A use for teabag dividers
I buy teabags in a box of 100. The teabags are in the box in nice little rows with 3 x rectangular pieces of rather good quality white glossy cardboard separating the rows. Ever since I can remember, when I open a new box of teabags I keep these pieces of cardboard. They make great bookmarks (as is or decorated) and I often use them a gift tags for presents. Just punch a hole in one corner and tie it to the gift with a personalised message written on the card. They can also be used as thread sorters - punch holes down one side, add a snippet of thread and then write the details next to it (if you use pencil then you can re-use them).
Contributed by Deborah, Gawler
Monday, 13 July 2009
Sunday, 12 July 2009
Tip of the Day July 12 2009
How to stop frittering away your hard earned dollars
A good coffee is terrific, though at $3.20 per cup, it puts a serious dent on your budget. Just one coffee per day, (and often you need 2 cafe lattés a day), will cost you $1,168 each year – ouch! You can save over $900 per year by investing in a coffee plunger or an espresso machine and buying your favourite blend of coffee, ready ground. This way you can make a terrific cup of coffee just the way you like it any time you like and you’ll be saving heaps.
A good coffee is terrific, though at $3.20 per cup, it puts a serious dent on your budget. Just one coffee per day, (and often you need 2 cafe lattés a day), will cost you $1,168 each year – ouch! You can save over $900 per year by investing in a coffee plunger or an espresso machine and buying your favourite blend of coffee, ready ground. This way you can make a terrific cup of coffee just the way you like it any time you like and you’ll be saving heaps.
Saturday, 11 July 2009
Tip of the Day 11 July, 2009
Getting Fit on a Budget
Getting fit can cost you a fortune, however it doesn’t have to be that way. Forget the fancy fitness attire and shop around for some genuine bargains on your fitness gear and shoes. Look to pick up end of lines, seconds and even second hand things for a fraction of the price. Most cities now have discount chains and factory outlets where you can buy top brand shoes for $50 - $80 instead of $150-180. Likewise the major department stores offer clearance and discounts at various times of the year. You can often receive 10 – 20% of the normal price by shopping at Big W or K Mart, especially when they have their sales. Myers and DJ’s have great clearance sales which include sports gear every 6 months. The dedicated sports stores have sales and are often useful to find clearance and end of line discounts.
Getting fit can cost you a fortune, however it doesn’t have to be that way. Forget the fancy fitness attire and shop around for some genuine bargains on your fitness gear and shoes. Look to pick up end of lines, seconds and even second hand things for a fraction of the price. Most cities now have discount chains and factory outlets where you can buy top brand shoes for $50 - $80 instead of $150-180. Likewise the major department stores offer clearance and discounts at various times of the year. You can often receive 10 – 20% of the normal price by shopping at Big W or K Mart, especially when they have their sales. Myers and DJ’s have great clearance sales which include sports gear every 6 months. The dedicated sports stores have sales and are often useful to find clearance and end of line discounts.
Friday, 10 July 2009
Tip of the Day 10 July, 2009
Leftover pizza? Re-heat it for a quick snack!
Leftover pizza can become soggy and unappetizing if it's warmed in the microwave and it dries out and becomes like cardboard if it's reheated in the oven. For perfect re-heated pizza every time, try this simple method. Simply heat up leftover pizza in a non-stick fry-pan on top of the stove, over a medium to low heat and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza or dried out cardboard base. It really works, try it next time you have leftover pizza.
Leftover pizza can become soggy and unappetizing if it's warmed in the microwave and it dries out and becomes like cardboard if it's reheated in the oven. For perfect re-heated pizza every time, try this simple method. Simply heat up leftover pizza in a non-stick fry-pan on top of the stove, over a medium to low heat and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza or dried out cardboard base. It really works, try it next time you have leftover pizza.
Thursday, 9 July 2009
Tip of the Day July 9, 2009
Easy Glider
To keep the zipper on heavy jackets and jeans in tip top shape and to prevent it from sticking, run a bar of soap up and down both sides of the zip after each wash. The zipper will glide easily, preventing tugging when it gets stuck. No more tugging means no more broken zips. A side benefit is the ease of zipping for littlies and those with arthritic fingers.
To keep the zipper on heavy jackets and jeans in tip top shape and to prevent it from sticking, run a bar of soap up and down both sides of the zip after each wash. The zipper will glide easily, preventing tugging when it gets stuck. No more tugging means no more broken zips. A side benefit is the ease of zipping for littlies and those with arthritic fingers.
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
Tip of the Day July 8, 2009
$5 Here, $5 There Really Adds Up
When my daughter was getting married a couple of years ago I didn't know how I was going to afford a really beautiful Mother of the Bride outfit. So I decided that I would try to not spend the $5 notes that came my way as change from breaking a note for another purchase. It worked. Whenever I got $5 as change I would put it in a separate purse and forget about it. Well they really started to add up pretty quickly. Within a few months I had a few hundred dollars. When I went shopping for my outfit I ended up finding a truly beautiful outfit for just over $300 dollars and only had to add $25 to what I had saved in $5 notes. It saved me having to put my purchase on credit card and pay back over several months, not to mention the interest that would have been added as well. So I still save my $5's. It's great for Christmas presents, birthdays, and holidays. Now I never spend my $5's until that special time that I've been saving for.
Contributed by Dianne Park
When my daughter was getting married a couple of years ago I didn't know how I was going to afford a really beautiful Mother of the Bride outfit. So I decided that I would try to not spend the $5 notes that came my way as change from breaking a note for another purchase. It worked. Whenever I got $5 as change I would put it in a separate purse and forget about it. Well they really started to add up pretty quickly. Within a few months I had a few hundred dollars. When I went shopping for my outfit I ended up finding a truly beautiful outfit for just over $300 dollars and only had to add $25 to what I had saved in $5 notes. It saved me having to put my purchase on credit card and pay back over several months, not to mention the interest that would have been added as well. So I still save my $5's. It's great for Christmas presents, birthdays, and holidays. Now I never spend my $5's until that special time that I've been saving for.
Contributed by Dianne Park
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
Tip of the Day July 7, 2009
Terrific Tacos
Have the perfect taco shell every time with this simple tip. Pre-heat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius. Once the oven has reached 200 degrees, switch it off and immediately drop your taco shells over the oven rack, so they are hanging down. Close the door and leave 10 minutes. Perfect taco shells, ready to be filled and enjoyed.
Have the perfect taco shell every time with this simple tip. Pre-heat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius. Once the oven has reached 200 degrees, switch it off and immediately drop your taco shells over the oven rack, so they are hanging down. Close the door and leave 10 minutes. Perfect taco shells, ready to be filled and enjoyed.
Monday, 6 July 2009
Tip of the Day July 6, 2009
Coin Bags Ideal for Keeping Cottons Clean
I am an avid cross stitcher. Instead of buying an expensive thread box and cards to keep my threads separate, I use the plastic money bags from the bank. I write the cotton number on the outside of the bag and it can fit more than one strand of the same colour in it.
Contributed by Rebecca, Culcairn
I am an avid cross stitcher. Instead of buying an expensive thread box and cards to keep my threads separate, I use the plastic money bags from the bank. I write the cotton number on the outside of the bag and it can fit more than one strand of the same colour in it.
Contributed by Rebecca, Culcairn
Sunday, 5 July 2009
Tip of the Day July 5, 2009
Keeping herbs fresh
When storing your herbs in the fridge, wrap them in a damp tea towel and store in a plastic bag in the vegetable crisper. This keeps them fresh for days and they don`t wilt at all as they would in a glass of water.
When storing your herbs in the fridge, wrap them in a damp tea towel and store in a plastic bag in the vegetable crisper. This keeps them fresh for days and they don`t wilt at all as they would in a glass of water.
Friday, 26 June 2009
Tip of the Day June 26, 2009
Beware of packaging changes
When your favourite products change packaging, check carefully to see why. Has it shrunk in size? Is it being made elsewhere? Have the ingredients changed? And most importantly has the unit price changed? Often a change of packaging means a change in size which can be costing you more. While the packaging may give you the impression that the quantity or volume hasn't changed, read the label carefully. If the change has resulted in an increase in price you may choose to look for another cheaper product to replace this one with.
When your favourite products change packaging, check carefully to see why. Has it shrunk in size? Is it being made elsewhere? Have the ingredients changed? And most importantly has the unit price changed? Often a change of packaging means a change in size which can be costing you more. While the packaging may give you the impression that the quantity or volume hasn't changed, read the label carefully. If the change has resulted in an increase in price you may choose to look for another cheaper product to replace this one with.
Thursday, 25 June 2009
Tip of the Day June 25, 2009
Seasoning new towels
Often new towels, while looking soft and fluffy, are not as absorbent as we'd like them to be. To remove the seasoning from new towels, soften them and have them ready to dry you properly, always soak them in a bucket of hot water and 2 cups of white vinegar overnight, then wash on a hot cycle with half the quantity of washing powder that you would normally use and 1/2 cup of bi-carb soda, and in the fabric softener compartment add 1/2 cup of vinegar. Line dry them and they are ready to be put into daily use. You'll have soft, fluffy towels that are super absorbent and dry beautifully.
Often new towels, while looking soft and fluffy, are not as absorbent as we'd like them to be. To remove the seasoning from new towels, soften them and have them ready to dry you properly, always soak them in a bucket of hot water and 2 cups of white vinegar overnight, then wash on a hot cycle with half the quantity of washing powder that you would normally use and 1/2 cup of bi-carb soda, and in the fabric softener compartment add 1/2 cup of vinegar. Line dry them and they are ready to be put into daily use. You'll have soft, fluffy towels that are super absorbent and dry beautifully.
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Tip of the Day June 24, 2009
Out of sight, out of mind
If you have a problem saving, try having an automatic deduction from your wages straight to a separate bank account with limited access. Then have the balance deposited into your everyday account as usual. You can only see what you have left to spend on bills, living etc and you don't have to worry about not spending your savings.
If you have a problem saving, try having an automatic deduction from your wages straight to a separate bank account with limited access. Then have the balance deposited into your everyday account as usual. You can only see what you have left to spend on bills, living etc and you don't have to worry about not spending your savings.
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Tip of the Day June 23, 2009
Apple snacks
Don't waste the apple peelings when you are getting apples ready to make apple sauce or stewed apple. Before you peel them wash them well. Then peel the apples, putting the peelings aside. Toss them in cinnamon sugar and bake on an oiled biscuit tray in a 160 degree oven until they are golden and crisp. They make a delicious treat to nibble on.
Don't waste the apple peelings when you are getting apples ready to make apple sauce or stewed apple. Before you peel them wash them well. Then peel the apples, putting the peelings aside. Toss them in cinnamon sugar and bake on an oiled biscuit tray in a 160 degree oven until they are golden and crisp. They make a delicious treat to nibble on.
Monday, 22 June 2009
Tip of the Day June 22, 2009
Think outside the craft store
With the scrapbooking craze at the moment, tools can be very expensive but I've found a way to cut costs. I wanted a heat gun so I could give embossing a go, but to buy a heat gun from craft stores, was going to cost me between $60-$80 for the gun, so my hubby told me to try Bunnings (or any other hardware store), and I did. They were only about $30 for a heat gun (a big saving). But it didn't stop there, I ended up purchasing the tool from Kmart when they had 20% off tools, which saved me even more. I also wanted a pair of fine-tipped tweezers and to buy them from the craft store was going to cost $10-$20 a pair. I had a look in the beauty section at Big W and found a pair that would do the job for $4.50. The last saving I made was for paper storage (you end up acquiring a lot of paper) and again, to buy something to store paper in at the craft store was around $120+, way out of my budget. So again I went to Big W and bought a "Desktopper" (a plastic box that hold suspension files, make sure you get the ones without the lids), and it fits all of my paper in neatly, I can buy more suspension files when needed, it doesn't take up much room (it sits neatly on my desk top - hence the name) and it only cost between $11-$18. I hope this helps other crafters out there.
Contributed by Lisa, Nambour
With the scrapbooking craze at the moment, tools can be very expensive but I've found a way to cut costs. I wanted a heat gun so I could give embossing a go, but to buy a heat gun from craft stores, was going to cost me between $60-$80 for the gun, so my hubby told me to try Bunnings (or any other hardware store), and I did. They were only about $30 for a heat gun (a big saving). But it didn't stop there, I ended up purchasing the tool from Kmart when they had 20% off tools, which saved me even more. I also wanted a pair of fine-tipped tweezers and to buy them from the craft store was going to cost $10-$20 a pair. I had a look in the beauty section at Big W and found a pair that would do the job for $4.50. The last saving I made was for paper storage (you end up acquiring a lot of paper) and again, to buy something to store paper in at the craft store was around $120+, way out of my budget. So again I went to Big W and bought a "Desktopper" (a plastic box that hold suspension files, make sure you get the ones without the lids), and it fits all of my paper in neatly, I can buy more suspension files when needed, it doesn't take up much room (it sits neatly on my desk top - hence the name) and it only cost between $11-$18. I hope this helps other crafters out there.
Contributed by Lisa, Nambour
Sunday, 21 June 2009
Tip of the Day June 21, 2009
Whip up a home brew
Here is s a great way to brew up your own plant fertiliser at a cost of about 5 cents per 5 litres: add 2 teaspoons of plain household ammonia to 5 litres of water. Allow the mixture to steep for a full 24 hours. Use this liquid on plants instead of using costly commercial fertiliser.
Caution: If you use more than two teaspoons per 5 litres of water it will be too strong, and you will burn your plants. In this case more is definitely not better.
Here is s a great way to brew up your own plant fertiliser at a cost of about 5 cents per 5 litres: add 2 teaspoons of plain household ammonia to 5 litres of water. Allow the mixture to steep for a full 24 hours. Use this liquid on plants instead of using costly commercial fertiliser.
Caution: If you use more than two teaspoons per 5 litres of water it will be too strong, and you will burn your plants. In this case more is definitely not better.
Saturday, 20 June 2009
Tip of the Day June 20, 2009
Board games for free family fun
Board games are a great investment. If well taken care of, they can easily last a generation. You can often find them at garage sales for a dollar or two, even the new board games. Every family should have some basic games like Scrabble, Monopoly, cards, dominoes, chess, and checkers. You can add to your board game collection as your children grow. Start them of with Hungry Hippos (or similar) and move them up to more challenging and fun games as they grow up. Including a board game as a family present at Christmastime is a great way to build a collection. You can look out for them during the year to get the lowest possible price.
Board games are a great investment. If well taken care of, they can easily last a generation. You can often find them at garage sales for a dollar or two, even the new board games. Every family should have some basic games like Scrabble, Monopoly, cards, dominoes, chess, and checkers. You can add to your board game collection as your children grow. Start them of with Hungry Hippos (or similar) and move them up to more challenging and fun games as they grow up. Including a board game as a family present at Christmastime is a great way to build a collection. You can look out for them during the year to get the lowest possible price.
Friday, 19 June 2009
Tip of the Day June 19, 2009
Have a menu
Prepare your menu for the week around what you already have, and what's on sale. Use your junk mail to plan what you'll eat each week. For example, if chicken fillets are on sale plan to have apricot chicken, chicken cacciatore and fajitas that week. You could even make chicken soup if the weather is cool enough. Then fill out the other meals with whatever you have in the freezer or what's on sale.
Prepare your menu for the week around what you already have, and what's on sale. Use your junk mail to plan what you'll eat each week. For example, if chicken fillets are on sale plan to have apricot chicken, chicken cacciatore and fajitas that week. You could even make chicken soup if the weather is cool enough. Then fill out the other meals with whatever you have in the freezer or what's on sale.
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Tip of the Day June 18, 2009
Creative, Chic Cushion Covers
One way to achieve an individual look for your living room is to revamp old cardigans and turn them into stylish cushion covers. Cardigans with an Aran or cabled pattern look classy, or look for plain ones with unusual buttons and/or detailing on the front. All you have to do is cut off the sleeves and sew all four sides up. You already have the button up area for your opening. Simple, and very easy to do! For next to nothing, you get an individual, one-off cushion... much more satisfying than paying $35 upwards for mass-produced ones from Spotlight or Freedom. If you don't have any old cardies, check out your local Op Shop, Garage Sale or Swap Meet. Size doesn't matter either - you can make tiny throw cushions for a bed, or larger ones for the living room; your choice.
Contributed by Chris, Bakers Hill
One way to achieve an individual look for your living room is to revamp old cardigans and turn them into stylish cushion covers. Cardigans with an Aran or cabled pattern look classy, or look for plain ones with unusual buttons and/or detailing on the front. All you have to do is cut off the sleeves and sew all four sides up. You already have the button up area for your opening. Simple, and very easy to do! For next to nothing, you get an individual, one-off cushion... much more satisfying than paying $35 upwards for mass-produced ones from Spotlight or Freedom. If you don't have any old cardies, check out your local Op Shop, Garage Sale or Swap Meet. Size doesn't matter either - you can make tiny throw cushions for a bed, or larger ones for the living room; your choice.
Contributed by Chris, Bakers Hill
Tip of the Day June 17, 2009
Savings Incentive: Tuckshop or the Money?
Approximate $ Savings: $40 per year per child
Our school has canteen once per week. As a savings incentive both my daughters are given the option to spend their $1.00 on an ice cream or save it to buy something more important. My eight year old is saving to buy a new pair of jeans. Not only am I saving on dental work, but on my clothing budget for her. Another incentive for her is she gets more time to play as she isn't stuck in the playground eating an ice cream. We both win.
Contributed by Roxanne, Kingsley
Approximate $ Savings: $40 per year per child
Our school has canteen once per week. As a savings incentive both my daughters are given the option to spend their $1.00 on an ice cream or save it to buy something more important. My eight year old is saving to buy a new pair of jeans. Not only am I saving on dental work, but on my clothing budget for her. Another incentive for her is she gets more time to play as she isn't stuck in the playground eating an ice cream. We both win.
Contributed by Roxanne, Kingsley
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Tip of the Day June 16, 2009
Stovies
This recipe brings back memories of my childhood and Monday night tea. If we had a corned leg for Sunday lunch Mum would use the leftovers on our sandwiches on Monday and to make stovies for tea on Monday night. I agree with Jenny - very yummy.
Ingredients:
1 tin corned beef (diced)
1 large onion (diced)
3 med potatoes each (per person)
Method:
Boil potatoes and onion together with a pinch of salt until cooked. Mash all 3 ingredients together to make a hash. Season to taste and add a knob of butter at serving. I eat mine with brown sauce!! Yummy!
Contributed by Jenny Phillips
This recipe brings back memories of my childhood and Monday night tea. If we had a corned leg for Sunday lunch Mum would use the leftovers on our sandwiches on Monday and to make stovies for tea on Monday night. I agree with Jenny - very yummy.
Ingredients:
1 tin corned beef (diced)
1 large onion (diced)
3 med potatoes each (per person)
Method:
Boil potatoes and onion together with a pinch of salt until cooked. Mash all 3 ingredients together to make a hash. Season to taste and add a knob of butter at serving. I eat mine with brown sauce!! Yummy!
Contributed by Jenny Phillips
Monday, 15 June 2009
Tip of the Day June 15, 2009
Start a Button Jar
Approximate $ Savings: $5
Cut the buttons off old business shirts, polo shirts and pants before you use them as rags. Keep them for use when you sew new items of clothing or to replace missing or broken buttons. This works especially well for quality business shirts as the buttons are usually the first thing to go and they are usually the same few styles of button. If you're feeling lazy and don't want to button the long sleeves of business shirts to the buttons running down the centre (to keep the sleeves getting tangled in wash) try putting them in wash bags (for a load containing a lot of long sleeved shirts) as this keeps from having to sort thru a mass of tangled sleeves.
Contributed by Yun Si, Willoughby
Approximate $ Savings: $5
Cut the buttons off old business shirts, polo shirts and pants before you use them as rags. Keep them for use when you sew new items of clothing or to replace missing or broken buttons. This works especially well for quality business shirts as the buttons are usually the first thing to go and they are usually the same few styles of button. If you're feeling lazy and don't want to button the long sleeves of business shirts to the buttons running down the centre (to keep the sleeves getting tangled in wash) try putting them in wash bags (for a load containing a lot of long sleeved shirts) as this keeps from having to sort thru a mass of tangled sleeves.
Contributed by Yun Si, Willoughby
Sunday, 14 June 2009
Tip of the Day June 14, 2009
Extra potent bug spray
To make a terrific bug spray for your garden, mix 2 tablespoons flea and tick powder, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and 6 litres water. Pour into spray bottle and label. Shake to mix before each use. Keep out of reach of children. As with any pesticide, this is poisonous so treat it with due respect. Wear gloves and other protective clothing as necessary and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after use, and definitely before you touch anything else.
To make a terrific bug spray for your garden, mix 2 tablespoons flea and tick powder, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and 6 litres water. Pour into spray bottle and label. Shake to mix before each use. Keep out of reach of children. As with any pesticide, this is poisonous so treat it with due respect. Wear gloves and other protective clothing as necessary and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after use, and definitely before you touch anything else.
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