Only buy or fill up your car with Gas (petrol) in the early morning when the ground  temperature is still cold..thus saving money on Gas

When you are filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to a fast mode.

If you look you will see that the trigger has three (3)  stages; low, middle and high.

In slow mode you should  be pumping on low speed, thereby minimising the vapours that  are created while you are pumping..   All hoses at the  pump have a vapour return.   If you you are pumping on  the fast rate, some of the liquid that goes into your tank  becomes vapour.   Those vapours are being sucked up and  back into the underground storage tank so you’re getting less  worth for your money.

Fill up your car in the morning and save on gas

One of the most important tips is to fill up when your tank is HALF FULL.

Savinging money on Gas

The reason for this is, the more fuel you have in you  tank, the less air occupying its empty space.   Petrol  evaporates faster than you can imagine.   Petroleum  storage tanks have an internal floating roof.  This roof  serves as zero clearance between petrol and the atmosphere, so it minimises the evaporation.   Unlike Service Stations, every truck load is temperature compensated so that every litre is actually the exact amount.

Another reminder.   If there is a fuel  truck pumping into storage tanks when you stop to buy, DO NOT  FILL UP.   Most likely the petrol/diesel is being stirred  up as the fuel is being delivered and you might pick up some dirt that normally settles on the bottom.

Hope this will help you get the most value for your money.    Remember to always fill your car when the tank shows ‘half’.    Always fill up in the early morning.   Always fill  up in slow mode.

This  actually works. Try it and let us know how much of a saving when fueling up in the morning than in the afternoon.

This is a guest post by Deb Diplock from Woodford Newspaper.

If you like to keep your home looking fresh with new decorations, you don’t have to rely on store-bought items to complete your new look. You can make your own decorations from items that you already have lying around the house. Using items in different ways and changing things around a little bit can alter your space and make it seem new without costing more than a few bucks. Some of these suggestions don’t need any money at all. You simply need some imagination and a little time.

Put a Cork in it

http://behomemade.com/furniture-rescue/door-closes/

Some of the most practical items create interesting decorative pieces. If you are a wine-drinker, collect the corks from your favorite bottles in a decorative bowl on a shelf or end table. A bowl full of corks alone is a good conversation starter. Once the bowl is full, cut the corks in half and glue them to a traditional corkboard. You can hang the new wine corkboard in the kitchen as a fun place to pin recipes or notes. A used wine bottle can make a nice decorative touch for taller shelves or high windows. The sunlight passing through different colored bottles provides an interesting and ever-changing pattern in the room throughout the day.

Frame More Than Just Photos

Framing any item creates an immediate decorative appeal. You can use tiny frames for things like souvenir tickets from your favorite show or postcards from a recent vacation. Frames can add a third dimension to your walls. Take the glass out of a frame and mount fun toys or other tiny items in the frame to create your own piece of pop art. It can be fun to put together a board game with the pieces glued in place to hang on the wall of a game room or family room. If you can find an antique board game at a yard sale, you can add instant nostalgia to any room.

Change the Lighting

Image credit: http://budgetwisehome.com/

A room’s lighting makes a big difference in how the room looks and feels. Try experimenting with putting your lamps in different parts of the room to see how the room changes. Invest in some inexpensive upward-shining lights that will create dramatic lighting along one wall. You could use a regular desk lamp to draw attention to that part of a room or highlight your favorite piece of artwork. Trade lamps out from different rooms and use them in new ways. Imagination is the key.

Bring the Outdoors In

One of the least expensive ways to change decorations throughout the year is to take advantage of the natural decorations that grow in your backyard every month. During the fall, you can collect pinecones to make interesting centerpieces. Fresh flowers are nice to bring inside during the spring. Dried flowers are good for arrangements in the winter. Acorns can be glued together to create fun decorative items. Brightly colored leaves, arranged in a frame, can hang on the wall during autumn. The right driftwood or branches will create a dramatic wall hanging any time of the year. The possibilities are endless when you simply look around and the bounty of natural beauty around you.

Jessica Bosari writes about different ways to save money for LowIncomeApartmentFinder.com. When renters need to find cheap apartments, they can find them there.

Are you looking for cheap ways to bake something extra for the kids lunch box that doesn’t cost a fortune? When you go to the cake mixes and check out the prices of the pre-mixed packets you will find the prices range from $2.50 to $4.50 and have illustrations of delicious looking cakes. they look very temping, but for that price you could just buy a cake or a packet of lammingtons already cooked for you.

I can’t bring myself to buy these packet cake mixes because they are an absolute rip off so I look to the bottom  shelf in the cake mix isle for my famous 67c cake mix.   Coles or Woolworths have these cake mixes at this price along with other Supermarkets like IGA and so on. I have previously written articles about whats wrong with name food.

I know what you are thinking! Oh yuck! This cake is going to taste awful and you are right! There is a little secret to using this 67cent cake mix. You have to get creative and make it look and taste expensive!. I hate to tell you I have been selling homemade cakes in cafes for years. (In my own businesses) The compliments I have had from these cakes is not far from extraordinary!

The basic cake mix requires 3/4 of a cup of milk and one egg to mix it up and make a simple cake. I always use this as a base but here are a few amazing thing to add to this 67 cent cake mix. I also use a slab tin as I never do things by halves and this takes two packets for starters. The cake will take around 40 minutes to cook so you might as well make it a bit bigger.

Apple Tea Cake

1.  Make the basic cake mix with two packets of 67c cake mix, 1 1/2 cups of milk, and two eggs. (We have doubled it)

2.  Line the cake time with baking paper. Proper baking paper to avoid any sticking.

3.  Peel and slice 6 apples. Or use tin apples if you like.

4.  Spread some cake mixture into the tin to make a base..

5.  Add some slice apples, a sprinkle of cinnamon spice on the layer, and some brown sugar, the sticky stuff. Make a one centimeter layer of this sugar as it will make the cake caramelize.

6.  Then add more cake mixture. Keep doing this, layer apples and mixture.

7.  When you are finished we need to decorate the top of the cake. Sprinkle uncooked Julianne apples pieces and cinnamon sugar on the top. The apple bit should look like match sticks.

When this cake is cooked it will look like a professional cake simply because of the decoration. I used to sell this for $4.95 a slice!

67c Cake Mix

How does this 67cent cake mix save money?

1.  Well it costs 67 cents…Derr!

2.  You can use fruit that is not going to be eaten to stop wasting food.You can also freeze the fruit until you are ready to make a cake. See what food can you freeze?

3.  It is easy to Jazz up with any ingredients in your cupboard.

Other variations for this money saving cake mix:

Chocolate Mud Cake

Add good cocoa powder and an extra 2 eggs for a great chocolate mud cake. If you add chocolate made with butter and melted chocolate then this is to die for!

Carrot cake

Add a cup of grated carrot, some chopped walnuts, 1/2 brown sugar, 1 tsp of all spice…Add an extra 2 eggs to make up for the dry stuff.  If you add cream cheese icing this is so yummy! I used to make these in cup cake papers. When i iced them i would sprinkle some more walnuts for decoration….totally professional.

Sultana and coconut (My invention)

Add 1/2 a cup of sultanas to the mix, some chopped walnuts and half a cup of dessicated coconut and an extra egg. for the topping you need to take the cake out..and while hot spread jam on it… then add a mix of 1/4 cup caster sugar, SHREDDED coconut, and two eggs ( mix all together) and spread on the cake. Put it back in the oven and bake with the top element on cooking to cook the topping.

Your friends will think you spend your life in the kitchen, when all you need is 5 minutes to make the cake and 40 minutes to bake it. I have been selling cakes like these for years. I do not have a cafe at the moment and can share these crazy ideas. This 67 cent cake mix not only saves loads of money, but saves you hours of time! Of course it can also make you money as well. If you happen to have a cafe then you must give this a go!

Have you ever tried to recycle your birthday cards to save money? Well I haven’t. But the funny thing is, my 11-year-old daughter decided to give it a try. This amazing money-saving trick shocked me, as I do try to teach children to save money, however I do not remember showing her this one.
When she handed my husband a birthday card, I immediately wondered where she had got it from? I had not taken her to the shops to buy any presents or a birthday card? My daughter is very resourceful and I waited as my husband opened the birthday card.

Here is a picture of of the birthday card. When I saw the quality of the card, it was very impressive. I immediately thought she must have found an unused card around the house.

But then my husband opened the card. The whole family laughed! Only my 11-year-old daughter could recycle a birthday card like this.

I guess this is not about saving money, but about using what you have around the house. It is not always necessary to buy something to make it valuable. We all had a great laugh from this recycled birthday card and it definitely proved that it is the thought that counts.

Start recycling your birthday cards now because I guarantee you will get a good laugh out of it!

Being female, (I am told by my male acquaintances) means that I can get what I want by just wearing a skirt! I agree, to a certain degree. If you have a good pair of legs and a nice cleavage, you have a good chance of sending the male into a frenzy, and he’s likely to do almost anything for you.

I’ve got to say that we females are not much different, we also go a little ‘ga ga’ for a bronze, muscled hunk. Personally, I believe if you have these assets then use them. It can put money in your pocket and also save you money. By this I don’t mean you are sitting on your purse!!

However, if you walk into a shop and find yourself a male salesman, I guarantee a bit of charm and sex appeal will get you a better deal. So it might pay you to dress up a little before going shopping, put on that cheeky, flirty sex appeal that you may have forgotten that you had, and you will not only get a good deal, but it may even boost your ego.

Getting the best deal

If the circumstances were reversed, wouldn’t you want to give a charming male, with a sexy smile and flirtatious way, the best possible deal? We are all sexual beings, who want to be liked, and most of us will fall for a charming individual.

Of course some of us may not feel so young or flirtatious anymore. Like me, you could be an aging mother of three, but you can also use this to your advantage. Treat the young male or female salesman like you would your son or daughter. Show them warmth and charm and you never know that friendly motherly charm might just get you a good deal. We all respond to a friendly smile, and if it can win them over, we may get a better deal.

I have found it an advantage having 3 noisy children, as they seem to realize the sooner I’m served, the quicker we will get out of their shop and leave them in peace and quiet. So use those God given gifts to your full advantage. The friendlier you are, the more chance you will have of getting a good deal.

The same applies to those looking for work. Dress well, put on a friendly smile and try to act confident. You will have a far better chance of landing the job than the nervous, fidgety person who forgets to smile. Put on your hidden charm ladies and gentlemen. It’ll make you feel happier in yourself and its also likely to find that perfect job or get that better deal.

It should be everyones goal to save money throughout their lives. Earing a dollar is not always easy and you should always think twice when parting with this hard earned cash. Who said money doesn’t buy you happiness. I am never happy when I have bills to pay and no money to pay them. Therefore we need to be careful with the money we have and make sure we have enough to keep us happy. Here are some quick tips to help you save money.

1. Write down your expenses, day by day - If you could actually see what you are spending everyday then it might shock you into not wasting so much money. If all the expenses are written on a board on the wall it is even worse. This is a real eye opener that everyone needs to do.
2. Never go shopping on an empty stomach - If you go shopping  with starving stomach then you will end up collecting extra junk foods that you may not have bought if you were not hungry. Everything looks good when you are hungry. We all know what it feels like. Even if you are thirsty you start buying lots of drinks. Fill yourself up before you go shopping and you will save loads of money.
3. Make a list of errands before you leave the house – This is good because you will go by a planned path and save your petrol and travel expenses. If you have not decided where to go then you will end up going in circles and wasting your time and money. If you stick to a plan it will also stop you from making unshedualed visits where you could spend more money.
4. Limit the number of cleaning products you use – Many people use different types of cleaning products for different appliances and devices which is not a good idea but only waste of money. It is better to use natural cleaning products and save your money. Cleaning products are a rip off. We do not need them at all. Try vinegar and bi card soda for cleaning the toilet and bathroom, water, eucalyptus oil and dish washing liquid for spray and wipe, and more…
5. Look out for a free car wash – There are several service stations that provide free wash for cars if you spend a specified amount on petrol. This sounds a bit scabby but I pay for water where I live. Washing the car can take a lot of water and if its for free then why not use it. Just make sure the price of the petrol isn’t jacked up to compensate the free service.

I personally like writing down the expenses on a board on the wall for the whole family to see. My children will not ask for money if they see that I have already spent huge amounts of money that day. It works a treat! This method is also good for seeing those hidden expenses that you forget about and just pay. You will be able to see where to cut down and stop wasting money.

Why buy expenisve mossie spray when you can make it yourself very cheaply. I make may own homemade mosquito repellant and it keeps the mossies, sand flies, and flies away.

I am one of those people that always get bitten by insects, when everyone else can’t feel a thing. Here I am scratching and slapping myself while other people are just standing there watching.

I seriously thought that this homemade recipe for mosquito spray would not work…But I am telling you that it really works.

Here is the recipe for the homemade mosquito spray:

1. 1 part Dettol
2. 3 parts Baby oil

Shake the bottle and away you go. I usually put mine in an empty pump spray bottle. Actualy an old aeroguard one. This stuff goes a long way too. It seems to last forever.

I will never go back to paying $5 or more for a chemical ridden can of mossie spray.

We all like to spend money on our friends and family at Christmas time and there are few things as satisfying as being able to buy and give a gift you just know the recipient will love. However, if you need to tighten your belt a little this year in the Christmas gift department, or you’re just looking to curb your consumerism here are a few tips to help you save on Christmas gifts.

1. Make a list, and check it twice

Obvious? Yes. Predictable? Yes. Pointless? No. Making a list of the people you need to buy gifts for, and working out what you are going to get them before you leave the house means you are less likely to overspend on a person. How many times have you gotten carried away collecting the perfect gifts for your sister, only to realise your brother’s present now looks too small and you need to spend even more on him now too?!

2. Make a budget and stick to it

This should be done when you make your gift list because it allows you to see just how much you are spending on the festive season and chances are you’ll be inspired to curb your spending and set a limit. Setting a limit also stops you from over spending because when you reach the budgeted price ceiling, you know you need to stop shopping. If you are struggling for csah and are going to use your credit card, consider applying for a 0% purchases card before you spend. Its going to save you some serious interest.

3. Do not wait the last minute

Shopping earlier than December can save you money on your Christmas gifts. Firstly, there is more demand for all kinds of gifts and their prices increase and their availability decreases leading shop assistants to say things like ‘I can get it in before Christmas but you’ll have to pay the extra rushed shipping costs…’ Secondly, shopping in the Christmas rush is expensive for parking, petrol and incidentals like coffee and lunch breaks in your shopping marathon, but if you pace yourself, you can save on your entire gift buying experience.

4. Shop for Christmas bonuses

If you are shopping in the Christmas rush you can still save on gifts by seeking out those great seasonal bonuses. Around Christmas time many retailers will package up products and gifts to offer gifts with purchase. While you may be tempted to boost the original recipient’s gift, you can instead use this gift with purchase as a gift for someone else on your list.

5. Make and bake

Making gifts is a sure fire way to save money so if you are handy with a sewing machine why not whip up some Christmas stockings for your nieces and nephews, or if you want to give out hampers, bake the cookies and make the jam yourself, there are hundreds and thousands of free festive recipes online.

6. Secret Santa gifts

Instead of buying gifts for all of your friends and family, why not set up a Secret Santa draw within your gift buying groups. This is as simple as putting everyone’s names in a hat, and each person draws out one name, and buys one gift, with a budget set for the gifts by the group.

7. Shop online

This is another way to save on the parking, petrol and snack costs of Christmas gift buying because you don’t have to leave the house. Plus, you can often find the same products from the stores in the mall, in online stores for much cheaper because online stores have lower overheads and staffing costs – savings they can pass onto you.

8. To wrap up…

Skip the expensive wrapping paper. Glossy Christmas patterned paper can add hundreds of dollars to your final gift budget but simple brown or white paper with coloured ribbon can make an equally impressive gift – the paper will just be ripped and recycled anyway. Or you can use non-traditional gift wrapping tools as part of the gift – why not wrap gifts in tea towels or bath towels, or make a ‘Santa Sack’ from a pillow case?

Written by Fred Schebesta. Fred writes at Savings Account Finders. He offers advice on how to compare savings  accounts and make the most of term deposit accounts

Most people presume that having fun at christmas time involves having money, however it does not. In the good old days, fun was for free and you didn’t need to be rich to have a good time at christmas.

Here are some of my ideas on what to do:

1. Get the kids to make xmas decorations. Colored paper at the local newsagaent is still cheap enough. I pay about 80 cents a sheet for a huge piece of cardboard. You can also use bits and pieces you usually keep for recycling. Also buy some glue, sticky tape, and some glitter…It isn’t xmas without the glitter. If you don’t know how to make anything, Google it…There are loads of free ideas out there.
2. Instead of buying gifts, make some. People appreciated anything you give them, well they should, and especially something you have hand crafted. What about baking some xmas cookies, very cheap to make and look great when wrapped in clear cellofane paper. Photos are an easy gift. You can put a photo into an old frame, decorate it, stick a photo on a magnet, and more.
3. Print out xmas activities for the kids. There are heaps of free printable sheets on christmas and it keeps the children in the spirit of christmas just when you need a well deserved break.
4. Print out christmas songs and have a singing competition and give out small prizes for the winners. This can be very funny.
5. Make your own christmas bon bons, you know the things you pull or tug on to get gifts. This is a great way to have a laugh. You can put a message in there, a joke, or even a dare for the person to do.
6. Play christmas trivia, and let the person who answers a question pick a prize from a lucky dip. Prizes can be anthing you like…Could be a christams message, a small toy, or maybe a chocolate. People do not care what they get because it is fun. You can even find prizes at the $2 shop.

Of course there are so many others things you can do to make christmas fun, and asve money at the same time.

1. Leave in Conditioner and hair detangler – Mix your leftover Conditioner with water and put it in a spray bottle. Probably one part conditioner to 4 parts water. Maybe even less conditioner if it is a high quality one. Now you can spray it on your kids hair when you are brushing it to detangle and condition at the same time. If you make it a bit stronger it works as a leave in conditioner. Both a hair detangler and a leave in conditioner are very expensive luxuries that you will not need after you have tried this.
2. Hand Wash – Make your own antibacterial hand wash with your leftover shampoo and conditioner by adding water and dash of detol or even eucalyptus oil to the mix. Put it in a spare soap pump bottle and save a truck load of money. Its better to have more shampoo than conditioner. And when you mix it there will be bubbles but they will soon disappear.
3. Stain Remover – Use shampoo to get rid of blood stains from clothing, carpets, and almost any fabric. You can also mix a bit of shampoo with some bicarb soda for those tough stains on clothes. It is also a great degreaser.
4. Fabric softener – Put leftover conditioner into your washing machine and use as a fabric softener. You can also add a bit of eucalyptus oil to the mix to make it smell nice. I have also been known to put strawberry scented oil with conditioner for a fabric softener for my kids clothes.