Yummy Flavoured Milk
Before you throw that empty jam jar out, make sure it is really empty. Fill it up with cold milk, put the lid back on and make a milk shake with the 'dregs' from empty jam jars. Shake the jar until the milk is frothy and thick, pour into a glass and enjoy. It's a delicious way to have a milk shake.
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
Monday, 18 January 2010
Tip of the Day 18 January 2010
Personal Took Kit
Have your own basic emergency tool kit. Mine has scissors, pliers, a claw hammer, a small saw, a Stanley knife, sticky tape, masking tape, picture hooks, a variety of nails, screws, nuts and bolts, flat and Phillips head screwdrivers in a few sizes, a good torch and a supply of candles and matches. I keep it all together in a plastic tool box I bought for $9.99 from Sams and everyone knows not to touch - it belongs to Mum!
Have your own basic emergency tool kit. Mine has scissors, pliers, a claw hammer, a small saw, a Stanley knife, sticky tape, masking tape, picture hooks, a variety of nails, screws, nuts and bolts, flat and Phillips head screwdrivers in a few sizes, a good torch and a supply of candles and matches. I keep it all together in a plastic tool box I bought for $9.99 from Sams and everyone knows not to touch - it belongs to Mum!
Sunday, 17 January 2010
Tip of the Day 17 Januayr 2010
Wash Before Eating
Most of us are aware of the need to wash all commercially grown fruits and vegetables before using in cooking or eating raw due to the large amounts of fertilizers etc used to grow them, but what about organically grown or home-grown? Although organic foods are grown without pesticides and chemical fertilizers, and their use may be limited in the veggie garden, the foods may have traces of traditional fertilizers, including animal manure. It is also wise to remember that organic produce is handled many times before it reaches your refrigerator. Simply put, you should wash all produce before eating it.
Saturday, 16 January 2010
Tip of the Day 16 January 2010
Textured Paint Brushes
When you are finished with your bath sponges, scrunchies or anything made of a flexible material, use them to paint with...they make pretty designs and they are cheap. Textured finishes can give new life to old furniture and look fantastic as feature walls, especially in bedrooms. Sponge cupboard doors to give a dated kitchen a lift, re-vamp old drawers with a scrunchie paint job - use your imagination. Just because you're painting doesn't mean you have to use a paint brush or roller.
When you are finished with your bath sponges, scrunchies or anything made of a flexible material, use them to paint with...they make pretty designs and they are cheap. Textured finishes can give new life to old furniture and look fantastic as feature walls, especially in bedrooms. Sponge cupboard doors to give a dated kitchen a lift, re-vamp old drawers with a scrunchie paint job - use your imagination. Just because you're painting doesn't mean you have to use a paint brush or roller.
Friday, 15 January 2010
Tip of the Day 15 January 2010
Calculate the Real Value of Spending
A good way to curb spending is to calculate how long you have to work to earn enough
money to pay for each purchase! For example, a takeaway meal may be nice, but is it worth the extra time you have to work to pay for it? The average takeaway chicken dinner for four means you would have to work three hours to enjoy one meal that is gone in just 30 minutes!
Instead of looking at the dollar value of an item, look at the ‘work value’ of an item - this is what it will really cost you. To do this, work out your net hourly rate (after tax and minus expenses such as babysitting). When you are tempted to buy something, divide the purchase price by your nett hourly rate to see how long you will have to work. It can be a real turn off - especially when buying takeaway food!
A good way to curb spending is to calculate how long you have to work to earn enough
money to pay for each purchase! For example, a takeaway meal may be nice, but is it worth the extra time you have to work to pay for it? The average takeaway chicken dinner for four means you would have to work three hours to enjoy one meal that is gone in just 30 minutes!
Instead of looking at the dollar value of an item, look at the ‘work value’ of an item - this is what it will really cost you. To do this, work out your net hourly rate (after tax and minus expenses such as babysitting). When you are tempted to buy something, divide the purchase price by your nett hourly rate to see how long you will have to work. It can be a real turn off - especially when buying takeaway food!
Thursday, 14 January 2010
Tip of the Day 14 January 2010
Have a Lipstick Stain? Try This to Clean It Up!
Summertime can be hard on lipsticks and coloured lip glosses left in handbags. The heat can make them soft and on those really scorching days they can actually melt and run, leaving awful stains on fabrics. If this happens to you, scrape the wax off with a flat bladed knife. Then using a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol, dab the stain and rub towards the centre (this avoids spreading it any further). The colour should disappear quite quickly. If you 're not sure how the fabric will react, test it somewhere inconspicuous first
Summertime can be hard on lipsticks and coloured lip glosses left in handbags. The heat can make them soft and on those really scorching days they can actually melt and run, leaving awful stains on fabrics. If this happens to you, scrape the wax off with a flat bladed knife. Then using a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol, dab the stain and rub towards the centre (this avoids spreading it any further). The colour should disappear quite quickly. If you 're not sure how the fabric will react, test it somewhere inconspicuous first
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
A Year of Saving
A Stitch in Time Saves .....$65!
When I was in high school I hated sewing class with a vengeance. Learning to make bias tape and the perfect French seam was BORING. Doing samples of different seams, fasteners, bindings and hems was painful. Then there was making things: the felt pot holder (yuk), the cotton nightie (so not my style back then) and the woollen, gored skirt (I was a definite jeans girl) nearly sent me, and my mother, around the bend.
My mother sews beautifully. The only bought things I wore were my socks and shoes. Mum made everything else. Dad drafted the patterns for her from Enid Gilchrist books (does anyone remember those?) and she'd sit at the sewing machine, hour after hour, sewing for my brother and me. She loves sewing and she didn't understand at all why I didn't. It led to many an interesting discussion, especially the weekend before a sewing project was due.
Thankfully mum and Mrs Winzenreid (she was my sewing teacher) persevered and I managed to pick up a few basic skills. A few years after I left school a friend talked me into going to sewing classes with her and after twelve weeks we graduated as fully certified Knit Wits. The sewing bug had bitten and I found that I actually liked it if I was able to choose the pattern and fabric. As time went on my skills developed (or my belief in them did anyway) and I started to adapt the patterns to suit my idea of the finished garment.
I would carry a pad, pencil and tape measure with me and when I saw something I liked I'd draw it and go home and try to make it. That habit has stuck with me and this week I stood in front of a dress Hannah liked and decided that no matter how much she wanted it and how pretty it was, $24.95 for what was about 90cm of fabric and some wide elastic was not worth it. Instead I pulled out the pad and pencil and drew it, made some notes about waistlines, necklines and gathers and came home to draft up a pattern.
Monday was just too hot to sew, 44 degrees outside and about 34 inside and the thought of sitting at the machine was enough to send me back to the cool of the air-conditioned lounge. But yesterday was cooler so we pulled out the material boxes and went through them, then made a quick trip to Big W for a couple of singlet tops and came home to sew.
Hannah is now the very happy owner of two lovely new sundresses, one black and grey check, the other hot pink floral and a very pretty pink floral skirt. And all for $12, the cost of the two singlet tops! The materials were already in the box, leftover from other garments. The elastic for the skirt was in my sewing box and we found a belt buckle on an old belt to use for the skirt.
Now if I could only figure out how to get the photos from the new camera onto my laptop I'd be able to show you. As soon as I can get one of the boys to show me I'll upload them for you.
I'm thrilled with the savings we have made, but I'm not putting $65 in my money box. I'll leave it sitting in the clothing budget. You never know, I may get the urge to actually buy something one day soon.
When I was in high school I hated sewing class with a vengeance. Learning to make bias tape and the perfect French seam was BORING. Doing samples of different seams, fasteners, bindings and hems was painful. Then there was making things: the felt pot holder (yuk), the cotton nightie (so not my style back then) and the woollen, gored skirt (I was a definite jeans girl) nearly sent me, and my mother, around the bend.
My mother sews beautifully. The only bought things I wore were my socks and shoes. Mum made everything else. Dad drafted the patterns for her from Enid Gilchrist books (does anyone remember those?) and she'd sit at the sewing machine, hour after hour, sewing for my brother and me. She loves sewing and she didn't understand at all why I didn't. It led to many an interesting discussion, especially the weekend before a sewing project was due.
Thankfully mum and Mrs Winzenreid (she was my sewing teacher) persevered and I managed to pick up a few basic skills. A few years after I left school a friend talked me into going to sewing classes with her and after twelve weeks we graduated as fully certified Knit Wits. The sewing bug had bitten and I found that I actually liked it if I was able to choose the pattern and fabric. As time went on my skills developed (or my belief in them did anyway) and I started to adapt the patterns to suit my idea of the finished garment.
I would carry a pad, pencil and tape measure with me and when I saw something I liked I'd draw it and go home and try to make it. That habit has stuck with me and this week I stood in front of a dress Hannah liked and decided that no matter how much she wanted it and how pretty it was, $24.95 for what was about 90cm of fabric and some wide elastic was not worth it. Instead I pulled out the pad and pencil and drew it, made some notes about waistlines, necklines and gathers and came home to draft up a pattern.
Monday was just too hot to sew, 44 degrees outside and about 34 inside and the thought of sitting at the machine was enough to send me back to the cool of the air-conditioned lounge. But yesterday was cooler so we pulled out the material boxes and went through them, then made a quick trip to Big W for a couple of singlet tops and came home to sew.
Hannah is now the very happy owner of two lovely new sundresses, one black and grey check, the other hot pink floral and a very pretty pink floral skirt. And all for $12, the cost of the two singlet tops! The materials were already in the box, leftover from other garments. The elastic for the skirt was in my sewing box and we found a belt buckle on an old belt to use for the skirt.
Now if I could only figure out how to get the photos from the new camera onto my laptop I'd be able to show you. As soon as I can get one of the boys to show me I'll upload them for you.
I'm thrilled with the savings we have made, but I'm not putting $65 in my money box. I'll leave it sitting in the clothing budget. You never know, I may get the urge to actually buy something one day soon.
Tip of the Day 13 January 2010
Get the Kids Involved
Let your children help with the housework, shopping and bill paying even if their performance isn't quite up to your standards. Show them how you like things done and give them the opportunity to learn from the best possible teacher - you!
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
Tip of the Day 12 January 2010
$2 Dinner Tuesday
Beef and Vegetable Pasties
Ingredients:
400g can Coles Beef Stroganoff or other type of canned meat e.g. mild curry, braised steak and onions etc
1 cup frozen corn and pea mix
4 sheets of puff pastry, thawed
1 egg, lightly beaten
Method:
Preheat oven to 200ºC or 180 ºC for fan forced. Line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper. Place beef stroganoff in a bowl. Add corn and pea mix and mix well. Cut a 16cm round from each sheet of pastry. Place ¼ of the meat mixture in the centre or each round. Fold the pastry up over the filling to form pasties. Pinch the edges together to enclose filling and seal edges. Brush lightly with egg. Chill pasties for 10 minutes in the fridge. Bake pasties for 20 minutes or until puffed and golden. Serve with tomato sauce and salad. Serves: 4 Prep: 10 minutes Cook: 20 minutes
Contributed by Kirsty Harris
Beef and Vegetable Pasties
Ingredients:
400g can Coles Beef Stroganoff or other type of canned meat e.g. mild curry, braised steak and onions etc
1 cup frozen corn and pea mix
4 sheets of puff pastry, thawed
1 egg, lightly beaten
Method:
Preheat oven to 200ºC or 180 ºC for fan forced. Line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper. Place beef stroganoff in a bowl. Add corn and pea mix and mix well. Cut a 16cm round from each sheet of pastry. Place ¼ of the meat mixture in the centre or each round. Fold the pastry up over the filling to form pasties. Pinch the edges together to enclose filling and seal edges. Brush lightly with egg. Chill pasties for 10 minutes in the fridge. Bake pasties for 20 minutes or until puffed and golden. Serve with tomato sauce and salad. Serves: 4 Prep: 10 minutes Cook: 20 minutes
Contributed by Kirsty Harris
Monday, 11 January 2010
Tip of the Day 11 January 2010
Beautiful Gift Boxes
Here's a great idea for getting free gift boxes. Use spray paint on ordinary boxes that food and consumer goods (such as cereal or shoe boxes) come in to hide any lettering, logos, etc. that may be on the outside. Now you add the embellishments: stencilling, sponging, stamping, charms, stickers, decorative painting, yarn, small toys, fabric scraps, snippets of lace, silk flowers, ribbon roses, old greeting cards, etc. to make your gift package look even prettier, and to hide any damaged areas on the box. Not only will you be spared the expense of buying expensive gift boxes, but you're helping the environment by recycling what would normally end up in a tip into a gift box that's truly distinctive and one-of- a-kind. Start now and you'll have all the gift boxes you need during the year and wrapping next Christmas will be a breeze.
Sunday, 10 January 2010
2010 - A Year of Saving
Getting Started
I have been in the position of not knowing how much money would be coming into our home in a week, or even IF there would be money coming into our home. I have also been in the position of having to juggle bills because of the lack of money. It's not easy, I know. But you can live on a very unreliable income and still pay down debt and build savings. And you can do it while living a really good life.
How much money anyone saves depends not on their income and expenses but on their attitude. Yes, having a good income and minimal expenses will give you a surplus, but that doesn't mean you will save that surplus. You could be living on minimum wage, paying a mortgage and raising a family and be able to save more in a year than your wealthier neighbour. It's your attitude that makes the difference.
If you are trying to save $22,000 on a $35,000 income - that's too big a goal. Break it down. For example:
*aim to cut $20 a week off the grocery bill this month. That will give you $1,040 for the year. Put that $20 straight into a savings account.
*challenge yourself to not buy any takeaway meals or drinks this month. That means no fish'n'chips, pizza, Chinese, no bought lunches or snacks at work or while out. A lot of the families who come to me for help say they don't have takeaway meals, what they are saying is they don't have them five nights a week. They forget about the $24 fish'n'chip dinner they bought one night or the coffee and coke they had at the shops. They all add up. Thats another $1,248 in savings.
*aim to cut your utility costs. I don't mean sit in the dark or suffer the heat without fans. I do mean be sure to turn everything bar your fridge and freezer off at the wall when you have finished using it. That includes the TV, DVD player, set top box, the stereo, microwave, kettle, computers, the washing machine, even your clock radio. Do this faithfully for a month and you will see a decrease in your electricity bill. Think of ways to cut the cost of your gas, water and phone too and the savings soon mount up. A ten percent saving in electricity each month averages $300 a year - add that to your savings.
*Put a moratorium on all unnecessary spending. If it's not necessary to maintain life or pay at least the minimum payments on your debts, it's not necessary. No new clothes (even op shop bargains), shoes, books, toys, DVDs, CDs, magazines, hair cuts, movies etc. If the kids get invited to a birthday party, be creative and make a gift and card from materials and things you already have at home. If you get invited to a special event, renovate an outfil you already have instead of buying a new one. How much do you think you don't need to spend each week? Add another $50 a week to your savings, $2,600 in a year.
So far we've found $5,188 you could be adding to your savings. But unless you do actually bank the money as you find it, it's not saved. It's just not spent. To have $5,000 in savings at the end of the year make sure you actually bank your saved money. I'm putting mine in my money box (see the first post in A Year of Saving), where are you going to put yours?
Tip of the Day 10 January 2010
Coffee in the Compost
Composting is the most well known use for old coffee grounds. You can add your grounds, filters and even used tea bags right onto your compost pile. As they decompose, they will add nitrogen to your compost. You can also add your old grounds directly into the soil around your plants, or in your flowerpots. The old coffee grounds will increase the acidity of the soil so you'll want to be careful about the amount that you use. Make sure you spread them evenly over your garden.
Composting is the most well known use for old coffee grounds. You can add your grounds, filters and even used tea bags right onto your compost pile. As they decompose, they will add nitrogen to your compost. You can also add your old grounds directly into the soil around your plants, or in your flowerpots. The old coffee grounds will increase the acidity of the soil so you'll want to be careful about the amount that you use. Make sure you spread them evenly over your garden.
Saturday, 9 January 2010
2010 - A Year of Saving
Sewing and Saving in a Heatwave
It was rather warm here again today (manged to get to 36 degress) so we have had the ceiling fans going from early morning. They did a great job of keeping the kitchen and family room cool when I thought we would be running the air conditioner so some electricity saved there.
Hannah and I spent some time sketching out a skirt and a dress that she'd like to make for church and decided we won't need to buy a pattern for either, so that's another $20 saved. I am going to use my drafting skills to make the skirt pattern. Thank goodness for an old fashioned Home Ec teacher when I was at school, being able to draft a patttern has saved us a fortune over the years. If you like to sew I heartily recommend you learn to draft at least basic patterns. Check your local TAFE or CAE for pattern making courses, there are even some you can do online.
To make the dress we are going to combine pieces from two patterns we already have. We'll make it up using an old sheet first, just to make sure what we imagine will work, before we cut into the beautiful fabric. It's a black, grey and purple checked organza and as we bought the last of the roll and it was quite expensive I don't want to take any chances. There are plenty of old sheets in the linen cupboard, mum gave me a pile when she had a clean out a while ago and they are great for mock-ups.
Savings today: $25
Total savings for 2010: $85
How is everyone else doing with their saving?
It was rather warm here again today (manged to get to 36 degress) so we have had the ceiling fans going from early morning. They did a great job of keeping the kitchen and family room cool when I thought we would be running the air conditioner so some electricity saved there.
Hannah and I spent some time sketching out a skirt and a dress that she'd like to make for church and decided we won't need to buy a pattern for either, so that's another $20 saved. I am going to use my drafting skills to make the skirt pattern. Thank goodness for an old fashioned Home Ec teacher when I was at school, being able to draft a patttern has saved us a fortune over the years. If you like to sew I heartily recommend you learn to draft at least basic patterns. Check your local TAFE or CAE for pattern making courses, there are even some you can do online.
To make the dress we are going to combine pieces from two patterns we already have. We'll make it up using an old sheet first, just to make sure what we imagine will work, before we cut into the beautiful fabric. It's a black, grey and purple checked organza and as we bought the last of the roll and it was quite expensive I don't want to take any chances. There are plenty of old sheets in the linen cupboard, mum gave me a pile when she had a clean out a while ago and they are great for mock-ups.
Savings today: $25
Total savings for 2010: $85
How is everyone else doing with their saving?
Tip of the Day 9 January 2010
Have Fresh, Sweet Breath Every Day
If you've had a big night out and next morning your breath is not so nice, parsley will sweeten it. Juice half a bunch of parsley, add a squeeze of lemon juice and drink. It tastes different, but will really sweeten your breath and get rid of that yucky morning after taste in your mouth. It is especially effective on garlic breath. Chewing a sprig or two throughout the day will help to keep your breath fresh as a daisy too.
Friday, 8 January 2010
2010 - A Year of Saving
Today is the first day of a year of saving
Everyday the things I do save us money. I get a lot done in a day, having a family and a home to look after, as well as Cheapskates certainly keeps me out of mischief. Today my mother had a hospital appointment for a check-up. Rather than wait at the hospital and pay those outrageous parking fees, I dropped her off and came straight home. It's OK, I didn't abandon her, the tests she had required her to have an anaesthetic so I would have just been sitting in a waiting room anyway. As it turned out she was there until 6pm, six and a half hours! Thank goodness I decided to come home, that saved about $40!
Because I wasn't sure where I would be at dinner time I pulled some sausages out of the freezer this morning, sliced up a couple of onions and made some coleslaw. That was dinner taken care of - bbq sausage and coleslaw rolls to use up the last of the hot dog rolls in the freezer. They were delicious too.
Hannah helped me save a few dollars today too. She has been looking and looking for a denim skirt, but they have been either too expensive or too short (mean mummy that I am). This morning I went through the attic boxes and pulled out a denim skirt I used to wear about twenty years ago. I have no idea what triggered my memory but I'm glad I remembered it. She tried it on and of course it was too long (even I thought it was) and too big but it's a straight skirt on a waistband - a simple job to fix it so it fits her. And best of all she loves it. We'll fix it on Sunday morning so she can wear it next week. $20 plus saved and a happy girl, what more could a mother ask for?
I have been wondering how to deal with the money I save. Remember I always say money isn't saved until it's in the bank, it's just not spent yet? The kids gave me a huge money box in the shape of a dollar sign last year so now it's sitting on my desk and I have put my savings from today into it. I won't be saving $60 everyday (wouldn't that be nice?) but I will be saving something so each afternoon I am going to add my daily savings to the money box. When it's full I'll count it and take it to the bank. I wonder how long it will take me to fill it?
It can be tricky working out just how much you save by living the Cheapskates way. There are lots of things we do that don't appear to be savings at all in the beginning, but actually end up saving a lot of money. Things like:
There are so many ways to save money everyday. And it is those savings that allow us to build fully funded Peace of Mind accounts and emergency funds so that when disaster strikes (and it will at some time) we only panic for a few minutes, until we remember that we have savings!
Ok. I've told you how I've saved today, now it's your turn. I can't wait to see how close we are to that $10,000,000.00!
Everyday the things I do save us money. I get a lot done in a day, having a family and a home to look after, as well as Cheapskates certainly keeps me out of mischief. Today my mother had a hospital appointment for a check-up. Rather than wait at the hospital and pay those outrageous parking fees, I dropped her off and came straight home. It's OK, I didn't abandon her, the tests she had required her to have an anaesthetic so I would have just been sitting in a waiting room anyway. As it turned out she was there until 6pm, six and a half hours! Thank goodness I decided to come home, that saved about $40!
Because I wasn't sure where I would be at dinner time I pulled some sausages out of the freezer this morning, sliced up a couple of onions and made some coleslaw. That was dinner taken care of - bbq sausage and coleslaw rolls to use up the last of the hot dog rolls in the freezer. They were delicious too.
Hannah helped me save a few dollars today too. She has been looking and looking for a denim skirt, but they have been either too expensive or too short (mean mummy that I am). This morning I went through the attic boxes and pulled out a denim skirt I used to wear about twenty years ago. I have no idea what triggered my memory but I'm glad I remembered it. She tried it on and of course it was too long (even I thought it was) and too big but it's a straight skirt on a waistband - a simple job to fix it so it fits her. And best of all she loves it. We'll fix it on Sunday morning so she can wear it next week. $20 plus saved and a happy girl, what more could a mother ask for?
I have been wondering how to deal with the money I save. Remember I always say money isn't saved until it's in the bank, it's just not spent yet? The kids gave me a huge money box in the shape of a dollar sign last year so now it's sitting on my desk and I have put my savings from today into it. I won't be saving $60 everyday (wouldn't that be nice?) but I will be saving something so each afternoon I am going to add my daily savings to the money box. When it's full I'll count it and take it to the bank. I wonder how long it will take me to fill it?
It can be tricky working out just how much you save by living the Cheapskates way. There are lots of things we do that don't appear to be savings at all in the beginning, but actually end up saving a lot of money. Things like:
- Washing in cold water
- Hanging the washing outside or on a clothes horse to dry
- Cooking from scratch
- Only running the dishwasher on a full cycle
- Growing veggies
- Making cleaning products
- Taking lunch to work or school
- Learning to sew
- Doing home handyman jobs yourself
- Turning appliances off at the wall
- Leaving the car at home and walking or riding
- Carpooling
- Sharing tools with family and friends
- Bartering for what we need instead of buying
There are so many ways to save money everyday. And it is those savings that allow us to build fully funded Peace of Mind accounts and emergency funds so that when disaster strikes (and it will at some time) we only panic for a few minutes, until we remember that we have savings!
Ok. I've told you how I've saved today, now it's your turn. I can't wait to see how close we are to that $10,000,000.00!
Tip of the Day 8 January 2010
Always Check the Returns Policy
Before you order anything from a catalogue or over the Internet, find out about the return policy and the return postage policy of the company you are dealing with. Some companies will pay the return postage on exchanges and some won't. Paying postage both ways can be very expensive and will wipe out any savings you may have incurred by using their mail order service.
Before you order anything from a catalogue or over the Internet, find out about the return policy and the return postage policy of the company you are dealing with. Some companies will pay the return postage on exchanges and some won't. Paying postage both ways can be very expensive and will wipe out any savings you may have incurred by using their mail order service.
Thursday, 7 January 2010
Tip of the Day 7 January 2010
Easy Clean Grill
Many people use the "George Foreman" type grills and cafe style sandwich toasters. Due to the non-stick surface and the shape and size of these appliances they can be hard to clean properly. So, when you are finished cooking, pull out the plug, thoroughly wet three pieces of paper towel, and fold the paper towels into a 3-ply thickness. Put the wet paper towels on the grill and close the top. While you are eating your meal, the moisture and residual heat is loosening the stuck on bits of food and your cleanup will be a snap.
Many people use the "George Foreman" type grills and cafe style sandwich toasters. Due to the non-stick surface and the shape and size of these appliances they can be hard to clean properly. So, when you are finished cooking, pull out the plug, thoroughly wet three pieces of paper towel, and fold the paper towels into a 3-ply thickness. Put the wet paper towels on the grill and close the top. While you are eating your meal, the moisture and residual heat is loosening the stuck on bits of food and your cleanup will be a snap.
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
Tip of the Day 6 January 2010
Hidden Money
Hide $100 note in the back of your purse or wallet (they're those lovely green notes!) and then put your credit cards away in a safe place. This way, when you are out and tempted to put something on credit, you can't. You have the option of spending the $100, but how long will it take you to save another $100 to put in it's place?
Hide $100 note in the back of your purse or wallet (they're those lovely green notes!) and then put your credit cards away in a safe place. This way, when you are out and tempted to put something on credit, you can't. You have the option of spending the $100, but how long will it take you to save another $100 to put in it's place?
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Tip of the Day 5 January 2010
Coffee Maker Not Just for Coffee
Use your coffeepot to brew hot tea. By doing so, you can stretch four tea bags into 10-12 cups of tea without sacrificing flavour and without steeping each bag individually. Simply put your tea bags in the part of your coffee machine where you would normally put your coffee (remove any tags and strings). Let the water through the top as usual. After it's finished brewing, you can remove the tea bags and immerse them directly in the freshly brewed pot of tea (if you like your tea strong, otherwise this step is not necessary).
During summer you can enjoy lemon tea throughout the day by brewing a pot in the morning using four lemon teabags, adding honey to taste and then chilling in the fridge. I particularly like lemon and ginger tea. Just add 1 teaspoon grated ginger to the tea as it steeps. Enjoy!
Use your coffeepot to brew hot tea. By doing so, you can stretch four tea bags into 10-12 cups of tea without sacrificing flavour and without steeping each bag individually. Simply put your tea bags in the part of your coffee machine where you would normally put your coffee (remove any tags and strings). Let the water through the top as usual. After it's finished brewing, you can remove the tea bags and immerse them directly in the freshly brewed pot of tea (if you like your tea strong, otherwise this step is not necessary).
During summer you can enjoy lemon tea throughout the day by brewing a pot in the morning using four lemon teabags, adding honey to taste and then chilling in the fridge. I particularly like lemon and ginger tea. Just add 1 teaspoon grated ginger to the tea as it steeps. Enjoy!
Monday, 4 January 2010
The soap is not too small
When your bar of soap gets too small to use, or so small that the family won't use it, save it in a microwave safe bowl. After you have about half a bowlful, just pop the bowl in the microwave for 1 or 2 minutes, depending on how much you have, to soften the soap . Place the soap onto wax paper and mould into shapes. This makes the best soap, is softer on your skin, really frugal and a great money saver. Use it in the bathroom, laundry or kitchen for hand washing, tie it to an outside tap for gardening clean-ups, keep it under the kitchen sink with a scrub bud for washing up duty - there are hundreds of uses for these soap bars.
Sunday, 3 January 2010
Tip of the Day 3 January 2010
Fake Fruit Tricks Birds
Just before your tomato plants start to grow tomatoes, hang round plastic, red coloured Christmas baubles on your plant. The birds will think the bulbs are tomatoes, peck at them, and become unhappy when they don't get anything to eat. They then leave the plant alone and you get to harvest a bountiful crop of lovely, fresh, whole tomatoes. It sounds absurd, but it really works!
Just before your tomato plants start to grow tomatoes, hang round plastic, red coloured Christmas baubles on your plant. The birds will think the bulbs are tomatoes, peck at them, and become unhappy when they don't get anything to eat. They then leave the plant alone and you get to harvest a bountiful crop of lovely, fresh, whole tomatoes. It sounds absurd, but it really works!
Saturday, 2 January 2010
Tip of the Day 2 January 2010
Bubbles, Bubbles Everywhere
Bubbles have long been a traditional fun activity for kids. Below is just one of so many recipes I've found for making your own bubbles. Buy a couple of clean fly swatters, or use anything plastic with holes! Blow bubbles until the air is filled and the kids are laughing!
Bubble Formula
You'll need:
50ml Dishwashing detergent
500ml water,
1 tbsp glycerine
Mix in together. If you have hard water use bottled water instead of tap water. Store in a covered container and pour into a pie plate for using.
Bubbles have long been a traditional fun activity for kids. Below is just one of so many recipes I've found for making your own bubbles. Buy a couple of clean fly swatters, or use anything plastic with holes! Blow bubbles until the air is filled and the kids are laughing!
Bubble Formula
You'll need:
50ml Dishwashing detergent
500ml water,
1 tbsp glycerine
Mix in together. If you have hard water use bottled water instead of tap water. Store in a covered container and pour into a pie plate for using.
Friday, 1 January 2010
Tip of the Day 1 February 2010
You Can Always Have a Freshly Baked Cake to Serve
If you like fresh baked cakes but don't have time to always make them from scratch, prepare a few different cake batters and freeze them. If you line a cake tin with foil and then baking paper, you can pour in the batter, freeze the mix and then take it out of the tin, wrap, label and freeze. To bake you just need to remove the foil, drop the paper covered batter into the cake tin and bake as usual. Allow a little more cooking time if baking from frozen.
Tip of the Day 1 January 2010
Peppermint Brittle
Christmas is well and truly over, a new year has begun. So, if you have dozens of candy canes leftover , like we do, and need a way to use them up this is the treat for you!
Ingredients:
250g block white chocolate
6 - 10 small peppermint candy canes
Method:
Line a Swiss roll pan with baking paper or heavy tin foil. In a microwave safe container add the white chocolate and heat on medium in the microwave for about 2 -3 minutes. Stop during heating and stir occasionally until the chocolate is smooth and melted.
Put the candy canes in a large plastic bag. Using a rolling pin or another similar tool, begin breaking the candy canes into small pieces. Stir the candy into the melted chocolate and spread in the pan, evenly.
Place in refrigerator for about an hour to set completely and then break the into pieces.
Christmas is well and truly over, a new year has begun. So, if you have dozens of candy canes leftover , like we do, and need a way to use them up this is the treat for you!
Ingredients:
250g block white chocolate
6 - 10 small peppermint candy canes
Method:
Line a Swiss roll pan with baking paper or heavy tin foil. In a microwave safe container add the white chocolate and heat on medium in the microwave for about 2 -3 minutes. Stop during heating and stir occasionally until the chocolate is smooth and melted.
Put the candy canes in a large plastic bag. Using a rolling pin or another similar tool, begin breaking the candy canes into small pieces. Stir the candy into the melted chocolate and spread in the pan, evenly.
Place in refrigerator for about an hour to set completely and then break the into pieces.
Thursday, 31 December 2009
Tip of the Day 31 December 2009
The January sales
It seems ridiculous to be thinking ahead to next Christmas when last Christmas was only a week ago. But a little forethought and planning ahead can save you hundreds of dollars. The January sales are a great time to buy presents for upcoming birthdays, Mother's and Father's Day and of course next Christmas. Make a list and keep it with you so that when you see a bargain you can buy if the next gift-giving occasion. By doing this you can reduce your spending by at least 50 per cent. Most people these days are reported to spend on average $3,000 at Christmas time alone, so the savings are huge.
It seems ridiculous to be thinking ahead to next Christmas when last Christmas was only a week ago. But a little forethought and planning ahead can save you hundreds of dollars. The January sales are a great time to buy presents for upcoming birthdays, Mother's and Father's Day and of course next Christmas. Make a list and keep it with you so that when you see a bargain you can buy if the next gift-giving occasion. By doing this you can reduce your spending by at least 50 per cent. Most people these days are reported to spend on average $3,000 at Christmas time alone, so the savings are huge.
Wednesday, 30 December 2009
Packing and storing Christmas baubles
Approximate $ Savings: $20
If you save your egg cartons, come Christmas time you can place all your fragile Christmas baubles in the egg spots once you remove them from the tree. Paint or wrap the egg cartons to indicate which baubles they house. Egg cartons are surprisingly strong and stable, especially when stacked for long-term storage.
Tuesday, 29 December 2009
Tip of the Day 29 December 2009
Make the switch to a cash only lifestyle
It may not be possible for you to switch entirely to cash only but you can easily switch back to cash for your day to day purchases and many of your bills and ditch the credit card. It is madness to use a credit card for day to day expenses unless you can pay the balance in full every month. Try it for a month. Use cash for every expense and purchase you would normally put on your card. If you don't have the cash don't buy the item. Living with cash will quickly make you realise just what you need and what you think you need.
It may not be possible for you to switch entirely to cash only but you can easily switch back to cash for your day to day purchases and many of your bills and ditch the credit card. It is madness to use a credit card for day to day expenses unless you can pay the balance in full every month. Try it for a month. Use cash for every expense and purchase you would normally put on your card. If you don't have the cash don't buy the item. Living with cash will quickly make you realise just what you need and what you think you need.
Monday, 28 December 2009
Tip of the Day 28 December 2009
Buy your classic clothes in the January sales
Instead of rushing out and buying clothes when you need them, think ahead and plan to do your summer clothes shopping during the January sales. With our temperate climate you can wear summer clothes most of the year, with the addition of a cardigan or lightweight jumper during spring and autumn, leaving heavy woollies and coats for mid-winter. Take advantage of the percentage off sales and stock up on the classics (colour and style), then use trendy accessories to keep them up to date. You'll get better value for your dollar and lower your cost per wear.
Instead of rushing out and buying clothes when you need them, think ahead and plan to do your summer clothes shopping during the January sales. With our temperate climate you can wear summer clothes most of the year, with the addition of a cardigan or lightweight jumper during spring and autumn, leaving heavy woollies and coats for mid-winter. Take advantage of the percentage off sales and stock up on the classics (colour and style), then use trendy accessories to keep them up to date. You'll get better value for your dollar and lower your cost per wear.
Sunday, 27 December 2009
Tip of the Day 27 December 2009
Wonderful wicker
When I was a little girl I had a wicker chair. It was child size and suited me perfectly. Of course as I grew older the chair became too small and I didn't use it. As a teenager I thought it was old fashioned and totally useless. Thank goodness my mother saw the value in it, even if it is only sentimental, and put the chair away for me. When I had my first baby that wicker chair came out of storage to be put to use in the nursery. Storage hadn't done much for the chair, it was dirty and yellowed and needed a good clean. Mum knew just what to do and she showed me. The life of wicker patio furniture, baskets or other wicker items can be extended by using salt to clean and whiten it. To clean and prevent yellowing, dust off with a soft brush and then scrub wicker furniture with a stiff brush moistened with warm saltwater and allow it to dry in the sun. Choose a nice hot day and never, ever soak your wicker furniture or baskets or you run the risk of it drying out of shape. Wipe over with a damp cloth between cleanings to keep it spic'n'span.
When I was a little girl I had a wicker chair. It was child size and suited me perfectly. Of course as I grew older the chair became too small and I didn't use it. As a teenager I thought it was old fashioned and totally useless. Thank goodness my mother saw the value in it, even if it is only sentimental, and put the chair away for me. When I had my first baby that wicker chair came out of storage to be put to use in the nursery. Storage hadn't done much for the chair, it was dirty and yellowed and needed a good clean. Mum knew just what to do and she showed me. The life of wicker patio furniture, baskets or other wicker items can be extended by using salt to clean and whiten it. To clean and prevent yellowing, dust off with a soft brush and then scrub wicker furniture with a stiff brush moistened with warm saltwater and allow it to dry in the sun. Choose a nice hot day and never, ever soak your wicker furniture or baskets or you run the risk of it drying out of shape. Wipe over with a damp cloth between cleanings to keep it spic'n'span.
Saturday, 26 December 2009
What to do With the Christmas Dinner Leftovers
The big day is over but you wouldn't know it to look at the fridge. It is bursting with leftovers and they all have to be used up. Try some of these ideas and get some time off from kitchen duty.
Freeze them. Freezing means that you can enjoy your Christmas fare at anytime. You can freeze sliced meats in gravy, and have a ready made roast for later on. Dice the vegetables and combine to use as fillings for pies, crepes and casseroles. If you use plastic storage bags, make sure that they are freezer bags and write the contents date of freezing on the outside (masking tape is good for this). Freeze in portion sizes or meal sizes and then you can thaw out only what you need and not the lot.
Make up some doggy bags and send guests home with food. Why keep all the bounty to yourself? Load up on disposable plates and bowls (in festive colours) so that each guest can take home some food for later.
Make a gourmet salad. Green salads can be so boring sometimes. Add a slice or two of turkey, beef, chicken or ham to spice it up. Dice or crumble the meat and use as a salad topper. Cold peas, carrots, corn, broccoli, cauliflower etc can all be added to a green salad for colour and texture.
Breakfast additions. Omelettes are fun to make. Even more fun than making them is adding different ingredients to them to see what kind of combinations you can come up with. Use leftover Christmas dinner fare to decorate your omelette. Ham, chicken or turkey can be diced to use as an omelette add-in. Leftover vegetables can also be cut up to sprinkle inside an omelette.
Turn it into a stir-fry. Cut the leftover chicken, turkey, beef or pork into thin strips. With a few stir-fry vegetables you have created a new dinner meal. If stir fry is not your cup of tea, you can make lo mien, fried rice and other Asian dishes that include meat. Or if you had the traditional turkey and there's still a lot left, go wild with turkey chow mein.
Create a pie. Turkey or chicken and even beef can be placed inside a crust with tons of delicious veggies to make a pot pie your family will love. Use a basic white or cheese sauce as the binder (or even a can of cream of something soup - chicken, mushroom, asparagus etc) and let your imagination run wild with the combinations. If you have a pie maker you can whip up a batch of gourmet pies in no time and freeze them, ready for a grab and heat lunch. Use bought pastry sheets if you're not a pastry maker, or give Elaine's Easy Pastry a try.
It can be overwhelming when faced with all that leftover food, and it's tempting to just ignore it until it goes furry and then you can throw it out, but I'm hoping that some of these ideas will inspire you to use up those leftovers and save your grocery budget.
Freeze them. Freezing means that you can enjoy your Christmas fare at anytime. You can freeze sliced meats in gravy, and have a ready made roast for later on. Dice the vegetables and combine to use as fillings for pies, crepes and casseroles. If you use plastic storage bags, make sure that they are freezer bags and write the contents date of freezing on the outside (masking tape is good for this). Freeze in portion sizes or meal sizes and then you can thaw out only what you need and not the lot.
Make up some doggy bags and send guests home with food. Why keep all the bounty to yourself? Load up on disposable plates and bowls (in festive colours) so that each guest can take home some food for later.
Make a gourmet salad. Green salads can be so boring sometimes. Add a slice or two of turkey, beef, chicken or ham to spice it up. Dice or crumble the meat and use as a salad topper. Cold peas, carrots, corn, broccoli, cauliflower etc can all be added to a green salad for colour and texture.
Breakfast additions. Omelettes are fun to make. Even more fun than making them is adding different ingredients to them to see what kind of combinations you can come up with. Use leftover Christmas dinner fare to decorate your omelette. Ham, chicken or turkey can be diced to use as an omelette add-in. Leftover vegetables can also be cut up to sprinkle inside an omelette.
Turn it into a stir-fry. Cut the leftover chicken, turkey, beef or pork into thin strips. With a few stir-fry vegetables you have created a new dinner meal. If stir fry is not your cup of tea, you can make lo mien, fried rice and other Asian dishes that include meat. Or if you had the traditional turkey and there's still a lot left, go wild with turkey chow mein.
Create a pie. Turkey or chicken and even beef can be placed inside a crust with tons of delicious veggies to make a pot pie your family will love. Use a basic white or cheese sauce as the binder (or even a can of cream of something soup - chicken, mushroom, asparagus etc) and let your imagination run wild with the combinations. If you have a pie maker you can whip up a batch of gourmet pies in no time and freeze them, ready for a grab and heat lunch. Use bought pastry sheets if you're not a pastry maker, or give Elaine's Easy Pastry a try.
It can be overwhelming when faced with all that leftover food, and it's tempting to just ignore it until it goes furry and then you can throw it out, but I'm hoping that some of these ideas will inspire you to use up those leftovers and save your grocery budget.
Tip of the Day 26 December 2009
The Great Restaurant Competition
Dining out is fun but it can be costly. Get together with your friends for regular get-togethers and try different restaurants at the same time. Simply take it in turns to choose the restaurant with these guidelines in mind:
1.It must be cheap
2.It must be good
3.To be fair, everyone pays their own way
3.It must be within a 30 minute drive of home (unless you arrange to carpool)
Keep a record of where you go and how much the total bill costs each time and at the end of the year whoever has chosen the cheapest and best restaurant wins the prize (the group can choose the prize at the first dinner).
Dining out is fun but it can be costly. Get together with your friends for regular get-togethers and try different restaurants at the same time. Simply take it in turns to choose the restaurant with these guidelines in mind:
1.It must be cheap
2.It must be good
3.To be fair, everyone pays their own way
3.It must be within a 30 minute drive of home (unless you arrange to carpool)
Keep a record of where you go and how much the total bill costs each time and at the end of the year whoever has chosen the cheapest and best restaurant wins the prize (the group can choose the prize at the first dinner).
Friday, 25 December 2009
Tip of the Day 25 December 2009
Merry Christmas
On this beautiful Christmas morning I pray that your Christmas day will be blessed with family, friends and loved ones and wish you hope, peace and joy.
Merry Christmas,
Cath
Boxing Day Shopping Tips
It's the best day of the year for shopping. Whether you get to line up early on the 26th or you have to wait until the 27th, hitting the Boxing Day sales is great fun and a great opportunity to pick up some fantastic bargains....and get a head start on next Christmas!
Before shopping:
*Check to see what you already have.
*Make a list of the things you want to buy. Prepare your list around what you already have and what's on sale.
*Plan your spending to avoid impulse buys. Don't spend money on things you don't need.
*Wear comfortable shoes and clothes, take a bottle of water and remember to have fun.
Thursday, 24 December 2009
Tip of the Day 24 December 2009
Pairs of Ornaments Make Great Gifts
After each Christmas all the beautiful Christmas decorations (e.g.: glass, china, decoupage etc) go on sale. I buy them in pairs and the following Christmas I wrap them in material and ribbon instead of paper, which makes them even more lovely. Great for the hard to buy for women or office gift. For gift cards I do hand or foot prints (ink pad from $2 shop) of my kids on coloured paper and cut out around the shape. Fun for the kids.
Contributed by Susie, 18th October 2007
After each Christmas all the beautiful Christmas decorations (e.g.: glass, china, decoupage etc) go on sale. I buy them in pairs and the following Christmas I wrap them in material and ribbon instead of paper, which makes them even more lovely. Great for the hard to buy for women or office gift. For gift cards I do hand or foot prints (ink pad from $2 shop) of my kids on coloured paper and cut out around the shape. Fun for the kids.
Contributed by Susie, 18th October 2007
Wednesday, 23 December 2009
Free Christmas Eve Fun
Christmas activities can be very expensive but there are plenty of things you can do that won't cost a small fortune and many of them are even free so if you've been wondering what you can do with your family tomorrow night here are a couple of totally free ideas.
A great way to tire out excited little ones on Christmas Eve is to wait until dusk and then take them for a walk around your local area to see the Christmas lights. It's much more exciting to be walking in the dark and the lights and displays are just lovely. Children are entranced and grown-ups are thrilled by their excitement. And after an hour or so of walking around they are well and truly ready for bed so Santa can visit.
If you aren't up to fighting the mozzies to see the lights, have your very own carols by candlelight concert at home. You can watch the carols on TV (Channel 9 show the Christmas Eve carol concert from Melbourne) or you can put on a CD and sing along. Turn the lights out and give the kids a torch each (safer than candles for little ones) and have some fun. The singing and the candlelight will relax them and put them off to sleep, but not before they've left a slice of cake and a glass of milk for Santa and a carrot for the reindeer!
And some fun for mum and dad: sprinkle some chocolate coated sultanas around the base of the Christmas tree (not where it can be walked into the floor) or on the front verandah - instant reindeer poop! What better way to prove Santa really did come on Christmas Eve than a little gift from Rudolph!
Tuesday, 22 December 2009
Mini Christmas Puddings
If you are looking for a way to use up leftover Christmas cake or pudding (and there's bound to be leftovers after Christmas dinner) or a way to use up a not-so-nice cake or pudding, then these mini Christmas puddings are just the thing. Make them bite size and serve them on a plate with a dish of whipped cream or thick custard for dipping.
Mini Christmas Puddings
Ingredients:
A cheap Christmas pudding or fruitcake
Brandy
icing sugar
lolly snakes
Method:
Crumble the pudding or cake in a bowl. Add a small amount of brandy at a time and mix up until you have a playdough consistency. Roll into balls the size of a 10 or 20-cent piece. With a teaspoon dribble some icing on each ball to look like custard. Cut up some red and green snakes to look like holly leaves and berries and place on top of each "pudding". This is so quick and easy and you can even involve the kids. If the kids are too young to help - keep them amused with the leftover orange and yellow snakes.
Contributed by Emmalee, St. Kilda East
Mini Christmas Puddings
Ingredients:
A cheap Christmas pudding or fruitcake
Brandy
icing sugar
lolly snakes
Method:
Crumble the pudding or cake in a bowl. Add a small amount of brandy at a time and mix up until you have a playdough consistency. Roll into balls the size of a 10 or 20-cent piece. With a teaspoon dribble some icing on each ball to look like custard. Cut up some red and green snakes to look like holly leaves and berries and place on top of each "pudding". This is so quick and easy and you can even involve the kids. If the kids are too young to help - keep them amused with the leftover orange and yellow snakes.
Contributed by Emmalee, St. Kilda East
Monday, 21 December 2009
Tip of the Day 21 December 2009
The great family road trip
If you're planning a family road trip these school holidays plan ahead and pack drinks and snacks. Stop at roadside rest areas rather than crowded roadhouses and enjoy a thermos of tea or coffee, some cold drinks and a sandwich or piece of cake in peace and quiet. The kids can have a run around and use up some energy and everyone will get back into the car refreshed and ready for the next leg of the journey. Your pocket will also benefit, packing your food and drinks will save you a fortune.
If you're planning a family road trip these school holidays plan ahead and pack drinks and snacks. Stop at roadside rest areas rather than crowded roadhouses and enjoy a thermos of tea or coffee, some cold drinks and a sandwich or piece of cake in peace and quiet. The kids can have a run around and use up some energy and everyone will get back into the car refreshed and ready for the next leg of the journey. Your pocket will also benefit, packing your food and drinks will save you a fortune.
Sunday, 20 December 2009
Tip of the Day 20 December 2009
A Garden on Wheels
Instead of a hanging basket why not try an old wheelbarrow for planting vegies? I have strawberries in mine. It is up off the ground so slaters can't get to it, you can put it under a basket to catch any water from them, you don't have to bend to far to pick them. Mine is in the front garden in between my roses and other plants. Put a couple of holes in the bottom, fill it with good soil or potting mix and away you go.
Contributed by Kerry, Mandurah
Instead of a hanging basket why not try an old wheelbarrow for planting vegies? I have strawberries in mine. It is up off the ground so slaters can't get to it, you can put it under a basket to catch any water from them, you don't have to bend to far to pick them. Mine is in the front garden in between my roses and other plants. Put a couple of holes in the bottom, fill it with good soil or potting mix and away you go.
Contributed by Kerry, Mandurah
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