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.