Tip of the Day January 31, 2009

I love the fact that most primary schools include swimming lessons as a part of the curriculum for students. What I don't like is the cost of swimming bags or the inconvenience of finding a spare plastic bag for the kids to put their wet things in each week. Today's tip solves that problem once and for all and at a budget price too.

Make a $3 Swimming Bag from a Shower Curtain

My daughter's school sells swimming bags for $12. They are made out of royal blue showerproof nylon with a drawstring at the top and stamped with the school logo. Apart from being overpriced, they are not really waterproof and with swimming in the morning, her school bag was getting wet before she arrived home. This year I have made her a swimming bag out of a $3 nylon shower curtain. I simply measured her bag and then for added water resistance I doubled it so it is two layers thick. A casing hem at the top and I re-cycled the cord out of her old one. It dries quickly and I can even put it in the washing machine with the towels without a problem. I have enough of the material left to make at least one other bag and a couple of small purses. All for just $3! - Contributed by Jan, Glenelg

Tip of the Day January 30, 2009

Warm Weather Lunches

When you're packing the lunches think about the weather, how it's going to be transported, how long it will have to sit until it's eaten and whether or not you want the packaging back.

In warmer weather making sandwiches and rolls up ahead of time and freezing them will keep them fresh until lunchtime. Ditto for yoghurts, custards and fruit tubs. They'll thaw in the lunch box ready to be eaten. And on a hot, humid day a nice cool lunch will encourage a lagging appetite. If you are going to freeze sandwiches and rolls, double wrap them or put them into the ziplock sandwich bags (they can be washed and re-used) and then into another air tight container. This will ensure that any extra moisture stays out and discourage freezer burn and soggy sandwiches when thawed.

Tip of the Day January 29, 2009

Anybodys School Stuff

If you have more than one child, buy school needs such as drink bottles, lunchboxes, swimming bags, book bags etc in gender-neutral colours. Label backpacks and lunch boxes with your last name only (our labels say "Armstrong family"). This way you can pass the items from child to child without having the wrong name on them!

Tip of the Day January 28, 2009

Covering School Books

Every parent’s back to school nightmare but it’s a good idea to help protect your children's’ schoolbooks from a year of abuse by making covers out of a durable material, such as brown paper and strong plastic book covering. Using brown paper is much easier than using contact, saving time and a lot of frustration. You can buy rolls of brown paper for bookcovering from newsagents and office supply stores. One roll is usually enough for a couple of years, depending of course on the number of books you have to cover.

1. Measure the height of the book you want to cover. Then measure the distance from the front to back covers. Add 15cm to the two measurements (to create the inside flaps), and cut a piece of paper to this size.

2. Open the book, and place it face down in the centre of the paper. To accommodate the spine,
make two vertical cuts on the excess paper at the top and bottom of the book, creating a flap. Fold the flap down and behind the spine, creating two notches. If this isn’t possible, carefully trim the flap level with the bottom of the spine.

3. Wrap the paper around the book, making sure the inside flaps are equal sizes. Fold top and bottom flaps over the side flaps and tape in place.

Tip of the Day January 27, 2009

It's Back to School Week!

The summer has flown and now it's time for kids all over Australia to head back to school. The uniforms have been washed and ironed and the shoes polished to an outstanding sheen. Backpacks are loaded up with books and pencils and bright new lunchboxes and drink bottles stand ready on the bench to be packed with a tasty, nutritious lunch.

Save yourself some angst and gather those shirts, dresses and polo shirts and put a dab of clear nail polish on the front and back of each button before they are worn for the first time. This will help to anchor those loose threads and stop the buttons from falling off. It will also save you having to buy a card of 5 buttons when you only need 4 or having to buy two cards because you need 6. And of course those pricked fingers, sewing on buttons can be dangerous work!

You can do this to all shirt and dress buttons, not just school uniforms.

Celebrating the Australian Way

Today is 26th January, Australia Day. On our national day I thought it would be nice to share with you two emails that characterize Australians (and they're good tips on attitude too).

Be happy with what you have
I think this is the most important tip of all... in this age of consumerism and indulgence we all too often lose sight of what really matters for a good life .... good health, solid, happy and supportive relationships, a good sense of humour and the gratitude for the things we DO have , as opposed to wanting what we don't have (both material and emotional ). Caz R

We're All in This Together
Our local convenience store has always been the hub of our little hills suburb, and the new owners have made a particular effort to ensure that this continues. To them it's not just a matter of running a business - we always stay for a few extra words and leave with a big smile. We have a policy of buying something there each week - they try to keep the costs down, so the extra we are paying would be less than $1 (often only a few cents) and while I realise that $1 a week could allow a nice little treat at the end of the year, I think the feeling of fun, friendship and wellbeing is worth far more!

I see Cheapskating in terms of "we're all in this together" - being frugal is not the same as being mean, and if everyone in the community were to buy something from their local convenience store on a regular basis, perhaps we can ensure that these small businesses don't succumb to the big businesses which, let's face it, are more interested in the shareholders than the customers! Alison Campbell

Tip of the Day January 25, 2009

Grow Your Own Greens

When I was growing up my mother had a huge vegetable garden, it took up more than half the back yard so it seemed normal to me to have a veggie garden when we moved into our first house. It paled in comparison to mum's, for starters it was only 3m x 1.5m. And of course I didn't inherit her green thumbs either.

These days I have a small veggie garden but it produces all the greens my family of 5 needs for the year. It's in a nice sunny spot, gets well watered (I use the tank water) and I add compost to the soil each time I plant something new.

So, regardless of the size of your backyard or your lack of green thumbs you can grow at least some of your food and save yourself a fortune.

Pick a nice sunny spot, it will need at least 6 hours of full sun each day.
Decide what you are going to grow. There's no point in planting zucchini if you only eat eggplant. Start with the easy to grow veggies - lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, cabbage, cauliflower, peas and beans. As you become more confident you can add eggplant, squash, carrots, radishes, beetroot etc
Water and weed regularly and enjoy the fruits (or vegetables) of your labour.

Tip of the Day January 24, 2009

Parents, Keep Those Receipts!

Schools all over Australia are gearing up for another year and that means that parents and carers are out shopping for school supplies.

On 30th June 2008, the Federal Treasurer, Wayne Swan, announced the Education Tax Refund. This is to assist parents and carers with Education expenses with refunds of 50% of allowable education expenses. The maximum refund is :

• $375 per primary school student
• $750 per secondary school student

The example given in the press release is:
"Sarah and Michael have two children, Petra, in secondary school and Jack, in grade three. The Education Tax Refund will allow Sarah and Michael to claim 50% of the cost of a $1,500 laptop computer they bought for Petra, a refund of $750. They will also be able to claim Jack's education software and school textbooks up to teh value of $750, receiving a refund of $375."

Eligible expenses for the Education Tax Refund include:

• Laptops;
• Education software;
• Home computers and associated costs;
• Trade tools for use at school;
• Home Internet connections;
• School text books;
• Printers; and
• Stationery.

Parents entitled to Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part A for children in primary or secondary school for the relevant financial year are eligible for the Education Tax Refund. It can be claimed through their tax return at the end of the financial year.

So, parents and carers of school kids, KEEP THOSE RECEIPTS!

For more information go to: http://www.treasurer.gov.au

Tip of the Day January 23, 2009

The Frugal Face

We all like to look good, but do you really need to buy those expensive brand name skin care and cosmetic products? And do you really need to buy them from the cosmetics counter at DJs or Myer? If money is tight you can still look great without taking out a second mortgage on the house and you won't end up looking like a well weathered crocodile either.

There are any number of good skin care and cosmetic products readily available at budget prices that make excellent alternatives to those brand names. Aldi have a range of make-up that sells for between $2.95 and $5.95 per item and they are fantastic. If you don't have an Aldi close by, go to elf.com.au where you will find everything the image conscious female (or male) needs to look fabulous everyday. Budget department stores and pharmacies have extensive cosmetic departments with brand names often selling for 20% less than department stores.

And as fashions change so quickly, why would you pay $25 for a lipstick from a department store when you can get one that's just as pretty and does just as good a job at keeping those lips moisturised for $5?

Tip of the Day January 22, 2009

Have a Mufti Meal Once a Week

One way to easily keep your grocery bill down is to have a mufti meal once a week to use up the leftover single serves and odd spoonfuls of foods you have lurking in the fridge at the end of the week, don't throw them out or add them to the dog food. To make it an easy meal set the food out buffet style and let everyone help themselves. Put out some tortillas or rolls, condiments and a plate of fruit to round out the meal (and clean out the fruit bowl and bread bin). To avoid arguments over favourite foods, make a 'first in line, first served' rule. It's like getting a free meal once a week.

Tip of the Day January 21, 2009

Finding Alternatives to Bought Items

Just because you've handed over your hard earned cash to a checkout operator doesn't necessarily mean that what you've bought is great, or even good or that it will serve it's purpose better than an alternative item you already have at home or can create quickly from items or ingredients you have at hand.


Homemade ideas are often better for you, your family, your home and the environment than the often more expensive bought goods. Whether you're looking for an alternative for a food item, a gift idea, or even home maintenance, shopping at home first and putting your creativity to good use can save you a lot of money.

Tip of the Day January 20, 2009

Learn from Byron's mistake

Byron learnt the hard way not to cancel insurance policies early. He had sold his cute little red Mercedes convertible and taken a cash deposit. Being confident that the sale would proceed, he rang up and cancelled his insurance policy on the car two days before it was to be picked up and paid for. Driving home from work that day he was in a three car pile-up on the Harbour Bridge and managed to write the car off - along with the cash deposit! He was left with no car, no sale and no insurance. Thankfully in this instance the car was fully paid for.

Never, ever, cancel an insurance policy until you have a permanent replacement policy in place (and a cover note just won't cut it). There are any number of reasons for insurance claims to be denied so you need to have proof that the policy has been accepted and a receipt number for the payment firmly in your hot little hands (or neatly filed away in the insurance sleeve of your Bill folder). This applies to car, health, life, home and contents - any insurance you may have.

Even one small accident can wipe out an entire emergency fund and more so don't take the chance.

Tip of the Day January 19, 2009

A Non-stick Solution

The advent of non-stick cooking utensils has made food preparation so much easier for the busy cook. Teflon revolutionised milk pans and these days there are any number of different non stick surfaces on pots and pans. Unfortunately they have a tendency to stain quite easily, making them look dirty and dingy before their time. Good quality, non-stick cookware isn't cheap so knowing how to care for it properly will ensure that you get the full life-time out of your pots and pans and enjoy cooking with them.

• Never use metal utensils in non-stick cookware (and yes, I've seen the ads and read the literature stating that some non-stick surfaces can take metal utensils).There are plenty of soft utensils around, suitable for all kinds of stirring, lifting, whisking etc that won't harm the surface of your non-stick pans.
  
• Always wipe out with a soft cloth before washing and then wash in hot, soapy water with a soft cloth. Gently rubbing any stubborn spots with the cloth should shift them quite easily.
• Remove stains from non-stick pans by sprinkling the surface with bicarb soda. Place a sliced lemon over the bicarb soda in a single layer. Add enough water to just cover the lemons, then simmer until the stain goes away. If the stain proves to be stubborn, remove from heat and allow the pan to soak overnight. Rinse and wipe over, the stain should be gone. If it's not, repeat the process.
• If you have a non-stick pan that has started to peel - stop using it! The risk of some of the coating getting into your food and through that into your body is too high to chance it.
  

Tip of the Day January 18, 2009

Seven and a half cents doesn't mean a heck of a lot...

As the old Doris Day song goes "but give it to me every minute of every hour of everyday…."

Sometimes it's easy to think that $1 here and $5 there isn't much but all those small amounts can add up to quite a lot very quickly. Frittering away $5 a day is a whopping $35 a week! That casual attitude to small amounts really does add up. Keep the carefree attitude and before too long you could end up in big trouble.

So, instead of frittering away small amounts, stash the cash instead. Put it into a jar (or the Milo tin)or your secret cash stash and when you have $20 bank it into your savings account and watch that add up.

Oh, and seven and a half cents of every minute of every day adds up to $39,312 in a year! Doris sure knew what she was singing about.

Tip of the Day January 17, 2009

Skip those ad breaks

We all like to relax, and watching a good show on TV can be a great way to relax. But you need to tune out when the ad breaks appear, even those short ones. Research indicates that couch potatoes (even ones who just relax of an evening) are much more likely to overspend when they are shopping for each 1 minute ad they watch due to the truly powerful effects of this marketing medium. Because TV advertising is made up of words and pictures (with pictures being the most powerful) every time the couch potato sees a commercial they are psychologically reminded of their desire to have it. As soon as they see it in the shop the desire returns and the impulse buying begins. Turn off the ads, get up and have a glass of water or record your favourite programs and fast forward through them. If you really need to research a product then you can do it in your own time and in your own way.

Loathsome firebugs

Oh my! I am in a state of shock at the moment. If you follow my calendar you will know that I was scheduled to speak with James Lush on ABC Radio Perth at noon today.

Unfortunately we've had to postpone the chat until early next week because some senseless fool has set fire to Kings Park. The temperature in Perth is expected to reach 40 today and Rosemary tells me the winds are blowing a gale so the fire has just taken off.

To anyone who knows Perth, you'll understand just how devastating this is. Kings Park is just glorious and I have spent many hours wandering through on my visits to WA. I am so saddened at such a stupid and senseless act.

Our gorgeous Australian landscape is so volatile, especially at this time of year. Just this week Adelaide and Port Lincoln have suffered through bush fires, even Sydney, a huge city, hasn't been immune with fire racing through the bush at Killara, a suburb just 11 kilometres from the CBD.

We have bush behind us and I love it. I look out the kitchen and family room windows straight onto majestic gums and spectacular wattle trees and I can tell you that my greatest fear is that some fool will set fire to it.

So, to ease my mind, we have a fire plan for the family and house, even though we are in the suburbs. With the bush so close to our home we have always felt that a simple and easy to remember fire plan is essential. Each summer I pray we don't have to use it. My in-laws live close to Galston Gorge in Sydney and they have a fire plan too. They have even had to use it a couple of times in recent years due to loathsome firebugs.

Even in suburbia you are not immune to the threat of bush and scrub fires so please take some time to work out a fire plan for your family. Fire plans should have been done months ago but it's not too late. If you don't have one you should do one now. You don't need to live in the bush or the mountains to be caught in a fire either - there are hundreds of housefires every year from something as simple as a pot catching fire in the kitchen.

You can get a sample plan from the NSW Rural Fire Service. This website has a number of different fact sheets you can download to help you get started.

And if you at least have a plan in place it will make the firebug's life that little bit more difficult.

Tip of the Day January 16, 2009

You Need a Plan to Get out of Debt

If you have decided 2009 is the year you are going to get rid of that credit card debt, then, before they year gets too much older, you need a plan. Without a plan all you've done is made a decision. To get rid of that debt completely you need to act on that decision and you need a plan to do that.

Here are my rules for the Payment Push (the fastest way to get out of debt that I know):

1. Stop using that card. Put it away, somewhere safe. You are not going to be using it.
2. Make this month's payment every month. You are going to keep on paying this month's payment every month and ignore the minimum required payment on your statement. This month's payment is now the fixed monthly payment for that account.
3. Make a list. Get all your credit cards and other debts and make a list of them, from smallest to largest.
4. Keep on paying. Once you have finally paid off the credit card, add the payment to the fixed payment for your next smallest debt and keep on paying. When that one is gone for good, add the payment to the next smallest debt and keep on paying. Do you see the pattern here?

Keep repeating this process until you are totally debt free.

Tip of the Day January 15, 2009

Dig out of Debt

Yesterday's tip was to spend more wisely and I suggested you physically put the money you weren't spending in a piggybank. Today we are going to move that tip up a notch. At the end of the month you are going to empty the piggybank (or jam jar or Milo tin or whatever) and take that money, as it is, and pay it straight off your smallest debt. It may be your credit card or a personal loan or even your mortgage. You are going to pay that money, no matter how small the total, off that debt. Then you are going to keep doing this until that debt is completely cleared. Of course you'll still be making your regular payments on it, but this extra boost should see it disappear even more quickly. When this debt is gone you can start on the next smallest. And best of all is you won't be missing the extra payments.

Tip of the Day January 14, 2009

Spend more wisely

We all have our own ways of wasting money. Now see how you can eliminate the ones that you wouldn't miss. Just saving the dollar you would normally spend on the newspaper each day adds up. When you've decided what to eliminate, pay yourself for it each time you would have normally bought it. Put the money in a piggy bank or a separate purse, somewhere you can't get at it. At the end of the month how much money have you kept?

Tip of the Day January 13, 2009

Don’t Leave the TV on Just to “Have Noise”

When we were first married Wayne would walk into the lounge, turn on the TV, and walk straight back out again! I was going mad, following behind to turn it off. He had become so used to the TV being on and the constant droning noise that turning it on was automatic, he didn't realize until I pointed out (a few times) what he was doing. What a waste of power. If you are in this habit, then get out of it. You'll come to enjoy the quiet and the sense of peace and find it easier to relax. Your day will be far less stressful and depending on how many TVs you have on your power bill will drop considerably.