tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.comments2024-03-03T16:03:52.071+11:00Debt Free, Cashed Up and Laughing - The Cheapskates way to living the good lifeCath Armstronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12982092492622482815noreply@blogger.comBlogger2622125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-79118559972389519652022-10-31T11:26:09.293+11:002022-10-31T11:26:09.293+11:00Sorry for the late reply Gaila, but yes I will be ...Sorry for the late reply Gaila, but yes I will be doing some more. I love the Brother Scan n Cut, it is such a versatile tool in my craft room - don't mean to sound like an ad! I use it for all sorts of things from cutting cardstock and paper, to cutting vinyl and even fabric for quilting and sewing. Scanning in DSP and then cutting it out instead of fussy cutting was the main reason we made the investment, but honestly I use it at least half a dozen times a week. I'll let everyone know when a new video is posted over on Cheapskates Chatter Facebook Group, if you're a member, you'll see the notifications. But I say just pick a project and use it - the more you use it the more fun you'll have and the more projects you'll be able to create :)<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-46243171935737639402022-10-06T15:19:54.555+11:002022-10-06T15:19:54.555+11:00Quick question - there is no yeast in the ingredie...Quick question - there is no yeast in the ingredients but it says to add it at the start. How much and what type of yeast? <br />Thanks Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-84149690094372454552022-09-29T15:20:44.268+10:002022-09-29T15:20:44.268+10:00Hi Cath will you be doing a tutorial on scan n cut...Hi Cath will you be doing a tutorial on scan n cut gift ideas? I have one and have done a few things but would love to learn more ☺️ Gaila in the NW USA Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-55814715843097668772022-09-27T06:40:12.024+10:002022-09-27T06:40:12.024+10:00Sorry for the loss of your friend Cath. Sorry for the loss of your friend Cath. Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06964345893499561504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-44989580463388330202022-09-26T22:28:44.058+10:002022-09-26T22:28:44.058+10:00Hi there Cath,
Gee 50cent a kilo for potatoes, t...Hi there Cath, <br /><br />Gee 50cent a kilo for potatoes, that's an incredibly cheap price! No wonder you stocked up. Your apple sauce looks great! I must make some more of that soon. I don't can it, I freeze instead. Great list of achievements for the week.<br /><br />Sorry to hear about your dear friend, cancer is a really cruel beast. <br />Take care,<br />Tania xxxTaniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10176661940614462611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-34808957326912284132022-09-26T17:19:29.661+10:002022-09-26T17:19:29.661+10:00Hi, SNC is the abbreviation for the Brother Scan&#...Hi, SNC is the abbreviation for the Brother Scan'n'Cut, a tool I use a lot for crafting.Cath Armstronghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12982092492622482815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-61277111215369806362022-09-26T05:16:30.109+10:002022-09-26T05:16:30.109+10:00Thanks for your post Cath. I always enjoy reading ...Thanks for your post Cath. I always enjoy reading them. Can you tell me please what SNC stands for?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-77730062056761917802022-08-08T22:47:34.587+10:002022-08-08T22:47:34.587+10:00Thank you Cath.Thank you Cath.Taniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10176661940614462611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-21386484741186477122022-08-08T18:58:58.375+10:002022-08-08T18:58:58.375+10:00Hello Tania, I'm so sorry I missed your commen...Hello Tania, I'm so sorry I missed your comment! I dry the tea bags and put them in a jar, and when I have oil or fat that is ready to be tossed, I pour a little over the tea bags and let it soak in. Just a little, they're not swimming in it. Great for starting camp fires too.<br />Cath Armstronghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12982092492622482815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-16251907154905615612022-07-31T23:27:51.137+10:002022-07-31T23:27:51.137+10:00Hi Cath, you achieved a lot this week!
I am intri...Hi Cath, you achieved a lot this week!<br /><br />I am intrigued by the tea bag fire lighters. Do you soak them in anything to kick start the fire, or use as is once dried? <br /><br />I have been mostly busy outside getting the garden ready for spring. Our weather has been warming up during the day but the nights are still frosty cold. I've noticed some fruit trees starting to bud and shoot out green already.<br /><br />Have a lovely week,<br />xTaniaTaniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10176661940614462611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-77522564135548875762022-05-21T16:44:59.250+10:002022-05-21T16:44:59.250+10:00I needed a bucket to wash paint rollers and found ...I needed a bucket to wash paint rollers and found one in the discount store with a broken handle so negotiated to get it half price! It will be perfect for what I needed.<br />As I have to travel 44kms each way for work I made sure I topped up my fuel every few days so I wasn’t spending a fortune filling up.<br />Used my fuel spy app to find the cheapest fuel and used my discount vouchers where I couldAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-17022003469350795992022-05-11T17:16:22.989+10:002022-05-11T17:16:22.989+10:00Thank you so much for your reply.
Kind regards, V...Thank you so much for your reply. <br />Kind regards, VickyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-60675218908656251702022-05-10T18:27:16.549+10:002022-05-10T18:27:16.549+10:00I stocked up all I could remember last week in pre...I stocked up all I could remember last week in preparation for the challenge. I started a menu plan for the month, but it got overturned by hubby & daughter, who wanted other meals, appointments etc, so it was back to the drawing board. I have our raised gardens doing well, (well not so good with the broard beans and peas - they arent doing very good, I have tested the soil and the PH is where it's supposed to be. ) I issued the challenge rules to hubby and daughter, few grumbles, but they are going to try to keep to it. <br />Winter bedding went on last week, BOY you can feel the difference. Winter clothes bought out and hung out to air. I did an inventory of home stocks, freezers, and pantry. I have been teaching a friend, long distance as she is 4hrs away, how to use her dehydrator, lots of phonecalls - I am so glad I'm on an unlimited plan. <br />As the weather gets colder I will pull out my quilting, a good way to stay warm. <br />We got 4 new raised beds to add to the 8 we already have, but as I couldnt get soil prior to today, it will have to wait til later to get it. I will start the seeds anyway, as I remembered to get potting mix last week. I am building my own mini hot house using a free shelving unit and clear plastic sheeting from the cane steak packets. I also got star pickets and wire last week ready to fence off the feathered mafia aka our chooks. We were given a 2m x 3m shed and this will become their new house inside their yard. Hopefully that meand we get some of our yard back lol, as I want to set up the outdoor table & chairs I found free on the naturestrip in our street. The old table we have, will become my potting tableKerryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00012599376996916674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-60822504296293522752022-05-10T13:52:02.092+10:002022-05-10T13:52:02.092+10:00Hi Cath, I agree - wool jumpers are worth reusing....Hi Cath, I agree - wool jumpers are worth reusing..... Couple of options - if it was chunkier wool, I would unravel it, steam it and re-use for some knitting project. If it's too fine, but feltable you could felt the jumper and then cut into pieces for use in other things - either as batting for a quilt, slippers, pot holders, bowl cosies etc. Does the stamping melt at all? Could you try a heat gun on it to melt it off? If it isn't feltable, I would still look at using it in bowl cosies or the like as batting. I'd love to hear what you ended up doing with them! Keep up the good work.Missynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-27899650004773311712022-05-10T12:02:03.973+10:002022-05-10T12:02:03.973+10:00I ended up spending a bit of money this week. I dr...I ended up spending a bit of money this week. I drove down to Mum's and had a sleepover with her and Dad. I took Mum out to a beautiful Sunshine Coast Hinterland native plant nursery that has a gorgeous cafe. Mum never goes out to eat, so this Morning Tea was quite special for her. I also bought her a plant that she chose. <br />Mum has a friend who is downsizing her craft supplies. I am the lucky recipient of a huge amount of fabric, books and sewing notions. Some of the items I plan on sharing with friends. I wont be purchasing much at Spotlight for a very long time.<br />I inherited a partially quilted cot quilt. I have finished this off and added a rod pocket to the back. This will be for the Grandsons Birthday next month. His parents can use it as a cot quilt or as a wall hanging. Total cost nothing but my time and effort. <br />Our garden is producing most of our leafy greens. I have seedlings, I grew from seeds, ready to go out into the spaces I have in the garden beds. The rampant pumpkin is in the process of being tamed, so that the garden bed can have onions planted in it. I am drying off thyme and have plans to run the very large spring onions through the dehydrator. That will free up another garden bed. <br />Bluey picked up a box of ten packets of Panko bread crumbs for $3. The same packets at Woolies are $5/pkt. That was his bargain of the week. Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06964345893499561504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-33489507710629323602022-05-10T11:24:41.934+10:002022-05-10T11:24:41.934+10:00Hi Vicky, the secret it to stick to the routine! I...Hi Vicky, the secret it to stick to the routine! I did this with three kids at school, and working full time. Each time you do the routine, it gets easier. The first time will be harder, because obviously it is the first time. Then then next time is a little easier and faster, and so on. These days it takes me about 35 minutes on a Monday to get through the list, it is habit. But the whole list must be done every week. After about 3 - 4 weeks it is pretty much just a maintenance clean, the deep cleaning has been done, and you won't ever need to do it again. I used to get up about 6am, before the kids, to get started with my day. If you don't think you can get it all done in the morning, split it and do some of an evening. It really doesn't take that long, if you do it. I also found that if I sat down, then it was harder to get going again, so I'd get stuck in and get things done then sit down. Depending on how old your children are, they can help, even toddlers can pick up toys or take washing to the laundry etc. But the main thing is stick to the routine, even if you think you can skip a week, don't. It will just make the next week that little bit harder and longer. Cath Armstronghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12982092492622482815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-63638919985243439502022-05-07T17:01:49.356+10:002022-05-07T17:01:49.356+10:00Hi Cath,
I have finished reading through all of y...Hi Cath,<br /><br />I have finished reading through all of your daily chores. They said spot on with what I might be doing should I suddenly stop working f/t. Thanks for sharing (all those years ago) but I have one question. If you were working outside of the home, leaving at 8am and arriving back home at 4pm, with three kids still at school, how would you suggest tweaking the chores? I always start the week with great intention and motivation but by Wednesday/Thursday, I am exhausted.<br />Kinds regards,<br />VickyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-23624792000460985452022-05-04T08:49:57.573+10:002022-05-04T08:49:57.573+10:00I'm so glad you didn't have any symptoms a...I'm so glad you didn't have any symptoms and were able to keep going, with treats :) Your garden will love the boost from the compost and your chookies will enjoy their nice fresh bedding, I'm sure they'll reward you with lots of eggs, even during the slow months. I used to always bath the kids in the afernoon during winter because, like you, we didn't have heating in the bathroom. They'd get bathed and straight into jammies, and then it was quiet time until dinner and bed. I hope you make your May sales goal, and you're having fun too, can't get much better. Cath Armstronghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12982092492622482815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-15570218611731261052022-05-03T19:07:31.069+10:002022-05-03T19:07:31.069+10:00Being home in isolation is a money saver! Having ...Being home in isolation is a money saver! Having tested positive to covid during a hospital pre-admission PCR test, I was needed to stay at home for seven days. Easy peasy here as there was no need to go out for anything, not even treats as I had bought a few treats to take into hospital LOL Fortunately, I've remained symptom free so was able to potter away happily.<br /><br />Yesterday I managed to work outdoors for a few hours during which I raked out and rearranged the front section of the chook run. This involved relocating the nesting boxes and the under cover area that keeps soil and sand dry for dust baths. Quite a bit of compost was removed and I covered the excavated ground with straw after I had replenished the nests and chookhouse. This provided lots of lush goodness for the garden beds.<br /><br />This week's soup meal is dhal. I can have it thick on rice or thin it with water or milk for more of a soup style meal. I tend to add different herbs or veg to it each time to make it a bit different. Dhal is so cheap and simple to make. It's very filling and is full of goodness.<br /><br />I'm an early to bed person which is already saving money on heating. Usually I shower in the evening but I've switched to afternoon because the bathroom is just too cold. There's no heating in there, nor is there a power point and I've no plans to change that. I prefer to shower late in the day to help steam out any aches and pains created through the day. So now, as soon as I've finished being active for the day I jump into the shower.<br /><br />This month there's been a welcome boost to my coffers as i received my first payout from online selling. I've had fun getting organised and packaging the goodies up and shipping them off. It's wonderful to have found something worthwhile to do that I can manage around my health issues. There's always someone I can call on to take parcels to the post office and collect the receipts for me. This month (my first) I've averaged five sales per week. I'd like to make that seven per week for May.<br /><br />Bright As A Button Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01486817658383211056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-90016018076113409322022-04-26T10:54:54.245+10:002022-04-26T10:54:54.245+10:00What a busy week! Potato and leek soup sounds good...What a busy week! Potato and leek soup sounds good and that chocolate pudding, well I bet that went down a treat. You added so much to your pantry! I love your garden, it inspires me so much. I'm glad you had rain, hope not too much! It's either a flood or a drought isn't it. Homegrown tomatoes are always better than the bought tins, I'm sure you'll enjoy them. Cath Armstronghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12982092492622482815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-45155284333291887632022-04-25T22:40:03.575+10:002022-04-25T22:40:03.575+10:00Sounds like you had a good frugal week Cath.
I m...Sounds like you had a good frugal week Cath. <br /><br />I made bulk potato and leek soup for Dad and myself with leeks from my veg patch. Also made an impossible pie for Dad {using his eggs} and Chocolate pudding for Phil. I dried onion and leek greens and chives for the pantry. Picking guavas at the moment, eating fresh and will be drying some. Also picking capsicums and dragon fruit. I have planted out broad beans, beetroot, cabbages and chard in the veggie patch and have more seedlings growing nicely to go in soon. We have had rain, and yes doesn't the garden love it? I have harvested most of my spaghetti squash, and ended up with quite a few. I mended/darned over a hole in a pair of Phil's jeans. I made two loaves of sourdough bread and zucchini bread using up excess zucchinis from Dad's garden. And I processed a heap of tomatoes from dad into 400gm lots and froze for using in place of tin tomatoes, the flavour is so much better.<br /><br />Have a lovely week!<br />xTaniaTaniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10176661940614462611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-17386114417906962462022-04-25T22:23:02.475+10:002022-04-25T22:23:02.475+10:00The mylar experiment is 50:50 - about half did wha...The mylar experiment is 50:50 - about half did what they were supposed to do. I tend to think of them for more long, long term food storage - think 25 years - rather than the couple of years our pantry holds at the moment. You had a busy week. I'm always surprised at what can be made from doona covers and sheets - just looking at the fabric as fabric and not a doona cover makes a huge difference. Your silent auction items sound lovely. The bibs are very cute, and how good is it that your little grandson is growing and healthy. Free seeds are always fun, and Diggers seeds are wonderful, but free fruit, with enough to share, is fun too. Plums were popular in our house too when the kids were little - they were "those purple things that are yellow with the rock inside" according to one little person, and that is what we still call them. I bet the chooks loved the bread too. Cath Armstronghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12982092492622482815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-62975018985618244772022-04-25T22:15:35.097+10:002022-04-25T22:15:35.097+10:00I hope you can kick that virus to the kerb quickly...I hope you can kick that virus to the kerb quickly! Your freezer stash sounds wonderful and delicious, and comforting to have for when you're not 100%. Self sown food is free food and who doesn't love free food! Enjoy the vacuum sealer, you will LOVE it.<br />Cath Armstronghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12982092492622482815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-75311574452674126532022-04-25T22:12:23.710+10:002022-04-25T22:12:23.710+10:00Prayers your little grandson will be well very soo...Prayers your little grandson will be well very soon and for his mother and father. What a week! Love that you added making ricotta to your skillset. And a trailer is such a handy thing to have - you never realise how much you'll use it until you get it :) What a blessing the freezer will be to your daughter, I know we wouldn't live near as well as we do if we didn't have the freezers. I hope she can fill it with bargain priced food quickly. Cath Armstronghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12982092492622482815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8814984506642537843.post-50271574370245470132022-04-25T20:32:34.187+10:002022-04-25T20:32:34.187+10:00I saw a recipe that said “Easy”, “3 ingredient” an...I saw a recipe that said “Easy”, “3 ingredient” and “Instant Pot” to make my own ricotta cheese. Since I always have lasagna noodles and all the other ingredients except ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese that I might substitute for it)on my pantry shelves, I was intrigued! I had an unopened 1/2 gallon of milk in my basement fridge that I bought on sale for 88 cents a couple weeks ago, which is exactly what the recipe called for. It made about 24- 30 ounces of the most wonderful tasting ricotta! To buy it would have been between $3.49- $5.99 depending on brand. Even store brand cottage cheese wound have cost $2.99. And, best of all, after learning this new “skill”, I can have ricotta here at home whenever I want it without having to go to the store (spending time and gas on top of the purchase price!) I also got about 3 cups of whey! Here’s a link to recipe if anyone is interested- https://foreignfork.com/wprm_print/12868. <br /><br />My good friend who works at a Krogers texted me during her break to let me know that 16 Oz Barilla spaghetti noodles were clearanced to 25 cents each and Creamette pasta (several varieties) were marked down to 50 cents. They also had 4 pound bags of sugar marked down from $2.49 to 99 cents! I texted my daughters and another friend and picked some up for them as well! I thanked her that night and she told me that oatmeal was going to be priced on clearance. It was 99 cents for 42 Oz (2 pound,10 Oz)cartons of Quaker brand! That’s less than 38 cents a pound!! My daughters are thrilled as I am to add it to our pantry! I actually prefer the regular old-fashioned rolled oats that these were because you have complete flexibility to convert them into quick or instant oats/oatmeal! Their regular price is $6.99! !https://pin.it/7kLPhIy I bought 27 cartons to split between us and at first it rang up as $188.73 ($6.99) but Then it discounted and we saved $162 on something that we regularly use and store!<br />Hubs found a used trailer on Craigslist and it was wonderful ! https://pin.it/1sUCZcZ. As you can see, we loaded it with the rotted wood that we replaced from our raised bed garden and were able to take it to the dump ourselves. It cost us $16. at the dump, but it would have been over $200 to hire someone to load it up and haul it away for us! Think this is going to be a good equipment investment for us!<br />Then on Saturday, our daughter came with us to an estate auction where I saw a chest freezer in the preview photos. We took our trailer and she ended up getting the 23 cubic foot Kenmore freezer for $255!! https://pin.it/6Fualax. It is older but works perfectly and has a good gasket seal. We loaded it in our trailer and hauled it to their home. Her husband had cleared a spot in the garage along a side wall and it fit exactly! They are excited about getting some freezer sale things today to start filling it! Looks like the trailer will be getting some good use!<br />My 6 month old grandson was admitted back into Childrens Hospital late Saturday night and I was able to take ham salad sandwich, granola bars, cheese crackers, grapes, cookies, bottled water and a mini beef pot pie to his mom on Sunday (she’s been staying with him at hospital) and the only time it took was for me to pack it into a bag to hand off to her! She has access to a fridge and a microwave by the nurses’ station across from his room. <br />So that’s been my frugal week. A few different specifics, but mostly, nothing out of the normal routine here. <br />Gardenpat in OhioAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com