Deb's Dollar Dazzlers: How Social Media Changed Competitions, More Survey Sites, and Slow-Cooked Turkey Drumsticks

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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. 😊


shutterstock_1827940469 (1).jpg
Have you ever tried turkey drumsticks? Image Credit: Shutterstock




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.
 

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Re the turkey drumstick.
One would do me for a meal. Nothing for the bride, luckily we don't have a dog or cat, because they'd starve.

What a load of crap to feed 2 plus left overs for the dog.

You must just put the smallest serving out, enough to feed the ants.
Obviously you have tried my slow cooker turkey drumstick recipe, which is great that you have! The meat is absolutely succulent, nothing dried/shrivelled about the turkey meat (eg like BBQ’d or oven roasted turkey). There is plenty of meat for two, we serve it with roasted vegetables and gravy, it’s like a Xmas dinner. I scrape all the leftover meat off the bone for our dog, it’s not his “dinner”, it’s a treat on top of his meal. So sorry you regard my recipe as a “load of crap”, each to their own.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Robyn M
  • Individual Portions:
    Some recipes and serving guides estimate that a turkey leg can be a generous serving for one person, especially when considering it's primarily dark meat and can be quite filling.

  • Sharing:
    If you're serving other dishes alongside the turkey leg, and your guests have smaller appetites, one leg may be enough to shared between two people.
  • I do think 1 leg wouldn't be enough for 2 men even served with sides
  • The larger the leg means an older Turkey and tougher.

    I would make 2 for two people
 
  • Sad
Reactions: Deejay11
Why would I buy turkey drumsticks for over $9 per kilo when I can buy chicken drumsticks for half the price?

Chicken tastes way better anyway!
My family are not a fan of turkey. I remember slow cooking it on a weber BBQ once abd my sister inlaw who loves Turkey loved it but everyone else said they preferred chicken and that turkey
had to strong a flavour
 
  • Sad
Reactions: Deejay11
Thanks readers, lovely to read your comments. Let me reply:
1. Try my recipe, with one drumstick at a diagonal in your slow cooker, to serve two. I’m not reading here that anyone commenting has tried my recipe. My recipe is the crux of my post!
2. “Serving guides” are fine, but I have cooked this so many times, I discussed it with hubby again yesterday, we have more than enough succulent meat from one turkey drumstick for two. Light meat and dark meat aren’t an issue with my recipe.
3. Any recipe for two, may not be enough for two big grown men. Let’s be kind with comments, I am trying to be helpful, grown men might need a recipe for 4, every time a recipe is stating serving size of 2! Please don’t be negative and criticising with comments, based on individual appetites and needs!
4. My “larger” legs have never been tough from slow cooking.
5. We have never been fans of turkey, but we found my recipe provided a “special” taste and flavour.
6. Yes, chicken drumsticks are cheaper, I didn’t say they weren't. But if we can have a *special* meal of succulent turkey for about $7 for two, why shouldn’t we? (My 2 turkey drumsticks at Woolies cost around $14). My Dollar Dazzlers are about cheap meals, as well as spoiling ourselves by paying more and eating something special at a fraction of the cost of eating out.
7. Interesting comment about Weber BBQ’d turkey and a strong flavour, that’s not my recipe, that’s not the taste of my turkey, so I struggle to see the relevance.
8. Looking forward to constructive comments from anyone that tries my recipe!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Deano31
Thanks readers, lovely to read your comments. Let me reply:
1. Try my recipe, with one drumstick at a diagonal in your slow cooker, to serve two. I’m not reading here that anyone commenting has tried my recipe. My recipe is the crux of my post!
2. “Serving guides” are fine, but I have cooked this so many times, I discussed it with hubby again yesterday, we have more than enough succulent meat from one turkey drumstick for two. Light meat and dark meat aren’t an issue with my recipe.
3. Any recipe for two, may not be enough for two big grown men. Let’s be kind with comments, I am trying to be helpful, grown men might need a recipe for 4, every time a recipe is stating serving size of 2! Please don’t be negative and criticising with comments, based on individual appetites and needs!
4. My “larger” legs have never been tough from slow cooking.
5. We have never been fans of turkey, but we found my recipe provided a “special” taste and flavour.
6. Yes, chicken drumsticks are cheaper, I didn’t say they weren't. But if we can have a *special* meal of succulent turkey for about $7 for two, why shouldn’t we? (My 2 turkey drumsticks at Woolies cost around $14). My Dollar Dazzlers are about cheap meals, as well as spoiling ourselves by paying more and eating something special at a fraction of the cost of eating out.
7. Interesting comment about Weber BBQ’d turkey and a strong flavour, that’s not my recipe, that’s not the taste of my turkey, so I struggle to see the relevance.
8. Looking forward to constructive comments from anyone that tries my recipe!
I'm sorry but when a recipe is posted people are going to comment.
You have to take the good with the bad. Men will look at this and say I need the whole leg and they know it's bigger than a chicken drumstick
 
  • Sad
Reactions: Deejay11
I think it's great how @Deejay11 is posting these with making money ideas and cheap recipes but like I said before you need to be careful with all surveys you do.
A lot out there collect your information and sell it.
Make sure you research each company before joining . I'm not trying to put @Deejay11 down, I think it's great how she is trying to help but I will always look out for my fellow sdc friends


Checkout their reviews

I was shocked at the reviews from one that was highly recommended 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
Justin Harper
AU•6 reviews

25 May 2025
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

My last review was discarded as false…​


My last review was discarded as false btw by Octopus. Funny that when they don't have a response...
Date of experience: 25 May 2025

Yowie
AU•3 reviews

22 May 2025
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Disappointing site promoted in news article that doesn’t cut it in reality​


As frequently stated by others in these reviews my experience is similar. Frequently answer many survey questions to be then screened out , quota filled or not in target group. Waste of time and effort. You provide an enormous amount of data and opinions and they say it doesn’t get used. I call BS , that’s my opinion. Reading their feedback to criticism on this site covering the last few years they have significantly softened their responses. They have gone from being very defensive, dismissive and disparaging to a much more generic and pro forma like response. Basically responding for the sake of appearing to show they care. The 5 star reviews I see to me seem strange and suspicious.
Date of experience: 08 May 2025

Navid Senobari
AU•5 reviews

13 Jan 2025
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Waste of time​


OCTAPUS is a SCAM! I was given my surveys and in the middle of doing them, i was screened out. I answered all quality questions correctly, but the site seems to screen you out to avoid paying you. It's a total waste of time. Never Try it!
Date of experience: 13 January 2025


Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Be prepared to spend 20 years to earn $20!!​


You will be on your death bed while you will reach the redeemption point!! It took me over a year to redeem $20 in the first go and since then another year has passed I am still stuck at $11. After spending several minutes I get screened out and the company doesnt allow to cash out before reaching $20. The surveys get the answers of the actual questions they are after and soon after then they screen out the partcipants. There are lots of surveys available where you can make $50 a week just spending some of your free time... I will highly suggest try them. Dont spend 1 single second for this useless portal.
Date of experience: 08 December 2024
 
I'm sorry but when a recipe is posted people are going to comment.
You have to take the good with the bad. Men will look at this and say I need the whole leg and they know it's bigger than a chicken drumstick
Constructive comment would be to try a recipe, and then have something to say. I wouldn’t be so publicly rude to knock a recipe that someone has posted, without trying it. If I wasn’t interested in trying it, I’d keep my views to myself.
 
I think it's great how @Deejay11 is posting these with making money ideas and cheap recipes but like I said before you need to be careful with all surveys you do.
A lot out there collect your information and sell it.
Make sure you research each company before joining . I'm not trying to put @Deejay11 down, I think it's great how she is trying to help but I will always look out for my fellow sdc friends



Checkout their reviews

I was shocked at the reviews from one that was highly recommended 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
Justin Harper
AU•6 reviews
25 May 2025
Rated 1 out of 5 stars


My last review was discarded as false…

My last review was discarded as false btw by Octopus. Funny that when they don't have a response...
Date of experience: 25 May 2025

Yowie
AU•3 reviews
22 May 2025
Rated 1 out of 5 stars


Disappointing site promoted in news article that doesn’t cut it in reality

As frequently stated by others in these reviews my experience is similar. Frequently answer many survey questions to be then screened out , quota filled or not in target group. Waste of time and effort. You provide an enormous amount of data and opinions and they say it doesn’t get used. I call BS , that’s my opinion. Reading their feedback to criticism on this site covering the last few years they have significantly softened their responses. They have gone from being very defensive, dismissive and disparaging to a much more generic and pro forma like response. Basically responding for the sake of appearing to show they care. The 5 star reviews I see to me seem strange and suspicious.
Date of experience: 08 May 2025

Navid Senobari
AU•5 reviews
13 Jan 2025
Rated 1 out of 5 stars


Waste of time

OCTAPUS is a SCAM! I was given my surveys and in the middle of doing them, i was screened out. I answered all quality questions correctly, but the site seems to screen you out to avoid paying you. It's a total waste of time. Never Try it!
Date of experience: 13 January 2025


Rated 1 out of 5 stars


Be prepared to spend 20 years to earn $20!!

You will be on your death bed while you will reach the redeemption point!! It took me over a year to redeem $20 in the first go and since then another year has passed I am still stuck at $11. After spending several minutes I get screened out and the company doesnt allow to cash out before reaching $20. The surveys get the answers of the actual questions they are after and soon after then they screen out the partcipants. There are lots of surveys available where you can make $50 a week just spending some of your free time... I will highly suggest try them. Dont spend 1 single second for this useless portal.
Date of experience: 08 December 2024
“Tread your own path”. Just looking at my records: in 2024 I collected the following in supermarket gift cards - $235 from Octopus; $100 from Purkle; $100 from Connect Panel (news.com.au). I also won $14,000 worth of prizes from competitions.
 
“Tread your own path”. Just looking at my records: in 2024 I collected the following in supermarket gift cards - $235 from Octopus; $100 from Purkle; $100 from Connect Panel (news.com.au). I also won $14,000 worth of prizes from competitions.
'Tread Your Own Path ' I do , and I live my life ethically and authentic BUT at the same time I will warn others if I see there could be a problem. Then it's up to them 'To Tread their own Path'

Luke I said many survey companies that people join sell your personal information to other companies. Join one company then see how many unwanted emails you will get

I've just signed up using a new email and changing my birth date. Let's see how much money I make in how much time, then I will report back in 1 week, 1 month, 3 months .

Let's also see how much spam emails I also get
 
Constructive comment would be to try a recipe, and then have something to say. I wouldn’t be so publicly rude to knock a recipe that someone has posted, without trying it. If I wasn’t interested in trying it, I’d keep my views to myself.
I never once knocked your recipe I said one leg definitely wouldn't feed two men. I also said how I have cooked Turkey and it's not a families favourite.
I will cook this and give it to my sister inlaw and her husband and I will then give you my honest opinion

If you post a recipe you will receive bad plus good comments.

I often comment on recipes that I haven't tried but I would definitely make it.
A person will know if they will like a recipe by the ingredients alone
 

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