Well I have been off learning to use my new computer and printer; I did fine some free online lessons so I have been doing these for the past two weeks.

HP -Online Tutorials

As for spending I went out and bought myself a new Kodak C763 Camera last week. Saving over $140 on RRP when not on special.

I will have to stop spending for now as I have some large bills due next month.

I will drop in at the end of this month.

Kitty

So today, I went to Bunnings our major hardware to check out the prices. About 3 years ago I was thinking that I had to buy one then, so I had worked out which one I was buying and how much I would pay for it. You can get many cheaper lawn mowers but as this one I hope will last one I will be buying if it last as long the last one. It was coming up to about 30 years plus, and it came with the house when I bought it.

I had motor fix a few years ago hoping it would last around 10 years that was about 6 years ago. I decided when I had to pay any more money on this one it was dead. It has been breaking down and pieces falling off over that time.

As I just went in to look as I was there on Monday was a friend, and saw that brand on special for $419 so I went back today to see which one it was! It was not the one I wanted but one down from it, so I check the price on my chosen one and found it was $50.00 off the price since I last price it six month ago. I had set my mind that was close to what I would have to pay for it around $500, so I did buy it today for $449. I got one made in Australia too! The company is planning to make them in China next year. Three years ago they were around $489 so something has come down in price. I had to put it on my credit card but I will have it paid off before bill comes in. I have save for this lawn mower three times then had to buy some else so I just got it, as it would has cost between $35 - $ 50 to pay someone to mow my lawn every three weeks just to mow weeds. I spent some more money on a few odd & ends that I found there for my garden too!

Weekly Main Meal Menu
Sunday ~ Pea & Ham Soup with toast
Monday ~ Chicken Mustard with Rice.
Tuesday ~ Garlic Chicken Schnitzel with Tomato Salsa & Steamed Vegetables.
Wednesday ~ Hot Beef Curry with Rice.
Thursday ~ Chilli Con Care & Corn Chips
Friday ~ Sweet & Sour Fish with Rice (Pineapple & Vegetable.)
Saturday ~ Scramble Eggs on Toast

My Spending today $489.00

I have been very busy this week so
Here a link to pictures of water tanks. More to be found on the links too!

Pictures & information on water tanks

Mine is a round one 3250L and not pictured here as it’s a Bushmans one. But you will get an idea want it looks like from these.
I will try and update later in the week.

Well I did spend some money this week.

My kitchen taps have been leaking if not turn very hard, My handyman friend drop by, said he would have a look at them last week. Today he came after he finish for the day as he had to work this morning on a job. They were very dirty under the handles and the swindle parts need new o- ring washers and new o- ring on water faucet part too! That I didn’t have in fix it drawer in kitchen so we had to go the hardware this afternoon and buy set of washers and a new garden tap that was leaking too! There was two kinds garden taps to choose from on sale 1st one $10.90, 2nd one was $5.87 just made in different countries. Price different for a taps that will not be used too much until we are using hoses again, so I bought the cheaper one. Costing $8.35 all up. Saving $5.00 on that choice.

On the garden front, we pruned the Gardenia in the front garden so it’s not so stressed, as don’t wish to let it get to high.

Weekly Main Meal Menu

Sunday ~ Minestrone with Toast
Monday ~ Chicken Mustard with Rice.
Tuesday ~ Garlic Chicken Schnitzel with Tomato Salsa & Steamed Vegetables.
Wednesday ~ Hot Beef Curry with Rice.
Thursday ~ Chilli Con Care & Corn Chips
Friday ~ Sweet & Sour Fish with Rice (Pineapple & Vegetable.)
Saturday ~ Scramble Eggs on Toast

My Spending today $8.57
Any Savings today $5.00

Owing to the rain my ground was soft enough to work on last week. So I start tidying up the pumpkin patch area. When my handyman friend arrived and started to help out. I had three wheel borrows of dirt from putting in the tank area plus two other piles of dirt. So we got to and clear this area and mowed the whole yards lawn. My mower is about to be replaced very soon. So will need to put as side about $500 for a new one. I may get three more mows out it if I am lucky I had plan to replace it last year so its not to bad that I got another year out of it. It was bought in mid 70’s so it time for a new one, I hope the next one will be my last one.

On the first day we worked on getting the ground cleared and lawn mowed. The 2nd day we made two gardens area. Still need to do a third area. We recycled all the soil and ran it through a sieve that I had too! I had bought a few years ago some garden edge that were never used. So had that also five bags of potting mix to replace the soil in the large pots that I have a Neen, Bay, Curry Trees in, these can’t go into the ground but must stay in pots. They are on a cement slab so the roots will not go into the ground as they will grow too high for the area that I have here. Another problem is next door has Cocos palms that’s a weed in our area, I have to keep on the look out for these as I don’t wish to pay a fortune to have them cut out in the future. I did find four young plants when we were clearing the areas too! I the new garden I have used only plant that I had in my garden taking some from others area and cutting of other plants. Any plant that dies before the drought end will be not replaced. On the three day I work on my own planting all the under plants using want I had around the place, Iris, tee tree native, rosemary, geraniums, a lot of bromeliads, gladiolus bulbs (that I had laying about) & snowflake. All have lasted in my garden as well as the crotons that I have in the front yard for many years with very little watering at times. So there is one more area to work on and the pruning in late July of the trees & the hedge until this time next year when I will need to clean up again. I don’t do any gardening but mowing in summer and our summer starts around late October temperature wise. We got a first cool weather after the 1st June this year until then it was over 28 C everyday.

Four days of no spending days here.

I just paid off, the last payment for my doors of $400 as my handyman friend has returned from his holiday this week. Call in to do a little bit of work around the place too! Hood cover for my tank’s motor. He also put extended the pipe into my sunken pit area in my yard. All excess rainwater heads there before sinking into the ground. It’s nice to have such a good friend and all these small jobs he did today, I had in my workshop the materials for each job I never spent a thing. It's great when you can do a job and not have to run to the hardware for this screw or that right bolt for each job. No wonder my friend’s think I have a gold mine at times. I didn't have the right tools in something’s but what I didn’t have he did. I made him, his morning tea and lunch then we went to the bank to get the money thatI own him. He is going to price sand blasting job for me for those three wrought iron chairs I bought a few weeks ago. They do need to be sandblasted. I will have to pay for this to be done. He will take it to sandblaster for me. I went into the supermarket while I was out and only bought some eggs & candy $3.39.

My Spending today $403.39

I am making a habit of going shopping with others and not buying at all or very little. They are the ones who are doing all the shopping. Today was no exception as I went with DF-M daughter, from interstate. First off, we went to Bunnings Hardware to buy some things for DF-M. Then came home then went off to buy shoes. After 2 hours Shopping, she spent money on shoes but I didn’t buy anything. After visiting five shoes stores. To find her size 35 (3.5 size) was the most difficult part of this exercise. As only one store had her size and they had a sale on too! So she end up buying them for $30.00 off the RRP. All I ended up buying was a special tap handle for my garden tap $14.95, that allows me to leave the tap with no handle but I can use it with a special key.. After I had lunch with them at DF-M house before I came home.

Weekly Main Meal Menu

Sunday ~ Macaroni Cheese with Fruit
Monday ~ Beans Rissoles & Salad
Tuesday ~ Chicken Schnitzel with Tomato Salsa & Steamed Vegetables.
Wednesday ~ Omelette with Tomato Salsa
Thursday ~ Devilled Sausages with Cheese Risotto & peas
Friday ~ Poached Fish with Steamed Vegetables
Saturday~Curry Mince on Toast

I end up buying three wrought iron patio chairs that need a little TLC. Rose style for $30.00 all up, I did look up the price new about $79.00 each. Four new wrought iron patio chairs in a rose design with a table in England was price at 399 pounds, that’s about $1000 here.

DF.- D bought a top of glass bookcase that she will put on top of cupboard that as already own. This is the third one she had bought in the last few weeks. Her house is an early 20th century style that has this kind of furniture in it, she love a bargain so will buy something she likes and can use for the right price. I went to pay for a book that I found in this store and was given it for Free. Yes, it’s a cookbook ‘Esquire Cookbook’ (1956). Its making very interesting reading as it’s written for men. I did buy one other item today a 12-inch high Arab boy figurine with a tray on his head for $10.00. I don’t think it’s antique for one moment (more like reproduction) but in that style and I like it. Costing $10.00. I think the value would be around $50.00 – $100.00 as that is what we are paying stuff like that here. The quality finishing on it is like more expensive pieces that I have seen.

I did Phoned about tank installing date today. It’s now around the early May before they can install it at my place. I will not pay anyone until it has been installed on my property. The people that have supplied the tank have sent an invoice but I will not pay this until I got my tank. They don’t know that I haven’t received the tank yet! If I get a reminder letter then I will phone them because then I will know that other two companies involved (deliver & installer) have not done they job.

Today’s Full price Tally $287.00
Today’s Savings - $247.00
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $11411.46

I did the mowing today that alone saved $35.00 DIY. It was mainly just weeds but it needed to be done as I would a lot of weeds to get rid of later on if I didn’t as they are going to seed. On of my strategy is to not let them go to seed or pick the flower off before they go to seed. This does cut down on the number of weeds in the lawn by doing this. Areas that I haven’t cut the weeds out are now I have a problem in.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Fruit Coffee
DINNER Bean Patties with Salad Fruit Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $35.00
Today’s Savings - $ 35.00
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10605.86

This morning all the painting is finished on the doors. It’s looks so good. After I did some housework before went out. As late last night after I posted here, I got a phone cal to say that my niece was flying in for the weekend, if I would like to meet up for a few hours today. As she wasn’t available after that as she is working all weekend and then flying home on Sunday.

I meet her at her hotel around 2pm and then we went to say Hi to my DIL who works just a few blocks away. Then it was shopping and a walk around city for a while, as she didn’t need to report in until the morning. We went off too the Friday Night Market’s at South Bank. We had something to eat while we were there. After walking around for hour or two we both went separate ways. This outing costing $10.65 with two free cups of coffee along the way. Saving $4.90 on these.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH fruit
DINNER take away

Today’s Full price Tally $15.55
Today’s Savings - $ 4.90
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10473.01

I did some varnishing today; this only took an hour to do. I will do one more coat of varnish on the doors themselves in the morning. I spent most of the day on the computer and resting for part of the day. I still get very tried when doing this kind of work for too long. So its another no spending day here.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Fruit Coffee
DINNER Bean Patties with Salad Fruit Coffee

I still have some more painting to do, this is about one hour per day, as I have to wait for each coat to dry and do one section first before the other. So it’s working on white paint then I will do the varnishing. I did do the undercoat and the restrained some of the wood as cement got on to it. This took about 75 minutes this morning.

After I took myself off to the hairdresser to get a trim that was long over due. Spending $14.00 saving $9.00 on a city salons. On the way back I dropped into one of the thrift shop that I rarely visit to look at a gift that was in the window but it was not up the standard for that person’s present. I did buy $5.00 worth of books, some cookbooks as my donation for the month. Value of these books on RRP $29.70 saving $24.70.

Now I am sitting here at my computer looking out the door that was just made smelling my gardenia that is just outside, listening to all the birds in the trees.

My handyman friend rang to say thathe is flying out on Thursday morning for New Zealand, which I have been trying for him to do for months. As he hasn’t been home to visit his sister in 15 years and both are not getting any younger. I dare say I will be happy when he arrives there.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Salad & Light Cream Cheese on Crackers Apple Coffee
DINNER Beef Bourguignon with Basmati rice

Today’s Full price Tally $52.70
Today’s Savings - $33.70
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10468.11

My handyman friend arrive this afternoon to finish the final job for him on the doors. So we had lunch then off the buy the insect mesh for the doors and the rubber F/S spline that used join it to the frame. This cost $52.68 so the cost of just putting a fly screen on was $140 alone. But as the whole house is flyscreen so it had to be done.

All I have to do now is the finishing touch too inside surround of the door and it’s all done and now too paying for all of it. I have paid more than half of it already. My handyman friend paid for two-thirds of the total bill and I am to pay him back over next two months. I have found some money to pay him two-thirds of what I owe him and the balance will be paid in the near future. Overall I paid all but $600.00 of whole bill. This is between what I owe him and what I put on my credit card. As he did the labor for free, saving a large amount here! He was doing this job between jobs and when he had a little free time. One rule here is I pay for all material used. He broke a few drill bits so I did add some in when I was at the hardware store. I do have a very good workshop with some very old tools in it, it was a case of he could use some of my tools as well of his own which was more specialized.

Buying meat on special that was markdown, I will be able to make 2 x 4 serving meals plus 4 grills or stir-fry meals with the amount I bought. Saving $5.84 on markdown price. I bought some lettuce leaves for my salad next week, as this was the best option for me this week. I don’t normally pay supermarket price for fruit & vegetables unless extra cheap price. But as I would have bought unnecessary items that I could have done without. Non washed small fancy lettuce was $1.95 and my normal baby Cos lettuce was $2.95 this week. I paid $1.98 for 100g fancy lettuce pieces washed. Years ago I worked out this strategy as I worked in a store that was like K-mart is today but Deli & small grocery store included. It was too expensive to buy a full grocery order or carry it home and paying for delivery with out of the question

I found a chemist selling a handle strap for my walking stick as I keep on dropping it. Costing $3.95 saving $2.00 here.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers & Cheese with Mustard Pickles Apple Coffee
DINNER Fillet Steak, Egg, Onion & Tomatoes Coffee

My major project door spending spree = $1608.75

Today’s Full price Tally $75.11
Today’s Savings - $ 7.84
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10434.41

Hanging the security doors & final touch up on white paint was what got done today. So the security doors are at lock up stage. Now making and adding the flyscreen when all the painting is dry. Fixing another small problem that came up and buying the screws for the flyscreen. Costing all up $25.50 Only a few more days and all will be back to normal.

I was given some Roasted Peppers still hot and charred to make into charred grilled roasted peppers this will be enough for a week as garnishes with my meals. I do like getting these little treats that my neighbors send my way.

BREAKFAST Ham steak & Egg with Baked Beans Coffee
LUNCH Chicken & Tomato Sandwich Coffee
DINNER Ham Steak & Scrambled Eggs with Roasted Peppers & Grilled Tomatoes.

My major project door spending to date. $1533.64

Today’s Full price Tally $25.50
Today’s Savings - $ 0.00
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10426.57

I worked on the second coat of security door, which took a few hours and did a little bit of housework. Washing and doing the floors.

While my handyman friend worked on doing finishing other parts on the door. Tiling and finishing off. I didn’t have to pay for the tiles, as they were leftover off cuts from another job. Guess what, no money was spent today. So it’s no spend day after all.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Turkish Bread with Hummus Lettuce Tuna Marinated Feta with Marinated Peppers
DINNER 2 Egg Cheese Omelette and Pasta Sauce & Grilled Peppers

My major project door spending to date. $1508.14

Finally started painting the metal primer on security doors this morning, they are a bit heavy so I did need some help to turn them over to paint the other side. I plan to do two coats of white enamel then let dry for a day or so if I am allowed too! Then touch up if I need too, when hang.

Did any money with my name on it go out today? Yes as we had order the flyscreen frame parts did come in, so it was off to get them this afternoon when my friend arrived. Costing $76.50, which I did put on my credit card.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Turkish bread with ham salad Fruit Coffee
DINNER Fillet Steak, Egg, Onion & Tomatoes Coffee

My major project door spending to date. $1381.75

Today’s Full price Tally $76.50
Today’s Savings - $ 0.00
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10413.69

We went for a drive to get more tools today and pick up the slide that was order yesterday no price so far as this was put on to his account. Also bought the steel for inner steel bars $31.70
I bought some flyscreen mesh to replace the screens in my other doors when I get around to it paying $28.00.

He started welding the security doors today and made the frame up and started putting the in the bars. So I will be able to start painting. While looking at the door he had another look at the security door slide that the locksmith sold us it’s too small for the thickness of the steel, he is using. We will need to return it and buy a more expensive one. This is another task for the morning.

I did go and buy some more food today, as I’m not use to having some for lunch & dinner on daily bases. So I bought chicken slices for our lunches and also bought chocolate blocks on special saving $3.50 here.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Salad & Light Cream Cheese on Crackers Apple Coffee
DINNER Chilli Con Carne with Corn Chips Coffee

My major project door spending to date. $1197.73

Today’s Full price Tally $77.02
Today’s Savings - $ 3.50
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10408.69

The major part of security door was bought & arrived today. These doors are to be made on sight. As they are custom made to my unusual size & design of these doors. Normally he does makes commercial type security doors with hinges. This door is the first one he is making that is sliding. You will never be able to take it down once it has been put up. You will take the brick wall too! This part costs $105.00. We went off to the hardware yet again for some more Dyn-bolts costing $17.50. As he is designing this door as he goes and working out what will work and what won’t work! The price is going up. I have put in cost supplying welding gear into this costing also, as this door is a full welding job. We are asking each other what is the weakest link and then working fixing that part a little more. His first idea on the bottom slide was too weak so extra work was needed there. The top slide has to be closed in and fixed so it can’t be slipped off the bottom slide. So the top slide was order today and bottom slide is in place. I didn’t spend any other money today.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Turkish Bread with Chicken Salad Fruit Coffee
DINNER Curry Ground Beef & Rice with Sambal

My major project door spending to date. $1166.03

Today’s Full price Tally $122.50
Today’s Savings - $ 0.00
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10405.19

As soon as the hardware store was open, we were off the buy edging trim and gap foam for the door. So that cementing and finishing off the inside could done. I will not be able to paint this area until he goes as he is keeping his tools and odd & ends around this area at night or when he is finish for the day and it’s never empty.

He put some old brick rabble and the gap foam to finish the trim on the wall were the brick came out of. The plan is to use old recycle off cuts to finish off this area. These do tone with the colour of the brickwork when it will be finish. This is a very slow job if I wasn’t getting a very good discount on his labor this job would never got off the ground.

Today’s cost for materials were $31.45 & $95.77 for parts of security door. This security door is a commercial standard one using much thicker steel than normal.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Turkish bread with ham salad Fruit Coffee
DINNER Fillet Steak, Egg, Onion & Tomatoes Coffee

My major project door spending to date. $1042.53
Today’s Full price Tally $127.22
Today’s Savings - $ 0.00
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10405.19

This morning we put on the door handle & deadlocks. Then drove down to the his storage area to pick up some more tools then off to the locksmith to buy the locks and patio bolts for the security screen doors, we did get trade discount on these. Spending $116.33 but if it’s not right we will return them for a more expensive one.

While we were out, we went to Yatala pie shop yet again. I think this his favorite eatery. Meat Pie & Custard Tart and Coffee and this treat food not everyday. *

BREAKFAST Bacon & Egg Baked Beans Toast Coffee
LUNCH lunch free *
DINNER Scrambled Eggs on toast

My major project door spending to date. $915.31
Today’s Full price Tally $116.33
Today’s Savings - $9.50*
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10405.19

As only the brickwork was removed yesterday and extra bolts bought. Today we worked on removing the old window and the rest of the walls. No one could have broken in last night, as the original wall was still intact. This is one of the big days on this project as the plan was to have the new door lockable tonight. Which I am happy to say it’s the case.

My friend is a master builder, this the first time he has put a door in of this type and did work too!

I did set a bit of problem in making these doors, yes they are two doors but you wouldn’t know it by looking at it from outside. As it’s one standard door and half panel door in French door style, but we have made look like a standard door with a half panel. I did buy extra bolts so that the half door is bolts at all times but when you need to remove furniture you can unbolts this panel door. It even has a mock centre wooden butt screwed and glued to extra half door so that it looks like a half panel.

While this was going on I drove down to shopping centre and paid my bills so that I wouldn’t forget to do so next week, when we will be still working on this project. Saved $30.00 on my power. (senior discount). I bought a few groceries as I am feeding an extra person for next few days.

MMM I will be very lucky to have any no spending days this month, at the rate I’m going now!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Salad & light Cream Cheese on Crackers Apple Coffee
DINNER Poached Fish with Salad Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $238.10
Today’s Savings - $ 30.00
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10395.69

We went for a drive to buy deadlocks & patio bolts for my wooden doors, I will buy the ones for security doors later when we start on that door. As I’m taking Amy Dacyczyn Strategy on this project and buying the best that I can afford. I am working with brass fittings for this door. Spending today $143.98 so far.

As we start this project this morning and had to hire a diamond cutter machine to cutting the brick wall where this door is going. Costing $146.00 but saving a full day work on this project. It’s was returned within 2 hours.


On return we went on a pick up run for other jobs that my handyman friend is doing.

We went to the Yatala Pie Shop for an early lunch and then on the local supermarket to buy a few things before returning home.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Lunch out free
DINNER Fillet Steak, Egg, Onion & Tomatoes Coffee

My major project door spending to date. $798.98
Today’s Full price Tally $303.23
Today’s Savings - $2.37
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10365.69

I was at it again today putting another coat of varnish on the door surrounds, which I will do another coat then finish off when it’s all up. Tones do match so I did picked the right colour.

After I finished I when up the street for a walk and bought some crackers that were on special this week. Saving $3.00 on these.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Mixed Salad & Hummus on Crackers Fruit Coffee
DINNER Thai Satay Chicken with Steamed Rice & Green Tea

Today’s Full price Tally $7.50
Today’s Savings - $ 3.00
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10333.87

Buying wood strain for my major project, a few other odd bits too! On the Turps alone I bought a 4 litres bottle for $7.85 instead of 1L bottle for $3.50, saving $6.10. As the recycle timber that we bought last week is different wood tones and different woods grains. I needed to find a light wood strain to blend in with them all also the doors so opted for a teak. I plan to use full strength on the light coloured wood and 60: 40 ratio on rest of the wood as these have red tone in them. I think some could be a cedar and some are Australian hard woods. I plan to wash down the wood tonight after my handyman friend has dressed the wood so that I can paint it. Painting and vanishing is my part of this project. I do fine very relaxing pastime and a great challenge that I can do something as good or better than some other folk.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Turkish Bread with Hummus Lettuce Tuna Marinated Feta with Marinated Peppers
DINNER 2 Egg Cheese Omelette and Pasta Sauce & Grilled Peppers

Today’s Full price Tally $36.04
Today’s Savings - $6.10
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10330.87

Well I mowed my lawn today to cut down on my weed flowers. Saving $35.00 on DIY.
After towards I had to have a good rest as it was very hot mowing here temp in the 30C.
My power & phone bill arrived today will need to pay them next pay. So I didn’t get much done today after all!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers with Cream Cheese & Herbs Fruit Coffee
DINNER 2 Egg Cheese Omelette and Pasta Sauce & Grilled Peppers Fruit Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $35.00
Today’s Savings - $ 35.00
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10,298.47

My handyman friend drove me down the coast to a place to buy some recycle timber for my door, he had go down that way today. It’s was across the border, he has been working in that area for awhile now. We got five nice pieces of timber with a few nail holes in them but I can live with that. I am not doing any jobs around my house so it can be good for the next person that buy this house but just repairing and doing it up for me to live in. I have one of the few houses in my area that can be pulled down to use the land to rebuild here in this area. I live in Heritage area zone my house was build after the cut off date. I don’t wish to overvalue my house as it’s at the bottom end of the market as it is, I plan to be here along while yet and I don’t have the money to do it up for resale. So it will only ever be sold as a fixer upper.

We had a great day and we went visit a lady that his next client to fix up her kitchen next week. After on the way back we drove up to a local land mark here the Yatala Pie Shop for lunch. Meat pie, custard tart and soft drink as it was hot. Then we went on to pick up some supplies that he had to get in that area when on to do some business elsewhere. We got back to my place around 3pm, I tell driving doe’s make you tried. My recycle timber cost $90.00 saving around $144 off buy new, along with a free lunch. Value $9.50*

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Lunch out*
DINNER Bean Patties with Salad Fruit Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $243.50
Today’s Savings - $ 153.50
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10,264.47

For 2 years now, I have had a very noisy garden tap, no matter what was done with it. It still had the problem. So today we worked on it and put new screws into the wall that was holding on the tap. You guess it that was the problem the screws were to small and pulling out of the brickwork all the time. Longer screws and the problem are now solved. Over 30 man-hours to find out this and the water meter reading problem is still to be solved as this tap upset the water meter also!

He bought some new fluo light tubes for me costing $7.00.

I went up to get the handbag for DF-M and bought a novel and another cookbook for a set of cookbook that I am making up. They are 20 in this set so far I have been able to buy 2nd hand eleven of them. I do carry a list of the one’s I have got in my wallet. Saving $5.00 here.
$$$ Another Strategy.

Today’s Full price Tally $13.50
Today’s Savings - $ 5.00
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $ 10,018.97
$$$ Another Strategy

Well it’s another no spend day all I did today was the lawn again it did rain here a bit but it was no drought breaker though, and the weeds have grown. I mowed until the mower stopped then have up just a small part not mowed. It’s where my pumpkins are growing so I may leave it to them.

At lease the weeds are down around here and no seed that my main aim in mowing in a drought. I get dew each morning so may grassy weeds and some grass is a bit green in most parts some bare brown patches in parts too!

Today’s Full price Tally $35.00
Today’s Savings - $ 35.00
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $ 9882.02

I was given some free homegrown mangoes and not just the common one that you would make mango chutney with, but R2Y2 mango I think it’s call, four of these RRP $2.50 each and 8 Kensington Pride mangoes RRP $1.00 each. Had a R2Y2 mango and it was beautiful and I gave one away too!

On my DIY varnishing job is on the 4th day, I have got into a pattern in the varnishing, you do need have a pattern so you know where you are painting. You must follow the grain of the wood and not put your hand on the one wet varnish too! I did turn the doors around so that I could varnish the other side of the doors, as they had to be standing against posts while I am painting them.

Today’s Full price Tally $ 18.00
Today’s Savings - $ 18.00
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $9615.67

3rd coat of varnish has been done on one side one now I will do the last coat when it hung up. I will need to turn them over and do the other side, I will leave it an extra few hours before I sand the other side and do the 25:75 varnish first up.

Visit from my handyman was not needed to move doors. Free Lunch then he was off again. He liked the doors colour and seems to think it’s a cedar color. I asked him about the other parts of the door so I could paint them too!

Another three days then I can stop until he comes with others pieces and cut one of the doors in half then I will need to seal that too! Focusing on that project and baby steps is the only way I will get this all done!