Becoming a City Farmer

The huge bottlebrush that not only shades the back verandah but brings beautiful birds and bees to the backyard

It hadn't occurred to me, but it did to my 11 year old niece, that our backyard is like a little farm in the city.

The words "I wish" almost popped out of my mouth when she told me, because to me it's just our backyard. I've seen other backyards and they really are little farms in the city. Ours has a long way to go compared to some, but it feeds us almost all year round and is self-sufficient in it's way with rain barrel water and homemade compost and worm castings along with bokashi and worm teas for fertiliser.

I forget that it's full of vegetable gardens and fruit trees and a real clothesline, a worm bin and a compost heap. That there are seeds germinating in the MOO mini greenhouse. That there are strawberries in guttering along the fence and  herbs in hanging pots on the verandah. That the long side of the house is being converted into a chicken run and there are rain barrels under the downpipes to collect water and a grey water system for watering what's left of the grass using the water from the washing machine. There's a wheelbarrow with a rake and a spade resting against the back wall of the house and bundles of sugar cane mulch waiting to be spread around the garden. There are marigolds and daisies in amongst the vegetables as bug repellent and a bird feeder hanging off the side fence in the hope they'll enjoy the ease of eating there and leave my garden alone (I can only dream).

In our backyard at the moment the last of the winter veggies are waiting to be harvested. There are cauliflowers and cabbages, broccoli and the last of the celery, along with some red onions.

Tiny tomato plant in a supporting frame growing in one of the smaller raised beds

The first round of summer veggies have been planted:
18 tomato bushes (6 x Mortgage Lifter, 12 x Amish Paste)
12 bush beans
6 capsicums
6 eggplants
12 lettuce
4 cucumbers
4 zucchinis
4 Queensland Blue pumpkins
2 sweet potato (this is the first year we've tried to grow sweet potato, can't wait to see how they do in our Melbourne soil and climate)
6 mini cabbage
6 mini cauliflower
Spring onions
Parsley
6 x sweet basil (enough to use fresh and to make pesto, yum!)
12 beetroot

In a couple of weeks I'll be planting out more lettuce, radishes, cabbages, cauliflowers, beetroot, zucchini and cucumbers.

Staggering the plantings helps us cope with the ripe vegetables and ensures we have fresh, ready-to-pick food in the backyard all summer and autumn and well into winter. This year we were still picking tomatoes in July, although that worries me a little. Our winters aren't meant to be so mild that tomatoes will continue to bloom and fruit half-way through winter; a sign of the changing seasons that just confuses gardeners and plants alike.

Lettuce growing in a raised bed. I've been picking around a dozen leaves a day for our salads and they just keep on growing, love plants that give and then give some more

This year the garden is a little higgeldy-piggeldy with plantings all over the place. I always rotate the beds, never planting the same thing in the bed two years in a row. I also try to leave one bed fallow, or resting, each year. It worked in biblical times and I know many a modern-day farmer who still leaves paddocks fallow as they rotate crops and stock around their properties.

Fallow beds are simply beds (or paddocks on big farms) that have been harvested, ploughed and then left to rest to regain soil fertility. My fallow bed is composted and mulched and then left to enjoy the rest so it can replenish what constant cropping has taken out of it. I have no idea of the science behind it, although I know a certain uncle who would love to tell me about it, but I know I need a rest every now and then so it makes sense that the soil I demand so much of needs a rest too.

Early Marigolds to keep the pests away. They are spread every 2 metres or so throughout the garden. I love them not just for their pest control properties but that gorgeous, vibrant summer orange.

There's still a lot to be done. The compost needs to be turned and the compost that's ready can be dug into the garden. The worm farm needs to be emptied too, it's over-full and I've been finding some escapees as I've been feeding them this week. It also needs to be moved to its summer spot under the verandah so it doesn't get too hot.

Then of course there is the usual weeding, watering, feeding, mowing, pruning and mulching that gets done all the time.

I suppose my garden is a bit like a (very) little farm in the city - there's always something waiting to be done and something waiting to be picked.

Why Meal Planning Makes Sense

It's a simple question, but one that can strike dread into the heart of any cook.  What's for dinner? When life is hectic, having a meal plan can at least keep the dinnertime woes under control. A meal plan keeps the grocery budget on track too.

With groceries being the one part of your Spending Plan that you have complete control over, having a meal plan in place and knowing what's for dinner can save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars a year.

Taking Stock

It makes sense and saves you time and money to plan your family's meals.  The concept is basic, and easy to do.  Start by taking stock of what you have on hand.

Go through your cupboards, fridge and freezer and throw away anything that has expired or gone stale.  Keep a box handy for dry goods and cans that you know your family won't eat or you won't ever use and donate them to a local food bank or soup kitchen  if they still good.

It Saves Time

When you start to plan your meals, you’ll no longer waste time at the supermarket every day, scrambling to find something you can make for dinner. Instead, you’ll go to the supermarket once a week and pick up all the items you need to make healthy and delicious meals for an entire week!

Meal planning will also help curb your desire to stop at a fast food restaurant because you don’t know what’s for dinner!

When you come home each night, you’ll know what you’re having for dinner and can spend time relaxing with your family.

It Saves Money

Meal planning really does save you money. For starters, you can plan your meals around your local grocery store’s weekly specials. This will be a lot cheaper than buying regular priced groceries, and as you know, regular priced groceries are still a lot less expensive than going out to eat or ordering takeaway!

It’s very easy for a family of four to spend $40 or more on a single take-out meal. If your family gets takeaway twice a week, that adds up to over $300 a month just on takeaway dinners! Imagine how much you will save when you go from buying takeaway meals to planning your meals around your supermarket's specials!

The Basics of the Planning

If you are short on time and like to mix prepared foods with fresh foods, you can try short-cut cooking. In this example, you may pair a rotisserie chicken from the deli with a homemade side dish.

If you like to prepare your weekly meals at home, you may want to start planning your leftovers in order to create new meals out of yesterday’s dinner. For instance, you can cook up several kilos of minced beef and make tacos one day, spag bol the next and shepherd’s pie the third day.

If you would like to get a month’s cooking out of the way in one weekend, you can try freezer cooking. In this method, you will cook a whole month’s worth of meals over one weekend and put them in the freezer. When you’re ready to cook them, you simply take them out of the freezer, thaw them out, and pop them in the oven.

Creating Your Grocery List

Once you have decided on the meals you would like to make, write out the ingredients you need to make those meals. If some of your meals need the same ingredients, write out a tally, such as 3 kilos of mince, 5 chicken fillets, 2 heads broccoli etc

Next, go through the items you already have on hand and cross those off the list. As you are looking through your cupboards, take a moment to add any staples to your list that you are running out of, such as flour or sugar.

As you add things to the list, put the price against each item. Tally them up when you're finished and you'll know exactly how much your meals for the week are going to cost.  If you don't have a working price book, use one of the handy online shopping lists to find the prices. Coles, Aldi and Woolworths all have very easy to use online shopping lists. You don't have to do your shopping at any of those supermarkets,  you are just calculating the cost of your meals.

Now that you know exactly what you need from the supermarket, and how much it's going to cost, you’re ready to go shopping!

When you start planning your meals, jot down notes as to what works for your family and what doesn’t. Keep adapting your meal planning to make this a way for your family to spend quality time together around your dinner table.

To help you get started with your meal planning, I've created a brand new meal planner.  The What's for Dinner meal planner will help you plan all your meals for the week, including takeaway meals or those nights you eat out. There's even space to include breakfasts, lunches and snacks so you can plan all your meals.

Use our pantry, fridge and freezer inventories when you are taking stock. They'll save you a lot of time and you will have a ready to use stock list at your fingertips.

16 Things to Do With Stale Bread

One of the most frustrating things on the Earth is buying a loaf of bread, only to find out that it is going stale. Instead of throwing it out, here are some ideas for that day old loaf that would otherwise be tossed.

1. Soup thickener – Many soups can be thickened by adding bread. Just think of the French onion soup you get in a bread bowl. The consistency becomes top notch when you start scraping the sides.

2. French toast – No matter how dry the bread is, soak it in some beaten eggs, milk and cinnamon and you have the makings for some killer French toast. This is even truer with breads that have hard outer crusts.

3. Bread and butter pudding – Of course this has to be in the list, after all, it is the main ingredient.

4. Egg in a nest – If you want a breakfast that will transport you back to your childhood, sitting in your mother’s kitchen, try egg in a nest. Make a small hole in the middle of a slice, drop in an egg and flip and you have the makings of a great day.

5. Panzanella – This is an Italian bread salad, which makes use of cubes of day old bread.

6. Croutons – Coat the bread cubes with a light drizzle of olive oil and your favorite herbs, pop in the oven around 175 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes and you have the best croutons in the world. If you want to get daring, try tossing them with some roasted garlic, cayenne or dried mint right as they come out of the oven.

7. Breadcrumbs – Take your croutons and smash the heck out of them with your rolling pin. Tadaa, breadcrumbs.

8. Toast – It is already lacking a little moisture, why not dry it out some more and put some butter and Vegemite on it? Good as gold.

9. Grilled cheese – The more exotic the bread and cheese, the better. Experiment with Gouda and an Italian focaccia or some other variety you can find.

10. Cinnamon toast – A little butter, cinnamon and sugar to top the bread and the cereal may make a run for it.

11. Garlic bread – The all-time use for left over French bread, but the idea can be applied to almost any other type of day old bread for a slight twist on an old classic.

12. Stratta – This is an egg and cubed bread dish that is baked in the oven. A close cousin to the quiche, strata is usually denser and can be made with any number of ingredients, try one with asparagus, mushrooms and cheese.

13. Hamburgers – No, not as a hamburger bun, but chunk it up, slightly larger pieces than breadcrumbs and combine with the meat when you make your hamburgers. The bread will keep the burger light and juicy.

14. Zwieback toast - Cut thick sliced day old bread into 2cm fingers. Place on an ungreased baking sheet and bake in a pre-heated oven at 120 degrees for two to three hours until bread is dry through and toasted. Let cool on a cake rack before storing in an airtight container. Great for teething babies to chew on

15. Feed the birds – Birds can’t really tell the difference between fresh bread and day old bread, or if they can, they are not too picky. Either way, a great repurposing of your day old bread.

16. Toss it – There comes a point when you have to say goodbye. If you can crack your granite benchtop with it, now is probably that time.

Grab a loaf or two of day old bread from your local bakery and get creative. After all, it is extremely cheap and you can never have enough French toast.

Money Myth

Myth: Buying things on sale is a great way to save money.

Truth: Buying things on sale is a way to spend less money, but it has absolutely nothing to do with saving money.

The money you have supposedly "saved" isn't really saved until it is safely in the bank in either your Emergency Fund or your Peace of Mind account.

Until that happens it's just not spent. Get into the habit of depositing that money into your bank account as soon as you make the "saving" so you really are saving money.

Crumbed Cauliflower Bake

Cauliflower has been cheap recently, great if you don't grow your own food, but it can get pretty boring very quickly if you just serve it steamed or with a cheese sauce. This crumbed cauliflower is a delicious alternative, so good that even the most picky of eaters will love it.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup olive oil
2tbsp oil, extra
Olive oil spray
1 cup seasoned dried bread crumbs
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 cauliflower, cut into florets and steamed until tender

Method:
Preheat oven to 190 degrees Celsius. Use the 2 tablespoons of extra oil to oil a 20 cm square baking dish.
Place olive oil in a small bowl. In another small bowl, blend bread crumbs, crushed garlic, salt and pepper.
Dip each cauliflower floret in olive oil then in bread crumb mixture. Place crumbed florets in prepared baking dish and coat florets with olive oil spray.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until light golden.

What To Do With Out-of Date Sunscreen

Winter is over and we are well and truly into spring; the sun is warm but not really hot just yet. So now is the time to check the expiry date on all the bottles, tubes and pump packs of sunscreen you collected last summer. Yes, sunscreen does have an expiry date, after which it loses its effectiveness. But what else can it be used for? Here are a few ideas, if you have any more let us know and we'll share them with other Cheapskates.

1. It makes an effective hand cream.

2. Sunscreen is a great shaving cream - for male or female!

3. Use it as a moisturiser on your feet after a pedicure (very relaxing and luxurious).

4. Replace your regular cleanser with it - works like a charm and even removes waterproof mascara and make-up. Just wipe off with a warm face washer, then use your regular toner.

5. Rub it into your elbows whenever you think of it, to keep them smooth, clean and soft.

6. ? Share your favourite use here

Organizing Your Food

If it's been a while since you cleaned out your cupboards, you may want to give your kitchen an overhaul before your next shopping trip. You'll be surprised at how much easier meal planning and cooking is when you have a tidy kitchen. You'll also be surprised at just how much money you can save too.

When your pantry, fridge and freezer are organized, you will stop over-buying. Using inventories will show you at a glance just how much food you have on hand and what you need to add to the shopping list.

Here are some tips for organizing your food:

· Check the food in your pantry for expiration dates; if it is past its prime, throw it out.

· If an item isn't expired, but no one is interested in eating it, throw it out. Unopened items can be donated to family, friends or a local food bank.

· Group like foods together; for example store all canned foods in the same cupboard and all dry goods, such as rice and pasta in the same cupboard. Designate a shelf to baking supplies. Store flours, dried fruits, coconut and other baking supplies in air-tight containers to keep them fresh. If you put new packets into the freezer for 72 hours before putting them in the pantry you won't be bothered with pantry moths and weevils. If you have the freezer room they can be stored in the freezer in air-tight containers permanently.

· Keep drink mixes, coffee and tea in the same area and keep breakfast cereals, breakfast spreads and other breakfast items grouped together. When you want something, you'll know right where to go to get it.

· Keep regularly used items front and centre. You'll save time by not continuously searching, reaching and bending for these items.

· If you pack a lot of lunches, designate a “lunch” shelf or cupboard. Place lunch bags, Ziploc bags, greaseproof paper, foil etc. in a basket so they are all together and not falling all over the pantry.

· When you start packing the lunch, you simply open the lunch cupboard, grab your lunch stuff and start packing. Of course, you'll need to walk over to the fridge to grab meats, cheeses, jams, fruits, and so forth, but having most of the items in one place will save you a lot of time.

· Clean out the fridge each week. Leftovers have a short shelf life and you don't want to risk getting sick by eating something that should have been frozen or already been thrown-out.

When you don't have any clutter in your way, you may find that you actually enjoy cooking for your family much more than before. Not only that, your grocery bill will go down considerably.

What Does Your Fridge Say About You?

If you had sneaked a peak in my fridge before I became a Cheapskate you would probably have thought it was pretty normal.

The top shelf would have held eggs and butter, jams, mayo, bottled sauces and a variety of different cheeses. Perhaps there would have been a container of hummus and maybe a tub of sour cream. Some of it would have been well past it's Best Before date, nudging it's safe use-by time.

On the second shelf you would see some dairy meats, a few sealed containers with anonymous contents. There may have been a plastic covered plate or two holding leftovers.

Shelf number three would show up bottles of soft drink, some coffee beans and other miscellaneous foods.

The crispers should have been labelled with a warning "Open at own risk".

Without any fridge organization, we were throwing away most of what we bought, either because we bought more than we needed and could use, or because the fridge was such a mess we didn't know it was there to be used.

These days the fridge is very different.

When you open the door you'll find lots of jars, recycled and full of homemade jams, marmalades, sauces, salad dressings and marinades and jars of semi-dried tomatoes (home-grown and dried of course). There will be eggs and butter on the top shelf, along with containers of beetroot, pineapple rings and asparagus. If you're lucky you'll find a jar of homemade bread and butter cucumbers, delightfully crisp and tangy and just waiting to be added to a salad sandwich.

On the second shelf you'll find the baby bath. Well that's what we call it, it was what the Tupperware lady called it when she sold it to me and the name just stuck. This container holds cooked meat - roasts or silverside, sausages, rissoles, meatloaf, steak and chops to be used for other meals or lunches. Next to the baby bath you may see a container of stewed fruit or potato salad. Or you may find a bowl of leftover mashed potato or container of stock waiting to me made into soup.

Third shelf, left-hand side is a square container. In it you'll find tubs of margarine, blocks of butter and tasty cheese, tubs of sour cream and cottage cheese. Next to it is a container of chopped vegetables, ready to be used. It might hold carrots, parsnips, celery, broccoli and cauliflower - whatever was cheap or in the garden at the time - ready to be cooked or added to a recipe. The small green container holds mushrooms or spring onions. The round canister next to the vegetable box holds the shake-n-bake, all ready to be used. In front of it is the meat thawing for tonight's dinner.

The most exciting part of this fridge exploration is the vegetable crispers. What a treasure trove, although you'll have to look hard to find what they hold. I use Gel Bags to keep the vegetables in the drawers fresh until they are used. There is always a bag of lettuce and one of tomatoes. If broccoli or cauliflowers have been particularly cheap or the garden is doing its job there will be bags of chopped vegetables. And there is always a bag for cabbage, a much maligned, but very useful and tasty vegetable. You'll also see zucchini, cucumbers, pumpkin, capsicums, eggplant and squash in the crisper drawers. We eat lots of vegetables all the time.

What you won't find are bought jams, sauces and dressings. You won't find bought dips or spreads either. Pre-packaged deli meats will be a no-show too. As will packaged salad greens or bought pre-made salads.

Today our fridge is full to overflowing and yet the contents have cost a fraction of what it used to hold. I can open the fridge and put together a meal in minutes, without panic or having to dial a pizza.

Don't get me wrong. There are still bought things in there, just far fewer than there used to be. And with each bought item I replace with a homemade or home-grown item, we are one step closer to a healthier and less processed, fake, diet.

Learning to cook from scratch was a big thing for me. Yes, I could grill a steak or cook a roast, but I didn't know how to bake bread. I'd never made mayonnaise or jams. The only things in the freezer were frozen foods I'd bought.

The impact this fridge full of fresh food, ingredients really, has made on our budget is almost immeasurable. Each time I open the fridge and see its contents, I feel pride that I can feed my family and various ring-ins at times, without putting any additional strain on our grocery budget.

5 Ways Your Home Can Save You Money

With today’s economy, it is important to save money where you can. But, sometimes saving money means giving up things that you like to do. Learn to use your home to put some extra money in your pocket without giving up the things you really enjoy.

Here are five simple things you can do right now that will cut your household costs and put some cash back into your budget.

1. Seal the leaks. 

When a house is new, it is very unlikely that there are air leaks or cracks that cost you money. Wait five or ten years and that might change. Inspect your home for any of these leaky places that are allowing air in and your hard earned money out. Use a candle or a stick of incense. Move around the doorways, windows, and other areas that are supposed to be sealed. The smoke will move towards the leak if there is one. When you find these leaks, seal them right away.

    

2. Make any small repairs yourself. 

Do you know what some repairmen charge just to come out and do a check? It should be illegal. See what you and your family can handle safely on your own and save money on repair bills. Change washers in taps, re-caulk tubs and toilets, change fuses, and replace air filters. Stopping leaky taps, air leaks, and cleaning filters will save hundreds of dollars on your utility bills each year. You can find handyman classes at most major hardware stores at the weekends. They will cover everything from how to paint a door to laying tiles and are usually free. And a tip: start the kids off as junior home handy people with the kid's classes. They'll learn a new skill and get to take home their creations and as a bonus they make great one-on-one time with Mum or Dad.

    

3. Enroll in payment plans at utility companies.

In the hottest of summers and the coldest of winters, heating and cooling bills can get out of control. Equal payment plans ensure that your bill payment stays the same each month. Just be aware that the payments are averaged using the previous year's*-- figures and you may find yourself with a higher than normal bill to pay at the end of the twelve months if you use more power or there is a price rise. Alternatively you can do this yourself - find your electricity and gas bills for the last two years - add them up, divide the total by 24 to find out how much you need to pay each month and add 10% (this is to cover an increase in usage and any price increases). Then set up a direct debit each month from you to the utility company. When the quarterly bill comes in you'll either have it paid in full, be in credit or have a minimal amount to pay. Paying in advance doesn't earn you any interest on your money but it does ensure that you are able to pay the bill. Once you get control of your finances you can go back to saving the money each month and paying the bill when it comes in.

    

4. Do some window decorating. 

Make use of what is free like the sun on a winter day or lack of it on a summer day. Hanging light blocking blinds and drapes keeps cool air inside and the sun out on hot days. Keeping the room dark lowers the temperature as well. Open up those blinds in winter when the sun shines. Let the rays warm your home so you won’t have to raise the temperature  on the heater. Blinds and drapes add character without ruining the décor of any room.

    

5. Sell what you don’t need. 

Have any stuff sitting around that you don’t use any more? Have a garage sale. Everyone has some clothes they can no longer wear or toys the kids don’t play with. What about books? And that overflowing plastics cupboard? With a garage sale you clear out some space in your house and you get money as a bonus.

Saving money doesn't have to be painful. You can still keep your lifestyle without breaking the bank when you use your home to do it.

Cherry Ripe Slice

Ingredients:
½ tin condensed milk
1 cup coconut
250g copha
125g glace cherries, chopped
red food colouring (optional)
1 cup drinking chocolate
250g pkt milk coffee biscuits

Method:
Line the base of a slice tin with milk coffee biscuits. Melt 125g copha. Mix together condensed milk, coconut, melted copha, chopped cherries and food colouring. Spread over biscuit base. Put another layer of biscuits on top of the filling. Melt remaining 125g copha and mix with drinking chocolate. Pour over top of biscuits. Chill until set, cut into fingers to serve.

Cheapskates Style Cleaning

I'm the first to admit that I am not a great housekeeper. I'm not terrible at it but I'm not fantastic either. I like our home to be homely and comfortable, not display home pristine clean and tidy. But I don't like a big mess either. Yes, you can just call me hard to please!

Anyway to keep our home clean and at least liveable, we have some simple routines. I have found that cleaning up as we go makes life much easier – that was a real duh! moment.

I've also found that old adage “if the kitchen's clean and the beds are made then the house is tidy” is almost true! If the kitchen is clean, the beds are made and the washing is put away then our home is tidy and I won't panic if the doorbell rings.

Cleaning, if done regularly doesn't take long. I've also discovered over the years that having a different product for each job is not only expensive but it's time consuming as well. Trying to figure out which spray or detergent to use for what job can take ages.

So here are my basic cleaning products:

White vinegar

Bicarb soda

Eucalyptus oil

Borax

Washing soda

Laundry soap or dishwashing detergent

Micro fibre cloths – one for cleaning windows and glass, one for general cleaning

Old towels, socks and sheets to make dusters and polishing rags

Since first trying micro-fibre cleaning cloths about three years ago I've fallen in love with them. I've tried the expensive brands (Enjo and the less expensive Sabco) and I've tried the cheaper brands (Mr Clean, from dollar shops). Honestly, the cheaper brands have worked just as well for me as the more expensive. Yes, it's true they don't last as long. But recommendations are that the more expensive brands need to be replaced every twelve months if they are used regularly. I've been able to get 4 – 6 months out of the cheaper brands before I've had to replace them. At just $2 each they cost around $8 a year, still a saving on the more expensive brands.

Micro fibre cleaning cloths are just fantastic if you have allergies or are environmentally conscious. They use cold water and the cloth to clean like magic. The trick is to remember to use cold water. Hot water causes any grease on the surface you're cleaning to soften and spread rather than stick to the fibres in the cloth.

I use a micro fibre cloth to clean our glass dining table and wall unit each week. It also does the bathroom mirrors, the family room door, the mirror on Hannah's dressing table and the sidelight by the front door. It's so quick and easy I don't mind doing them every week. And they are always streak free.

To wash the rest of the windows I use a soft broom, a squeegee and a bucket of warm water with a splash of shampoo in it. I slosh the broom in the water, rub it back and forth over the window and the window frame and then squeegee it off for a streak free view. On the inside I use an old towel and the squeegee. Hint: wash your windows on a cloudy day, you'll avoid streaks.

A squeegee is great for cleaning the shower too. Again microfibre cloths are brilliant. But if you don't have a microfibre cloth try this method. Gently scrub over the tiles, screen and shower floor with a dry nylon scourer. Then wet a soft cloth, add a splash of shampoo and wipe over the shower. Rinse off with cool water and squeegee dry. Your shower will sparkle.

To maintain that sparkle, squeegee the shower after it's been used and then give it a spray of vinegar. You'll slow down the build-up of soap scum and hinder the growth of mould and mildew.

To keep your wooden floors sparkling clean Sharon Elliott recommends ½ cup kerosene in a large bucket of hot water. Sharon says this cuts through the dirt, grease and dust faster and better than any commercial product she's tried. She also suggests applying kerosene to your broom bristles to make a “magnetic” broom that the dirt and dust just flys to.

While the wooden floors are drying you can be freshening and cleaning the carpets. Before you vacuum sprinkle the carpets with bi-carb soda to deodorize them. I use one of those plastic sugar shakers because it has the larger holes in it and it makes the sprinkling easier. Let it sit for ten minutes or so then vacuum right up.

And while we're on the topic of deodorizing, vinegar is great for absorbing odours. If you've had a party or the dogs been inside or the house has been shut up and is musty put a small bowl of white vinegar in a corner. Leave it overnight and it will absorb the odours. Even your furniture will smell better.

To keep your jewellery sparkling and bright (who doesn't admire the dazzle of gold and diamonds?) Kateo from Scarborough in Western Australia suggests soaking your jewellery in Coke. “Why spend dollars on jewellery cleaner when all you need is a bottle of Coca Cola and an old toothbrush! To clean gold (it must be real gold) just put the jewellery in a bowl and cover with Coke. Leave it soak for about 15 minutes then scrub the jewellery with a toothbrush to get into those hard to reach areas. Rinse in warm water and dry with a soft tea towel. It will leave them looking shiny and brand new. Great for cleaning necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings. No damage to your jewellery and on a budget. Happy cleaning.”

And my best cleaning tip: let it soak. Whether it's pots and pans, dirty clothes or even the kitchen floor, letting it soak for a few minutes before you start cleaning will make the job so much easier.

Fill the pots with warm water and a squirt of detergent and let them soak while you eat.

Fill the washing machine and let the load soak overnight. Run the cycle first thing the next morning. You'll find you won't need as much detergent or pre-treatments and your clothes will actually be cleaner.

Sweep your kitchen floor and then slop the soapy water over it. Let it sit for about five minutes and then mop. It will sparkle and shine. Polish build up, dirt and grime build up in the grooves and dips of the texture will just melt.

These are just quick little things that save you so much money, time and energy you may even come to like cleaning. 

Dinner Planning and Grocery Shopping

If you are someone who frequently finds themselves deciding what to make for dinner at 5 o'clock in the evening, this is for you!

Being more prepared in your meal planning and grocery shopping, not only can save your sanity, but it can save you money, save you time, save you energy and it can help to make sure that your family is eating better.

Step One:

Make a master list (either on paper or on your computer) of the meals that your family enjoys eating. To make this job easier, you may want to think of smaller groups of food -- for example, think of meals that you make with mince (beef, chicken, lamb or pork), chicken, or other main ingredients.

In my family, we often eat meals from one of four "categories", so I have my list separated according to those:

-- Australian (meat & 3 veg, mince stew, meat pie, roast etc.)
-- Mexican (tacos, burritos, enchiladas, etc.)
-- Asianl (fried rice, stir-fry, sweet 'n' sour chicken, etc.)
-- Italian (lasagne, pizza, spaghetti, etc.)

Step Two:

Determine how often you will shop. For example: will you shop weekly, every two weeks or monthly, and so on? You may find it easier to shop weekly, because that way you can take advantage of weekly store specials, and plan your meals accordingly.

I prefer to hit the supermarket once a month on the first Friday - it takes the same time as a weekly shop, and it is a lot to put away but I don't have the hassle for another month! Just 12 shopping trips a year!

Step Three:

With your list of meals, write down on a sheet of paper what meals your family will eat for your time period. If you do more than a week at a time, you may want to write the actual dates. You can use the grocery store ads at this time. If you notice a great deal on chicken, you might purposely plan a dinner with chicken -- and vice versa, if no chicken is on sale (and you don't have any in the freezer) you will not be eating chicken that week. Make sure to not to serve any two "categories" of meals on two nights in a row (for example, tacos on Monday and burritos on Tuesday).

Be sure to look at your family's calendar when deciding what meals to prepare. Because of our schedules with work and other activities, we also have designated meal nights e.g. Thursday is MOO pizza night because Wayne doesn't get home until late and often has to race out again to meetings. Sunday is always a roast so everyone knows to be home for dinner. Saturday night is always leftover night, we clean out the fridge and everyone gets a little of whatever is left over. I bulk it out with rice, potato or salad depending on the season and what's left over. I always plan something easy for Saturday nights just in case there are no leftovers to be used up, usually something like hamburgers or toasted sandwiches or soup, something that can be pushed to another night if necessary.

Step Four

Next to each meal list the ingredients that you will need to purchase for that meal. If you are having cheeseburgers, for example, look to see what makings you have and then list everything you need to buy.

Step Five

Now that you have your meals listed, along with the ingredients that you need to purchase, you are ready to go to the supermarket. However, if you shop for more than one week at a time, I recommend that you prepare yet another list - on this list you will want to list your needed groceries under headings such as produce, canned foods, frozen foods, etc.

By following these steps, you will be on your way to more organized meal planning and grocery shopping. Now the trick is just to stick to it!

What Does Your Pantry Say About You?

I snapped this photo this morning and forgot to take my recipes off the wall!

I come from a long line of food stockpilers. There isn't a woman in the family who doesn't have a fully stocked pantry. My mother has the reputation of being able to feed a small army at a moment's notice and I've been told my pantry could outdo Woolworths!

So what does your pantry say about you? If I were to take a peek, would I see canisters of flours, sugars, dried fruits and other baking needs? Would I find lots of different herbs and spices, just waiting to be added to cakes or casseroles? Are there canisters of beans, lentils, couscous and popcorn? Would I be able to tell the type of cook you are - a from scratch cook or a convenience cook - by your pantry?

Over the years the contents of our pantry has changed considerably. BC (before Cheapskates) if you'd opened the pantry door you would have seen four shelves, packed full of packets, tins and jars of food.

On the bottom shelf you would have found tins of braised steak and onions, tins of soup and perhaps tinned fruit. There would have been jars of pasta sauce and Chicken Tonight or Kantong sauces. You may have found the odd can of baked beans or spaghetti too. You'd see a Tupperware bread container full of packets of pasta and sauce or instant noodles, casserole bases, packet soups and instant gravy.

The second shelf held cereals and spreads. Lots of them. Weetbix, three or four different types of muesli, Nutrigrain, Coco pops and Fruity Bix. Next to the stash of cereals the jams were lined up: apricot, raspberry, strawberry, orange marmalade and ginger marmalade. Then came peanut butter (smooth and crunchy), Vegemite, Nutella, cheese spread and a couple of different Pecks pastes. Note the brand names - in those days I did not buy generic cereals or spreads and absolutely none of them were homemade.

Third shelf was what I called my baking shelf. A packet of self-raising flour, one of plain. A canister of white sugar and another for icing sugar. Then a packet of custard powder and Gravox. Lined up down the wall were the cake mixes - chocolate, buttercake, patty cakes, cheese cake and muffins. I did a lot of home baking - it just mostly came from a packet.

Fourth and top shelf was used for storage - it didn't hold any grocery items at all, just a load of empty containers.

Today when I look at the pantry I am still in awe at just how much it has changed. Gone are most of the packets and tins. These days the tins are baked beans, tomatoes, pineapple, peaches, pears and apricots. The jars are mustards -Djon, wholegrain and hot English.

You'd be hard pressed to find a packet cake or muffin mix in there. In fact I know you won't. Instead you'll see canisters of different flours (self-raising, plain, wholemeal, spelt, gluten, cornflour, pasta flour), polenta and sugars (white, castor, brown, raw and icing sugar). A canister of cocoa and one of desiccated coconut sit behind the big flour bins. There will be packets of noodles and pasta of various kinds.

Stacked in canisters are chickpeas, kidney beans, red and green lentils, Italian soup mix, regular soup mix and popcorn.

There are canisters of sultanas, Craisins, mixed dried fruit, glace cherries and ginger. Small jars of herbs and spices and a 750ml bottle of homemade vanilla extract. There is a big canister of rolled oats and two more with milk powder, skim and full cream. I almost forgot the white vinegar, a large 5 litre container. It's good for salad dressings and cleaning and did you know you can use a dilute white vinegar and water wash to clean vegetables?

There's a box of wheat biscuits, a canister of bran and one of ricies. Next to them are containers of MOO KFC Mix and one holding the cereal crumbs for the next batch of Shake'n'Bake. Then you'll see a jar of Vegemite, a jar of honey and a jar of MOO peanut butter. Lined up next to the spreads are a bottle of brown vinegar, a bottle of white vinegar, MOO sauces (tomato and barbecue), a small bottle of MOO kecap manis and a small bottle of soy sauce.

On the floor of my pantry is a box for potatoes and onions. I keep the potatoes in a hessian sack; it helps to keep them in the dark, dry and still lets the air circulate around them. There's another one for sweet potato too. You might see a couple of pumpkins waiting to be cut up. Next to that box is a 4 litre tin of olive oil and a couple of bottles of EVOO. Then there are the bulk bins for rolled oats, flours and rice.

If a Spendthrift were to look into this pantry they'd probably say there was nothing to eat. For the Cheapskate it is a mini-supermarket, chock full of all ingredients to make hundreds of meals.

So what does your pantry say about you?

My Top 10 Tips to Save Petrol (and Money)

The dramatic jump in the cost of petrol over the last year or so has added roughly $14.00 a week to the cost of running our car. That's $728 in a year. And with me doing less than a third of the driving I used to do. I need to work an extra 36.4 hours or one whole week just to cover the increased cost of fuel!

With such high prices (and I understand it's going to continue to climb even if the prices have been low the last month or so) every little thing you can do to save burning fuel for nothing is money in your pocket. The cost of running a car is taking a larger and larger portion of your pay each week and according to a report by VEDA the cost of petrol is pushing more and more Australians into debt.

Reducing those costs can be done by simply paying attention to your car and your driving habits.

Here are my top 10 ways to save petrol:

1. Fill up first thing in the morning when it's still cool. This is especially relevant now we're coming into summer. The explanation I have for this is as petrol is gaseous it becomes denser when it's cool. As the petrol pumps measure volume you'll get better value for money buying when the fuel is at its most dense, such as early morning or late night. I've not been able to find any counter-claims on this one, so I figure it's worth a try.

2. Maintain the correct tyre pressure for your car. You'll find the information in the handbook if you need it. Under inflated tires reduce fuel efficiency by 2% for every pound they are under inflated. Under inflation also causes premature tyre wear giving your tyres a shorter life.

3. Drive smoothly - avoid unnecessary acceleration. Drive at a good distance from the car in front so you can anticipate and travel with the flow of traffic. This avoids unnecessary acceleration and frequent repetitive braking that ends up wasting fuel. It's also far safer.

4. Avoid using air conditioning whenever possible. Air conditioning reduces fuel economy by 10% to 20% when operating. Use the air ventilation system instead. However at speeds of over 80 km/h, use of air conditioning is better for fuel consumption than an open window.

5. Don't drive with open windows when travelling at high speeds. Open windows on the highway can reduce fuel efficiency by 10%. It's much better to use the ventilation system or air conditioning.

6. Remove roof racks and other items which make your car less aerodynamic when they're not being used. Leaving them on only makes your car less fuel efficient and costs you money.

7. There is no need to let your car idle. Even on cold mornings, cars don't need to idle more than 30 seconds. Newer cars are designed to be driven almost immediately and letting your car idle longer is a waste of petrol. By having the engine switched off, even for a short period, you will save more fuel than is lost from the burst of fuel involved in restarting the engine. The increased wear and tear from doing this is negligible.

8. Remove all the excess weight from your car. Many people use their car boot as a storage space adding unneeded kilos to the car's weight. This unnecessary weight reduces the car's fuel efficiency by about 2% for every 50kg. How much weight is your car carrying?

9. Minimise use. Plan your trips so that you're doing a number of things in one go. You'll save time and fuel. If it's just a short trip think about walking or cycling. If its longer trip is public transport an alternative? Try to avoid the stop-start of peak hour if it's at all possible or try carpooling. Perhaps you can start earlier or later to avoid the traffic.

10. Service your car regularly. Keep your vehicle well-tuned and reduce greenhouse gases by up to 5 per cent. Having your car well maintained will help it keep its resale value too. Keep tyres filled to the recommended PSI and rotate them regularly (it helps them to wear evenly, meaning you'll get optimum wear from them).

There are times using the car just can't be avoided. Doing your best to get the best fuel economy will save you money and help the environment just a little.

MOO Monday: MOO Golden Syrup

Golden syrup is an ingredient used a lot in baking. I use it in gingerbreads and tarts and to make caramel slice and Golden Syrup Dumplings in winter - yum! It's good on pancakes or hot scones too. It's also one of those ingredients that can sit in the pantry for ages before you use it again and is quite pricey if you have to buy it.

It is also one of those things you can quite easily make at home, in your very own kitchen, no special tools or ingredients required. It's one of those ingredients we've been brainwashed into believing we had to buy because we couldn't possibly make our own. Baloney! This recipe costs under $1 to make, less if you have your own lemons, and even a beginner cook could make as long as they followed the instructions properly.

If you use golden syrup and usually buy it, next time the jar is empty, wash it, sterilise it and then make your own. You won't go back to buying it, and you'll have yet another item you can cross off your shopping list.

MOO Golden Syrup

Ingredients:
200g sugar
50g water

1 kg sugar
600g boiling water
2 slices of lemon


Method
1. Pour 200g sugar and 50g water into a large saucepan (the mixture will boil up so you need a large saucepan!). Over medium heat twirl the pot around and caramelise the sugar until a dark golden colour.

2. Add the boiling water (must be boiling so it doesn't spatter and burn you), the kilo of sugar and lemon slices. Stir to dissolve the sugar.

3. Boil for 45 minutes over a low heat until thick (stir it occasionally if you must but it is best left alone).

4. Cool and pour into sterilised jars or bottles. Label and store in a cool, dark place. The syrup is quite thin when hot but thickens to the right consistency as it cools.

Cream Cheese Patties

I love these patties in summer with salad just as much as I do in winter with steamed green vegetables. The original recipe, not that it was ever written down, was given to me by my Aunty Gloria. She is an amazing vegetarian cook and excels at savoury recipes just like this one.

Over the years I've adapted it to suit my taste, added in herbs and onion and using Shake'n'Bake for the coating.

Cream Cheese Patties

Ingredients:
250g cream cheese
1 cup rice
1 large onion, grated
1 large carrot, grated
1 zucchini, grated
1 egg
1/2 tsp mixed herbs
Olive oil for frying
Shake'n'bake
1/2 cup milk

Method:
Cook the rice in boiling salted water for 12 minutes. Dice cream cheese into 2 centimetre cubes (this makes it easier to melt). Drain rice. Add remaining ingredients, except Shake'n'Bake, milk and olive oil, to the hot rice, stirring to melt the cream cheese.  Take 1/4 cup of mixture, shape into a patty. Dip in milk then in Shake'n'Bake to coat. Let the patties rest in the fridge for 30 minutes before frying in hot oil until golden brown on both sides. Can be served hot or cold.

These patties feature on my meal plan at least twice a month during the spring and summer seasons and around once a month during the cooler weather. We like them hot or cold, but personally I think they are at their best cold, straight from the fridge. Yum!

Are You a Shopaholic?

This article is reprinted from The Cheapskates Journal, the monthly newsletter for Platinum Cheapskates Club members.

Are you a shopaholic? Have you ever just run into the supermarket for a loaf of bread and a carton of milk, and come out with a trolley full of groceries and $50 lighter? Do you always ignore your budget when you shop with a particular friend? Do you spend more at a certain shopping centre?

If you've answered yes to any of these questions then you need to recognize your spending triggers. What is it about shopping that makes you want to spend, spend, spend? Stores employ people specifically to study the shopping habits of their customers. Then they employ others to place their merchandise in just the right spot to attract your attention, trigger your spending urge and tempt you to buy. By learning to recognize and then control these triggers you have taken the first step to getting ahead.

1. Avoid exposing yourself to things that will tempt you to spend. Stay away from the shops except when you absolutely need to buy. Make a list, stick to it when shopping and then leave. Just browsing can lead to buying.

2. Plan your shopping. Go with a purpose in mind. Use that list! If you pick up something that isn’t on the list, don t put it in the trolley with your other shopping. Put it into the baby seat. Then when you get to the register, if you still really need it, buy it. Generally by the time you have walked around and finally made it to the register, you will have decided not to buy it anyway. Extras you don't really need can certainly push up the total at the cash register.

3. Limit your number of trips to the supermarket or shopping centre. Make it a weekly or fortnightly trip. You’ll not only not spend unnecessarily, but you’ll save time and petrol too.

4. Don't shop in a weakened condition - by shopping when hungry, tired or depressed you may find you will have a tendency to overspend.

5. Is shopping your hobby? You've probably heard the saying "born to shop" - is that you? Do you think you are a compulsive shopper? Do you get a "rush" from shopping and afterwards feel depressed? If this is the case, you may need some professional help. Or, you should try to find a substitute for the shopping. Try an active sport, an exercise class, or maybe volunteer at a nursing home or local hospital. Find something else besides shopping to make you feel good.

6. Maybe you can turn your knack for shopping into a moneymaking project - start a shopping service for others. Shop for friends or neighbours who don't like to shop or don't have the time because they work. Perhaps there are some bachelors or senior citizens who need someone to do grocery shopping or select gifts for them. Get creative, this might be the job you've always been looking for!

Think before you spend: before you spend money, think through all of the possible consequences. Decision-making is the process of choosing from among two or more courses of action for the best way to achieve your financial goals.

When spending temptations try to lure money from your pocket, stop and think before you decide to buy. Ask yourself "Is this the best use I can make of my money right now?" "Am I buying to satisfy an impulse?" "Will buying this help or hurt me reach the goals I have set?" Do I really need this?

By planning your shopping, making a list and sticking to it and recognizing the triggers that make you want to shop, you will get back and maintain control over this area of your life. And you are on the way to getting ahead!

The Hanging Veggie Garden

Want to grow a few veggies to ease the grocery bill or because they would be better than what you can buy but you don't have a lot of land (or any at all) to spare?

Consider a hanging garden. Growing your own food in hanging pots and baskets is a great way to turn verandahs, patios, decks and even carports into great growing spaces.

All you need are some hanging baskets, hooks to hang them from, potting mix and your vegetable seeds or plants. You can even grow some vegetables upside down (tomatoes for instance).

You can grow lots of great summer vegetables in hanging pots. Try cucumbers, spring onions, lettuce, strawberries, tomatoes, capsicums, peas, bush beans, cabbages, cauliflowers and herbs to get your hanging vegetable garden going.

Choose compact, bush or dwarf plants for your hanging garden and use a light potting mix rather than a heavy, compact soil. This will help keep the baskets light and safer to hang. Just remember that plants in pots and potting mix need more water than those in the ground. A layer of mulch works as well in pots as it does on the ground to keep moisture levels up and temperature even.

50 Ways to Save Money on Everyday Items

1. Buy in bulk.
2. Compare weekly ads for best prices.
3. Go generic, avoid brand names.
4. Buy a wholesale membership card.
5. Buy fresh fruits and vegetables at your local farmers' market.
6. Scout for coupons - check the back of dockets, emails, your letterbox.
7. Shop according to what's on sale.
8. Buy fruits and vegetables that are in-season.
9. Buy cloth serviettes and dishtowels. 
10. Buy everything for the week in one trip.
11. Plan ahead for purchases you know are coming up.
12. Plan your weekly menu in according to sales.
13. Use frequent shopping cards.
14. Shop at garage sales and second-hand stores (Salvos, Vinnies etc.).
15. Read the fine print on credit card offers.
16. Negotiate lower interest rates on your  credit cards.
17. Keep a budget for your household.
18. Ask yourself if you really need an item you wish to purchase.
19. Make more meals from scratch.
20. Make your own household cleaning products.
21. Take advantage of samples.
22. Cut down on utility bills - use less water, turn off lights, hang clothes to dry, and more.
23. Check the clearance section first.
24. Reuse items and buy reusable batteries.
25. Avoid grocery shopping when you’re hungry.
26. Search for less expensive insurance from top-rated companies.
27. Take advantage of Internet sales  and discounts.
28. If possible, avoid taking children with you to the supermarket.
29. Implement the $100/24 Hour Rule to cut down on impulse shopping.
30. Make your own organic weed killers.
31. Brew your own coffee and lattes.
32. Pack your lunch.
33. Avoid kiosks and vending machines - bring your own drinks and snacks from home.
34. Buy off-season - shop at the end of summer for summer items, the end of winter for winter items, or after Holidays for holiday items and use them during the next year.
35. Put petrol in the car on the cheapest day of the week.
36. Go to the movies on cheap Tuesday (or whatever day your local cinema is cheapest).
37. Take your own drinks and snacks to sports events, movies and concerts.
38. If you have a Seniors Card use it for discounts on all manner of things.
39. Ditto an Automobile Club card (RACV, NRMA etc.)
40. Visit your local op shops on 50% off days (my local Salvos have 50% off everything on a Tuesday).
41. Wash your hair before you go to the hairdressers for a trim and skip the blow-dry at the end.
42. Always return your library books on time.
43. Plant a container of salad greens and pick the leaves you need each day instead of buying them.
44. Check the air in car tyres each week. Keeping the right pressure in tyres ensure efficient wear and aids fuel economy.
45. Make one night a week a mufti night and eat the leftovers in the fridge for dinner rather than toss them.
46. Collect the first run of cold water from the shower and use it in the washing machine or to water the veggie garden.
47. Use grey water to water lawns.
48. Seal around door and window frames to seal leaks.
49. Turn the thermostat down in winter and up in summer and dress appropriately for the seasons.
50. Set up a bill payment reminder system so you never have a late fee.