The $21 Dollar Cooking Challenge
Last month we ran a competition to win a $21 dollar cookbook. All you had to do was send in your favourite money saving tips. Here are the top five in no particular order. They come from the readers of the newsletter.

1. My principle is "one more time". This means when something is almost running out, you would be amazed just how much more you can get out of it by using this principle, i.e. toothpaste, moisturisers etc. # Ingrid
2. My suggestion is to always buy the toilet blocks to replace the containers; this is not difficult and saves a lot of money. Also buy fabric softener in the container the first time then buy soft packs to make up after that. # Joan
3. Buy birthday cards, gift cards and wrapping paper from the $1 card display stands at florists, Smokemarts, etc. They're much better value than spending $4.50 to $6.50 per card and the cards on display change regularly. Buy all the cards you need at the start of each month to make sure your have all special events covered. # Valerie
4. Several years ago, I was told when you use 2/3 of a bottle of white vinegar ( has to be fermented doesn't matter what brand) you can fill the bottle up with water and put it somewhere dark for three weeks, then it will be normal vinegar again, you can keep doing this and you should never need another bottle of vinegar. I use vinegar as fabric softener and before I moved to where I live now I used to do this. I had 2 bottles of vinegar and by the time you used 2/3, the other bottle was fermented. You might need 3 if you are using as cleaning product too. #Vicki
5. Several things that I always do to save money. But one thing that stands out is having mostly salads with our main meals. You use far less vegetables making a salad than you would if you served up steamed, boiled or roasted veggies. One carrot cut into small fingers added to a tossed salad as against four carrots roasted for two people - a quarter of a cucumber for the same salad compared to one or two zuchinni roasted etc. - get the idea! Plus you are saving on electricity bills by not cooking so often. You are also doing your health a favour by eating more vegetable salads. Also check out opshops for clothing, furniture, books etc. etc. Lots of money to be saved. I often find things that are brand new at a fraction of the price and you are helping our world at the same time by recycling. # Cheryl