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October 2013 - Simple Savings Newsletter

"Secrets to Saving Money in Australia" Free Newsletter - October 2013

This issue includes:-

Sad Sally, Happy Hanna: Christmas is CANCELLED!
October: Christmas Cheer, HERE!
PowerCooking: Get Ready for a PowerChristmas!
Ye Olde Shoppe: Easy Gift-Giving!
Penny Wise: When Life Hands you Donuts
Best of the Vault: Simple Gifts From the Heart
Best of the Forum: Now's the Time to Glue, Stew, Brew and Do!
Best Members' Blog: Winning the War on Debt One Hand Grenade at a Time!
Hidden Gem: Harvey, WA
Cooking with Mimi: Scrummy Quinoa Salad... Really Easy and Delicious
50c Indulgences: It's Time to Plan
Rob Bob's Gardening Blog: No Dig Gardening
From Last Month: How to Get Rid of that Doggy Smell?
Help Request: How to Cut Down Costs of Hospital Visits?

Hello,

How are you going? Things have been busy in Simple Savings land. We have been giving our site a facelift. If you would like to come and have a sticky beak. Go to SimpleSavings.com.au

If you are a member, you will only be able to see the new site while you are logged out of the Vault. The new site is a work in progress and we would love to know what you think of it, for better or for worse ;-)

We love hearing from you - here are some of our favourite emails this month:

"Thank you for the prompt delivery of the Eeezee Freezee ice-block moulds. The kids just loved them and Granny has asked for a set for her place for little summer visitors!" (Grace)

"I am a new member and although I got your newsletters for ages, I just didn't like the idea of 'paying money to save money'. Well, I'm so glad I finally joined! I have saved over $100 just in my first two weeks, but even more than that, I feel as if my head is finally in the right place to make the right decisions when I am trying to save money. Thank you, Simple Savings." (Tahlia)

"My sister joined me up to Simple Savings for my Christmas present last year. I have read so many tips and learned so much that this year I'm giving memberships to two of my closest friends. I can't wait to talk to them about the site and everything we'll learn together!" (Elisa)

Have a great month!
All the best,
Fiona Lippey

P.S. We're hard at work on the 2014 Calendar - it's going to be a whopper! Our Forum members wanted lots of challenges, support and encouragement for each month's themes so watch out for those on the Forum and on Facebook. Now we just have to work out how we're going to fit everything in!

1. Sad Sally, Happy Hanna: Christmas is CANCELLED!

"Are you alright, love? You look a bit pale," Pete asked as Sally hung up the phone. "That was Aunt Edna," Sally told him, sinking down into her chair. "She said Christmas is at her place this year and the whole clan's going to be there. Good grief, this is going to be a nightmare!" "Oh come on, Sal, I'm sure it will be fine!" Pete said cheerfully. "The rellies aren't THAT bad. Well, except maybe your sister... but at least it gets us off the hook doesn't it? All we'll need to bring is a plate!"

"I'm not worried about the food, it's the presents!" Sally sighed. "There's going to be 30 people there Pete - 30! Can you imagine what that's going to do to our budget? Christmas is expensive enough as it is with just the four of us! I just don't see how we're going to manage." "We will," Pete smiled. "Think positive! We'll just stick to a gift budget of $10 per person. That's a total of $300 for absolutely everyone and that's all we spend. Easy!"

"We can't do that!" Sally protested. "Jim and Ruth are going to be there - the rich cousins." She rolled her eyes. "They always give every one HUGE presents. How are we supposed to compete with that?" "We don't!" said Pete. "It doesn't matter what they spend, that's up to them. We don't have to keep up with the Joneses - or even the Wilsons," he grinned. "Honestly , Pete, you just don't get it do you!" Sally wailed. "I refuse to be seen as the poor relations. There's nothing else for it. We'll just have to pretend we're all sick and stay at home!"

2. October: Christmas Cheer HERE!

Sally's reaction may be characteristically over dramatic, bless her, but many of us do feel under pressure to 'pull rabbits out of hats' at Christmas. Every year has to be bigger and better than the last and there's always that desire to impress our fellow loved ones and rellies. The thing is, you don't need to have pots of money to be able to do that. Sally may not have a huge bank balance but she still has something else on her side - TIME. And this month, we want you all to make the most of it!

Much of Christmas stress comes from leaving things until the last minute. Rushing out to buy any old thing in a desperate attempt to please, often going horribly over budget just to get it out of the way - not to mention having to brave crowded malls and queuing for hours with thousands of other disorganised and disgruntled shoppers! But if you plan in advance you can avoid ALL this, find the perfect gift AND save stacks of money. If you have time on your side you don't need to spend a fortune to impress your loved ones.

So this month, make a list of who you need to buy for this Christmas. Think about what kind of person they are, their likes, interests and hobbies and what kind of gift you would normally buy for them. Then think about what you could make for them instead! The Simple Savings site contains MASSES of ideas in the Vault, Forum and Newsletter Archives to help you. Here are three of our favourite gift ideas which would cost $30 and upwards to buy from stores but cost $10 or less to make from home!

Macadamia oil face and body scrub

If you haven't heard of the wonders of macadamia oil yet, where have you been?! It's quite simply the best and most economical skincare product you will ever come across. Grab yourself a litre bottle from our Ye Olde Shoppe for just $23 and use it to make a whole heap of beautiful luxurious face and body scrubs for your friends! All you need is sea salt (or sugar), macadamia oil and a few drops of your favourite pure essential oil such as lavender. Put your sugar or salt into a bowl (however much you require), then slowly add enough oil, stirring gently to make a paste. Add your essential oil and mix well, then simply transfer your exfoliant scrub into small pots or jars. Add a home-made pretty label with instructions for use - simply wet skin, massage in gently and wash off, couldn't be easier! Your recipients will love it and so will their skin!

Chocoholics chocolate syrup

These posh bottles of chocolaty goodness cost a fortune to buy in the shops but you can make your own for next to nothing using this brilliant recipe from Mimi's mum!

Mimi's Mum's Chocolate Syrup

1 cup water
1/2 cup cocoa
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 tsp vanilla essence or extract

Combine water, cocoa and sugar in a small saucepan, whisking thoroughly to remove lumps. Bring to a boil over medium heat and reduce heat to very low, simmering for 5-6 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla essence. Allow to cool slightly and pour into bottles or jars. Makes about 500ml.

Multiply the recipe to make a larger batch. Easily doubles, trebles or quadruples.

Use as a topping for desserts or as milk flavouring.

The Christmassy-est ice cream ever!

This recipe turns a single home brand Christmas cake into several unique and very stylish gifts. Great for a Christmas plate too, Sally could take this to Aunt Edna's and feel great!

250g cooked Christmas cake (you can buy one or use your own home-made, doesn't matter)
2 tbsp brandy or rum, Cointreau, whatever you have (or for an alcohol-free version you can use orange juice)
Two-litre tub of vanilla ice cream

Take the ice cream out of the freezer and allow to soften enough to be able to mix easily (don't let it melt though!) Pop it out of its tub and into a large bowl. Rinse the empty tub and dry thoroughly, then line it completely with cling film, so it overlaps over the top and leaves enough spare to cover the top too.

In a separate bowl, crumble your cake (as rough or fine as you like) and then pour the spirits or juice over the top and let soak in for a few minutes. Add this to the ice cream and then gently mix together until well combined. Now transfer your mixture back into the lined tub and smooth over the top. Cover with the excess cling wrap, then pop the lid back on and put back in the freezer to re-freeze until required. To serve, simply turn out onto a platter, remove the cling film and cut into slices. To jazz it up for a Christmas table or party, you can decorate with strawberries, sprigs of mint or whatever you like!

Making your own beautiful gifts really is so rewarding. What better way is there to spend Christmas than relaxing, knowing there is no need to dash to the shops or stressing out about starting the new year in masses of post-Christmas debt? Do yourself and your loved ones a favour and gift them a gift made with love. They really will thank you for it - but get onto it now!

3. PowerCooking: Get Ready for a PowerChristmas!

PowerCooking continues to gather fans and we keep getting wonderful emails from people who have done their first Power Hour and can't believe what they have achieved! With the Christmas rush and large family gatherings not far away, imagine how many dishes a few Power Hours could put in your freezer. Wouldn't it be wonderful to wake up on Christmas morning knowing you had main dishes and accompaniments all ready to go - what a wonderful gift to yourself. Don't forget to take a look at Kate's fantastic tips and hints to help you get prepared early.

You can grab a free membership and build your own Power Plan here.

4. Ye Olde Shoppe: Easy Gift-Giving!

Do you know anyone with a Nintendo DS? We have a great gift for them for just $5. It is a Gametag and it helps kids keep all their games in the one place.

The normal price is $19.95. We are selling them for ** $5 till stock runs out!** That's below cost!

Click here!

5. Penny Wise: When Life Hands You Donuts

Apologies for this post not being strictly money related - well it kind of is - but whether it is or not, it still means enough to me to want to share it. This week has been without a doubt the hardest week of my life. No, I don't want to talk about it but suffice to say I haven't wanted to talk to anyone, see anyone, go anywhere - if I had had my way I would have happily spent the rest of my life living under a rock. So it was rather inconvenient that Liam was scheduled to play the most important and prestigious rugby game of his life last night. Even as excited as I was, getting in that car and driving two hours to get there, then sitting through the game with my all-consuming emptiness and depressing thoughts was going to take every bit of my strength. Still, I made it and I'm glad I did as I had never been prouder of my eldest son as he took to the field with his team at Waikato Stadium. This was the stuff childhood dreams are made of! And with perseverance, dedication and unlimited love and encouragement from his family, it was a dream which had come true.

Anyway, I survived the first half without falling into a heap and watched with amusement at a small boy who looked just like the Milky Bar Kid and spent the entire half time interval hip hop dancing at the bottom of the aisle. When the second half started, I thought I had better go closer and get some photos of Liam whizzing up and down on the wing and went and stood next to the boy. 'Hey, I liked your dancing, you're really good!' I told him. 'Thanks! I won a prize for it today!' he grinned. 'It's the first prize I've ever won!' 'Oh well done, that's awesome!' I said. 'Yeah, my mum doesn't even care though. She's up the back with two bottles of bourbon. Have you got bourbon too?' 'No, I haven't got any bourbon,' I laughed. 'She's got food too - but she won't give me any. I'm starving! But she only gets it for herself,' he said, wrinkling his nose.

At that point our team scored a try and I turned my attention to photographing Liam and his team mates. 'That's my son there - number 14,' I said proudly. 'Wow, he's really tall!' the boy replied. 'I'm watching my brother, he's on the other team - number 20. This is the first time I've seen him in two years. Today is the 15th time I've seen him in my whole life.' I already knew who his brother was; I had seen the fat oaf in the first half abusing his little brother as he ran past. 'Ooh, donuts!' he grinned, running up to the young girl who was selling bags of them for $5.00. I wished I had some money to get him some but I didn't have any cash on me.

'Maybe Mum will give me some money - oh, she's eating a pie now!' he said unimpressed, nodding his head towards the back of the stand. 'She spends so much money. Do your kids get pocket money?' 'Not any more, they have jobs now,' I smiled. 'But they used to?' 'Yep, they used to. Not that they ever did anything for it!' I laughed. 'I've never had pocket money - and I have to do everything! Do the dishes, feed the dogs, feed the pigs, put the washing out, take the washing in; heaps of stuff. But I've never had pocket money. So you really don't have any bourbon then?' 'No, I really don't,' I laughed. 'I don't drink it - but I have to drive two hours home so I couldn't if I wanted to!' 'Two hours? That's MILES away! I've lived here my whole life, here in Hamilton. But we're moving to Taupo soon. I don't want to move. Nobody even asked me!' 'Yeah, grown-ups are crap like that,' I sympathised. 'But Taupo's cool! I love Taupo, there's heaps to do there.' 'Yeah right, you don't have to say that just to make me feel better,' he looked at me wryly. 'Not like I'll ever get to do any of it anyway.'

I was at a bit of a loss for words after that and wasn't having much luck taking photos so moved back up the stand where Liam's grandfather was sitting watching the game. 'You made a friend?' he chuckled. 'Yeah, poor kid - our two boys don't know how lucky they are!' I said, telling him the story. For the remainder of the game, the two of us watched my poor little Milky Bar friend run up to the donut cart twice more and look in hopefully before running up the stand to his sour-faced, purple haired mother, still sat stuffing her own face with her partner. How could she let her own kid go hungry like that? The game ended and as we stood up to leave, the girl with the donut tray came and stood on the step next to us. The boys' granddad and I looked at each other. 'If I had $5.00 I would get that poor kid some bloody donuts!' I said. 'I was thinking just the same thing!' he said back. 'What's up? Oh, that boy,' she smiled. 'Is he yours?' 'No he isn't, the poor kid's starving!' I said sadly. 'Yes, I know, I saw him. Do you want to go and give him some? I'm not supposed to do this but'... she quickly swiped a bag of donuts out of her tray and handed them to me.

'Thanks so much!' I beamed and looked around for my little friend but he had palled up with two other boys also watching the game and had climbed over to the next enclosure. I was stuck with this bag of donuts I could no longer pass on to its rightful owner! 'Is there a problem?' asked the security guard. 'I need to give something to that kid over there, the one with the glasses. Can you pass it over to him?' 'I wish I could! But I'm not allowed to leave my post,' he looked around apologetically. 'And I'm not allowed to let you in this part either.' Oh heck, all that for nothing! 'The poor little fella's starving,' I explained. The guard looked around one more time, then quickly opened a small gate. 'Quick, before anyone sees you!' he said. What a sight I must have looked clambering over and under railings and hopping over walls, all the time yelling 'OI!' as I didn't know the boy's name. At last I managed to catch his eye and he pointed to himself 'Do you mean me?' before scampering over. 'Here you go. I've got to go now but I thought you might like these,' I grinned. 'Are these really for me?' he said in total disbelief. 'Did you get some for your son too?' 'Nope, just you,' I smiled. He gave me the biggest Milky Bar Kid grin I had ever seen and took off with the donuts, pausing to yell 'THANK YOU!' and wave at me madly before I jumped back over the rail.

I made my way through the stadium and was about to leave when the donut girl caught up beside me. 'That was such an awesome thing to do!' she said. 'And do you know what? He went straight and shared them with those two other boys he just met. He was so hungry himself but he still gave some to his friends. I think you're one of the nicest people I've ever seen!' 'Oh well, I've got two boys and they've been through a tough enough time lately but that kid just broke my heart. Thank you for making it happen!' I replied. 'You've got two boys? They're so lucky to have a mum like you. Here - take them home these,' she handed me two more bags of donuts. 'And make sure you have some too, you deserve them!' She gave me an awkward hug across her donut tray and I finally left the stadium, full of warm fuzzies and warm donuts.

And it was that small, insignificant but very rewarding event which restored my faith in human nature but more than that, my self-confidence and self-respect. It doesn't take much to be a good person and in that instant I knew I was one. It's going to take a little time but thanks to the Milky Bar Kid and the donut girl I no longer want to spend the rest of my life under a rock. Being happy in your own skin really is all that matters and I've finally realised I am.

You can get updates on Penny's new blogs on the Simple Savings Facebook Page

or in our Members' Blog Section

6. Best of the Vault: Simple Gifts From the Heart

The Vault is full of amazing ideas to help you 'make' Christmas extra special this year! Why spend your hard-earned dollars on mass-produced tokens when you can make something special if you start now? Get going - there are lots of ideas to explore!

Decorate candles for unique gift

Plain candles cost little to buy, but they can be turned into beautiful personalised gifts for all types of occasions. This is an enjoyable and relaxing pastime which is fun for both adults and children to make. You can use all sorts of cheap and even free materials to decorate them, such as paint, metal mesh, carving, beads, wax appliqué, pressed leaves, and other materials.

Look in your library for books on the subject, such as 'Decorating Candles' by Terry Taylor. Ready-made decorated candles can be very expensive to buy in gift stores, but by decorating your own, you get the same results for a fraction of the price!

Contributed by: Tammy

Framed scrapbook pages make beautiful art

I have saved heaps while decorating my house by making my own beautiful artworks! I got some scrapbooking supplies and some frames from the op shop. I brought them home, made up my own 'pages' and placed them in frames. This has brought a fantastic designer look to my home for very little cost!

Contributed by: Rachaek

Jewellery making supplies from op shops

I am saving heaps on gifts for my family and friends. I love making beaded jewellery for them all but it can be quite an expensive hobby by the time you buy all the tools and beads. However, I have recently started searching local op shops and found some amazing 'treasures' of gorgeous glass, wooden and resin beads and buttons. I just take them apart and then re-design them. The recipients all love their unique 'vintage' pieces!

Contributed by: Carolynne

'Rock around the Clock' gift scores a big tick

I came up with a perfect present idea for my friend at the 'perfect' price when I found an old viny l collection in an op shop recently. Each record was just $2, and when I spotted one by my friend's favourite artist I grabbed it, knowing that would make the present extra special. I then bought the cheapest clock I could for just $3 at Kmart. (You will not actually need the clock face itself but buying a clock at a store like this saves up to $20 on purchasing the separate clock mechanics, so it's important that you buy one that just 'pops apart' from its mechanics.)

The hole in the centre of the record was the perfect size for the clock mechanics, and I was able to slot them neatly into place. For just $5 I had created a meaningful, retro and very cool timepiece for my friend. I now often give a 'vinyl clock' as a gift, and I customise it to suit the recipient's taste. I may jazz it up with a touch of spray paint or stickers, or keep it simple and classic by just adding numerals.

Contributed by: Kelly T

7. Best of the Forum: Now's the Time to Glue, Stew, Brew and Do!

Somewhere along the way we have fallen into the marketing trap of thinking that the 'cost' of a gift is equivalent to the 'thought'. If we give someone a gift that only costs a few dollars, it must mean we don't think much of them. Well - we are going to turn all that on its head with this year's Christmas planning! It's going to take some courage, some hide and a lot of gluing, stewing, brewing and doing - but this year, we are going to give gifts that actually mean something. They won't cost a lot of money, but may take more time than a visit to the shops. They won't be shrouded in hard plastic, need $10 worth of batteries or light up a TV screen. Here's to simple gifts from the heart and wonderful ideas from the Forum to help you make them:

Any recipe ideas for an inexpensive moist and delicious Christmas cake?

Nothing says 'Merry Christmas' like a personally decorated, home-cooked Christmas cake!
read more...

Home-made gift year (birthdays/Christmas) 2013 - #2

Some fantastic ideas in here to get you going!
read more...

I want to make a pinata

How about something completely different for the young people - and not so young - in your life? Make a personalised pinata and fill it with lollies or small stationery items and then, most importantly - stand back!
read more...

12 weeks to Christmas countdown

Join in the planning fun to save money and not get caught this Christmas - they've thought of everything!
read more...

Creating (painting) your own silk scarves

Beautiful Christmas gift idea!
read more...

8. Best Members' Blog: Winning the War on Debt

One Hand Grenade at a Time!

One of the many benefits of being a Vault member is that you can win $100 to spend in Ye Olde Shoppe for your Simple Savings blog! Starting your own blog on the site is easy. All you have to do is log into the Vault, click on 'My Desk' at the top left, then 'Your Blog'. Then get writing! We love reading all your money saving trials and tribulations and really appreciate the effort that goes into each one.

This month's winner is Bettyboof for her first blog and awesome start to turning her finances around!

This is a big day for me - my first ever blog post! I've been kicked into action by a combination of all the great stories on SS and my own flagging motivation in the face of a rather large debt. I have been overwhelmed by the 'war' on our debt, believing that if I couldn't launch major debt rockets, I was never going to get anywhere. I know now that this isn't true and am instead focusing on winning small battles and lobbing as many 'hand grenades' (small monetary amounts gained in lots of different ways) as I possibly can at the debt. I'm also working on getting all our ducks in a row in terms of admin generally and decluttering like it's going out of fashion. With this in mind, yesterday I claimed my lost Super and $739 will be added to my Super fund soon. I also cleared and closed all dormant Super accounts, something I've been meaning to do for a long time. I feel like a very large box of mental clutter just got taken to the tip. Today I called up and asked for $6.16 we had sitting in our old electricity account be paid back to us - I'll pay this amount off the (first of four) credit cards. I also got some new quotes for contents and car insurance which will save us $23.27 per month. I'll add this to the debt repayment once the changeover goes through. Not bad for a day or two's work, I think my plan may just work...

Well done Bettyboof - keep up the great work!

9. Hidden Gem: Harvey, WA

This month's Hidden Gem is just a bit different! It's a small town south of Perth called Harvey as nominated by Dee

One Hidden Gem I have found that's an absolute treasure is the picturesque rural town of Harvey. It is an easy 90 minute drive from Perth and is very well known in W.A. for dairy products and orange juice, but it also has some other delicious local produce! One of our favourite places to visit is the Harvey River Bridge Winery where you can taste a wide variety of wines and buy wine for as little as $60 a dozen:

Another place we always visit is Harvey Bizee Hands which sells locally made craft, such as hand towels, door stops, aprons, baby clothes and tea cosies. You can also buy jams, pickles, relishes, biscuits, slices, home grown fruit and vegetables and fresh eggs. Bizee Hands is open 9am-4pm daily except for Wednesday and is situated on the corner of King Street and the South Western Highway.

The third place we make sure to visit is Harvey Cheese Factory, a family-owned business, which has a Brie called OMG and believe me that's what you'll be saying when you taste it, it is so unbelievably creamy! They also hold cheese-making classes which are usually advertised on a blackboard at the front door. They have free tastings of most of their cheeses and make Haloumi, Romano, Feta, cheddar and flavoured cheeses with chilli, garlic, sundried tomato and other spices and herbs in them. They also sell ice cream, coffee, cakes, small goods and condiments. The two camels and friendly sheep might come and say hello over the fence as well!

If you want lunch there are two good bakeries and a few cafes to choose from and the visitors centre has loads of pamphlets suggesting picnic spots and BBQ areas. The visitors centre also has a 'Moo Shop' and an interesting display relating to May Gibbs, who lived in Harvey in 1885 and 1886. There is memorabilia and her books are for sale including 'Snugglepot and Cuddlepie' which is still a children's favourite. Behind the visitors centre is a butterfly tree with a board showing the life cycle of the Monarch Butterfly which abounds in the area.

We usually make sure we take our interstate and overseas visitors to Harvey as it is a place we enjoy sharing.

Thank you Dee on locating such a fantastic hidden gem and thanks so much for sharing.

10. Cooking with Mimi: Scrummy Quinoa Salad...

Really Easy and Delicious

We're in love with quinoa.

We had a brief flirtation with it a few years ago, but I really wasn't using it to its best advantage back then and we put it in the too hard basket.

A renewed interest in gluten-free grains led me to put together this salad for dinner last night.

I wanted something that could be served meat-free as a meal or as a side for the carnivores in the family and this got a big thumbs-up.

I had it plain with some chopped toasted almonds on top, my 13-year-old daughter had it with a squeeze of lime juice as dressing and some avocado slivers for decoration. She scooped the salad onto baby cos lettuce leaves and ate it like tapas, proclaiming it yum like that, and the man of the house had thinly sliced pan-fried kabana to garnish his. We all agreed that no matter the variation, this one's a keeper.

For four serves and enough quinoa leftover for another salad, you'll need:

3/4 cup quinoa
1 2/3 cups water
Pinch salt
1 tin cooked beans such as red kidney, cannelli or borlotti, drained and rinsed until they stop foaming (I actually buy dried beans when I can, and presoak and precook them ahead before freezing them)
1 stick celery, thinly sliced
1/4 small onion, peeled and grated
1 small clove garlic, peeled and minced
1/2 tomato, diced
1 tbsp pumpkin seeds
1 tbsp sunflower seeds
1 tbsp shredded coconut
3 tbsp olive oil

Then just:

Add the quinoa and water to a large saucepan. Bring it all to the boil and seal it with a close fitting lid before turning the hotplate OFF. Leave the pan on the stored heat of the cooling hotplate. Check the quinoa after 20 minutes and fluff with a fork. It should be perfectly cooked. If there is liquid remaining or the quinoa is not soft and fluffy, reheat it gently until steaming and replace the lid before allowing it to sit for another five minutes.

Once cooked, spread the quinoa onto a large platter and allow it to cool to room temperature.

Once it's cooled, add the minced garlic, grated onion and the olive oil, tossing it well to infuse the quinoa with the flavour of the garlic and onion. Add the other ingredients and toss if you wish. We prefer to put the quinoa in the bottom of our bowls and add as little or as much of the other ingredients as we like, gently tossing it to combine before we eat it.

You can vary this by adding different seeds, nuts and beans. It doesn't need any dressing as the flavours are already so complex and appetising.

This is a brilliant do ahead salad and one large container done up on a Sunday night would do for lunches and dinners for a couple of days. It's a great healthy lunch to take in tubs to school or work too, as there is no dressing involved to make it go soggy.

Healthy, delicious and inexpensive to boot :)

You can get updates on Mimi's new blogs on the Simple Savings Facebook Page

or in our Members' Blog Section

11. 50c Indulgences: It's Time to Plan

October has been a month of planning in the Indulgences under 50c thread! Two wonderful quotes that have inspired us this month are, 'A goal without a plan is just a wish' and 'She turned her can'ts into cans and her dreams into plans'! Both are so true - we need to plan for the things we want in our lives. From small things like making sure we drink enough water to stay healthy every day to large things like saving a deposit for a home or a holiday. Writing things down is a great way to focus on our goals and work out the steps we need to take to achieve them.

My first goal was to use my planner better. I have a really nice planner but I just didn't use it enough. During this challenge I watched YouTube videos on how to use planners effectively. I realised I didn't use it as it didn't appeal to me. In my case that means it wasn't pretty enough! So I spent an evening personalising my planner, writing in all the information I needed to have at my fingertips and added some pretty pages. I included goals for the week, an exercise tracker, a record of daily glasses of water, birthdays and so on... all the things I need and are helpful to me. By the time I finished, my planner was suddenly very useful to me and I have used it every day since.

Having goals for the week really helps me realise my bigger goals. A little progress every week really adds up. Plus, having written your goals down, you can actually see your progress.

Another area of planning that saves a lot of money is menu planning. I try to keep all my best recipes in one folder to make them easy to find. Thinking about what's on special and what is in season, I go through my folder and pick some recipes for the week. We all know shopping with a list saves money (and confusion!). There are beautiful free templates online for all kinds of menu planners and shopping lists. This one is from sweetbellaroos. Whatever you would like in a list is available and this includes pages for your diary or planner. All you have to do is a quick internet search for ones that will suit the planner you have or the type of list you would like. Some are gorgeous!

During the week I keep a list on the fridge of things that have run out and things that need doing. A little planning saves petrol as well as I try to combine things and save trips. The list I use is free from The Creativity Exchange.

I read recently that for every hour of planning you save four hours of work. I know it saves money and I know it helps me reach my goals. For ages I was trying to lose a few kilos and nothing happened. Finally I wrote down a plan, made myself a chart and filled it in daily. As soon as I began this I lost the weight! It was a perfect illustration of 'a goal without a plan is just a wish'.

Annabel and Helen have done a fantastic job inspiring others to enjoy life's little luxuries in the forum for the last three years. But the time has come that Annabel and Helen would like a break from managing the 50c Indulgences threads in the forum.

We hope they don't go too far away. We will miss their kindness and wisdom.

A new thread has started in the forum for people who would like to continue celebrating in life's little luxuries:
One in, All in

12. Rob Bob's Gardening Blog: No Dig Gardening

No dig potato barrel

After making a few small no dig beds this year I wanted to try growing potatoes in a no dig barrel. No dig beds/gardens are based on stacking different organic materials on top of each other. The different layers then slowly compost down, releasing nutrients for plants to take up. The bed I have seen set up had organic matter constantly added in the form of mulches, compost and manures to help increase its fertility. It was set up on very compacted, rocky ground and over time the ground beneath slowly began to transform into great looking rich humus as beneficial microorganisms, fungus and worms moved in. I think it is a great method of gardening and one I would like to try on a more suitable piece of land in the future but for now will be trying it out in a wicking bed.

I planted out two lots of potatoes this week in two different spots in the yard using the no dig method. The first were popped back into the re-worked no dig bed out the front and the second went into a barrel out the back under the Tahitian lime tree. The barrel already had a load of holes in the base and was really easy to set up. I started off with a recently harvested worm barrel that had a thin layer of castings and worms left in the base.

The castings still had lots of composting worms in it which will help to break down the layers of manure and straw into more plant available nutrients. Compost would do just as well I think but as I have a fair amount of castings on hand I thought I would give that a shot.

Over the top of the castings I added a 10-15cm layer of lucerne/alfalfa hay, then the same amount again of broken up horse manure.

Each layer was also well watered to help keep the barrel nice and moist as the hay and manure were both rather dry. On top of the manure layer a couple of handfuls (about a cups worth) of CBM organic fertiliser (chicken compost, blood 'n' bone and minerals) were added.

The potatoes that we have had chitting (letting shoots grow) under the house were then positioned on top of the manure layer with the sprouts pointing up.

They were then covered with another layer of hay. A 5cm layer of worms and castings was then spread on top before another load of horse manure was added. Another bonus of adding all the worms is that once the plants are harvested all the bedding turns back into a worm farm again :)»

To finish it off another layer of hay was added. The level of contents in the barrel will fall over the coming weeks so it will be topped up with layers of manure and hay once the shoots make an appearance at the surface.

We now have two no dig lots on the go with another two wicking barrels with spuds in them that have already sprouted. Another no dig barrel will be set up in a few more weeks so we can try to continually harvest some spuds over the summer months.

Hope you all get a chance to play in the patch over the coming week.
Cheers,
Rob : )»

You can get updates on Rob Bob's new gardening adventure blogs on the Simple Savings Facebook Page

or in our Members' Blog Section

13. From Last Month: How to Get Rid of That Doggy Smell?

Last month Kerrie emailed us about ideas to help her get rid of the doggy smell in her home:

"I have a three-year-old spoodle and although no hair is shed and he is washed weekly, my home, carpet and soft furnishing around her bed always have a doggy smell. I am very conscious of this smell and notice it most when I return home from being out. I have burned essential oils, sprayed fragrance sprays, steam clean and deodorise the carpet every four months but I can't get rid of the smell. Please help!"

We got some fantastic ideas - thank you for sharing your wisdom! Here are some of our favourite replies:

Spray vinegar, eucalyptus or Glen 20 for doggy smells

Doggy smells are a protein-based odour so use the same solutions you might use for 'eggy' odours. Spray vinegar, eucalyptus oil, eucalyptus-scented disinfectant or Glen 20 air freshener as they will all work.

Contributed by: Lisa

Limit dog odours with eucalyptus spray and oatmeal based shampoo

You can buy eucalyptus scent in a surface spray which you can use on any surface. Leave the window open afterwards to the smell can dissipate. You could also try changing the dog shampoo you use to an oatmeal-based one.

Contributed by: Squishy Squishy

Use bi-carb and essential oils for inside dog smells

Try sprinkling bi-carb soda on furnishings, leave overnight then vacuum up. Also try adding essential oils to water when washing floors (whatever fragrance you prefer). Just a few drops is usually enough and the whole house will smell lovely! The cheap stores sell these for around $1.50 and a bottle lasts me around 6 months.

Contributed by: Madmum

Use wool wash to keep doggy smells down

I wash my dogs (outside working dogs and indoor dog) in Black & Gold wool wash. I wash their bedding in it as well and it keeps that eucalyptus smell for nearly a week and saves money on flea treatment. I wash our bedding in washing powder with a few drops of eucalyptus oil in with the powder as well. I do this once a week on the weekend.

Contributed by: Heather

Baby shampoo helps keep away doggy odours

I wash my Maltese dog with a two-in-one baby shampoo and we don't seem to have dog smells unless he's really wet. He's not washed every week (lazy mother and father)! A friend uses one of those automatic sprays to make the room smell better but I find that the baby shampoo makes him smell really nice. Maybe he's being washed too often and is 'over-compensating'!

Contributed by: Anna

14. Help Request: How to Cut Down Costs of Hospital Visits?

Penny has emailed asking for some help! She writes:

"We are expecting our first baby in December. We have been told he will be in hospital between two and six months due to CDH. I'd love some ideas on how we can cut costs during this time. For example, parking at the hospital is $24 a day and it is unlikely we will get reduced rate as it is a privately owned car park. So if you have any ideas on how we can get through this time and spend our money wisely, I'd love to know."

If you have any pearls of wisdom you'd like to share with Penny, please send them in to us here.

Good luck Penny - we hope everything goes well.

15. Goodbye for now!

Well, that's your Simple Savings Newsletter for October 2013 and we hope you have enjoyed it. We hope you can find some ways to start getting Christmas organised early and make, grow or craft some thoughtful and unique gifts for your friends and family! Please let us know how you go!

Our members are hugely important to us and we love hearing from you all! So next time you're on the website, why don't you get in touch and say 'G'day'! Let us know what you would like to see more of in our newsletter or any suggestions you have for something new to try. We love receiving your clever ideas!

Don't forget to spread the love around to your family and friends too by forwarding them our newsletter or letting them know about our website. Help make their lives easier and save them money too! Or tell them about us on Facebook by clicking the 'like' button on the Simple Savings Facebook Page.

Till next time...
All the best,
Fiona

October 2015 - Simple Savings Newsletter

"Secrets to Saving Money" Free Newsletter - October 2015

Sad Sally, Happy Hanna: Happy 10th Anniversary!
October: Liven up Your Lunchbox!
Best of the Vault: What's Cooking?
Best of the Forum: Thinking Outside the 'Lunchbox'
Best Members' Blog: Cooking for Klutzes
Cooking with Mimi: Quick and Easy Veal Scallopini
Rob Bob's Gardening Blog: Growing Asparagus, and a Very Quick Soup

Hello,

How are you going? It's a very special newsletter this month as we celebrate 10 years of Sally and Hanna cartoons! The ladies have had many money-saving adventures during the last 10 years thanks to our wonderful cartoonist Steve Panozzo. Thank you, Steve! You can see more of Steve's work here.

We love hearing from you - here are our favourite emails this month:

"I don't know where I'd be without my newsletters! Some of us struggle with 'consistency' in the things that inspire us and Simple Savings inspires us to keep focused." (Izabella)

"Thank you for the great ideas and fantastic support on the Forum. I'm still learning something new every day." (Meaghan)

Have a great month!
All the best,
Fiona Lippey

1. Sad Sally, Happy Hanna: Happy 10th Anniversary

"You know what Hanna- it's been 10 years since we were first drawn together. I've learnt so much about saving money from you, I can't thank you enough!" Sal hugged her friend close. "Sooooo," she said, "What say we go out for lunch and celebrate?!"

Hanna laughed, "Sally, I think that's a great idea! We've brought lunch to work almost every day this year, I think we deserve a celebration. Let's go!" Sally and Hanna grabbed their handbags and marched out of the office.

Finishing their decadent dessert and coffee a little while later, Sal sighed, "I feel guilty - I just spent $40 on lunch." Hanna smiled, "It's OK Sal - we've saved over $4000 on lunches this year between us. We really have earned this lunch out!" Sally brightened up, "Hey, does this mean we can have a second dessert?!"

2. October: Liven up Your Lunchbox!

Sally and Hanna saved themselves $4000 per year on lunch, and you can do it too! Lunches, snacks and drinks at work cost a fortune and add up very quickly. If you take your own lunch every day, you really can afford the luxuries of life - it's time to save some money and liven up your lunchbox!

The biggest tip to beating the lunchtime blues is to get organised and find yourself a system that works for you. We have put together a list of lunch systems for you to try.

Love your leftovers

Make extra serves of every evening meal and store fresh and frozen portions so you have a growing variety to choose from for your lunchbox. Pasta, stir-fries, casseroles and even roast and vegies are even better the day after.

Make a week of 'salad tubs' ahead.

Homemade salad tubs are really popular. Have a look on Pinterest for great ideas.

Grocery shop your lunchbox!

Next time you do the groceries, have a section on your list for 'lunches' and include items you can take to work at the beginning of the week such as tinned tuna/salmon, crunchy crackers, fruit, yoghurt, microwavables and so on. There is no excuse not to have a quick, healthy lunch when it's sitting in your top drawer or the office fridge.

Make it fancy

Smarten up those sangers with zingy relishes, different breads, croissants or wraps and start trying some new ingredients. It is OK to spend more on ingredients when you are taking lunch to work.

Make it social

It can be hard to stick to your 'make at home' lunch routine when the rest of the office is racing down to the local cafe. So bring the cafe back to your workplace buy getting everyone to put in a few dollars to buy great ingredients then share a delicious lunch together.

And, remember how much money you are saving. Each time you take your lunch to work you are saving around $8.00. If you do that five days a week you are saving $40 a week, $2000 a year and $20,000 every ten years. Now, that's something to chew over!

3. Best of the Vault: What's Cooking?

It's time to get excited about your lunchbox! Making your own lunch is a sure-fire way to save money on buying lunch out. Here are some great ideas from the Vault:

Cracking good lunch idea

Why buy lunch? With recipes as good as this, there's no need! I make this egg slice every few days to take to work, and I thought you might like to try it too.

Ingredients:

2 cups vegetables - just about anything will do. Leftover roast vegetables, steamed vegies, wilted salad... even raw stuff like grated carrot or chopped up tomato.
1/2 cup leftover meat, for example, bacon, fish or chicken
4 eggs, beaten
Grated cheese

Method:

Spread the vegetables and meat over the bottom of a greased square baking dish. Pour over the beaten egg, top with grated cheese and bake at 170C for about 30 minutes.

I take a quarter of this slice and some salad to work every day - it's yummy hot or cold. Thanks to the wide variety of vegetables you can use, no two slices are the same. It costs less than a dollar to make and the vegetables and protein keep me going for hours.

Contributed by: Maryrose Hocken

Slow cooker saves $45 on weekly work lunches

I save $45 per week on work lunches with a little help from my slow cooker! I used to buy my lunch at a nearby cafe, normally costing $10 per day, which added up to $50 per week. - However, with my slow cooker I have been able to make 10 yummy lunches for a total of $9.50. - Enough for two weeks!

These days I just pull out the trusty slow cooker and use it to make curry or casserole, then freeze it into portion sizes for lunches. I eat much healthier, I am much more organised, and sometimes if I get home from work late with no energy to cook from scratch, I can now simply pull out a frozen meal. Knowing that there are meals ready to go in the freezer stops me from ordering expensive and unhealthy takeaway.

This week, I spent a total of $9.50 on raw food - some of which was already in the pantry.

$5.00 on free range chicken drumsticks, added carrots, potatoes, peas, onion (total cost about $1.50)
$1.00 for coconut milk
$1.00 on spices
$1.00 of rice (in pantry)

I am sharing this secret with friends and we now exchange recipes. Savings all round!

Contributed by: Josie Coraci

Buy food with a group of workmates

At work four of us contribute $10 each a week for food and drinks for the five days we're at work. This amount provides us all with a fulfilling lunch each day. It usually entails buying bread/salads/cold meats; we also buy soup for those cold days. With the money left over, we buy spreads and communal products such as cordial and biscuits.

Not only are we saving money by not buying our lunches each day but we also get time to sit together. We do not have to worry about how much money we are spending each week on takeaway food or about what we will prepare for lunch the next day. This interaction at lunchtime is also good for peer relations.

Contributed by: Kristy Adnum

4. Best of the Forum: Thinking Outside the 'Lunchbox'

Sometimes we know WHAT to do, we just need a little motivation to help us actually DO it! The best thing about our Forum is the encouragement and support our wonderful members give each other. Here are just a few examples...

2015 Calendar Challenge - Liven up your lunchbox!

Our wonderful Claire M does a fantastic job with the Challenge threads to keep people motivated and help them share ideas - jump in!
read more...

Preparing fresh and inviting seasonal spring dinners

We don't know what it is about Mimi but she just keeps coming up with delicious recipes and ideas - some great lunch ideas here!
read more...

A day's food for two adults for cost of coffee and cake at a cafe

Do you want to know just what that coffee and cake could buy you otherwise? Catslave's thread is a real eye-opener and makes you realise how precious every dollar is - we love it, Catslave!
read more...

5. Best Members' Blog: Cooking for Klutzes

One of the many benefits of being a Vault member is that you can win $100 cash each month for your Simple Savings blog! Starting your own blog on the site is easy. All you have to do is log into the Vault, click on 'My Desk' at the top left, then 'Your Blog'. Then get writing! We love reading all your money saving trials and tribulations and really appreciate the effort that goes into each one.

This month's Blog winner is Lesley for her blog about learning how to cook:

"So you are not a good cook? Stand in line, sister. Good cooks are not born; they have to arrive there after much trial and effort. My first cooking experiences were less than sterling. Before marriage, I had learnt how to cook grilled chops and to boil vegetables. Afterwards I had to do what we all do, and learn!

I stood in my kitchen one day and thought about living my lifetime hating the kitchen, or making it into a challenge. So, I went down to the shops... lol. In those days all the shops used to have a free TV program, with little tidbits inside including reader recipes. I took it home and started trying things. Not all of them were a success, I must admit. Fortunately, my husband was not fussy!

Since then I have managed to go to the electricity cooking classes where I learnt to make meals from around the world. I have dabbled in preserves, cake decorating (not good), making my own bread, and last year I made my first marmalade. And it only took me over 50 years... lol.

The main thing to do is try things! But make it easy on yourself. Choose a recipe which is the simplest you can find. If it is successful, then add it to a file in your kitchen drawer. Once you have mastered it, then you can try adding personal touches to it.

Do not try to do too much to start with. Try one or two new recipes a week. I believe in applying the KISS principle - Keep it Simple, Stupid!

Two of the simplest things I know to make are soup and pasta.

A soup requires vegetables, enough stock to cover them, some salt or herbs to flavour (taste it first) and at least an hour to cook it. I prefer to use barley in chicken soup and soup mix in vegetable soup, as these help to make the soup thicker and more filling. They do, however, make the cooking time longer.

Pasta is very versatile. I keep spaghetti, shell macaroni, and fettuccine in my pantry.

Spaghetti is self-explanatory - you can make a bolognaise sauce, add tomatoes and cheese or even a pinch of tomato sauce.

Shell macaroni can be made into a pasta bake. Pre-cook the pasta, put in a casserole, then add all those little bits and pieces in your crisper. Pour over some evaporated milk, some cream or coconut milk. Then add enough stock to cover it, and bake.

Fettuccine can be cooked, and with diced onion, diced bacon and cream, it becomes Fettuccine Alfredo. I like to add in some mushrooms as well.

There is a myriad of recipes on this site, all from people who cook good meals, which are inexpensive. Just think of some ingredient (like bacon) and type it into the search engine. You will be surprised what comes up. :-)

Well done, Lesley, we love your enthusiasm and great ideas - thank you for sharing!

You can read more of our members' blogs here.

6. Cooking with Mimi: Quick and Easy Veal Scallopini

I buy veal steaks quite often here. I can usually get a tray of five huge thin veal steaks for under $10. Those five cut in half, make a generous schnitzel, so a tray will feed ten of us for one meal, or three of us for three meals. That's cheap and healthy eating.

I'll often coat them in almond meal in place of breadcrumbs, or make my own gluten-free ones with the crusts of the (expensive) gluten-free bread. So it's a great way to use up the crusts that would otherwise not get eaten. You could do the same with your normal bread of course.

The other night, I didn't really feel like going through the rigmarole of flour, egg and breadcrumbs, so I made this instead. The mushrooms are inexpensive here just now, and I know that veal and mushrooms are a good match. This takes less than 10 minutes to prepare.

You'll need:

1/2 large veal steak per person, pounded thin
Plain flour, seasoned with a little salt and pepper for coating the veal
Generous drizzle of olive oil
1 tbsp butter or margarine
As many mushrooms as you like, thinly sliced (I use about 3 cups mushrooms per person)
A pinch of dried garlic, or 1 clove, crushed
1 level tsp dried sage leaves
1 level tsp tarragon, or zest of one lemon
Fresh chives or green shallots, sliced thinly
1 chicken stock cube, dissolved in 1/4 cup boiling water
1 dsp mustard (any will do... I've used both Dijon and wholegrain)
1/2 cup cream, sour cream, Greek yoghurt or evaporated milk
1 tsp white vinegar
Steamed rice or mashed potato and a side salad or vegies to serve

Then just:

Have your side dishes ready to go as this really takes no time to prepare.

Sprinkle each veal steak with a teeny bit of salt and some pepper. Leave it to sit for five minutes. This just tenderises it slightly.

Spread the flour on a flat plate and coat each veal steak generously with the flour. Set aside.

In a large, deep pan, drizzle your olive oil and margarine and allow it to melt. Add the sage and tarragon (or lemon zest), garlic, chives or shallots, white vinegar and chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Add the sliced mushrooms and pan fry them till brown.

Add the mustard and stir to disperse. Add the cream, yoghurt or evaporated milk, and bring to a low simmer.

Add the flour-coated veal steaks, turning them after 60 seconds. Put a lid on the pan and allow to simmer for no more than a couple of minutes. They're super thin remember, so they take no time at all to cook. If you're cooking more steaks than fit in one layer in the pan, do two layers, just give them all a turn at sitting on the bottom, and swap them over to ensure they all get cooked through.

Serve the steaks over rice or mash, drizzle with the mushroom sauce and serve immediately.

Yum.

You can get updates on Mimi's new blogs on the Simple Savings Facebook page or in our Members' Blog section.

7. Rob Bob's Gardening Blog: Growing Asparagus,

and a Very Quick Soup

Growing Asparagus

Asparagus is one of our favourite perennial plants to grow and will live for up to 20 years depending on variety and how well it's cared for. They are also my favourite plant to graze on as I walk the patch in the morning at this time of year.

We bought our original plants as advanced bare root crowns and were also lucky enough to get some gifted to us a few years ago as excess seedlings (thanks Tammy!). They can also be grown from seed but take a few years to establish themselves before they're ready for harvest so most folks choose to start plants using the advanced crowns.

Growing from seed is very straight forward. Individual seeds are best started off in small pots or punnets in spring and then transplanted out into position later. All you need to do to start them off is fill a small pot with some good quality seed raising mix and sow the seed about 1½cm / ½" deep in the soil then keep moist.

Once the plants are about 15cm / 6" tall they can be transplanted out. You can also sow directly into position but I find seedlings easier to care for in a mini nursery area.

Asparagus like a fairly neutral soil pH (6.5-7) so the addition of garden or dolomite lime can help raise the pH if the soil is slightly acidic. Adding some elemental Sulphur (sometimes sold as flowers of Sulphur) will help lower it if the pH is too high. These products usually have fairly straight forward instructions on the packaging to help guide you with application rates.

The plants themselves can grow very large and are heavy feeders so I like to feed the soil up well before planting and then a few times during the year. The beds were prepared by digging through a large feed bag (40-50L / 10-13gal) of well-aged/semi-composted horse manure (cow, sheep, goat work just as well). This adds organic matter to the soil and helps to feed the microorganisms and worms that make the nutrients available to the plants. If no manure is available good quality bagged compost would work just as well.

Planting out advanced crowns is very straight forward. As their roots are rather long it's recommended that you plant them out on a bit of a mound.

This allows the roots to spread out a bit and helps the plant to establish itself. Spacing between the plants is generally about 50cm or 18" apart. I've planted them a lot more intensively in the wicking bed (9 in aprox 1m²) as a bit of an experiment so like to feed them regularly with a basic compost tea to keep them well fed. Below is a bit of a look at how I planted out the seedlings I received from Tammy for those folks interested in how we planted out our small wicking beds.

Planting out seedlings you've started yourself is also straight forward. As their roots aren't as developed as the advanced crowns they can be popped straight into a hole. To get our seedlings off to a great start I also like to work in a few good trowels full of compost or worm castings into the hole before popping the plants in.

The hardest part of growing asparagus is waiting the two years after planting before harvesting. It really does pay to let them establish themselves before picking the first lot of spears so the plant has time to develop a healthy crown. Harvesting the spears is fairly straight forward, with snapping them off at soil level to be the easiest. Some recommend using a knife to cut them off below soil level but I prefer not to just in case I damage the crown itself. A good rule of thumb to follow is to stop picking the spears once the new ones are the thickness of a pencil. Letting them grow into ferns once they reach this size will allow the crown to replenish its energy to provide you with spears for the next season.

To store the spears we've been popping them into a mug with some water in the base and leaving them on the bench. I find that while it's cool this will keep them fresh for four to five days if need be. Once things start to warm up a bit the mug will be placed in the fridge to help keep them fresh and crunchy. I have also been extending our harvest a bit by picking some of the underdeveloped growing tips on the ferns themselves which I show in the clip below.

The clip has a bit of information on the difference between male and female plants towards the end for those who are interested.

One word of warning about letting the berries ripen and fall to the bed - they can cause a bit of an over-crowding issue so it's a good idea to transplant them out to a new location or gift them to friends.

At the end of the growing season the ferns will start to die off. I like to trim them off about 10cm / 4" above ground level, chop them up and use the trimmings to mulch the bed. This is also a great time to feed the bed with some compost or aged manure to feed the soil ready for the next flush of spears in the following spring. As ours is a tad crowded I also like to give them a feed at the start of summer at the end of the spring flush as well just to keep them going.

Quick and colourful eats from the patch

One of our favourite meals to whip up is an Asian-style chicken soup that gets poured over raw vegies picked from the patch. What I love about this dish is that we can duck out the back, pick some vegies and have the soup in the bowl ready to eat in less than 30 minutes. It is also the base soup we use for our won ton soup. The types of vegies used depend on what we have growing in the patch at the time.

Some of my favourites are peas, beans, carrots, green onions, chard/silverbeet, chillies, broccoli, Thai basil, cauliflower, Okinawan spinach and celery. The last batch we made up included asparagus which made a great addition. The soup base is very easy to make. In the past we've used the frozen stock made from poaching chicken thighs and quite often we use commercial stock as well. Here are the quantities we use to make up the soup for our family:

3cm / 1¼ piece of ginger, minced
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
1L chicken stock
2 chicken thighs, diced small (1 thigh for 2 people)
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil

For the vegies it's as easy as gathering the selection and quantity your family likes, or what you have available in the garden.

Slice vegies thinly, about one and a half to two cups for each adult and about one for the kids. This may come in handy in some households as it lets different family members add the vegies and herbs that they like.

To prepare the soup, add the stock, garlic, ginger, chicken and soy sauce to the pot and bring to the boil. Reduce to a high simmer for 10 minutes. Just before serving I like to add the sesame oil and stir through. The soup is then poured over the raw vegies in the bowls and served. I really like that the vegies come out semi blanched and crisp as I'm not a fan of cooked vegies. Just to be different I added a bit of extra sesame oil and some fish sauce to mine. ;-)

We got a bit of a surprise with our last batch when the purple pigment from the Dragon carrots started to bleed out into the soup. It was a novelty for the kids and even made the chicken turn purple after a while.

Quick look at the pickings

Here's a bit of a look at the pickings we've been getting from the patch over the past month or so.

I have been very impressed with how well the sugar snap peas have gone for us in the aquaponics and Root Pouch. The plants were due to be pulled this week as they have started to slow down their flower production and have been battling a powdery mildew outbreak on the aquaponic plants. I will be planting out some ginger and climbing beans in its place I think. The Wherokowhai tomatoes are still giving us a few fruit every week and the various volunteer yellow currents are still yielding well.

Here's a small harvest of turmeric, yacon and sweet potato from last week. They came from the wicking barrels that were cleared out to make way for two different types of taro. The turmeric is yet to be processed and the yacon plant was split up to share between two friends. I have had the yacon tubers aging a bit to let the sweetness develop but they should be ready to snack on tonight.

The beetroot from the aquaponics has made its way to the dinner table a few times over the past week or so.

One of our favourite ways to cook it up is in a roast vegie medley with whatever's ready for harvest in the patch. This one was made with beetroot, sweet potato, peas and asparagus from the patch along with some store-bought onion, potato, capsicum/sweet pepper and pan-fried haloumi cheese. It was served beside some Za'atar dusted chicken thighs which have become a bit of a favourite in our house.

I harvested the aquaponic ginger and was very impressed with the yield. Some plants didn't provide as much as others but I think that came down to the size of rhizome I used to start them off. This time round I've chosen larger pieces with a few shoots on each to plant out.

It would be rude of me to sign off without a look at the asparagus that's been harvested from the patch methinks. ;-)

We are down to picking ten or so spears every second or third day but that is more than enough to add to meals without the kids getting sick of it. ;-) I have been really impressed with the yield so far and I think we'll be harvesting spears for a few more weeks to come.

So there you go, folks. Hope you're all enjoying the warmer weather and getting out into the patch when you can. Have a great one all.
Rob.

You can get updates on Rob Bob's new gardening adventure blogs on the Simple Savings Facebook page or in our Members' Blog section.

8. Goodbye for Now!

Well, that's your Simple Savings Newsletter for October 2015 and we hope you have enjoyed it. Don't forget to check the Forum and Facebook for challenges and inspiration to help you with some great lunchbox ideas and don't forget to let us know!

Till next time...

All the best,
Fiona

October 2018 - Simple Savings Newsletter

>> The New SS Site is Here! <<

Simple Savings Newsletter - October 2018

Chuck it or Flog it
New Competition: What is Your Proudest Simple Savings Moment?
The Dreaded Plastics Drawer
Competition Winners: Ideas for Spinach and Pork
Happy Chaos

Hello,

How are you doing? Life has been really hectic in the Lippey household. The last two months have been pure, spectacular and joyous chaos.

We have had more puppies, the school's strawberry festival, Miss Jacqui's new 3D pen obsession, fine tuning the kitchen, book week costumes, testing recipes, and Matt has been coding his fingers off.

Have you looked at our new site on your phone?? I'm so glad the new site is finally up!

Thank you for your patience and for sticking with SimpleSavings even though we have been unreliable the last few years.

Fiona

P.S. Did anyone spot the spider in the last newsletter? Just in case you missed it, I've snuck it in this one too :-)

1. Chuck it or Flog it

October is Chuck it Or Flog it month and I made an early start. Two weeks ago I reduced 11 boxes in my garage to only two, and it felt great!

Not only did I recover a large chunk of space; I also found a treasure trove of cool bits like my grandmother's crystal vase, my 'Oh my God I have missed you' Copic art pens and my grandfather's Arlec Supertool, I have no idea how old the Arlec Supertool is, but my daughter Jacqui has adopted it for her 3D penning. (More about that further on)

The best part was it only took about two hours. I had avoided sorting through those boxes for... years! They had been sitting there all that time, taking up space. They had been silently nagging, harassing and weighing me down for a very long time and the problem was solved in two hours.

Is there anywhere else in your life where two hours can give back so much?

Think about it: Most days two hours doesn't go very far. Two hours is:

Getting the kids to school
Watching a movie
A shopping outing
A couple of levels of Candy Crush :)
Staring at puppies
Checking Facebook

But when you spend two hours decluttering you can:

Throw out four bags of junk from a child's room
Remove nine boxes from your garage
Remove two bags of clothes from a child's wardrobe
Get rid of the shoes no one wears

I challenge you this month to make some space in your brain, your house, or even your phone by decluttering.

Choose four tasks you can complete in two hours such as:

Clean out apps on my phone
Declutter small section of the garage
Declutter my plastics drawer
Remove a bag of clothes from my wardrobe
Remove weeds from garden

Complete one of these tasks each week, and by the end of the month you will have done four things you can be really proud of.

IMPORTANT: I really love hearing how you are doing! Please send in your decluttering photos and tips.

2. New Competition: What is Your Proudest Simple Savings Moment?

After I had reduced 11 boxes down to two small piles, I gazed at those two small piles and felt proud of my accomplishment. I thought about Simple Savings, all the wonderful things our members have accomplished over the years, and how much I'd like to hear about them. What is your proudest Simple Savings moment?

This month we are giving away four prizes of $50 each for the most inspiring stories. Please send them to competitions@simplesavings.com.au by 25th October.

3. The Dreaded Plastics Drawer

You may remember from the last newsletter that I have been on a quest to reduce the amount of time I spend in the kitchen. First I bought some magnetic stainless steel containers for my spices, then created a colour coded labelling system for our pantry and bought a Thermomix. Here are some photos to remind you:

Spice system

My spice system is going really well. It saves me time every day and every visitor who has seen it has admired it. I just remembered something else: It took me less than two hours to set up :-)

I'm also loving the labeling system. When I designed it I was worried I was wasting my time, that maybe we would use it for a week and then the system would fall apart. The good news is it's working perfectly. It was worth the time spent installing it.

Pantry labels

The Thermomix is also doing well. My kids have taken to it and are cooking more of their own food. Woohoo!! This means less time in the kitchen for me. We are using it 2 or 3 times a day. It was a good investment.

While I'm loving these improvements, the kitchen isn't 'there' yet. Example: the dreaded plastics drawer...

For years, finding plastic containers for school lunches has been a huge pain in the bum. I have tried to systemise it before (in truth, my MIL tried to systemise it). But, with six of us using the drawer it soon looked like this.

I'm very grateful my MIL tried to help me organise that drawer. She is a librarian and lamented "It is a shame we can't colour code the lids." She was right. Imagine how fantastic it would be if those lids were colour coded. Instead of riffling through all the blasted lids, I could just grab the correct lid right away because it would be obvious.

Thinking about this one day (while excavating looking for a lid) it occurred to me that I have oil based, permanent, mostly-dishwasher-proof paint markers. I can colour code the lids!

So I pulled them all out and started the big sort.

Then removed the ones I don't like or rarely use. This pile went into the camping stash or to the op shop.

Grabbed myself some fresh markers from Office Works.

Drew a spot on the outside of the bottom of each container and coloured in the edge of each lid.

A few of these containers share lid sizes, such as the 1.75 litre and 500ml containers. Containers that share lids were made the same colour.

Pretty soon, they were all marked. Unfortunately some of the lids are a bit messy.

After some practice, I found I can use the edge of the lid as a guide for the pen, like in this photo:

If you do it this way, you get a nice crisp consistent line.

Once the paint was dry, I placed them back in the drawer and tadaa!!!

How much better is that?? Here is the before shot again so you can compare them.

We have been using this new system for a few weeks and it is absolutely fabulous. The kids love it and follow it, and the paint is holding up fine in the dishwasher. It is saving us a bunch of time and it took less than two hours.

That drawer has annoyed me for years and it only took two hours to fix :-)

You may notice I have left the box of markers in the drawer. This is because not all the containers were in the drawer. The kids have been colouring the rest in as they turn up.

If you give this system a go, please send before and after photos. We would really love to see your handiwork.

4. Competition Winners: Ideas for Spinach and Pork

Thank you for your fantastic competition entries. We have tested some absolutely delicious meals lately.

The best silverbeet recipe winner was Pauline for her "Egg in a nest". I really like that it is a tasty, simple, easy, nutritious meal.

Egg in a Nest

Ingredients:

Half a bunch of chopped spinach
2 eggs
Nutmeg

Method:

Lightly steam the spinach. When it is close to cooked, dig a deep well in the middle. Crack eggs into well, sprinkle with nutmeg and steam for about two minutes. It is like an instant quiche.

The winner of the best pork recipe was Liz Subasevski:

Macadonian Pork Stew

Here is my Macedonian pork and bean stew. My mother in law taught me how to cook this traditional dish for my husband when we were first married and I have been getting regular requests for this one for over 12 years now. It's simple but tasty and comforting, especially on a cold night. Give it a go!

Ingredients:

1½ cups dried white beans (I use the Marco Polo brand from Woollies)
1 onion finely chopped
1 heaped teaspoon minced garlic
2 - 3 stock cubes (beef or chicken will do)
1½ - 2 litres of water
1 heaped tablespoon gravox (or any other kind of gravy powder)
1 pinch chilli flakes (optional)
300 - 500g pork (Pork belly slices, pork spare ribs or pork sausages - or any leftover BBQ meats - are great)
4 tbs oil
1 tb Plain flour
1 tb Mild Hungarian Paprika
Salt
White Pepper

Method:

Combine beans, onion, garlic, stock cubes, water, gravox and chilli in a large pot or slow cooker.

Bring to the boil and simmer until beans are tender (1-2 hours if cooking on the stove).

Pan fry pork belly slices in a tablespoon of oil until golden brown. Leave the juices in the pan.

Slice the meat into bite sized pieces and add to the pot.

In same pan used to cook the meat, add 3 tablespoons of oil to juices, plain flour and the Hungarian paprika.

Cook until the flour is a little toasty and the paprika is fragrant, then add to the bean mix and give it a quick stir until stew just starts to thicken.

Simmer for at least another 10 minutes or so, and season with salt and plenty of white pepper.

Serve with crusty bread.

Notes:

I like to mash up some of the beans for a thicker texture.
I add a little less water to start with, and then I can add more at the end, if the stew is too thick or salty.
You can add some veggies to the stew while the beans are cooking - diced red capsicum works nicely.
This stew is brilliant the next day.

Congratulations to our winners!

Here are some of the other tasty meals we have tried:

Meat Loaf

(or if you prefer a fancy name, Pork Terrine)

This recipe was sent in by Carol Woolcock. Thank you Carol :-)

Ingredients:

1 kg of minced pork (you could ask your butcher to mince 1kg of your roast or mince it yourself) Keep a little fat, say 50 grams per kilo for moisture)
1 cup of ground brown rice
2 cloves of garlic (optional)
2 medium brown onions very finely chopped
1 grated apple (any variety, and you can leave the skin on if liked)
1 egg

Method:

Mix everything together. It should be very moist as the raw rice will absorb a lot and expand. If it seems dry add a little milk.

Pack into a loaf tin that has been lined with baking paper (or butter wrappers)

Cover tightly with foil

Bake at 180 degrees for about 1 hour.

Allow to sit for 10 minutes then turn out and cut in 2cm slices to serve with steamed veggies or salad.

Now here come the variations:

Place 3 or 4 hard boiled eggs buried in the raw mix down the centre of loaf (looks cool when sliced)
Place half of the mix in the loaf tin then add a layer of mushrooms that have been briefly sautéed before adding the rest of the mix
Ditto with fresh asparagus spears
To make the meat go further you can add a finely grated carrot or zucchini to the raw mix

Any leftovers are delicious in sandwiches or on a ploughman's lunch platter.

Teriyaki Pork

Thank you Tracy. We really enjoyed this meal and learned that we can get gluten free Teriyaki Marinade.

A yummy pork dish I do all the time and love it.

Ingredients:

Pork chops or slices
1 Onion
Milk (any type)
Teriyaki Marinade Sauce
Whatever veggies you want to go with the meat. I like potatoes and greens..

Method:

Preheat oven to 180 deg

Get an oven proof dish to fit all the pork chops or pork slices you want to use. They need to be laying down flat in one layer. (I do two at a time but have done 4 in a larger dish).

Cut up an onion into thin slices. You don't need a lot (I like using the small shallot onions).

Lay the onions in the bottom of the oven proof dish and put the pork on top.

Tip the Teriyaki marinade sauce over the pork. Once again you don't need to totally cover all the pork.

Pour milk in so it comes half way up the side of the pork.

Bake for approx 30-45mins. There's no need to cover the dish or put a lid on, and no need to turn the pork.

Cook mashed potatoes and veggies to go with the pork.

Use tongs to pull the pork out, and a spoon to scoop the onions and white left overs from the milk. This is a tasty sauce to top the pork.

And serve. It's a very tasty and easy dish to make.

Spinach and Rice

This recipe was sent in by Katie McDonell. This recipe was given to Katie by her mum :-) We are very lucky Katie shared it with us.

Ingredients:

A bunch of silverbeet, washed and finely sliced
150ml light cream
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
knob of butter
1 cup of rice

Cook the rice using your preferred method (I cook mine in the microwave). Heat a saucepan on medium and add the spinach. Stir it occassionally until it wilts. Add the butter and garlic. Fry for 2-3 min, then add rice and stir to break it up and combine. Now add the cream and stir until heated through.

This dish goes great with rissoles, a piece of steak, a pork chop or just a huge bowl on its own. Comfort food at its best. Thanks mum.

Shredded Pork Tacos

Here's a different way to make tacos:

Put a pork roast in the slow cooker and tip in a whole jar of green enchilada sauce. Cook on low for 8 hours. Shred with two forks and serve like street tacos (cheese, sour cream, lettuce tomatoes).

We received some very good general tips along with the recipes. Here is a selection:

The Best Crackling

I have found the best way to cook a pork roast to get really tasty crackle is to make small diamond shape cuts in the outer skin/fat layer using alternate diagonal slices about 25 mm apart over the whole external skin. Normally a butcher will only put a couple of slices across the skin some cm's apart! The more slices, the better is the crackle.

Then the external surface has a coating of oil and plenty of coarse salt rubbed in.

Preheat the oven to 240 degrees and cook for 30 to 40 minutes. This sets the crackle. Then reduce to normal cooking temperature to complete roasting.

I usually use an inexpensive hot air type roaster and find this gives perfect results - the glass outer lets you see what is going on inside. It uses less power too!

- Mal Cameron

Grow your own

With regards to silverbeet, I just wanted to say 'grow your own'. Of all my attempts at growing vegetables I've had the most success with silverbeet. Just throw in some seeds (pots or garden) and some will always sprout. The plants keep on giving year after year! They produce lots of seeds and self sow marvellously well too.

I like silverbeet quickly sauted in butter with almond slivers. But it can be sliced and diced and added to just about any meal you are cooking.

- Jan Naylor

Keeping Silverbeet Fresh

I have discovered a good way to keep silverbeet fresh. When you get it home, trim half an inch off the bottoms of the stems. Fill up a large vase or jug with water and stand the silverbeet in the container like a bunch of flowers. Change the water each day to keep it fresh and just use the leaves as needed. You can add a teaspoon of sugar to the water to feed the leaves if you like. I have kept mine up to a week like this. If the weather is hot you can put the whole lot in the fridge. I also do this with bunches of parsley or other herbs.

- Nonab

Easiest Pork dinner, EVER!

In my house this is the most popular and easy weeknight pork dinner on the planet.

I buy either thick pork loin cutlets or pork scotch fillets; I keep an eye out for when these are marked down.

I simply cook them till just done, seasoning nicely, and remove them onto a plate to rest for a couple of mins. While they're resting I heat some baked beans in the same pan with all the lovely meat juices. That's it done !!!

Serve up some pork and beans for everyone with some nice crusty bread on the side... Voila! Quick, easy, nutritious and filling.

- Carol

5. Happy Chaos

At the start of this newsletter I mentioned life has been "pure, spectacular and joyous chaos" lately with puppies, birthdays, book week and Jacqui's new 3D pen obsession business.

I thought you might like to share some of our happy chaos with us. Let's start with puppies...

Here is one of the puppies in our house at the moment. He is four days old in this photo. How gorgeous is he?

Friends have asked, "Do you ever spend all day staring at the puppies?" The answer is yes, absolutely, yes. And when they get bigger they get even cuter. This is Gigi when she was eight weeks old.

Do those eyes make you melt?

In between cuddling puppies and helping out at school, Miss Jacqueline has gone 3D PEN MAD!! She spends every spare second 3D penning. If you have never seen a 3D pen, it's a bit like a hot glue gun which spits out fine plastic filament. Here is a picture of a poodle she made.

She has also been making wolves and dragons.

...As well as a bronze oakleaf for Elora's book week costume. Elora is dressed as Maddie from the Ranger's Apprentice series.

Jacqui has even started her own website and YouTube Channel, www.wacky3d.net She has also dragged Elora into her videos.

In true Simple Savings style, Jacqui has been searching for a high quality low cost pen with high quality, low cost filament. She still hasn't found a great pen, but when she does, the sky is the limit!!

(Important. Don't buy the pen in that video. It broke within two days.)

See you soon!

That wraps up another Simple Savings newsletter. With the new site up and running and some other hurdles out of the way, we're back on the newsletter wagon. So you can expect to hear from us again soon!

Happy decluttering!

Many grins,

Fiona

P.S. Did you find the spider? It wasn't posed for the photo. That is where the rubber spider has been living for the last four months. I guess the kids have some sinister plan, but I haven't dared ask.

September 2011 - Simple Savings Newsletter

"Secrets to Saving Money in Australia" Free Newsletter - September 2011

This issue includes:-

Sad Sally, Happy Hanna: Everybody's Talking
October is Christmas Challenge Month!
Last Month's Competition: Calling All Cleaning Sceptics!
Hidden Gems Competition Winner
Best Member's Blog: This Month's Winner
NEW! Lin's Garden Diary
Best of the Vault: Xpensive Xmas?
Best of the Forum: Festive Season Just Around the Corner
Cooking with Mimi: Iced Tea and Continental Picnic Loaf
Penny's Blog: That's What Friends Are For
From Last Month: Life on the Move
This Month's Help Request: Help Me Conquer My Shopping Bag Mountain!
Savings Story: Eat Your Heart Out Imelda!
So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye :-D

Hello,

This week one of the most amazing women I will ever know left her body. Her name was Sara Warneke - in the Forum her name was Sara from Nonsuch Gardens, but to the rest of the world she was the international bestselling author, Sara Douglass.

Sara was an astounding woman who also happened to be a brilliant writer. The reason I say she 'left her body', rather than died is because Sara is a legend. She influenced so many people that she will never die. She will live on like Shakespeare. Ironically, of all the things Sara wrote, the best piece was a rant about her own death called 'The Silence of the Dying'. Please read this. It will help you to understand others' pain. It will change the way you think. Read it and then print it out and give a copy to your friends and neighbours.

When we started Simple Savings I never thought it would lead to me meeting and growing to love a wonderful woman like Sara. I also never thought it would lead to me meeting so many of our fantastic members and receiving amazing letters like these:

"I love this site! I lucked upon it about a month ago and tried the $21 Challenge. I spent a lot more than that for the week but made some big savings. I joined up as a member two weeks ago and have slowly been implementing changes to our grocery spending. Three days ago my husband arrived home with a bunch of red roses. I was a bit taken aback as it was out of character. He announced I had reduced the money we spend on food by over 30% in four weeks! Thank you Simple Savings. You guys are fantastic." (Caroline Wallace)

"I recently purchased a copy of The $21 Challenge for my daughter. Before sending it to her, I thought I'd better have a better look at it myself just to check it out. I decided that I would keep that copy and order another one for her. But whilst I was away at a medical clinic I ran into a lady who was really interested in what I was reading. She seemed to be a little desperate and in more need than I was financially. So I decided that I, in the spirit of generosity, should GIVE her my copy of The $21 Challenge - which I did. Today I just ordered another two copies of the book, one for myself and the other for my daughter - who said that she didn't mind receiving her birthday present a little late this year since the original went to help somebody else. Thanks for a great book Fiona!" (Heather Elliott)

"I just thought I'd take the time to touch base with you again regarding my Debt Demolition Plan (as a friend of mine ended up terming it). I last left you with approximately $7000 remaining to pay off. Not content with failing, I intensified my repayments (and picked up a bit of extra work at the same time) and have now closed my loan! In fact, I closed it during August - almost a month ahead of my goal!

"In addition to this, I have booked into a conference in Tasmania mid-November (which the funding from my extra work covered the cost of the fee for, though this fee and the flights, accommodation and so on will be claimed against my tax next year as this pertains to my career) and have been planning a holiday in New Zealand with my boyfriend over the new year. Furthermore, I have now got firm goals in place for funding these activities and savings in general. Along with my goal of 'be debt free by 18/09/2011' scribbled on a piece of paper and stuck on my bedroom wall (with a big tick next to it!), is the goal 'have at least $5000 in the bank by 31/12/2011'. I intend to surpass this and have another big tick next to it when I return from New Zealand.

"I just wanted to say thank you once again for all your help over these years, both with practical advice and inspirational stories. Without you all, I couldn't have realised my dream of making 2011 the year I got myself back in the black and started living within my means!" (Kate Delley)

"I have been a member of Simple Savings for three years now and I just want to say a very big thank you to you and your team. I have been blown away by how much I have learnt and saved. Before Simple Savings I thought I was good at saving, but I did not even know that the supermarkets reduce their products. Now I buy reduced first, then specials if cheaper than home brand. Simple Savings has changed my life and has allowed me to save $125,000 in three years. I remember when I first went to the post office to get the money order for my subscription and the guy there asked what Simple Savings was as he had never heard of it. I was rather embarrassed to say that it was a website that is supposed to help you save money. Well I am certainly not embarrassed anymore and I tell anyone who will listen about Simple Savings. My 12-year-old daughter hears about it on a daily basis and she has been known to come back from the supermarket with a bag of fruits and vegies for $4.00 because I told her about it. I had also told her that I did not think our supermarket does it as I have never seen it; she found it before I did. Once again, a huge thank you." (Jacqueline Ladouce)

Wow, wow and WOW! Thank you so much for sharing your successes with us. We really appreciate every single tip we receive every week too, so keep sending them in. As well as helping other members to save money, you could also win yourself a free 12 month Vault membership (value $47) in our weekly Hint of the Week competition!

PS: Your FREE 2012 Simple Savings 'War on Debt' calendar is in production as we speak. We'll let you know as soon as it is ready!

1. Sad Sally, Happy Hanna: Everybody's Talking

"It's that time again!" Hanna smiled to the rest of the Savings Group. "Time to start organising our Christmas street parties. Last years were fantastic weren't they! I know it's only October but we really need to get our invites out now so that all the guests can write it in their calendars and keep the day free. Now, I've drawn up some invites, I'm guessing you'd all like a copy?"

"Excellent, Linda and I have been waiting for these!" grinned Sally. "Linda? Who's Linda?" Hanna asked in surprise. "She's the neighbour I met at last year's street party. She's offered to help me organise this year's. Can you believe I was living next door to such a lovely lady for such a long time and had no idea? But," Sally whispered conspiratorially, "there's a new guy who's moved in just across from us. He looks very nice - I want to introduce them to each other!"

"Oh, so THAT's why you're so keen to have a Street Party!" Hanna laughed. "Not just that!" giggled Sally. "Last year's party was so much fun; everyone's still talking about it and asking when the next one's going to be. It really broke the ice and made our neighbourhood a much friendlier place. So I'd better grab one of those invites now because nobody's going to want to miss out. Hmm, I think I'll get Linda to help me hand them out. She can deliver one to that new chap across the road!"

2. October is Christmas Challenge Month!

Hanna's right, it IS that time again! Last year we proudly launched our very first Great Aussie Street Party campaign, together with That's Life! magazine. It was a huge success, with 112 parties ALL being held on the same day, at the same time! A fantastic result for a first effort! This year, however, we want it to be even BIGGER - and that's where you come in. This month your challenge is to bring everyone in your street together for Christmas. Just as Hanna said, we need to start organising this now before everyone's festive calendars get too full. After all, Christmas is just 12 weeks away!

You may be wondering what does throwing a Street Party have to do with saving money? The great thing about bringing your street together is that everybody wins. You get:

More friends! You see your neighbours drive past every day, you may have even seen each other getting the mail in your dressing gowns and slippers - but do you know each other's names? When you get to know your neighbours, you are creating a safe and supportive network, so that next time the car won't start or the cat swallows a fish hook or you need a hand putting the rubbish out, there is always someone reliable on hand to help. Not to mention it's great to have someone close by whose door is open for a chat and a cuppa (or even something stronger!).
Peace of mind and security. According to national neighbourhood support networks, getting to know your neighbours can greatly improve security and peace of mind in your street.
You DO get to save money. In all sorts of ways! Asking a reliable neighbour to feed your pets while you're away can save you a fortune on animal boarding fees. Carpooling to school or work can save both time and money in petrol and wear and tear on your car. Being able to borrow items from one another can also save everyone a huge amount, whether it's something small like a cup of sugar or large such as a trailer or wheelbarrow. Don't forget too that your neighbours may well have hidden talents! Supporting them in their trades and businesses is both good for them and you. Even if you are not lucky enough to get 'mates rates' you can usually be assured of excellent service.

Above all, having a Street Party is FUN! So join us in our celebration on Sunday December 4th. Everything you need to organise your own street party is available on our site. We have even made free printable invites for you to hand out to your neighbours. Your mission this month is to fill them in, deliver them and get the ball rolling - easy peasy!

You can register your street party here.

You can print off your free party invitations here.

For more information about the Great Aussie Street Party and why they are so important, check out last year's newsletters:

September 2010

October 2010

3. Last Month's Competition: Calling All Cleaning Sceptics!

We had a fabulous response to our cleaning competition! We asked for all the sceptics out there in SS land to come forward and give our home-made cleaning products a go and report their results to us. Thank you to everyone who took the time to try them out and send their entries in, we loved reading your stories! Our first prize winner of $100 is Alison Wiltshire with her fantastic account of how she became a cleaning convert!

"I've been looking at a spot on my tiled floor that has been bugging me since we moved in. It was full of ingrained dirt. I have been thinking 'I must get down on my hands and knees and scrub that with a scrubbing brush. But I kept not bothering and especially now that I'm six months pregnant again, who wants to get on the floor?! Last week, I had had enough - another failed attempt at mopping it clean. I pulled out my new shaker of bicarb (made out of an unused metal chicken salt shaker) and my new bottle of vinegar in a spray bottle. I was VERY sceptical, but a fat belly and a hormone-induced-fed-up-attitude encouraged me to sprinkle on the bicarb and then spray with the vinegar. I love that bubbly reaction and can't help myself from mentally writing the chemical word equation in my head (I'm a science teacher so I can't help it!). So I mopped it... and the dirt lifted away! No scrubbing! No down on my hands and knees after much moaning and groaning to get there. No effort really at all! In an instant I was sold and every day in the past week I have looked at that spot and smiled. How long had it been dirty? At least three years since we moved in, who knows how much longer it had been!

"From then on I was on an experimental frenzy (remember, scientist!). I tried it on the stove top after trying a cursory swipe with no result. Normally I have to get the commercial spray and a metal scourer to get it off. You guessed it, bicarb and vinegar (fzzzzzz) lifted it right off. It has probably saved the stove top from my persistent scrubbing. And then I tried the slop marks around the bin (gross). Again, lifted right off. And the kitchen sink and the benches. Next time will be the bath (fat-belly-syndrome has prevented me from getting there for some weeks now - oops!).

"Am I converted? You bet I am! I've got all the ingredients to make laundry liquid from the recipe booklet. I'm just waiting to run out of the old powder. I have orange peel soaking in vinegar to make my own kitchen bench spray. I love the orange cleaning products normally and we have an orange tree. I feel less guilty about throwing out all that peel. Talk about 'recycling'! I have used bicarb in the dishwasher to both wash the dishes and the dishwasher. Easy and cheap. No better but no worse than what I was using before and so much cheaper. I also have the ingredients to make floor cleaner and disinfectant ready for when the other stuff is used up.

"Thanks for all the fantastic ideas. My stay-at-home mummsy-ness is satisfied. My fat-belly is less challenged with hard work. And my curious scientific brain is stimulated and satisfied too!"

Congratulations Alison, we're so glad to hear our cleaning recipes have made your life easier! Well done also to the following four runners-up, who all win a cash prize of $50: Julia Knock, Julie Williams, Heather Brown and Jodie H.

Thanks to everyone who entered - and if you haven't tried making your own cleaning products yet, why not give them a go? Just like our winners, you may be very pleasantly surprised!

4. Hidden Gems Competition Winner

Our Hidden Gems directory is designed to help members find it easier to source the best deals in their area. Whenever you come across a real gem of a store, enter it in our Hidden Gems directory and you could be in to win our monthly prize of $100 cash! This is our way of saying thank you for helping other members save by sharing your knowledge. The more information you can give us, the better your chance of winning. This month's winner is Hope Farm Shop as nominated by Laverne Clark. Read her entry to see what makes them such a great example of a Hidden Gem.

Hope Farm Shop 185 Main Road, Hope, Nelson, NZ

"I have lived in Nelson for seven years and been a member of Simple Savings for three. I can't believe it's taken me this long to see the light - but now I have, I want to shout it from the rooftops!

"Pre-SS, I bought my fruit and vegetables from supermarkets, then I saw the light and bought from a fruit and vegie store. The quality was always good, but I just wasn't saving the amount of money I thought I should be - around $30 a week. Until one day a friend and I were discussing money saving tips. She told me about her trip out to 185 Main Road in Hope, where she got a box (yes - a BOX) of fruit and vegies to last her the week for $20. She feeds a family of seven, so this was impressive stuff. I thought it might be possible for my family of four to save a bit too, so went to check them out myself. Was I ever glad I did!

"Now every fortnight I take my elderly neighbour and we go to the Farm Shop. The fruit and vegies are so good, we easily get enough to last the fortnight and the average cost has been a measly $24, saving a whopping $36 a fortnight! And, the produce is so delicious, I've never come across a single thing I thought was a waste of money.

"At the moment they're only open every Friday (winter trade) and I've noticed each fortnight the people attending get bigger and bigger. Word is spreading and I'm looking forward to summer when they will be open for the full week!"

Congratulations on being this month's winner Laverne and a huge pat on the back to the Hope Farm Shop team for providing consistently outstanding customer service and value for money! You can enter your own Hidden Gems into our monthly competition here. Thank you and good luck!

5. Best Member's Blog: This Month's Winner

One of the many benefits of being a Vault member is that you can win a cash prize of $100 each month for your Simple Savings blog! Starting your own blog on the site is easy. All you have to do is log into the Vault, click on 'My Desk' at the top left, then 'Your Blog'. Then get writing! We love reading all your money saving trials and tribulations and really appreciate the effort that goes into each one.

This month's winner is Single and Saving for this extract from her blog Bits and Pieces. If you have ever thought owning your own home was an impossible dream, think again! Single and Saving proves it can be done in this inspiring post.

My New House & Reflections on my House Deposit Journey

May I present a photo of my new house!

I exchanged contracts last Wednesday and will settle in November. This purchase is over three years' worth of hard saving, many tears, much frustration and in particular from December last year through to now, I have given this my absolute all. And I think it was entirely worth it!

Just as background to me and to give a bit of context - I am 33 years old, I moved home to live with my parents a little over 3 years ago with the goal of saving for my own deposit. I am single (although hopefully not for too much longer!) and have a good paying job, so I'm lucky to have had this opportunity to go home and save some money.

I thought I might take some time to reflect on my journey, these are my miscellaneous thoughts and tips I would give to anyone starting out.

Start.
Don't be too hard on yourself at the start. My savings goals at the start were completely unrealistic, but every little bit counts, so just do your best and you'll naturally fall into a good savings rhythm. At first I just transferred bits and pieces over, and then gradually I moved to automatic transfers and just lived off what I had left in my account. This is a post I did six months into joining SS about the things I had learned and my thoughts on how hard it was: </fora/2051058/>
Baby step it. My background was one of a complete shopaholic, I spent everything I earned (and more) and my biggest challenge was to rein in my spending. I tried various things: keeping out of the shops on a Thursday night, I cut down on my drinking, tried to limit going out to Friday or Saturday night (not both) and took my lunch to work. I could not give up my morning coffees. To me this was the equivalent of complete and total deprivation and I wasn't able to do it! This is one of my favourite threads which I started on how to get over the 'I deserve' mentality </fora/975918/>
Go out for cheaper options - 'dumplings', 'Thai' or go over to friend's places for dinner/cocktails.
Play games with numbers - I had fun with palindromes and rounding up, so whatever floats your boat!
Identify little and big things to cut back on - I reduced my spending on clothes, stopped buying magazines, CDs, kitchen stuff, manchester. I realise now that a lot of SS members already do this, but I was terrible at it. At the beginning of this year, I made a resolution that I was not going on any overseas holidays until I had bought a house.
I cut up my credit card. This is a very personal choice and certainly not for everyone, but I found I was in a situation where I was always paying off my credit card rather than putting that money into my savings account. I moved to a MasterCard Debit card which does the same job as a credit card (can buy books online. This is a thread I started when I was in the midst of agonising over whether to cut it up or not </fora/2165250/>
I had trouble accepting that it was as big a task as what it was. It is without a doubt one of the hardest things that I've ever done in my life and I can't describe the feeling of excitement of achieving this goal. It is one of my proudest achievements ever. I pretty much danced around the office and home for three days after I exchanged contracts.
I used the Savings Diary on this page and entered in everything I spent. This year I approached it as a bit of a game and tried to spend less each month that what I did the month before. Obviously this doesn't work for the month that car insurance is due, but on the whole it is a fun game.
I have thrown my fair share of tantrums over my frustration with this enormity of this task. There is a doozy of a vent on the House Deposit thread (Mark 5) in the Forum of how over I was with the whole process especially how hard it is to save a deposit by yourself:

While part of me is pleased with my progress there is another part of me that is so incredibly frustrated at the moment as I realise that despite having given this my all since December, I'm still not at the finish line. I'm over how I have to save twice as hard cause it's just me. My sister saved a fraction that I did and because she bought a place with her boyfriend who already had a unit (which they sold) she's waltzed into a house. Whereas I've already saved twice as much and I'm not even close to having the money I need. I'm over that my friends bought their houses about two years ago in the same area that I'm looking and paid $200,000 less than what I'll have to pay. I'm over living with my parents, being at home at 33 is embarrassing. I'm over not having my independence or having a boyfriend. I'm also over the fact that at the moment I've saved a bigger deposit than anyone I know as I'm still not close to buying a house. I'm over not going on holidays. I'm over living in one of the most expensive cities in the world. I'm over that my friends are married with their own places and I'm still at home with my parents and don't have a boyfriend or a house. I'm over that my parents won't help out or go as guarantor - there is no one in my group of friends who bought a place by themselves without help from their parents. I'm over that my mother would probably happily keep me at home cooking dinner for her for the rest of her life and that I'll never end up being independent with my own life. I'm over that my sister moved home for 6 months and didn't have to pay board whereas I do.

I'm over being patient, I'm over being me and to be quite frank I'm just over it all.

Good luck can happen amazingly quickly. I was psychologically prepared to wait until next March/April to buy a house (when I had an inheritance come due) but this house appeared in my price bracket with all of my features and then it just happened.
Use the camaraderie of the House Deposit thread to your advantage. Posting every second Thursday when I got paid has been one of my favourite aspects of saving for a house deposit. I have enjoyed the company of Carolyn (With My Own Two Hands), Venturing, Bek and Julie enormously. Thank you very much for all of your encouragement.
Set lots of mini goals. I had different goals for the start of various months. My big one was setting a goal last December (when I was at $55,000) to reach $90,000 by the end of June and I did it. Reaching $100,000 was pretty exciting too.
Come up with some challenges. This was my thread on not buying any more cookbooks! </fora/2198774/>
Get everyone involved - let your friends and family know what your goal is. I had so many congratulations and well wishes when I bought my house. So many friends have offered little pieces of advice and encouragement along the way and I have found this priceless. One of my friends has been a great source of pep talks and we compare our frugal food ideas. It's quite funny. She's also enjoyed having me over for dinner. I have had a saying of 'Have cocktail shaker, will travel' and I've spent lots of nights at friends' houses making cocktails and it's been a cheaper alternative to going out. As my friend said to me at one stage drinking a yummy drink "S&S, you've just made me a $20 cocktail!"
Use the Forum. These are some of the threads. Pep Talk Please - Feeling a little behind in life </fora/1969467/> Although the Forum can be a bad influence on spending money too! </fora/2177066/> a good benchmarking one on How long did it take to save your house deposit. </fora/1493530/>

So there you have it. That is my journey and thoughts in a nutshell. Good luck to everyone who starts on this journey - always keep the faith that you will get there!

Congratulations Single & Saving, what a fantastic achievement! To read more from her, or any of our other members' blogs, click here

6. NEW! Lin's Garden Diary

What a treat we have for all you 'wanna-be gardeners'! Four weeks ago Linda and her family left their hectic lives in the city behind to move to the beach. Having tried several times to grow her own vegetables and failed miserably, Linda is on a mission to achieve green fingered success completely from scratch - and she wants you all to join her! In each newsletter, Lin's Garden Diary will include helpful information on creating a vegetable garden, planning your site, preparing the soil and deciding what vegetables to grow. There will be lots of information on composting, companion planting, organic sprays, pests, seeds and more. There couldn't be a better time to get started than now. So come and join Linda, hubby Lee and their children Sebastian (6) and Zoe (3), as we all learn to grow our own fabulous fresh food together!

I discovered Simple Savings a few months ago and it couldn't have come at a better time. We were caught up in the rat race and wanted a slower pace of life. We wanted to live life like we 'used' to. Growing up in the 70's, life was simple. You didn't have many toys, you made use of what was around, we walked everywhere, ate vegies from the garden, and I always remember helping Dad make our own ginger beer! We were pretty self-sufficient and life was great. We want our own children to live the 'old school way', just like we did growing up.

We have now been in our new location for four weeks. We bike or walk everywhere and the kids are enjoying the simple things in life. Life can't get much better than this - the only thing left for me to do is grow my own vegetable garden!

This month - Plant your seeds

If you want to be a Simple Saver like me, then growing your own vegetables from seed is the cheapest way to go. As our vegetables grow and we learn how to gather seeds from them, we can save even more money!

Step One - Get a garden diary

Buy a blank note book and title it 'Garden Diary'. This seems to be a very important tool for a successful garden (if only I'd known about this before)! My new diary has a dream list of all the vegies, herbs and fruits I want to grow, but I need to be realistic as we don't have much space at the moment. So baby steps!

Step Two - Decide what seeds you want to plant

I have chosen the following, as we eat a lot of these over summer:

Vegetables - Cherry tomatoes, lettuces (cos and mixed), spring onion, strawberries, celery, beans, capsicum, peas, beetroot, spinach, corn and carrots.

Herbs - Basil, mint, coriander, parsley and rosemary.

Of course, not knowing much about planting, I got some helpful advice from our local gardening shop and was told the following vegies and herbs would be suitable to plant from seeds, however, the remainder I should just buy as a plant! Tip: Find a neighbour, family member or gardening shop to gather advice. Having a gardening mentor is a great idea and can save you time and money!

So off I went on my bike, to my local garden shop to get my seeds. I got a packet of marigolds too! They are meant to be good for vegie gardens and I thought the kids would love them!

My chosen vegies/herbs:

Plant from seed

Buy the plant!

Cherry tomatoes

Spring onion

Lettuce (cos & mixed)

Strawberries

Runner beans

Celery

Peas

Capsicum

Beetroot

Spinach

Corn

Mint

Basil

Parsley

Coriander

Rosemary

Step Three - What you need to plant your seeds

Small trays or pots (enough for your seeds). Make sure they are clean, rinse with hot water. I put on my Simple Savings hat and went around to my local florist and butcher to see if they had any pots or polystyrene containers. So these were absolutely FREE!

Good quality seed raising mix (this helps prevent disease). I used Black Magic brand.

Soil thermometer (seeds germinate well in a warm soil 18-21degC). This is optional; they cost about $20, and a good investment.

Small watering can.

Step Four - Plant your seeds

If you have kids, get them to help, they will learn lots and together you will have so much fun! Sebastian was getting carried away, poking the seeds into the dirt, 'WAIT,' I said! Just one tip from me... get them to poke the seeds into the dirt AFTER you have them all laid out, otherwise you have no idea where they are! Zoe was in a grump and not really into it, however, she did enjoy watering them! 'STOP' I shouted! Argh, another tip DON'T WATER YOUR SEEDS WITH THE WATERING CAN! The poor seeds drown! Use a spray bottle or if you are using a watering can make sure it has a spraying nozzle.

In your diary, draw a layout of each garden bed, pot or tray. Give each vegetable or herb a number and map these out on your plan. I got the kids to draw a picture on the front of the box so I knew which was the right way up. This saves you having to put a named stick in the soil to identify each seed.

I saw a fantastic new hint in the Vault a few days ago from Simple Savings member Jan, who said you can use the plastic bag inners from your cereal boxes, placed over your plants/seeds to act as a mini hot house! So thanks Jan - what a fab idea!

Remember I am as new to this as some of you, so when planting your seeds it is best to follow the instructions on your seed packet! We all live in different areas and have different soils so once again having a local gardening mentor is a great idea as they will have tips relevant to your environment. I'm sure with a good seedling mix and some care and attention, you can't go wrong!

Useful tips for your seeds:

Check the expiry date on the back of the packet (I found the ones at the back of the pile had another year validity on them).
Some seeds require an overnight soak to help speed up germination (check the packet; they are usually big seeds like peas).
Don't overwater! Keep your seeds nice and moist.
Plan where you are going to put your seeds, then draw a map in your diary.
Place your trays or pots in a warm and sheltered spot.
As your seeds start to germinate, keep them moist and gradually introduce them to direct sunlight otherwise you will fry the poor things (hmm yes, have done that before)!
By placing a plastic bag or newspaper followed by glass over the top of your tray you help keep the moisture in and the soil at a good temperature.
If you have a soil thermometer try to keep soil temperature between 18 and 21C.

Well that's it from me. I am looking forward to updating you next month. Don't put off your vegie garden any longer, go and buy, find or borrow some seeds and get started - spring is here everyone and now is the best time to sow!

I will continue to blog my gardening journey here between newsletters and would love any savvy tips from members. Happy gardening everyone!

7. Best of the Vault: Xpensive Xmas?

There is much fun and frivolity to be had this festive season without blowing the budget. These tips from our fantastic Simple Savers will get you through with credit card and savings accounts intact!

Top 10 early Christmas preparations

Save between $1000 and $2000 - or more!

It is never too early to start preparing for Christmas and though we are running out of time with Christmas just over two months away there is still plenty that can be organised, items that can be purchased, savings put aside and much more. Everything that you do now will mean fewer dollars taken out of the Christmas holiday pay/wages - if nothing at all!

Start your top 10 early Christmas preparations by purchasing a small notebook to write down all the tips you use and the savings you make under each category and use this for easy regular reference.

If you haven't done so already, set up an automatic payment of $25, which can be deducted from your weekly wages to go into a separate Christmas savings club with your bank. When the Christmas holidays arrive, there will be an additional $225 set aside for outings and so on.
Each time you do your weekly shopping, buy a gift voucher for $10 to $15. Put this in a special envelope marked 'Christmas groceries' and store in a safe place. Between $90 and $135 will be there to go towards the Christmas shopping.
Ask your local butcher if they have a Christmas club that you can join and deposit $10-$15 each week into this club. The $90-$135 saved can pay for a good-sized piece of ham and go towards a meat pack to stock up the freezer over the Christmas holidays.
Lay-by gifts. Sort out your Christmas shopping list for family and friends and visit stores like Big W, Kmart and so on. Don't forget the extras like Christmas wrapping paper, stocking fillers, cards, labels and Sellotape. Shop around for bargains and always check if sale items can be put on lay-by. Make weekly payments on your lay-by account so that by Christmas your account should be almost paid in full. With the one final payment left you can pay, pick up and breathe a big sigh of relief that you did get in early and avoided all the mad rush that Christmas brings. Another bonus with lay-bys is that in most cases your items can be picked up a day or two prior to Christmas and this means you don't have to hide any gifts around the home for too long! Depending on your shopping list, you can literally save hundreds of dollars by not depending on the Christmas holiday pay/wages, likewise with Tips 5 and 6!
eBay has many gifts to purchase either through the auction (bidding) process or the Buy It Now feature. There are literally thousands of new gifts available, often at bargain prices and/or well below store costs. This is another fabulous way to buy a gift each week to put aside for Christmas. Rare items can be found on eBay as well as the perfect gift that you can hunt high and low for and never find in a store, all from the comfort of your home! Make sure that you ask the seller the cost of postage/freight and/or courier delivery prior to bidding or buying it and add this into your total cost. Also compare the total eBay cost of the item(s) you're interested in against an actual store cost to ensure that you are getting the best deal before bidding or buying on eBay.
Auctions are another great option for gift buying. Check your state's main newspaper (generally Saturday's) for upcoming auctions and the items they have listed. Have a good idea in advance what the store costs would be for any item(s) that you are interested in. Be prepared by visiting the auction the day before (if noted in the newspaper) and or early on the day prior to the auction starting. Allow yourself ample time to test and check any items you are interested in and mark them in the auction catalogue, which costs around $1.00. Set your budget limits and stick to them, and be disciplined as some bidders will pay more than store cost, simply by getting swept up in the moment! Take into consideration any additional fees, GST, buyer's premium and so on. Many items are brand new and can be bought for a bargain price if you go prepared.
Raise money for Christmas spending by selling items on eBay and/or by having a garage sale. Look around the house, in the wardrobes, cupboards, garage, tool shed and so on for any items that are no longer in use, new and/or used. All funds raised from the sale of your item(s) can go into your Christmas savings account. Depending on the item(s) sold, the amount raised could be between $100 and $500, or more!
Plant fresh vegies and herbs. If you don't have a garden, potted vegetable plants like tomatoes, lettuce, silverbeet or any others in season will do. Plant them in now, tender and be prepared for deliciously fresh vegetables and herbs over the Christmas holidays. Fresh vegetables over the Christmas period are known to jump in price in the supermarkets and you can literally save $100 or more by growing them yourself.
Stock up the pantry. Write up a list of Christmas goodies, for example, assorted lollies, nuts, chocolates, tinned fruits, tinned foods, biscuits, crackers, chips and baking products - and don't forget the items to fill your Christmas stockings. Each week when you do your grocery shopping buy products that are on sale, place in boxes marked as 'Christmas goodies' and store in a dry place. If your pantry is not big enough to cater for the extra stock, a spare bedroom, wardrobe or any dry, cool place will do. Always check the dates on the products and ensure they are sealed (unopened) and will last over the holiday period. By stocking up now, savings of $200 to $300 at least can be made!
Petrol vouchers of $10 to $20 each equate to $90 to $180 by Christmas! Purchase each week when you fill up the car as they are an ideal way to save dollars over Christmas for those outings to family and friends, picnics, beaches and theme parks. Put them in an envelope marked 'Christmas petrol' and store in a safe place.

All of the above can amount to between $1000 and $2000 or more in savings!

Contributed by: Christabelle

Buy Nothing Christmas

I am no longer worried about how I am going to be able to afford Christmas gifts this year, since I stumbled on a website which has reminded me of the true meaning of the festive season. My family of five are really struggling to make ends meet this year and I have not been able to put any money away each month for Christmas as I usually do. I was wondering how on earth I was going to deal with Christmas gifts this year and search for some ideas on the internet. I came across a website called Buy Nothing Christmas. It suggests that Christmas today is all about consumerism and far from what Christmas is meant to be about (Christ Mass). The website has an alternative page which gives suggestions of the kinds of gifts you can give to your friends and family, without having to go out and buy them. Most gifts are either handmade or time orientated. Suggestions such as home-made biscuits, slices or preserved fruit or coupons which give the receiver some of your time, for example, babysitting hours, cleaning time or just leisure activities. Most people would prefer a gift that has had a lot of thought put into it rather than just a thoughtless knick-knack. Our family is also very environmentally aware and it upsets us to see all of the waste that Christmas produces. So, if you are like us and are concerned about consumerism, the environment and also your wallet, take a look. You too might turn your back on what society thinks Christmas should be - like me!

www.buynothingchristmas.org

Contributed by: Sarah Dixon

Let old buy new for a very merry Christmas!

I have raised $415 towards the cost of this year's Christmas presents by selling a number of unused household items we no longer wanted. As Christmas approached, I was reminded of my tight budget, so before I went out and spent money I didn't have, I looked around the house and garage in search of things I 'could turn into money'! I sold:

A beautiful timber butchers block for a fantastic $250
A pushbike for $76
A children's slippery dip for $38
An unworn dress new, with tags on it for $51 which is more than I paid for it!

I'm delighted! The money will go a long way and has taken the stress out of Christmas for me. I've got the 'selling bug' now and am about to see what else I can sell to add to the money I've already made!

Contributed by: Wishful thinking

Turn rebates into a Christmas bonus

I was waiting in line at an MBF branch just before Christmas, wondering why it was taking so long to be served. When I finally got to the counter, I asked the man about the delay and he told me that some people save up their medical/extras rebates and bring them all in just before Christmas. This means they're getting a year's worth of rebates in one hit, which I thought was a great idea. I see a chiropractor every three weeks and get $25 back each time from MBF; if I leave it to the end of the year to collect all my rebates, I end up with a lump sum of around $430; a very nice Christmas bonus if you ask me!

Contributed by: Jennifer Hodges

Bargain Christmas gifts

Every year, I used to spend hours looking for fun and interesting Christmas gifts for our nieces and nephews, without destroying the budget - often with minimal success! This year, I got tough and vowed to stick to a budget of $10 per child, no matter what!

I used my sewing and craft skills to achieve this goal. I rummaged through my large material cupboard and found some fabric left over from previous curtain making ventures. The fabrics featured butterfly and fairy prints, plus characters from the popular movie 'Cars'.

For my nieces, I made oversized pencil cases using the butterfly/fairy fabric, plus zippers I found in a draw. For my nephews, I turned the Cars fabric into drawstring bags, using leftover cord from the cupboard.

Cost so far? Two hours at the sewing machine.

Next, I made a trip to Go-Lo and The $2 Shop with just $40 in my purse. I came home with colouring books, pencils, stickers, blank project books, glitter, how-to-draw books, coloured paper and crayons for the girls' pencil cases. For the boys' bags, I bought a mixture of cars, trucks, dinosaurs, planes and toy soldiers. And I had $10 in change!

Two hours of effort, and $30 in cash, is all it took to create six fun Christmas gifts for my nieces and nephews. All the gifts have been made with love and imagination, and my budget is intact! Plus, I'll spend less time battling it out with mad Christmas shoppers!

Contributed by: Tracy New

Get organised for international Christmas postage

Every year for the past four years I have missed the deadline for sea mail Christmas postage to the UK. This year I am determined to make it on time and have bought and wrapped most of my gifts (in last year's Christmas paper leftovers). They are sitting in the appropriate post packs with a list attached reminding me of who I have yet to find a gift for.

By getting organised early you can save a HEAP on the postage - and guarantee delivery before Christmas. Check out souvenir shops and Australian Geographic for interesting Aussie themed gifts for those beloved rellies and friends across the rest of the world. Sometimes their sales and markdowns are HUGE!

Contributed by: Michelle Quinsee

BONUS Extras for Vault Members

The Vault is just bursting with money saving hints and ideas from our members, far too many to mention here! We've included these extra links to even more fabulous tips as a way of saying thanks to you all. Ho, ho, ho!

Seafood Christmas party Contributed by: Shirley M

Plan for Christmas spending Contributed by: Susie Moen

Lovely tricks for a magic Christmas Contributed by: Juanita Sevik

Mini Christmas puddings Contributed by: Gayle Guyomar

A stress free Christmas on one income Contributed by: Leanne Matthews

8. Best of the Forum: Festive Season Just Around the Corner

This month's Christmas Challenge encourages us all to get the jump on the festive season, both in our larders and in our purses. These awesome threads from our Forum members will inspire even the Ebenezer Scrooges amongst us. Only three month's sleeps to go!

My countdown to Christmas 2011

Let our lovely member Chatterbox show you the way to get yourself organised for the festive season.
read more...

And the great ideas keep on coming...
4 months to go

But wait, there's STILL more!
3 months to go

What is your favourite party finger food?

As well as Mimi's fabulous recipes below, this thread suggests more mouthwatering morsels to whip up and share with your neighbours at your street party.
read more...

Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes 2011

Why not spread some Christmas cheer to children in desperate circumstances by preparing a shoe box filled with gifts to be delivered overseas by the charity Samaritan's Purse. Get all the inspiration and help you need from our generous and community-minded members.
read more...

Planning the office Christmas party

Claire already has her work Christmas party planning in full swing. How about you? Follow her thread for some inspired Christmas entertainment ideas.
read more...

Christmas cakes

Home-made Christmas cakes always bring back memories of special family gatherings. Why not try baking one of the recipes in this thread? There is even time to bake and sample one of each, just to see which one you like the best!
read more...

Mimi's Limoncello for gifts... there's still time!

A gorgeous home-made tipple from our favourite Forum foodie, perfect to prepare ahead for your street party and the Christmas season.
read more...

9. Cooking with Mimi: Iced Tea and Continental Picnic Loaf

I love a good gathering of friends. A few laughs, some chit chat and a good old fashioned game of backyard cricket does more for my looks and my wrinkles than any number of spa days at some posh resort. Needless to say, these gatherings usually entail consuming an unforgivable quantity of food and drink as well. Yes, yes, there's always self-discipline, but then what's a party for if not to over-indulge! The trick is to indulge in the right kinds of things. I've got a couple of great recipes this month that fit the bill nicely.

Forget the foot long subs and the pizzas! This do-ahead picnic loaf is a scrummy addition to any party table. Sliced, it looks like little rounds of mosaic, and you can vary the fillings in dozens of ways. It's meaty enough for the blokes and fresh and tasty enough for Mum and the kids. Even better, it can be made up to 24 hours ahead, and you can make as many as will fit in your refrigerator. Then it's just a matter of grabbing it from the fridge and slicing it to serve. My nanna used to make these for family events and she always had her big flowery apron on when she did it. To this day, I don't feel right if I don't have my nanna apron on when I make them. If you have one, make sure you wear it for authenticity!

Continental Picnic Loaf

Serves: Up to 20 slices or enough for one huge platter

Equipment required:

Cling wrap
Bread knife
Medium bowl
Sharp knife
Dinner knife
Dessertspoon
Several full tins of canned food of some kind to use as weights
Flowery nanna apron
Clean tea towel
A long, cleared space in your refrigerator
Sharp bread knife or electric knife

Ingredients:

One baguette (French stick)
375g ricotta cheese
100g green stuffed olives
200g shaved salami
200g shaved ham
200g shaved turkey
Balsamic vinegar
2 large tomatoes, sliced
100g baby spinach

Method:

Put on your flowery apron.

Find a space on your kitchen bench or dining room table, separate to your preparation area, to lay out two overlapping pieces of cling wrap, about a metre long. You'll be using this to wrap your baguette tightly at the end.

Tip your ricotta into your medium bowl.

Drain your olives if necessary and dice them finely.

Add to your ricotta cheese and stir well until combined. Set aside while you prepare your baguette.

Slice your baguette lengthwise into two even halves. Then, with your clean hands, carefully remove the soft bread from the baguette. Just start at one end, dig down with your fingers to the bottom of the soft bit, and then start wiggling and tearing the squishy part of the bread all the way down the hollow of the baguette. It's fun to try and remove it all in one piece, but it doesn't really matter. You will be using this in a minute, so put it somewhere clean and safe on the bench. Try not to nibble at it. I know fresh bread is irresistible, but you need it to make your loaf look pretty!

Once you have two long hollowed out baguette halves, you can start on the really fun bit. The aim is to make this look as colourful as possible and to really pack those filling ingredients in. This is no time to be sparse. This won't work if your baguette halves aren't absolutely chock full of stuff.

So first up, spoon the ricotta and olive spread into the bottom of the baguette half. You should have enough to fill the entire thing from one end to the other and up to the brim. Make sure it's filled in every nook and cranny.

Lay your baguette top in front of you on the bench. Sprinkle the inside with balsamic vinegar. I just kind of drizzle it all the way along in a thin line. Don't drench it or you'll end up with muddy slush, instead of meaty baguette. You just want it lightly moistened as this helps keep the whole thing 'glued' together.

Inside the baguette, you can now layer a row of salami. I like to fold my salami slices in half as I think it looks more effective when sliced. Follow this with a layer each of ham and turkey. Don't spread them out neatly, as it won't look nearly as pretty. You need to be kind of folding them into the baguette. Press it all down firmly, then add slices of tomato and two layers of baby spinach leaves. Make sure the baby spinach and tomato is all inside the edges of the baguette. It'll all be piled up past the top edge of your baguette now, and that's good.

This is where you now replace the soft squishy parts of the bread. Lay them on top of the two halves of your baguette and press them down well.

You can now carefully replace the ricotta filled part on top of the other half. Push it all down well to glue it together.

Now you need to move your filled baguette to wherever you've laid out your cling wrap. Don't rush. I find the best way to do this without disaster, is to place it onto a clean tea towel and carry it like it's in a hammock.

Place your baguette on the closest long edge of your cling wrap and start wrapping. You need that wrap really firmly around your baguette for this to work properly. So kind of roll a bit, then pull the baguette and wrap tightly towards you, as if you were rolling sushi. Once you've got it tightly enclosed, fold the ends of the wrap in and keep rolling, keeping it nice and firm.

Now your baguette needs to chill and firm up so you can slice it for presentation. So into the fridge it goes, with the tins of food on top. This helps to compress it all so it sticks together. I find placing my baguette in the back of the fridge gives the tins somewhere to lean and stay put. If the baguette is too long for your fridge you can cut it in half, keeping the cling wrap in place and covering the open ends with more cling wrap to keep them moist and fresh.

You can now remove your flowery apron. Didn't it make you feel like a Continental Mama though?

Leave the baguette there for a minimum of 30 minutes, and preferably overnight.

If you're transporting this to a party you can now just grab and go. It can be sliced into rounds upon arrival or when you're ready to serve.

At serving time you're going to leave the cling wrap on for slicing so don't go getting all excited and remove it! Take your sharp bread knife or electric knife and slice your baguette into 5cm rounds. Arrange on a platter, remove the bits of cling wrap and, for best results, serve immediately. If you prefer, you can slice this into short rolls, removing the wrap just prior to serving. It won't look as pretty, but it'll still taste darned good!

When your friends ask you how you did it, tell them the secret's in the flowery apron... shhhh.

Note: You can try any number of alternative fillings. Just follow the same principles of a creamy cheesy filling on one side and meat, fish or chicken and salads on the other. Try tuna, whole boiled eggs and salad in the salad half, with cream cheese mixed with corn and diced bacon in the other. Add the hard boiled eggs whole to your baguette half and they'll slice prettily for presentation.

Iced Tea Concentrate

Now on a hot summery afternoon, you need a really good thirst quenching drink, and preferably something easy on the hip pocket, that leaves you headache-free the next day!

Iced tea is always a crowd pleaser, and with this yummo iced tea concentrate, you will have your thirst quenched, suffer no dreaded morning-after, and find your wallet no lighter for the experience.

Makes around two litres of concentrate which is enough for dozens of glasses of iced tea!

Equipment required:

Several bottles and large jars to store the tea concentrate
Large saucepan
Measuring cups
Large spoon
Slotted spoon
Funnel
Recycled jars with lids for serving
Straws for serving

Ingredients:

40 teabags (without tags)
3 litres water
6 cups sugar (remember it's a concentrate, you won't be drinking it at this strength, so it needs a fair bit of sweetener. You'll dilute it at a 1:7 ratio)

Heat your hotplate to High and place your saucepan over it. Into your saucepan, measure your 3 litres of water and bring it to the boil.

Once boiling, remove it from the hotplate and add your 40 teabags. Allow it to steep for 15 minutes. If it brews any longer your tea will be bitter. Remove your teabags with a slotted spoon, resisting the temptation to squeeze the liquid from them. This too, will make your iced tea cordial concentrate taste bitter. Now you can toss the teabags in the bin or save them for a spa experience by chilling them and placing them over your weary eyes when you've finished cooking.

Now you should have about 2-2.5 litres of brewed tea in your saucepan as you will have lost some liquid by NOT squeezing out those teabags.

Replace the saucepan on the hotplate and add your sugar. Stir the brew constantly now until your sugar is completely dissolved. Reduce the heat to Low and allow your brew to bubble away for about 10 minutes until it's evaporated a bit.

Your concentrate is pretty much ready now, but I like to taste test mine at this point before I get all excited and bottle it. So put about a finger width of concentrate into a glass and top with chilled water. Have a taste and if you're satisfied with the 'sweetness', there's nothing more to do but allow it to cool and then bottle it. Clever you!

If it's a little bland for your palate then add a further cup of sugar to your brew and return to a hotplate heated to High, stirring again until your sugar dissolves completely. Have another taste test. If it still isn't sweet enough for you and your friends then add more sugar and repeat heating and cooling.

For serving, I like to make our own portable non-spill drinks by using recycled jars. I use a hammer and large screw to hammer a hole in the top of each lid, insert a straw, add tea concentrate, chilled water, sliced fruit and ice cubes to the jar, replace the lid, and voila! Very posh iced fruit tea in a jar!

Variations: Naturally you can use any flavoured tea or herbal tea you like. I also vary the flavour by adding sliced fruit or by freezing fruit juice in ice cube trays to add to my prepared tea. If you want to get really fancy schmancy, add slivers of fruit to the ice cube trays then top up with fruit juice of your choice. Freeze them and add these pretty fruit-infused ice cubes to your tea jar... delectable! This adds flavour, colour and presentation points to your already award worthy iced tea.

Hoo-roo. I'm off to deliver my invitations to my street party. Have fun everyone!

10. Penny's Blog: That's What Friends Are For

September 23rd

I just bought my first Christmas present! I can't reveal what it is of course, one of the kids might read it! But at $19.99 instead of the usual $59 RRP it was too good not to take advantage of. I received the confirmation email, then looked at the date on my computer screen and realised that it's still only September! Still, there's nothing wrong with being organised and time is flying along. Hard to believe but our first anniversary in our 'new' home is fast approaching! The boys are no longer the 'new kids' at school and just like in the old days in Te Kauwhata we can't go down the street any more without chatting to someone we know and waving to all and sundry. Think you can safely say we have settled in!

I came across an old blog post by chance this morning which said 'when we move to Whangamata one thing is for sure. Our door will always be open, to friends and neighbours old and new and there will always be beer in the fridge and plenty of gas in the barbecue.' I read it out to Noel and he said 'Well that's right, it is!' It sure is. Our perspective on life has changed so much since moving to Whangamata. For starters the boys were only ever allowed one friend to stay at a time and it was a BIG DEAL for me, making sure the house was tidy, that there was enough 'nice' food to eat - even organising the pick-up and drop offs with the other parents was a hassle.

These days, however, things are very different. Last weekend we had one of Liam's old school friends from Te Kauwhata to stay. The poor boy had only been here five minutes when TWELVE kids appeared at the gate. 'I guess that's one way to meet people!' he grinned. And that's the way it was all weekend, as thirteen teenagers made themselves at home. The boys' rooms are like rabbit warren these days, you never who is going to appear down the stairs next!

On the whole it's been a brilliant year; an awesome year. Living here has been more perfect than any of us even dreamed of. It just goes to show that money doesn't buy you happiness because we're the happiest we've ever been, even though financially things are the tightest they've been in years! Still, we knew it wasn't going to be easy but we've made it through the first year and that was going to be the biggest test. We've finally got the vegie garden rocketing away and we have fresh produce in our back yard whenever we want it. Just as well with a houseful of 13 kids! My car would be lucky to make it out of the garage twice a week and since a new friend recently moved to town and berated me for not using my fabulous funky bike more I have a feeling it's going to be even less!

The one who I think has changed the most and benefited the greatest from our move, however, is Liam. When I first started writing this blog in 2005 he was eight years old. Reading through some of the old posts it's hard to believe it is the same boy. Gone is the shy little boy, always worried, always anxious and full of self-doubt. He's been replaced by a shaggy-haired, stubble-faced beanpole - 6'3 and with a smile almost as wide as he is tall. He has an army of great friends who would do anything for each other and no longer worries about a thing. In fact, if he was any more laid back he would probably fall over! Boy has he come a long, long way. Mind you, living at the beach tends to do that to a person! He's our gentle giant and we love him to bits.

The only thing we lack living here, which I can't see changing any time soon is neighbours. In 12 months I've met a grand total of two and I don't think Noel and the boys have met any! It's kind of hard when all the houses on your street are empty. Seriously, it amazes me that people have hundreds of thousands of dollars in holiday homes just sitting unused, year after year. What's the point of buying a property so that you can 'get away from it all' if you're never going to get away?! Still, what we lack in neighbours we more than make up for in friends. Lots and lots of friends, both old and new. We may not be able to hold a proper street party, but I have a feeling there will still be plenty of wonderful company and festive cheer in our peaceful little cul-de-sac!

September 2011

11. Last Month's Help Request: Life on the Move

Last month Lynley asked:

"I am a single lady, just myself and my small dog. I am looking at buying and living in a 7m bus, I am too young to retire and want to explore my own country while still working at my chosen profession - funeral director. Do any of your readers/contributors live in mobile homes or buses and how do they cope, particularly if they are not staying in one place? Just a thought as this is quite an inexpensive way to live but you don't have the luxury of ground to plant a garden."

Thank you to everyone who shared their fantastic tips and experiences. We wish you all the best in your travels Lynley and hope you find these helpful. Do let us know how you go!

Get Wwoofing!

For a great experience whilst living on the road, check out www.wwoof.com.au. It stands for Willing Workers On Organic Farms and is suitable for everyone. It's a super concept and you can travel all over the country and meet all sorts of people. I am a Wwoof host myself! Not all people will take dogs of course but it's well worth checking out.

Contributed by: Fiona Scott

A wonderful way of life

We are back in NZ now after living in the UK and travelling in Europe in a van. We lived in our old builder's van (a 1997 Mercedes Sprinter) for nine months as we travelled through Eastern Europe as far as Turkey, then back via Greece and Croatia. We mostly parked overnight in free places like car parks, wharves, beaches and back country roads. Our van just had a chemical toilet, small gas cooker and a 3/4 mattress. It was a wonderful way of life and a very cheap way to travel. We had showers at public swimming pools or the occasional cheap hotel or camping ground, did our laundry at laundromats, and cooked all our own food. We were in Romania, Turkey and Greece in the winter, with snow and ice, but comfortable enough.

Things we couldn't have done without: a stovetop espresso machine, wet wipes, a heavy chain with a padlock across the front seat at night between the door handles for added security, a laptop and lots of books to read. We even have a website with stories of some of our adventures: http://www.travelmagpie.com.

Also, if you do a Google search using the words 'RV living' or 'van living' you will find US websites devoted to the topic. Good luck, it sounds like a great plan!

Contributed by: Suzanne Middleton

Been there, doing that!

My husband and I live permanently on the road. We do not stay long in one spot and just love the life meeting new people and new places. We volunteer on outback farms and there are several websites, namely Outback Helpers and Outback Links whom you could contact. We lived in a 7m bus for four years and have just purchased a larger motorhome but our bus was particularly comfortable. Another tip is to purchase the traveller's Bible called 'Camps 6' available from camping stores. Although this costs around $50 -$60 you can recoup this money with one or two 'free camping' nights. Also there is another publication called 'Travelling with Dogs' which you may like to consider. Unless you plan to stay in caravan parks at approximately $30 per night you may also consider solar power. You will find many people who travel alone; use common sense regarding your safety but usually there are many people at these sites. Regarding your question about a garden, if you purchase a plastic tool box (the type with a handle over the top) you can grow at least six different types of herbs and you can move this easily inside and outside to the sun. Just watch the positioning, however, as wildlife like these as well as - we had at least three chillies eaten from our plant!

Contributed by: Eileen Wallace

Be open to opportunities

My father-in-law lives in a bus he converted into a motor home. He was traveling around Australia when he got to Kunanurra in WA. He liked the area and stayed for a while and during that time he got to know the locals. He was offered a caretaker's job at the local golf club and in exchange he parks his bus there free of charge. He has no outgoing costs as he gets electricity and parking as his payment. He has taken up golf and gets his games thrown in also. Whilst you might not want to be a caretaker of a golf course, be open to opportunities which arise as it could save you a lot of money!

Contributed by: Megan Hall

Easy cooking on the road

We used our campervan a lot when our kids were little for trips away. We used a Hot Box slow cooker PLEASE LINK TO HINT 56029 tucked under the sink and dinner cooked while we travelled. You can also make porridge this way with powdered milk the night before - just bring to the boil, put lid on and pop in the Hot Box for a yummy breakfast in the morning. We always had a large flask, which saved boiling the billy often. We used park BBQ's and chose to cook our main meals at lunch time as there was no need for lamps and torches. We then just had simple meals in the evening. We had a small three-way fridge for milk, cheese and meats and a string line for washing to attach to the nearest tree. A solar shower can be fabulous as a hot shower rather than a cold one sure makes a difference!

Contributed by: Claire A

An inexpensive lifestyle

My husband, our young son and I did what you want to do and found it is a very inexpensive way to see our country. We used garbage buckets with clip-on lids as washing machines; as you drive the movement agitates the clothes! As for gardens, you can have small pots. It is such a wonderful way to live, you can stay in roadside camping areas as there are always other travellers in them and there are always plenty of roadside stalls to buy your fruit and vegetables. You will totally enjoy yourself and make some wonderful friends for life.

Contributed by: Leanne Gardner

Tips for comfortable travelling

To keep some potted herbs or other plants when on the road simply keep them in a tray or several trays. These can be placed on the bus floor when travelling and when parked can be placed either on the ground or on the roof of the bus for sunlight. You might need a ladder to reach your bus roof, but I've seen people do this so gather it is easy enough to set up.

Keeping utensils and containers and smaller bits and pieces in containers with lids helps stop them from rolling around when travelling; otherwise these smaller items can get wedged in odd places that are out of sight and get lost or damaged.

I can also recommend you place a layer of insulation beneath your mattress as buses are not as well insulated as caravans and houses. This will help stop cold from rising beneath you while you sleep. I've used one of those emergency foil type blankets often found in camping stores. They work better than a ground sheet.

Contributed by: Anne Shaw

Use a tray on legs

Living on the road doesn't mean you can't still have a great garden! I met a woman at a caravan park in Coonamble a couple of years ago. She had a (approximately) 0.5m by 1m tray on legs (which folded under for travelling). In this she grew lettuce, herbs and other small vegies. She simply secured the tray in her van and when she stopped for the day she took it out in the sun and watered it. I was very impressed!

Contributed by: Olivia de Bruyn

12. This Month's Help Request: Help Me Conquer My Shopping Bag Mountain!

This month Laura asks:

"I've just arrived home from a trip to the supermarket. I opened my cupboard where my plastic shopping bags are usually stashed and was horrified when they all tumbled out to meet me! I do use eco bags where possible but the pesky things just keep on mounting up! I don't want to contribute them to landfill and feel there must be a better way to use my enormous collection. I remember as a child my nanna would sit for hours crocheting plastic bags into tougher, funky looking shopping bags. Alas she is no longer with us but I would love to hear how other members manage their plastic bag mountains. Can you help?"

We can't wait to hear your ideas! If you have any tips or suggestions which can help Laura, please send them in to us here.

13. Saving Story: Eat Your Heart Out Imelda!

I have a big shoe problem. OK, addiction. It's not unreasonable for me to spend several hundred dollars on one pair of shoes. And yes, there have been 'those' weeks where bills weren't paid because I just had to buy a particular pair (or two) of heels, boots, sandals - you get the picture.

So imagine the enormity I faced when joining Simple Savings and trying to get my family budget under control - how on earth was I supposed to live without new shoes!? I couldn't bear the idea. Then the thought hit me - the whole idea of Simple Savings is empowerment and teaching me to take control of my life. I wanted to make my life better and my family's life better, not more miserable! So, with a little bit of imagination, my local (and very handy) $2 shop and some elbow grease I have managed to set myself up with nearly a whole new wardrobe full of shoes for almost nothing!

I started by going through my existing shoe collection. At just over (gulp) 70 pairs, I had forgotten just how many shoes I really had. And most of them never get worn. Straight away I sold half of the ones I never wore on eBay for a very nice little profit. Surprisingly it wasn't as hard as I thought to get rid of them. Yes! This empowering thing really works!

Then, I set aside all the shoes I didn't wear because they were too scuffed, old, not fashionable and so on. Armed with some of the money I made from my eBay sales, I headed into the $2 shop and walked out nearly an hour later after spending $40 with a fabulous array of art and craft items. Setting aside one whole weekend, I put my imagination, skills and elbow grease into action. I used feathers, coloured rice paper, beads, glitter, sequins, ribbons, patterned fabric, studs, hair clips, diamantes, the list goes on!

Within one weekend I managed to turn 15 pairs of old, boring and damaged shoes into 15 works of art! Some are quite unique but most fit right in with the latest fashions and look like I have picked them off any store shelf. I can really see them working with my wardrobe for many more years to come too.

Ironically, I haven't felt the urge to buy a new pair of shoes for a while - I think it's because I feel like I have 15 new pairs already! It feels great knowing that I can always do the same thing again to keep my shoe collection interesting. Hubby is also absolutely delighted by extra space in our wardrobe and the fact that we now have more money to go towards getting our debts under control.

The best part is that I feel so proud of myself for doing this. I've also discovered how fun being creative can be - next on my list is revamping Hubby's shoes and the shoes of our two boys. Hmmm, maybe not with sequins though! Both our boys also had a great time with Hubby using up all the left over arts and crafts stuff that I bought too which made for a great inexpensive family activity. What a bonus!

Contributed by: Monique Davis

14. So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye :-D

Wow! Didn't we manage to cram a whole bunch of money saving ideas into this month's newsletter? I hope you really enjoyed it and have been inspired to try something new.

I am always keen to receive your feedback about the kinds of things you want to see more of in the newsletter and those things you would rather we leave off. Drop me a line next time you're on our website. If you have enjoyed this month's newsletter, why not forward it to your friends to help them save money too? Or tell them about us on Facebook by clicking the 'like' button on our Simple Savings Facebook page.

Best of luck with your Christmas Challenge - don't forget to get those invites out! See you next month!

All the best,
Fiona

September 2013 - Simple Savings Newsletter

"Secrets to Saving Money in Australia" Free Newsletter - September 2013

This issue includes:-

Sad Sally, Happy Hanna: The Proof is in the Pants!
September: Get Moving!
PowerCooking: It's Not Just Cooking, It's EXTREME Cooking!
Ye Olde Shoppe: We're Nuts About Macadamia Oil!
Penny Wise: Soul Searching
Best of the Vault: Wiggle it, Just a Little Bit!
Best of the Forum: Don't Just LOSE Weight, GAIN Health!
Best Members' Blog: SS to the Rescue!
Hidden Gem: Aus Sewmobile
Cooking with Mimi: Kitchen Survival Skills... Budget Biryani with Raw Chutney and Apple Raita
Claire's Corner: Join me and Get Fit (For Free) This Summer!
50c Indulgences: Wartime Farm
Rob Bob's Gardening Blog: Bees, Seeds and Baby Plants!
From Last Month: How to Secure my Home?
This Month's Help Request: How to Get Rid of that Doggy Smell?

Hello,

How are you going? We had a fantastic August getting back into the garden and enjoying the warmer weather. I really wanted to get our herb garden up and running again – there is nothing like cooking with fragrant fresh herbs - and as PowerCooking has become a bit of an addiction in this household (even the kids get involved), it was great timing! We are delighted that so many of you have done your first PowerCooking Power Hour - we have loved reading your feedback. Here are some of this month's favourites:

"Oh Fiona, it's brilliant. Each fortnight my husband asks me to organise something like this but as neither of us can organise our way out of a paper bag we fall back into old menu habits! This is JUST what I need. I nearly cried when I saw it!" (Kate)

"I love the 'serving' function where I can choose to cook for 4 (enough for my family), 6 (dinner and the following days lunch) or 8 (eat a serve, freeze a serve)." (Ellen)

"This is an excellent idea. I found all the information useful and well organised. I also learned something (the storing two portions in one container tip). I know people who will love this site, including my mum who hates cooking and finds it difficult to 'throw things together' the way accomplished cooks do. I also know lots of working mums in their 40's (my age) who will love this. Two thumbs up from me." (Linda)

Have a great month!
All the best,
Fiona Lippey

1. Sad Sally, Happy Hanna: The Proof is in the Pants!

“Sal? SAL! Where are you? Just come and have a look at this!” Pete shouted as he waddled down the hall. “What’s up love? Oh dear, what’s happened there? They’ve split right down the back, teehee!” Sally giggled. “Honestly, I can’t believe the poor quality of things these days,” grumbled Pete. “I’ve had these for ONE WEEK! Well I’m not putting up with it. I’m taking them back first thing in the morning and asking for my money back!”

“Pete – darling – you know, I’m not sure it’s the PANTS that are the problem,” Sally said gently. “I think they’re just the wrong size. You’re not a size 32 anymore!” “What do you mean? I’ve worn this size for more than 20 years!” Pete said indignantly. “Yes, you have – but these past few months I think you’ve expanded!” Chuckled Sal. “I know, you’re right,” Pete sighed, pulling at his waistband sadly. “But what can I do about it?”

“Well... either start getting some exercise or stop drinking so much beer. That should do it!” Sally said brightly. “Give up my beer?” Pete said, appalled. “No way!” Sal replied, “Fine, you’d better dust off your exercise bike then!” Pete groaned. “Excellent! Oh – and you can give those pants to me too!” Sally grinned. “Why? What are you going to do with them?” Pete asked suspiciously. “I’m going to mend them,” came the reply. “And then I’m going to hang them up where you can see them every day until you can fit into them again!”

2. September: Get Moving!

Poor Pete – he may be experiencing some trouble with his pants but there are an awful lot of us who have been in his shoes! It's hard when the realisation hits that you are not as healthy or thin as you would like to be. It's embarrassing, it's disheartening, it's depressing – but it's not the end of the world. In Pete's case it's not irreparable or irreversible; he just either needs to make a couple of minor changes to his lifestyle – or get used to buying bigger pants! It's the same case with most of us when we find ourselves in the same situation. We have a choice. We can either keep complaining and feeling bad that we don't look or feel the way we want to (or be like Pete and blame the clothes!) - or we can do something positive about it so that we can feel good about ourselves again.

Well guess what? September is 'GET MOVING' month and we want EVERYONE to get on board and get moving with us! If you are already an active person, well done! Keep up the good work. However, if you are one of life's procrastinators when it comes to exercise, or if you're worried you won't be fitting into that pretty dress this summer, or are carrying a few extra kilos like our friend Pete, this month is your chance to make a change.

It is time to make a choice!

How are you going to get active this month? Taking control of your own fitness doesn't have to mean spending hundreds of dollars at the gym. Here are some easy ways to get started:

Dust off that old bike! Travelling by bike is such a fun way to get around it hardly even seems like exercise! Drag that old bike out of the shed, dust it off and get pedalling!

Start a walking group. Ask around or put a notice up at your local play centre, mothers group, community group and so on. You'll probably find there are plenty of other people who would love the chance for some company and to get out in the fresh air.

Begin a boot camp! These are very trendy at the moment and organised eight or 10-week programs are popping up all over the place - but with a little imagination you can create your own with a group of like-minded people. Put a note on Facebook, ‘Who wants to exercise with me?’ If you Google 'boot camp exercise ideas' you can bring up heaps of results to get your brain ticking and body moving. My local boot camp has a blast making use of the equipment at the local kids' playground at 6am!

Borrow an exercise DVD. You can get these from your library on anything from Zumba to kick boxing to Pilates. Ask around to see if any of your friends have some they wouldn't mind lending to you to try. Or, if all else fails, put on one of the kids' DVDs and get them to groove around with you. Nothing wrong with working out to The Wiggles!

Make the most of your lunch hour. Let's face it, who really needs an hour to scoff a sandwich? Instead of scouring the shops or hanging out on Facebook, use this time to go for a walk. There is always time for exercise! It's just up to us to make that time to fit it in.

Pick up a pedometer. According to experts we should aim to take at least 10,000 steps per day – but how many of us do? Put a pedometer on your phone or pick up one for around $20 and discover how many steps you take in a day. You may be in for a shock, but this is just the kind of motivation it takes for some of us to get moving. Google '10,000 steps' for more tips and advice or visit 10,000 Steps

Find an app-y way to exercise. Apps are brilliant free little motivators! You can download them to help with just about any kind of exercise – running, cycling, walking, even push-ups and sit-ups. The technology is amazing so make the most of them and use them to help you get out the door and keep you on track.

That little lot should be enough to get you started! Have fun this month getting fit and active – we will! But remember, the buck stops with you! If you really want to do it, you WILL find the time. Good luck!

3. PowerCooking: It's Not Just Cooking, It's EXTREME Cooking!

Thank you for your wonderful responses to PowerCooking! We have lots of fantastic stories from PowerCooks who have successfully completed their first Power Hours. If you haven't had a look yet, PowerCooking is a completely different way of multi-tasking in the kitchen where you can use different cooking methods to cook three different dishes and up to 20 serves – in just one hour. The delicious dishes have been crafted by foodie Kate Andrew who spent hundreds of hours perfecting them so they would taste just as good when they were out of the oven, out of the fridge or out of the freezer.

Here are some answers to the many questions we've had:

Why do some dishes cost $1.00?

At the moment there are nine recipes to make Power Plans from. Six of these are free and three cost $1.00 each. The $1 recipes give you many more options for meals and more Power Plans to choose from. You don't have to pay for any recipes if you don't want to and can still make up to eight Power Plans with the six free ones. When we spoke with Vault members, most of them wanted an annual subscription rather than having to pay for separate recipes so that is what we will do down the track.
Why are there only nine recipes – I want to try more!

There are many more dishes to come! Yes, the site is still very young. We have 80 more of Kate's special dishes and loads more schedules to help you solve different problems such as school lunches, work lunches, snacks and special dinners. The PowerCooking site you are seeing at the moment is version one, we have listened to everyone's feedback and we are already working on version two.
Where are the vegetarian dishes?

We have had lots of queries about possible vegetarian dishes and we will certainly be adding them as we go along, as well as great tips on substituting. Watch this space!
Are you SURE there is enough liquid in this dish?

We know! When Simple Savings staff members first cooked Kate's dishes they ALL mumbled to themselves, ‘Is there enough water in this?’ One of Kate's tricks with these special recipes is that less liquid means better freezing and defrosting results. So YES – the amount of liquid is just right!

If you haven't yet tried PowerCooking, get in and give it a go. Yes, it will take an hour of your time today – but you'll have dinner for tomorrow and the next night and a full freezer for the rest of the week.

You can grab a free membership and build your own Power Plan here.

4. Ye Olde Shoppe: We're Nuts About Macadamia Oil!

Macadamia nut oil continues to be one of our favourite Ye Olde Shoppe products! (Fiona loves it that we had to wait for a harvest for our last shipment to be filled – how fresh is that!) Unfortunately there is a nation-wide shortage of macadamia nuts due to poor growing conditions (you can read more here ) but luckily we've stocked up on our 1 litre tins. However, if you want 150ml bottles for Christmas gifts you'll need to get in quickly as we don't have an awful lot of these left. You can read more about our Macadamia Oil here: </store/>

5. Penny Wise: Soul Searching

Ahh, life is interesting at the moment to be sure, to be sure. You know, I thought I was 'out of the woods' several months ago with the whole marriage break-up thing but it's only really now that I feel I am genuinely starting to get my life back together. Not financially yet I must confess, that's some time off! Since my last post it really hasn't helped that Liam changed back to his old school and walked straight in to a $490 ski trip for Sports Science class. Good heavens that boy has been expensive to keep this year! Not to mention buying yet another new school uniform. Even so, that expense was still preferable to the one I incurred last Friday night, when driving home from a very pleasant dinner at a friend's house some idiot decided to run out in front of me. I was the only car on the road, yet he was totally oblivious! All dressed in dark colours, hood up, didn't even look at me. And, he sure as heck didn't stop when I swerved to miss him and lost control, ending up on the other side of the road and smack into a street sign. My poor little car! Not to mention my poor nerves. I thought the damage was just superficial but a trip to the mechanic showed otherwise with oil pouring out from underneath and two wheels wrecked. The mechanic was hugely sympathetic as I sniffled and sobbed but it still cost me $327 to get it safely back on the road – and I still have to take it to the panel beater! Think I'll be driving it around dents and all for a while yet.

I have to admit though, my little prang didn't really help improve my state of mind. I've been doing a lot of soul searching lately you see. Spring has sprung and with the start of the new season it seemed like Penny came out of hibernation. Suddenly I found myself with more new friends than a girl could handle, not to mention a never ending list of social invites. At first I was excited – yay, I finally had a happening social life! But it only took a couple of weekends of watching people staggering around drunk in bars to realise this wasn't me. It wasn't me as a person and it wasn't me as a mother, rolling in at 2.00am and being too tired to do anything the next day. Not to mention there was no way I could afford $12 a time for a tiny glass of wine! There was no way I could keep that up. It took me a whole weekend of weighing up pros and cons to work out what my problem was and what to do about it. And my conclusion was, I'm not ready. I need to be just me for a while.

Even so, I didn't want to be a complete hermit. I needed to find out how I did want to spend my time and who I wanted to spend it with. I found that out the following evening at my Zumba class. It runs twice a week and I used to be totally addicted but then stopped going when life got too complicated. However, I started up again recently and it's a blast. It's a great way to meet people and it's so much fun! It's the nearest thing you can get to nightclubbing without a hangover! As I looked around at everyone wiggling, shaking, shimmying and laughing, I thought, ‘These are the people I want to be around’. Happy, healthy and positive.

And I decided that was how I wanted to spend my spare time too, keeping fit and healthy. It took me a while to work out exactly what that was going to be. I tried going back to running – it's been almost two years since I ran the Auckland Marathon and I've done pretty much nothing since then. I enjoy running. I like the way it doesn't cost anything and you don't have to drive anywhere; you just put your running shoes on and take off out the door. I like the way it made me feel so fit and strong – but when I tried to get started again I discovered it wasn't what I wanted to be doing any more. Besides, I was already walking the dogs for an hour every morning as it was! Then I tried going to the local gym. It was OK, I quite enjoyed it. It was social and I could get a good variety of exercise – what I didn't like, however, was the $15 a time fee. Sure I could get a membership but I didn't have a spare $544 to be able to go as often as I liked! It wasn't just the money though, it was the time factor. I had this grand plan that I would walk every morning, go to Zumba for an hour Monday and Thursday evenings and then hit the gym for an hour on the other five days a week. Like THAT was ever going to happen! Sometimes you have to be realistic and accept there are only so many hours in the day.

So I've got my spare time sussed. I go to Zumba twice a week with my lovely group of friends. It isn't cheap, I pay $8.00 a class but I've decided it’s worth it for the enjoyment and social factor. And every morning at 7.30am you'll find me on the beach with the dogs. I walk around 5–6km. It's good for the body and most of all it's good for the soul; walking on the beach has got me through some pretty hard times and you can pretty much guarantee you'll come back from a good long walk feeling a whole lot better in your mind than before you went. Free therapy if you like! Some mornings I don't want to but the dogs are my personal trainers, nagging me and tripping me up constantly until they see me grab my jacket and then it's all excited barking with wagging tails and happy lolling tongues. I can't deny them the highlight of their day! Plus the one good thing I did gain from my short lived running revival was the wonders of phone exercise apps. I downloaded the Nike Run app for free and even though I use it for walking rather than running now, it's great! It keeps me motivated, pushes you to walk that little bit further and faster and it keeps a cumulative total so you know exactly how much you have done and can be proud of your achievement. I almost jumped out of my skin the other day when I finished my walk and this American male voice suddenly boomed in my ear, ‘Congratulations! Last week was good but this week was GREAT! Keep up those miles!’ Sounds daft but I really appreciated the encouragement and felt quite proud.

All in all it's been a pretty productive soul searching session. One of the last things my beloved dad said to me was to keep things simple. I'm afraid, Dad, that I've been doing anything but that for a very long time – but I'm getting there!

You can get updates on Penny's new blogs on the Simple Savings Facebook page or in our Members' Blog section.

6. Best of the Vault: Wiggle it, Just a Little Bit!

There are so many wonderful ways to get some movement into your life! The Vault is absolutely 'pumped' with ideas to get you moving, from walking to laughter yoga! The important thing is to FIND something that you'll enjoy doing, START doing it and KEEP GOING! Here are some fantastic ideas to help get you moving!

Free online yoga classes

My new year's resolution is saving me $1400 and getting my body back into shape. I'm a gym junkie that has done no serious exercise since the kids have arrived. Rather than pay $1000 for a gym membership plus $416 in childcare costs, I discovered I could do my yoga sessions at home. I found a website that offers free 1 hour yoga sessions www.yogatoday.com and all I had to buy was a $10 yoga mat.

Contributed by: Christina

Get fit with bushwalking

I found an enjoyable and much cheaper alternative to joining a gym to keep fit - bushwalking! I pay $65 for an annual family membership to the NSW National Parks Association, who run over 600 bushwalks each year for every level of experience. I never need to worry about getting lost or finding other people to walk with. I simply browse the program and there is always a wide range of walks to choose from every week. I get to meet lots of different people and visit beautiful places, which motivates me to get outdoors and get active. There are similar bushwalking associations in every state. My partner and I are getting fitter without paying around $1600 for gym memberships (saving us over $1500!)

Contributed by: Louise J

From couch potato to runner for free

I have discovered a great way to get fit for free with the 'Couch to 5km' running plan! With the cost of gyms and personal trainers and even organised sporting clubs so high, my husband and I were looking around for another means of getting fit without breaking the budget. This led me to find what is known as the 'C25K' - the couch to 5km running plan. This program is designed for the complete novice runner - with the aim to get you running for 5km, or 30 minutes non-stop within nine weeks. Sounds impossible, but I'm living proof that it works! It is very easy to follow and you go at your own pace - start running for just 60 seconds at a time and slowly build up, and if you have trouble, you can just repeat that week's exercises until you're comfortable - no problem.

For someone who hated running, this plan has worked wonders for me and improved my fitness no end. Best of all, even when I've been slack or couldn't run due to injuries or illness, I've still maintained most of my fitness - even when I miss weeks at a time I can go straight back into running 20-30minutes non-stop! The plan is free online at Cool Running and more information can be found at the C25K website.
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
http://www.c25k.com/

Contributed by: Sheridan Hilliard

Work out at your local park

I have saved at least $700 on gym fees over the past year by exercising and using the free gym equipment provided in a nearby park. Logan River Parklands (near Beenleigh, on the Gold Coast) opens from 5.30am to 7pm during the summer months; you would have to check during winter. Our local council has provided us with up to eight different types of exercise equipment to use for free and at one's leisure. They include two rowing machines, a pull-up press, butterfly press, cycle seat, ab-hip swinger, sturdy walker, stepper and a hip twister. I can exercise whenever it suits me and without any expensive fees to pay. It puts an extra spring in my step every time as I am reminded how much I am saving while I exercise - and socialise along the way!

NB: For more information about parks like this with free exercise facilities, contact your local council.

Contributed by: Val Campbell

Walk and listen to literature for free!

You can get free entertainment and exercise at the same time. Borrow talking books from your library and WALK! It is free and it's amazing how you want to walk a little longer to hear the end of this chapter or the next!

Contributed by: Fleur Llewelyn

7. Best of the Forum: Don't Just LOSE Weight, GAIN Health!

Being strong and fit is not just about losing weight, it's really about gaining health. We beat ourselves up worrying about calories and carbohydrates and don't take as good care of our bodies as we should. But when we change the focus to moving more, eating well and getting healthy, we can then only do good things for our bodies! Here are some great ways to start, and some wonderful motivation along the way:

Healthy weight and eating habits

If there is one thing Simple Savings Vault members do well – it is support each other! You will celebrate, commiserate and just have a lot of fun with these wonderful Forum members.
read more...

Exercise motivation & support

You are never alone – hop in here and talk to everyone to help keep your healthy efforts motivated!
read more...

Ideas appreciated for weight loss and exercise for medical reasons

This is a great thread for those looking at free online fitness programs and great, sensible advice.
read more...

12 weeks to happiness – Tod Patkin

There are twelve steps in Tod Patkin's program – but the first is exercise and there are some great ideas in this thread. Go on; get healthy (and happy!).
read more...

8. Best Members’ Blog: SS to the Rescue!

One of the many benefits of being a Vault member is that you can win a $100 store credit in Ye Olde Shoppe each month for your Simple Savings blog! Starting your own blog on the site is easy. All you have to do is log into the Vault, click on 'My Desk' at the top left, then 'Your Blog'. Then get writing! We love reading all your money saving trials and tribulations and really appreciate the effort that goes into each one.

This month's winner is Millie's Mum for her blog on her outback SS 'rescue':

Simple Savers to the rescue! Five days ago we were travelling with our caravan through a very remote area in Queensland, far from our home in WA. The friends we were travelling with suffered a broken radiator in their four wheel drive. Luckily we were able to limp into a roadside rest area with toilets, fresh water and a chemical toilet dump point, and watch as the RAC towed the offending vehicle to the nearest town for repairs. Five days later we are able to proceed with our journey but how grateful I was for all my SS friends while we waited!

I was able to access the SS site on my iPad and in doing so bring so many survival skills into use. We had limited supplies of food but were able to produce hearty and nourishing meals with a little (and sometimes a lot!) of imagination. Also, to while away many boring hours, I was able to read many of the blogs and tips I had previously overlooked. I felt I was surrounded by friends.

Well done Millie's Mum – enjoy the rest of your trip and please keep us updated on your adventures!

You can read more of our members' blogs here.

9. Hidden Gem: Aus Sewmobile

Our Hidden Gems directory is designed to help members source the best deals in their area. This month's Hidden Gem is Aus Sewmobile as nominated by Bev.

Aus Sewmobile service and repair all brands of sewing machines in the Hunter region. They pick up and deliver your machine back to you. They were $40 cheaper than a sewing machine repair centre which requires you to drop your machine in and then pick it up again.

Service is prompt and excellent! My machine was collected promptly and the mechanic knew immediately from my description what the problem was.

Where: 112 Harriet Street, Waratah
Phone: 0402 457 707
Contact: mrstitch@bigpond.com

Well done, Bev, on locating such a fantastic Hidden Gem and thanks so much for sharing.

10. Cooking with Mimi: Kitchen Survival Skills... Budget Biryani with Raw Chutney and Apple Raita

My 13-year-old daughter and I have been having kitchen survival skills lessons. Not only is this preparing her for life beyond the shelter of Mum and Dad's roof, it's also allowing me time to do some mummy pampering and exercising. Last night, we peered into the depths of the refrigerator and freezer and discovered the following lonely items:

Refrigerator:

1 chicken thigh fillet
1/3 of a cauliflower
The last of a packet of frozen peas
1 tomato
1 onion
1 shallot (spring onion)
2 cloves garlic
1/2 green apple
The last of a batch of savoury Easiyo

The pantry revealed:

Half a packet of long grain rice
A jar of dried coriander leaves

None of those things alone were going to feed all of us, so some imagination was required. In the end, we decided to make Chicken Biryani. Well, that is until we found we had no curry paste and no curry powder. We'd also run out of chutney as we eat it with everything here and I hadn't made another batch, so an alternative to the chutney would need to be found. We also had no dried fruit, sultanas, currants, craisins nor dried apricots. So the sweetness would have to come from the green apple. No cucumber for the raita either, so for crunch and colour, we decided to make an Apple Raita.

So, kitchen survival skills lesson number one was to make our own curry powder.

We didn't have the original packaging as I decant everything into pretty jars, so whilst the obvious solution was to read the list of ingredients, we couldn't do that.

We talked about what curry powder looked and smelled like, and decided we'd use ground coriander, cumin and ginger, along with mustard powder, turmeric and chilli flakes.

Coriander seems the dominant flavour and fragrance in the empty curry powder jar, so into a small bowl goes:

Home-made Curry Powder Blend

2 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp each ground cumin, ground ginger, turmeric and mustard powder
1/2 tsp dried chilli flakes

A sniff of the empty jar and a sniff, taste test in a bit of natural yoghurt and a visual once-over of our copycat seems to indicate that we're on the right track.

Three lessons learned.

Mysterious ingredients like special spice blends and curry pastes can always be replicated simply by reading ingredients lists on the packaging (had we had them!).
In the absence of packaging to refer to, using your eyes, nose and taste buds to replicate a missing ingredient can often save a trip to the supermarket.
If you're short on space or finances and looking at it in reverse, a simple pre-blended ingredient like good old fashioned commercial curry powder has all of the earthy ingredients common in many ethnic dishes and paired with some fresh home grown herbs, can elevate many a dish from dull to yum!

The problem of the missing chutney was solved by deciding to do a sort of raw chutney/salsa with the tomato and adding a sweet raita using the apple instead of cucumber.

Here's how our ingredients list looked after preparation:

For the Biryani:

1 chicken thigh, diced finely
1/3 cauliflower, broken into small florets
2/3 cup frozen peas
1 onion, peeled and sliced
2 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced finely
5 tsp curry powder
1 1/2 cups uncooked long grain rice
3 chicken stock cubes
1 litre hot water
Splash of oil

For the Condiments:

Raw Chutney (do this first):

1 tomato, diced finely
1 shallot, sliced thinly
1/2 tsp dried coriander leaves

Combine ingredients in small bowl, cover and refrigerate

Apple Raita (do this second):

1/3 cup natural yoghurt
1/2 green apple, diced very finely

Combine ingredients in a small bowl, cover and refrigerate

Here's what we did last:

Preheat the oven to 180C. Make sure the shelves are positioned to accommodate your covered casserole dish or Dutch oven.

We used a Dutch oven, so onto a medium-high hotplate it goes, with a splash of oil in the bottom.

Add the onions and garlic and stir them around until they are translucent but not brown.

Add the curry powder and stir till fragrant, about one minute.

Add the diced chicken and fry till well browned on all sides, about two minutes.

Add the cauliflower, peas and stock cubes. Stir it all around to coat it well in spices, then add the rice and the hot water.

Stir, bring back to a simmer, then cover it and put it in the oven. Bake for 15 minutes, then turn the oven OFF and leave it to finish for another 15 minutes. This is a lesson in cooking on stored heat - a real bonus in times of rising energy prices.

Ta-dahhhhh!

Dinner's ready. We served it in bowls, garnished with the raita and raw chutney which just gave it a bit of extra special something.

The teen chef had seconds, as did the musician husband and there's still plenty left over for lunchboxes or afternoon snacking; and all from a few scrappy bits-o-nothing from the fridge and pantry.

Teen chef commented, "This would be nice even without the chicken, Mum."

Frugal kitchen survival lesson accomplished!

You can get updates on Mimi's new blogs on the Simple Savings Facebook page or in our Members' Blog section.

11. Claire's Corner: Join Me and Get Fit (For Free) This Summer!

For those of you who’ve been following my Weight Watchers’ blog, you’ll know this year it has been my mission to lose the extra weight I’ve gained over the past few years (about six years ago I lost 25 kilos but regained about half of it). Well, I’m very pleased to say that I’m very nearly there – I’ve lost over 10kg since March and I’m feeling fantastic! Just another 2-3 kilos to go and I’ll be back to my all-time low.

I’m also really pleased to tell you that, although I have joined a gym recently, the majority of my weight loss and fantastic feelingness is due to my favourite free activity – walking. And I’m not talking power walking or hill climbing or tramping tens of kilometres a day. Nup, I’m talking a walk around the block at a pace that often sees me overtaken by the elderly, small children and people on crutches. Seriously, sometimes I’m puffing along thinking I’m burning rubber and then an octogenarian with a walking frame will speed past me.

But it’s been enough to help me kick those stubborn kilos to the curb. I do make an effort to walk every day – even if it’s just a short 20 minute walk. I love having that ‘quiet time’ away from interruptions and distractions. I actually get 20-30 minutes to think! And most often, I think about how I’m going to stay on track with my eating for the week ahead. It did take a little effort initially, but now I look forward to my morning walk.

As I mentioned, I did join a gym recently. Now, I’m not a fan of gyms. I prefer to be outside, plodding along at my quiet walking pace, enjoying the peace and not paying for it. But I also accept that the reason I plod is because I’m woefully unfit. I can’t run to save myself and a good coughing bout will leave my abs crying in pain. So when our local boxing gym offered up a great online deal ($30 for a month of BoxFit classes), I decided to give it a go. Actually, let me rephrase that – my DD15 begged and whined and pestered me to join us both up because she wants to get fit and needs me to transport her. So I decided to give it a go for a month and see if I could handle it.

I discovered that BoxFit is not for the faint-hearted. Basically, it involves a seriously fit trainer yelling ‘Harder! Faster!’ at you while you box, jump, push-up, run, press-up and try not to throw up. It’s seriously hard work. In fact, several times I have come very close to throwing up, or passing out. Or throwing up then passing out. On the first session we had to do a prone hold for three minutes. So I’m thinking, ‘Three minutes? Yeah I can do anything for three minutes.’ Hah. I couldn’t even get myself into the right position! Meanwhile DD15 is proning away like a pro. However, I persisted and now I can prone for over a minute which I’m pretty pleased with.

Yep, I’ve come a long way all round. My arms and legs are looking a little ‘slenderer’ and I’m feeling quite a bit fitter. And, it’s also nice having an activity that both DD and I can enjoy together. Even if she does make it look easy! It’s a great class – the ages range from young kids to ‘more mature’ oldies. And there are all shapes and sizes giving it a go. I’ve never ever had an interest in boxing, still don’t really, but this class is really fun. The $30 voucher was great value, and I’ve noticed a lot more of these sorts of deals available online. But getting fit doesn’t have to involve forking out loads of dosh, nor should it. And while my BoxFit phase will come and go, walking will always be my mainstay (I just need someone on the side-line yelling HARDER! FASTER!).

Slimming down and getting fit seems to be the theme of my life at the moment. DS19 is half-way through his course to become a personal trainer, so it’s great being able to tap into his knowledge. Although he still needs to ‘refine’ his eating habits (he spends hours at the gym and comes home with a bottle of coke and a fried rice! Grrr!).

At work, a chap who weighed 180kg has lost 23 kilos over the past eight weeks and has started a ‘Biggest Loser’ group. There are about 25 of us who have all joined him. On Friday, a personal trainer from the local gym came over to talk to us about the basics of weight loss and fitness. His key message was that resistance training is the best option for burning calories. Apparently, doing cardio (such as running, biking and such) will burn calories while you’re working, but then when you stop, so does the calorie-burning. However, if you do resistance training (working with weights, push-ups, jumping jacks, squats and such), your body keeps on burning calories for days afterwards. I love the idea that I can do some exercise and know that my body is still burning calories afterwards!

We all weighed in on Friday and we’ll be checking in each week or so for the next 12 weeks (just in time for summer!).

So if you’re thinking about getting ‘summer-ready’ and you’re wondering how to get started, I’d really encourage you to put aside 20-30 minutes a day and head outside for a walk. Don’t worry about breaking a sweat or walking at top speed – just put one foot in front of the other and repeat (and keep repeating!). And if you want to add a little resistance to the mix, put together a little circuit for yourself that includes push-ups, squats and sit-ups. You don’t have to be good at them, but do make sure you know how to do each properly so you don’t hurt yourself!

Another tip is to make use of the local primary school – grab a basketball and a friend (or child!) and hit the courts for 30 minutes. You’ll be surprised how much energy you use and how much fun it is. Or, if your child has a trampoline, get bouncing! I’ve heard that ‘trampfit’ is the next big exercise trend. I know the kids make it look easy, but it will get you puffing!

You’ve got three months until Christmas – so why don’t you join me? Get those walking shoes on and get out there!

You can get updates on Claire's new blogs on the Simple Savings Facebook page or in our Members' Blog section.

12. 50c Indulgence: Wartime Farm

Wartime Farm - Making Do, Digging for Victory, The Home Front and Other Under 50 Cent Indulgences.

Hello everyone! This month we have been gathered around watching the wonderful BBC series ‘Wartime Farm’ (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01mmt8t). It has been hugely popular, mixing memories with gardening, cooking and sewing. We've also been looking at how our lack of resources such as time and money play havoc with achieving our dreams.

One of the images from Wartime Farm that was typical during the war years but something we have discarded in our busy lives is the delightful and restorative habit of afternoon tea! This was a break in the day when the family would gather for a cup of tea and something to eat. It provided a short rest as well as catch up time. Perhaps we could look at establishing this enjoyable habit, even on weekends.

With that in mind, I have set about acquiring some things that make afternoon tea easy and pleasurable. I wanted a blue tablecloth for our outside table, and with the 'make do and mend' attitude, I found some tea towels buried in my linen closet. It was simply a matter of quickly stitching them together. This could be done with any tea towels to make a delightful retro or vintage cloth or to make a picnic cloth ready for the warmer days! I sourced some vintage china from my local op shop, along with some vintage serviettes.

The Women's Institute members kept the nation fed by preserving fruit and vegetables and sending them to the government for distribution to the community. Relishes, jams, pickles and canned fruit were common foods contributed during this time. So in the spirit of the war, knowing I can source free lemons, I used a WW2 recipe which is a thickened version of lemon butter, with milk thickened on top with corn flour and coconut.

Afternoon tea can be a simple affair with home-made scones, pikelets, biscuits or a slice. The Vault and Forum have numerous easy recipes. One of our favourites is a delightful tomato relish from Princess Pebbles’ Nan. We pop it on top of a cracker with a dob of sour cream.

Rita May's Relish

1.5kg tomatoes
500g onions
500g sugar
1/2 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp dried, chopped mint leaves
1/4 cup white vinegar
Corn flour to thicken

Chop tomatoes and onions into small pieces. Boil all ingredients (except the corn flour) together in a large pot for one to two hours. Stir occasionally.
Thicken with corn flour.
Store in sterilised jars in the fridge.

Princess Pebbles’ variation:

Omit curry powder and mint leaves and instead add a quarter of a teaspoon of chilli powder and half a teaspoon of dried basil or oregano.

Notes:

Jars which air lock (the lid has the button that pops when opened for the first time) are fine to store in the pantry for up to 12 months. When thickening with corn flour, put a spoon of relish on a plate in the fridge to make sure you have the thickness to your liking. Add more corn flour if necessary. The beauty of this recipe is you can add more curry powder/chilli powder if you want a hotter version. You can also add more herbs if you want.

So, dear readers, perhaps this month you can revisit the delightful daily habit that has connected communities and families for generations… afternoon tea!

You can drop in and join Helen, Annabel and the Under 50c Army here.

13. Rob Bob's Gardening Blog: Bees, Seeds and Baby Plants

Native bees and generous new friends

Yesterday we went and picked up two pre-cut IBCs from a very generous family that has no further need for them. Their yard is in the process of being set up with a few different styles of garden beds and they have loads of potted food plants ready to go into their new homes and a couple of chooks in a great looking chicken tractor. Not long after we arrived, a few native bee hives were pointed out to us. Some were in logs rescued from trees destined for the chipper and others in small hives specially made for native bees. As it is coming up to the warmer weather they offered to show us how to split a hive which allows for more bee and honey production. This was a most unexpected experience and we loved getting a short lesson in keeping native bees :)»

To start off with, a putty knife was used to break the seal between the two halves of the hive and the top was removed from the base.

The inside of the hive was not as I expected. The central spiral of cells held the brood with the larger cells around the outside holding the honey and pollen stores that looked to be about 10-15mm in diameter. The white larvae you see on top of the comb were dislodged from their cells when the hive was separated.

graphics9

A new box centre was then placed onto the old base and then the lid was added. The top half of the original box was placed onto a new base.

graphics10

A hive lock was then used to tightly secure all the frames together and the freshly divided hives were then placed back into their original position (pointing towards the NE) with the openings placed closely together. Once it was apparent that both hives had a decent number of bees going into each of them, one will be slowly relocated to another section of the yard. A juvenile queen will be raised in the queen-less hive and the whole process will begin again. From what I have read the hive can be ready to split again in 8-12 months depending on its health.

On the drive home we fairly much decided that we would get a hive, so that too has been added to the wish list. I ended up searching the web for a few hours last night for more information instead of blogging :/» As soon as the finances become available I think we will start shopping around to see if there are any available.

I am still really buzzed from meeting such a nice family that have the drive to grow as much food as they can for themselves. So thanks again Alex and family for the IBCs, the lesson and tour of your patch.

graphics11

We hope that the seeds and plants we gave you grow really well :)»

Growings on in the Patch

There has been a fair bit of growth in the patch this week with the first shoots emerging from the new beds out the front.

graphics12

The majority of the Aztec corn and all of the bush cucumbers that were planted last Friday have sprouted. I was a bit unsure of the cucumbers as I didn't have the best germination rates with them at the end of last summer.

graphics13

The Yacon that were planted out last Sunday have settled in rather nicely into their new home and have even put on some nice growth. A couple of Mini Lee watermelon seeds were also planted out in the bed with them just to see how they will go together. I still have the Yacon plants in the barrel out the back and some leftover rhizome in the coconut fibre that I intend to transplant into another bed in the coming week.

graphics14

The tomato seedlings have shot up well and were potted out into larger containers this morning. The capsicum and eggplants aren't quite large enough to be potted out yet but they are always a bit slower at coming on I have found. I hope to start cleaning out and feeding up the beds that will be their new home this week. One of these beds is the one that has the last cauliflower crop in it. I am very happy with how they are going at the moment and four of them have starting to form up some rather nice heads.

graphics15

I think some might bolt to seed with the coming warmer weather but think we should get at least half out of the bed before then.

Our youngest daughter, Kira (AKA Koo) was given a bed in the front yard to plant out. She selected all the seeds and layout of the bed herself. I think she made a great selection and we found a few of the seeds had sprouted this morning when we did a bit of a walk around :)»

Hope you all get a chance to play in the patch over the coming week.
Cheers,
Rob : )»

You can get updates on Rob Bob's new gardening adventure blogs on the Simple Savings Facebook page or in our Members' Blog section.

14. From Last Month: How to Secure my Home

Last month Rachel emailed us about ideas to help her secure her home:

"I have moved to a different area and am living by myself. I would love some ideas on how to inexpensively secure my house. I'm happy to spend some money on window locks and the doors already have good deadlocks. Besides getting a big guard dog, what other things could I do?"

We got some fantastic ideas – thank you for sharing your wisdom! Here are some of our favourite replies:

All bark and no bite!

A clever, low-cost tip to help keep your home secure is to buy one of those machines that barks like a very big dog when someone walks past a sensor close to your door. I think it could be a great deterrent to someone trying to find out if anyone is home or asleep!

Contributed by: Pauline

Grow your own home security

Roses are a beautiful addition to the garden and they can also be a great security device! For extra home security, try planting one under every window, but make sure they are not a thornless variety. They are a great way to stop people trying to get in and you'll also have a lovely garden admired by many!

You could also grow a hedge of holly along your fence-line. Make sure you have female plants and one male so you'll have the lovely red berries in winter. Boysenberries are also a good deterrent - and they have the added bonus of yummy fruit!

Contributed by: Sharon

Beware of unsecured windows

When it comes to home security, one area often overlooked is the windows. Aluminium windows can easily be lifted out from the outside by thieves. To prevent this, put self-tapping screws above the window frame. If you like to leave your windows open, drill a hole at the required distance along your bottom window frame, allowing the lock to drop into this space, so that your window will be locked into that position, and cannot be pushed further open.

For wooden window frames, drill a hole through the side frame and push a nail into the hole to stop the window being pushed up and open. An additional hole can also be used to fasten the window partly open, but secured.

Contributed by: Lesley

10 home security tips

Keeping your house secure needn't cost a fortune. Here are some of my low-cost tips!

When going out at night leave the usual light on so that when you get home the house looks as though someone is already there. Better still put it on a timer to help you feel the house is not so empty; I've done this for years.
Always make sure your house is locked up when you go out, even when you know you'll return shortly.
Leave a radio on when you are out.
Get to know your neighbours and learn their usual routines.
Find out where your 24-hour police station is and have their phone number handy.
If you own your home, get a triple lock screen door. If renting, speak to the owner about having one installed. It's good protection for their property as well as for you!
Get a sensor light for the front door.
When you go away on holiday, ask someone to collect your mail and newspapers.
If you have a gate don't oil it, the squeak will help let you know if someone is approaching.
Lastly, listen to the tone of the local dogs barking.

Contributed by: Beverley

Beef up security with DIY alarm system

For extra home security without the cost of a professionally-installed alarm system, take a look at the simple DIY alarm kits available at the hardware stores. There are various options available to suit different sized homes.

Contributed by: Julie

Give intruders the boot!

If you live alone, try this easy tip to help deter burglars! Head down to your local op shop and buy a cheap second-hand pair of large men's work boots. Pop these out on your deck or porch every evening and bring them in again in the morning. You could also hang a set of men's clothes on the washing line.

Contributed by: Gloria

15. This Month's Help Request: How to Get Rid of That Doggy Smell?

Kerrie has emailed asking for some help! She writes:

If you have any pearls of wisdom you'd like to share with Kerrie, please send them in to us here.

16. Goodbye For Now!

Well, that's your Simple Savings Newsletter for September 2013 and we hope you have enjoyed it. We hope you'll find some time in your day to get your body moving – you'll feel better, sleep better and your body will love you for it! There are some wonderful ways to incorporate a bit of exercise into your life – please let us know how you go!

Till next time…
All the best,
Fiona

September 2015 - Simple Savings Newsletter

"Secrets to Saving Money" Free Newsletter - September 2015

This issue includes:-

Sad Sally, Happy Hanna: Surprise Pie!
September: Heirloom Food
Best of the Vault: Family Favourites
Best of the Forum: Oldies but Goodies!
Best Members' Blog: Little Changes
Cooking with Mimi: Fudgy Salted Caramel Yoghurt Parfait!
Rob Bob's Gardening Blog: Welcome the Warmer Weather

Hello,

I hope you have a fantastic month! Things have been busy in Simple Savings land. We are already working on next year's calendar and it is only September! Big grin.

I hope you love the calendar when it is ready. I'm looking forward to your feedback.

Here are our favourite emails this month:

"I like the Simple Savers Facebook page for quick tips, but I love the Forum - thank you." (Carlie)

"Thank you for 'The $21 Challenge' - I can't wait to start!" (Zelda)

Have a great month!
All the best,
Fiona Lippey

1. Sad Sally, Happy Hanna: Surprise Pie!

Pete slammed the front door and walked into the house. "Hey, I'm home!" Josh and Sarah looked up unhappily and kept laying the table. "What is up with you two?" Pete quizzed his grumpy children while taking off his jacket.

"It's Mum," Sarah said, "she's got that look on her face again and she's in the kitchen cooking." "Fantastic!" Pete said, "the last time that happened she baked enough bickies for four weeks, and do you remember those cakes..." "No, it's not bickies this time," Sarah warned, "She calls it... OLD FASHIONED COOKING!" "Yep," Josh joined in sadly, "this can only mean all those recipes of Gran's, you know, creamed brains, pressed tongue... in fact, I'm actually starting to feel a bit ill."

"Dinner's ready!" Sal interrupted them, carrying steaming plates through from the kitchen. Josh and Sarah sat down, sniffing suspiciously. "Ok, Mum, so the top of the pie looks nice but what's in the middle?" Sal laughed, "This one is a really old favourite recipe of Gran's - it's beef!" "Yay," said the kids, digging in, "...with bacon and liver!" Sal added under her breath, smiling to herself.

2. September: Heirloom Food

While we don't recommend hiding offal in your recipes to surprise your family, we DO recommend trying out some of Gran's recipes. We like to call them 'Heirloom Recipes' because they are handed down through a family and are a wonderful way of celebrating family members and memories. They are nostalgic and take you where no other recipes can go!

But there are other reasons to love them as well! Old fashioned recipes are usually basic, budget-friendly, preservative-free and very tasty. Our mothers and grandmothers knew how to turn inexpensive cuts of meat and seasonal vegies into rich, fragrant dishes. Your challenge this month is to start using your old family recipes if you have them, or start creating your own if you don't. We want you to use basic, cheap and tasty ingredients to create wholesome, filling, wonderful meals. You are going to save money and the family are going to love you.

Here's one of Fiona's family favourites:

Super Omi's Pâté

With Father's Day coming up I'm making my Dad's all time favourite dish, Austrian-style Liver pâté, the way his Mum used to make it.

The recipe is cheap. While quality pâté costs $65 per kilo in the shops, this only costs $6.44 per kilo to make at home. Here are the numbers:-

500g chicken livers $3.50
500g butter $2.80
140g eggs $0.66c
1g nutmeg $0.08
6g salt $0.01
pepper $0.01
20ml brandy $1.10

1.27kg pâté for $8.16 = $6.43 per kilo

It is also really simple and only has four steps: fry onions, fry liver, blend and chill. Here is the recipe so you can give it a go yourself.

Ingredients

4 sliced onions
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
pepper to taste
500g butter
500g chopped chicken liver
2 peeled, hard boiled eggs

Step 1: Fry onion

Separate butter into two 250gm blocks. Fry onion with spices (nutmeg, salt, pepper) on medium heat in 250gm butter till soft. Put in bowl to cool.

Step 2: Fry liver

Lightly fry liver in remaining butter. Put in bowl to cool for ten minutes.

Step 3: Blend

Add all ingredients to blender. Pulse the blender a couple of times. Put in containers, seal and place in the fridge to set.

Note - Smooth or lumpy

Traditional style pâté was made with a mincer and it is quite lumpy. If you would like lumpy pâté. Lightly blend it by quickly turn the blender off and on a few times.

If you would like your pâté smooth like the shops just blend it for longer.

Step 4: Chill

Put the pâté in containers in the fridge and it will be ready to eat in a couple of hours.

3. Best of the Vault: Family Favourites

Take a trip down memory lane and dig out those old recipes that made you feel warm and loved and special, or maybe find some new ones for your own family.

Old style jams and chutneys a new saver

I recently came across a 1903 copy of a cookery book called 'Mrs Beeton's Cookery Book' in a local museum. It contains many jam and chutney recipes that do not rely on the preservatives and additives common today. I hand copied a few recipes to use up all the extra fruits and vegetables in my garden and they are delicious! My friends and family love them too and I am now making enough for my use and to give as presents. This saves me at least $3.50 a week. I was very excited to find a full text version of the book on the Internet - it's well worth a look at www.mrsbeeton.com.

Contributed by: Gina

Frugal tips from the pioneers

My grandmother's old cook books have revolutionised my budget! I have inherited her extensive range which date back to the 1950s. She had seven kids, lived in the country and money was always tight, so her resourcefulness was essential. I firmly believe we can learn much from our pioneering women about living cheaper and better.

The best part is that I have all of the ingredients for these books already in my cupboards! The glossy new cook books are mesmerising, with cafe fare abounding, but I add up the cost of the book, new ingredients I don't have (and probably won't use up either) and I walk away, with my cash still intact.

These old cook books made my first $21 Challenge a breeze! Better still, we're eating better, tastier meals than we have probably ever done. I am a typical supermarket sucker, short of time, looking for inspiration in those aisles to feed us something quick and tasty. I never leave with less than $20 worth of excitement in a calico bag, despite the food already at home in the freezer and pantry. I feel addicted to chocolate and convenience foods, telling myself they're a treat for my long hours and high pressure work. The reality is, however, that whilst I earn a healthy wage, there's never a cent left at the end of the week.

Lately, however, we've eaten home-made bread, fruit cake, puddings, tasty casseroles, pies, savoury mince and some lovely biscuits and my total spend at the shops was $20.90! My son has even taken leftovers to school for lunch, which he's never done before. I even got him to eat cabbage enthusiastically too - I feel like Wonder Woman!

Not only do books like Gran's contain wonderful recipes, many of them also have tips in them. Money saving tips, low- or no-chemical tips and answers to problems we seem to have forgotten how to resolve. All this for as little as $0.50c at the second hand stores, for those unfortunate to be without a super gran like mine. I consider myself rich to have her, all money aside!

Contributed by: Trish S

Get more from a pork roast

To get more value from a pork roast, take the bone out of the roast - bone is easier to remove from a leg - and then use a sharp knife to slice the meat into steaks, strips and cubes. Store in freezer bags until needed. Here's what you can do with that lovely meat:

Pork steaks: grill, crumb or casseroles.
Pork strips: stir-fry or pasta dishes.
Pork cubes: stir-fry, casseroles or slow-cook meals.

More variety for your money than just reheated leftover roast - and a lot more economical than buying trays of pork steaks and so on.

Contributed by: Yvonne Dighton

Get more slices from your roast or silverside

This easy tip can make your roast meat or corned silverside stretch much further! Just cook the meat the day before you want to eat it and keep it in the fridge. You can slice it much thinner when it is cold. Then simply reheat and enjoy as usual!

Contributed by: Karen Silvester

4. Best of the Forum: Oldies but Goodies!

Our Forum members have some great ideas when it comes to cooking up old favourites - here are a few of them.

Date and apple spread recipe

The great thing about 'oldies but goodies' is that you probably already have all the ingredients in the cupboard. Try this quick and tasty spread.
read more...

Wasting money on expensive foods and unnecessary items

Our Forum members come to the rescue when CherryBlossom asks for help - don't miss the great tips and ideas in this thread.
read more...

Choc pudding recipe!

Nothing says 'Granny' like a warm, delicious, chocolate pudding - this one is so simple and easy it will become a family favourite!
read more...

5. Best Members' Blog: Little Changes

One of the many benefits of being a Vault member is that you can win $100 cash each month for your Simple Savings blog! Starting your own blog on the site is easy. All you have to do is log into the Vault, click on 'My Desk' at the top left, then 'Blog'. Then get writing! We love reading all your money saving trials and tribulations and really appreciate the effort that goes into each one.

This month's Blog winner is Tiffany and her blog on making great strides with little changes!

"Well, first let me introduce myself. I am a wife, a mum of three kids, and I work, and study part-time. Phew! Surprisingly I get plenty of sleep.

DH and I previously had a lot of debt, not helped by the fact I am the world's worst saver. I can save a bit of money, then gradually take $20 here or there for 'essentials'. My 'aha!' moment only just occurred when I received a letter from Centrelink telling me I was overpaid and have a huge debt to pay back. I almost died! We underestimated our earnings unfortunately for various reasons, and I have started dedicating $50 per week from my pay to this debt.

I did a Challenge week last week and while I didn't quite make the $21 mark, I did pretty well. I cleaned the pantry out, getting rid of three garbage bags of junk. I listed everything in the freezer and found I only needed to buy steak for one night so that was a bonus. I spent about $150 at the grocery store but this included Pull-Ups for two kids, detergent etc. This week I decided to do a huge shop so I can finish paying the rates. I checked out the butchers around my area and found a great one that has bulk packs. I ordered 20kg of various meat for $170 which is a great price and I'll also get 2kg chicken breast or thighs which will last a month. I did a bulk shop with Coles online, I find this convenient for me as I am pretty busy with work and uni. I can shop at night then I drive ten minutes to the shop and pick it up - too easy! The Coles order came to roughly $260. I have decided to top up fruit weekly though as it does not stay fresh very long. I also buy milk fresh every few days, we drink lactose free milk, it has lots of cream on top so it does not freeze well.

Received my water bill the other day and was ecstatic to be $30 in credit. Our usage has dropped and I have been paying $10 per week, so that was great. I also got a statement from miss 13's high school, we are $70 prepaid for next year; I also pay $10 per week. Will make next year a bit less stressful. After reading some of the hints on this page I decided to purchase a moon cup for myself, I could not afford the $55 price tag though so I purchased it from AliExpress for $10. I was talking to miss 13 about it and she asked for one too! (She started her period two years ago.) I thought that was very open-minded of her. They should arrive in the next few weeks.

We are also putting a vege garden in. I am not the greatest gardener, I tend to lose motivation pretty quickly but I am dedicated to getting out of debt, will just have to push myself."

Well done Tiffany!

You can read more of our members' blogs here.

6. Cooking with Mimi: Fudgy Salted Caramel Yoghurt Parfait

I'm really sorry about this easy fudgy salted caramel yoghurt parfait... because I know once you've had it you're going to love it and want to make it all the time!

This is best made in the morning for dessert that night, or in the evening for (ahem) breakfast the next day. Here it is:

Fudgy Salted Caramel Yoghurt Parfait

You need:

Thick Greek yoghurt
Brown sugar
Salt

Then you just:

In a tall glass or wine glass, put a large spoonful of Greek yoghurt. Cover this layer with a generous sprinkle of soft brown sugar. Not normal raw sugar, the really fine brown stuff.

Add a teeny pinch of salt. Tiny.

Repeat in layers until the glass is full, finishing with a thin layer of the brown sugar and another teeny tiny pinch of salt.

Put it in the fridge and let it sit for several hours.

The brown sugar goes all delectably fudge like and the pinch of salt just gives it that gourmet touch. Leave the salt out if you like.

It's yummy, I promise!

You can get updates on Mimi's new blogs on the Simple Savings Facebook page

or in our Members' Blog section.

7. Rob Bob's Gardening Blog: Welcome the Warmer Weather

Starting our warm weather crops

It is time for me to get cracking and start to organise the warm weather crops. This is always a bit of a hard task as we appear to accumulate quite a selection of seed at times, as well as a few new varieties we're eager to try. I won't be planting many of any one variety, except for the pop corn because it requires a decent amount of plants to get full cobs of kernels. We don't have enough compost at the moment to feed all of the beds we have on the go, and because of this I've decided to let a few beds lay fallow/go feral until we get more compost. This is no big loss as there are plants in some, like the warrigal green bed that will still give us a harvest of sorts during this rest period. These beds will get a feeding later in the season when the compost we have on the go at the moment is ready. We do have a long growing season so I am confident that a few beds will be planted out later on. One or two of the resting beds will be fed up later in the warm season, which is okay because they'll be ready to go for next round of cool weather crops.

Most of the seeds we'll be sowing this time round were gifted to us through the 'Share the Seed' group on Facebook and YouTube friends. Will also be sowing a few of our own saved seeds, along with some purchased ones from our favourite small seed suppliers. I have a few greens selected and will be starting off with some that like the cooler weather. I think we'll pop in some Asian greens and lettuces into the aquaponics to start and then move onto plants like Egyptian spinach and amaranth a bit later on as they handle the heat a lot better. Three garden beds have been prepared and sown out already. At the backstairs I've set up a new root pouch wicking garden.

The pouch on the back left was sown out with a few cucumbers and some Thai Basil, both gifts from online seedy friends. The pouch on the right has four sweet potato slips planted out which will be trained up the trellis at the rear along with the cucumbers. The two pouches at the front have been sown out with a mix of left over carrot seeds from various packets found in the seed toolbox.

I prepared the soil/compost mix a bit different than the other lots by adding a fair amount of course sand. This will help to loosen the mix and allow the carrot roots to (hopefully) grow straight. The final pouch has our favourite yellow sunshine chilli in it. It was looking a tad scruffy so I gave it a bit of a trim back and a good feed with some fresh compost. It should bounce back nicely once the weather warms up.

The wicking bed in the centre of the hoop house has been fed up with compost and topped up with some soil from a few pouches of potatoes that were harvested. A trellis has been added for some Munchkin pumpkins to grow up as they are supposed to be a semi compact variety.

The other end of the bed has the red cherry tomato vine that I'm trying to grow the length and breadth of the hoop house. It had some perennial leeks growing at its base, so I moved them to a better position and gave them a few good handfuls of compost to help them on their way. Some sweet basil and a compact yellow zucchini were also planted out with a few samba bush beans being sowed in the centre of the bed.

I have also done a bit of maintenance in the aquaponics to get ready for the warmer weather.

The dwarf Summertime Gold tomato was removed to make way for new plants but I took some clones off it to get a jump start on some new plants.

Taking clones is an easy way to propagate tomato plants and is as simple as pinching out the suckers (small growth points above the leaves of the plant) and planting them out in soil or in my case, clay balls in the grow bed. If you want, you can also start them off in a jar of water to allow the roots to develop a bit before planting out.

I've purchased some water-loving food plants to try out in a new pond garden this year too.

Taro is one plant I've been wanting to grow for a while and have thought about growing it in the aquaponics but might wait until next season. Duck potatoes/arrowhead is another that will go in with the taro and water chestnuts. I'm not quite sure where the pond will be set up so the plants are staying in trays full of water in their pouches for now.

A couple of harvests

A few weekends ago I finally got around to harvesting the orange turmeric and some ginger from a wicking bed in the hoop house that had been growing for around 19 months. They normally get planted out in spring and harvested when they die back at the end of autumn/start of winter. These plants didn't get a full season in the bed last year so were left just to see how they would go. I think it was a good idea as what was unearthed really blew our socks off.

We ended up taking out 6.3kg / 13.8lb of turmeric and 2.5kg / 5.5lb of ginger. We kept all the ginger from this harvest but have given away/sold just over half of the turmeric.

We've stored some in the fridge for use fresh in meals and frozen a few fingers whole. The majority of the harvest we kept has been turned into a paste and frozen in small blocks so they can be thawed out and used to make curry paste or just added directly into meals.

I have pulled another lot of fish from the fish farm and had another crack at making up fish cakes.

For these fish cakes I used 1½ cups of bread crumbs, three small perennial leeks (spring onions would work just as well), dill, one egg and about 500g / 1lb of skinned fish fillets. All the ingredients were blitzed in the food processor, formed into cakes then rolled in Panko style breadcrumbs. They were then shallow fried in a frying pan until done, then served with some home-grown cauliflower and broccoli.

I must say that these fish cakes turned out a lot better than those I mentioned in last month's blog and they went down a treat. I will be pulling a few more out this week to turn into Thai-style fishcakes methinks. ;-)

A few weekends ago we cut back the tomato jungle that had been slowly consuming the chook pen for the past few months and harvested just under 4½kg / 10lb of fruit with the chooks getting their own fair share of what fell through the wire roof. The plan was to stew them all up to become tomato paste for sauces, until Bianca posted a photo on Facebook. One of her friends (thanks Bec) suggested we roast them 'with fresh thyme, rosemary, a splash of olive oil, salt, pepper and a little sugar' at 120°C / 248°F for 2-3 hours. This sounded so appealing I thought they'd go great as a topper on a pasta dish, so whipped one up for dinner the next night.

Roasted cherry tomato pasta

The sauce was a very basic one made from some Summertime Gold and Wherokowhai tomatoes from the freezer, a few cloves of garlic, a few teaspoons of raw sugar (to cut back the tang), salt and cracked pepper. It was simmered in a pot until most of the liquid had boiled off then blitzed with a stick blender to chop up the skins. Some chopped Warrigal greens from the freezer were added and warmed through.

The tomatoes were very easy to prepare. First of all they were halved and laid out onto an oiled baking tray.

A few sprigs of fresh thyme and rosemary from the patch were chopped finely then sprinkled over the top of the halved tomatoes. Salt and pepper were then ground over them and they were added to the oven (set on 130°C / 270°F) for 2½ hours. Once the tomatoes in the oven were done the pasta was put onto boil, salami was sliced and the sweet basil was washed and shredded.

To put the dish together, toss the spaghetti, salami and basil through the sauce and add the small roasted tomatoes on top. The flavour of the roasted herby tomatoes mixed with the sweet basil and spicy salami was absolutely fantastic. I made up another batch a few days later with some of the sauce we made with the yellow current tomatoes from the chook pen and think it will become a bit of a regular meal here now.

Hope you've enjoyed the look at some of our warm weather garden preparation and hope yours is coming along well.

All the best, and have a great one folks,
Rob

You can get updates on Rob Bob's new gardening adventure blogs on the Simple Savings Facebook page

or in our Members' Blog section.

8. Goodbye for now!

Well, that's your Simple Savings Newsletter for September 2015 and we hope you have enjoyed it. Don't forget to check the Forum and Facebook for challenges and inspiration to help you get growing your own and let us know how you go!

Till next time...
All the best,
Fiona

September 2021 - Simple Savings Newsletter

Newsletter for September 2021

Hi,

How are you? I hope life isn't too difficult. After last month's newsletters we were flooded with beautiful emails. Thank you! They were fantastic.

This month Sandra is in charge of the newsletter and she has put together a great guide for sprucing up the outside of your home and creating your very own backyard oasis.

I hope you enjoy this newsletter and Sandra's great collection of tips.

Till next time.

Many grins,

Fiona

PS. Before moving onto the main guide. Have a quick stop in the forum where members have been sharing tips, tricks and useful threads for snazzing up their yard.

/fora/4406202

Building an Outdoor Oasis

Being stuck inside 4 walls all day hasn't been too appealing to many Australians and New Zealanders. Creating a peaceful space to sit outdoors and 'just be' is very important to our health and wellbeing.

Here are the steps to create your own oasis:

Choosing your zen space
Cleaning it up
Snazzing it up
Enjoying the space

Choosing your zen space

Have a look around your yard for a space you can turn into a lovely little zen zone.

It doesn't matter if your space is teeny tiny or large and spacious. Some things to consider are:-

Do you have a lovely view or something which you like looking at? Do you have a space out of the wind that could be turned into something special? Is there a protected corner out of the weather that you can use? Front yard, side yard, backyard, balcony or patio it doesn't matter.

Once you have chosen a spot it is time to clean things up.

Cleaning it up

If there's rubbish in that space, then clear it out. If you cannot physically clear out your space yourself, put an online advert in your local fb community group page or ask a friend to help you.

If you have a lot of rubbish you could hire a skip bin. If the weeds need taming, dispose of them in your green council bin.

If you have an outdoor space and it's not going to affect anyone else around you, it's easy enough to clean with a bucket of warm soapy water, (a squirt of washing up detergent or a small scoop of washing powder, dissolved in hot water first will do the trick) along with a soft bristled broom and a hose. A nice 'drying' day will help too.

Dip that soft broom into that warm soapy bucket of water and scrub, scrub, scrub.

If you have a stubborn mess to clean up, on the ground/paving/concrete, then a stiff broom will be useful to scrub with.

Then hose it off. You can use one of those $2 shower squeegee things to get the water off any windows that are now clean and in your space. Give those security doors/screens a good scrub while you are at it. Make sure the windows/doors are tightly shut first. Enjoy playing with the hose as it is very therapeutic!

If you have a patio and you are in a high rise building then of course you would need to consider how to clean your outdoor floor space. A mop, bucket of water and a scrubbing brush and some elbow grease should do the trick. Sweep the area first and remove anything which might be in the way.

Once you have cleaned your space down, do put a doormat down if there is a doorway which you will be using to go in and out of. Did you know that -

'90% of dirt that comes into your house, and onto the floors, comes in via foot traffic through the doorways'

Snazzing it up

There are a number of things you can do to improve your outdoor area. Such as, renovating your fence, tweaking your furniture, personalising the space, adding more light, planting greenery and making things comfy.

Painting Palings

Seriously, even fence palings can be made more attractive with a coat of paint. See if you need to get permission first, to paint fence palings if you live in a Body Corporate type building set up and do get permission if you have to.

Have a look at the enormous change made to this small backyard, with some paint bought from a hardware store. You can talk to the staff at hardware shops about what paint to buy and they will assist you to choose. You will need to do a rough measurement of any space you would like to paint to make sure you are buying enough paint.

Not everyone will go for yellow BUT you can see the difference 2 coats of paint makes. Bear in mind that fence palings are thirsty so you will need to do 2 coats. You can paint with a big brush and it will take a little time, but the results are well worth it.

NOTE, this paint did not 'bleed through' to the neighbours side of the fence, so you might need to check that your paint won't either. Be careful how you apply the paint. If you go easy, and be patient then you won't make a big mess. If your fence butts up to a garden, then do put something temporarily down to save your plants. Protect any hard surfaces with drop sheets whilst painting. Old sheets would be useful for this.

A perfect example

Have a look at these before and after pics from one of our lovely NZ Simple Savings forum members. Honestly it's the same space, with the fence painted and a tidy up. Doesn't it look amazing!

Before

After ❤️

Outdoor Furniture

Any good space needs somewhere comfy to sit. If you already have something, then put it in the place where you would like it to go. If you don't have anything, there are loads of small tables and chairs which you can buy cheaply online and have delivered. Take care not to purchase anything too heavy if you won't be able to lift it yourself, or do get someone to help you.

Have a look if there are any good specials at your local hardware store, Aldi, Bunnings and so on, you might find some great marked down outdoor furniture.

Also don't forget to ask if anyone you might know if they have any spare outdoor furniture which they are no longer using. You never know what might just turn up.

Don't be scared to repair or to strip old furniture back or to repaint it if you have some outdoor furniture which could use some improvement. Perhaps your outdoor furniture just needs a wash or a fresh coat of timber stain or oil before it will be good to go.

Plants

Next thing to think about is plants. Greenery or colourful flowers are going to turn your space into something special. Though do be aware to make sure your pets can't reach or eat anything they shouldn't. There's lots of fake greenery around which looks quite real, from plenty of places if you need to use it instead.

Perhaps you can hang some real plants up and out of the way? Hanging baskets look fantastic.

Get into swapping plants with your neighbours, family or friends or take some cuttings and enjoy watching them grow, because buying plants can be expensive.

Look online for your local neighbourhood Buy, Swap and Sell group or FaceBook Marketplace as perhaps someone is clearing out their yard or garden and they have spare plants they're getting rid of.

If you have an ugly wall you want to hide, you can screen it with some quick growing plants, or use some lattice panels. Have a look at the gardens in your area to see what grows well.

You might want to put a small veg or herb garden in your space, because we all know that nothing beats fresh! There are plenty of 'ready to assemble veg gardens' out there. Perhaps you might already have a suitable pot or container you might like to use as a herb pot.

Personalising your space

Then have a think about what you can add to personalise your space and to make it truly your own. Garden ornaments, little statues, a birdbath for the birds, a fairy garden, a sundial or maybe a Buddha statue. What have you got that you could use to make your space really special?

Lighting

Have a think about lighting. Can your space be used in the evening or at night? Will a candle or two do the trick? There's loads of inexpensive fairy lighting, solar lighting or temporary lighting which can be used. A citronella candle can do double duty too.

If you don't have any shade you might like to get a lightweight umbrella to use. You can put it up or down and put it away in the garage when not using it.

Wear a hat if you have to sit out in the sun, and you don't have other shade, but it really is important to get a bit of sun each day as it provides us with our vitamin D as our body can't store it.

Adding comfort

Other than that, you can make your space comfy with cushions. You could buy some cheaply from an op shop or you could make some if you can sew. Any of the major retailer chains or places like Spotlight, Pillowtalk, Kmart etc also sell cushions/cushion inserts/cushion covers.

A throw or two comes in handy if some shade comes over your space or the wind starts to pick up, then you can sit there for just that little bit longer if it starts to turn chilly. If you knit or crochet, there's a project for you to get started on whilst sitting and enjoying your new space.

These two photos are of the same space. The first photo is dressed with pillows and goodies and the second is completely bare. How much cosier do the pillows look?

Make sure anything you put outside is safe from adverse weather. Check that it won't get wet or blow away in high winds.

Enjoying your space

Lastly, pop your earphones/earpods on, listen to your favourite music, get that kindle or good book out and grab a drink, relax or do nothing but admire all of your hard work. You've earned it!

You've now got yourself a lovely spot to have your morning or afternoon tea in, or to have lunch outdoors at, or to entertain in…even if you are dreaming of doing the entertaining after lockdown.

Next are some great food suggestions to enjoy in your outdoor area. First is a classic dip, fruit and cheese platter. Then Sandra's Mexican Rice Salad.

Sandra's Easy Mexican Rice Salad Recipe

INGREDIENTS

2 cups of cooked white rice ( 2 x 180ml cups of raw white rice cooked with 3 cups of water in a rice cooker)

1 X 400g tin of 4 bean mix or mexican bean mix, well drained

1 x 125g tin of corn kernels, well drained

½ red capsicum, finely chopped.

Combine the cooked rice, bean mix, corn and red capsicum in a bowl and mix.

Season with salt and pepper.

DRESSING

2 tablespoons of oil

2 tablespoons of lemon juice

2 tablespoons white vinegar

2 teaspoons of Spice mix for Tacos

2 teaspoons of white sugar

Place the dressing ingredients into a screw top jar and shake until combined.

Pour the dressing into the bean mixture and stir in well.

Keep refrigerated.

Serve with avocado, tomato, lettuce, grated cheese, avocado dip, sour cream, salsa or guacamole

In burritos, wraps, tacos, with fish, with grilled chicken, with chilli con carne, with pork belly, quesadillas, with BBQed corn cobs...Enjoy!

October 2014 - Simple Savings Newsletter

"Secrets to Saving Money in Australia" Free Newsletter - October 2014

This issue includes:-

Sad Sally, Happy Hanna: 'Lemon Wonder' to the Rescue!
October: Chemical-Free!
Ye Olde Shoppe: Closing Down Specials!
Penny Wise: The Big Scheme of Things
Best of the Vault: Get Back to Basics
Best of the Forum: Get Keen and Clean 'Green'!
Best Members' Blog: Simplifying My Life - Chickens, Vegies and Leaving the Daily Grind
Mimi's Golden Honey Mustard Sauce
Rob Bob's Gardening Blog: Some Spring Starts and Beating the Bugs the 'Chem-Free' Way
From Last Month: I Want to Work From Home
This Month's Help Request: Instant Entertaining

Hello,

How are you going? I hope you have had a great month! Last month we celebrated my mum's 70th birthday. YEH MUM! And, this month we celebrate my son Sam's 13th birthday. We are about to enter the 'teenage years'. Also you may remember; Simple Savings was launched on Sam's 1st birthday. This means Simple Savings is 12 years old. WOW! Simple Savings is almost a teenager too. I hope it behaves itself and doesn't start chasing after boys.

Thank you to everyone who has stuck by us and supported Simple Savings for all those years. Your emails and savings stories keep us going! They encourage us to do more and try harder. Thank you! Here are some favourites from this month:

"I have been getting your newsletters for a long time. Recently I decided to join the Forum - I loved it so much I bought gift memberships for my two daughters. I am very happy to think this gift might give them help with their finances." (Tess)

"I just needed to email you and say THANK YOU. Since joining the Forum, I have finally got a budget that works and I am actually saving money at last." (Josie)

Have a great month!
All the best,
Fiona Lippey

1. Sad Sally, Happy Hanna: 'Lemon Wonder' to the Rescue!

"Yoohoo, Chloe!" Sally yelled from the front door. "I'm in the bathroom, Sal, just come through," Chloe huffed. "My parents are coming to stay tomorrow and I can't get this bath clean - and I just KNOW what my mum will say..." Sally giggled, "Oh dear, a 'Mum Clean', we have those too! Now, what's the problem exactly?"

"It's this awful brown stain in the bath - nothing will shift it. I've tried Ajax, Gumption, bleach... nothing works!" Chloe wailed. Sally took a look and nodded authoritatively, "Yep, you've got yourself a bad case of lime scale there - you need to bring out the big guns to get rid of that sucker!" Chloe finally smiled, "Really? What's it called? Where can I get it?" Sally giggled. "Well, it's called 'Lemon Wonder' and I bet you've already got some in your kitchen!" "No, I've never heard of it." Chloe shook her head, "Just tell me where I can buy it Sal, I'm getting desperate."

Sal marched Chloe out of the bathroom and started rummaging in the kitchen cupboards. "Found it!" she yelled, holding up a packet of cream of tartar and a bottle of lemon juice. "This is 'Lemon Wonder', Chloe, and it really does work!" Sally crowed. "That's amazing," said Chloe, "and will it work on the taps as well?" "Ohhhh no," Sally tsked, holding up a bottle of vinegar, "You'll need some 'Crystal Clear Bathroom Magic' for that job..."

2. October: Chemical-Free!

Wouldn't Sally make a great marketer with her 'Lemon Wonder' and 'Crystal Clear Bathroom Magic'! And just like Chloe, many of us just want an instant solution, regardless of the cost to our purse or the environment. It is very easy to fall for marketing jargon and want our homes to be 'sparkling clean' and our toilets '99.9% germ-free'. We have become conditioned to believing we NEED these products to be 'clean'. The truth is we don't. This month we are going to show you some frugal and chemical-free alternatives to the expensive nasties in your cupboards.

Here is your challenge - every time you pick up a cleaning product this month, we want you to stop and think of a better way to do the job. To motivate you even further, we want you to track the money you would save by doing the 'chemical-free switch'. We've made a table of common cleaning jobs and products and some great chemical-free alternatives to try instead. And it's not ALL bi-carb and vinegar, although of course they are standards that any chemical-free home can't do without! We've listed rough approximations of usage and costs over the year to show you the savings you can make.

Are you ready to free your home from chemical cleaners - let's get going!

Cleaning Job

Chemical Product ($)
Amt/yr – Price/yr

Chemical-free Alternative ($)
Amt/yr – Price/yr

Savings per year

Bathroom
Tiled recess

Easy-Off Bam
$6.44/bottle
6 bottles/yr $39/yr

Wipe down shower every day (free!)

Bi-carb ($3.84kg) and vinegar ($1.17 2L)
3 replacements/yr $15/yr

$39

$24

Shower screens

Windex Shower Cleaner $5.90/bottle
6 bottles/yr - $35/yr

Use old stocking rolled up in ball to remove soap scum (free!)

Few drops eucalyptus oil in warm bucket of water, $2 Shop window squeegee
½ bottle/yr $6.29/bottle plus $2 squeegee -$5/yr

$35

$30

Mould

Exit Mould
$6.98/bottle
2 bottles/yr - $14/yr

Add 2 to 3 drops of clove oil to a spray bottle of water – apply _**(Warning – do not use clove oil during pregnancy)
**_ $10/bottle. lasts 3 years - $3/yr

$11

Toilet
Cleaner

Toilet Duck Cleaner
$4.30/bottle
10 bottles/yr - $43/yr

Vinegar $1.17 2L
5 bottles/yr - $6/yr

$37

Kitchen
General spray cleaner

Jif Easy Lift Kitchen Spray
$7.15 (750ml)
6 bottles/yr - $43

2/3 cup white vinegar
1/3 cup water
Few drops eucalyptus oil
Mix and use in spray bottle
18 mixes/yr (makes 250ml)
Vinegar $1.80 3L; Oil $6.29 bottle x ½ bottle $10

$33

Kitchen wipes

Pledge Kitchen Cleaner
$7.51 (20 wipes)
26/yr - $195/yr

Washing and re-using cloth wipes soaked in vinegar, sealed in plastic container
Vinegar $1.17 2L and chux wipes $4.00
6 times/yr - $31

$164

Stainless steel appliances

Stainless Steel Wipes $6.42 (20 wipes)
10/yr - $64/yr

Clean thoroughly, apply olive oil with a soft cloth
$7.15/bottle - $7.15/yr

$56

Floors
Washing tiles/lino floors

Handy Andy
$3.50/bottle
6 bottles/yr - $21/yr

Juice of one lemon or 40ml lemon juice and few drops olive oil in bucket of hot water
Lemon juice $1.39 (250ml)
6 bottles/yr - $8

$13

Washing timber floors

EarthChoice Wooden Floor Cleaner
$5.69/bottle
6 bottles/yr - $34/yr

One capful 100% eucalyptus oil
Two drops 100% lavender oil
½ bucket hot water
Approx $10 for each bottle, one bottle eucalyptus oil used $15/yr

$24

Wood floor polish

Pledge
$7.08 (500ml)
6 bottles/yr - $42/yr

1/2 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup vinegar, 10 drops essential oil (optional)
Mix and use
Olive oil $7.15 bottle, Vinegar $1.17 2L
$8/yr

$34

Carpet deodoriser

Airwick
$3.49 (500g)
12 bottles/yr - $42

Bi-carb soda & essential oils (optional)
Sprinkle, leave overnight and vacuum
Bi-carb soda $3.84kg
3kg/yr - $12

$30

Carpet spot cleaner

Vanish Preen Carpet Cleaner
$10.45/bottle
2 bottles/yr - $21/yr

Soak up the spill and cover with salt. Leave overnight then vacuum.
Salt $1.20/kg
2kg/yr - $2.40

$19

General
Air Freshener

Ambi-Pur
$6.44 (275g)
12 bottles/yr - $77/yr

Equal amounts of lemon juice and water and mix in a spray
Lemon juice $1.39 250ml
6 bottles/yr - $8/yr

$69

Cockroach traps

Mortein Cockroach Baits
$11.81 (12 baits)
Replace every 3 months
$48/yr

Grease margarine containers/glass jars and put dribble of honey in bottom
$6/450ml honey
1 bottle/yr - $6/yr

$42

Flea control

Mortein Flea Bomb
$16 (2 pack)
6 applications/yr - $96/yr

Peppermint or lemongrass essential oils – use in oil burner, dilute in floor cleaner and fabric spray
$13/25ml - $13/yr

$83

Ant spray

AntRid Ant Killer
$4.40 (50ml)
6/yr - $26/yr

Cucumber peelings – peel long strips and place at the point of entry
Save your kitchen scraps – free!

$26

Windows

Windex
$4.57 (500ml)
12 bottles/yr - $55

2/3 cup white vinegar $1.17/bottle
1/3 cup water
25 drops eucalyptus oil
Vinegar $1.17 2L Oil $6.29/bottle
4 applications/yr - $8/yr

$47

Notes:

Some 'natural' ingredients such as clove oil cannot be used during pregnancy. As with any new product, please test on an inconspicuous area first. Many of these combinations work due to the chemical reactions that take place - please use gloves and make sure the area is well ventilated. When using a different product on your floor, test a patch first to ensure the finish is not slippery.

We really hope you give some of these chemical-free alternatives a try this month. Many of them won't foam, bubble or smell like the products you are used to - but they will work. And, you might surprise yourself by looking through the list and realising you really can do without some of these cleaners, such as air fresheners - just open a window! So, go chemical-free and tell us how much you save this month - we worked out that if you tried ALL of these alternatives, over a year you would save $760! So get going, we can't wait to hear how many bottles of 'Crystal Clear Bathroom Magic' you get through and how much you save!

3. Ye Olde Shoppe: Closing Down Specials!

We still have some great bargains in the Shoppe so get in quick for some early Christmas presents - you have until the end of November!

Ice-block moulds $4.00 per set (saving $21 per set, original price $25 per set)

"The $21 Challenge" books $10 (saving $15, original price $25)

GameTag $4.00 per set (saving $16, original price $20)

CreaClip $25 (saving $15, original price $39.95)

4. Penny Wise: The Big Scheme of Things

My last day in isolation, woohoo! I must be on the mend because I've been feeling bored and can't wait to get my money saving mojo back. I think the boys have been quite impressed with the dinners I've been managing to come up with during my convalescence; even the dogs and cats have been eating home-made feasts like little kings and queens! However, I feel this is largely to do with the fact I own no other books other than cook books so have simply been lazing around all day reading about food. If I had been able to leave the house to go to the shops I probably would have made ALL of Mimi's wonderful recipes this week! Do make sure you have a look at her blog as she has really been cooking up a storm and the recipes are all too good to miss!

I have to admit, it has been rather nice just to stop and smell the roses for a wee bit and spend a decent bit of time browsing the many avenues of Simple Savings. The great thing about SS land is that it is constantly moving and evolving - of course anyone who spends any time in the Forum knows this, we have our work cut out just trying to keep up! However, I never realised how different we are to other money saving resources until this week. You see, as it turns out I know a lot about saving money. A LOT. Who knew?! Of course you can KNOW as much as you like about it; it will only actually do you any good if you USE it. If the success of saving money was based on knowledge alone I would be a millionaire by now; you have to practise what you preach and I have a lot of catching up to do after my misspent years enjoying comfortable income and complacency! But I never actually KNEW how much I knew. As a Simple Saver you kind of just assume it; all the tips we constantly share and add to our repertoire add up to a pretty decent amount over time and we know we have the edge over non-SS'ers. But in my recent days of inactivity and without books I found myself scouring the Internet for new money saving inspiration; stuff which would inspire me and I could add to my 'must try' list. And I found - nothing. I searched and searched but everything was either old information, pinched from somewhere else, had already been covered at least 50 times before or dare I say downright stuffy and boring. Horribly pompous it may sound but I literally knew EVERYTHING. Which in some ways is brilliant isn't it - I mean, I really shouldn't complain! But I wanted more. I was used to getting more, I wasn't used to knowing it all! So back to SS I went and immediately I felt right at home again. Next month I will have been a member for 10 whole years and I think that's pretty good that after a decade I can still jump in anywhere on the site and find something which motivates and inspires me. It doesn't matter if the tips are five years old or five minutes old, I am constantly still finding new things. Not to mention the people here are lovely!

Which brings me to a rather important point Penny adopts serious face. It has been brought to my attention that some of you wonderful, kind hearted adorable people have been wanting to help the boys and I out. The three of us are truly deeply touched, bless you all but our little household is just one of many in SS land and that is why I feel able to share as honestly as I do, because I know that we are not alone and there are a lot of others out there contending with everything we are and much, much more. They just choose not to ramble on about it the way I do! I can't stress enough that members really are already giving us all the support and encouragement the boys and I need; we are so lucky to have this special place. Remember too that if it wasn't for you all sharing your tips and advice and cheering us on, I would never have been in the position to raise two hulking great larrikins by myself AND have managed to hang onto our adorable Nawtypoo these past 18 months! Just like Dory says in 'Finding Nemo', we have to just keep swimming, just keep swimming. I hope that one day I will also be able to say or do something to help someone else on here the way so many of you have helped me but please, no more talk of donations! If you want to donate anything at all, send me your favourite frugal recipe, I can never have too many of those and they will help us for years to come! In exchange I must direct you to this wonderful recipe from one of my heroines, Chelsea Winter. I tried them on one of my first nights home from hospital and she isn't wrong when she says they are the best meatballs ever. They are epic and I didn't even have any red wine, fresh basil, thyme or tomato paste. Considering I didn't have much more to work with than beef stock and balsamic vinegar they turned out amazing and very frugal!

I'm not sure what this has to do with saving money, probably nothing but on the subject of 'there's always someone worse off than yourself' there are a couple of people I met in hospital last week who inspired me so much I really want to tell you about them. On my last night in hospital I ended up getting moved from isolation to a ward with two other women a good 30 years my senior. My throat was incredibly sore, I could hardly speak and to be honest the last thing I wanted to do was talk to anyone, I was enjoying feeling sorry for myself in peace thank you very much! Fortunately at around 8.30pm I figured my two senior roommates, Robyn and Joyce would be pretty much ready for bed. How wrong I was. 'Welcome to the party!' grinned Robyn from across the room. 'We stay up late but don't mind us!' Joyce said, waving her magazine. 'You're going to love these two', smiled the nurse and proceeded to hook all three of us up to our various drips. Well, I have to say it was the latest I've stayed up in longer than I can remember, the three of us were having so much fun, chatting and laughing! They really were hilarious and funniest of all was that ALL of us were having trouble with our drip alarms going off every five seconds. Our room looked like a disco with all the flashing lights and the poor nurses were in and out so often we told them they may as well just hop onto the fourth unoccupied bed in the corner and take up residency! What a couple of hoots they were, with their wonderful cheeky sense of humour and a youthfulness which far belied their age. I didn't know until the next day that Robyn's hips and legs were full of steel or that she was in hospital because she had fallen and broken her back and lain on the floor for two days, unable to reach her alarm to call for help. I didn't know that all her family lived overseas or far away, that she was on her own and that her nearest neighbour is away for four months at a time. I did learn, however, that she lives less than half an hour from me so I have made a promise to myself to go and visit her.

As for Joyce, what a wee pocket rocket she was! This tiny lady was so full of laughter and kindness. But she was fragile; so fragile her bones could literally break with the slightest movement. The day I was allowed home she was also discharged and while she was happy to be going home, she was really scared and I was scared for her. Why was she being allowed home on her own when she was unsteady on her feet and unable to do so many things for herself? She only lived half an hour from me in the other direction and if I hadn't been stuck in home isolation for a week I would have been on her doorstep checking up on her. My boys and I might make a bit of a rickety team sometimes but I felt so grateful to be going home to them; both these lovely ladies had so much more to contend with than I did, yet were going home on their own.

And then there was the Purple Plum. I have a feeling I'll be introducing you to her properly one day! Her real name is Maree and it was Joyce who introduced me to her the next morning when she burst onto our ward. I would estimate Maree as being around my age but the huge smile on her face and twinkle in her eye could make her look anything up to 20 years younger. Like all of the health care assistants she was bright and breezy and compassionate but Maree was really larger than life and rather than just passing through or ducking in and out, she always took the time to sit and chat with the patients for a couple of minutes and impart some little story or joke to make them laugh. 'This one is such a ray of sunshine you know,' Joyce told me. 'Always full of the joys and got a smile on her face!' she nodded to Maree. 'Ah well, I never used to be like that you know,' Maree replied. 'I used to be so shy, I never spoke to a soul! Then I got bowel cancer a few years ago. I beat it and decided I wanted to give something back. I wanted to cheer people up who were sick and in pain and make them smile so I quit my job as a chef and spent the next five years training as a health care assistant. Guess you could say I went from a shrinking violet to a Purple Plum!' She roared with laughter, gesturing to her bright purple uniform. Who would have guessed? Talking to Maree continued to be fascinating as she shared how, when she was younger, she bought a tumbledown miner's cottage. Everyone thought she was mad but bit by bit she saved and did it up on the cheap. Four months ago she married her Prince Charming. She sold her tiny house and the two of them now live in their dream house in the bush among the wildlife. Every morning she still wakes up and pinches herself at her good fortune and then heads off to work to spend her day making others happy.

So many wonderful people to cross my path in just a few short days and all of them have dealt and continue to deal with far greater challenges than me but nothing has made me count my blessings more than this heart wrenching post from another young mum who coincidentally also had bowel cancer but sadly was not as fortunate as Maree:

And So There Must Come an End

I warn you, it is incredibly sad to read but it is worth it. It is possibly the best piece of writing I have ever read and is a wonderful reminder that in the big scheme of things, many of life's trials are both manageable and temporary. I might even print it off and stick it up somewhere to remind me how lucky I am next time I feel the slightest bit sorry for myself. And on Monday I shall jump out of bed and attack this money saving lark and life in general with even more renewed vigour; just watch me!

You can get updates on Penny's new blogs on the Simple Savings Facebook page.

...or in our Members' Blog section.

5. Best of the Vault: Get Back to Basics

It's time to look at that cupboard full of expensive, chemical-laden cleaners and think about getting back to the basics. There are some wonderful, inexpensive and gentle solutions that will do exactly the same job without any harmful side effects. The Vault is full of fantastic ideas to get you started!

Cheap, safe and effective mould spray

I have come across an excellent formula for mould spray that is cheap and safe and works like a charm. Just add two or three drops of clove oil to a spray bottle of water and spray on the offending mould. That's all there is to it! If it is really bad, it may take a couple of attempts and a wipe down but once the initial treatment is done, it is then just a matter of spraying it lightly to keep it away for good. Nothing could be easier, it also leaves the room smelling fresh and clean!

Note: Clove oil should not be used during pregnancy.

Contributed by: Julie Cox

Homegrown soapwort has heaps of uses

Soapwort is a herb which is simple to grow and can save you a lot of money. Use it to make your own washing liquid. Just boil up the stalks and leaves and simmer for five minutes or so. Strain this liquid and use it to shower with, wash your hair (apple cider vinegar or egg are great conditioners to use after this), wash your hands, use on the dishes and use in the laundry!

The active ingredient that causes the washing and the suds is saponin. There are other plants that do this as well, but I have found soapwort the easiest to grow. This saves me LOTS of money!

Contributed by: Meredith D

Jenny's best ever cleaning paste

I have found this home-made cleaning product to be the most economical and effective I have ever used. It can be used on any surface within the home. It's safe for allergy suffers, safe for young family members and is so cheap and easy to make. Note - this should be made up and stored in a glass jar, rather than plastic.

1 cup bicarbonate of soda
1 tbsp of any dishwashing detergent
1 tsp essential oil - for example, lavender or eucalyptus

Mix ingredients thoroughly together and you're ready to go! Just sprinkle over the required surface, add a little water and clean away. Perfect for bathrooms and kitchens or wherever you like!

Contributed by: Jennifer W

Chemical-free floor cleaner

For a cheap and easy chemical-free floor cleaning solution, just fill a bucket with hot water, squeeze the juice of one lemon into it and add a few drops of olive oil. Then wipe over as usual. The lemon leaves a pleasant fragrance and the olive oil will make your floor shine!

Contributed by: Yasmin

Cheap, effective alternative to washing up liquid

If you wash your dishes by hand, here's how you can get two-litres of 'washing-up liquid' for the same price as a 500ml bottle - and get those dishes even cleaner than before!

We ran out of dishwashing detergent this week, four days before 'shopping' day. I forced myself not to go into Woolies just for detergent (as we all know that never works!). I also didn't want to go to the local corner shop as I would have paid a ridiculous amount for a little bottle of detergent. Then I remembered the tip we received at work from the health inspector - hot water and vinegar! We use this at work as a rinse for our dishes as it's cheap and it sanitises. So I thought I'd try washing my dishes with it. Wow! It cuts through grease better than any detergent I've ever used - and my dishes are sparkly clean!

I used what I had on hand, which was brown vinegar - about an eighth of a cup (or a quick 'sploosh') in with hot water! As the health inspector told us, as long as you can smell the vinegar in the water, you have enough.

With two litres of vinegar about the same price as 500ml of detergent, and with less elbow grease required - I don't think I'll ever buy detergent again!

Contributed by: Doofybear

6. Best of the Forum: Get Keen and Clean 'Green'!

You don't have to be a Greenie to know that the chemicals we bring into our home can be harmful to us and to the environment. There are some fantastic and effective alternatives that will do the same job - but you won't have to wear a face mask to use them! We're not going to fall for marketing any more, we're going to save money and breathe deeply! Here are some great ideas from the Forum...

Scented cleaning cloths

Much cheaper and greener than supermarket ones and you can make them smell just the way you want them to!
read more...

How to make your own laundry powder

Give it a go - you might be nicely surprised!
read more...

Home-made dishwasher tablets

The expensive commercial variety are full of all sorts of nasties - why not try making your own dishwasher tablets?
read more...

How to clean a mouldy dishwasher?

We can't do this yucky job for you, but we can give you some ideas!
read more...

Where do you buy your essential oils?

Essential oils are an 'essential' part of the chemical-free cleaning toolkit!
read more...

7. Best Members' Blog: Simplifying My Life - Chickens, Vegies and Leaving the Daily Grind

One of the many benefits of being a Vault member is that you can win a $100 store credit in Ye Olde Shoppe or $100 cash each month for your Simple Savings blog! Starting your own blog on the site is easy. All you have to do is log into the Vault, click on 'My Desk' at the top left, then 'Your Blog'. Then get writing! We love reading all your money saving trials and tribulations and really appreciate the effort that goes into each one.

This month's winner is Tinker for sharing the exciting and enormous changes she's making in her life!

"So as Dave Ramsey says, I got 'sick and tired of being sick and tired'. I have two kids (four and one) and after an epic winter of illness and the stress of DH and I covering their time off day care and feeling tired of being rushed constantly and not spending quality time with the kids, I realised enough was enough. I have decided to leave my day work and start doing night fill. I'll be working both jobs until the end of the year to pay off our personal loan then after Christmas the plan is that I'll resign from my day job.

I'm a bit anxious about it but feel in my heart that it's the right decision for us right now. I'm looking forward to not stressing when the kids get sick, actually getting on top of the housework and not being constantly tired. I'm looking forward to slowing down my family's life and bringing quality back. For too long now we have fallen to takeaway and processed snacks because we are time-poor and tired. We spend money on things we can't find simply because of the clutter we can't seem to get through. Our days off are spent trying to get on top of things rather than spending quality time together. Some people are fantastic at juggling the work/life balance with kids but I just really struggle.

So in preparation and as part of my re-focus we got a couple of chickens and have made up some large vegie beds. So far we are growing corn, lettuce, spinach, snow peas, capsicum, baby beets, leeks, spring onions, celery, rockmelons, watermelons, chillies, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes and miscellaneous herbs. On the agenda to plant are beans, cucumbers and salad mix. This is my second time at giving vegies a really good go so fingers crossed! Last time I tried, everything got annihilated by little white butterflies!

We are LOVING the chickens and this week we found our first egg! They have such personalities and are great at turning our scraps into fertiliser. We let them out to free range when we are in the yard but otherwise they are kept in a movable coop. You can see where they have been in the yard because there is lush grass sprouting up.

DH and I have also given up Facebook and reconnected with each other. No more mindless scrolling instead of talking.

I'm excited about this next chapter in our lives. All of my friends and family work days (most are career-driven) so I kind of feel like I am going against the norm and I know that financially we will be much tighter. I will be going from $31/hr to $20.65/hr for starters and dropping to 16 hours per week. It will be harder financially (DH isn't on the best wage) but we're willing to have a tighter budget for (hopefully) more sanity.

So onto the next few months and juggling two jobs. The end is in sight though and I simply cannot wait to switch gears."

Well done Tinker - we'll be following your new adventure and cheering you on every step of the way!

You can read more of our members' blogs here.

8. Mimi's Golden Mustard Honey Sauce

You know that blobby stuff in the jar that makes chicken taste heavenly and elevates meatballs to something glamorous?

I make my own and I thought I'd share it so you too can stop paying $4.00 a jar for something that costs cents to make. :)

My recipe has no cream in it, unlike many other home-made versions, and uses ingredients that most of us have on hand.

Here it is:

Mimi's Golden Honey Mustard Sauce

1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 chicken stock cube
2 tsp wholegrain mustard (or a combination of two different kinds if you want)
2 tbsp honey
1/2 tsp turmeric
2 dsp cornflour, mixed to a paste with a little water

Then just:

Whisk all the ingredients together in a small saucepan and stir until it bubbles and thickens.

That's it.

Serve over meat, vegetables or chicken or use as a simmer sauce.

You can get updates on Mimi's new blogs on the Simple Savings Facebook page

or in our Members' Blog section.

9. Rob Bob's Gardening Blog: Some Spring Starts and Beating the Bugs the 'Chem-Free' Way

Now that we are in spring and the weather is warming up, I thought I'd start off with a bit of a round-up on the patch over the last month or so.

Spring seedlings & starts

We currently have quite a few new seedlings in the propagation trays of varying age and size.

A couple of weeks ago I planted out a few different varieties of capsicum, Egyptian spinach, burpless 'Tasty Green' cucumber, giant tree tomato, burgundy okra and coral lettuce. All have germinated except for the Egyptian spinach but I still have my fingers crossed they will make an appearance soon. Half of the cucumbers have been planted out at my parents' place and the remaining two will be going into a wicking bed down the back later today I hope.

Round two of starts were sown out into trays the other day. This lot included some purple asparagus, Armenian cucumbers and red and sugarloaf cabbages. A few of these have already started to germinate which is great.

A few plants have already been planted/sown out where they are to grow in the patch. There are four bags of purple Congo potatoes at the back stairs with another two bags planted out in a wicking bed down the back next to two bags of Desiree spuds. I decided to try a growing method I saw on a great YouTube gardening channel called "Allotment Diary". What Dan does is bury the bottom 15-20cm of the potato grow bag into the garden bed so the potato roots have access to more moisture and the nutrients in the soil.

I have tried this method before but didn't have much luck. I think it came down to using poor soil and tubers that time round. This time I've spent a few extra dollars and purchased a good quality compost to mix through, and think that will make all the difference. Keeping the water up to them will help out a bit as well I think. ;-

The last lot of potatoes that were planted out were some Desiree spuds that went into an old worm farm barrel.

Five spuds were planted on top of the remaining worm castings and they look to be going great guns. As the stems on the potatoes grow, I'll remove the lower growth and top up the bags and barrel with a compost rich soil mix. Hopefully this will encourage more tuber development up the stem of the plant. Our potato harvests can be a bit hit and miss (as you will see in a picture below) so I am hoping these do a lot better.

The first lot of corn was sown directly into an IBC bed in the front yard. We had a great germination rate with nearly all of them sprouting.

This F1 variety is called 'Bicolor' and is the first of the season's three sowings of sweet corn. I hope to follow this crop with a sowing of another F1 variety called 'Max' and then another of the 'Bicolor'. I am not growing any of the coloured 'Aztec' corn this year until the end of the season. I want to do an experiment to see how they grow through autumn and winter here.

The first of the yacon rhizome have sprouted in some pots I used to start them off in.

I am not sure where all of them are going yet but these two are in a wicking barrel by the back stairs. The rest will probably end up going into wicking barrels around the patch at this stage as garden space is at a bit of a premium this season.

Aquaponic system

A few weeks ago we finally got all the fish moved over into the new fish tanks and brought the new filters online.

The fish handled the move fine with no major dramas at all. I still have a few small bits of hose work to fix up but other than that, the fish tank and filter side of the build is all done. I've posted a bit of clip on moving the fish over and how the system turned out for those that would like a closer look.

Now I can start to sort out the new grow bed and layout for the system as well as make up the new growing methods that we will be trialling. I think mainly leaf green crops will be planted out in the system with a few capsicums, so we can do a comparison on growth between soil and aquaponics methods. I am hoping to have a few grow buckets and tubes knocked off before the kids go back to school.

Some tips on controlling a few garden pests and infections without chemicals

Keeping the patch pest-free without the use of purchased chemicals can be a bit of a challenge at times so thought I would mention a few that we have used or have been recommended to me by family and friends. One of the most common pests in the patch is aphids. These little sap suckers love to feast on your plants and can increase in number very quickly. Some aphids are Parthenogenetic, meaning that the females can give birth without the need of the egg to be fertilised.

These pests can actually be rather easy to get rid of - one of the quickest ways to get a handle on a large population is as easy as blasting them with a garden hose. As Aphids have soft bodies, the water pressure will not only knock them off the plant but will also crush them. Another treatment is a simple soapy water spray. It's as easy as mixing a teaspoon of pure liquid dishwashing soap into a litre/quart of water and spraying the little blighters. The soap in the water washes off the protective waxy coating of the aphid, causing them to dehydrate and die.

White oil is another product that many folks use in the garden to control pests like mealy bugs, white flies, mites, scale, aphids, citrus leaf miner and caterpillars. While I haven't used white oil much myself I do know a few gardeners who use commercial white oils. You can also make it yourself from household ingredients. Gardening Australia's Jerry Coleby-Williams has a recipe that uses two cups of vegetable oil and half a cup of washing up liquid. All you need to do is pour the two ingredients into a jar and give it a good shake to combine them. This simple white oil will last for about three months before a new batch needs to be made. To make up a batch to use in the patch you add two teaspoons of oil mix to one litre of water, shake and spray on the infested plants. The oil mix works by blocking the spiracles (breathing pores/tubes) on the pest, suffocating them very quickly.

Mildew is another problem we face here during the more humid months. Powdery and downy mildew normally affects the squash, zucchini and pumpkins in our garden. If caught early enough they can be managed with a very cheap home remedy using an active ingredient found in most SS pantries or cleaning kits - bi-carb/baking soda. The bi-carb raises the pH, killing the mildew and its spores. This is one remedy I have used for a while now and found quite effective. I like to spray all the susceptible plants in the patch at the first sign of an outbreak. The spray is made by adding one tablespoon of bi-carb to two litres of water and adding in a few drops of dishwashing liquid to help the mix stick to the mildew. I have also used a commercial potassium bi-carbonate fungicide (called 'Eco Fungicide') in the past to treat mildew on the plants. It is actually quite expensive to use when compared to bi-carb soda so now only use it to raise the pH and potassium levels in the aquaponic system. ;-)

Just a quick reminder to always test-spray a leaf or two of any plant you want to treat to make sure there will be no adverse reactions to the remedies being used. If the leaf still looks fine 24 hours later you should be good to proceed with treating the whole plant. Another thing to remember is that they may need re-applying after rain as they will wash off.

Encouraging beneficial insects like lacewings, ladybugs, hoverflies and parasitic wasps into the garden is another way to help control pest outbreaks in the patch for very little cost.

You can do this by planting out flowering plants that attract them, such as Queen Anne's lace, tansy, lemon balm, dill, fennel, coriander, brassicas (broccoli, cauliflower, mustard greens etc) and others that will help bring these insects into the patch.

We have also left aphids alone on some plants when we noticed an extraordinary number of ladybugs and their offspring feasting on them...

We figured that in doing so we were creating a ladybug nursery that could support a large population of these aphid munching machines! Ever since then we have found ladybugs all through the patch and have seen very little aphid activity.

Another chemical-free option is to exclude as many pests as you can from accessing the plants (I have covered this before in a recent blog post). While insect netting and hoop houses can initially be costly to set up, good quality netting can last for five plus years, making it very cost effective. This would have to be my favourite option as it keeps out some of the more troublesome pests like cabbage butterflies and the dreaded Queensland fruit fly. It also frees up time that would normally be spent inspecting the plants for outbreaks and spraying them.

What makes the cost all worthwhile is when you can pick vegies that don't include 'leaf ventilation' and haven't needed to be treated with any sprays at all.

Koo's Carrot flower

Our youngest DD let one of her purple carrots go to seed just to see what would happen. The amount of flowers the plant has produced has really impressed us and we hope to collect a load of seed to see how they go. Here's a quick look at how spectacular the flower of the humble carrot can be.

I hope you all have your spring garden planned and seeds ready for sowing. I know I shall be busy over these school holidays preparing a few beds and sorting out the next few rounds of seeds to sow out.

Cheers & have a great one,
Rob

You can get updates on Rob Bob's new gardening adventure blogs on the Simple Savings Facebook page

or in our Members' Blog section.

10. From Last Month: I Want to Work From Home

Last month Janine emailed us about ideas for working from home:

"I am a struggling single mother who only works two days a week and am trying to find more work. I have been trying for other jobs for the past seven months but am having no luck. I was wondering if you could ask your subscribers about jobs you can do from home with minimal start-up costs. I just need to find something that would be a good fit for me and which would bring me in a consistent regular extra income."

We got some fantastic ideas - thank you for sharing your wisdom with Janine. Here are some of our favourite replies:

Become a virtual assistant

You don't have to travel to an office to be a personal assistant! If you have a background in administration, access to a computer and Internet, you can pick up work as a 'Virtual Assistant', where you are assigned admin jobs to do at home. Once you build a reputation for being reliable, you will grow your client base and therefore your income. For more information check out thevirtualassistant.com.au

Contributed by: Kylie O

Ironing is an easy option

For an easy and convenient way to earn extra cash, consider taking in ironing. People always need a hand with their busy lives and finding work can be as easy as pinning a notice on a supermarket notice board or in a school newsletter. People can either drop off to you or you can pick up and deliver. Charging by the hour is the best way to go; you'll be surprised at how it can mount up!

Contributed by: Suzette B

Sell your wares for free online!

If you want to make some extra money from home, take a look at your skills or hobbies. What can you make that you could sell at markets or online? Facebook has many buy, swap or sell sites that don't cost you anything to advertise. There are many craft groups on Facebook as well that can help you. I wanted to work from home for a long time but I didn't want to make items to sell. I also wanted to do something worthwhile. So I became part of a team that is helping change children's lives through our Social Entrepreneurial program; our aim is to end childhood malnutrition. I have found my passion and love what I am doing!

Contributed by: Kylie Wilson

Give a little respite

If you are looking to make some extra income from home, consider respite care. I did this from home when I was a single mum. There are many families with a special needs family member that can do with a break, and in NZ there is funding for respite care. I was able to combine this while caring for my own children and, best of all, there are no start-up costs!

Contributed by: Michelle Jennings

Let your fingers do the working

If you are a good touch-typist you can earn extra money in your own home doing online transcription. You do need to be able to commit to a few hours each day during business hours, but it is something you can fit in around your other responsibilities. The start-up cost (apart from your computer) is around $400 for all the software and foot pedal and so on, although some companies may be able to offer you the equipment as a rental. I have a few friends who do this; one is self-employed and does a few hours in the evening a few days per week. Works for her!

Contributed by: Sarah Wise

Hassle-free ways to make extra money

Here are a few suggestions for making some extra money that can fit around other responsibilities. Some of these are very handy for fitting around existing activities or to do working from home. Some are just good for making some extra dollars without committing to ongoing days/work hours.

Mystery shopping. A couple of good companies I can recommend are KPI Retail Services. They employ men and women of all ages and pay $30 to simply visit a store and assess the cleanliness and helpfulness of the staff. Stores include homeware outlets like Matchbox, Kookai (women's clothing) and Oakley (men's sunglasses) as well as hunting and camping stores and so on. They send you assignments which you can choose to complete; this works well if you can take on several assignments in the one place so they can all be done together. Another great company is ShopAngels. They have a huge variety of assignments and you can earn between $6.00 and $12 making a two-minute phone call to assess customer experience over the phone, for example, fake enquiries to P&O cruises and Contiki. Coles and Woolworths use them to assess customer service and will give you $10 vouchers for shopping there. Caltex also use them to assess customer service and give you up to $15 vouchers for petrol. It all helps!
For those with a later model car, how about car advertising? There are endless companies out there looking for people with cars less than five years old to advertise on. Also companies such as Sheen, Michelin tyres and local tradies/building companies will pay weekly/fortnightly for advertising. The only inconvenience to you is a small sticker on your back wind shield.
Promotional events. Companies such as KRAFT pay people to be at events serving bubbly, all you need is a cheery attitude. You can get paid as much as $150 for two hours' work. Crown also hold a lot of events/parties and need ladies to simply greet people.
Online surveys. There are heaps of these available. Companies such as 'Your Voice' or 'Survey Village' give you vouchers to complete surveys. Whilst it can take a bit of time to get a voucher, it can be done from home and at whatever time suits.

For more information, simply Google! You'll be surprised how many opportunities are around.

Contributed by: Carly Welburn

Pick and choose your work with Odesk

A brilliant way to pick up some extra hours working from home is to register with an online organisation called Odesk. They have hundreds of different projects available for you to do from your own home; you simply choose what hours you want to do. There is something for everyone and no special skills are needed.

Signing up is free and you'll be surprised at the availability of work you can do. I have a friend in Bulgaria who replaced her full-time income easily! For more information, check it out here: www.odesk.com

Contributed by: Happy Jan

11. This Month's Help Request: Instant Entertaining

Karyn has emailed asking for some help! She writes:

"Please help! I work really hard at sticking to our food budget so there are rarely treats or fancy food in my fridge. While this is fantastic for our budget, I am sometimes caught out when unexpected guests drop by and I really don't have anything 'nice' to give them (unless they are happy with frozen home-made biscuits or vegie sticks and mayonnaise!). I'd love some ideas for savoury, quick entertainers that I can keep stocked in the cupboard, freezer or long-term in the fridge so that I can serve something tasty for those 'pop-in' visitors. Does anyone have recipes or ideas?"

If you have any pearls of wisdom you'd like to share with Karyn, please send them in to us here.

12. Goodbye For Now!

Well, that's your Simple Savings Newsletter for October and we hope you have enjoyed it. We hope you'll find some chemical-free cleaners that work well for you and become a part of your house cleaning arsenal!

Till next time...

All the best,
Fiona

October 2016 - Simple Savings Newsletter

"Secrets to Saving Money" - October / November 2016

This issue includes:-

Sad Sally, Happy Hanna: Bagging a Bargain
October: Do Bargains Control You?
Last Month's Competition: Your Best Tips for a Happy Retirement
Best of the Vault: The Golden Rules of Bargain Shopping
Best of the Forum: Bargains, Bargains, Everywhere
Best Members' Blog: Living a Life I Like
Best of SS Facebook: Someone Should Marry Me!
Savings Story: Still Saving and Hooked

How are you going in this fine month of October? Oh... Hang on a sec... it's November!

How are you in this fine month of November? I've been so busy chasing down bargains, I forgot to send the newsletter :-)

Okay, that is not entirely true. But I have been spending lots of time playing with a cute little puppy.

Have a great month :-)

All the best,
Fiona

1. Sad Sally, Happy Hanna: Bagging a Bargain

"List? Check. Comfy shoes? Check. Brochure? Check. Red wine for later? Check", Sally muttered to herself as she looked around. "Right. I'm ready!" she announced, loud enough for Pete to hear. "Excellent. Ready for what?" he responded. "Christmas shopping!" Sally beamed. "But it's only October! Are you mad?" Pete asked his wife. "No I'm not mad - now is the perfect time!" she snapped back at him. "Besides, you're coming too", she told him, ignoring his expressions of protest. "I need someone to push the trolley!"

"NOW I know why you needed someone to push the trolley", groaned Pete three hours later. Sally was having a ball and the trolley was piled high with bargains. "Are we done yet?" "No. I need to go round once more and make sure I haven't missed anything. And I still have to check out - yikes!" she squealed, ducking behind the bath towels. "Hide!" she gestured frantically to Pete as she tried to push both him and the trolley into a pile of fluffy dressing gowns. "What the?" he spluttered in confusion. "It's Hanna! We can't let her see us!" Sally whispered.

"OK. I think the coast is clear now", Sally peered out a few minutes later and saw Hanna strolling out of the shop. "What on earth was all that about?" Pete reappeared with his trolley. "Why are you hiding from Hanna? Everything you've bought is on sale. You're Christmas shopping in October for goodness sake, you're being organised! What is the problem?" Sally cast an embarrassed eye over her overflowing trolley and held up a list. "Well you see", she said. "I was only supposed to be buying ten things"

2. October: Do Bargains Control You?

Hanna may not have gained what she hoped from her shopping expedition but she still learned a valuable lesson. Having a good nose for a bargain doesn't necessarily make a person good with money! And buying something simply because it costs less than usual doesn't necessarily make it a good decision. Are you buying it because you need it - or just because it's cheap?

Just like any other impulse buy, op shops, daily deal websites and $2 shops can all entice us to spend money on things that, five minutes before, we didn't know existed, or that we 'needed'. And often not even at the best price! A few dollars here, a few more there and all those little bargain purchases can quickly add up to a lot. It doesn't matter if it's cheap, if you buy something without knowing for certain you will use it, or have a place for it, you are still potentially throwing money away. This simple checklist will help you to prevent that from happening again.

Before You Buy:

Know what you already own. One of the main reasons people buy things they don't need is because they have so much stuff already, they can't see what they already have. Before you spend another cent on what seems like a good bargain, do a thorough sort of everything you own - food, clothes, shoes, bags, stationery, tools, kitchen utensils and gadgets - everything. When all your things are organised and accounted for, it is super easy to check what you already have before spending money the next time you think you 'need' something. It doesn't matter how cheap something is, if you don't need it, don't buy another!

Know why you are buying. As already mentioned, buying something simply because it's cheap is not a good enough reason. We all know the effects of emotional shopping - people often buy stuff to fill psychological needs such as boredom, sadness, hunger or just the buzz of owning something beautiful. Nabbing an item on special works the same way; getting a great discount feels like winning a prize and releases dopamine which makes us feel happy. But bargain shopping is no more valuable or productive than any other kind of shopping if you are still buying that item without a purpose. If you can't come up with anything better than a vague reason why you should spend your money on it, (such as 'it's cute' or 'the one I have is old even though it still works perfectly fine' or 'I might have an office party to go to one day') put it back and save your money.

Stay ignorant. Bargain shopping is even easier and more addictive when you don't have to leave the house! The barrage of daily deals and online offers we receive in our email inboxes and see on the Internet put us slap-bang in the position of considering purchases we might otherwise never have noticed. If you find yourself frequently giving in to these, cancel your subscriptions and turn off the temptation of all those fabulous must-have bargains. They do not save you money - but no longer buying them will.

Stick to quality. Let's be honest here, a lot of things in today's world are cheap because they are crap quality and not made to last. Better to spend a little more on something which is built to stand the test of time than something cheaper and poorer quality which will need to be replaced in the short term and is likely to fall apart or malfunction.

Everyone loves a bargain - and rightly so! There is nothing more rewarding than being able to pick up just the thing you're after at an unbeatable price. Just make sure before you part with your money, before you click 'buy now' or 'proceed to checkout' you are truly walking the savvy shopper trail and not going for a wander down the wonky path to financial ruin. Remember too, that just like Hanna it's OK to buy nothing - even if you've been shopping all day. Sometimes it can feel as though we have wasted our time if we spend time shopping without buying at least something. But buying something you don't need, no matter how small or cheap, only makes for more waste. In today's world, virtually everything is discounted at some point. If you don't need it now, hold on to your money until you do!

3. Last Month's Competition: Your Best Tips for a Happy Retirement

We had a huge number of great tips sent in for this competition and choosing a winner was difficult. The winner is Jenny Robertshaw. Congratulations Jenny!

"The best piece of advice in preparation for retirement was from my financial advisor who said I should live financially like I was in retirement already while I was still working so I would learn the difference between a need, a want and a must have. The must have was to own our home outright to give us financial leverage when needed, the need was to be free from any debt going into retirement and the want was to experience what retirement would be like on a set income so we would be informed as to the lifestyle we wanted and the income we needed to support the want. I was 40 and pregnant with my first child when we had this chat with our financial adviser and now at 58 I am working because I enjoy it - all assets paid off, no debt and money tucked away.

"My husband and I live simply as do our 2 children but we have no money worries and at 62 my husband has positioned himself for transition to retirement based on the advice we were given 18 years ago. Best 3 words I learnt the true meaning and difference between - need, want, must have."

4. Best of the Vault: The Golden Rules of Bargain Shopping

There's nothing more rewarding than nabbing something at a terrific price - but it's important to still remember the golden rules: A bargain is only a bargain if you were ALWAYS going to buy it - and don't forget to still shop around to make sure it really is the best price! The Savings Vault has stacks of tips on how to find a real bargain, how to spot a fake one and how to make sure you don't get carried away snapping up all those 'unbeatable' deals. Here are just a few:

Best bargains not always at $2 shops

For bargain hunters who like to shop at $2 or similar discount shops, I have found that they do not always have the best price. As an example, I purchased a 40ml brand name men's roll-on deodorant for $2.00, only to find that I could have bought it in a 75ml bottle in Woolworth's for $2.11! Just goes to show, it doesn't pay to assume the 'cheap' shops are naturally the cheapest!

Contributed by: Karen Webb

Check food prices in discount stores

Be careful with the food prices in discount stores. Every time I have checked, they are more expensive than the local big supermarket. The only time they are not is when the food/drink is close to or past the use-by date.

Contributed by: Leonie Edge

Kmart not always the cheapest

Do not be mistaken in thinking that Kmart will give you the best bargain - I have been caught out twice in the last month alone! In a pre-Christmas, 40% off toy sale at Kmart I bought a Tonka toy - previously $39.99, sale price $23.99. I thought this was good value until the following day at The Warehouse I found exactly the same Tonka toy on sale - reduced from $24 to $12! I took the toy back to Kmart and got my money back.

I bought two Calidad cartridges in the Kmart 15% off sale - normally $29.95 each - for $25.45. I couldn't believe it when I went into Dick Smith to find the same cartridges at their NORMAL selling price of $19.88! Again, I returned to Kmart and got my money back. I will check Kmart prices much more carefully in the future.

Contributed by: SuzieQ

Sell before you buy

If you love bargain hunting at stores such as Cash Converters, but find you often come home with unnecessary items (and out of pocket), follow this simple rule:

My husband loves these stores, and this is the deal we struck - he can buy whatever he wants from these stores as long as no money changes hands. In other words, he has to SELL them something before he can BUY something from them!

Just last week he traded in a gadget he had barely used from his tool shed and returned with speakers for our surround sound system from Cash Converters. Valued at $300, he 'paid' just $45 - thanks to the credit from his tool trade, made just minutes before! He gets to keep bargain hunting, it doesn't affect our budget, and we get some great new additions to our home!

Contributed by: Christie Borg

$40 computer games cure online shopping addiction

Buying two computer games for $40 has stopped me from wasting money on online shopping, saving me so much that I have finally been able to get my teeth fixed! I would turn on the computer first thing in the morning and turn it off last thing at night, avidly checking all the eBay and Trade Me sites, and buying so many things I thought I needed that I never had any money left at the end of the week. Then I bought these games and they have become my new addiction! I no longer have time for online shopping as I have to keep my games up to date and the impulse to shop has disappeared completely.

Contributed by: Rosalie Bennett

Sad Sally login saves $120 on eBay

I am saving at least $120 on unnecessary eBay purchases just by changing my password! I would make one or two purchases of $1.00 to $5.00 a week, plus one bigger purchase of around $100 a month, with postage costs on top. By changing my password to 'Sad Sally' I am reminded that unnecessary spending is robbing us of our precious savings, which stops me from buying! I also now search specifically for things I need to stop temptation. It's working and I now spend far less money and time on eBay. In case you're wondering, I have now changed my password again to something equally cautioning!

Contributed by: Ngaire

A little imagination can save a lot

Before I let myself buy something it has to pass the 'use it test'. I imagine buying it, taking it home and taking it out of the packaging. I think about where I'm going to put it and what I'm going to do with it. Then I imagine if I'll still be using it in a few weeks, months or years. If you find this hard you probably don't need it as much as you think you do!

Contributed by: Anon

A rule to live by

This is not so much a hint as a small rule to live by. Say this to yourself each time you are tempted to purchase a so called bargain.

"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or go without."

Think about it. It makes a lot of sense!

Contributed by: Andrea Mcintosh

Bargain shopping without the spending!

My favourite kind of shopping is the kind where I don't actually spend any money! I love to shop for a bargain but as the saying goes 'It's only a bargain if you were always going to buy it in the first place'! So rather than going out to the shops for bargains on my wish list I now look online. I go to whichever store's website I am interested in and only look at the clearance markdowns. Whatever I find at a good price which is of use to me I will put into the 'cart'. I can shop happily for an hour or more! However, once I have finished bargain 'shopping' I have a final look through the cart and decide whether the item is actually a need or a want. I also think about whether I have anything at home which could be used as a substitute. More often than not I find that I have deleted everything from the cart and I don't actually 'need' any of it at all!

Contributed by: Natalie

Cancelling newsletters stops spending temptations

I am saving up to $150 a month by cancelling my subscriptions to email newsletters from online stores. I used to receive several emails each week about special offers and deals from online retailers I had signed up to. I found myself tempted to buy things I wouldn't normally look for and when I actually reviewed my accounts with these stores I was shocked to see how much I was spending. I unsubscribed and I am now between $100 and $150 better off each month!

Contributed by: Terri Oneil

Do I need it because it is on sale?

Asking myself one simple question is stopping me from spending money on things I don't need. Tempted by some lovely pyjamas which were heavily reduced in price, I asked myself 'Did I need those when they were full price?' The answer was a definite 'no'. I obviously didn't need them at the reduced price either, so I kept walking. That $14.95 I could have spent on something I didn't really need is still safely in my pocket.

Contributed by: Miss Belle

Four rules for successful shopping

When shopping, I keep four things in mind that save me a lot of money:

I only purchase long-life items that I use daily when they are on special!
It's not a special if it goes to waste! For example, if I buy cereal on special that doesn't get eaten, it's just a waste of money!
It's not a special if it's not on the shopping list. Buying Tim Tams when on special is not really a special if you don't need it!
Need or want? Taking your time to think if you need it or you want it prevents wastage and money!

Contributed by: Mindy P

How to lose interest in junk mail

I used to find myself strongly drawn to the junk mail when it arrived in the house, and then feel compelled to chase up bargains or make purchases of 'unbelievable value' when they were advertised, because surely they would come in handy at some stage!

To combat these impulse buys, I have built up a wonderful group of op shops that I regularly visit, and amazingly just about everything that I have cause to require seems to pop up at amazing times and even in quite remarkable condition. This doesn't mean of course that things just appear automatically as you need them, but it is amazing how many times I think that an item would be useful or that I would like to find one in the future and it turns up, eventually! This has now made junk mail perusing veritably yawnable!

Sure, when I really need something I may take a bit of a look - but the urgency and burning need to find a bargain in them is not there. I know what good value the many items are that I have bought in the op shops. I have also become good friends with the people who run them and they really look after their customers - unlike some of the department stores! Finally, it has taught me a great deal of patience in waiting for a real bargain and losing the drive of having to find that thing I need right now! It amazes me how even my interior decorating has fallen into place quite well (and very cheaply), and has a real uniqueness and charm to it. I know that many people are aware of the benefits of 'op shopping', but I think there is also a lesson in here of appreciating the little things in life and being able to alter ones' surroundings gradually and within ones budget - not the way encouraged by the big stores with their endless junk mail and get-yourself-in-over-your-head credit schemes!

Contributed by: Jenny Errey

Resisting specials really adds up!

Resisting those unnecessary supermarket specials is adding up to big savings for our family! Like most people, I love to take advantage of specials at the supermarket and will stock up when there's a big saving to be had, but my downfall is when things like chocolate biscuits, ice cream and other treats are on special. For example, sometimes 16-packs of Nestle Drumsticks are on special for $15, that's just $0.94c each - it seems too good to resist!

However, I could do without the extra calories and the money could be better spent elsewhere. So I've had to change the way I think about these sorts of specials. Instead of thinking about the savings on the full price, I think about how much I am saving by NOT buying them. For example, if I resist stocking up on six packets of Tim Tams at $1.69 each, then I'm saving $10.14. If I resist those Nestle Drumsticks, then that's another $15 saved - so that's a total of $25.14! If I add up the total saved over a year by resisting unnecessary specials, I'd easily be saving several hundred dollars!

Contributed by: Gloria K

Stay loyal to your budget, not stores

I have realised that one of the best ways for me to save money is to leave all my store loyalty cards at home. While cleaning out my bulging purse recently, I realised that it was bulging for the wrong reason. Instead of being full of cash, it was full of loyalty cards! Over the years the marketers had worked their magic on me and as a reforming Sad Sally I was upset with myself. For example, if you are a VIP with Sussan, for every $500 you spend there they give you a $50 voucher - which expires in three months. I realised I had been shopping there for women's fashion to the exclusion of most other stores and over two years had spent a whopping $2500 to get $250 in vouchers! That's $105 per month and while good quality, I have since realised similar items in other shops cost less at normal price.

Even more annoying was the number of times I had gone there and bought garments at full price because I knew I'd get VIP points, only to find the same items a couple of weeks later on their reduced racks, making the justification of their points useless.

So I decided that from now on all my loyalty cards will be kept in a wallet safely at HOME. If I want something I will shop around for it. Most stores have hold times so I can always go back if it's in one of the 'loyalty' stores. So far I have saved two months of cruising the racks of Sussan and other stores. That's $210 I've managed to hold on to so far and still counting!

Contributed by: Olivera Sands

You get what you pay for

Sometimes spending more means spending less.

That cheap frying pan you buy at the bargain store may bend out of shape the first time you put it on the hot-plate. Instead go to places like David Jones or Myer and make note of their better brands. Then look for those brands at garage sales or on eBay. Even second hand these brands might cost more than cheap stuff from a bargain store, but you'll save money in the long run by not having to replace the item so often.

This applies to just about anything. That $200 sewing machine might be a cheap buy but how long will it last compared to a better built $700 machine?

Think carefully. And always remember, you get what you pay for.

Contributed by: Sarah

5. Best of the Forum: Bargains, Bargains, Everywhere

As you might imagine, our Savings Forum is a brilliant place to learn about bargains. Our members are quick to share the good ones - and just as quick to point out the bad ones! Check out some of these interesting and thought provoking threads.

SS mindfulness

Northern Gal has set herself a challenge to be more conscious of the things she buys without thinking - and is encouraging others to do the same!
read more...

My biggest weakness is... no matter the $

Trine wants to know, what can you really not do without? Or at least THINK you can't do without!
read more...

Is this a bargain?

Briony thinks she has spotted a good bargain - but she's not sure if it really is worth the money. There's just one thing to do. If in doubt, ask the Forum!
read more...

Is it REALLY a bargain?

Fairy says, 'do we need all this stuff?' She thinks we don't - because if we did then why are there so many of us decluttering? An interesting thread with plenty of food for thought!
read more...

How do you decide what's a bargain?

Julie WJ has a good question for the Forum. How do you tell if something is a really good bargain? What is a good rule of thumb when bargain hunting? The members are quick to help answer these and more.
read more...

My not so bargain

Many people head to websites like eBay to pick up bargains - but they don't always go our way! Chili Chick shares her experience.
read more...

If you don't need it, it is NOT a bargain!

Lizzyloo gets tired of watching her family members get sucked in buying stuff they don't need time and time again. But much to her delight, after all these years it seems as though her advice is finally sinking in!
read more...

6. Best Members' Blog: Living a Life I Like

One of the many benefits of being a Vault member is that you can win $100 cash each month for your Simple Savings blog! Starting your own blog on the site is easy. All you have to do is log into the Vault, click on 'My Desk' at the top right, then 'Blog'. Then get writing! We love reading all your money saving trials and tribulations and really appreciate the effort that goes into each one.

This month's Blog winner is Nicki C with her inspiring post 'Living a Life I Like'.

"I'm Nicki, and this is my first blog post, my first blog ever.

A few kind SS'ers gave me some tips on "what makes a good blog", and I've been mulling it over for a while, wondering whether I have anything original to add to the already diverse discussions.

But we all have a story, don't we? And mine is not extraordinary, but it is mine, and so it is precious.

I'm a single mum, with two teenagers who live with me part time, a son (15) and a daughter (14). I've been a single mother for 10 years now, and when I left my ex-husband I had $700 in the bank, I was on disability pension, and had nowhere to live. I had friends who gave us a place to stay for a few weeks, and other friends who put us up after that. But it was a really stressful time.

Trying to rent in the private rental market is difficult if you don't have a good income. I tried to make my applications look more appealing by including references from my former neighbours about how good I was to live next door to, and writing a cover letter about my circumstances and my reliability. This helped me to get a place to live.

I was in the private rental market and struggling to keep up with the rent up until January 2013 when my name came up on the public housing list. When I had initially put my name down all those years before, I was told I may well have a 10 year wait. So I was pretty resigned to having to pay full market price to keep a roof over our heads.

This was really hard to do on the pension. I got some cleaning work and then got a small job in a friend's family business, but the pay was very low. It was hard to keep up with the demands of work when I was also trying to manage my mental health (I live with depression and anxiety). I was extremely unwell at times and the added pressure of high rent and no child support really weighed on me.

I was very fortunate in having good friends who helped me. When I first moved out on my own, different people supplied just about everything we needed for our home (much of which is still with us today). People left us presents on the doorstep at Christmas, Coles gift cards were anonymously left in our letterbox, people gave us lifts places (I don't drive).

When I was severely depressed, the outside hours school care people came and picked my children up before school, gave them breakfast, gave them afternoon tea and dinner after school, and then dropped then home. We were fortunate to be part of a small school (100 students) where everyone looked out for everybody else.

People brought me meals. One friend (who is like my substitute mum) paid my bills and my groceries a few times. Another took me to places where I could get emergency food relief. It was difficult to rely so heavily on others, and there were many times when I doubted my decision to leave my marriage, and really found it so hard to keep on going.

Trying to get child support was impossible. My ex-husband evaded the child support agency, refused to honour agreements he'd made, and refused to talk to me about money. Finally (about six years down the track) the agency began to garnishee his wages, and my life became a little bit easier financially.

When I moved into my lovely public housing home, I had very little in the bank. Most of our money had just been spent on a family holiday down to Melbourne to see my sisters, my mum and the cousins. I had enough to organise ute hire and help with the exit clean, and that was it. I hadn't even seen our house (except on Google) before I signed the lease! So I was a bit nervous and it felt a little bit like starting out all over again.

Our house is the most gorgeous house I have ever lived in! It has three bedrooms, polished floor boards and a big backyard. Our last house had two bedrooms and my son slept in the sleep out. I have made a nice garden with lots of pot plants, and there is heaps of room for our two chooks.

It is safe and warm and dry. Every night when I go to bed I feel so happy to live in my own little house where I can lock the door and no one can come in that I haven't invited. Having had several periods of being homeless in my past, I appreciate this.

Since moving in here and paying subsidised rent ($125 per fortnight; yes I know how fortunate we are) we have been able to save just over $15,000, plus give money back to people who helped us in the past. Loving people who didn't expect repayment, but it made me so happy to be able to do that, and to help other people in turn.

Over the last few months I have been trying to wean myself off the free fruit and vegies I'd been getting from our local community centre (CommunifyQLD - check their web page to see if you are eligible for food assistance). Because the food pantry worked on the principle of "food sustainability" not just "emergency relief" I was able to get this free produce without having to be "in crisis". Although some people might see this as questionable, it didn't really present any problems to me. I only got fresh food that would have been thrown out anyway, I put my name at the bottom of the list and I volunteered there as well. I didn't take food vouchers or tinned/non-perishable goods that had been donated by the public. And the co-ordinator of the service knew my situation and was fine.

Initially it was difficult to pay for things that I knew I could get for free, but I feel I have given myself an important gift in moving on to the next part of my financial journey. I know it is there as a back-up if I really need it, and I am grateful for the help I got from there over the last couple of years.

I am enjoying trying different grocery stores and fruit and vegie stores looking for the best prices, and I like treating myself every now and then to top quality produce that I wouldn't usually buy. It is amazing the difference I am finding in the quality and how long things last now I'm not always getting the things the supermarkets give away.

Over the last few months I feel like I am really stepping out from under the label of "Poor Single Mother with a Mental Illness" and embracing the idea of myself as just a person, part of a family, and a person who lives very successfully within her own limitations. Just like everybody else."

Nicki we love your story; thank you so much for sharing! We look forward to hearing more from you.

You can read more of our members' blogs here.

7. Best of SS Facebook: Someone Should Marry Me!

Love Facebook or hate it, the Simple Savers Facebook group is a great way to learn even more tips and enjoy reading other members' successes. One of our favourite posts this month comes from Cassie, who shows what can be achieved with a little planning and organisation. A huge saving and we imagine one very happy husband!

"Someone should marry me! Here are my husband's lunches for the next 13 work days. Two roasts, frozen vegies, pumpkin and zucchini plus a few hours in the kitchen = approximately $50 for 13 lunches. As opposed to the ready-made frozen roast meal equivalent, which at $8.00 each would cost $104 for the same number of lunches. I'm winning!"

You most certainly are Cassie, that's a fantastic effort! Looks delicious too!

Joining our busy Facebook community is super easy. Either search up 'Simple Savers' on Facebook or click this link and request to join. Once you're in, let the fun begin!

8. Savings Story: Still Saving and Hooked

"Hard to believe it's been just over a year since joining the Simple Savings gang. I'm loving the great hints and tips that come with being a Simple Savings member. I feel like I've come a long way since then. I thought it was going to be too hard to save and live well on one income, what with a big mortgage, but the proof is in the pudding/savings!

Living cheaply doesn't mean going without - well in practice it takes a bit to get used to but I've been enriched by this experience and hope to be saving a whole lot more to come. It's in the everyday simple things like eating like a queen by menu planning and eating what you have in your pantry/fridge. Looking at the resources you have on hand, for example growing your own vegetables. Thinking twice when you are in the shops and realising in that moment when you're about to purchase that item 'is it needed or do I simply just want it?' It's going into a second hand shop with your head up high, knowing that your small purchase will be going towards supporting a good cause like the local women's refuge. And, seeing the savings accumulate for future needs like a new fridge or washing machine when it breaks down and knowing that it's paid with whole hard savings and not put on to your credit card.

It's in those moments that you can just simply breathe with a sigh of achievement. It's those small moments when you ditch the designer café lattes and get your caffeine hit with just as much punch with the $1.00 coffee made with 100% Arabica beans at your usual petrol station. It sure feels good to be still hooked by these simple changes that are just in my every day moments. So a big thank you to one and all for believing that I too can be a simple savvy saver!"

Contributed by: Kerry H, reproduced from her Simple Savings blog. We thought it was too lovely not to share!

9. Goodbye for Now

That is all folks :-) I hope you enjoyed this newsletter. Don't forget to send your favourite hints in to our 'Hint of the Week' competition. You can enter as many times as you like and you could win a 12-month membership to the Vault. We really appreciate each and every tip we receive.

That's all for now, have a fantastic month!

All the best,
Fiona

September 2010 - Simple Savings Newsletter

"Secrets to Saving Money in Australia" Free Newsletter - September 2010

This issue includes:-

Sad Sally, Happy Hanna: What Took You So Long?
Your Christmas Challenge!
This Month's Competition: Preparing your Party
Vault Update - New Features!
Best of the Forum: Community Spirit
Best of the Vault: Plan Ahead Gifts
$21 Challenge: Inspiring Women and Helping Earthquake Survivors!
Cooking with Mimi
Penny's Blog: The King of Bonhomie
Homeopathy Corner: Ear Aches
From Last Month: Whittling Away Our Inheritance
This Month's Help Request: Make-up for Teens
Savings Story: Grow Your Calendar Savings

Hello,

In this year's War on Debt Calendar, we declared October to be 'Plan, Make, Buy' month, which is a really daft name for a month! But, that happens sometimes. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. We should have called it 'Prepare for Christmas Month', or 'Christmas Challenge Month' because that is what we want you to do.

You see, the best bit of Christmas is not the presents; it is coming together and having fun with your family, friends and neighbours. Most people still come together with their family and friends at Christmas time, but how many of us party with our neighbours? How many of us still have a good old fashioned neighbourhood Christmas party? We did some asking around and discovered that some streets still have an annual Christmas party. Some streets even have a monthly BBQ. However, most streets have stopped having Christmas parties and most people have lost contact with their neighbours. Even though many want to have a Christmas party, no one ever organises it in time. So this month, we are challenging you to bring back your neighbourhood's street party.

In true Simple Savings style we have made it easy for you. We have set the date and made the invites ready for you to download and print. All you have to do is fill them in and hand them around! But more about that later.

We want to inspire you. We want you to succeed. Check out some of this month's Simple Savings success stories to show some of the special things we have already accomplished together!

"Thanks so much for your beaut emails. I bought The $21 Challenge book, mostly because of its audacious challenge. The next week after doing the stocktake, I reduced our normal $240 food bill to $102 which delighted my husband. We live fairly frugally anyway but still had 'bonus meal' ingredients to use. Thanks for helping me get more organised. With two teen and one tweenie daughter I hope to instill some good housekeeping practices. Already our youngest daughter made her own scorched almonds for Father's Day!" (Tania Harvey)

"Thank you, Simple Savings for opening up my eyes and imagination. My three-year-old daughter loves to draw and colour in and I found myself spending $2.00-$8.00 on colouring books and cheap pencils every time I was out shopping. I was spending at least $40-$50 a month, only to realise that the colouring books and pencils didn't last long at all. I knew it was just wasting money and was feeling stressed. By subscribing and reading your newsletter it has now encouraged me to look through my study cupboards to see what I had lying around that she could use. I found lots of coloured paper and even some cardboard that I had forgotten I had, as well as old wrapping paper, beads and buttons, Textas, pencils and crayons which I used when I was at school. I also found lots of other craft things that I had forgotten I had. Now I have put all these things into a large box and we now use it as our craft box. No more colouring books, pencils and so on for me to buy at the shops, saving me $50 a month so far! My daughter's drawing and colouring in has become so good that she even made her own Father's Day cards for her daddy and both grandfathers, which saved us at least $10.50 on cards for this occasion, and best of all, her daddy and granddaddies had the biggest smiles on their faces when she gave them the cards she had made herself. As we have a very large family (60 in total), I will definitely get her to make cards for everyone in our family, especially as it is something she loves to do. This alone could save us on average around $500 a year on cards! Amazing!" (Patricia)

"Since joining Simple Savings I have learned a lot. A year and a half ago I woke up one morning and all I could see were clothes, shoes and bags everywhere from my bedroom to the bathroom. I sat at my dining room table, asking myself 'Why am I spending so much money on more clothes, more shoes and more handbags? Where am I going? Do I really need them?'

"That very morning I decided I would start writing down every single purchase I made, no matter how small. The first thing I did was buy a cheap notebook from the $2 shop. I never used to go into that shop before; I was always too proud but now it's one of my favourites! I also count second hand shops among my favourites these days.

"Whenever I do need something, I know how to get it for the best price on eBay. I support local businesses and buy all my vegetables and meat in bulk, as well as rice, flour, sugar and toilet rolls. I no longer shop at David Jones or Myer but instead treat myself to pretty plates, cups and saucers and crystal glasses from the second hand shop. The $21 Challenge is fun and a great help.

"Since I started watching my spending, my life has become more organised and focussed. I have money in my wallet and have cleared my credit card. No more arrears. What a relief!" (Maria)

All the best,

Fiona Lippey

1. Sad Sally, Happy Hanna: What Took You So Long?

'Hanna it's me,' Sally's voice sounded urgently down the phone. 'My car's got a flat battery and Pete's left for work already. If I can't get someone to jump start it I'm going to have to call the mechanic out and they'll charge me a fortune!' 'Oh that's a pain!' sympathised Hanna. 'I'm already at work too. Just pop round to one of your neighbours Sal. I'm sure they'll be able to help.'

'Good heavens no!' Sally recoiled in horror. 'I've never even spoken to them. Can you come and pick me up?' 'Sal! You're a big girl,' chided Hanna. 'Be brave! If you don't want to call Pete or a mechanic you're going to have knock on your neighbour's door.' Sally groaned. What choice did she have? She was already late. Reluctantly, she trudged next door and knocked.

'Hi! I'm Sally. From next door? You might have seen me around,' she smiled shyly at the woman who answered the door. 'Oh! So YOU'RE Sally!' the woman beamed. 'I'm Linda. I've been meaning to come over for AGES! I've been getting all this mail for a Sally but had no idea who she was or if she lived in this street,' she blushed and there was a long, rather awkward pause. 'Here you go; I hope it wasn't anything important!'

2. Your Christmas Challenge!

There was a time when a scene such as the one which occurred between Sally and Linda was laughable. No one would have believed it. As if anyone would not know their neighbour's first name! As if anyone would hang on to someone else's mail for so long! It used to be unheard of, but now it is depressingly and expensively common.

Think about it; what do you know about your twenty closest neighbours? Do you know their first names? If their mail arrived at your home by mistake, could you return it to them? If your car broke down and you needed a lift, would you feel comfortable asking your neighbours for help? If you needed a cup of sugar, could you duck next door or would you have to make an expensive trek to the shop?

I asked myself the same questions and have to confess to only knowing eight of my nearest neighbours. Even though I walk past all 20 of their homes, I have only ever knocked on eight of their doors or had conversations with eight of them. Which is a real shame and a far cry from when I was growing up. Back then we knew everyone and the whole neighbourhood would come together every Christmas for the coolest street party. All the kids had a ball and the adults loved it too. We laughed, we joked, old neighbours reminisced and newbies were welcomed into the neighbourhood.

I can still picture it now. Everyone would gather at the end of High Street. The parents would sneak presents for their children under a huge Norfolk pine tree, so that Santa could give a present to every child when he finally arrived. 'Us kids' harassed our parents every five seconds, nagging 'Was that Santa?', 'Is he coming?', 'I heard a noise!', 'How much longer?' We were impatient; not just because Santa was going to give us presents, but also because we never knew how Santa was getting there. One year he came by motor bike, another by flying fox and one time he was even escorted by four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Splinter riding on a giant sewer rat!

Street parties ARE fun. So this year I'm going to organise a Christmas party in our street! It's not the first time throwing a party has crossed my mind. I've been talking about it with one of our neighbours for three years now. Every year it gets to November and we say 'Let's do it! Let's organise that Christmas street party!' but it is too late in November. We have to organise it now, before everyone's weekends are booked solid.

Let's see how many street parties we can hold across the country at the one time. My goal is 100. Do you think between all us Simple Savers we can arrange 100 parties? Am I aiming too high, or am I aiming too low? Who knows? Maybe, we could arrange 1000 parties between us! There's only one way to find out. We need to count the parties!

The easiest and best way for us to be able to do this is to register your street party with us. To find out everything you need to know about how to host your Aussie Street Party, print out your invitations and register your party, click here.

We will be keeping you posted between now and December 5th with how many street parties will be taking place around the country. We can't wait to hear your street party stories of friends and neighbours, old and new!

We are so keen to hear about your parties. We are even having a competition!

3. This Month's Competition: Preparing your Party

This month, I want you to organise a party to bring your neighbours together. Take the bull by the horns! Mark December 5th in your calendar. Choose the location, print out our invites and drop one in the letter boxes of your twenty nearest neighbours.

To encourage you along we are having a best 'Preparing your Party' blog/story competition. We are giving away three prizes of $100 for the most entertaining and inspiring tales about setting up your party. We want to hear what happened when you knocked on your neighbours' doors? What hurdles did you have to overcome to get your street party organised? What would you do differently next time?

Hint: The judges love photos and laughing. They are also suckers for feel-good stories! To enter the competition email us a link to your blog or send us your story by emailing it to competitions@simplesavings.com.au. The competition closes on the 17th of November.

4. Vault Update - New Features!

Being a Vault member is now more fun than ever! We've been doing a major update from the inside out. If you haven't been into the site for a while, you'll find some terrific new changes! Check out our progress so far and give us your feedback! We've got a brand new Forum, a new Vault layout and you can even write your own blog and read other members' savings blogs.

If you haven't taken a peek inside our paid areas before, now is the perfect time. Becoming a member of our happy SS neighbourhood couldn't be easier. Our 365 day 'no questions asked' money back guarantee means you have absolutely nothing to lose. Simply click here to become a Vault member and you can immediately begin interacting with other, likeminded people. We'd love to hear what you think!

5. Best of the Forum: Community Spirit

October is 'Plan, Make, Buy' Month and already our Forum members have been busy making home-made goodies for neighbours and loved ones. These inspiring threads will soon put you in the mood for making some merry Christmas savings!

20 weeks until Christmas

Chatterbox is determined to have a stress-free Christmas and is encouraging all other members to start organising their gifts now! This thread is full of great suggestions - including a fantastic free gift idea for your child's teacher!
read more...

A very Cameloty Christmas

Christmas spirit is in full swing at Camelot! This merry neighbourhood of Forum members provide some great suggestions for getting organised for Christmas. This terrific thread will help you ensure every last detail is taken care of well in advance!
read more...

2009 War on Debt - October - Making Gifts Month

Christmas never goes out of date and this helpful thread from last year's War on Debt calendar contains plenty of fantastic gift ideas for all ages.
read more...

Christmas home-made gift ideas

In this thread, Bush Baby Jo asks the other members to share their favourite home-made gifts, to help others with ideas for filling their own Christmas gift lists. Chock-full of terrific tips and mouthwatering recipes!
read more...

Christmas gift basket ideas

This brilliant thread contains no less than 95 suggestions for personalised gift baskets! A perfect solution for the person who has everything; you'll never be stuck for inspiration again!
read more...

6. Best of the Vault: Plan Ahead Gifts

With a whole section on Christmas with all the trimmings, the Vault is the perfect place to start planning your low-cost, low-stress Christmas. Check out some of these tips for starters!

Christmas starts now

Gift giving at Christmas time needn't be stressful. Just ask this relaxed and organised Simple Saver!

Every year I make Christmas parcels for all of our friends. The key is to start early! I start in September, when I make individual plum puddings as well as a big one for our family to enjoy. Plum puddings keep for ages when hung in a cool place once they are dry. In October, I make small tubs of ice cream to be frozen. November is shortbread baking time - and yes, shortbread does freeze well. In December, I make fudge as it does not keep past two weeks.

I find it easier to make these gifts than to buy something new for our friends every year. Of course, it is much cheaper too, about $10 per person! Even if I wanted to stop I don't think our friends would let me!

Contributed by: Melodie Leviston

Christmas shopping at the Salvo's

Our annual outing for Christmas gifts has reduced our gift spending and provides our whole family with a fun day out. Several years ago my three children wanted to buy Christmas gifts for each family member. We set a spending limit of $20 ($5.00 per gift) but in the cold, hard reality of the department stores we discovered that there is not much on offer within that price range. That year we all received little cheap decorations; the children were choosing more according to price than what the recipient would value.

Following that Christmas I did some valuable scouting around in various shops and found the best place that the children could buy gifts where they could choose according to the recipient's needs. The next Christmas approaching we took the children to the nearest Salvo's store. They had such a great time, even the volunteers got in on the act. They were helping the children choose gifts for Mum and Dad and wrapping them up so we couldn't see them. For their $5.00 the children were able to purchase at least two and sometimes three gifts for the same person and learnt the value of giving to charity as well.

Now, before Christmas we sit down and work out which charity stores we have not been to. We are slowly working our way through the surrounding suburbs and the children really look forward to 'shopping day'. Usually we can get away with a lot less than the budgeted $20!

Contributed by: J Carter

10 gifts for only $12!

I bought 10 pretty gifts for my female colleagues for a total of $12! With limited Christmas funds this year I decided to get creative and made little lavender bags with a festive wine glass trinket on each one.

Mauve drawstring organza bags = 10 for $4.00

Two cards of Christmas trinket wine markers (six per card) = 12 for $4.00

Two packets of lavender ($2.00 a bag) = $4.00

Total cost $12 for 10 cute and useful gifts!

Contributed by: Leeanne Undy

Free gifts for the kids

Christmas can be a tough time for some families, so hopefully this idea will help you save lots of money on those children's presents!

Whenever I get together with a group of mums, we always grumble about how the kids have too many toys and we really should clear them out. Most of the toys we are talking about are nearly new but just not played with! So my idea is to get all the mums together, each with a box of toys from their own house. The other mums then go through the boxes and select Christmas gifts for their own kids.

The children won't realise that the gifts they're receiving are not new, you won't spend a cent and you might even clear out some of the clutter!

Contributed by: Kim Hobbs

Christmas lucky dip keeps present costs low

Our extended family have come up with a way that we can all afford gifts for each other each Christmas - even though there are 90 of us! We all enjoy giving as much as receiving at Christmas, but coming from a very large family (I am one of 12 siblings) it was becoming too costly to even buy a $10 gift per family. So we solved the problem this way! All 90 or so of us get together around 7pm on Christmas night. Then, we organise a Lucky Dip! Each person who attends, including babies, puts three gifts (non-food items) into the Lucky Dip. These gifts can be small items that we have purchased throughout the year, or recycled, pre-loved items that could appeal to anyone. Junk and broken stuff is not allowed. For example, a set of six coffee mugs that were surplus to requirements for one family became six individually wrapped gifts. Cost to giver - $0. A previously read book still in good order - cost $0. Gifts from the $2 shop - $2.00! A pair of jeans hardly worn - $0 and so on. No one should spend more than $2.00 on any one gift. One of my sisters has 13 children. This system means a huge saving for her, as the most she should spend (for 15 people with three gifts at $2.00 each) is $90. However, the most she has spent in reality is $15 because she is great at finding specials and recycling!

When everyone is gathered together, each person is given three gifts. Once they are all handed out and unwrapped, then the trading begins! Everyone can either swap their gifts for something they would prefer, or if they like what they have, they are able to keep it. To make for a great trading atmosphere, the organiser throws in a couple of gifts that are 'special'. At the end of the trading, the people who have the 'special' gifts receive a proper present that is non gender-age specific, such as movie tickets, chocolates, a board game and so on. It is amazing how people will trade something good for something less useful because they think it may be the 'special' gift! We end the evening with dessert and by the end of the night, we feel as if we have all been given gifts from everyone. We all go home with something we bargained for and it hardly cost a thing!

Contributed by: Lynette Cassidy

Gifts that show you care

I made gifts for 22 staff members for just $30! I needed a low cost Christmas gift for my staff that also said 'I care'. I am just their manager, not the owner of the business so I don't have an endless amount of money and didn't want to spend a fortune!

I decided to buy ingredients and make a variety of treats such as rum balls, apricot balls, peanut clusters, caramels, white Christmas, coconut ice and so on. I spent around $30 on ingredients, which made enough gifts for all 22 of them! I made boxes to put the treats in and wrapped them in cellophane. They were all thrilled with their hand-made gift!

Contributed by: Erin Sell

$2 boxes filled with mini pudding and rum balls Contributed by: Kaz G

A make-it-yourself Christmas treat Contributed by: Des.

Christmas card magnets Contributed by: Rachael Webb

Christmas gifts that costs nothing Contributed by: Theresa Neill

7. $21 Challenge: Inspiring Women and Helping Earthquake Survivors!

It's hard to believe but the first copies of the $21 Challenge book hit the shelves almost exactly a year ago! What a fantastic year it's been. We are constantly blown away by the feedback we get about The $21 Challenge, but never more so than this month.

Inspiring Women

First we received the news that the $21 Challenge is being taught in a NZ women's prison. They are using it as part of the women's rehabilitation in the hope that even though the women leave the prison with nothing, it will equip them with the skills, knowledge and recipes they need to cope after their release and feed themselves and their families as best they can. The $21 Challenge book can already be found in many mothers groups and budgeting centres. If you know of an organisation where you think the $21 Challenge can help, why not approach them and tell them about us?

Helping Earthquake Survivors

We always knew the $21 Challenge was handy in a crisis but never one of this magnitude! We were humbled to receive these wonderful letters from Tracy Henderson and Sharleen James, who along with their families have been dealing with the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake:

"Just to let you know that Simple Savings and the $21 Challenge have been working in our home. We are one of the very fortunate families that have power, water and a home to live in; however the supermarket distribution centre has been completely trashed and has meant that a lot of the basics aren't in the supermarkets.

"With the $21 Challenge mentality, however, we are eating very well and stretching our food to the max. The breadmaker has been on flat out. We were supposed to go grocery shopping on the Saturday that the earthquake hit, so I believed the cupboards were getting bare. Apart from a few litres of milk and formula though, all is very well indeed. Thank you!" (Tracy Henderson)

"I am down here in Rangiora feeling the quakes. After the scare our supermarket shelves were empty of the basic items like bread. I have been a member for about four months and have the $21 Challenge book. I had been meaning to do the $21 Challenge for four months and thought what better time to do it than now! Out came my breadmaker and I made two loaves before the power went off. My chooks are laying well at the moment and it's fine to have easy meals of eggs in this disaster. Not every meal has to be large 'meat and vegetables' which is what I had been cooking for my family most nights. Last night I turned off the TV as there was nothing on and made cupcakes and muesli bars for the kids. I threw in all the leftover cereal that the kids nagged for and never finished. This weekend my daughter has her 10th birthday party. I will have to make all her party food from what I have on the shelves. She wants home-made pizza and the bread maker is great for the base. I will have to use the website for more hints of party food!" (Sharleen James)

If you haven't heard about the $21 Challenge yet, where have you been?! To order your copy and start slashing your food bill today, click here.

8. Cooking with Mimi

Super organised as ever, Mimi has been busy cooking up a storm making edible gifts for Christmas. Here are some of her favourites!

Orange Espresso Toffee Walnuts

The coffee and citrus flavours in the toffee coating make these walnuts subtle yet irresistible and these dark, glossy, chewy morsels will appeal to everyone. Pack them inside home-made Christmas bon bons, wrap in cellophane with ribbon tendrils, or arrange them in noodle boxes lined with green and red tissue paper. A really quick and easy, yet impressive gift.

You need:

Zest and juice of 2 large oranges
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup strong coffee
½ tsp cinnamon
Pinch salt
2 cups walnuts

Equipment:

Lined baking tray
Large deep non-stick wok, frypan or saucepan
Wooden or plastic spatula
Airtight container for storage

Place all the ingredients EXCEPT the walnuts into the pan and bring to a rolling boil, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar. When the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is bubbling, add the walnuts.

Stir constantly while the mixture reduces. It will start to thicken and coat the walnuts like toffee.

Continue to stir until the liquid is almost completely evaporated and you have a lovely gluey mass of walnuts and toffee.

Tip the mixture onto the lined baking tray and allow to cool completely.

When cool, break off pieces, and store in an airtight container in a cool place.

For gift giving, wrap in cellophane or line boxes from the discount store with tissue paper and fold over before covering with a lid and tying with ribbon.

Caramelised Apple Spread

This spread smells like Christmas and is delicious on toast, English muffins, crumpets, rice cakes, crepes or pancakes. Try it as a sweet dip with slivers of Turkish bread or as a filling for apple pie or miniature pastry shells. It's also a great way to use up less than perfect apples.

Ingredients:

15 apples, any variety or a combination of varieties
750ml apple juice
2 litres ginger beer
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp powdered ginger
1 whole nutmeg or ¼ tsp powdered nutmeg
½ cup sugar (optional - for intense sweetness)
125g salt reduced butter
2 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment:

Large saucepan
Measuring cups
Spoons
Recycled or new jars with metal pop-top lids (the ones that have a little circle in the centre that 'pops' when you open the jar)
Food processor, blender or stick mixer

Wash the apples thoroughly as you will be cooking them with the peel on. Core the apples and cut into quarters. Put the unpeeled and cored apples, apple juice, ginger beer, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and sugar in the large saucepan and bring to a boil. Turn down to a low simmer, and simmer for 8-10 hours. You need to keep watch and stir this mixture regularly, at least every 30 minutes. You can also cook this in a slow cooker, but I find the results are better on the stove top.

While the apple mixture is cooking, sterilise your jars and lids by running through a dishwasher on rinse cycle and allowing to air dry, or by putting them into a preheated 130C oven for 20 minutes, removing with oven mitts when you are ready to fill them.

After about eight hours of slow simmering, the mixture will become a rich brown aromatic pulp. When the liquid has disappeared and the pulp is thick, remove from the heat and allow it to cool. Remove the whole nutmeg and discard.

When cool, process, blend or mash the pulp until smooth. Return to a clean saucepan and reheat. When steaming, add the butter and vanilla. Stir well to combine.

Spoon the apple spread into the jars, screw the lids on firmly and invert the jars, leaving them upside down to cool. When cool, turn them up the right way, and your lid should 'pop'. If you are unsure, press the little 'button' in the middle of the lid. If it 'gives', your jar is not vacuum sealed. If it remains down, your jar is sealed appropriately.

If your lids don't pop, your apple spread can be processed in the traditional manner for preserving. This is done by submerging the jars (ensure they are sealed tightly and have no residual food in the inner lids) in a large pot of water and bringing them to a boil. Keep them on a rolling boil for about an hour then press the little button again. It should pop in whilst cooling.

If it still refuses to seal, use this batch yourself... you won't regret it! Label and date the rest. This recipe makes between 1 kg and 1.3 kg of apple spread depending on the size of the apples used. It lasts well, stored in a cool place for up to 12 months. Once opened or if not vacuum sealed, store in the refrigerator and use within three months... assuming you can resist it for that long!

Christmas Compote aka Fabulous Festive Fruit Mix

This looks so lush in a recycled jar with a big Christmassy ribbon around it. I write out the recipe on a Luggage Tag and attach it to the jar so that the recipient can make it for themselves next year. Alternatively, keep the recipe a secret, and start your own tradition of giving Festive Fruit Mix to your friends and rellies every Christmas!

For 6-8-serves:

125g raisins
125g sultanas
60g currants
125g prunes
125g dried apricots
1 green apple, peeled and sliced thinly
Juice and shredded rind of one whole orange and half a lemon
¼ tsp each of powdered ginger, ground allspice and cinnamon
60g brown sugar
Water
2-3 tbsp of any alcohol if desired e.g. rum, brandy, Cointreau, sherry or whatever
Vanilla ice cream, cream, or custard to serve.
Serve with toasted almonds to garnish if you want.

Place all ingredients, except alcohol in a saucepan with enough water to just cover. Stir to mix and bring to the boil. Remove from heat and stir in alcohol. Transfer to a bowl to cool. Cover and refrigerate or bottle and refrigerate if for gifts. Leave for at least 2 days for flavour to develop. Serve as desired, with the ice cream, custard or cream.

If giving as a gift, tie with a ribbon decorated with cinnamon sticks, jingle bells, or mini pine cones and attach the recipe. Remember to tell the recipient to refrigerate it!

9. Penny's Blog: The King of Bonhomie

Sep 24, 2010

Well it looks as though we're going full steam ahead with the move! Today is my boys' last day at school. This morning they were both hugely excited as I sent them off with a disposable camera each, a bag of lollipops to share with their classmates and a permanent marker. 'Have a wonderful last day!' I yelled at them as they got out of the car - but as soon as the first friend descended on Liam to sign his school shirt I could feel my eyes welling up and thought I had better make a hasty exit before I turn into a snivelling wreck! Yes, we're moving to our dream location and can't wait but we've been loyal residents of Te Kauwhata for 15 years now and the place and its people have been good to us. It's supposed to be a town but it's far more like a village really. As I went about my errands this morning it occurred to me 'We know everybody!' The ladies in the bank. The group of parents and grandparents selling baking outside Mr Patel's to raise money for a school sports team. The drivers of pretty much every car that goes past.

In comparison, when we move to Whangamata, we will barely know a soul. But over the years I've learned that it doesn't matter. For one thing, we have each other but for another, Whangamata has felt like our second home for a long time now. People in the shops and around the place already recognise us and are always friendly. It's going to be one heck of a big change though. For the first time in our lives, we're going to be townies! Or should that be beachies? For the first time in almost 20 years Noel and I are going to be surrounded by houses - but not neighbours. In our cul-de-sac of around 20 houses, only about five of them are actually lived in; the rest of them are holiday homes which are empty for half the year. For the first time ever, I'm going to have to make an effort to find out who our neighbours are and get to know them.

We've never really had to do that before. When Noel and I first went farming together we lived in a little place called Tirau. Back then it was a real 'one horse town'. There was nothing there and we thought 'What on earth are we going to DO in this place?' But we didn't have to worry - we had neighbours. We had barely even finished unpacking before they were on our doorstep bearing welcoming gifts of baking and soup. Before I knew it I was being taken to craft groups, coffee mornings, you name it, I gave it a go. In the two years we lived there, our neighbours came to mean a lot to us. We went to dinner at our neighbours and vice versa. We would stick the BBQ on the back of a trailer, trundle down to the river at the back of the farm and hurtle downstream in an old tractor inner tube. We helped each other when disaster struck on the farm. I babysat their children so that the mothers could go out to work a couple of days a week. Our neighbours drove me hours to pick up my wedding dress in the days before I could drive. They organised our stag and hen parties, without us even knowing. They sent telegrams when we got married on the other side of the world. They lent me maternity clothes when I was pregnant, so that I didn't have to buy any. They came to the hospital late at night when our first baby, Luke died and sat with us. They helped us organise his funeral and turned up in their droves to support us as we buried him. I returned home from hospital to a spotlessly clean house, a roast chicken in the oven and enough food so that I didn't have to think about cooking for at least a week. More neighbours still brought us flowers and food parcels. They kept us company, kept us smiling and sat and got horribly drunk with us on the days we couldn't quite hold it together. That was almost 16 years ago and Tirau is now a buzzing township, chock-full of cafes and shops and even motels. Our neighbours have all moved on too, but we are still in touch with some of them and I have never forgotten how amazing they were during the toughest time in our lives.

Moving to Te Kauwhata six months later was a little awkward. On the one hand it was good to get away from the sadness and make a fresh start - but on the other it soon became apparent that people knew we were 'the poor young couple who had just lost a baby' and everyone treated us with kid gloves. Still, it didn't stop them from coming around and introducing themselves, bringing us baking and inviting us to dinner. One tradition the district had for years, which has now sadly gone by the wayside was an annual 'Welcome In' dinner. Being a farming community, new families come and go on June 1st every year and when you're stuck on a farm day in, day out it can be hard to meet people. In the winter months you can go for days without seeing a soul or setting foot off the farm. The Welcome In dinner was always well attended and was enjoyed by everyone. Long time locals relished the chance for a good old catch up and it was great for newcomers to put names to faces so that next time they filled up their car with petrol they were already on first name terms with the garage owners, or if they were in strife on the farm, they knew just where they could go to find a familiar face that would help. It's such a shame those annual dinners are no more!

Six months after moving to Te Kauwhata I became pregnant with Liam and once again our neighbours came to the rescue. As you can imagine, the pregnancy was very stressful as I was terrified of losing another baby. The fear was even greater once I developed toxaemia but I lost count of the number of ladies who came just to sit with me and reassure me; some of which had gone through the same thing and understood how I was feeling. These same lovely ladies were among the first on the doorstep when I arrived home safely with Liam, bearing gifts and hugs and I was touched when our nearest neighbour Tracey presented me with a beautiful cross stitch for the nursery, which she had made herself.

I'll never forget the first time I saw her husband. We hadn't even moved in yet and I was horrified to see him pushing a bath on wheels full of burly looking blokes down the road. Straight away I thought 'Oh heck! What have we got here? Is THAT our neighbour?' It was indeed. Ross turned out to be the president of the local Young Farmers club. He also soon turned into Noel's best friend. They formed a fishing club together, with over 100 members and we have had some great times, with many barbecues and Pot Luck dinners, both at home and at their family beach house. Our kids have all grown up together, gone to school together and play sports together. Ross is loud, he's hilarious and incorrigible - and over the last couple of years I have come to really admire him.

You see Ross is a bloke who has his priorities right in my book. He works hard and he plays hard. Friends and family are everything to him and his wife Tracey. They think nothing of travelling wherever necessary to see the people they enjoy spending time with. Their house is always open, always full of people and both of them would do just about anything for anyone. When they get home from a hard day on the farm, they say to each other 'How about we give Rob and Jan a call and invite them over for tea? Stuff it - how about we give all the others a call as well?' Before you know it, there are 20 people or more in the lounge, sharing food and drink and plenty of laughter. There is always a LOT of laughter and Noel and I always come away thinking 'You know, we really should do that more often!'

But that's why I admire Ross and Tracey - because we DON'T do it. For me, having people over for dinner is stressful. It's a BIG THING. Everything has to be perfect but they have taught me it's not about that. It's about the company. My very favourite Christmas ever was the first one that we had at this house. We invited ALL the neighbours, old and new and it was magical. The lounge was heaving with people and I remember thinking 'This is what it's all about!' We used to do things like that - but not any more. Over the years we have lost touch with so many of our friends and neighbours and we only really have ourselves to blame. We got so wrapped up in our work, in our kids, in being 'too busy' that we barely know our current neighbours. Our previous neighbours were our best friends; I used to write about them a lot when I first started my blog. We were close, our kids were close, even our pets were close! Our home was their second home and vice versa. We would do anything and everything for each other and often did. It was reassuring to know that there was another family in existence who were as bonkers as we were! We supported each other through the hard times and laughed hysterically through the good times.

But then they moved away. Not far, just a few miles down the road - but away. We were all sad that they weren't going to be our neighbours any more but we were all still friends. It shouldn't have changed anything but it did - or should I say I did. You see, I was never one to just 'pop in' and I figured they must have been too busy for visitors having just moved house. I didn't like to bother them. I thought I was being considerate but now I can see it must have looked like I didn't care. The longer I left it to get in touch, the harder it became. The weeks turned into months and the months have turned into years. It often makes me sad - and angry at myself for not taking the risk, getting in the car and going to see them. Even if I had turned up out of the blue and they were too busy for a visit, at least it would have been better than not turning up at all. It lost me the best friend I had had in years and I still miss her. As for the neighbours who replaced them, I haven't set foot over there since they left.

So when we move to Whangamata one thing is for sure. Our door will always be open, to friends and neighbours old and new and there will always be beer in the fridge and plenty of gas in the barbecue. I have a feeling Ross and Tracey will be among the first to come and visit. They'll think nothing of driving an hour or more to see us at Whangamata. Mind you, Noel and Ross DO share a fishing boat together. Some things will never change!

September 2010

13th - The Ultimate Decluttering

21st - Enterprising young men

28th - SOS (Save Our Sheep!)

10. Homeopathy Corner: Ear Aches

The one time any of my kids have screamed so loudly they woke the neighbours was when Jacqui had an ear ache. She woke in the middle of the night, thrashing and screaming blue murder. I closed all the windows to try and keep the sound in, but it didn't work. The one thing that did work, that stopped her pain AND the screaming was a dose of the homeopathic remedy Hepar Sulphur 30c. I love that remedy!

I also love that well chosen remedies stop ear aches and can stop glue ear. Before we discovered Fran Sheffield, Sam had terrible problems with his ears. His ears had been blocked for over six months and his speech was deteriorating rapidly. My GP who had tried his best said I had a choice - get grommets or find a natural alternative. I told him about a homeopath I had found who looked pretty good and he told me to go and see her. You see, I was very lucky in that my GP was also a lecturer at Newcastle University's Faculty for Medicine. So he was confident in his own abilities and he was up to date with the latest research. He told me he didn't like grommets; he said they would fix Sam's speech but not his health and may lead to more problems.

So, I nervously went along to Fran's 'free workshops'. There I learned the answers to many of my health questions. Questions I had been asking doctors for years. After listening to Fran for over eight hours I booked Sam in for an appointment. After all; it was Fran or surgery. It took Fran one day to fix Sam's hearing problems. The next morning he got up and started singing 'Happy Birthday'. First he sang, 'appi erth ay ou ou.' Then he paused, looked thoughtful and tried again, 'Happy erth ay ou.' He paused again. He did this six times till he sang, 'Happy Birthday to you' perfectly the whole way through.

So when Fran asked this month would we like her to do an article about homeopathic treatment for ear infection, I screamed, 'Yes please! Your remedies saved my son from surgery. This is information everyone needs to know.'

To read Fran's article go here:

http://homeopathyplus.com.au/ear-infections-and-earaches-homeopathic-treatment-better-than-antibiotics/

To find out about Fran's free workshops go here:

http://homeopathyplus.com.au/Leaflet_front.pdf

11. From Last Month: Whittling Away Our Inheritance

Last month Catherine asked:

"This might sound a bit silly but I'm after some advice about how not to spend an inheritance. Whenever my husband and I use all our pay, we simply start using our inheritance money. Sometimes we just use the credit card as we know when we get home we can just transfer the money out of our savings account. Please help us to stop this nasty habit that will leave us with no more deposit for a house!"

As hoped, our savvy members didn't disappoint, with plenty of great tips and good, common sense advice!

Ask yourself some tough questions!

When trying to save for your future it is often hard when temptation is surrounding you! There are a few straightforward ways to get things working for you; Firstly set up an ING Direct account and transfer the money to it. It has a 24 hour turnaround, so it will take a little more effort to withdraw your money. Secondly, when shopping, always ask yourself 'do I really need this?' Nine times out of ten your honest answer to yourself will be 'no'. And finally, leave your credit card at home (simple!).

Contributed by: Raelene Molloy

Use your investment property as a springboard

If you find yourself the recipient of a sudden windfall or inheritance, consider investing the money by purchasing a small investment property (or whatever you are able to afford). Then you can upgrade or springboard off this investment to purchase your own place of residence. You'll also benefit from tax savings.

Contributed by: Spina Santina

Ask your bank for a quote

The best way I ever found to save money from an inheritance I received was to go to all the banks and shop around for a roll-over account. As with any company, banks also give quotes and they will match or even better their opponents. You will accumulate interest, and also you will be unable to touch the money for a set period of time. This way you will not only stop spending your inheritance, but watch it grow.

Contributed by: Tia Ball

A Term Deposit works to grow your money

When you are looking to wisely invest a sum of money and accumulate interest it's worth looking at setting up a Term Deposit. Most banks and financial institutions offer these and they differ from normal savings accounts because they offer fixed interest rates for a fixed term - generally 3, 6 or 12 months. This way you continue to grow your money, but are not able to readily access it for the duration of the deposit. You can shop around for the best deal for you by visiting individual websites or check out a comparison website such as www.canstar.com.au/term-deposits/.

Contributed by: Amanda Brent-Kay

Use your money wisely and change your life

Coming into money (even if it is a relatively small amount) can be an empowering, life-changing thing, IF you use it wisely. The best thing I ever did to regain control of my money and get out of debt happened when I received a payout for an accident. Instead of continually dipping into it until it was gone I used it to turn things around. Here are the steps I took:

First I cut up my credit cards. That done, I turned my attention to my bills, working out how much they were for the year and dividing them into pay periods. I then set up an automatic transfer for these to go into a 'bill account'. I needed $1000 to start, (which I transferred from my payout money) to ensure it would work. Creating that account was the best thing I ever did. I always have money in there, no matter how big the bill is. I put the rest of the money into term deposits that I couldn't touch, letting them accumulate for the future. Finally, I set up a budget and I stuck to it. I review it every few months and I still live by it to this day, almost eight years later.

Contributed by: Lene Jorgensen

Set a budget and visualise your goal

If you receive a payout, inheritance or a sum of money it is so important to invest it wisely and ensure it grows, particularly when you are saving for something significant like your first home. Set a budget where you are looking to add to your inheritance by $10 per week (or more if you can afford it). You must WRITE THIS BUDGET DOWN and keep a copy with you at all times, along with a picture of the thing you are aiming for, such as a house you would like to buy.

You'll have to work hard to see where it can be done, but by setting a goal of having some money left over each pay day, you will be heading in the right direction.

Contributed by: Travis Johnston

A passbook makes it harder to access your money

When looking for the best way to save and invest your money for your future, transfer your savings to another bank and use a passbook (Heritage have these as a special saver account). This way you will actually have to physically go to the bank to withdraw your money. You could also use ING as it is attached to your account. In this case you will have to wait 24 hours for the transfer to go through (and if you do it after 4 pm on a Thursday you won't get it until the next Tuesday). Another alternative could be to put your money into a deposit account where you can't access it for 3 months at a time. This means impulse spending would become impossible! Finally, DON'T take your credit card out shopping! Having it with you will just encourage you to use it. Better still, be ruthless and cut it up. Think of all the interest you'll save!

Contributed by: Melanie Warren

Check out The Australian Government Initiative for savings

If you are saving for your first home, look to see if you are eligible for The Australian Government Initiative to save for this purpose.

With this initiative you can only withdraw funds for three reasons:

To buy your first home,
Transfer your money into superannuation or
If you are aged 60 or over (that is the only exception).

If you are not eligible for this initiative consider putting your savings in a restricted account (like a Christmas Savings Account), where you are penalised for withdrawing money before a set date. You should also seriously consider cancelling ALL your credit cards and using debit card/s instead. This way, if you don't have the money in your account, you simply don't make the purchase! Frustrating at the time but highly satisfying in the long-term.

Contributed by: Talia Steen

12. This Month's Help Request: Make-up for Teens

This month Kelly asks:

"I'm interested to know what other mums do when your 14 year old daughter suddenly develops an interest in make-up and skin products. I use cheap make-up products from the supermarket but she has quite sensitive skin and I'm not keen on buying really expensive make-up products which might not be any good. What do other teenagers use, or what do you buy your teenager and how do you cope with the cost of this added expense? What would you recommend that is not too harsh on the skin, as well as the wallet?

If anyone has any suggestions or experiences which could help Kelly, please send them in to us here.

13. Savings Story: Grow Your Calendar Savings

Using your annual Simple Savings Calendar can make your savings grow in more ways than one! Here are some of the many ways I use my calendar to save:

I don't have to buy a calendar.
I use the challenges to motivate us to save more.
I menu plan, often using the previous month's meals and rotating.
I save time and money by recording all birthdays and other function dates to ensure I am not late and rush to buy a gift or 'plate' then paying more than I budgeted.
I record bill 'due by' dates and regular direct debits so I don't spend the money in my account by mistake and incur costly late fees.
The calendar is a great conversation starter when friends visit, it encourages them to think outside the savings square or take down the Simple Savings web details and have a look for themselves.
It reminds me that I'm a part of a global group of like-minded individuals all working towards reducing our debt. Makes me wonder whether the National Debt could use a Simple Savings membership?
It spans generations. My five-year-old daughter is beginning to use the calendar too. We use stickers for different things that she needs to know about when getting ready each day. A small food sticker such as an apple, reminds her to get her school lunchbox out of the fridge, and a pink sticker reminds her to get our family fun bag, which is pink, for a day out. She crosses off the days so we all know which one we're up to at a glance.
We also use the calendar to record my daughter's pocket money and her 'goals' on how she wants to spend it.
I get to model how Mummy stays on track and hopefully instill in my daughter great habits for life, passing it on to the next generation and beyond!

Contributed by: Anne Shaw

September 2012 - Simple Savings Newsletter

"Secrets to Saving Money in Australia" Free Newsletter - September 2012

This issue includes:-

Sad Sally, Happy Hanna: Christmas Comes Early!
September - Christmas Cheer is Here!
Hidden Gems Competition Winner
Best Members' Blog: This Month's Winner
Best of the Forum: Making a List, Checking it Twice!
Best of the Vault: Stuff Your Christmas Stocking!
Cooking with Mimi: Happy Hampers... Grinder Salts Infused with Herbs and Spices
Claire's Corner: The Gift of Not Giving
50c Indulgences - Preparing for Christmas
Rob Bob's Garden Blog: Planting out Some Presents
From Last Month: Variety is the Spice of Life
This Month's Help Request: Self Employment Help
Savings Story: Time for Change!
Goodbye for now!

Hello,

How are you? Great I hope. This month has been very busy in Simple Savings land. The Ye Olde Shoppe opened with a huge BANG and we have been quickly learning about stock levels, supply and postage rates. Thank you for everyone for being very patient with us and thank you to the great guys at Australia Post who have been very helpful. We truly appreciate it!

The good news is we now have the BluApples and Grunge-Free Sponges back in stock. But, we are still short of BluApple refills. We should be getting more BluApple refills in the next couple of days *fingers crossed*. We will send out an email when the BluApple refills and the sponges are back in stock - they have been very popular!

Thank you for your patience and your lovely emails. We have had some wonderful ones this month. Here are a few:

"Hi Guys, I just want to say this is my favourite site. I have told ALL my friends and even posted it on Facebook. I have started a book for myself with the hints, savings and great ideas that work for me. I'm 58 and it just shows you - you are never too old to learn new things. Love, love, LOVE the sugar soap cleaning tips. I have a spray bottle in bathrooms, laundry and kitchen. My kitchen sink has never looked so good for so long. The food storage ideas are amazing, the cleaning tips are wonderful and the money-saving tips are so helpful. I was amazed when I asked a question about my 'killer corner' (slippery tiles from spray starch) and I got an email within 24 hours giving me a solution... AND IT WORKED! Thank you so much for all you do." (Beverley)

"Hi Fiona, Matt and Band of Efficient Helpers! I just wanted to say a special thanks for a wonderful website which, apart from all the useful information, has brought many new friends into my life. Keep on keeping on." (Jo)

"After shopping around, following advice in the Vault, we have switched to Slingshot, saving a whopping $75 per month! Or put another way - my airfare next year to Thailand! Woohoo!" (Carmen)

"I feel what you are offering people out in the community is very important. So many people do not know how to manage their money. Keep up the good work." (Liz)

Have a great month! All the best
Fiona Lippey

1. Sad Sally, Happy Hanna: Christmas Comes Early!

"Anyone home?" Chloe and Tom peered around Sally's door. "Hello you two, were your ears burning?" grinned Pete. "Sal and I were just talking about you two!" "Oh really?" Chloe and Tom looked at each other, a little disconcerted. "Hope it was nothing awful!" "Not at all! We were just saying what lovely friends you two have become", Sally smiled. "And, if it hadn't been for last year's street party, you may never have met!"

"AND if Sally's car hadn't broken down, you'd still be holding on to a big pile of OUR mail!" Pete teased. Chloe blushed and giggled as she remembered. "My, doesn't time fly? Actually, that's why I'm here. I thought we should make a start organising the Christmas street party and ta-daa - I've already done the invites!" Chloe waved them under Pete's nose.

"That's terrific!" Sally smiled, reaching for the invites. "These look great, don't they Pete?" she said. "They sure do" agreed Pete, "except you've got the date wrong Chlo!" he chuckled. "Whaddya mean?" Chloe grabbed the invites back. "Nooooooo!" she stared at them in horror. "I made it for THIS Friday! Well there's only one thing for it", she looked at the others sheepishly. "Has anyone got a pen?"

2. September - Christmas Cheer is Here!

Three steps to a stress-free Christmas

If you want to have a fantastic Christmas instead of a frantic Christmas, this is the way to achieve it!

Step 1: Get ready to PARTY!

For the last two years, Simple Savings inspired street parties have been a huge success, with over 100 parties taking place throughout Australia and New Zealand all at once! If you haven't already done so, now is the time to start organising YOUR street party. We've made it easy for you to get started - just print out the invites and hand them round your street!

Here is the link to your Christmas street party invite. Print them out, fill them in and start dropping them in letterboxes now.

Step 2: Be smart - prepare your Christmas NOW

While we're on a roll, now is also the time to start getting your Christmas preparations ready. And yes, we do mean NOW, not in December! If you try to do everything in December when everyone else is doing it, it will take you ages! You will have to battle traffic jams in the car park, struggle to get things done between social events, find yourself constantly running out of time and end up getting so worn out that all the fun that should have been in your Christmas got zapped by a pile of over-stressed worry. Don't let that happen to you! This year, let's get the following straight, right now:

Your gift list: Write out a list of everyone you want to give presents to this year. Making a detailed shopping list NOW means you can start looking for sales and online specials. The shops are quieter and you will get the best prices as you have the time to shop around. Having a detailed Christmas shopping list also means you will not get sucked into impulse shopping - if it's not on the list, it's not in the trolley. It means you aren't doing that last minute panic buying at the shopping centre where you usually pick up something expensive because you have run out of time to pick something 'perfect'. As you cross items off your gift list, wrap them up too, so it is one less task to do in December.

Your party list: What are you going to do on Christmas Day and who with? How many people are you feeding? Who is going to help you? Work it out now so you can organise your food list early. Do all the thinking now while you have time and it will be one less job in December.

Your holiday list: If you are going away, make your packing list now. Sit down and think while you have the time and write down everything you may need. This way there are no surprises in December and no last minute rush to the shops that end up taking three hours.

Step 3: Get started making your Christmas gifts

When you leave making Christmas gifts until December, time can become your worst enemy. For many of us it all becomes 'too hard' and our best creative intentions go out of the window as we admit defeat and head to the shops. But if you start making your gifts now, time can be your best friend! You have plenty of time to make cool gifts, you can start planting seeds to give plants as presents, you can look for recipes to bake at your leisure... whatever you choose, do it now. It's a wonderful feeling to be able to take your time for once and plan those gifts, make them, then put them aside. Hand-made gifts are the best value for money and are always greatly appreciated too!

The sooner you organise Christmas, the better Christmas will be. So get to it!

3. Hidden Gems Competition Winner

Our Hidden Gems directory is designed to help members source the best deals in their area. Whenever you come across a real gem of a business, enter it in our Hidden Gems directory and you could win our monthly prize of $100 cash! This is our way of saying thank you for sharing your knowledge and helping other members save. The more information you can give us about your special store or business, the better.

This month's winner is Vella Postforming and Kitchens (Londonderry, Sydney) as nominated by Tinker.

'If you are after a kitchen bench top at a fantastic price then Charles Vella is the man to speak to. We decided to renovate our kitchen ourselves to save some money and went to different kitchen places to price up bench tops. Our local kitchen place came back with a quote of $1470! A friend put us onto Charles - he is a wholesaler so by going to him you cut out the middle man. He quoted us $700 and had it done within a week. It was an extra $100 for him to come and measure but that's not essential if you are happy to measure yourself (we wanted to be sure!). He can also fit the bench top for you at an extra cost. We were very happy with his customer service and the quality of the bench is fantastic.

Please note he only does laminate - no stone or wood - but he has hundreds and hundreds to choose from.

Vella Postforming and Kitchens is at Leitch Avenue, Londonderry, NSW, phone (02) 4572 0722

Well done Tinker on locating such a fantastic hidden gem and thanks so much for sharing.

If you know somewhere special you'd like to recommend, please write in and tell us. Send in your Hidden Gem here and you could be the next winner scooping the prize money. Thank you to everyone who entered and good luck for next time!

4. Best Members' Blog: This Month's Winner

This month's winner is Tradie's Wife for her inspiring blog "A Whole Approach - My rules: No car unless it's inter-town travel"

Now, those who read my little blog on here have probably noticed that I am really, really stoked to have a purposeful bike in the family, the cargo bike. But my fascination with these bikes extends past 'I've got a cool bike'. I intend to not use my car around town at all now. It is reserved for trips that are at least another town away. Anything over 10km = car use. Anything under 10km = bike use.

I've filled up my car today - $88 for a tank of fuel! Ouch. I'm hoping with my new biking enthusiasm I can make that last for quite a while. Yes, I took the car out to pick up my daughter from kinder 11.5km away. But I'm simply saying NO to getting around town in the car.

I've had a few 'oh, can't I use the car' moments. But once I'm on the bike, it's all smiles. Last night it was time to go to my usual gym session where I do a body pump class. It's only 6-7 blocks away at the most. But it was night. Oh well, deep breath, on the bike it's got lights. Getting up there was a great warm up for the class, and going home I hardly had to pedal all the way home.

Today was another 'should I take the car?' moment. I went to pick up the balance bike from the toy library. Oh, yeah, better get some sugar for that yummy raspberry cake that I saw on SS too. Then, maybe pick up some more fruit. A stop to story time at the library too. Should I take the car? Well, I said that I wouldn't, so I won't. All these places are in town.

So today, I headed out with my son while my daughter was at kinder. It was great, parking was a breeze. Getting from one place to another was easy. I even picked up a couple more plants for the vegie garden. But how on earth did we pick up;

One balance bike, one medium sized wooden fruit toy to cut up, water bottles, two small craft projects from story time, two loaves of bread, 1kg apples, 2kg mandarins, 1kg bananas, a punnet of strawberries, 2kg sugar, a punnet of herbs, a punnet of cucumber seedlings and a punnet of eggplant seedlings? Also, my little boy and myself. Surely not on a bike! Yep, we did, and it was fun. I've got the picture to prove it!

It is achievable not to use a car around town at all, and not live like a hermit! It's possible without thinking that you would be dependent on a bus route or taxis or even having your groceries delivered. It's possible even if you have children. It's just plain cool, and it is very much a simple saving.

Congratulations Tradie's Wife on such a positive change in your life. To read any of our members' blogs, click here

5. Best of the Forum: Making a List, Checking it Twice!

Get ready for Christmas with ideas from our busy Forum 'elves'! Christmas is so much more than puddings and presents - it is about celebrating with those you love. So take the time to plan now so you can be with your family and friends when it really matters.

Less than 17 weeks until Christmas - Let's get ready!

This delightful thread will definitely put you in the Christmas mood - share our members' Christmas plans and ideas.
read more...

Organising pressies/food for Christmas & other special occasions

This thread is a treasure trove of ideas to help make your Christmas stress-free but just as special for your friends and family.
read more...

Organized chaos - jingling the Christmas bells

Everything's covered on this list except for ordering in the hay for Rudolph's midnight munch!
read more...

Home-made presents for Xmas 2012

Lots of wonderful ways to show your loved ones how much you care this Christmas.
read more...

6. Best of the Vault: Stuff your Christmas Stocking!

Fill your Christmas stocking with some of these great ideas from the Vault - make, bake, brew, stew, grow or sew something to put under the Christmas tree this year.

Plan for Christmas spending

Be organised for Christmas all year round and save a bundle! With 20 people in our immediate families, we have it down pat now. Before, even spending $30 per person was $600 for Christmas alone, without the cost of wrapping paper and greeting cards! These simple tips help us keep the costs right down:

First, we have a 'Christmas box', where we store presents bought throughout the year (this applies to birthdays too). I buy as I find things on special or at discount stores. I keep a list of who gets what, so as the year goes on I know who I have yet to find something for (and saves me getting numerous presents for one person). Buying outside peak Christmas shopping time means I get things cheaper and the impact of the cost is spread over the year rather than all at once in December. We don't have credit cards on purpose, so we have to do something to be organised and not out of pocket!

Second, we buy cheap cards or make our own paper and cards. We used to get $1.00 birthday wrap and $1.00 cards from the discount shops, but now that my toddler loves painting, I get him to do it on really large pieces of butcher paper (I bought 50 sheets at an art shop for $30) to make wrapping paper. He also paints on the back of used A4 paper from the computer/printer, and I bought blank cards and envelopes from the craft section in Kmart ($6.00 for 10) and I cut a portion of my son's painting to put on the front of the card - they look very professional in a pre-schooler kind of way and everyone loves them! The paints only cost a couple of dollars from the $2 shop.

For Christmas cards, we save the trees by not using paper and card and compose a decorative email to send most people, though we do make some special cards for close family and friends. I take a digital photo of the kids dressed up Christmassy and edit the photo to fit two photos in one image. You could print them yourself on a colour printer, but I found when I made calendars one year that it cost me more in ink than it would have to have them printed professionally!

Each year different places have good deals on digital printing (search online). I send it to be printed and cut the photo in half so by putting two images in one photo print, I get twice the value for the same price, and using my blank cards, it costs me just $1.00 per very special card!

Our best Christmas tip (my husband gets the credit) is that every year I buy a big money box from a discount shop. It is a large tin type with a lid that does not come off, except with a can opener. Not being able to open it is really important - this scheme didn't work for us when we had a money box that opened, because I kept raiding it! Every day we put all his change into the money box. We don't open the tin until December. Every year we have upwards of $400 in the tin in coins! We don't miss what we can't see (or can't get at) in that tin. Those $2 and $1 coins sure add up!

We use that money for any presents we have yet to buy, for the extra costs associated with food, and for the travel up to see our family (seven hours drive away). Anything leftover is for our Christmas present to ourselves!

Christmas isn't about how much money you have to flash about! And it definitely isn't something to drown your credit card with! It's about giving and sharing special moments with your nearest and dearest. You CAN do it well and spend less money without being an absolute miser / Scrooge / bah-humbug about it! It just takes a bit of planning!

Contributed by: Susie M.

Hi-tech Christmas greetings

I saved an untold amount of money last year by not sending Christmas cards to my 100 work colleagues! Instead, I invested lots of time in perfecting a PowerPoint presentation; complete with Christmas wishes which I sent to everyone I work with. Many colleagues have thanked me for sending Christmas wishes with a difference!

Contributed by: Craig Maynard

Give a home-made board game

Board games make wonderful gifts and are even more special if they are home-made! Here are some kids' games I have made in the past:

Snakes and ladders: Using a piece of 3mm MDF (you could use stiff cardboard) I divided the board into 25 squares and, using pencils and Texta, coloured in a board. When finished I covered the whole thing in contact. I bought counters and dice from a game shop. You could make as many squares as is suitable for the age of the child.

Fishing game: I got a piece of board and cut it into a circle (again cardboard would be just as good). I then cut out fish shapes from an old calendar and laminated them, then fixed on paper clips. I made fishing rods out of dowel, string and magnets.

Memory game: I printed up cards on the printer and then had them laminated. On the back of the cards I printed the child's name to make them individual. You could use shapes, family members' photos, dinosaurs or whatever the child is interested in.

Contributed by Claire W

Cheap and cheerful Christmas party decorations

I decided to host a tropical themed Christmas party but had trouble finding suitable decorations, especially place mats and coasters. To save expense and time, I decided to make my own.

While at the discount store, I saw beautiful frangipani wrapping paper for $1.00 per sheet. I cut the paper into place mats and coasters and laminated them. For $5.00 I ended up with 15 place mats, 15 coasters and even some left over flowers for decorations.

Making your own decorations not only saves you money but also ensures the decorations perfectly match any theme you choose.

Contributed by: Nichole Murray

A family Christmas gift to last forever

Last year, I saved hundreds of dollars on Christmas presents for my family with this touching and valued gift. I spent some time with my grandma and wrote down her famous recipes for dinners, desserts and her beloved Christmas fruit cake. I did the same with my mum, dad, uncle and some close family friends. It cost very little to print out the recipes which I put into some cheap, brightly coloured folders. I included some family photos between the recipes and everyone was delighted to take home their own copy of our favourite family recipes!

Contributed by: Jenny Koch

Here are some more ideas on Christmas planning and projects for our valued Vault members:

Top 10 early Christmas preparations Contributed by: Christabelle

Fabric family heirloom gift to make Contributed by: Judith Woodlock

Christmas gifts that costs nothing Contributed by: Theresa Neill

7. Cooking with Mimi: Happy Hampers... Grinder Salts Infused with Herbs and Spices

So it's the day before Christmas Eve and you suddenly realise you haven't bought Uncle George or Aunty Myrtle a gift. Ahhhhrrrgh! And of course the reason you haven't is because they're so dashed difficult to buy for. Most home-made gifts are greeted with a cursory 'Hmmm... nice' before being cast aside in favour of something far more interesting and shiny. Just like two-year-olds, are Uncle George and Aunty Myrtle. And every family has at least one of each.

I think I might have a solution for you...

I first saw little flavour-infused salts when I was nosing around in a deli near the beach. Those places always have the best and most interesting things, and I'm not kidding when I say 'nosing around' because they're such an assault on the senses, it's hard to know what to look at next!

They caught my eye because they were so pretty (most things I buy on impulse are purchased because I like the colour or scent of them... eek!), and it wasn't until I looked more closely that I was able to determine that they actually had a practical use.

Some had herbs and spices enclosed in the salt, some had flower buds and other flavourings, and some were just plain weird. I mean, who wants lavender and rosebud flavoured salt on their Sunday roast, I ask you! Clearly creativity had outweighed practicality in someone's kitchen!

Nonetheless, I was so taken by how decorative they looked and how good some of the flavours sounded, that I was inspired to try making my own. I mean, how hard can it be to pop some rock salt and pretty spices in a grinder, for goodness sake? It certainly wasn't going to cost me $49.99 either now was it?

These are so super simple and keep indefinitely, so they're a great gift to have on standby. If you have a George or Myrtle that falls into that 'difficult to buy for' category, or one that appreciates one spectacular or unusual gift over several so-so ones, then this could be the elusive DIY solution. The grinders are available online, in specialty stores and discount stores. Some are definitely better than others, so beware. Alternatively, these look just as pretty packaged in clear cellophane gift bags, where the lucky recipient can then pop them into their own grinder. Easy!

I try to infuse mine with better-known flavour combos. Lavender and rosebud would not be top of my gourmet list, nor, I suspect, on George and Myrtle's.

Equipment:

Cellophane bags, little clear jars or clear acrylic salt mills for presentation
Small bowl
Spoon
Baking trays for moist combinations

Ingredients:

Bags of rock salt or sea salt flakes
Whole herbs and spices of your choosing, ideas below
Suggested flavour combinations
Moroccan: 2 whole cloves, ½ whole nutmeg, cinnamon stick and juniper berries.
Use on lamb, chicken, beef or vegetables.
Italian: Dried rosemary, basil, oregano and sun-dried tomato (must be the dried version, not in oil).
Use in any Italian-inspired dish.
Thai: Dried lime peel, dried coriander leaves, dried sliced chilli and ginger.
Use as seasoning in rice, meat or vegetable dishes.
Asian: Star Anise, dried onion and garlic, peppercorns and dried mushroom.
Great over fried rice, noodles, fish or chicken.
Citrus: Dried orange, lime and lemon peel.
Fantastic over fresh fish.
Mexican c****hocolate: Chilli and cocoa.
Try this one over steak, chilli con carne or slow roasted beef. A surprisingly good combo.
Port wine and orange zest:
Gotta have it over steak, sausages or caramelised onion.
Balsamic v****inegar: Balsamic vinegar and black peppercorns.
Yummy over avocado or other salad ingredients

Method:

If you choose a combo that has freely available dry ingredients then all you really have to do is crush them slightly to allow the flavours to release and add them to a quantity of salt, combining them well in your bowl. One quarter of a cup of flavourings to each cup of salt is about right.

They're then ready to be spooned into your bags or grinders for instant gift giving.

If you've chosen something that has peel, fresh chilli, ginger or moist ingredients like port, then you'll have to spread these ingredients on a lined baking tray once combined with your salt and allow them to dry in a low oven for several hours. I find that 1½ - 2 hours on 140°C, will usually do the trick.

To make the port or vinegar infused variety, simply add a quarter of a cup of port, red wine or any vinegar to a cup of salt and combine well. Then you just spread your infused salt on a lined baking tray and allow it to dry in the oven. This is particularly lush used on steamed vegetables, roast or steak. Yummo!

So, now that you've worked out what to give Uncle George and Aunty Myrtle to keep them happy, maybe they'll stop giving you tea-towels and invest in a nice gift voucher or two for you. One can only hope!

Read more of Mimi's wonderful Christmas ideas and recipes in our Members' Blog area.

8. Claire's Corner: The Gift of Not Giving

I don't know about you, but I can feel Christmas coming... and every year it seems to start just that little bit earlier. The first sign is when one of your super-organised friends cheerfully declares that they've done their Christmas shopping already, because after all, 'it's only 12 weeks 'til Christmas!' Next, you notice the Christmas card stands creeping into Kmart (even though it's only mid-October), and before you know it, jingle bells are ringing and the shops are brimming with festive decorations, Christmas discounts and sales galore! So before the madness begins in earnest, I'd like to share a little tip on how we managed to curb the spending and stress at Christmas.

About eight years ago, we decided it was time to do things a little differently. And it was the best decision we ever made. It came about after one particularly indulgent Christmas in which we'd all bought stuff that really, none of us needed - trinkets, gadgets, ornaments, jewellery, chocolates... by the time we'd all finished opening them, I felt uncomfortably... gluttonous. I couldn't help but wonder how many people were going without, while we sat there, stuffed on Christmas food and surrounded by a surplus of gifts that none of us needed. It just didn't feel good, knowing we'd all spend the last few weeks stressing, shopping, worrying and overspending on 'stuff' just for the sake it.

I mentioned how I felt to my mum a few days later, funnily enough she said she felt the same way. We agreed it was silly that we were all spending so much money, time and stress buying gifts for each other that we really didn't need. We got talking about the meaning of Christmas and how it has changed over the years. Mum told me that when she was young, Christmas was a time to enjoy the things families couldn't afford during the year. Like a roast chicken dinner (something they rarely had) and a fresh orange in their Christmas stockings - imagine, getting an orange for Christmas and being delighted with it because it was such a treat! But these days, we don't really go without anymore - not like a few generations ago anyway. So trying to make Christmas a special occasion means we end up spending a ridiculous amount of money and eating a ridiculous amount of food - so that we can 'indulge' ourselves for Christmas.

That's when we came up with a new way of doing things. We decided that really, Christmas is a time for children, so we agreed to only buy gifts for the kids in the family. Instead of buying gifts for the adults, we each buy an extra children's gift or two to donate to a local charity that needs gifts at Christmas time such as The Salvation Army. I get my kids involved with this - they help choose and wrap a gift and take it to the charity.

I also help the children make something in return for the adults. It's usually a little treat like Christmas biscuits, fudge or some other sort of sweet. We wrap them with nice cellophane and ribbons and the kids use their scrap-booking bits and pieces to make cards. I think it's good for them to give something that they've put effort in to themselves. We do the same thing for teachers, neighbours, coaches and anyone else that deserves a 'thank you' at Christmas time.

It was the best decision we ever made regarding Christmas. It means I only have to think about buying for the kids - which is more than enough to worry about! In the weeks leading up to Christmas I make lists for each child- so by the time I hit the shops I know exactly what I'm going to buy, I try really hard to buy things that they want or need and avoid rubbish that will just end up in pieces or forgotten about, although this is easier said than done!

It's such a relief not to worry about what to get for so-and-so, or thinking that you've spent too much or not enough. Plus, we also decided that if we want to, we can spoil each other with little 'just because' gifts during the year, rather than 'because I have to' gifts at Christmas. For example, earlier this year my aunt's favourite beauty therapy clinic had a huge special, so I bought her a voucher... 'just because'. It only cost me $10 (not that she knew that!) but she loved it.

I can't imagine going back to buying gifts for everyone in the family. It's so much more relaxed in the weeks leading up to Christmas without the pressure or worry of shopping for the adults. We all get lots of pleasure watching the kids enjoy their gifts and of course, we still manage to indulge ourselves with way too much food - well, it is Christmas after all!

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. Burton Hillis

Read more of Claire's Corner in our Members' Blog area.

9. 50c Indulgences - Preparing for Christmas

September's Indulgences Under 50c theme has been about preparing early for Christmas. By starting early we reduce the stress and expenses and get to really enjoy the season and the time with our families and make memories instead of debt! We really believe this can be the most wonderful Christmas and the least expensive.

One huge area to save is gift giving. Home-made gifts are just lovely and presenting your home-made or home cooked gifts beautifully just makes them look wonderful. Cellophane bags add a professional touch and keep food fresh. At only a few cents each they are a good way of making things look great. Some of these ideas are easy enough to get the kids involved which is even better.

Every year I make coconut ice and cut it into slabs or heart shapes. Soft pink ribbon and rose buds make it a little bit more special. People ring me up asking if I am making it this year! Slabs of peanut brittle, toffee, fudge or a favourite slice all look great and are packaged easily.

Sourcing containers from op shops or bargain stores makes presentation easy. Crystal decanters are inexpensive at op shops and are lovely for home-made bubble bath or even laundry liquid or fabric softener. They look stunning. I paid $2.00 for these bottles and filled them with home-made bubble bath. The recipe is on the thread and it is the most beautiful bubble bath I've ever experienced!

Cut and vintage glass bottles are suitable for herbed vinegars and oils, chocolate sauce and even home-made liqueurs. A very easy thing is to fill martini or crystal glasses with fudge and tie on a little spoon. These tiny spoons were a few cents each from craft stores. The cocktail glasses were a dollar and the little glasses were $0.20c each. Everyone I have given these to has loved them! Lots of cellophane makes easy presentation.

Right now is a good time to start collecting packaging supplies and prepare packaging ahead. As I know I'll be making shortbread and truffles, I've already stamped some paper bags and small boxes - a little glitter glue and everything looks festive! These are great projects for the kids as well and they love to help. Gift tags finish things off and recipes can be included as part of the gift.

The Vault is full of all the Christmas recipes you could ever need, as is this month's 50c Indulgence thread. During October, the 50 Cent Army will be having fun with "I can make it for less". This is going to be a big month! Over the years I have found myself longing for all sorts of things I've seen in catalogues or magazines. The price tag is NOT going to stop me as I find a way to make it myself. Helen has a gift for copying her favourite looks so beautifully but inexpensively so it all looks magazine-worthy! From chandeliers to Christmas wreaths there's a way to make things for ourselves at a fraction of the price. Our mission this month is to help you finally have the look you've been dreaming of for your home, your clothes and even your jewellery! For some amazing ideas come and join us.

It has been a fantastic month with so much encouragement and so many great ideas as usual - come and join us at </fora/2857888>

Annabel

10. Rob Bob's Garden Blog: Planting out Some Presents

Propagating gifts that keep on giving

Pepinos
Decided to take a few cuttings this week to make the gift-giving season a bit easier on the hip pocket. Normally we give elaborate healthy treats made from cocoa, nuts and dried fruit with the odd additional sugary treat thrown in. Unfortunately we always leave the making of said treats until the night before we see family and friends so this year I thought we would do it a bit differently.

Pepinos were the plants that I really wanted to gift as they look great, provide a lot of fruit and the kids love eating them. I took 23 cuttings and tried two different ways of propagating these guys. The first way was by taking cuttings and trying to root them in a soil mix. Branches of new growth, about 12cm to 15cm long, were taken from the plant, trying to avoid any with flower buds.

First step in the process was to remove all but the top three leaves from the 12cm/15cm cuttings using a sharp knife. I used a fresh Stanley knife blade that had been cleaned well with soap.

The next step was to make a diagonal cut at the base of the stem, then dip it in raw honey and firmly place it into the soil mixture. Rooting gel and powder could be used but I wanted to try the honey to see how it went. The amino acids and enzymes in the honey are said to give the cuttings a helping hand to set roots. The cuttings will be kept in partial sun for the next few weeks and misted with water twice daily to keep the soil moist.

The other method of propagation I used was to just sit the cuttings in a jar of water (right side of picture). Can't get much simpler than that.

I really hope this method works as it is a lot simpler and there is no sitting around waiting and guessing if the process has worked as the roots are clearly visible.Ten cuttings each of rosemary andlavender were also taken so people can have a choice of what plants they would like.

Carrot tape
Another great gift idea for people who like to grow vegies was one that was mentioned again recently on the SS vegie patch thread by Janlo - carrot seed tape. Carrots can be a bit fiddly to thin (or maybe I just keep putting it off until it's too late) so using carrot seed tape can make thinning them out a breeze. It is a really easy project that the kids can get involved in that costs nothing more than a packet of carrot seeds, a strip of toilet paper and some flour.

For this batch I used eight squares of toilet paper that was cut down the centre then marked out in 5cm increments.

Next about 1tsp of flour was mixed with enough water to make a thick paste. A small amount of the paste was dabbed onto the paper next to the marks to one side of the strip.

Add three to four seeds to the blobs of paste then fold the paper over using the excess paste to stick the tape together.

Labelling the rolls can also be handy if you are preparing a few different varieties at a time. These tapes can just be laid out onto a prepared bed and covered with a thin layer of soil or sand. We have made them before for ourselves and as gifts and they are always appreciated. The lettuce and spring onion tapes we made up didn't do any good at all so we just stick to carrot tape now!

That's about it for now...

Hope you all have a great weekend in the patch if you get the chance... **: )»**

Read more of Rob Bob's garden blogs in our Members' Blog area.

11. From Last Month: Variety is the Spice of Life

Last month Heather asked:

"I have a conundrum. We are both in our seventies. My husband has been seriously ill and is on chemotherapy. I am being constantly reminded that he 'doesn't like' stews or casseroles. He only likes grills or roasts. Consequently I am trying to cook something new and different every evening of the week, which I find thoroughly emotionally exhausting. He won't have a main meal in the middle of the day, which we should both have, as it's better for physical reasons. I would greatly appreciate some solutions!"

Thanks so much to everyone who wrote in to share their wisdom with Heather. Here are some of our favourites!

Try a little tenderness

My husband was quite ill during radiation therapy for cancer on his face and needed lymph nodes in his neck removed. He also lost a few of his teeth and found it difficult to chew. He doesn't like stews or casseroles either, so I used to cook his steak or chops in the slow cooker, just like a casserole except I left the meat intact. Make sure you don't let the meat fall apart when it's on his plate, and definitely no sauce! Give him his own steamed or boiled vegies. He also ate a lot of rice pudding - his favourite!

Contributed by: Susan K.

Ideas for big, freezable meals

Hi Heather, I too look after someone very ill. He is also not fond of stews or casseroles so I make a very large baking tray of lasagne, layer with white sauce, spinach and lasagne sauce. I give it to him one night then cut it up into squares and freeze for the next week. The cooking takes quite a while but it's worth it because I have one night that I don't have to worry about.

Also, the slow cooker is magic. Corned beef goes down well, I just put it on in the morning on low, with all the vegetables thrown in. I add carrots, cabbage, onion (whole but peeled) and potato (which I mash at the end). He also loves sausages done in the slow cooker. I use McCormick Slow Cookers - Tomato & Onion Sausages mix. I brown eight sausages and then just throw everything in that the packet suggests (onion, red capsicum and 400g crushed tomatoes), and cook on slow all day. I also chop a bit of parsley to throw in and bingo, it's done! I then mash some potato and put the sausages and sauce on top. For some reason he does not class this as a stew! Actually everyone that has eaten this just loves it. I'm not a packet person but this is a winner!

Contributed by: Lynne O'Donnell

Try quorn for a change

We do hope your husband recovers soon Heather, meanwhile perhaps you could pre-cook your meals to reheat when needed. My 94-year-old aunt also has this problem and cooks quorn (available at Coles) and presents it as chicken. My uncle always comments on how nice his 'chicken' is, followed by I don't know how you eat that 'quorn' stuff (shhh... we are not telling him anything different!). I also make green smoothies to get heaps of nutrition into the family. For recipe ideas, just Google 'green smoothie'. Basically they contain apple, ginger, celery and lemon along with any herb and non-bitter greens.

Contributed by: K. Lowry

Try some new gravies for variety

Hi Heather, I am 64 and have had cancer too. To add variety to your husband's grills, you could try various gravies to make it different such as brown onion, mushroom and pepper. You could also cook several chops in one go, then just heat them up with a different gravy each night. On the weekend you could have a roast and set aside the leftover meat for the weekdays. Lunches can be tinned soup with a piece of fruit, or a sandwich. My DS likes different vegies than I do, so I cook most of them in the steamer - peas, carrots and potato for DS, beans, cauli and sweet potato for me.

Contributed by: Lesley Forster

Quick and easy meal ideas

If you have someone in the family asking for variety in the weekly meal menu, here are a few cheap and easy ideas that could help.

Try lamb cutlets with salad and mini roast vegies. Cubed parboiled potatoes and pumpkin tossed in olive oil and seasoned before being finished off in the oven can be pre-prepared and frozen then reheated like frozen chips.
You could also make bulk rissoles and cook with gravy, mash and vegies as needed.
Omelettes filled with mushroom, cheese, fried onion and strips of low-fat sandwich ham and tomato slices are also a nice option.
Try stretching roast beef by freezing extra slices and then serving with gravy at a later time.
Experiment with different soup flavours such as chorizo sausages fried and sliced and added to starchy based soups like potato and pumpkin.

Contributed by: MeekM

Mix and match meal ideas

Hi Heather, I appreciate the strain this is putting you under and the stress it must cause you. In order for you to cope better, and for him to have his needs met, you could do up a menu plan using a 'this goes with that' approach. Here are some ideas:

Vegetables: Choose from carrots, beans, broccoli, cauliflower, pumpkin and so on. Cook by roasting, grilling, steaming, stir-frying, mashing or baking.

Potatoes: Bake whole, make into chips or wedges, mash with gravy, slice and sautee or layer and bake with cream and cheese.

Salads: Choose from green, pasta, rice, couscous, carrot and raisin and lots of other combinations.

Main meals: Chicken - Choose from grilled thighs (marinate in soy and honey), grilled kebabs on a stick, chicken schnitzels, grilled breast meat made into chicken parmigiana with tinned tomatoes and cheese, chicken fillet burgers, chicken breast grilled with a bacon slice and an egg on top.

Lamb: Use the framework of the chicken ideas such as grilled chops, kebabs, butterfly roast and so on.

Draw up your menu and involve him in the selection of meat and which day he would like it and give him a choice of vegies or salad. The Australian Women's Weekly has some great cookbooks on grills and salads if you need recipe ideas.

To help solve the issue of when to eat the main meal, perhaps you could make up the salad or vegies in the morning and have the meat ready to grill. At lunchtime, throw yours on the grill and have your main while he has soup or a sandwich. Then in the evening, all you have to do is grill his meat and eat something light for yourself. Also Meals On Wheels may be an option to consider if you need some time free from cooking.

Contributed by: Jane

Turn boring stews into yummy pies

I have four boys and enjoy cooking and eating stews in winter, I usually serve it with potato or rice and they are quite yummy! But they hate it! However, I have a pie maker and find that if I put the same stew or casserole in these pies, everybody gobbles them up with no complaints at all! They even want thirds! Fantastic if you want something quick for lunches or a light dinner!

Contributed by: Alexia Fox

Easy meal ideas for the elderly

I visit my grandparents who are in their early '90s once a week with my twin daughters. As I had my hands full when my girls were babies, my grandparents used to make me lunch every week. But now that my girls are almost three, I have the time to cook for them. I have a few recipes in particular that I have cooked as Granddad watches on so that he can learn them. I specifically choose meals that are super easy and have lots of flavour and also meals that can be made in bulk and frozen for nights they don't feel like cooking. Here are a few of my recipes that I'd like to share.

Pesto Meatloaf

500g beef mince
3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
3/4 cup breadcrumbs
3 tbsp water
2 tbsp basil pesto
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp pepper

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and press into a loaf tin. Bake at 180 degrees for 45-50 mins. I serve with steamed vegies. I've made other meatloaves and my husband always comes back to this one.

Tuna Mornay

Melt two tablespoons of butter in a pan and add one chopped brown onion. Simmer on medium heat until the onion is transparent. Add a quarter cup of flour and stir through. Take off heat and from a jug with 300ml milk add 50ml at a time, slowly stirring until milk is absorbed each time. When all milk has been added (add more if the sauce is too thick) add 400g tin of tuna, half a cup of tinned corn kernels, one tablespoon of Tuscan seasoning and stir until combined. Transfer to a casserole dish and top with breadcrumbs and grated cheddar cheese. Bake at 180 degrees for 15 mins or until cheese is golden.

One more suggestion is to add chopped zucchini, carrot and bacon to spaghetti bolognaise just to boost the flavour a bit.

Contributed by: Belinda Langdon

Feeling better about meal times

If you have someone in the family who is sick, or is just sick of the same old meals, meal times can become an exhausting process! Here are a few inexpensive tips to help make things easier.

Tip 1 - Plan ahead

Set up a weekly/fortnightly menu so you don't have to think too much. On shopping day, instead of packing the meat away, process it into the meals you are going to use and place in bags or containers. Another time saving device is a mandolin vegie slicer - it makes vegie processing very quick and because they cut so thinly, they also cook quickly. Find out more at http://www.dehydratorbook.com/vegetable-slicer.html.

Tip 2 - Juggling meal times

If someone in the family prefers to have a main meal at a different time, perhaps you could cook both meals at the same time, then simply reheat the meal that is to be eaten later.

Tip 3 - Adding variety

Try using different meats with the same sauce, and then the same meats with different sauces! Here are a few ideas...

BBQ steak with: honey & soy sauce, sweet 'n sour sauce, Italian herbs and garlic, Moroccan spices.

Moroccan spice: on beef and grilled, sprinkled on the roast, mixed in with mince for patties.

So if you were packing away your meat for the fortnight, you'd make three sauces (and lots of them) and then just do the round robin as you pack and freeze it all ready for defrosting and cooking.

Another idea is to make a rolled roast. The same cheap cuts you use in the stew can be made into a rolled roast which is very easy to make. Roll hammered BBQ/stewing steak in a large piece of flap and tie it as per normal. You might want to make a core of something interesting like a nut and bread stuffing, a few Italian herbs, garlic and so on. This will mean less meat and make it look a bit more expensive. Slice thinly so the quality is not too evident and use a good gravy. Jazz it up with super wonderful fluffy potatoes.

Contributed by: Tamara K

Spice up your meat dishes

If you have someone in the family asking for a bit of variety for dinner, you can mix things up by adding a little flavour to the meat. Some ideas include seeded mustard (spread on the meat), honey soy, port and pepper or herbs crushed and mixed with a little oil and cooked on top.

Another idea is to jazz up sauces or gravies with sauteed onions, mushrooms, olives, capsicum, tomatoes or herbs. You can make these up and just add to the plate of those who want them.

Contributed by: Binda-j

Roasting up a variety of meals

Here's how I add a little variety to meal times - and give myself a few days off cooking! My husband likes roasts and chops, but isn't keen on stews, casseroles or pasta. So I cook two or more roasts at the same time and then make up quite a few different vegetables and gravies. I then freeze several different meals. It means that hubby can get the variety he wants and I get a couple of days off cooking - saving stress and electricity!

Contributed by: Barb Arnold

Transform one roast into a variety of meals

Buying a small roast is not always economical, so here are a few interesting ideas to help make the most out of your roasts...

Cook an average-sized roast in the usual way, then split it into three. Eat one third immediately with baked vegies. The second piece can be sliced up the next night and moistened with a little gravy from the original roast, or it can be frozen as a meal and served up later with freshly cooked steamed vegies. The last portion could be minced in your food processor or mincer with some chopped onions, plenty of seasoning, a tin of crushed tomatoes and made into spaghetti sauce, cottage pie or used as a beef pie filling.

Use the same process for a roast chicken. Have the thighs or drumsticks for the first meal with baked vegies, then chop the breast meat finely and mix with onions, chopped bacon or ham and mushrooms and moisten with a little yoghurt or creme fraiche. Add about one tablespoon of flour and form into patties. Allow to chill, then coat with crispy crumbs and freeze to eat later. Once defrosted, shallow fry in a little oil. Pop the carcass of the chicken, along with any scraps of meat, into a pan of boiling water and boil for about 15 minutes. Scrape off the remaining meat and mix with spinach, ricotta and grated parmesan and use as a stuffing for ravioli or cannelloni. These can be frozen until required. Defrost and cover with home-made tomato sauce and grated parmesan and bake in a hot oven.

Any meat that you buy in slices, such as steak, schnitzels, pork or lamb steaks, can be beaten out flat with a mallet and stuffed with your choice of filling such as breadcrumbs, cheese, ham, onions, mushrooms, spinach, celery, capsicums, herbs and lemon zest. Then just roll up to form mini-roasts and bake in the oven. Cover first with a rehydrated pack of soup.

This will give you nine basic meals, which you can spread out over the course of a month, and you can repeat them using different ingredients each time. You may find that, whilst you have only actually planned for three meals from one roast, you will have leftovers that you can stretch to make extra meals.

Contributed by: Norma King

Slow-cooked roast tips

If you're looking to add a little variety to your weekly menu with minimal effort, try using your slow cooker to cook a roast. This can then be used to make a number of meals. I have done this with some success, and I hate cooking meat of any kind! Here are some of the basic guidelines for my Sunbeam 4.5 litre slow cooker:

Beef or lamb: Cut away excess fat from lamb. Place the meat into the slow cooker and cook. Approximate cooking times for well-done are:

LOW: 2-2.5 hours per 500g

HIGH: 1-1.5 hours per 500g

There's no need to turn meat during cooking.

Chicken: Wash the chicken and pat dry. Stuff if desired and truss. Place the chicken into the slow cooker, dot with butter and sprinkle with paprika to add extra colour. Approximate cooking times:

LOW: 1.5-2.5 hours per 500g

HIGH: 1-1.5 hours per 500g

Contributed by: Elmarie Grublys

12. This Month's Help Request: Self Employment Help

Verna would like to know:

"Are there any hints on Simple Savings about self-employment - the pros and cons, and any problems encountered? I have been offered work in home care (nursing, companionship, palliative) as a sub-contractor and have sought advice from my accountant; a big fat no! I'm just wondering if any other Simple Savers are involved in this growing field and would like to share their experiences."

If you have any pearls of wisdom you'd like to share with Verna, please send them in to us here.

13. Savings Story: Time for Change!

"I looked at the site a few months ago and saw a great tip on putting your change aside. I did this and have just banked $340! I joined the Vault a week ago and the things I have done in a week are life-changing. I am now 55-ish and wish I had this knowledge when I was 18. At least now I can forward this information onto my kids. Once again, thanks for your great site." (Sue)

14. Goodbye for now!

Phew! Well, that's a wrap on another Simple Savings newsletter. We hope you have enjoyed it and have been inspired by all the money saving tips. Our members are hugely important to us and we love hearing from you all! So next time you're on the website, why don't you get in touch and say 'G'day'! Let us know what you would like to see more of in our newsletter or any suggestions you have for something new to try. We love receiving your clever ideas!

We hope you have a wonderful month getting organised for a joyous and stress-free Christmas - the more we do now, the more we can enjoy ourselves later.

Till next time...

All the best,
Fiona

September 2014 - Simple Savings Newsletter

"Secrets to Saving Money in Australia" Free Newsletter - September 2014

This issue includes:-

Sad Sally, Happy Hanna: Save Our Stuff!
September: Declutter!
Shoppe Super Specials!
Penny Wise: The World is (sort of) My Oyster!
Best of the Vault: It's Time to Get Serious
Best of the Forum: ClutterBusters to the Rescue!
Best Members' Blog: Thanks Gumtree - 30 Minutes of My Time = $150
Mimi's Protein Balls
Rob Bob's Gardening Blog: Repurposing for the Patch and Some Great Free Gardening Help
From Last Month: Purchasing Safely Online
This Month's Help Request: I Want to Work From Home

Hello,

How are you going? I hope you are well. We have been making a lot of decisions in Simple Savings land and this year is going to be the last that we run the Simple Savings Ye Olde Shoppe. We are planning on closing the shop at the end of November. This means you are going to see all the products on special between now and then - starting this week!

If you would like to order Christmas presents early, here are the prices:-

Ice-block moulds $4 per set (saving $21 per set, original price $25 per set)
Macadamia oil 1L $9 per litre (saving $11.50 per litre, original price $20.50 per litre)
GameTag $4 per set (saving $16, original price $20)
"A Pressure Cooker Saved My Life" books $20 per book (saving $10, original price $30)
Grunge-free sponges $3 each (saving $1, original price $4)
Lunette cups $35 (saving $13, original price $48)
BluApple refills $8 (saving $2, original price $9.95)
"The $21 Challenge" books $10 (saving $15, original price $25)
CreaClip $25 (saving $15, original price $39.95)

Once these items run out we will not be ordering any new stock. My health means we need to re-evaluate things and the Ye Olde Shoppe has to go.

Otherwise, it is business as usual! We love hearing from you - your savings stories and tips make my day! Here are some of my favourites this month:

"After all these years, I finally bought a copy of The $21 Challenge. I had never really understood the concept of 'shopping from your pantry' so I wasn't quite sure what I would find when I started reading. Well, I couldn't put it down and saved $200 the first week! I know I can't do that every week, but I can certainly do it once every couple of months. Thank you!" (Gwen)

"I love your newsletters! I love catching up with Mimi, Rob and Penny and seeing what has been happening with Fiona. Keep up the great work and savings tips." (Chrissie)

Have a great month!
All the best,
Fiona Lippey

1. Sad Sally, Happy Hanna: Save Our Stuff!

"Uh-oh, I think I hear trouble in paradise!" chuckled Pete, nodding his head towards the raised voices coming from next door. "Chloe and Tom?" Sally asked, concerned. "That's no good, they're supposed to be getting ready for their garage sale tomorrow. Maybe we should go and see if they need any help?" "Go and be a couple of nosy parkers, you mean?" laughed Pete. "Come on then!"

"How's the garage sale coming along?" Sally smiled brightly as she and Pete strolled into Chloe's yard. "Hmph, we'll be lucky if we even have one," grumbled Tom. "Miss Super Hoarder here doesn't want to get rid of anything!" "Er - excuse me?! You're just as bad!" Chloe retorted. "Honestly, we're supposed to be having this garage sale to kick start our travel fund but at this rate we'll be going nowhere!" she sighed.

"Well none of this stuff is ever going to do you any good if you don't use or appreciate it," reasoned Pete. "Surely the money you'd get from this lot is more valuable in your travel kitty?" "Yes!" agreed Sally. "Aunt Edna always says, if you wouldn't bother saving it in a house fire, you probably don't need it at all. Tell you what, why don't we have a combined garage sale? Come on Pete, let's go and have a sort out!" Pete looked at Sally in alarm and immediately took off up the driveway. "That's a great idea, thanks Sally! Er, is Pete OK?" asked Chloe. "Oh yes, don't mind him," giggled Sally. "He's just off to hide his horrendous Hawaiian shirt he saved from our LAST garage sale!"

2. September: Declutter!

Whilst Sally may have a vastly different opinion, Pete is obviously VERY attached to his Hawaiian shirt - and that's fine! Decluttering is not about depriving yourself of the things you love or truly cannot function without. It's about ridding your life and space of the things that you don't use and never will use; things which mean nothing to you and will not affect your life in any way should you no longer have them. For many of us, these can add up to a LOT of things!

We all know the immediate benefits of decluttering. More space and a more organised home for starters, don't we all love that feeling! Then there are the financial and goodwill benefits. Selling your unwanted goods is a brilliant way to make cash fast and put it towards something more important, such as paying a debt off or more desirable, such as a travel fund in Tom and Chloe's case. Many of us can't be bothered with all the listing, waiting, packing and posting and simply want to give things away to get rid of them and that's terrific too. There's nothing more rewarding than donating goods to people who really need them.

But have you ever thought about the other positive effects decluttering can have? Sorting out the good from the bad, the wanted from unwanted not only gives you the opportunity to get your life in order, but also to evaluate your spending habits and past mistakes. What on earth did I buy THAT for? What was I thinking?! Why didn't I take that back at the time? How much of our money has been spent on stuff we just didn't need? Whilst this can be a confronting exercise, now is not the time to dwell on mistakes that have been. Now is the time to suss out what you can and cannot live without. Now is the time to think about where you want to be and how you will get there by making the most meaningful use of your money in future, rather than frittering it away on stuff.

Nothing boosts your armour like a good declutter!

Best of all, decluttering can turn you into a smarter, better informed consumer! It teaches you to think differently next time you are tempted in the shops. You already know now from your decluttering what your household will and won't use; what does and doesn't work. Next time you pick up an item with a view to purchase, think to yourself, "Hmm, how long would it be before I would throw it out if I bought it? How much use will I really get out of it?"

A great example is children's toys. Each time you look at that shiny toy and think how much little Junior would love it, remember that in a couple of days half those pieces will be lost and strewn around the house. Remember that in a couple of years (at the most) that lovely new toy will also end up getting thrown out just like all the others. Decluttering is a great way to protect you from future mistakes. Sure, you can always sell stuff on, but you won't get the price you paid for it. Best not to buy it in the first place!

September is Decluttering Month and we want everyone to join in! Some people are regular declutterers, while others really struggle. If this sounds like you, start with putting one item at a time in a bag for the op shop. Op shops are a great start for novice or emotional declutterers because it doesn't feel as though you're getting rid of it; you're simply finding a new home for it. Or if you're feeling brave and motivated, you could make it your mission to declutter 100 items from your household - you'll be amazed at how easy it is once you start having a really good look at everything in your home! If you would like to join us, be sure to visit the Forum as we all declutter together and cheer each other on! Or check out our Ultimate Guide to Decluttering. If that doesn't get you in the mood to clear the clutter, nothing will!

However you do it, give decluttering a go this month. Enjoy the rewards and give your shopping armour a great big boost in the process!

3. Shoppe Super Specials!

We are closing the Ye Olde Shoppe at the end of November. Everything is on sale and once it runs out, we do not plan to order any more stock. Here are the prices.

Ice-block moulds $4 per set (saving $21 per set, original price $25 per set)
Macadamia oil 1L $9 per litre (saving $11.50 per litre, original price $20.50 per litre)
GameTag $4 per set (saving $16, original price $20)
"A Pressure Cooker Saved My Life" books $20 per book (saving $10, original price $30)
Grunge-free sponges $3 each (saving $1, original price $4)
Lunette cups $35 (saving $13, original price $48)
BluApple refills $8 (saving $2, original price $9.95)
"The $21 Challenge" books $10 (saving $15, original price $25)
CreaClip $25 (saving $15, original price $39.95)

4. Penny Wise: The World is (sort of) My Oyster!

What a productive week it's been! Whilst I have yet to secure a new vocation, I can honestly say I've been using the extra time on my hands to great advantage. The budgeting ladies and I have been scrutinising my budget every week and racking our brains to see how we can reduce the outgoings further. In all honesty there wasn't a huge amount we could do as almost every bill is static BUT I did manage to reduce my mobile bill by $30 a month and our landline/Internet bill by a whopping $75 a month! I was really surprised at this as it was literally only a few months ago that I last rang around to try and get a better deal but the woman told me that we were paying far too much for Internet we were not using. As huge Internet users we had previously been told we needed 150GB to avoid going over a smaller limit and getting a nasty surprise when the bill came, so we duly did as recommended; however the whole time we had never used more than 45GB! Just goes to show that a lot of things can change in a few short months. The budgeting ladies were so impressed with my Telecom savings they were going to ring and check their own too! We also have no television at all now, which the boys funnily enough didn't give a stuff about. Mind you, who needs to pay to watch your favourite TV shows these days when you can watch most of them for free online at your own convenience? We just hook our laptop up to the TV with an HDMI cord and watch our Internet programme of choice on the big screen! It's actually much better, as you only watch what you want, when you want, rather than just mindlessly sitting in front of the regular TV watching whatever rubbish happens to be on.

In an attempt to make a dent in a few more bills, I also finally stopped procrastinating and had a good old sort out of the house and the sheds to see what we could sell on Trade Me and through our local Buy Sell and Swap page on Facebook. It probably took about 4 hours to unearth and list everything but I made $150 on the first day! At the moment I'm up to $230 but I have a lot more auctions which finish tomorrow and a load more to list after that. I had totally forgotten how exciting it is watching all the views and the bidding go up and up! And it always makes me laugh how often the things you don't anticipate anyone is going to want in a million years are the items which generate the most interest. Take my bright pink sneakers for example. These shoes were famous in my Zumba class a few years ago! Eye catching and fun they certainly were, but for a woman of my mature years they were a bit too garish to wear anywhere else! Still, I thought someone might like them so chucked them on Trade Me for $5. More than 340 views later they have reached $32 and still climbing!

I haven't done any 'serious' trading for a good couple of years (in fact I only just got around to listing two boxes of stuff that we didn't get around to selling from the last time!) I told the boys they should sort their stuff out too and see if we can declutter 100 items. At which they spluttered and looked at me like I was mad, but I was amazed to find I had listed 60 items in one sitting just of my own stuff - and I still have a load more to list when the first lot of auctions have finished! I kid you not, this is coming from someone who has lived in three different houses in the past four years and hence has VERY little clutter, yet still I have found this many things which I am able to remove from my home and which mean absolutely nothing to me. I have been pretty ruthless - I can't afford not to be but I think you know in your heart whether you're really going to use or wear something. It has become pretty easy for me to evaluate my possessions. Take my pink sneakers for example. Even though I only listed them for $5 and didn't expect to get more than that; it was more valuable to me to get the $5 and use it to put towards food or paying a bill than have those shoes sitting there for two years unworn. Bit of a no-brainer really and I never dreamed they would become worth so much more to me online! It honestly felt so good to finally list all those items I had been putting off for so long. My sheds are spotless and both they and my home truly are free of clutter - and, because of the super SS'er I now am, I never have to worry about filling it with rubbish again!

After such a lengthy spell away from the trading 'scene' I have noticed a few changes. Things which used to sell like crazy such as books, DVD's and CD's don't really sell much any more, with the exception of cook books. People have found cheaper or more convenient alternatives with the advances in technology. After all, that's why I was able to sell so many of my cook books; with the exception of my own recipe folder I've compiled over the years and tried and true favourites such as the $21 Challenge book I don't use recipe books much any more. If I want to make something more often than not it's something that's caught my eye in the Forum or I'll look up a recipe online on websites such as Yummly to use up the ingredients I have in mind. Out of the 60-odd items I've listed so far, I'm having the most success with clothes and shoes, perhaps beauty items too. This got me thinking, do you think that's because people have less money to treat themselves these days? Has the price of everyday living has gone up so much they don't have enough left for new clothes and shoes so take the 'skint but stylish' route? Whatever the reason, I can't put into words the feeling of relief that someone is buying my stuff. It's so exciting in a strange way because I have so many people I owe money to I don't know what to do with it first. Even $50 feels like the world is my oyster! Do I pay $10 on 5 bills? Or $25 on two bills? Or go the whole hog and put all $50 on one bill? So funny but at least it feels as though I'm making a difference and doing something to gain a little control over the current shambles which is my life.

And it's been a nice little hiatus too, I have to admit. As of next week, as my kids would say, things are 'gonna get crazy'. If nothing comes up for me job-wise I'm not too sure what is going to happen. One thing is for sure, we are not going to be able to pay almost all of our bills and I'm not sure what happens when you can't but I'm sure the budgeting ladies will advise me. There isn't too much else we can do now apart from cancel the contents insurance on my house, which isn't huge anyway (and I'm rather reluctant to do that as knowing my luck I'll end up flooding the bath or setting the kitchen on fire or something)! The only other thing we can do is change Ali back to his old school. This will save $320 a month on sending him on the bus - but I think changing schools would be a lot more costly in other ways. Ali is doing so well academically and is so happy at his current school; he left the other one two years ago because he was so miserable. Why should his schooling suffer? It's not like I'm forking out thousands for private education, it's for a blooming mini-bus! We have discussed it and while Ali would much rather stay at his current school, he is willing to make the change if it helps get us to keep our house. But I really don't think I could forgive myself if I had to do that to him. There must be another way, think positive Penny!

You can get updates on Penny's new blogs on the Simple Savings Facebook page.

...or in our Members' Blog section.

5. Best of the Vault: It's Time To Get Serious

We need to have a talk. It's time to get serious about sorting out your stuff. You know what we mean - the boxes under the stairs, the bags of clothes in the cupboard, the piles taking over your spare room - it has all got to find a new home. You either love it or shove it - it's that simple. Are you ready?

Save the important things in life

I live in an area that was recently hit by floods. While we rushed to try to save everything from the water, I was amazed as to how much 'stuff' we had that we just didn't need. Being surrounded by all these items actually made saving the 'important' stuff so much harder. I thought I had already decluttered my home, but I was wrong. The flood has made my whole family more aware of how we accumulate 'things' through our lives - some of which are important and others which are not. As people we tend to hold onto things that we 'might use one day'. I found, however, that it was these items that just got in the way in an emergency. When disaster strikes you need to be able to save your family, then if you have time, the important 'things' in your life. In the coming weeks, we will be having a massive garage sale to clean out our home and sheds and we won't be keeping anything that has not been used in the past two years. Not only will we be able to clear out the unused, non-essential things, we'll also be able to make some money to replace some of the important items that we lost in the flood. Decluttering for me came in the form of a flood - don't wait for Mother Nature to help, she'll only make it harder. Be pro-active and start sorting the things that really matter from the things that don't.

Contributed by: Ros Plunkett

Unnecessary kitchen appliances

Do you really need these house-cluttering, money-wasting, used once in a lifetime kitchen appliances?

Pie maker
Popcorn maker
Hotdog maker
Sandwich press

Of course you don't! Our mothers and grandmothers didn't have these appliances yet they still managed to make all of these things. Pies in the oven, popcorn on the stove or in the microwave, hotdogs in a pot and toasted sandwiches grilled in the oven.

If you have already bought the kitchen appliances on my list, cut the clutter and earn a few bucks by selling them in a garage sale. Then, get back to real cooking!

Contributed by: Kimberley Headford

A reformed shopaholic speaks

As a reformed shopaholic, I have accumulated many, many items that I have never used including lots of cookbooks. So, I have started to bring cookbooks as a gift, instead of wine, whenever my foodie friends invite me for dinner at their house.

My friends will enjoy these books a lot more than me and on top of that I don't need to buy wines when I go to their house. I am also gifting other items I have collected such as gadgets, clothes and cosmetics. It's a nice way to declutter!

Contributed by: Shop Fairy

Eliminate clutter with this helpful website

If you need to declutter your home, this website is for you! I have been visiting 365lessthings.com. This website is great for anyone interested in decluttering and reducing over-consumption and their impact on the planet. Some of the psychological aspects of clutter and clutter reduction are also reviewed in the blog which is helpful. Reducing over-consumption of course reduces spending. If some of the decluttered items are sold on eBay or at a garage sale then there is income produced too! I would have trouble quantifying how much this site has saved me but I can list some of the ways it has helped:

Now that I am decluttering on average at least one item a day I am much more thoughtful about what I buy as I don't want to declutter it later.
We will hopefully avoid the cost of house extensions and the loss of potential productive garden space by decluttering.
I am using up the 'second favourites' saving money in replacement creams and pantry products.
It has given me a forum to talk to family about clutter and help us select more helpful gifts.
I can find things easier allowing me more time to save money in other ways.
The house is easier to clean which saves time too.
I have been able to identify where most of the items coming in are coming from and address this.

Check out the website and you too will be inspired!

Contributed by: Esther

Be organised for your garage sale

I have held many garage sales both in Australia and in Canada - usually at the time of moving house. The biggest tips for having a garage sale are to be organised and to have help at hand on the day so that items do not walk out the door for free; it should be your choice to give items away. Preparation is the key; start collecting supermarket bags and small coins weeks in advance.

To maximise the money you can earn, clean up (wash and polish) all items, and present them in the best way. You should price all items in advance. I have found that masking tape is best as it is easy to peel off without damaging the surface.

Setting your desired price in advance means that helpers won't dither - and you can always lower the price for people who want to bargain (a common practice among people who do the garage sale trail on Saturday mornings). Also, be prepared to offer discounts to people who buy more than one item (sell magazines, for example, for $0.50c each or three for a dollar).

Go to a couple of garage sales in advance to see what prices goodies sell for in your area, and to see how to do things better. (However, don't be like me and bring home more goodies; you are supposed to be eliminating 'stuff'.)

If you are selling electrical items, have a long extension cord and a power board available so that you can prove that the items are in working order. I also usually have a coffee pot/urn on and a radio playing to keep the atmosphere inviting and festive. When people linger, they buy more.

Set out a chair or two (with signs that they are not for sale); people often bring someone else along such as an older parent or a husband who may not be interested. If that person is comfortable, they won't drag the buying partner away too soon.

I also like to have a 'freebie' box that usually contains things such as old travel maps from overseas, brochures/magazines unlikely to be paid for, broken toys (which 'handy people' can restore), and really old jewellery (broken or totally out of date). People love a 'find', and will often buy something extra because you were generous.

I have found that things sell much better when organised into groups of similar items; categories can include kitchen, garden, tools, toys, clothes, jewellery and books. Instead of dumping books/videos in a box, I have displayed them in a small, old bookcase; this style of presentation has been more successful for me.

Use trestle tables or set up some garden tables and the biggest boxes you can find; drape them with butcher paper for a uniform look. Borrow tables from neighbours and friends.

Only think of going into a joint sale with neighbours and friends if you all agree on how to hold the garage sale and to pre-price. Remember to keep your takings separate.

I have found that it works well to loop a canvas sausage bag (like what you'd store plastic bags in) over my wrist to give people a bag to cart their 'buys' home. Also, have some newspaper in which to wrap breakables.

You will need a good supply of change, especially coins. I have found that it works well for each helper to wear a bumbag with a 'float' of change. Don't be surprised how many people want to buy a $2 item and only have $20 to pay. Also, when you start to get a lot of cash, take some inside and lock it up - don't be seen flashing too much money.

Most importantly, advertise in as many spots as possible - the garage sales section of the local paper as well as the city paper. Ask shop owners if you can put a poster in their street a day or two before. Put big posters on telegraph poles - tie with a balloon (or use coloured poster board) to catch the eye of passing motorists. Remember that you are holding a garage sale to make money, so don't overspend on the preparation!

Get a lot of sleep the night before and be up at dawn to display everything. Don't be afraid to be rude to the professional garage sale hunters who will arrive at about 7am and try to force their way on to your property. Threaten them with trespassing if you have to as your advertisement should have stated something like 'Sale Saturday/Sunday 8am - 2pm'.

Contributed by: Joy Dixon

6. Best of the Forum: ClutterBusters to the Rescue!

Clutter has a sneaky way of stealing our time, our money and our sanity! When it seems too hard to take that first small step, you need some support from the ClutterBusters! Fortunately, the Forum is full of them and they have some wonderful ideas to get you started.

Simple Savings classified ads

There might be a new home for Aunt Peg's tea set a lot closer than you think!
read more...

Organised chaos

Join this dedicate group of clutter hounds led by ClutterCath as they storm through each week making changes in their homes and lives. This is a fantastic way to make, and keep, yourself accountable.
read more...

Hop's decluttering threads

There might be a new home for Aunt Peg's tea set a lot closer than you think!
read more...
Hop doesn't stop. No really, she doesn't!

7. Best Members' Blog: Thanks Gumtree

30 Minutes of My Time = $150

This month's winner is Rachel for sharing her 'win' on Gumtree and getting a job done!

"As a past hobby I used to sell clothing on eBay - and made a small but steady amount of cash doing this for about two years. I soon found that the niche-market I'd cornered became flooded with other sellers - who had serious capital behind them, sold easily ten times the volume I could overnight at near half my cost.

This was probably inevitable and I was okay with wrapping up that small venture, happy that it had run its course and provided around $50 or so per week for my family while I was being a SAHM with my three kids. My husband was a uni student at the time and I wasn't working... outside the home that is :) so $50 was a great little top-up to our weekly income.

Well, about a year ago when we moved house, I found a carefully packed box of stock that I'd forgotten about! Meaning to 'get around to selling it one day', it had sat in the corner of my bedroom since we moved. Well today, mark the calendar - it's finally gone and I'm $150 richer!

Yesterday I took four photos and pulled together a snappy description - listed it on Gumtree as a box of stuff that other sellers could re-sell. It took me less than 30 minutes to quit procrastinating and get it done. The cash dropped off today and the sad, worn box - filled with amazing treasure as far as the purchaser is concerned :) is gone - and I feel so fabulous!

You just never know who out in the big wide world will want the exact thing you can't bear to look at any longer - I am convinced it's worth the 30 minutes to list something online and just see what happens. If no-one wants it, donate or ditch it, but since it cost me $0 to sell it, I feel like I just had the most financially productive 30 minutes of my life this week and has caused me to see dollar signs on every possession in my home... my family's suspicious looks not withstanding. :)

Well done Rachel - we hope your blog will motivate others to start sorting out their stuff - and even make some money!

You can read more of our members' blogs here.

8. Mimi's Protein Balls

My 14-year-old daughter has a penchant for the protein balls on offer at cafes and juice bars these days and she adores the Bliss Balls from the health food store.

I often make her my Raw Chocolate Truffles I posted in the Forum a while back, but sometimes she doesn't feel chocolate-y.

So I came up with these. They are more of a caramel flavoured variation. I did a lot of research on the difference between whey protein powder and normal milk powder. Whey is a by-product of cheese or yoghurt making and is the liquid that we all see in our yoghurt that we stir back in or drain to make the yoghurt thicker. So in theory you could replace the liquid in these protein balls with that liquid for a better quality protein content. Other than that, as best as I can determine, there is no real benefit in using whey protein over milk powder, unless you are casein or lactose intolerant. Someone out there is making a lotta money out of that little bit of ignorance. I guess it's different if you're an athlete or body builder perhaps, but for us mere mortals, I'd use the milk powder, skimmed if you prefer.

Rice malt syrup is available in the health food aisle at the supermarket and is a great low GI alternative to honey or golden syrup.

These are a great no-bake treat if you're short on time too.

Mimi's Protein Balls

Makes 14

1 cup peanut butter
3 tbsp rice malt syrup (or honey or golden syrup)
1/2 cup powdered milk powder
1/2 cup dessicated coconut
1 tsp vanilla or coconut essence
Water to form a thick paste, maybe 1-2 tablespoons

Stir all ingredients together with a spoon until crumbly, adding the liquid to form a thick paste, similar in texture to cookie dough.

Roll into large teaspoon sized balls and roll in coconut or almond meal before chilling. Today I rolled hers in almond meal and she particularly loves this.

These are very yummy and healthy and you can also use coconut oil, macadamia butter, tahini or almond butter instead of peanut butter, and for an evil half-healthy treat, dip them in melted chocolate.

Enjoy!

You can get updates on Mimi's new blogs on the Simple Savings Facebook page

or in our Members' Blog section.

9. Rob Bob's Gardening Blog: Repurposing for the Patch and Some Great Free Gardening Help

Reusing rubbish and food 'waste' to save some coin

We are very conscious about recycling and reusing as many materials as we can around the patch and there are so many great materials we gardeners can use that businesses and others throw away daily. I'm always curious as to what's in skip bins at building sites or stockpiles of 'rubbish' behind businesses that have been earmarked for the landfill. It only takes a few seconds to ask those in charge and I am yet to be told I can't have something that is destined for the tip. We have received besser/cinder blocks, dining room chairs, bed frames, pallets and building materials that have not only been most useful to us but saved us a rather substantial amount of coin. Below are a few ways we have used repurposed 'rubbish' to give it another life.

The large wicking beds in the main vegie patch are all made from left over roofing tin, saved from a skip bin by a carpenter friend, as well as some angle iron salvaged from discarded bed frames. Not only did using these materials save them from going to landfill but it gave us some very cheap, termite proof garden beds.

The chicken pen was made from 99% recycled items we bartered for or saved from the landfill.

The fence panels used to make the chook pen cost us the few hours' labour it took to pull the fence down. The metal framing, bird wire and tin for the roof/walls came from scrap both of our fathers had lying around. The only real cost was the rivets, screws and wire needed to hold it all together with a few cans of drinks given as a 'thank you' to the folks who gave us the fence.

The bathtub worm farm is another build that was made from salvaged and recycled materials. The stand is made from an old lounge frame and bed rails, and the top being made from an old sliding door frame and some weed mat to block out the light for the worms. All these bits had been living under the house as I knew they would come in handy later. ;-)

The bathtub we used was sourced from a great worldwide online recycling site called Freecycle. It's a great service that lets you list goods that would normally end up in land fill so others can have a go at using or re purposing it.

Other ways we recycle around here include shredding paper to use as worm food and nesting box material for the 'girls'; bottles, jars and cans are also used around the patch for storage and other purposes. Bottles are also cut in half to act as rodent/frog covers on fill tubes in the wicking beds. Drink cans cut in half also serve the same purpose on smaller diameter pipes. Bottles cut in half also make great funnels. After realising we were wasting about two litres of water waiting for the hot water to make it to the kitchen tap we decided to collect it in a jug and use that to keep the Wetpot irrigation reservoir topped up.

To make this process easier we fitted a bottle funnel to a pipe that runs into the top of the reservoir under the house so we can easily add the saved water to it.

Bottle funnels make the job of getting larger seeds into small storage bags a lot easier as well. This comes in handy when packaging up bulk lots of seeds for our seed sharing group.

Scraps from store-bought produce can also be recycled. The easiest way to do this is by feeding it to the chooks, tossing it into the compost heap, using it to feed compost worms or in the case of meat and leftover meals, black soldier flies. Another way to get some value from the scraps is to save the seeds to grow some for yourself. This is something we have done a bit with great success. Not every plant will give you seed that will grow true to type as they may be hybrids, so it is a good idea to buy named varieties that are heirloom.
Some of the easiest plants to do this with are capsicums, tomatoes, eggplants, melons and pumpkins.

We have saved seeds from chilli varieties like jalapeño and bird's eye, large white eggplants, toad skin melon, Kent pumpkin and bulls horn capsicum with all of them growing well for us.

Potato and sweet potatoes that have sprouted in the pantry are two other plants that you can make use of in the patch.

We plant potatoes directly into the soil while with sweet potato you can break off the vine-like growths (slips) and strike them in some water or plant them directly into the beds if their leaves are developed enough. The tubers are nearly always still firm enough to eat so don't get wasted either. ;-)

So there're a few ways we've reused reclaimed materials around the patch. It does pay to keep your eye out and mind open, as you never know where a good find will pop up and fit in well with your gardening methods.

Some helpful free gardening sites, groups and events

With winter winding down and spring around the corner, it's time to make decisions about what plants we will be growing as the weather warms up.

When it comes to new varieties of plants or growing methods I like to rely on books, sites and knowledgeable folk for guidance. I thought it would be a good idea to share some of the sources we have found useful.

I find free planting guides put out by the likes of Gardening Australia and Gardenate to be great resources, as well as a great jumping-off point when trying to work out what to grow. They will give you the heads-up on what plants are ready to sow, as well as growing notes. Gardenate is particularly useful for folks here and overseas as it also covers New Zealand, North America, UK and South Africa. I also like to go through online seed saving/trading groups as well as some seed retailers' sites as they quite often offer some great information on what is best to plant during the year and also have other helpful tips on how to grow your fruit and vegies. The retail sites can be a dangerous place to glean information from, as you are normally one click away from an impulse buy. :-/

I also really like sites like Facebook and G+ for picking up tips on gardening/backyard farming from specialised groups. There are all sorts of groups that specialise in particular subjects including seed saving, compost worms, backyard farming, aquaponics, animal husbandry and organic gardening. We have made some great friends through these groups, some of whom we have met up with to swap seed and ideas over a coffee or four.

Nothing beats local knowledge though. If you are starting out it might pay to make enquiries to see if there is a gardening group or community garden in your area. The folk there will be able to help you out with what grows well in your area and when is the best time to plant it. Many members will be only too happy to share their knowledge with others keen to start growing their own food.

Some local horticultural gurus also have websites where they offer up information relevant to your region. Annette McFarlane has a site packed full of useful growing tips, planting guides and organic growing methods. I've been back there more than once for DIY pest control recipes alone. ;-)

Some local government authorities will also put on free gardening related classes. As an example, Brisbane City Council offers courses that cover such things as plant propagation, growing in the subtropics, back yard chicken raising and more, all centred around growing/raising food in the suburbs.

For those just starting out, the Internet can be a wealth of knowledge but sometimes it can be a bit hard to know where to start. I hope that helps folks out with a few ideas on where you can source some helpful gardening information.

Pickings from the patch

I have been most chuffed with the harvests we have been getting this winter.

The cauliflower and broccoli have been fantastic this year and are still being harvested every second day.

We also picked our first ever 'edible' wombok cabbage which really had me stoked. Every other time we have tried to grow these they ended up being demolished by cabbage butterfly grubs.

Another first for us was Florence fennel. This is one plant we have never tried to grow for some reason. I think we let the first one go a bit too long and it ended up looking like some sort of cabaret head piece we thought. :-D

Last week I harvested some ginger, turmeric and yacon from the patch. I made a clip on the harvest results for anyone that's interested.

It was a great harvest considering that the ginger and yacon were nearly all lost due to me making up a poor soil mix for the beds.

Well that's about it for this blog. Shall see you in spring with an update on the aquaponics system and patch.

Cheers all,
Rob

You can get updates on Rob Bob's new gardening adventure blogs on the Simple Savings Facebook page

or in our Members' Blog section.

10. From Last Month: Purchasing Safely Online

Last month Donna emailed us about ideas for purchasing safely online:

"How do people spend safely online? For the first time ever, my Visa was 'stung' when it was used on line for a very small transaction in Chinese currency. When I rang the bank, they cancelled it immediately and told me that one scam was to put through a few dollars and then if it goes unnoticed, put through a very large amount a couple of weeks later. I am very careful online - but obviously not careful enough. What kinds of things do people do to spend safely online?"

We got some fantastic ideas - thank you for sharing your wisdom with Donna. Here are some of our favourite replies:

Have your credit card with a different bank

One way to protect your money when shopping online is to open a free or low-fee Visa debit account at a bank that you have no other connection with. Do not access this account via Internet banking to transfer deposits, so there is no connection whatsoever with your normal bank. Have only enough money in it to keep it open and make deposits immediately prior to any purchase. If you keep the balance at only one or two dollars, the hackers won't even be able to make that initial small sneaky purchase which inevitably leads to much larger ones!

Contributed by: Kathy Szalay

Convenient products from the Commonwealth and AusPost

To protect yourself when shopping online use a prepaid credit card available from Australia Post. They only cost $5.00 and you can reload them with more funds as needed. At least then you can only lose the amount you have loaded for the current transaction. The other way to protect yourself is with a new product from the Commonwealth Bank that allows you to place a stop on your credit card for transactions online. By using their dedicated app you can release the stop for an hour, do your transaction and then the stop automatically reinstates itself. If anyone tries to do a transaction online outside this time it is rejected and you receive an email advising you.

On one occasion I had forgotten that I had placed a stop but on the advice of my bank was able to remove the stop for an hour and make my purchase, all from my phone. That is convenient!

Contributed by: Cheryl H

Protect your money with PayPal!

I love to shop online but I am super careful. One way to shop online safely is with PayPal. Simply open a PayPal account with a separate bank account that is not linked to your other accounts and attach a debit/credit card. Put only the actual amount in to cover your purchases so that there is very little money in the account. I have never had any trouble and I have been doing this for years. By putting in the amount that just covers my purchases, it also makes me think about what I buy as I have to deposit the cash into the account before I am able to buy anything!

Contributed by: Sandra Latter

Vigilance is the key

After having problems with online security I have found the trick to keeping safe is to check bank statements regularly; this way any small sum that is foreign to you should raise immediate alarm bells! Do not click on links which are not from trusted sources or click into anything you are not sure of. Run good anti-virus programs - an anti-malware program called Malwarebytes worked for me, whereas the bank's McAfee program did not pick up the Bank Trojan Virus! You can download Malwarebytes for free online. For more information, Google 'How to spend safely online' and read up on all the tips.

Contributed by: Nadia L

Online safety tips from the experts

A very good article on safe purchasing online can be found by Googling online safety shopping tips - PC Magazine's 11 Tips for Safe Online Shopping. There are some other good articles in the list too.

Password security is one of their points, and on this topic, we have found a very good password management tool called KeePass (Google to find this, it is a free download). KeePass allows you to easily have different passwords for everything you use a password for, which is otherwise pretty well impossible for most of us. One of the most important things with passwords is to make them LONG. The longer the better. Using the first letter of words in a sentence that is relevant to you, using some capitals and numbers or special characters all help too. KeePass will make up passwords for you that are meaningless and difficult to crack.

Malware on your computer can be an issue, even if all your other online practices are as safe as you can make them. Be suspicious, don't open anything from people you don't know, and even if you DO know the sender, don't take something they've sent on to you as true - your friends can also be fooled! And, as the article says, have good software on your computer that protects against malware.

My own practice is also to check my Visa statement every week, which is part of my general household budgeting, but also has the side effect of making sure there are no unknown transactions.

Contributed by: Rosanne

Keep an 'online only' debit card

To keep my money safe when purchasing online I have a debit card specifically for this purpose. This debit card has a balance of only around $10 at any time. When I want to make a purchase I simply transfer the amount of money I intend to spend to that specific card. This way if my card is hacked then only about $10 is lost. Works like a charm to keep one from overspending too!

Contributed by: Margaret B

11. This Month's Help Request: I Want To Work From Home

Janine has emailed asking for some help! She writes:

"I am a struggling single mother, who only works two days a week and am trying to find more work. I have been trying for other jobs for the past seven months but am having no luck. I was wondering if you could ask your subscribers about jobs you can do from home with minimal start-up costs. I just need to find something that would be a good fit for me, and which would bring me in a consistent regular extra income."

If you have any pearls of wisdom you'd like to share with Janine, please send them in to us here.

12. Goodbye for Now!

Well, that's your Simple Savings Newsletter for September and we hope you have enjoyed it. We hope you'll get some of the unwanted 'stuff' out of your life this month - let us know how you go!

Till next time...
All the best,
Fiona

September 2016 - Simple Savings Newsletter

"Secrets to Saving Money" Free Newsletter - September 2016

This issue includes:-

Sad Sally, Happy Hanna: Pot Calling the Kettle Black?
September: A Simple Retirement
COMPETITION: Your Best Tips for a Happy Retirement
Best of the Vault: Life After Work
Best of the Forum: Planning Ahead
Best Members' Blog: Be Flexible and Save
Best of SS Facebook: No More Credit Card Debt for Us!
Savings Story: Social Media Has Turned Me into a Super Saver!

Hi,

When putting together this newsletter we did a lot of research into this month’s topic of retirement. We sought expert opinions and we learned a lot. We learned that saving and planning for retirement is not actually that hard or scary at all – but the longer you put it off, the more of a challenge it will be.

Even after all our homework we do not profess to be experts on retirement. However, there is one thing we are experts on and that is living simply. Whilst we may not be able to tell you when you should retire or how much you need, what we did find was that everyone we spoke to had one thing in common. The less money you fritter away every day on things that don’t matter, the more money you will have when you retire to enjoy the things that do. Put like that, planning for retirement really IS easy!

We hope you enjoy your newsletter, have a great month!

All the best,
Jackie

1. Sad Sally, Happy Hanna: Pot Calling the Kettle Black?

‘MARRIED TO THE JOB! TIL DEATH DO US PART’ read Pete, spreading out his newspaper. ‘Who’s married? Anyone we know?’ Sally went to read over his shoulder. ‘No love, they’re talking about Gen Y – you know, the youngsters. They reckon property prices mean that they’ll have no savings and will have to work until they die,’ Pete replied.

‘Well I’m not surprised,’ Sally said haughtily. ‘It probably takes them twice as long to get any work done, they’re always too busy sipping on lattes and going to fancy places or staring at their phones! Retirement isn’t the pipe and slippers lifestyle our grandparents had, it’s all motor homes and boats these days! How can they expect to ever be able to stop working when they all spend money like water?’

‘That’s very true,’ said Pete, struggling not to chuckle at the irony of his wife’s words. ‘Who wants to work their whole lives, not me! All they care about is themselves,’ Sally went on. ‘They’re all living for today and never sparing a thought for tomorrow. They’ve got no plan Peter, that’s their trouble!’ she told him, folding her arms smugly. Pete looked up at her innocently. ‘You’re so right, Sal. What’s our plan again?’

2. September: A Simple Retirement

People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones, so they say! And no doubt Sally HAS thought about retirement – just not much. We all know we have to think about it at some stage, but it’s either too far off or there’s too much going on now! Especially when you consider all the ‘how long is a piece of string’ questions such as ‘when should I retire?’, ‘how much am I going to need?’ and ‘what am I supposed to do with my super and when?’. With brain frying dilemmas like that to ponder, it’s no wonder the subject of retirement gets thrown into the too hard basket. The unfortunate thing is, once people do get around to giving their retirement some serious consideration, they realise they should have done it a long, long time ago.

Your life shouldn’t change dramatically when you retire. The only real difference is you stop going to work. The biggest fear for most people is that the money they put aside to ‘see them out’ will not last as long as they do. After all, none of us know how long we are going to live for! It doesn’t help when government and financial experts declare that the average person needs to have at least a million dollars in the bank in order to be able to retire comfortably. Before you go throwing your hands up in despair at the thought, be assured that many people do not achieve this, or even half this amount. Bear in mind also, that the government’s idea of a ‘comfortable retirement’ may not be the same as yours. Not everyone wants or needs their own boat, or holiday home, or wishes to spend their golden years in a blur of travel. For many of us, a simple retirement is enough.

Whether you currently have a million dollars in your retirement kitty or zero, the important thing is that you keep moving forward. Control the things you can. The less you spend now, the more you can save. The simpler your lifestyle, the less stressful and more enjoyable your retirement years will be. As retired Simple Savings member Veronica says:

‘I used to worry and think I would need to work forever. However, I find with cutting costs we live very well on little. I used to spend $250 week at the supermarket, plus takeaway, plus eating out. Now my food budget is $70 a week. This includes lots of beans, legumes, eggs from our chooks and veg. We eat very little red meat and everything is made from scratch. When you are not working you have time to do more yourself. I used to spend Saturdays shopping for fun with girlfriends and buying things on impulse. Now I stay at home on Saturdays, being self-sufficient, saving money and reducing our living costs.’

The other important thing (you knew we were going to say this, didn’t you?) is to start saving today. No matter your age, don’t put off saving for your retirement. If you don’t know where to start reducing your costs and freeing up some extra money, head to the Simple Savings Vault and Forum for new ideas and inspiration. The earlier you start, the greater your chances of reaching that magic million in your retirement kitty. It might not be essential – but wouldn’t it be nice?

3. COMPETITION: Your Best Tips for a Happy Retirement

When it comes to planning your retirement, you can never know too much – and this month we want to know, what’s the most valuable tip you have learned when preparing for and making the most of your senior years? Share it with us and you could win $100 cash; couldn’t be easier! You can enter as many times as you like. The competition closes at midnight, October 15th. Look out for the winner in next month’s newsletter!

Submit your entries here.

4. Best of the Vault: Life After Work

One of the most often asked questions as retirement draws near is ‘What am I going to do with myself?’ The Vault has plenty of suggestions for making good use of all that lovely free time, without breaking the bank.

Wise up and plan your retirement with ‘Retiring not Shy!’

There is no doubt that getting your finances in order prior to retirement is incredibly important but there are also many other aspects to retirement. The Retiring not Shy! blog www.retirement-planning.info is a series of posts which encourages you to explore your options and be inspired as you create your retirement plan. This plan then evolves over time, as you near retirement and as you move into and through your retirement. It also helps readers to consider and prepare for unanticipated influences which may affect your plan along the way, such as health and family issues. Jan and Rowan, the site's creators, provide a wealth of useful information in the hope of creating an enthusiastic likeminded community. 'Retiring not Shy!' encourages users to have fun, explore possibilities, expand horizons, wonder "what if", and share experiences and ideas. You can also find Retiring not Shy! on Facebook at facebook.com/retiringnotshy

Contributed by: Henny Penny

Saving for retirement doesn't need to be joyless!

Just because we are mindful of saving for the future doesn't mean we can't still enjoy life now! We are trying to save for our retirement and travel so I have canned most visits to shows or expensive outings. However, we still get to enjoy some wonderful treats and outings through discount websites like GrabOne, which I search regularly for new and unique ideas. About once a month I look for something we would not normally do and buy a treat. Yesterday we went to a quarry garden which was the most unusual, bizarre garden I have ever seen. I'd never heard of it before, despite having lived reasonably near it for many years! It cost just $7.00 (normally $12) each and we had a great afternoon. Saving doesn't need to be joyless. Through being flexible and willing to try out new things, you really can enjoy the best of both worlds.

Contributed by: Kathy P

14 fun ideas for retirement

Here are a few ideas to help brighten up your retirement...

Keep your brain active by doing short courses, for example U3A, WEA, TAFE or home study.
Do crosswords, play scrabble, research the Internet, read books or travel to places of interest.
Consider joining a club such as Probus, View Club, Toastmasters, church groups and so on. Search the Internet and library to find out what's happening in your area.
Go to the movies with friends.
Go to clubs, pubs and nice restaurants as a treat.
Get active and go swimming or bowling.
Watch the sunrise and sunset at a beach or park.
Go picnicking with friends.
Do bus and train trips with friends.
Become a volunteer for a charity organisation such as Meals on Wheels or charity shops.
Spend time with your children and grandchildren.
Get a group of friends together for a weekly outing to interesting places.
Get some exercise and join a Zumba class, a walking group or aqua aerobics. Ride your bike, take beach walks, go bush walking, play tennis or go to the gyms you feel comfortable in. You could also try yoga and Tai Chi.

Contributed by: Dianne Nicholas

Diaries a must for retirement

I am 75 and retired and am really enjoying it! It hasn't been difficult because I make sure I still get up at a regular time and keep my diary reasonably full. I still rise around 6.30am - or even 6.00am and take a 30 minute walk (unless the weather is really bad).

It's amazing how ready I feel to tackle the day ahead. After breakfast I do the immediate chores but don't get so carried away with housework that it diminishes my enthusiasm to do something I'm really keen to do, be it something at home or some activity outside the home.

I look forward to regular get-togethers with family or friends. It's nice just having time together to enjoy activities where you can use your expertise. I keep a diary for appointments to look forward to - this is very important. This may mean trying activities you've never had time for or haven't considered previously.

The important things for me, after retiring from a very busy job, were to:

Have a plan for the day ahead
Make an effort to mix with people (even briefly)
Be expected somewhere a couple of times a week
Indulge in some of the activities I could never find time for before retirement
Take time out for holidays, even if it's just a change of pace for a couple of weeks

Contributed by: Patricia F

Making the most of retirement

Retirement does mean adjusting to living on a much tighter budget, but it can be done - and still give us a happy life! I am enjoying my retirement so much!

The first thing I did when I retired on the pension was to get to know my local library better. I found plenty of information there about organisations in Brisbane that I might want to join. I went to just about every talk and workshop I could. I ended up becoming very involved with a local community garden at Beelarong Community Farm at Morningside. My life changed from that time on as I have made some wonderful new friends at the farm and have even taken on my own allotment there so I have access to lots of fresh vegetables.

Another thing I do regularly is check out the Brisbane City Council (BCC) website where they have a mine of information about local free events. BCC fund the GOLD program (Growing Older Living Dangerously) and for a fee of $4.00 per workshop you can learn how to do all sorts of things.

Another worthwhile idea during retirement is to become a volunteer. This is very satisfying and another way to make new friends and keep our lives full and happy.

It's also important to make sure you keep fit and healthy. You don't need to join a gym, just get out there and walk. I bought myself a camera and wander around local parks snapping away. It's easy to stroll around for an hour without even knowing it! Each step you take helps to keep your joints working and your bones strong. When you first retire your doctor can give you a thorough check-up with on-going mammograms, pap smears, skin checks for skin cancer, blood pressure testing, and prostate checks for the men. It's all important because if we have good health, really, we have everything!

It's also important to keep our minds active. Look into U3A (University of the Third Age) who run all sorts of courses without breaking the bank.

Contributed by: Jean Burke

Retirement for dummies

If you're planning retirement soon, this tip may help you make the most of it! I was browsing through my local library and found an old copy of ‘Making the Most of Retirement for Dummies’, author Julienne Garland. I picked it up, had a flick through and thought this is not a bad book, it's full of ideas and strategies! The book covers a variety of issues from finances to health, relationships, community, volunteering, moving and more. I'm finding there are lots of things I hadn't thought of and am now making plans, and changing some of my ideas about retirement too!

Contributed by: Leah Z

Enjoy retirement with Probus

Probus is a wonderful way to enjoy cheap entertainment, friendship and mental stimulation if you're retired or semi-retired. My local group charges $30 membership per year which provides access to eleven monthly meetings each year with morning tea chat time and very interesting guest speakers from horticulturists to medical researchers and more. For a little extra you can participate in walks, theatre parties, movie outings, museum visits, dining out, wine and cheese nights, day trips and more. You can also join their book club or coffee club. Probus is sponsored by Rotary and aims to keep retired and semi-retired people active with mental stimulation and friendship. Find your nearest club at www.probussouthpacific.org

Contributed by: Suzanne Robinson

Free audio and video classics online

I have just stumbled across the website www.learnoutloud.com which has over 500 free audio and video titles for download and streaming. This directory features free audio books, lectures, speeches, sermons, interviews and many other great free resources.

It is often difficult to find gifts for older family members but to be able to download classics such as Orson Wells' original radio show 'War of the Worlds' and many others, I now have a wealth of original gifts at my fingertips for the cost of the CD I burn it to. This is indeed legal, as they are out of copyright.

Contributed by: Jane Louise

Budget for retirement

When you retire, the first thing you need to do is a budget so you can work out everything that must be paid each year and how much income you expect to receive each year. When you know what cash you'll have spare, you can then decide what you would like to do. And remember, retirement is a time to think about yourself for a change. Enjoy life!

Contributed by: Lorraine

The Vault contains many more helpful tips and discounts for retirees according to the area you live. If you are a Vault member, check out the Seniors category here for more opportunities to save in your area. If you are not yet a Vault member and would like to join, you can upgrade your membership here.

5. Best of the Forum: Planning Ahead

The subject of retirement and how to prepare for and survive through it is a regular discussion topic on the Forum. It’s a terrific place to get sound advice from those who have ‘been there, done that’ and bounce ideas from others who are also going through the thinking and planning stages. Check out some of these interesting and enlightening threads for starters!

Retirement here I come!

Grandma of 6 made the decision to retire – in one month’s time! Read along as she prepares for her exciting journey to a new life in a new home.
read more...

Working out retirement

Want to know if you’re on the right track saving for your retirement? Forum member, ss lady, shares a handy retirement calculator that has everyone talking.
read more...

Retirement question

Jessica has a new job with a retirement plan which allows her to put aside 25% of her income. Should she or shouldn’t she? An interesting discussion follows!
read more...

Retirement savings articles are rubbish or not?

Geoff is gobsmacked to read articles which recommend a nest egg of a million dollars for retirement. Are they for real? If so, how is the average person supposed to manage it?
read more...

Planning retirement timeline and goals

Fit and trim is counting down the months to her retirement and wants to know when others are planning to do the same. A fascinating and very informative thread!
read more...

Working hard? Want to retire? Rethink your takeaway habits

Deliberate Creator has a message for those who complain they can’t afford to retire, when they blow ridiculous sums of money on takeaway food – STOP!
read more...

Also recommended reading: SunnySarah’s blog ‘How to retire in 12 months’.

6. Best Members’ Blog: Be Flexible and Save

One of the many benefits of being a Vault member is that you can win $100 cash each month for your Simple Savings blog! Starting your own blog on the site is easy. All you have to do is log into the Vault, click on 'My Desk' at the top right, then 'Blog'. Then get writing! We love reading all your money saving trials and tribulations and really appreciate the effort that goes into each one.

This month's Blog winner is Looking for Wisdom with her post, 'Be Flexible and Save'.

‘When looking to reduce costs and save money for whatever goal you have, whether it is to live within your means, reduce your debt, stay home with your family or save up to replace your car, instead of giving up something, swap it for cheaper (just like the ad for eating healthier). You want to be able to live with what you earn, you need to be flexible with your attitude, you don't want to buy things with money you don't have, you need to bend a little; it doesn't mean you have to go without.

Need or want new clothes? Instead of buying brand new, go to the op shop or swap with a friend. Assess what you have, take it all out and lay it on the bed or lounge and see what you really have.

Foxtel/Austar is pretty expensive, so swap it for Netflix or similar. OK, you can't watch that football game live and you may be a little behind on the popular TV shows, but who cares? At least you save a fair bit of money. Netflix is approximately $10 a month.

Swap your mobile phone plan for prepaid and be mindful of what you are doing.

If you are a book hoarder like me, the op shops often have quite new books for very little. Join the library too (ours also has a sale once a year), or download free or very cheap books onto your Kindle or tablet.

If you love having a garden but don't have the time or energy, plant in pots instead, just herbs and leafy greens are great. Get cuttings from friends and family, buy seeds. Save seeds from things like paw paws, pumpkin, watermelon, rockmelon, tomatoes and cucumbers. Regrow things from their bases like spring onions, celery and bok choy.

Keep checking with your phone and Internet provider; they often have deals they don't tell you about where you get more for less. We recently changed to the NBN and now have double the Internet download for $10 less. This isn't the first time that we have reduced our monthly bill.

It has been said before and I will say it again, turn everything off at the wall. If you aren't in the room, the light isn't being used by anyone. If you are a touch cold, put on a jumper rather than the heater. Turn computers and TV's off at the wall rather than let them stay on standby; we even turn off the microwave at the wall as it is not like we are using it all the time. We have never had any issues with any appliance by turning it completely off.

Enjoy having a beer? Buy a beer kit and make your own. It costs a bit to start but pays for itself pretty quickly compared to buying cartons.

There are many things you can do to change your circumstances without giving up enjoying life. Yes you need to change, and yes it will take a little work to do, but you don't need to live a dreary life with no joy to reduce costs and live within your means, just be a bit flexible.’

Thank you for those timely words, Looking for Wisdom! You can read more of our members' blogs here.

7. Best of SS Facebook: No More Credit Card for Us!

Love Facebook or hate it, the Simple Savers Facebook page is a great way to learn even more tips and enjoy reading of other members' successes. This month, Alexandra couldn’t wait to share her news!

Can anyone say CREDIT CARD DEBT-FREE?

"I posted on here a while ago asking for budgeting advice so that my hubby and I could pay back $5000 in credit card debt in six months and... six months later (insert drumroll) WE DID IT! I'm so flipping happy. We earn a modest wage and have a small family but we knuckled down and cut that damn thing up as of yesterday. Thanks for all the budgeting advice folks, we took a lot of it on board and now we will be able to save for a long overdue holiday!"

Huge congratulations Alexandra and thank you for sharing. Your post really made us smile!

Joining our busy Facebook community is super easy. Either search up 'Simple Savers' on Facebook or click this link and request to join. Once you're in, let the fun begin!

8. Savings Story: Social Media Has Turned Me into a Super Saver!

Setting myself a monthly budgeting challenge and then telling everyone about it (via Facebook and my personal blog) has helped my family save thousands of dollars! The first two months focused on grocery savings. Month one was a 'no spend' month (with the exception of basic fruit and vegies) - basically a $21 Challenge on steroids! Month two was instigating a monthly shop (rather than my usual pop to the shops several times a week) with top-up fruit and vegies only. Over the first two months we saved approximately $1000 on groceries compared to our usual spend (which was, admittedly, out of control!). The monthly shop will continue! Month three the focus has been getting better deals on our utilities. I have saved us nearly $2000 for the year on our health, car and contents insurance and approximately $150 on our gas and electricity bills. There is nothing like a deadline to get boring jobs like calling up insurance and utility companies done. Month four will be focusing on getting our budget sorted and seeing a financial planner to establish some longer term goals. Month five will be on coming up with other ways (thinking outside the square) to reduce our current expenses. Month six will be a 'buy nothing new' month (which will be challenging but helpful in the lead up to Christmas). Hopefully by the end of the year our finances will be in order and we'll be in a good place to consider buying a property!’

Contributed by: Emma M

NB: You can keep up with Emma's progress through her blog 'Save My Budget!' at savemybudget.blogspot.co.nz

9. Goodbye for Now

That’s another newsletter done and dusted! We hope you enjoyed it and found it helpful. Be sure to check out the Vault and Forum threads mentioned in this newsletter, there is a real wealth of information there to get you started thinking about retirement. Don’t forget to enter our ‘Best Retirement Tip’ competition too!

Until next month,
Jackie