I had a very quite day working around the house doing odd jobs. This evening I meet up with my DS & DIL and we went out to dinner at the new shopping centre around here. We ended up at a restaurant, I had crumbed Nile Perch & Salad with water. This cost almost half my weekly grocery budget $21.95 with a discount $5.00 off. I had an ice cream cone later in the evening for 50c, yes at the golden arches. Later I bought a loaf of Italian bread for $1.49 save $1.50 here.

BREAKFAST Frittata with Ham Steak & Marinated Peppers
LUNCH Grilled Cheese with Mustard Toasted Slices Fruit Coffee
DINNER dinner out*

Today’s Full price Tally $25.44
Today’s Savings - $ 6.50
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10511.87

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 did go shopping today to buy some olive oil for DF-M family in the country. 4x 4L cans of olive oil which was the cheapest that brand it has been for a while & I did get them some staff discount off it also, $116.00 worth of oil in fact. I bought only some groceries, game steak to try and very tender too! Cream Cheese spread 2x $2.49 –5% off = $4.73, saving $1.79 here & generic brand ice cream & some 2nd hand books $3.50 saving $12.00 on them. I did pretty well for shopping someone else in not getting to tempted to shop. 2 of the 3 items were on my list.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers & Marinated Feta Cheese with Marinated Peppers Fruit Coffee
DINNER Savoury Mince on Toast. Fruit Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $28.75
Today’s Savings - $13.79
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $9986.14

After reading about this Simple Green all purpose cleaner for so long. I did finally find it at Bunnings Warehouse, our large hardware chain in their cleaning supply aisle it was just by chance as I don’t normal go down that aisle. I did buy some to try also this will make up to 5 gallons. I went on to their

Taking DF-M to the butchers and the bank again today. I didn't buy anything when I was with her today but I got given 250g Ham off the bone. I don’t think I can stop her but then I am on 24/7 call when she is at home. After I went to the post office I bought some stamps there and then on to my bank for a cheque for her as I do get free one’s with my account& banked some charges as well! I did do some shopping while I was there. Asian Stir-Fry Vegetables on RRP $3.96 markdown $1.99 saving $1.97. A fresh chicken $9.22 markdown $4.60 saving $4.62. I bought some sauce mix that buy one get another one free so 4 sauces @ $1.37 saving $2.74.


BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Tuna and Cranberry Sauce Roll Apple Coffee
DINNER Beans Rissoles & Salad Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $ 30.71
Today’s Savings - $13.99
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $9629.66

Today is DF-M Grocery Shopping day and I’m the driver. So it was off to the bank and chemist when down to the shopping centre and I just paid my Rate bill. Pensioner & Homeowner Discounts on rates bill $209.77. I got given some cherries when she bought some for herself, as she has a set shopping plan and there is no way of change her mind when it made up to buy or do something. I try not to buy anything when I’m on this shopping trip as when I do, most times it get add to her shopping tally. Madding and it not the checkout staffs fault. No lunch today as we had frozen food this time.

Today’s Full price Tally $505.97
Today’s Savings - $215.12
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $9519.03

Working around house doing chores. It’s washing day and water my garden with the recycle water. While I was at it, did the path edges in the backyard so I am ready to mow the lawn. Today I finish my ironing and only have to do the stuff that comes off the line today.

As needed to pay my phone bill $44.15 today. So I drove my car down to that shopping centre that I pay my bills. I could have walked but the supermarket did have a stationary special of display books that I wished to purchase in bulk, 24x 48c each instead $1.99 each. So I saved $36.24 here. Along with a loaf of multi- bread & tomatoes. After I went up to the local supermarket and I walked this time just for exercise. I bought 2x Yakut light drink 5pks markdown 99c instead of $3.88 ea. Which I froze Saving $ 5.78, Cos lettuce marked down 60c saving $1.68 some Christmas paper bowls 78c saving $1.70 and loaf of Raisin Bread $1.98 saving 70c so I had a good day with my bargains. Saving all up $46.10

Other than shopping, all I did today was working on the ironing pile. It will get done soon I still have another week to go when I have put MY deadline for it to be done. I am doing my own ironing as well!

Today’s Full price Tally $107.03
Today’s Savings - $46.10
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $9139.55

I had two projects today but got a third one as well. I work better if I think in projects than just job tasks. So I make a goal to do so many projects each week as on some days I am doing too much of other things to do any. At the start of the day my goals were to do the washing & uninstall & reload the Anti-virus program with a new key code.

Finishing my neighbor’s washing so that it’s all done before New Year. See Painting Brick Walls in December 2006 archives about this project. Next challenge is to Iron it all before the son arrives back in three weeks. I do get Pin Money for doing it. See Pin Money for odd jobs in April 2006 archives.

Today is the day that I must update my anti-virus on my computer. It’s one job do I get very nervous about doing. I will keep putting it off until the last minute. It’s due around the New Year but I like to upgrade when I know that the IT help staff are working if I have a problem, they are there to help on the spot. This year I did need them twice before it came good. As I was to use a special programs & files this time. But in the end all is well for another year. Next year in 2007 budget will have in it a NEW Computer and programs figured into it. So I better get saving more money. If I am to pay cash for it or finance it myself with my credit card if have too! It’s cheaper for me to pay annual fee with my credit card than to take out a loan. As I do paid it off FAST. My water tank payment is the problem that I can’t buy anything for the moment. As it will eat into my emergency fund if I do.

I had to go shopping for my DF-M again. To get Milk & bread and a new mop which was broken. Having said that I was able to take home the broken mop and try to fix it for her. The mop head had come off but being a new Micro-fibre design @ $20.00 too! It was difficult to fix, I was able to work how the mop was put together and as she had all the parts and hammer I was able to fix it for now. Even if she use it just to clean the rubbish bins in the future. I will not try to fix it again.

I did buy something in the way of shopping while shopping for her. I bought three items and saved $4.60 today.

Today’s Full price Tally $13.66
Today’s Savings - $ 4.60
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $8792.15

Early this morning 4.30am in fact, I started painting my part of the garage walls. The first coat is now done and another coat of paint later. It’s starting to look good.

DF-D & family flew out this morning for London with Christmas in Paris is planned. I got the job of finishing off any washing left behind and doing the ironing before their son returns in a month. DF-D and her husband are staying until March, her husband is taking a year off work to travel and working from home with rethinking his lifestyle. I don’t have to water her garden as someone else is doing that and feeding and walking the animals.

I did my washing today as well! I have five loads of washing of DF-D to do over next few weeks.

Today I spent time with my son this afternoon while he did mow his lawn and cleaned his swimming pool. All I did was sitting on a chair and played with his two dogs. I did buy a vanilla slice for afternoon tea.

This evening my friend arrived with an old doorknob & lock for my front door, which is plying up. He got this one to work and it’s over 30 year old too! Saving $30.00 for new one. Now I need to buy some more keys.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Coffee Apple Coffee
DINNER 2 Egg Cheese Omelette and Pasta Sauce & Grilled Peppers Coffee
SNACK Vanilla Slice

Today’s Full price Tally $ 31.40
Today’s Savings - $ 30.00
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $ 7669.45

It’s off to the Italian Deli Warehouse to buy Cheese as DF-M is going off to the country to visit her daughter this weekend. As the families there wanted some cheese a full blocks cost over around $100 each. She is getting a ride up to her daughter’s with our neighbor. While we were there a Rep came in and gave us some FREE Blue Vein Cheese 16 x 125g packets, I got 6 packs. Value at $5.35 each. I froze 3 packets as due date is next week. saving $32.10 on my share. I spent $10.00 at the deli saving $2.00 on pasta.

After I took DF-M home I went off to another supermarket that I visit rarely. It had meat on special that I thought would be charge from what I have being eating of late. As I like variety in my diet and for heath reason, I must not eat the same food every day if possible.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers & Blue Vein Cheese Coffee
DINNER Lamb chop & vegetables Fruit Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $85.54
Today’s Savings - $ 38.90
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6513.71

Bulk Food Replacement on 9/24($200.00) Fund - $177.22 - 19.00 =$158.22

Today DF-M wanted to Groceries shopping at the shopping centre a Target store. so we had to go in didn’t we. When I go shopping with other I try not to buy much as both my friend are big shoppers when they do shop. Anyway I had a look a underwear that she wished to buy and got 3 pair. When she decided to have a look at shoes while we were there. I don’t carry a large range of flat heel shoes but as we looked, I notices that the shoes were 20% off and along with my extra 5% off would be a good buy if I found a pair. I wear a special type of sandal if I can find them I will buy them at anytime as I can go for a number of years between buy’s too! I did find a pair in the right size and DF-M bought a pair as well. We saved over $9.60 each on them.

I bought only 3 items at the supermarket that we that where were heading in the first place. All the items were on my shopping list to buy at next shop. Saved only .30 c this time and DF-M bill over $200.00. She bought a pizza for lunch so saved me $5.00 on my lunch and gave me gas money as well!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH ½ pizza (Free) *Fruit Coffee
DINNER Poached Fish with Salad coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $54.55
Today’s Savings - $ 14.90
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6454.40

Today was a quite day up until DF-D rang asked if I would like to go shopping with her. Going shopping with other people does have its perks and drawbacks too! I always end up buying something when I do go with shopping with them! Today I bought a few things today was no different biscuits, oat bran, tub of yogurt, & wool wash that was on special, saving $3.45. I got my pin money again too! When we came home DF-D invited me to have dinner with them. It was leftover come again chicken & rice dish baked with white sauce topping and a salad. My friend is very inventive and never cooks anything the same twice.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers with Cream Cheese & Herbs Fruit Coffee
DINNER (Visiting eating out dining on Leftovers)

Today’s Full price Tally $8.93
Today’s Savings - $ 3.45
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6362.71

My handyman friend came to work on my odd jobs. The list was a bit long as I am having my plumbing checked by state government plumbing program for $20.00 in October. You do get 3 tap washer charged, tap water flow on taps in the bathroom & kitchen. Plus a free AAA shower rose fitting. Value $150. But I had more problems then that to worry about, as I have very old taps to start with a some taps never had washer changed as long I can remember I have lived here for 36 years. Two of the taps were hot water ones that I didn’t use much and haven’t been turn on in years, so they were frozen on off and I could move them. The other two were the hot water tank tap and toilet water inlet tap both frozen in on position, a big problem if something when wrong. So he fix these taps for me as he has gear to do it. Put up my Smoke Detector and fire blanket in the right places. Fixed my kitchen cupboard which need to be replaced in next few years. I made him lunch as well morning tea. He keeps telling me that I am the only woman he knows has all supply that he needed to these jobs. Only thing we run out was large tap washers so he went an got a supply of them for himself and some for me to restock my supply too! Cost for all these job $5.00 in plumbing washers & Gas. 3 hours work too! Oh my handyman is not just jack of all trades is a he a license builder who does small jobs when he has time free, he like to keep my place just right lucky me! I always pay for any materials used and gas. It’s part of barter system, as I am there when he needs help with his computer and budgeting advice.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Honey Mustard Chicken with Vegetables and Rice, Fruit, Coffee
DINNER .Omelette with Cheese Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $100.00
Today’s Savings - $95.00
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6203.96

As it’s been raining in the last few weeks not enough to fill the dams etc! But enough to make the grass grow and a light water on the garden. The water saved may have put back the next level of water restriction by a few days.

I had a lot of weed flowers in my lawn when mowed so I couldn’t recycle it in my compost bin. I fill two rubbish bins full of grass and weeds today. It does look nice when it’s done. Saving here $35.00 on DIY job. As I am not mowing so much I may not need to buy a new lawn mower before next year. I am also looking into pricing a water tank etc so will need to keep fund for that job, if I go ahead with a water tank. I will get a refund but the pay back time is very long winded over 6 months when you are talking $1000’s here my cash flow is not that great.

I need to go up the street to the local supermarket in the afternoon for DF-M. I did buy something as well! I had an extra key cut so that I could get into my back door if the front door lock failed at any time. It’s very unreliable at times. I am planning to get a new lock soon! It would cost me over $100 if lock failed so I think I am saving money here around $96.00, by doing this strategy. I bought some Zero spray twin pack to kill some of those lawn weeds, saving $1.50

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers with Low-Fat Cream Cheese & Tomato Coffee
DINNER Pumpkin & Lentil Stew with Garlic Focaccia Bread
SNACK Toasted Raisin Bread

Today’s Full price Tally $48.55
Today’s Savings - $36.50
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6158.26

Today was DF-M shopping day she goes only once month.

As I planned to go the bank today, we will shop at the supermarket near the bank and post my mail order shopping. With all my jobs being done, I meet DF-M in the supermarket. I just close my eyes when she shops and try not to buy too much while we shop, as I am the car driver for this shopping spree. My list had a few lines on it. It just came under $25.16 when I looked at my docket found that they had charged me full price for an item that I didn’t need if it was at full price never. So I returned to the store and checked the tag ticket on the counter that said I was right that it was on special. So I returned to the service desk for price check etc. The lady behind the counter was not happy with me asking for a price check, as this was item from ‘week before last week’s’ special on Thursday too! After a lot of running around I got my full refund and the tag ticket was removed. Saving $6.00 on that item as I got the item free as well! My groceries now costing $19.16, saving $5.45 as some were on special. Along with some 3 x prawns/shrimp kebabs which I had for lunch today. That made me a bit off colour too! On more prawns for a while, so I would say about Christmas time. DF-M gave me gas money* today too! So what I spent on groceries I got back in gas money. The only other thing I bought today is stamps $5.00 for 10. So where did I end up money wise today? I love word puzzles!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers with Cottage Cheese Chutney & Herbs Fruit Coffee
DINNER Black Bean Beef with Noodles Mandarin Green Tea

Today’s Full price Tally $30.16
Today’s Savings - $31.45*
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $5814.06

Today I worked in a corner of my garden pruning a tree with the help of my next door neighbor's son. After putting in the branch in the two rubbish bins. I worked on the garden beds around that tree. Put in the water bottles etc. The families next door over the fence found a snake in their garden the other day. I was asked if i would lend them some of my garden tools so their could cut back the under growth in their yard as it’s a rental property with two family living there with young children. I think it was a lizard not a snake but they are about and are the poisonous ones too! So one cannot be careful. I got my tools back that is the main thing and now the garden beds are clear too! What the wive's have to do the get the their husbands to clear the garden. Just scream SNAKE!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Pasta with Pasta Sauce & Tuna Coffee
DINNER Pumpkin & Lentil Stew with Garlic Focaccia Bread Coffee

Taking DF-M to hospital for a check up after she had being in hospital last month.

As I was just an escort for DF-M she paid for the bus fare. Saving $2.20 she was unable to walk that distance to the hospital.

With free car parking is just three streets from our homes. It saved around $9.00 by going by bus over paid parking in the visitor car park or $280 on towing fees, if I had parked in the shopping centre across the street and got caught parking there. You have to stay within the shopping centre or just go to the post office and back or they will tow you! Many have been caught too! It’s only five blocks too! It will get worse next year when two-hour parking comes in for the whole area including where we live too! Use Public Transport Strategy

Had all slacks fitted so that I can take up my hems that my next project to do! Seven pairs of slacks to take the hems up on. Oh well! I will get them done one day.

Quite day at home after had long afternoon nap.

BREAKFAST Baked Beans on Toast Coffee
LUNCH Crackers with Avocado & Herbs Fruit
DINNER Pasta with Pasta Sauce & Tuna Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $2.20
Today’s Savings - $2.20
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4426.11

Our neighborhood has many small gardens with each household grows the right herbs in the right spot for that herb. I have Rosemary, Chives, lemon grass, bay tree, curry tree, mint,& my Italian Flat Parsley which is growing as a weed in my garden, but I like it as it ground cover in the garden beds.

DF-M has oregano, basil, chilli & dill, which I go and pick if I need it. A lot of other neighbors come and help themselves to my parsley at times. But will not allow them to use the roots. Some of the others have different varieties of chilli growing.

I went shopping with DF-D I got a bargain in bread roll 39c for six. Saving $2.10, along with other specials saving around $4.82 and buying pet food.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Macaroni & Cheese Apple Coffee
DINNER Steak, Egg, Tomatoes, & Grilled Onions Dinner Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $18.17
Today’s Savings - $6.92
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4323.21

Well its time that I did some ironing as I haven’t ironed in 20 days. So I got out my ironing press and had the job done in no time at all. Why don’t I use it more often MMMM!

I think that as I have got around $200.00 for my Bulk Food Replacement Fund so I will just stop tally this when I get over that amount. I have put this money into my online bank account until I need it. Now I will put any surplus grocery money into my emergency fund. That will be the differences between what I spend and I what I budgeted for the year. I will still post my menu each day as this will make me do one each week.

I am still living as much as I can out of my bulk pantry and freezers. I don’t know when the day will come that I will actually run out of something that I need and have to go to a neighbor to borrow it. It’s always the other way around. I once had one come and ask I did I have some Saffron as they didn't want to use turmeric in a recipe. Hey! I not that clueless, I do know the difference and the price between the two. I only use turmeric myself.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Avocado & Cottage Cheese on Crackers Apple Coffee
DINNER Fillet Steak, Egg, Onion & Tomatoes Coffee

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $198.70

Filling DF-M prescriptions at the chemist is one of my tasks that I do for her.

I dropped by the 2nd hand book store and bought 2 more cookbooks to read today. Saving $15.00 here.

Went to Hungry Jack’s for coffee and cone but as the Ice cream machine was out of order so I just got my coffee for FREE, saving $2.45 (Senior Card Discount)

Then it was off to the supermarket as I was bored and bought two packets of small cakes (16 cakes in all) at supermarket markdown, saving $6.00 on them.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers with Avocado & Herbs Fruit Coffee
DINNER Roast Turkey and Steam Vegetables Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $26.95
Today’s Savings - $ 23.45
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $179.70
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $3792.36

I had to go for a long walk back to the hospital today, as my DF-M was charged the wrong amount on her prescription bill from the hospital. No pension discount on it. What a difference which her family would have just paid it! The charge was $45.60 but with the discount only $14.10 for just reading the bill seeing that her pension number wasn’t on it! Saving $31.50 for her.

While I was out I bought a fruit loaf markdown to $1.50 saving $1.95

I got to water my front garden this morning too!

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Pasta with Pasta Sauce & Tuna Fruit Coffee
DINNER Omelette with Cheese Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $3.45
Today’s Savings - $ 1.95
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $172.35
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $3768.91

Driving DF-M to the doctor for check up on her asthma and then doing some grocery shopping as this first time in two months she has been able too! We had free coffee at Hungry Jacks as we were near there today too! Thanks to our senior cards. Saving $4.90

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Leftover Lunch from ‘two for one deal’ - Free
DINNER French Onion Chicken with Toast

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $170.55

While we were at the doctor’s yesterday. The parcel post arrived for DF-M. I was told that it was very large and heavy this morning and now we have to go to the post office to get it, as she has to sign for it. So that is our task today at the moment she is a little better but not much. Boy! It was big and heavy full of cooking ware from a party she went too when she was with her daughter in Sydney last month. I used a trolley so I didn’t have to carry it very far. She bought some meat on the way home. I got some fillet steak for my trouble. I spent no money today.

BREAKFAST - Oatmeal with Current & Milk, Toast & Jam, Coffee
LUNCH - Pumpkin & Lentil Stew Apple, Coffee
DINNER – Poach Fish & Salad Coffee

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $148.40

We will be into Level 3 Water Restrictions to-morrow! That no hosing or sprinkling. Only washing of vehicle/house /widow / boat permitted with buckets filled directly from the tap. You can use a Bucket or Watering Can that is filled directly from the tap to water your garden only. I hope I don’t get a sore back from using buckets as I will be water two houses as DF-M is away again too! This is for next two years if not longer or when we go to level 4 and no buckets at all. I'll see how I go; as I don’t fill buckets up to the top and will use the walking back to the tap all the time as an exercise.

I will keep my water level near to what it's now! Under 20KL per quarter. Hopefully saving money too!

I will need to get some more buckets and hose reels to put my hoses away for now.

BREAKFAST 2 Boiled Eggs Toast & Jam Coffee 60c
LUNCH Crackers with Hummus & Tuna Apple Coffee 50c
DINNER Devilled Sausages Yogurt & LSA Coffee 75c

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $79.20

Last time I was at my friend’s house that sells Avon. I ordered on the off chance of getting the best buy out of the clearance book, well my luck was in this time. I got an overnight bag on wheels for $16.95 value $49.95 when it sold in the regular catalogue a few weeks back. Saving $32.95. I was given a FREE Make Up Concealer value at $14.99. I did order some more items from the clearance book for gifts at Christmas time. It’s the luck of the draw with this catalogue 2nd time around. I delivered an order to my other friend when I went for a walk that night. I used the car today.

Went to the local shopping market and bought a tray of sausages markdown $ 2.80 saving $1.08, 2 cans of mushrooms pieces 69c each, saving $1.18, along regular items. Spent $5.78 saving total $2.36

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Currants & Milk 2 Toast & Jam Coffee 60c
LUNCH Pumpkin & Lentil Hotpot with Garlic Focaccia Bread, Mandarin Coffee $1.00
DINNER Steak Pork, Egg, Tomatoes, & Grilled Onions Dinner $1.80

Today’s Full price Tally $70.72
Today’s Savings - $50.30
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $77.35
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2590.84

Her cousin husband had past away yesterday. Traditional visit, with myself as driver, after along talk in her native language & 2 cups of Italian coffee. I think she was hoping for me to take her to the funeral, which I can’t as I have appointment that day. Which her sister who lives here too! Should be the one taking her as I can’t speak or understand their language at all! .

After I went for a walk to post some mail and did a bit of shopping at the local supermarket.

One of the thrift shops is closing down & I bought a Miniature House for $1.00, Value RRP $14.95 saving $13.95 That’s the last time I will visit that group as cost for Gas or bus fares is to great now!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk with LSA Coffee 60c
LUNCH Baked Beans on Toast Mandarin Coffee 90c
DINNER Apricot Chicken & Vegetables Coffee $1.80

Today’s Full price Tally $ 16.45
Today’s Savings - $ 13.95
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $68.15
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2492.60

Well we went to our local Target store to buy sleepwear for (DF-M) her young grandchildren that she is visiting this weekend. One of our other neighbors has a vineyard in the same town DF-M daughter lives. He will take her up for the weekend & bring her home again too!

So I took my car out today. DF-M bought lunch at the local Pizza Parlor at the shopping centre. ½ each only, I wouldn’t let her buy by two. As she only eats 2/3 of ½ then you have to eat all what’s left. Munch, Munch! I am watching my waistline too! I’m too skinny to her but my BMI read 29, her is 41. Oh well! Free lunch and gas money. Saving $6.50* on lunch.

I bought only needed items for the cats, so that I don’t need to take the car out to that shop until next month, only if I go the other supermarket. Spent $11.00 this trip saved $2.00 on a bucket for the garden that I priced before hand.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk with LSA Prunes Coffee 70c
LUNCH ½ Pizza (Lunch Out) Soft Drink – Free*
DINNER No Meal Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $17.50
Today’s Savings - $8.50*
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $50.40
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $1459.00

At times I am called over for morning tea with my Greek neighbors. I always get a plate food put in front of me, they rarely eat but you have to eat it! Then I am given a parcel of food to take home. The wife loves to cook and making fancy Greeks treats for her visitor’s so as both are diabetics they don’t eat it! I do, do odd jobs for them at times. Today it was Greek Honey Puffs, she went and cooked them just for me too! I try not to eat too much and make it last for whole week. I will never get to make any muffins at this rate! Third plate of Greek treats in a week.