Spring Cleaning Tip: Let your clutter pay for itself

If you are looking to clear out some knick knacks or perhaps even some holiday decorations in order to make room for new ones, consider a trip to the local trash'n'treasure market. Everyone is looking for a bargain and they just may be looking for something that you no longer wish to own.  Otherwise, you can always sell items at internet auction sites, including gumtree.com.au and ebay.com.au

Question Every Expense

We often think we just can't live without that unlimited mobile phone account, or the gym membership, or the kids' babysitting or daycare. But instead of taking everything as a given, go through your bills one by one and see what you could do without if you HAD to cut your spending in half. Most people won't be faced with that kind of drastic reduction in income, but many Australians are dealing with that very scenario right now for one reason or another. If you know what bills you can get rid of straight away then facing a sudden drop in income won't be quite so scary.

Saving flavoured oils

If you use canned products such as anchovies, sardines, stuffed grape leaves etc that come packed in olive oil, save the oil. Instead of throwing it into the compost save it in a small container in the fridge and re-use it for cooking. It's also great for making a flavoured vinaigrette. Just remember to keep the oils in separate containers and label them - you don't want to fry potatoes in sardine flavoured oil, but it's great for cooking fishcakes. You'll save money by recycling the oil and by not pouring it down the drain (you don't do that do you?).  By adding it to your compost you are helping to keep our waterways clean and clear and enriching the soil.

Slow Cooker

There is a great discussion going on in the Member's forum at the moment about slow cooker desserts so I thought I'd let you know that I have a new favourite book. You all know of my absolute love of my slow cookers - I have two - so it will be no surprise to you to learn that I have fallen in love with "Slow Cooker" by Sally Wise.

Some of you may already have Sally's other books A Year in a Bottle and Out of a Bottle, two of my other favourite books. Slow Cooker is just as delightful to read and use. If you don't have them or haven't read them, get them from your library and immerse yourself in a warm, old fashioned foodie heaven with a slightly modern twist.


Slow cookers aren't just for winter and they don't just cook soups and stews. I use mine at least twice a week all year round, even in summer. They do make beautiful soups and stews, but they also cook the perfect corned beef, wonderful roasts, delicous puddings and even perfect porridge for a warm winter breakfast. So when I found this book I stood and read it (always a good sign for the bookshop). I didn't just skim it, I read pages and pages before deciding I would use my mad money to buy it. And I am so glad that I did.

It was thrilling to find out that I am not the only nutter with a collection of slow cookers, something Wayne thinks I made up. He finds it hard to understand why I'd need, let alone want, more than one. But then I point out that I find it equally hard to understand why he needs so many trains and that end the discussion quick smart.

Right now Italian Vegetarian Meatballs are simmering in the crockpot for dinner tonight. They smell delicious and Wayne will be home from work soon and I know he'll have a smile on his face when he walks in and can smell dinner cooking. I'm going to put them over mashed potato and green beans (from the garden) tonight. Do you all know that you get the creamiest, smoothest mashed potatoes if you use some of the water they were steamed in and a quarter cup of milk powder to mash them rather than fresh milk? No butter or cream needed if you use the cooking water. Any leftover water can added to the soup or stock pot or frozen to use in gravies, sauces and so on later. Don't pour it down the sink and waste all those vitamins and minerals. If you don't want to use it yourself, pour it over your indoor plants for a treat.


You'll find slow cooker recipes for baked apples, bread and butter pudding and apple pudding in the Recipe File. They are all delicous and just perfect for the slow cooker but my favourite is self-saucing chocolate pudding.

Slow Cooker Chocolate Self- Saucing Pudding
Ingredients:
100g butter, melted
½ cup milk
1 egg
1 cup self raising flour
2 tablespoons cocoa
½ cup caster sugar

Sauce:
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 cups boiling water

Method:
Combine melted butter, milk and egg. In a separate bowl, sift flour and cocoa together and mix in the sugar. Gradually add the wet ingredients into the flour mixture and mix well. Spoon this mixture into a buttered 6 cup pudding basin. Place a saucer upside down in the bottom of the slow cooker and sit the pudding basin on the top. Combine the cocoa and brown sugar together, sprinkle over the top of pudding. Carefully pour boiling water over the mixture. Cover and cook on High for 3 1/2 hours or on Low for 5-6 hours.  Serve hot with ice cream or custard.

Watercolours From Make-up

Let the kids use old (or that very cheap from the $2 shop) make-up to draw pictures. They can use lipsticks and eyeliners for the outlines. The powders like eye shadow, blushers etc can be used as water colours. Give them a jar of water and a paintbrush and they can just dip, brush and paint to create watercolours. For softer shades and effects they can use the powders dry.
Contributed by Rachael, Rivervale

Invest in the best tools you can afford

Spend more money now by purchasing better quality gardening tools and you will save in the long run.  Taken care of, they will last for years, saving you dollars because you don’t need to replace them every planting season.  Same goes for gardening gloves - they may seem cheap and disposable, but make sure you buy the best you can afford so they last all season and possibly longer.

Perfect party food

Presentation is everything, especially with party food. Think about it. A sprinkle sandwich is nice, but, make that sandwich and cut it with petite cookie cutters into various shapes matched to the party theme and you have something spectacular. Even just cutting the sandwiches into a circle with a glass and then cutting the circles in half would work. Display them nicely on a glass plate with some red grapes or flowers and it's no longer just a boring sandwich but a delicacy that's a delight to look at AND eat.  Even the simplest party fare looks spectacular and appetizing when it's presented as though it's a gourmet delight.

The Shopping List Challenge

Make a list and stick to it. If it’s not on the list, don’t buy it. Carry a pen and make sure you cross each item off as you put it in the basket or trolley. When everything is crossed off, count the items on the list and then count the items in your basket - they should be the same. If you have more items in your basket you have to put whatever isn't on the list back!

Close the fridge door

Have you ever spaced out while looking in the fridge for something? No? Then surely you've watched your kids stand with the refrigerator or freezer door open while they ponder what to snack on? Each time you or your kids stand there with the door open, the cold air is pouring out onto the floor. You can understand this if you replace the image of cold air with water; it works just the same. Every time you let the fridge drain cold air, it takes that much more energy to re-cool the food inside once you close the door. If each person in your family does that once or twice a day, it adds up to energy wasted and money lost.

Find bargains wherever possible

One of the best ways to save money is to keep your eyes open for money-saving opportunities and take advantage of them. For example, many of your day to day expenses can be reduced simply by changing your routine. If certain things are important to you, however, simply make your changes in other areas. Most people find that they save the most money from many small changes, not a single huge change, in the way they spend their money. Bargains are everywhere and can be for just about anything too so keep an open mind and watch your spending decrease and your savings grow.

Same ingredients, different dishes

When you are menu planning and making up your shopping list, try to choose meals that use a lot of the same ingredients. Doing this you can buy in bulk where appropriate, stop buying lots of different ingredients you only use once and keep your pantry, fridge and freezer contents under control.

Don't lose the cord

If your children have drawstrings in their pyjama pants or around the hood of a coat chances are at some stage they will lose the cord inside the casing. To stop them losing the cord, sew a large button on each end of the drawstring. This will keep the string from disappearing inside the casing, saving you a lot of time and stress.  Do this to swimming and library bags too, even if they have a sturdy knot. You won't have to spend time re-threading a drawstring ever again.

A Prize Winning Sultana Cake

While we were having lunch today Wayne had the TV on, watching Landline on the ABC.  One of the segments on the show featured Show cooks.  It seems that show cooking has had a resurgence in recent times, with this year's ECCA seeing an increase of 180 entries.

And can you believe the youngest entrant was just four years old!

As they were talking about fruit cakes, and how to cut all the fruit, line the tins etc Wayne hinted that perhaps I could make him one of my prize winning sultana cakes.  Yes, I have won a first prize for sultana cake, not at an agricultural show, but at Group CWA, an honour I am still proud of.

Anyone who knows me understands why I am so honoured. I'm not a great cook and I really don't enjoy everyday cooking. I have a few recipes that I make over and over (if you check my menu plan each month you'll know what I mean) because I can make them very well.

Sultana cake is one of those things.  My top 10 tips for a prize winning sultana cake are:

1.Use the freshest sultanas possible.
2.Always soak the sultanas overnight, drain and let them dry for 24 hours.
3.Dust sultanas with a little flour before adding them to the mixture.
4.Add 1 teaspoon of lemon essence with the liquids - it gives a delicious flavour.
5.Line the tin with 2 layers of brown paper and then 1 layer of baking paper.
6.After pouring the batter into the tin, wet your hands and gently pat the top to even out. This helps to stop the top cracking during baking.
7.Always pre-heat your oven and make sure it is exactly the right temperature before you put the cake in to bake.
8.Never open the oven during baking.
9.After baking time is up, take the cake from the oven and if it is singing to you it is done. If it's not singing, put it back in for another five minutes and test again.
10.Let cool in tin for 10 minutes before turning out to cool.

Now I've given away my secrets, I guess I should share the recipe too.

Sultana Cake
Ingredients:
500g sultanas
250g butter
250g sugar
350g plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
3 eggs
1 tsp lemon essence

Method:
Pre-heat oven to 160 degrees Celsius. Cover the sultanas with water and bring to the boil (and yes, they were soaked overnight). Boil for 15 minutes and drain. Add butter to hot sultanas. Beat eggs and sugar together. Add to sultana mixture. Then add the sifted flour and baking powder. Add the lemon essence and mix well. Bake in a 20cm tin for about 11/2 hours. Test to see if it's done, if not return to oven for a few minutes and check again. Let cake cool in tin 10 minutes before turning out to cool on a cake rack.

Plan to Grow and Share

Plan your vegetable garden according to what your neighbours are planting so you can share your vegetables when they’re ready for eating. Often I’ve had too many of one kind of vegetable I couldn’t give away because my friend’s were ripe at the same time. These days we get together and plan our planting program so we all know what everyone is planting. We then plant enough for our families and a few extra to share. We all have a plentiful supply of fresh vegetables and save money, time and energy too.

Farmer's Markets

Spend the morning browsing a farmer's market rather than at your local shopping centre. You'll get fresh air, exercise and fresh food. You may even discover a bargain or two or a new recipe or craft to try at home.  Ask lots of questions and learn some new tricks for growing and making your own food. You don't need to spend any money if you don't want to (although it is nice to try a new bread or cheese or pick up some really fresh veggies), just walking through the stalls can inspire you and show you new ways to use the things you already have for a new purpose.

Go to www.farmersmarkets.org.au/ to find a farmer's market near you.

Double Up Shopping

When doing your grocery shop, for the week or fortnight double up on a staple such as tea or sugar. Store them in a separate place, and in a couple of months you will have nearly a whole shopping list of staples. I usually treat myself with the savings to something special. I also do the same thing with specials if I can afford to.
Contributed by Josie, Sydney

Spring Cleaning

Spring Clenaing Tip No. 3 - Air Fresheners

Freshen a room with your own air freshener. Saturate a ball of cotton with your favourite scent and put it in an open container or put a few drops of scented oil on your light bulbs (the heat from the bulbs will create a fragrance in the air). Only use a few drops, 2 or 3 at most, for safety's sake.

You can also put scented cotton balls  in the vacuum cleaner bag while you vacuum.  If you don't like synthetic scents in the air, put 1/2 cup white vinegar in a small dish and leave one in each room. The vinegar will deodorise the rooms without any overpowering or annoying scents. And your home won't smell like a fish and chip shop either. Change weekly.  Don't waste the vinegar though, use it to clean your toilet or drains.

To deodorise and freshen your carpets, sprinkle liberally with bicarb soda, brush in with a soft broom and leave two hours. Vacuum up for fresh, deodorised and clean carpets.

Save Money

Everyone talks about saving money, and often about how much they have saved. But have they really? Money isn't saved until it is safely in your Emergency Fund, Peace of Mind account or a Savings account. Until then it is just not spent.  Get into the habit of saving regularly - each week, fortnight or month, depending on how you are paid. It doesn't matte how much you start with - $2 will work - but you need to develop a saving habit. Once you are regularly saving your $2, you can increase the amount you save. As you see the balance of your savings grow you will be motivated to save more. The hardest part of saving is getting started, so be brave and start today!

Baked Chicken Salad

This is a great dish for using up leftovers - chicken, that half an onion at the back of the fridge, that last of the mayo, the dregs in the potato chip packet. You can substitute corn chips or even pita chips for the potato chips too. I often serve this with buttered bread stick and a tossed green salad to round out the meal.

Ingredients:
2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
4 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
2 cups celery, diced
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons onion, grated
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup potato chips, crushed
1/2 cup cheese, grated

Method:
Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees Celsius. Combine chicken, eggs, celery, almonds, salt, onion, and lemon juice in bowl; fold in mayonnaise.   Turn into greased casserole dish; top with potato chips and cheese.  Bake for about 12 minutes or until salad is bubbly and cheese is melted.

Preserve a Painting

If you have pre-schoolers or even junior primary school aged children then you will have drawings and paintings, possibly hundreds of them. It's nice to keep a few favourites and put them away in the child's memory box. To keep the  drawing from fading or smudging, give it a light spray with hairspray. It will dry in just a few seconds and give the drawing a protective coating to keep it looking good for years.