Hello Cheapskaters, Well it's eight days since I challenged you to an all cash week. How did you go? How often  did you automatically reach for that little plastic card out of habit? What did it feel like to have real cash in your pocket?  What I really want to know is how much have you not spent this week by using cash for your purchases? Is it $5 or $50? Perhaps you've kept $100 of your hard earned money just by using cash. Drop me an email so I can share your success, I can't wait. There's a lot going on here at the moment.  My baby turned fifteen on Tuesday - where did those years go! We have been party central this week, starting with Hannah's movie  party on Sunday, then her official birthday dinner on Tuesday night. And tomorrow night we are having a family dinner with extended family. All that means too much eating and not enough exercising. I am looking forward to the weekend for a break and maybe a nice long bike ride. The August Journal will be posted on Sunday, so don't forget to login and catch up with the very latest happenings in the Cheapskating world. 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 we have two winning tips.   We are Cheapskaters so We Can Go on Holidays Approximate $ Savings:     $1500 +   We've just been down to the Gold Coast for a week and had a fantastic time and are heading back the first week of December school holidays for another week (saving $1500 at the resort by staying at that time, a week later is high season). We bought four $69 unlimited theme park passes and used them this holiday and will use them next as well. We went and checked out the resort and it has five pools and a free movie theatre playing movies three or four times a day. There is mini golf but there is a charge for the family of $17, but it is set throughout the resort and would take quite a long time to do, so it seems good value for money. My only problem with these resorts is the price of food. We cook ourselves but it's the vending machines the kids see that annoy me so I thought why not make our own in our room! We are going to buy fairy floss, poppas and treats between now and Christmas and make up a board with charges i.e.  ten cents per item etc and give the kids their pocket money in coins and when they feel like something they can buy it.    Liz Herriott Small Adjustments Combine for Large Gain Approximate $ Savings:     $2,500 annually     Becoming a seasoned "Cheapskate" has taught me to always be on the lookout for ways to save $$$. At first glance, many things may not seem to be worth the effort, however the results, when combined and calculated over a years time, are significant. For example, a call to the phone company saved me $5, a change in cable service -$13, called the refuse company to discuss rates -$3, closed our Safety Deposit box -$2.10, switched from disposable to reusable (dish rags, napkins, plates, etc.) -$6, eliminated most all junk food purchases -$33 (and 10 lbs.:), one additional week between hair appointments -$10, cancelled daily newspaper delivery $8.33, on-line bill payments -$3.33, reduced electric -$15.50,natural gas -$8.33, water-$2.50, practice ESSENTIAL spending -$86, use Cheapskates washing powder -$12.50. Combined, these small monthly changes save us (at least) $2,500 annually. Happily, we can add to that another $300, as we are now able to avoid the late penalty on our property taxes! After getting started, it's become a bit of a game, and the savings just keep coming! Thank you for sharing your wonderful and inspiring newsletter. Laura Toy

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

We all have times when it seems easier to pick up the phone and order a pizza or beef and black bean and rice than cook a meal. If only it didn't take so long and cost so much.  It doesn't have to. Here are two recipes, both using basic pantry ingredients, that you can have on the table quickly.  Best of all they cost less than the Chinese takeaway or a couple of pizzas. Mum's in a Hurry Chicken Casserole Ingredients: 6 chicken fillets 1 clove garlic, crushed 1 tsp onion powder Salt and pepper to taste 1 can cream of chicken soup Method: Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Oil a casserole dish. Place chicken fillets in casserole. Mix garlic, onion powder and salt and pepper into chicken soup. Pour chicken soup over chicken fillets. Cover with foil. Bake 35 - 40 minutes until gravy is bubbly and chicken is cooked through. Chicken Italiano Ingredients: 6 chicken breast fillets 1 egg, beaten 1/2 cup milk Seasoned breadcrumbs Olive oil 1/2 cup Italian salad dressing Method: Flatten chicken fillets. Mix egg and milk. Dip each piece of chicken into egg mixture, then crumbs, coating well. Chill for 30 minutes. Heat oil in a large fry pan. Cook chicken on both sides until golden brown. Remove from pan and wipe clean. Return chicken to pan and add Italian dressing. Simmer over a low heat for 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Do you have a fantastic recipe that is quick and easy? We can't wait to try it and add it to the Recipe File. Share it with us here.

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Last Weeks Question

Last week's question was from  Gillian, looking for ways to keep information organized.

Eirene Poulos answered
Gillian for your dream to be fulfilled you need to believe in yourself and get organised! You can't keep dodging what you know you have to do and that is get your finances ship shape. One step at a time, starting with:

1.Arrange to have 10% of your salary put into a high interest bearing account, this becomes your long term investment fund for shares, house etc

2.Write down everything you spend over a two week period - this will show where your money is going. Then cease all non essential spending and find ways to reduce essential spending.

3. Allocate yourself pocket money each week for your entertainment e.g. going to the movies, for coffee, wine etc

These three steps will get you on the right track, and then each week you take on board a habit or behaviour from this website. Good luck!!  

Bindii B answered
Why don't you try a 'cheat sheet' index book or even a Word document if you're inclined (easy to search). Cut and paste ideas under relevant headings. 

Amy  Ward answered
I, like many have been in the same position. I found that keeping a book which recorded the money coming in, with a list of the weekly payments/expenses was the way to go (I still do it). I then divided what was left over, which went towards knocking down the debts. I had an expandable money wallet to keep each cash payment separate, which made it easier to keep track of where the money was going. 

Wendy Rice answered
I have two attractive boxes that stay in one place, one on the table next to the telephone, the other on the side table in the dining room. If I have a query on anything, I first check these boxes. Boxes can be bought from the Reject Shop, K-Mart, Target, etc. I also have two filing carry boxes for my household accounts, insurances, etc. Hope this inspires you, Gillian.  

Vicki McCarthy answered
I bought an expandable file and broke everything down into categories e.g.. house, car, medical, insurances, warranties, pets, Christmas and gifts etc. As I keep all receipts and payment records I was able to set up a spreadsheet with all our living expenses calculated annually and broke it down to weekly costs. I then was able to see how much it cost us to live and what was left each payday. I now use snap lock bags to divide up the weekly cash that is needed and use the amounts left each pay cycle to pay down debt. Knowing just how much everything costs lets you plan and budget so much better. I even worked out that dog rego for my two dogs is $1.25 per week. I allow for unforeseen events and any specials or extras that are needed. Control is the key word. Know what you have to control and know how you are going to do it. Friends and colleagues are curious when I pull out my little snap lock bags from my purse to pay for things and want to know all about being a Cheapskate in control. 

Julie Badman answered
To keep track of our finances I keep an A4 plastic envelope (cost me $2). Each month I print out a new expenses sheet. I have the master copy saved, so I just update each month. Listed on this are all regular expenses e.g. mortgage, car insurance, health fund deductions etc. and the date they are automatically deducted from our account. Next are listed the bills due that month e.g. electricity, council rates. I print out this sheet and keep it at the front in the envelope. As bills arrive, I write their due date on the calendar (as a back up reminder)and slip the bill into the folder, ready for payment. This way I have all the details ready when I need them.  I can see how much is needed to pay out each month. I also keep a large A4 ring binder with all family notes etc. I have dividers labelled "Sport", "School"," Church", "Cheapskates" (has all my favourite articles/hints/laundry powder recipe that I've printed off). When any member of the family needs to know their sporting roster, the coaches phone number, or I'm looking for that favourite tip I knew I had - it's all there. My husband and kids look up their own information instead of asking me. Can't tell you how many hours of rummaging around through piles of notes that this has saved. 

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

Elise asks "I live in an apartment in the city and can't drive. I'd like to start growing my own balcony, potted vegetable garden and need to get quite a few pots and a lot of potting mix.  Does anyone know of a cheaper delivery method than the $160 courier delivery fee from Bunnings?  I can obviously do several trips carrying everything myself, but I have back problems so this isn't really an option. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated."

If you have a suggestion or idea for Elise let us know. You will 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 ideas

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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. 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