Educate Yourself about the Economy.

Ask the opinion of five different economists and you will get five different opinions.

This doesn't mean that you can't educate yourself and be aware of the economic climate and conditions and what will happen in the future. A lot of money can be saved if you are aware of potential economic downturns and prepare.

From all of the research I have done from media stories in Australia and around the world (online newspapers are a great source) and youtube.com clips/ lectures I have formed the opinion that the global financial crisis is far from over.
Point to start researching:

• What happens when Australian and global stimulus money runs out (there is only so much money govts can borrow to spend).
• Potential slowdown in Australia due to Chinas growth (and demand for our resources) slowing.
• The huge and unsustainable debt levels in America (and some countries in Europe) and their continued spending.
• The large personal debt levels in Australia increasing and our inflated property markets.

Here are some great website to start:

• There is a lot of information (and misinformation) on www.youtube. This link is a speech given by David Walker, former comptroller general of the USA, warning about future problems due to their current debt levels/spending: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjZBOCAgR64

• Informative Australian Blog: http://www.whocrashedtheeconomy.com/  

• Informative Australian Forum: http://www.aussiestockforums.com/

• Funny personal finance blog: http://www.punchdebtintheface.com/

Credit Card Rewards; Getting Free Stuff From Banks

Paying interest on a credit card is throwing money away especially when the interest rates can be 25%+.

Click here to calculate the total interest you will pay if you don't clear the balance each month.


ONLY if you are very disciplined with credit read on....


Banks are not the favourite corporation charging fees for everything. Now it is time to get something back. A credit card used wisely can be a good personal financial tool.

Using a credit card with rewards can give you a bonus for just doing your shopping. Using the interest free period the money can also sit in a mortgage offset account or high interest savings account.

Most have joining/ annual fees but if you shop around you can find a good deal.

The GO Mastercard is good value (if not paying interest which is high). It has no annual fee or rewards club fee. It also pays $1 reward dollar for every $130 spent and can be used for petrol vouchers or Harvey Norman vouchers.

www.gomastercard.com.au

(Do your own research when deciding if a credit card is a wise financial decision for your situation)

Pizza Base

Pizza is a great way to use up the left overs in the fridge. Great toppings include baked dinner (meat, potato, pumpkin), sausages, burrito mince plus other veges lurking in the fridge (spinach, pinapple, mushrooms).

Making your own base is easy:

 INGREDIENTS:

• 3 cups SR flour(I use wholemeal)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 dessertspoon olive oil
• 1 1/4 cups cold water

DIRECTIONS:

1. Mix it all in a box and knead until in a ball.
2. Divide into three or four pieces depending on size of pizzas
3. I find it better to cook the base only for 10-20min at 180deg to keep from going soggy.
4. Put on topping and cheese and cook for a further 20min or until cheese browns.
5. Enjoy

GENERAL BENEFITS: Much healthier that frozen or take away pizza.

TIGHTWAD BENEFITS:Cheaper than buying a base and using up left overs saves money too.

GREEN BENEFITS: Less packaging and food waste.

Zucchini Wholemeal Chocolate Cake

The hidden vege within.....


INGREDIENTS:

• 125g butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup yogurt (any type)
• 2 1/2 cups plain flour
• 3 cups grated zucchini
• 1/4 cup cocoa
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 2 t sp cinnamon or mixed spice
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup choc chips

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat oven to 180 degrees
2. Beat butter and sugar
3. Mix in eggs, vanilla, youghurt and 1 cup flour
4. Stir in Zucchini 
5. Stir in Flour and rest of ingredients
6. Put in muffin forms and bake for about 20 minutes or until firm.

GENERAL BENEFITS: Freezes well. I am also going to try replacing some of the butter with mashed carrot or pumpkin.

TIGHTWAD BENEFITS: Cheaper than buying processed snack food.

GREEN BENEFITS: Less packaging.

Ground Breaking Teaspoon Research

Being frugal doesn't mean you lose your sense of humour.

Laughs can be free too.....

The case of the disappearing teaspoons: longitudinal cohort study of the displacement of teaspoons in an Australian research institute

Just Use Less!

As well as trying to get product at a discounted price try and use less as well.

Think about how much shampoo and conditioner you use compared to what you really need. Same goes for toothpaste and dish washing liquid. Instead of slurping a huge amount out of the container use only what is required.



TIGHTWAD BENEFITS: Saving money.

GREEN BENEFITS: Saving resources and packaging.

Taco Mix

INGREDIENTS:

• 1kg mince
• 2 chopped onions
• 2 cups of cooked red lentils
• a couple of cups of pureed vegetables - whatever is left in the fridge.
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• Chili if the kids will eat it
  

DIRECTIONS:

1. Brown mince and cook onion.
2. Add veges if not cooked.
3. Add everything else and simmer for a while (10 minutes)
4. Can serve on burrito wrap with salad (see previous recipe). Also good as meat on pizza.
   

 The lentil are undetectable if cooked enough before adding and actually give the mix a nice texture.

GENERAL BENEFITS: Much healthier than the packet mix and also tastier.

TIGHTWAD BENEFITS:Cost much less that packet mix.

GREEN BENEFITS: Not as much packaging.