I wanted to be able to give something back as a thank you for all the support, advice and encouragement I have received from members during my first year as a solo mum. The following is a collection of recipes which have helped get me through meal times on many an occasion. Most of them I've had for years, some even since I was a small child but it's only really now they are coming into their own and I am thankful for every one of them. Some are completely made up and I'm not sure if I'm doing you a favour by inflicting them on you but if you are brave enough to give them a go, please do, I would love to hear what you think! I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as my boys and I do but most of all, I hope that perhaps one day they may just help someone else the way they've helped me.

You can download and read the first and second chapters of the $21 Challenge book here:

First chapter

Second chapter

To give you an idea of what is in the book here are sample pages from each chapter:

Sample pages

What do you do with a pound of mince beef? Cook one of the 100+ recipes from this book, of course! The clever members in the Forum have contributed their tried and true recipes so that you will never be stuck again. Thanks to Bumble Bee and Claire M. for compiling this booklet.

Not many sites can boast they have two cookbooks devoted to chokos! Claire M. has compiled this fantastic resource which is sure to come in very handy.

Samantha has created a brilliant one page menu planner which helps you cook, shop and avoid waste all on one simple A4 page.

The title says it all! This recipe book is jam packed with recipes that will help you use up ingredients you already have. Compiled by Claire M. from recipes posted in the 'Waste not, want not' and 'I will last a month without a grocery shop!' threads. The 'Waste not, want not' threads were started by Lauren (NZ) when she realised she could quite comfortably live off the food in her kitchen, and not step foot in a supermarket for quite some time!

Can you feed YOUR family for a whole week with just $21? The Survival Guide contains tips and recipes to help you beat the $21 Challenge.

The tips in this book all began when one Simple Savings member commented in our Forum ‘We spend so much time looking after others, the finances, the earth, the home and anything else that pops into our worlds, that we lose sight sometimes of ourselves.’ How true that is! So for all those women out there who have got out of the habit of looking and feeling fabulous but don’t want to blow a month’s salary on the latest ‘miracle’ treatment, this collection of fantastic tried and true tips is for you. These beauty secrets from the experts are worth their weight in gold. Use them to pamper yourself or give a copy to someone you care about. We hope you enjoy every one!

The tips in this book all began when one Simple Savings member commented in our Forum ‘We spend so much time looking after others, the finances, the earth, the home and anything else that pops into our worlds, that we lose sight sometimes of ourselves.’ How true that is! So for all those women out there who have got out of the habit of looking and feeling fabulous but don’t want to blow a month’s salary on the latest ‘miracle’ treatment, this collection of fantastic tried and true tips is for you. These beauty secrets from the experts are worth their weight in gold. Use them to pamper yourself or give a copy to someone you care about. We hope you enjoy every one!

We have a massive collection of cleaning hints and recipes in the Vault but as the Vault grows it gets harder and harder to print them all. So we have put together a great collection for Vault members to download, print and start using immediately.

We have a massive collection of cleaning hints and recipes in the Vault but as the Vault grows it gets harder and harder to print them all. So we have put together a great collection for Vault members to download, print and start using immediately.

Thank you for your kindness and support this year. I hope this calendar helps you have a fantastic 2018!

I wanted to be able to give something back as a thank you for all the support, advice and encouragement I have received from members during my first year as a solo mum. The following is a collection of recipes which have helped get me through meal times on many an occasion. Most of them I've had for years, some even since I was a small child but it's only really now they are coming into their own and I am thankful for every one of them. Some are completely made up and I'm not sure if I'm doing you a favour by inflicting them on you but if you are brave enough to give them a go, please do, I would love to hear what you think! I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as my boys and I do but most of all, I hope that perhaps one day they may just help someone else the way they've helped me.

What do you do with a pound of mince beef? Cook one of the 100+ recipes from this book, of course! The clever members in the Forum have contributed their tried and true recipes so that you will never be stuck again. Thanks to Bumble Bee and Claire M. for compiling this booklet.

Claire M. has collected all the recipes and ideas for what members have been baking each week in New Zealand. Listed in alphabetical order, you will never have to search for baking ideas again!

Claire M. has collected all the recipes and ideas for what members have been baking each week in New Zealand. Listed in alphabetical order, you will never have to search for baking ideas again!

If you thought camp cooking consisted of just baked beans and marshmallows, think again! Lesley has compiled a recipe book that will have you cooking 4 star meals in the bush. You'll never want to return home!

Chokos are super easy to grow and run rampant in many gardens – but what on earth are you supposed to do with them? Belinda has all the answers in this collection of delicious recipes. Make the most of this versatile vegetable!

Not many sites can boast they have two cookbooks devoted to chokos! Claire M. has compiled this fantastic resource which is sure to come in very handy.

Carol H (Poppet) has done it again! This is a collection of our members’ favourite preserves recipes and is bulging with contributions. Try your hand at preserving anything from apples to zucchini.

Claire from Tasmania has compiled this cookbook from a group of dedicated foodies on the Forum.

 

GO = Get Organised! Carol H. has collated a super brilliant cookbook of recipes collected over 18 months of Getting Organised threads from the GO Crazy clan. Not only great for your own use but perfect as a gift for friends and family too.

Keep it Simple Savings Cookbook was one of our earliest compilations of members' recipes compiled by Ron Joyce-Fry. Ron has been an inspiration raising his teenage daughters and loves to cook! From entrees, starters, mains and desserts it is all covered in this mouth watering selection.

Does the very word 'lentil' strike fear into the heart of your carnivorous family members? Now is your chance to convert them with this terrific selection of recipes compiled by Claire M. Cheap, quick to cook and so good for you too!

Years ago Antonia was given a recipe for microwave chocolate crunch. Over time she has adapted and perfected this recipe into 25 different variations - but it gets better! She has kindly compiled them all into a printable book to share with members. Each home-cooked slice is beautifully photographed. This book will make your mouth water and the recipes are ideal for a $21 Challenge.

Here is the first volume of Mimi's recipes as put together by Linda H.

Here is the second volume of Mimi's recipes as put together by Linda H.

Here is the third volume of Mimi's recipes as put together by Linda H.

Even more lentil recipes, compiled by Claire M. Check out the second book for Chocolate Lentil Cake!

Samantha has created a brilliant one page menu planner which helps you cook, shop and avoid waste all on one simple A4 page.

With fabulous recipes like these available free from the Members Download area, you may never need to buy another cookbook again! The trusty crockpot is a favourite time and money saving gadget for Simple Savers and with 470 recipes right here, you'll never run out of ways to use it!

 

The demise of the humble slice has not been forgotten by our clever members. You'll love these recipes that leave desserts for dead. Thanks to Pat for compiling all the recipes into this mouth watering download.

A wonderful collection of the Simple Savings Forum members' favourite slow cooker recipes. Compiled by Carol H, it's a brilliant way to make the most of your slow cooker with these tried and tested meals. With everything from breakfasts to desserts covered, you'll wonder how you ever did without it!

Members just can’t seem to get enough slow cooker recipes. Carol H (Poppet) has compiled a second book with recipes contributed from the resourceful Forum members.

You would not believe all the dishes you can make with a can of baked beans! Claire M does though, and has put them all together in this handy recipe book. If you are one of the many of us guilty of using them for nothing but beans on toast, this is for you. Perfect for $21 Challenge weeks too!

You can make everything from party snacks to main meals with a single tin of sardines. Check out this wide range of recipes from Claire M. for all sorts of ways to make an economical meal.

 

The title says it all! This recipe book is jam packed with recipes that will help you use up ingredients you already have. Compiled by Claire M. from recipes posted in the 'Waste not, want not' and 'I will last a month without a grocery shop!' threads. The 'Waste not, want not' threads were started by Lauren (NZ) when she realised she could quite comfortably live off the food in her kitchen, and not step foot in a supermarket for quite some time!

Click here for the full collection of vouchers, poems and awards to print out and colour in for Dad on Fathers Day.

Making your friends smile is fun. So we have designed a great range of 'love notes', which are free to download and can be used all year round.

Click here for the whole list.

Click here for the full collection of vouchers, poems and awards to print out and colour in for Mum on Mothers Day.

These are for your spouse, partner, sibling or parent. They say, when you give someone this voucher, I promise to … fix the computer, baby sit for an evening, do the shopping, bake a cake, vacuum the house, defrost the fridge, clean the toilet, cook you dinner, fix your clothes, call once a week. (Created Dec 2003.)

 Line-art (for colouring in) (503 kb)

 Full Colour (473 kb)

The tips in this book all began when one Simple Savings member commented in our Forum ‘We spend so much time looking after others, the finances, the earth, the home and anything else that pops into our worlds, that we lose sight sometimes of ourselves.’ How true that is! So for all those women out there who have got out of the habit of looking and feeling fabulous but don’t want to blow a month’s salary on the latest ‘miracle’ treatment, this collection of fantastic tried and true tips is for you. These beauty secrets from the experts are worth their weight in gold. Use them to pamper yourself or give a copy to someone you care about. We hope you enjoy every one!

The tips in this book all began when one Simple Savings member commented in our Forum ‘We spend so much time looking after others, the finances, the earth, the home and anything else that pops into our worlds, that we lose sight sometimes of ourselves.’ How true that is! So for all those women out there who have got out of the habit of looking and feeling fabulous but don’t want to blow a month’s salary on the latest ‘miracle’ treatment, this collection of fantastic tried and true tips is for you. These beauty secrets from the experts are worth their weight in gold. Use them to pamper yourself or give a copy to someone you care about. We hope you enjoy every one!

Sometimes, the best gift you can possibly give someone costs next to nothing at all. Whether it's an extra special someone, or that 'hard to buy for' person, Claire M. has come up with a gift idea they will treasure forever. A Gift of Memories!

Alix Clark of Virgin Blue's Inflight magazine, Voyeur is a long time Simple Saver and wrote this great article about us. Thank you Alix :-)

Here is the story the Good Weekend magazine did on the Lippey family and Simple Savings.

Camping is one way you can get away for a family holiday without paying for expensive accommodation. Our tip sheet will show you how your family can enjoy a cheap getaway.

We have prepared a free tip sheet on freezing all kinds of foods, including a quick reference 'shelf life' guide and some great tips from the Vault.

You can give fantastic and cheap gifts to your friends by making them yourself. Here are a couple of great ideas to get you started.

Think twice before buying expensive cleaners. There are tips for buying in bulk, home-made recipes, and general cleaning tips for the entire house!

There are so many ways you can save money when you have a baby. You will love this tip sheet. If one of your friends has just had a baby, print her a copy of this tip sheet. She will save thousands of dollars! There are tips to save on nappies, dummies, nappy liners, buckets, powder and bags, baby wipes, shampoo, food and even breastfeeding.

The best way to save money on petrol is to stay at home, but that is not practical for everyone. So we have grabbed our favourite hints from the Vault, combined them and created a new 'Fuel Saving Tip Sheet' for you.

Everyone can use this tip sheet to get more food for less money. There are tips for buying in bulk, comparison shopping, doing your homework, watching the scanner, getting rainchecks, buying online, when to shop, reduced goods, impulse shopping, the corner shop and being flexible.

The tips in this book all began when one Simple Savings member commented in our Forum ‘We spend so much time looking after others, the finances, the earth, the home and anything else that pops into our worlds, that we lose sight sometimes of ourselves.’ How true that is! So for all those women out there who have got out of the habit of looking and feeling fabulous but don’t want to blow a month’s salary on the latest ‘miracle’ treatment, this collection of fantastic tried and true tips is for you. These beauty secrets from the experts are worth their weight in gold. Use them to pamper yourself or give a copy to someone you care about. We hope you enjoy every one!

The tips in this book all began when one Simple Savings member commented in our Forum ‘We spend so much time looking after others, the finances, the earth, the home and anything else that pops into our worlds, that we lose sight sometimes of ourselves.’ How true that is! So for all those women out there who have got out of the habit of looking and feeling fabulous but don’t want to blow a month’s salary on the latest ‘miracle’ treatment, this collection of fantastic tried and true tips is for you. These beauty secrets from the experts are worth their weight in gold. Use them to pamper yourself or give a copy to someone you care about. We hope you enjoy every one!

Paying your bills promptly will help you avoid late fees and interest charges. We can show you how to keep your finances in good order with simple steps and equipment. You don't need fancy supplies, spreadsheets or costly pre-programmed packages. With the help of a few standard office supplies, you can have your bill payment system ready to go.

All the details...

To help you lower your food bills we created a stylish menu planner and ingredients list to inspire you and help you avoid impulse buys. When a member wrote in and told us how putting a Memory Trigger on her shopping list helped her to avoid impulse buys, we thought we had better redesign our shopping list so everyone can benefit. So here is the all new, bigger, better, stronger, faster with-added-shininess Ingredients List. I hope it helps you guard your wallet and save even more money on food!

P.S. Please remember to add your results to the Save-O-Meter.

I love these labels because they have trained my children into putting away their own clothes. Even tiny Tristan puts his clothes away. I put a label on the front of the drawer and another inside the drawer. This way, even when the drawer is empty he can still follow the system!

These are a lifesaver! We have tried to include a good range of generic toy labels so that they will work in everyone's home.

To help you lower your food bills we created a stylish menu planner and ingredients list to inspire you and help you avoid impulse buys. When a member wrote in and told us how putting a Memory Trigger on her shopping list helped her to avoid impulse buys, we thought we had better redesign our shopping list so everyone can benefit. So below is the all new, bigger, better, stronger, faster with-added-shininess Menu Planner. I hope it helps you guard your wallet and save even more money on food!

PS. Please remember to add your results to the Save-O-Meter.

Here is the labelling system I am using to reduce the time I spend in the kitchen.

It takes a few hours to set up, but once it is in place you will get that time back tenfold.

There are a few things you will need in order to make your labels: a colour printer, craft knife, steel ruler, cutting mat and/or paper trimmer, and a laminator.

This download is free until the end of July, when it will become a Members only item.

(How to save and get the kids to clean the house)

Contributed by: Janine Gaye

We have added everything you need for Janine Gaye's PAYDAY scheme here. Groovy cheques, funky savings sheets, snazzy credit cards, and even a fancy job list. Print them out, stick them up on the fridge, bedroom wall or pinboard, so they can watch their money grow! There are designs for boys and girls of all ages, and we can testify here at Simple Savings that they really do work. Get started right away!

Get all the parts here.

A great way to lower your power bill is to keep track of how much power you are using each week. This way you will be able to see your progress and find out which minor changes in your habits gave you the biggest power savings.

A great way to lower your power bill is to keep track of how much power you are using each week. This way you will be able to see your progress and find out which minor changes in your habits gave you the biggest power savings.

Use the Purchasing Planner to resist impulse spending. To find out how it works, check out the December Newsletter.

To help you enjoy more time at the table we have put together some game ideas, conversation starters and knock-knock jokes.

To help you learn the 'big picture' cost of little items in your life, we have made a poster to print out and stick on your fridge. I hope it inspires you to become a smarter shopper and save loads of money. (It is also great for other family members who, no matter how much you ask them to kerb their spending, struggle to embrace the idea.) Print it out; pop it on your fridge and SAVE!

To help you learn the 'big picture' cost of little items in your life, we have made a poster to print out and stick on your fridge. I hope it inspires you to become a smarter shopper and save loads of money. (It is also great for other family members who, no matter how much you ask them to kerb their spending, struggle to embrace the idea.) Print it out; pop it on your fridge and SAVE!

Protect yourself against overspending for good! With this comprehensive budget from Amanda, you can set your sights firmly on your savings goal. It even provides you with a two-year guide to keep you on track as you achieve your dreams!

Amanda has also written a handy User's Manual to her budget spreadsheet, which you can get here:

 User Manual

If you never want to be caught out short when a bill arrives and track your spending with simple formulas doing the hard work for you, this is for you! Christine May has included a whole page of notes to help you through a fortnightly budget.

Juskas has put together this great Failsafe menu plan that will help you with your journey along the Failsafe diet.

With Maths Nerd's household budget spreadsheet you can keep track of your income and your spending. There are even graphs to show your fortnightly spending and your balance - very impressive!

Calculate your loan repayments with this Loan Repayment Guide. Created by Debra L., the spreadsheet will provide:

• Repayments for a loan (weekly/monthly/annually)
• 1-30 years on one page
• Total paid over the period of the loan
• Total interest paid over the loan
• Interest rates from 6% to 18%
• Interest-only loan repayments (monthly/annually) are also listed.

Have you ever stopped to think how much bought work lunches really cost you? If you are working five days a week, you could be buying lunch, drinks and snacks for a whopping 260 days per year! Claire M. has worked out the hard math for you, so you can compare the savings.

 

A great tool for even the most computer-challenged person. All the instructions are included to create your own shopping list with ease. No more nasty surprises at the checkout. It's a great tool for stocktaking in the pantry too!

 

One of the most important parts of the Wealthy Habits program is setting yourself Memory Triggers so you will remember to change your habits. To help everyone along we have black and white (easy to colour in) and full colour Memory Triggers. They aren't as durable or reliable as the stickers but they are a darn good place to start.

If you have ever been stuck deciding what to have for dinner, this will be the most helpful tool you use! It has 15 weeks of menu plans, as compiled by 'PurpleWombat79'

Milia has made a fantastic Extra Repayments Calculator, so you will be able to work out in detail how much money you will save by making extra early repayments. Version 2 is even easier to use. It is absolutely brilliant!

Feeding a large number of people can be a daunting task. How much will they eat? How much should you spend? Worry no longer! Claire M has compiled this smart guide to keeping the hordes well fed without blowing your budget.

If you struggle to keep your home from looking like a bombsite, or would simply like to be more organised and spend less time cleaning, this popular cleaning plan from Rebecca could be just right for you!

Nobody is immune from advertising all of the time. But once you open your eyes to some of the impossible promises they make, you are a lot less likely to be fooled. To help you stay strong and to remind you to stop and think, we have made you some Savings Triggers for your wallet.

Deciding whether to continue with your current credit card or move to a new card with an attractive low introductory rate can be difficult. Stephen Lake has prepared a spreadsheet to help you decide which will be better for you. To assist you use this spreadsheet, see Stephen's Notes for Credit Card Comparison.

Stephen Lake's Electricity Rates Comparison Spreadsheet will allow you to compare different electricity providers and choose the provider that is right for you.

These notes are to accompany Stephen's Electricity Rates Comparison Spreadsheet. Using these tools will help you choose the best electricity provider for your situation.

These notes by Stephen Lake will certainly give you food for thought. Stephen has also compiled three spreadsheets to help you with your home expenses, property purchasing and smoking expenses.

Stephen Lake has put together three terrific spreadsheets to help you with your expenses. This spreadsheet will help you with your home expenses. Also see Stephen's property purchase and smoking expenditure spreadsheets, as well as his Financial Principles and Ideas.

These notes are to accompany Stephen's Credit Card Comparison Spreadsheet. This 'all you need to know' guide is courtesy of Stephen Lake.

These notes are to accompany Stephen's Property Purchase Spreadsheet. This 'all you need to know' guide is courtesy of Stephen Lake. Also see Stephen's home expenses and smoking expenditure spreadsheets, as well as his Financial Principles and Ideas.

Stephen Lake has put together three terrific spreadsheets to help you with your expenses. This spreadsheet will help you with your property purchase expenses. To assist you use this spreadsheet, see Stephen's Notes for Property Purchase Spreadsheet. Also see Stephen's home expenses and smoking expenditure spreadsheets, as well as his Financial Principles and Ideas.

Stephen Lake has put together three terrific spreadsheets to help you with your expenses. This spreadsheet will help you see just how much is spent on smoking and food! Also see Stephen's property purchase and home expenses spreadsheets, as well as his Financial Principles and Ideas.

The wonderful Stephen Lake has put together a spreadsheet so you can decide whether to make extra superannuation payments and receive the government's co-contribution or whether you would be better to leave your money in a savings account.

Stephen Lake has put together a spreadsheet to help you prepare your own tax return. It is not advice, rather a way to conveniently record your information so you can lodge your tax return to gain the best possible outcome. If you have any questions, please visit the Forum thread at http://www.simplesavings.com.au/fora/3387437

Irene created a fun game to get the family out and about. Print off her instructions and get set to get off the couch and have a ball!

Christmas is supposed to be a happy and relaxed time, but there is so much to do in December that some years I spend Christmas Eve huddled in my room wrapping presents till 1am. Well, not this year. This year I have a plan, this year I am going to be super organised and it starts with a printer and a cup of tea. Would you like to join me?

A helpful tool, created by Candice, to help you keep track of your grocery spending. Simply enter the amounts spent at each shop and the weekly and monthly averages will be calculated for you. You’ll be amazed at how much you are spending!