea of how much money is sitting in your bank account, what deposits and payments have cleared, and any errors that you, or your bank, may have made you must balance your bank account. It really doesn't take that long, if you balance your bank account the same day your statement arrives from the bank, each month or quarter. Keep all your banking paperwork (ATM receipts, deposit books, cheque books, statements etc) in the same place so it's easy to find and the job will be done in no time.
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
Tip of the Day June 2, 2006
Leftovers? No, they're meal stretchers!
When you are cooking, plan to stretch the ingredients to get at least two meals from them.You don't have to cook and eat big meat and 3 veg meals every night. Try having meat and 3 veg one night followed by stir fry, quiche or noodle soup using the planned for meal stretchers (commonly called leftovers by those who don't know any better!) meat and veggies the next night. Omelettes, poached or scrambled eggs are another great way to use up these meal stretchers. Add diced meat and vegetables to a thick white or cheese sauce and use this as a pie filling or to fill thick, fluffy pancakes that can be sprinkled with cheese and a sprinkle of nutmeg and baked for savoury pancakes. Create gourmet pizzas using meal stretchers - you'll never have the same pizza twice!
When you are cooking, plan to stretch the ingredients to get at least two meals from them.You don't have to cook and eat big meat and 3 veg meals every night. Try having meat and 3 veg one night followed by stir fry, quiche or noodle soup using the planned for meal stretchers (commonly called leftovers by those who don't know any better!) meat and veggies the next night. Omelettes, poached or scrambled eggs are another great way to use up these meal stretchers. Add diced meat and vegetables to a thick white or cheese sauce and use this as a pie filling or to fill thick, fluffy pancakes that can be sprinkled with cheese and a sprinkle of nutmeg and baked for savoury pancakes. Create gourmet pizzas using meal stretchers - you'll never have the same pizza twice!
Monday, 1 June 2009
Tip of the Day June 1, 2009
Social stitching
If you like to sew, embroider, quilt, cross-stitch etc start a Stitching Group. Gather a group of friends for a stitching session, you get to have an afternoon or night out for free (or for the cost of a homemade cake and coffee if you are the host for the session). Take turns hosting so it doesn't become a burden on any one member. The host is responsible for supplying a simple supper (a cake,slice or biscuits and tea/coffee) for refreshments. Everyone brings their own projects and supplies and gets on with the stitching. On top of that you can swap patterns plus ideas and get help all for free. You can even swap fabric that you are finished with for some you want. It's a great way to make new friends and get started on those gifts you are always going to make. You may even get some of those UFOs under control, we all have them hiding in the cupboard, just waiting to be finished. On top of all these great benefits, you get to chat and have fun with some friends. Savings all round.
You can expand this idea to other crafts and hobbies: scrapbooking, model making, woodworking, painting etc, it doesn't have to just be stitching crafts.
If you like to sew, embroider, quilt, cross-stitch etc start a Stitching Group. Gather a group of friends for a stitching session, you get to have an afternoon or night out for free (or for the cost of a homemade cake and coffee if you are the host for the session). Take turns hosting so it doesn't become a burden on any one member. The host is responsible for supplying a simple supper (a cake,slice or biscuits and tea/coffee) for refreshments. Everyone brings their own projects and supplies and gets on with the stitching. On top of that you can swap patterns plus ideas and get help all for free. You can even swap fabric that you are finished with for some you want. It's a great way to make new friends and get started on those gifts you are always going to make. You may even get some of those UFOs under control, we all have them hiding in the cupboard, just waiting to be finished. On top of all these great benefits, you get to chat and have fun with some friends. Savings all round.
You can expand this idea to other crafts and hobbies: scrapbooking, model making, woodworking, painting etc, it doesn't have to just be stitching crafts.
Sunday, 31 May 2009
Tip of the Day May 31, 2009
Budget Sandpit Sun Shade
Approximate $ Savings: $1,200
With an active toddler I built her a sandpit two years ago just off our back verandah. We then realised that every time she played in there she was getting an awful lot of exposure to the sun and her toys were getting trashed by the elements.
Rather than building a solid structure over the sandpit we invested a whole $30 in a standard gazebo that you can pick up at Reject Shop / Cheap as Chips et al. type outlets at anytime.
We have had the gazebo up continuously for two years now and it is only just starting to show some wear and tear. We secure the corners with very long tent pegs and bricks, and weigh the centre point of the gazebo down with a heavy weight off a chaff cutter. It has not taken off in the wind yet!
Once the kids are grown we will return this area to lawn or garden so we did not want a permanent structure. When the current gazebo wears out we will just buy another one for $30. Big saving and it looks remarkably good!
Contributed by Tracey, Tintinara
Approximate $ Savings: $1,200
With an active toddler I built her a sandpit two years ago just off our back verandah. We then realised that every time she played in there she was getting an awful lot of exposure to the sun and her toys were getting trashed by the elements.
Rather than building a solid structure over the sandpit we invested a whole $30 in a standard gazebo that you can pick up at Reject Shop / Cheap as Chips et al. type outlets at anytime.
We have had the gazebo up continuously for two years now and it is only just starting to show some wear and tear. We secure the corners with very long tent pegs and bricks, and weigh the centre point of the gazebo down with a heavy weight off a chaff cutter. It has not taken off in the wind yet!
Once the kids are grown we will return this area to lawn or garden so we did not want a permanent structure. When the current gazebo wears out we will just buy another one for $30. Big saving and it looks remarkably good!
Contributed by Tracey, Tintinara
Saturday, 30 May 2009
Tip of the Day May 30, 2009
Thimble in a Can
This is a quick and easy craft that even young children can help with. These little containers are a fun idea for a gift for the needleworker or sewer and because they are so quick and easy to make, and very inexpensive they make really good fete and stall stock too. Use up all those cute scraps of fabric and ribbon you have stashed and they will be even cheaper to make.
Materials needed:
Instructions:
This is a quick and easy craft that even young children can help with. These little containers are a fun idea for a gift for the needleworker or sewer and because they are so quick and easy to make, and very inexpensive they make really good fete and stall stock too. Use up all those cute scraps of fabric and ribbon you have stashed and they will be even cheaper to make.
Materials needed:
- 1 x 35mm film canister (or a pill bottle about the same size)
- 1m narrow ribbon (or desired length)
- Fabric (10.5cmX 5cm or size of your container)
- Glue
- 1 thimble
Instructions:
- Turn your film container upside down and centre the ribbon onto the bottom of the film container. Glue it onto the bottom and the sides only leaving the long ends hanging loose. Let glue dry.
- Run a bead of glue along the long edge of the container and glue the edge of the fabric down.
- Make sure the top edge of the fabric is lined up against the top edge of the film container. Continue to glue the rest of the fabric to the container and let dry.
- Clip the edges of the bottom of the fabric about every 1cm up to the bottom edge of the film container.
- Glue all these little pieces down towards the centre of the bottom of the film container.
- Draw a circle on paper the size of the bottom of the container.
- Pin the paper circle onto a little piece of fabric and cut it out.
- Glue this to the bottom of the film container to cover all the little edges you glued down. Let thoroughly dry.
- Knot the two loose ends of the ribbon together to make a necklace out of your creation.
- Put the thimble into the container, replace the lid onto the top of the container, and there you have a "Thimble in a Can" to wear around your neck.
Friday, 29 May 2009
Tip of the Day May 29, 2009
Where does it all go?
Have you taken a family spending inventory lately? Grab your last bank statement and categorise every cent spent in the last 30 days.
You may be surprised at where your hard-earned money is going. If one category seems particularly bloated (grocery, entertainment, and miscellaneous are typical budget busters), spend an hour brainstorming with your family to find ways to trim the fat.
Set a specific goal (ie. resolve to drop $50 off of your grocery bill), create a concrete plan, and review your progress weekly. Plan a special treat as a celebration when you meet your goal.
Next month, plan another family budget challenge. One that we always enjoy (we play this little ‘game with our kids two or three times a year) is to find ways to cut 20% off our electricity bill. It s a real challenge in our house and the kids really begin to appreciate how much utilities such as electricity actually cost.
This is not only a great way to save money, but a fun way to teach children about planned spending.
Have you taken a family spending inventory lately? Grab your last bank statement and categorise every cent spent in the last 30 days.
You may be surprised at where your hard-earned money is going. If one category seems particularly bloated (grocery, entertainment, and miscellaneous are typical budget busters), spend an hour brainstorming with your family to find ways to trim the fat.
Set a specific goal (ie. resolve to drop $50 off of your grocery bill), create a concrete plan, and review your progress weekly. Plan a special treat as a celebration when you meet your goal.
Next month, plan another family budget challenge. One that we always enjoy (we play this little ‘game with our kids two or three times a year) is to find ways to cut 20% off our electricity bill. It s a real challenge in our house and the kids really begin to appreciate how much utilities such as electricity actually cost.
This is not only a great way to save money, but a fun way to teach children about planned spending.
Thursday, 28 May 2009
Tip of the Day May 28, 2009
Take your time and decorate to your style
Let your decorating scheme evolve over time as you find treasures and deals that work. Not only will you spread out your spending over a longer period of time, your room won't look out of fashion next year. Use flexible decor. Find pieces you can decorate with that you can switch out or modify slightly with the seasons. Change florals, bows, pictures in frames, and candle colours. Reverse pillowcases, window treatments, quilts and throws. Search the classifieds and garage sales for bargains. There are a lot of people out there who redecorate every year or so and are happy to sell off decorator items at greatly reduced prices.
Let your decorating scheme evolve over time as you find treasures and deals that work. Not only will you spread out your spending over a longer period of time, your room won't look out of fashion next year. Use flexible decor. Find pieces you can decorate with that you can switch out or modify slightly with the seasons. Change florals, bows, pictures in frames, and candle colours. Reverse pillowcases, window treatments, quilts and throws. Search the classifieds and garage sales for bargains. There are a lot of people out there who redecorate every year or so and are happy to sell off decorator items at greatly reduced prices.
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Tip of the Day May 27, 2009
Organize your expenses as you spend
Want to know how much you spend each month, so you can determine your monthly spending budget? As you spend, just record that expense. This can be called your Expense Summary. You can use a computer program for this purpose (do a Google search on "free personal budget software", or you can certainly do this with paper and pen and a small spiral notebook.
Want to know how much you spend each month, so you can determine your monthly spending budget? As you spend, just record that expense. This can be called your Expense Summary. You can use a computer program for this purpose (do a Google search on "free personal budget software", or you can certainly do this with paper and pen and a small spiral notebook.
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
Tip of the Day May 26, 2009
No more tears
If you hate chopping onions store them in the freezer. When you need one next, just zap it in the microwave for 20-30 seconds (just long enough to make it soft enough to chop, but the onion is still cold). No more tears, guaranteed. Chopping onions will now be a pleasure.
If you hate chopping onions store them in the freezer. When you need one next, just zap it in the microwave for 20-30 seconds (just long enough to make it soft enough to chop, but the onion is still cold). No more tears, guaranteed. Chopping onions will now be a pleasure.
Monday, 25 May 2009
Tip of the Day May 25, 2009
A Sewing Kit for Non-Sewers
Even if you aren't a great dressmaker, or mad keen on sewing, you will at sometime have to bite the bullet and actually do some mending. By keeping a basic but small sewing kit on hand, those emergency mending jobs can be done with a minimum of stress, time and cost.
This little sewing kit can be put together for under $10, and will fit into a small lunchbox (around 99 cents at discount shops). Keep it in the laundry, or the linen cupboard where it will be easy to get to in a hurry.
Basic Sewing Kit:
1 reel white thread
1 reel black thread
1 reel invisible thread (matches any colour)
1 packet of all-purpose needles, self-threading, or include a threader
4-hole white shirt buttons (usually come 5 to a card)
1 iron-on patch kit, lightweight
1 iron-on patch kit, heavyweight
1 pack of Velcro strips, white
1 pack of Velcro strips, black
Small pair scissors
Even if you aren't a great dressmaker, or mad keen on sewing, you will at sometime have to bite the bullet and actually do some mending. By keeping a basic but small sewing kit on hand, those emergency mending jobs can be done with a minimum of stress, time and cost.
This little sewing kit can be put together for under $10, and will fit into a small lunchbox (around 99 cents at discount shops). Keep it in the laundry, or the linen cupboard where it will be easy to get to in a hurry.
Basic Sewing Kit:
1 reel white thread
1 reel black thread
1 reel invisible thread (matches any colour)
1 packet of all-purpose needles, self-threading, or include a threader
4-hole white shirt buttons (usually come 5 to a card)
1 iron-on patch kit, lightweight
1 iron-on patch kit, heavyweight
1 pack of Velcro strips, white
1 pack of Velcro strips, black
Small pair scissors
Sunday, 24 May 2009
Tip of the Day May 24, 2009
Grow Your Own Garlic
When you get cloves of garlic that are too small to use, plant them outside in your herb garden or into a pot. As they grow you can use the tops like garlic flavoured chives and when they are larger cut them off at the base and use them like spring onions (don't pull out) to flavour dishes and meals and as green garnish for scones and pizzas. The flavour is a lot lighter than the actual clove and if you don't pick the whole clove again they will keep growing all year around. If you leave them in for a few years they will multiply and when the tops have died off and before they start growing again, the whole clove can be picked...but I leave mine down unless I'm desperate because I've run out. You will always have garlic for salads or anything you need without any waste and no cost.
Contributed by Silvia
When you get cloves of garlic that are too small to use, plant them outside in your herb garden or into a pot. As they grow you can use the tops like garlic flavoured chives and when they are larger cut them off at the base and use them like spring onions (don't pull out) to flavour dishes and meals and as green garnish for scones and pizzas. The flavour is a lot lighter than the actual clove and if you don't pick the whole clove again they will keep growing all year around. If you leave them in for a few years they will multiply and when the tops have died off and before they start growing again, the whole clove can be picked...but I leave mine down unless I'm desperate because I've run out. You will always have garlic for salads or anything you need without any waste and no cost.
Contributed by Silvia
Saturday, 23 May 2009
Tip of the Day May 23, 2009
Cheap Family Outings
We purchase a family memberships to our State museum. At just $70 per household it gives us free general entry to all the museums and unlimited discounted entry to special events. We also received reciprocal free entry to interstate and overseas museums. A trip to the museum is a great way to spend your Saturdays and Sundays when you have active children (or not, it's still fun) and it is a great activity for school holidays. Check your area museums. Household rates are not limited to one or two children but includes one or two adults and children at the same address, so this becomes a really cheap way for a large family to have a loads of fun and adventure!
We purchase a family memberships to our State museum. At just $70 per household it gives us free general entry to all the museums and unlimited discounted entry to special events. We also received reciprocal free entry to interstate and overseas museums. A trip to the museum is a great way to spend your Saturdays and Sundays when you have active children (or not, it's still fun) and it is a great activity for school holidays. Check your area museums. Household rates are not limited to one or two children but includes one or two adults and children at the same address, so this becomes a really cheap way for a large family to have a loads of fun and adventure!
Friday, 22 May 2009
Tip of the Day May 22, 2009
Budget Banana Shakes
Did you know that once frozen bananas can be whipped? Buy bananas when they are on sale, and either freeze them in the skin, or you can peel them and then freeze them. Use the frozen bananas to make a delicious extra creamy and thick, thick shake. Blend two frozen bananas, one small tub of yogurt and half a litre of low fat milk. They are delicious, and much thicker than the same ingredients without the bananas. All this with the added bonus of being healthy and low calorie.
Did you know that once frozen bananas can be whipped? Buy bananas when they are on sale, and either freeze them in the skin, or you can peel them and then freeze them. Use the frozen bananas to make a delicious extra creamy and thick, thick shake. Blend two frozen bananas, one small tub of yogurt and half a litre of low fat milk. They are delicious, and much thicker than the same ingredients without the bananas. All this with the added bonus of being healthy and low calorie.
Thursday, 21 May 2009
Tip of the Day May 21, 2009
Bedsheets
To keep your linen press neat and tidy, always fold your sheets and pillowcases in sets. Then simply use one of the pillowcases as a cover for the sheet set. Next time you go to get sheets, the complete set is there, just ready for you to grab and put on the bed.
To keep your linen press neat and tidy, always fold your sheets and pillowcases in sets. Then simply use one of the pillowcases as a cover for the sheet set. Next time you go to get sheets, the complete set is there, just ready for you to grab and put on the bed.
Tip of the Day May 31, 2009
Budget Sandpit Sun Shade
Approximate $ Savings: $1,200
With an active toddler I built her a sandpit two years ago just off our back verandah. We then realised that every time she played in there she was getting an awful lot of exposure to the sun and her toys were getting trashed by the elements.
Rather than building a solid structure over the sandpit we invested a whole $30 in a standard gazebo that you can pick up at Reject Shop / Cheap as Chips et al. type outlets at anytime.
We have had the gazebo up continuously for two years now and it is only just starting to show some wear and tear. We secure the corners with very long tent pegs and bricks, and weigh the centre point of the gazebo down with a heavy weight off a chaff cutter. It has not taken off in the wind yet!
Once the kids are grown we will return this area to lawn or garden so we did not want a permanent structure. Big saving and it looks remarkably good!
Contributed by Tracey, Tintinara
Approximate $ Savings: $1,200
With an active toddler I built her a sandpit two years ago just off our back verandah. We then realised that every time she played in there she was getting an awful lot of exposure to the sun and her toys were getting trashed by the elements.
Rather than building a solid structure over the sandpit we invested a whole $30 in a standard gazebo that you can pick up at Reject Shop / Cheap as Chips et al. type outlets at anytime.
We have had the gazebo up continuously for two years now and it is only just starting to show some wear and tear. We secure the corners with very long tent pegs and bricks, and weigh the centre point of the gazebo down with a heavy weight off a chaff cutter. It has not taken off in the wind yet!
Once the kids are grown we will return this area to lawn or garden so we did not want a permanent structure. Big saving and it looks remarkably good!
Contributed by Tracey, Tintinara
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
Tip of the Day May 20, 2009
Reducing the Paper Pile
Open your mail near a rubbish bin. Immediately toss all outer envelopes (or put them in the notepaper stack to re-use), un-needed bill inserts, junk mail (unopened, if you can bring yourself to do it) and magazine wrappers. Only carry away things that need to be dealt with or referenced. This will reduce the pile of papers you have to take care of by more than 50 percent!
Open your mail near a rubbish bin. Immediately toss all outer envelopes (or put them in the notepaper stack to re-use), un-needed bill inserts, junk mail (unopened, if you can bring yourself to do it) and magazine wrappers. Only carry away things that need to be dealt with or referenced. This will reduce the pile of papers you have to take care of by more than 50 percent!
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
Tip of the Day May 19, 2009
Buy sugar soap as a cleaning agent
Water it down in a spray bottle and you'll be surprises how far it goes, how quick it cleans and how less often you'll be forking out for cleaning agents. My squirt bottle sits on the bench in my kitchen, I have a grubby hubby, a feral 2 yr old and I have found over the last year by accident when I had run out of pine o clean it did the trick in half the time and cost half as much.
Contributed by Maresa Robbers
Water it down in a spray bottle and you'll be surprises how far it goes, how quick it cleans and how less often you'll be forking out for cleaning agents. My squirt bottle sits on the bench in my kitchen, I have a grubby hubby, a feral 2 yr old and I have found over the last year by accident when I had run out of pine o clean it did the trick in half the time and cost half as much.
Contributed by Maresa Robbers
Monday, 18 May 2009
Tip of the Day May 18, 2009
Hang them out to dry
When hanging business shirts, t-shirts or tops out on clothes line to dry place the garment on a wire coat hanger (the type you get with your dry cleaning) so that you can easily bend handle so it does not fall off and hang on rotary type clothes line where there is a loop in pipe that runs out from centre top off the line (where the wire lines thread through). Tops dry better and it saves on ironing!
When hanging business shirts, t-shirts or tops out on clothes line to dry place the garment on a wire coat hanger (the type you get with your dry cleaning) so that you can easily bend handle so it does not fall off and hang on rotary type clothes line where there is a loop in pipe that runs out from centre top off the line (where the wire lines thread through). Tops dry better and it saves on ironing!
Sunday, 17 May 2009
Tip of the Day May 17, 2009
Popcorn Paydirt
I just love fresh popcorn, especially the microwave kind. I have loads of visitors, including my husband's 8 brothers and sisters and their partners and children and my own 8 brothers and sisters and their kids. Between us we have 35 nephews and nieces who often visit us, completely ravenous as all kids are. We always keep popcorn on hand. The kids think we are giving them the expensive microwave kind but we are giving them our Cheapskate special. We just get a paper bag which we save from our shopping, although a new one is good too. We then spray it with a no name brand polyunsaturated oil in a tin on the inside of the bag. Place a handful of popcorn inside, give it a shake so the popcorn gets coated then seal the top with sticky tape. Lay it flat in your microwave for between 2 to 3 minutes or until the popping sound gets really slow. Presto! Hot popcorn that is healthy as well. We also buy McCormicks buttered popcorn flavouring in a jar and give it a quick shake. Heaps cheaper than wasting all that butter and salt. Flavours left over from two minute noodles that kids don't use are also great flavourings. Yum Yum!
Contributed by Jennifer
I just love fresh popcorn, especially the microwave kind. I have loads of visitors, including my husband's 8 brothers and sisters and their partners and children and my own 8 brothers and sisters and their kids. Between us we have 35 nephews and nieces who often visit us, completely ravenous as all kids are. We always keep popcorn on hand. The kids think we are giving them the expensive microwave kind but we are giving them our Cheapskate special. We just get a paper bag which we save from our shopping, although a new one is good too. We then spray it with a no name brand polyunsaturated oil in a tin on the inside of the bag. Place a handful of popcorn inside, give it a shake so the popcorn gets coated then seal the top with sticky tape. Lay it flat in your microwave for between 2 to 3 minutes or until the popping sound gets really slow. Presto! Hot popcorn that is healthy as well. We also buy McCormicks buttered popcorn flavouring in a jar and give it a quick shake. Heaps cheaper than wasting all that butter and salt. Flavours left over from two minute noodles that kids don't use are also great flavourings. Yum Yum!
Contributed by Jennifer
Saturday, 16 May 2009
Tip of the Day May 16, 2009
Single Serves
When you live alone, cooking isn't always fun. Instead of indulging in takeaways or expensive '1 serve' portions at the supermarket, get together with friends, bulk cook and share. Each person should cook enough of a dish that will allow one serve for each person in the group. Package, label and freeze each serve then get together with your friends and swap. S friends means you get a different meal every night of the week with almost no effort and you can usually take advantage of supermarket bulk specials to cut the cost of ingredients.
When you live alone, cooking isn't always fun. Instead of indulging in takeaways or expensive '1 serve' portions at the supermarket, get together with friends, bulk cook and share. Each person should cook enough of a dish that will allow one serve for each person in the group. Package, label and freeze each serve then get together with your friends and swap. S friends means you get a different meal every night of the week with almost no effort and you can usually take advantage of supermarket bulk specials to cut the cost of ingredients.
Friday, 15 May 2009
Tip of the Day May 15, 2009
Magic colouring pages
If your kids like to do lots of colouring in or mazes and dot to dots, slide the sheet/activity book inside a clear plastic sleeve and give them some non-toxic white-board markers. The marker can be rubbed out with a cloth and used again and again.
Contributed by Sue
If your kids like to do lots of colouring in or mazes and dot to dots, slide the sheet/activity book inside a clear plastic sleeve and give them some non-toxic white-board markers. The marker can be rubbed out with a cloth and used again and again.
Contributed by Sue
Thursday, 14 May 2009
Tip of the Day May 14, 2009
The most popular birthday gift
When your children are invited to parties the best , cheapest and most popular present is a torch! You can get them for around $2, sometimes with batteries included, at $2 shops and hardware stores.
When your children are invited to parties the best , cheapest and most popular present is a torch! You can get them for around $2, sometimes with batteries included, at $2 shops and hardware stores.
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Tip of the Day May 13, 2009
Tidy up those cords and leads
What about all those cables and leads behind your TV. TV, DVD, Cable TV, Games Console, VCR. You could buy expensive cable ties that you have to cut off each time you have to move one of the components (repair etc) or you could simply secure the cables neatly with inexpensive pipe-cleaners. They are easily undone as well.
What about all those cables and leads behind your TV. TV, DVD, Cable TV, Games Console, VCR. You could buy expensive cable ties that you have to cut off each time you have to move one of the components (repair etc) or you could simply secure the cables neatly with inexpensive pipe-cleaners. They are easily undone as well.
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
Tip of the Day May 12, 2009
Saving on family fun
Paying for movies and entry to big fun parks, such as Movie World, Dream World, Sea World can cost a fortune. Before you go, check out discounts you may be able to receive from your Health Fund, Union, Motoring Organisation (e.g. RACQ, NRMA etc.). They can often give you discounted prices, but make sure you bring your membership cards for ID, and/or purchase your tickets from them before you go.
Paying for movies and entry to big fun parks, such as Movie World, Dream World, Sea World can cost a fortune. Before you go, check out discounts you may be able to receive from your Health Fund, Union, Motoring Organisation (e.g. RACQ, NRMA etc.). They can often give you discounted prices, but make sure you bring your membership cards for ID, and/or purchase your tickets from them before you go.
Monday, 11 May 2009
Tip of the Day May 11, 2009
Paint clean-up
Instead of using turps as a cleanup for oil paints ....use baby oil . Baby oil takes paint off hands and brushes and leaves both soft. Baby oil is a little safer to use than turps and the generic product is OK to use.
Instead of using turps as a cleanup for oil paints ....use baby oil . Baby oil takes paint off hands and brushes and leaves both soft. Baby oil is a little safer to use than turps and the generic product is OK to use.
Sunday, 10 May 2009
Tip of the Day May 10, 2009
Easy lunch prep
Rushing in the morning to make kids lunches for child care and school can end up costing a fortune. To help make things run smoother in the morning, I prepare my kids lunches in advance by making sandwiches with a variety of fillings such as Vegemite, Nutella, peanut butter etc. and freeze them separately. I then make a home made batch of mini muffins and freeze them. I buy generic Barbeque Shapes and Fruit Sticks. Decant large containers of peach and pear pieces into smaller containers. Then the night before or even better, in the morning before the madness sets in, I just grab some sandwiches, muffins, shapes, a fruit stick, small fruit and voila! It's done with minimal fuss and so much less in cost. I find that saving money is very important, but also saving time and emotional energy equally important to me and my family and this helps in keeping my stress levels down and me a happy mummy.
Contributed by Debi, Warrandyte
Rushing in the morning to make kids lunches for child care and school can end up costing a fortune. To help make things run smoother in the morning, I prepare my kids lunches in advance by making sandwiches with a variety of fillings such as Vegemite, Nutella, peanut butter etc. and freeze them separately. I then make a home made batch of mini muffins and freeze them. I buy generic Barbeque Shapes and Fruit Sticks. Decant large containers of peach and pear pieces into smaller containers. Then the night before or even better, in the morning before the madness sets in, I just grab some sandwiches, muffins, shapes, a fruit stick, small fruit and voila! It's done with minimal fuss and so much less in cost. I find that saving money is very important, but also saving time and emotional energy equally important to me and my family and this helps in keeping my stress levels down and me a happy mummy.
Contributed by Debi, Warrandyte
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