Recent Hints
DIY 'Cryovac' seals your food at home for free!
My savvy DIY food sealing method has saved me a fortune and is so easy! I like to organise meals ahead of time, and have at times thrown out food due to serve freezer burn. I researched Cryovac machines, but priced at anywhere from $400 - $500, not to mention constantly buying bags, it was out of the question. So I came up with a solution! I fill up a container, or the kitchen sink, and when I have the meals prepared in bags and ready to go, I slowly lower it into the water until it is almost level with the top of the bag. Then I just seal it shut. The water forces the bag together and pushes out the air. It works a treat and I have saved hundreds not having to buy a machine, replacement bags and also power!
By: Jessie Stokes 6 responses in the members' forumKeep nail bitten hands busy doing good
I have found an easy way to stop biting my nails and do a good turn for others at the same time! I have bitten my nails all my life, and especially do so when I sit down to do something like watching TV, when my hands are idle. A couple of years ago however, I began crocheting for charity and gift giving during these times. While being more conscious about what my hands are doing, I am also creating things to bring happiness to others. My nails grow and are stronger than they were, my hands are away from my mouth and I don't have the same urge to bite my nails!
By: Ann EarleHottest Hints
Organise your freezer for less with 'freezer mould'
Just one plastic container is all you need to organise your freezer and save a small fortune on storing frozen food! I recently read an article which suggested freezing tasty, home cooked meals in small containers so you can whip one out in less time than it takes to get takeaway. Brilliant idea - but going out and getting all the plasticware I needed to do this was going to kill my miserly budget! So instead I bought just one plastic container that was an ideal size and a huge stack of small freezer bags. Now whenever I freeze a meal, I can line my single container with a freezer bag, seal it and once the food has been frozen, I can simply remove the container as though it was a cake tin! I have a ready-made 'freezer mould' and my freezer is still tidy with perfectly rectangular, scrumptious meals in minutes!
By: SamK (a faraway place) 15 responses in the members' forumCheap Challenge snack
Here's a great way to save heaps of money on popcorn.
I buy a packet of 200 Home Brand paper bags for about $3.00 from Woolworths and a 500g bag of No Frills popcorn kernels for $1.16 from Franklins. I smear some butter in the bottom of a bag and pour in about 100g of kernels. I then seal off the top of the bag by folding it over twice.
I set the microwave to cook on High for about three minutes but I always listen closely because the time it takes the kernels to pop depends on how much I have placed in the bag. When the frequency of the 'pops' slows to about three to five per second, I stop the microwave and let the remaining kernels stop popping before removing the bag from the microwave and adding salt.
For a healthier version, I simply cut out the butter and salt. I sometimes add chilli flakes or chicken salt, however, there's lots of room to experiment with a variety of flavours. Each bag of popcorn works out to about $0.25c per serve, a huge saving on the ready-made variety at the supermarket.
Receive a Free Newsletter
