Going vegetarian has saved all round

Going vegetarian has been a great move for me in every way. For me, it was an ethical decision as I no longer wanted to eat animals but as an added bonus I have found it saves a lot of money. Pasta sauces don't need meat; beans and lentils are just as tasty and filling and cost a fraction of the price of meat. These days I make all kinds of delicious vegetarian dishes such as pasta bakes quickly and easily, for less than $1!

4 simple and effective tips to stop nail biting

For some low cost and effective nail biting solutions which just might work, I can recommend trying the following:

1. For those who have a UV light for gel polishes, get 'IBX Strengthen'. This is a product you can put on underneath the gel (still using the lamp to set) to also help strengthen the nail. It won't get rid of the habit, but may allow for better results when they get any kind of length to them.

2. Carry a nail file. I would bite mine to 'neaten them up' so if there was a sharp bit or a daggy bit I would even them up. This was a never-ending cycle that led to very sore quicks! By carrying a nail file, you can make sure there is nothing that can snag or anything.

3. I actually think that a few months of artificial nails (I like 'Prescription Nails' by GO30 as they don't damage your natural nails as much) while you are breaking the habit is helpful, as they are very hard and you can't really bite them. I do find I still put them in my mouth or tap my teeth with them so I really need to break that habit too! But after that, refer to tip1.

4. This article is also a good one to read! https://hellogiggles.com/beauty/how-to-stop-nail-biting-10-steps/

'E-money jar' perfect for cashless society

I have saved $50 in virtual coins in just a few weeks, since I started using my online money jar! I like the idea of emptying out my purse at the end of every day and placing loose change into a money jar to help me to save. The trouble is, I don't really carry any cash on me any more! Whenever I need to buy something I transfer the exact amount onto my debit card then go out and buy it. This ensures I never have excess cash to spend but it makes it difficult to save loose change. So I came up with this idea. Every time I log on to Internet banking I check all my savings accounts and transfer all the cents into a separate savings account called my 'e-Money Jar'. It's working perfectly and is amazing how quickly those few cents soon mount up!

Home-made muesli bars

I have a family of five children and I like them to eat healthy food that is inexpensive. I often try healthy recipes, and have found one for muesli bars that the kids (and Dad) and their school friends love. It's quick, easy, healthy (you know exactly what's in it) and economical.

Muesli bars

1 1/2 cups toasted muesli

(we use the apricot and almond variety; it doesn't have to be an expensive type)

2 1/2 cups of Rice Bubbles

1/2 cup coconut

1/4 cup crushed nuts

125 g butter (salt-reduced butter is good)

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup raw sugar

1/2 cup choc chips

(I also add a tablespoon of linseed for extra fibre and omega-3 vitamins; they don't even taste this healthy addition.)

Mix the dry muesli, rice bubbles, coconut and nuts in a bowl. Place butter, honey, peanut butter and sugar into a small pan. Stir over low heat until melted. Allow to come to the boil then reduce the heat to simmer without stirring for five minutes. Pour this into the dry ingredients and stir well. Allow to cool to room temperature (about 20 minutes). Add choc chips and mix again. Line a scone tray with aluminium foil and press the mix into the tray until it is flat (you can use a glass to do this). Refrigerate until firm. Slice and serve. Store in the fridge for up to three weeks (if it lasts that long).

These save a fortune. This mix makes just over a kilo of muesli bars (I use a tray that is approx 28 cm x 36 cm and this will slice up to 30 standard size muesli bars). It costs around $3.50 to make (which can be less if you shop around and use generic or Aldi brands of butter, Rice Bubbles and muesli). Home Brand muesli bars are about $1.69 for six ($0.28c each) compared to around $0.11c each for these home-made ones. Uncle Toby's muesli bars cost between $0.40c and $0.49c per muesli bar.