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Note from the Editor:

This article was kindly written for the SDC by member @Deejay11. This week, Deb has more competitions to enter with prizes ranging from Woolworths vouchers to July Carry-on Suitcase, new survey sites to look at, and an easy turkey drumstick recipe for two. Let’s jump in.


Hi again from @Deejay11

I hope readers are having fun with my competitions, surveys, and recipes! No wins for me this week. I live in hope!

Facebook and Instagram ‘likes’ have had a huge impact on being able to win competitions. Social media makes entries quick and easy, and there is rarely any talent involved.

Around 10 years ago, we used to go to the cinema for free once a fortnight; these days, I am lucky to win a cinema pass once a year. Also, the days of completing entry forms and mailing them off are just about long gone. In the 1970s, my mother was an avid ‘competitioner’, she used to get me to neatly write her 25-word-or-less answers on her form, and they were posted off. Her biggest wins that I can remember were two trips to Singapore and an Elna sewing machine.

I’m following on from my fifth edition (which you can read here).



Competitions:

Here is a tip for this week:

To gain access to a multitude of competitions, you could join Competitions Australia Online. It’s a great site and provides quick access to many competitions.

I sign up annually for $44.

Try your competition luck:

Win – Morning Made – Win 1 of 5 $1,000 Woolworths vouchers + Morning Made starter kit. Ends 26/06/2025.

WIN a [yellow tail] July Carry-on Suitcase – Purchase any 750ml bottle of [yellow tail] before 30/06/2025 from any store displaying advertising for this promotion, to win 1/50 July Carry-On cases worth $275. Note: No entries permitted for purchases made online or instore at Endeavour Group (Dan Murphy, BWS, Woolworths, Jimmy Brings) or Coles (Liquor Land, First Choice, Coles, Vintage Cellars) – need to purchase from Independent Retailers such as IGA. Ends 30/06/2025.

Win 1 of 5 $500 Gift Cards – De'Longhi * – Time to upgrade your morning cuppa? De'Longhi is offering 30% off their coffee machines and the chance to win one of 5 $500 gift cards. Ends 30/06/2025.

Make sure you read the T&Cs for each competition.



Surveys:

There are many survey sites that I haven’t mentioned before. Here is one summary/review site:

Paid Surveys Australia: 15 Best Survey Sites for Aussies 2025

You can always join one, and not participate or cancel your login. My favourite occasional survey sites are Octopus Group - The Best Online Survey provider in Australia, Purkle and Connect Panel

If you previously linked your Flybuys card to Surveys (ie PureProfile), you will be able to use your username/password to log in to PureProfile directly via their website or app. There are different surveys than you get via FlyBuys/surveys, and they pay nicely!



Cooking: Slow-Cooked Turkey Drumstick

Here's a family favourite that I invented a number of years ago, Slow-Cooked Turkey Drumstick. It has two ingredients, apart from the gravy! Woolies sells packs of two huge turkey drumsticks. I cook one, and freeze one for later.

One drumstick serves 2, with some left over for the spoiled dog.




Ingredients:

- 1 large Turkey Drumstick
- Chicken Rub Mix (I use Gewurzhaus Bavarian Roast Chicken Spice, but any chicken rub would do!)

For the gravy:
- Cornflour
- Chicken Stock Powder & Water, or Chicken Stock
- Soy Sauce
- Parsley

Method:

1. Cut the skin from drumstick and discard.

2. Cover drumstick with Chicken Spice.

3. Place the drumstick in a large slow cooker; the drumstick can be angled in the cooker.

4. Cook on high for 2 hours, then low for at least 1 hour.

5. Remove drumstick and keep warm. Set the slow cooker back to high.

6. Mix 2 heaped tablespoons of cornflour with chicken stock powder & water (or mix cornflour with salt-reduced chicken stock), to make a watery paste (½ -⅔ cup of mixture). Tip into the slow cooker, onto the liquid that has come from the cooked drumstick, add some soy sauce (I use about a dessert spoon) and chopped parsley, and stir until thickened.

7. Serve sliced turkey with gravy and veggies as desired. Enjoy!


Meet the author:

I’m @Deejay11, a mostly retired worker and member of SDC who strives to enjoy life yet live frugally (so I can spend my money on what I want rather than on overpriced groceries!).

I’m sharing some of my recession-busters that may be of assistance. To quote The Barefoot Investor Scott Pape: ‘Tread your own path.’

My ideas are just that: my ideas for making meaningful changes regarding my finances. Feel free to adapt them in any way that suits you!


From the Editor:

Will you give this recipe a try or enter any of the competitions listed above? Let us know in the comments below if you do!


Advice given in this article is general in nature and is not intended to influence readers’ decisions. Always seek professional advice that takes into account your personal circumstances before making any financial decisions. We also recommend that you consider the T&Cs of any survey sites or competitions before entering.