Hello Cheapskaters, I hope you have all had a fantastic week. Wayne and I had dinner with good friends on Friday night. It was so nice to get dressed up, my usual attire is casual jeans, shirts and jumpers. I was a little afraid I'd have to learn to walk in heels again, but no, that must be a lesson once learned always remembered because I managed just fine.   With all the dressing up it was only natural that we ladies turned the conversation to fashion. We had a lot of laughs talking about today's fashion, mainly because it wasn't so very long ago we were teenagers begging our mothers for what our daughters are begging us for today. Maxi dresses, fake-fur trimmed vests, boots, long cardigans - it's true, everything old is new again!   While we were wandering down fashion memory lane the fellows had a vigorous discussion on cars, prices, when to buy, where to get the best price and of course how much to pay. My goodness but they all had their own special trick for getting a great deal.   Jack insisted that buying ex-hire cars with under 50,000km on the clock from auction was the easiest way to get a great car at a great price. Ian poo-poohed the ex-hire car idea and went straight to the net to find the red book price (www.redbook.com.au) and then a desperate private seller. He swears he always buys current models for under the red book price with this strategy. Both men have great tips for getting a great deal. June is Get a Deal month at the Cheapskates Club, and to celebrate, we are running a competition. We want to know your secrets for getting a great deal (I already have Jack's and Ian's)! To enter, just send us your best tip for getting a great deal. We have two cash prizes to giveaway, a first prize of $100 and second prize of $50. Click here to submit your 'how to get a great deal' tip . Get your tip in before 5pm, Friday 25th June. We'll announce the winners in the July Journal. I can’t wait to see how you ‘Get a Deal’. PS: Love our site? We love referrals! Send a note to your favourite newspapers, magazines, radio stations, TV stations, friends and relatives, and tell them about us! PPS: You can read this newsletter and past copies on the website in the Newsletter Archive.

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Cheapskates Tip of the Week

This week's winning tip is from Fleur Hardman.  Fleur has won a one-year membership to the Cheapskates Club for submitting a winning tip.   Get Your Exercise and Save Money   Approximate $ Saved: $1,200 If you only need a few things, why not bike or walk to the supermarket. You'll save on gym membership fees, not buy any extras (because you'll have to carry them) and save on petrol money. Here's an example of the savings possible on a 5 kilometre return trip to the supermarket which takes about 15 minutes return if biking or 45 minutes return if walking:  you save approximately 50c in petrol (not allowing for wear on the car) plus save easily $3 a day on gym membership, not to mention not buying those spontaneous extras. Do this a few times a week and you could end up saving $1,200 plus a year! And you'll be fitter and do your bit for the planet!     Congratulations Fleur, I hope you enjoy your Cheapskates Club membership.

The Cheapskate's Club website is over 2,000 pages of money saving hints, tips  and ideas. Let's get together and make the Cheapskates Club Australia's largest online hint, tip and idea library. Share your favourite money saving, time saving or energy saving hint and be in the running to win a one-year membership to The Cheapskate Club. We publish a Winning Tip each Tuesday, so enter your great money, time or energy saving idea now!

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Submit a Tip

Share your favourite hint or tip that saves money, time and energy and be in the running to win a one-year membership to the Cheapskates Club valued at $29.20. Remember, you have to be in it to win it! Enter your tip here

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Money Saving Meals

Crockpot Desserts Winter is all about comfort food and delicious puddings.  You can use your crockpot to prepare wonderful desserts, including old favourites like baked apple s and bread and butter pudding.   Baked Apples Ingredients: 8 large cooking apples 3 tsp butter 3/4 cup dates, chopped 1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1 tbsp golden syrup   Method: Grease the crock. Core the apples and place in the bottom of the crock. Combine the dates, brown sugar and cinnamon. Divide evenly between the apples, pushing gently down into the centre. Drizzle golden syrup over top of apples. Dot with butter. Pour 1/2 cup water around the apples. Cover and cook for 3 -4 hours on low, or until the apples are cooked and tender.     Bread and Butter Pudding Ingredients: 12 slices bread 2 cups milk 4 eggs 1/4 cup sugar 14 cup butter, melted 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1 cup sultanas   Method: Cut the bread into 1cm cubes. Butter the base and sides of the crock and place the bread into the bottom.  In a bowl, combine the next 6 items, beat until smooth. Add in the sultanas and pour over the bread.  Stir gently. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours.   Apple Pudding Ingredients: 4 cups bread cubes (white or wholemeal, cut into 1cm cubes) 1/2 cup butter, melted 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp nutmeg Pinch salt 3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed 4 large cooking apples, peeled and diced   Method: Mix bread cubes with melted butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and brown sugar. Lightly butter the base and sides of the crock. Starting with the apple, arrange in alternate layers with the bread mix, finishing with a layer of bread cubes. Cover and cook on high for 11/2 to 21/2 hours or until apples are tender. Serve warm with cream, hard sauce or ice cream. There are over 700 other great money saving meal ideas in the Recipe File.

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Last Weeks Question

Last week's question was from Buster’s Mum, who has just bought her first home and needs some advice on decorating and renovating.  We received so many suggestions, these are just a few. You'll find the others in the Tip Store.
 
Annalisa Kite answered
I did up my first property (a unit) gradually by the following strategies:
a.Scouring junk mail for specials (e.g. KMart "homebrand" paint).
b. Buying at discount stores (e.g. brushes, drop sheets).
c.Buying the last of line tiles discounted at Bunnings.
d.Had relatives and friends lend their expertise and labour.
e.I read magazines and books from the library to learn how to do things myself.
 
I started by removing wallpaper and filling holes and cracks in walls. Then painted throughout. I bought light fittings when they were on special. I took up old carpet and lino myself and had a tiler friend do me a deal on laying tiles for a good price. If you know exactly what you want to do and are patient you will be amazed what will be on special when you need it. I even had pure wool Berber carpet installed in two rooms on special. Watch the junk mail!  
 
Anne  Carey answered
Congratulations to Buster's Mum on the purchase of your first home. Look at store catalogues to get ideas on the placement of furniture. Small house says small furniture = cosy look. Plant cottage garden plants. Don't rush, get a feel of the house and surroundings first. Hardware chains have DIY leaflets. Look at charity and second hand stores. You'll have a lovely home in no time. Enjoy the journey.
 
Jenny Gross answered
Hi Buster's Mum, I have found a wealth of help and information from my Dad's retired friends. All were SO happy to be asked for advice. Most had tools for all sorts of jobs that they either lent me or used themselves to show me how to do things. Bonus for the wives who got their husbands out of the house for a few hours (often days). I found that this helped their self esteem heaps and helped me even more. Obviously, there were some jobs that had to be done by licensed professionals, but I cannot imagine how much I saved. It did cost me a few meals and a few beers and I had to listen to lots of stories from the "old days" but it was a pleasure to listen and learn the "proper" way to do such jobs as plastering, rendering, paving, painting, window and sash replacement and so on. Win-win. 
 
Glenda Dixon answered
Congratulations to Busters Mum! I am 59 and have been there and done that. If you keep a positive attitude to this challenge it will reward you with new skills, a wonderful feeling of accomplishment and future financial benefit. Some of my steps to take are:
1. YOU are always your best asset. Eat healthy, walk around town with Buster and meet people, be the friend that you want others to be to you. Get to know your new community.
2.  Local Library is great for getting books to read on how to do things. Or use the internet. Take time and plan what job you will do.
3.  Never buy tools that you can borrow or even hire unless its something you will need for maintenance.
4.  Be realistic in what you can do. NEVER touch electrical, plumbing or things that a tradie should do. It can be dangerous or cost thousands to sort out your mess.  
5.  Start with a little job. The joy of getting it done and right will encourage you for the next project. Rome was not built in a day!
6.  The four seasons are a guide as to what you should tackle. Don't paint when hot! Or plant things at the wrong time etc
7.  It is worth the little extra money to buy a simple soil test kit from hardware store. You will not have the failures. Root hormone is worth the money too. Get plant cuttings from locals and plant in masses. Looks great.
8.   Never pay full price for paint etc. Speak to your stores salespeople and find out when sales are coming up (end of financial year soon)or if they have any cheaper but of equal standard items available. I have a great rapport with my hardware salesmen. I do not waste their time as I have researched thoroughly before hand but will take their advice.
9.  Accept that you will make mistakes. Big deal! Get up, dust off and start again. Take before and after photos. Even the botched jobs are a scream to look at once you are finished.
10.  Enjoy this special time in your life and don't neglect Buster! His love and devotion is free.  
 
Lesley Forster answered
Busters Mum, Start out one room at a time. Does it need painting? or maybe you can get away with a clean. For cleaning sugar soap in liquid form is the answer and is available from most stores. If you need to paint, check out places like Bunnings for mis-tinted tins. A few nice cushions or some tie-back ribbons on the curtains can make a big difference. For the kitchen/dining some matching placemats. For the bedroom a cheap throw rug on the bed and a pair of new prints on the wall in co-ordinating frames. A tin painted in bright colours and filled with cooking utensils can make a dead area on the kitchen benchtop look good. Different shades of the same colour towels, handtowels, washers, can make the bathroom look more co-ordinated. Use the towels you already have and just pick up some cheap accessories at the bargain shops. I.E. Deep pink bath towels, buy light pink handtowels, and pink washers with floral pattern. For as little as six dollars I got two of each. Expensive doesn't need to be. Have a look in spotlight or Lincraft or one of the big furnishing stores and get some ideas that you would like for yourself, then look for cheap alternatives. Just remember - one room at a time.  

Do you have a question that needs an answer? Send us your question and receive the combined knowledge of your fellow Cheapskates to solve your problem! Ask a question

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This Weeks Question

Funda asks "I have read Debt Free, Cashed up and Laughing, and there is so much information that is really useful, I however don't think I am going about Cheapskating the right way. I still have trouble taking action in budgeting and I have two little six and eight year olds, (on one income) that always ask for toys. I have a very soft heart and buy them. What can I do to avoid spending so much, especially on toys?  My husband is always asking me to save but I only receive a very small payment from family assistance, can anyone help me to save please?

Do you have the answer? If you have a suggestion or idea for Funda let us know. You'll also be automatically entered into our Tip of the Week competition, with a one-year membership to the Cheapskates Club as the prize. Click here to send your answer

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Join the Cheapskates Club

For just 8 cents a day you can join the Cheapskates Club and get exclusive access to the Cheapskate Journal, the monthly e-journal that shows you how to cut the costs of everyday living and still have fun.   Joining the Cheapskates Club gives you 24/7 access to the Members Centre with 1000's of money saving tips and articles. Join the Cheapskates Club today

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change my email address? This one is easy. If you area Platinum member login and click on the Edit Profile button, then on Change Password. If you are a Silver member use the Change Your Address form (under Customer Service in the menu) and fill it out. Once you've filled it in click the send button and we'll do the rest. Please remember to include your old email address so we can find it in the list as well as the new one. How do I know when my membership should be renewed? When you login to the Member's Centre you will be told how many days of membership you have left once you have 30 days left. Just click on the link to renew and your membership will just continue on, uninterrupted. What will you do with my email address? We never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone for any reason whatsoever. You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as a result of joining this list. How Did You Get on Our List? You signed up to receive our Free Newsletter at our Cheapskates Journal Web site or at the Channel 9 Money Expo. We never add names to our list unless you have voluntarily opted in.

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Contact Details

The Cheapskates Club - Showing you how to live life debt free, cashed up and laughing! Cheapskates Club PO Box 4232 Ringwood Vic 3134 www.cheapskates.com.au info@cheapskates.com.au