October / November Goals & Planning Ahead
~ Have my credit card at Zero balance by end of the each month.
~ Come under budget.
~ Deposit into the online account.
~ Pay All Due Bills on pension days.
~ Chiro visit (one every 4 weeks)
~ Known outings to budget for in October / November -lunch out 3, dinner 1
~ Live off my Bulk Food Assets (on going)
~ Make up another eight meals OAMC. Out of Bulk Food Assets.
~ Gardening Mowing & repotting all pot plants using water saving techniques.
~ Cleaning and painting garage before the tank is installed.
~ Downsizing storage and clean these areas (zones 1 & 3)

Review of the last two months.

August / September Goals & Planning Ahead

~ Have my credit card at Zero balance by end of the each month. (½ paid other ½ within %Free)
~ Come under budget. (But for Car it’s to come out of Bill A/C.)
~ Deposit into the online account. done
~ Lodge my tax claim before middle of August - done & Chq. Bank
~ Pay All Due Bills on pension days. - done
~ Have my car service and rust proofing installed ($600.00 plus service.) done
~ Chiro visit (one every 4 weeks) Done
~ Doctor Visit & 2 Hearing visits for August & September (done see blog)
~ Known outings too budget for in August / September (Trip to the Annual Show, Lunch 3, Dinners 2.) done
~ Live off my Bulk Food Assets (on going)
~ Make up another eight meals OAMC. Done Out of Bulk Food Assets. done
~ Downsizing storage and clean these areas (zones 4 & 5 ) done

A Free lunch at DF-M place, she is having a BBQ lunch and has invited me down to it. Just the two of us. Fillet steak and Italian salad with broad beans salad as well. Very nice!

Balancing the budget as I check my budget every 2 weeks bring it up to date. Keeping me on my toes with what’s happening with my money and keeping me focus on this challenge too! All money transfers are done at these times too!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH BBQ steak & salad *
DINNER Thai Satay Chicken with Steamed Rice & Green Tea
SNACK Yogurt & LSA

In this morning mail came credit card statement & my tax cheque refund $100, I am happy with that one. I don’t pay tax but I do have some shares which why I got a refund.

I checked my bank account to make sure that I had enough to pay the car service that order today as well as rust proofing on my car. I put my car in first thing this morning and pick it up at lunchtime today. Paying $103.95 for the service on my debit card and putting the rust proof on CC. Cost $595, which I will pay off before the end of October when the interest free days run out. This little job I did promised my self when I bought the car back in February. Bus fare of $1.10 saving $1.10 to go back to car dealer’s as they drove me home instead of waiting 3 hours for the car.

While I was out I went to the bank & supermarket nearby. I banked the Tax cheque and got another one for the another mail order that I am sending for this month costing $62.35 saving a lot (I will tally saving when it arrives.) Groceries & pet litter costing $11.40 saving $3.40.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers with Cream Cheese & Herbs, Fruit Coffee
DINNER Devilled Sausages with Garlic Focaccia Bread

Today’s Full price Tally $772.70
Today’s Savings - $104.40
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6359.26

Went to the city today to have hearing aid final check on it too! While I was paying my phone bill which is next door to my health fund in the city. I dropped in to ask if I do get a refund on my share of the cost of the hearing aid. To my surprise the answer was yes, as I had the receipt with me. So I got a refund of $239.00 on what I had paid. Not bad since my share was $264.

I had lunch in the city, small burger and coffee save $1.50 here.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Grilled Cheese with Mustard Toasted Slices Apple Coffee
DINNER Devilled Sausages with Garlic Focaccia Bread Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $38.65
Today’s Savings - $240.50
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6121.76

20th week’s Summary of $$$ Stretching challenge

Kitty’s Real Spending Total $4200.03
+ 2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $5814.26
= Full Price (RRP) Income Challenge $10014.29

Opening CC Balance $0
Kitty’s Opening Balance Rollover $209.32 ($30Bill A/C)
$$$Money in - $1030
= Total Income Balance. $1239.32
Bills Total $ 418.50
Other Spending & Groceries $296.42
$$$ Money out = $714.92
Cash Banked in other A/C’s $140
Kitty’s Rollover Balance $384.40 ($111.50 Bill A/C)
CC Balance $0

Did I need another cookbook the answer to that one is NO. But if I bought a Kraft mini cream cheese along with a tub of another Kraft cream cheese I would get a free cookbook, as there were on sale as a multi buy, so I bought that as the shelf life on all packets were until January 2007. $3.49 each but two for $4.00 + mini pack $2.35 = $6.35. Saving $2.98 + cookbook $15.00 = $17.98

I paid my power bill while I was at it too! $146.80 for the quarter. Saving $30.00 on pensioner discount.

I bought some more fertiliser at the other supermarket as I needed more potting mix and as it was the last day of the sale on it, its likelihood of there being some was slim. I plan to ask for a rain check for 5 bags. I got my rain check too! Saving $2.10 on fertiliser. Other groceries came to $5.65 saving $3.00

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Corn & Chicken Soup Toast Orange Coffee
DINNER French Onion Chicken with Toast

Today’s Full price Tally $217.88
Today’s Savings - $53.08
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $5670.41

I pick up and paid the balance on my Hearing Aid today. There is a bit of buzzing noise when I am walking around or near any power generated things, like mobile phone, power lines, electrical kettle etc. If I am in a closed off room then there is no noise only when you put on electrical kettle. I will keep going with it as is until my review in three weeks time. Well as I said that would tell how much this Hearing cost. When I had it fitted I had to pay $50.00 deposit. Today I paid $215.00 the balance difference between cost of it $1085 .00 & my senior pension discount (government subsidy) was a saving of $818.00.

I had lunch out today for a treat at Sizzlers $10.75 saving $2.20

Oh I forget to tell you about winning a prize pack on the local radio show this morning, I normally don’t phone in but I knew the answer this time so I did. As most of the listeners were getting it wrong at 5.30 am in morning not many people are ringing up. I will get my prize in the mail in the next few days. I do know that it’s DVD’s, CD’s & books so I will have to wait and see.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH lunch out*
DINNER Devilled Sausages with Garlic Focaccia Bread Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $ 1097.95*
Today’s Savings - $820.20
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $5445.48

Had a busy no spending day today. I got in and did my tax and posted it too!

Hopefully I will get money back, but not to sure on that one. We will just have too wait and see.

Watered the front garden & fertilizing it too! Boy! Did it need it, as I don’t remember the last time that I did it! I am in the process of fertilizing to whole garden and adding compost as well! I plan to repot most of my pot plant’s then just see what the water restrictions will be for next level. I will just cut back as each die’s if that what it comes too!

I found some time to do some cooking tonight, as I do live off my homemade TV dinners lot!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Mussels & Balsamic Vinegar with Salad Coffee
DINNER Devilled Sausages with Garlic Focaccia Bread Coffee

Challenge at 16th week.

Kitty’s Real Spending Total $3494.11
+ 2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4590.28
= Full Price (RRP) Income Challenge $8084.39

Opening CC Balance $0
Kitty’s Opening Balance Rollover $209.18 ($40 Bill A/C)
$$$Money in - $1200.00
= Total Income Balance. $1409.18
Bills Total $585.00
Other Spending & Groceries $375.48
$$$ Money out = $960.48
Cash Banked in other A/C’s $240
Kitty’s Rollover Balance $209.32 ($30 Bill A/C)
CC Balance $0

I have been working on my computer and having a BBQ lunch with DF-M, she loves to have a BBQ steak every now & then but cooking for one is not worth the effort. I talking about lighting up the wood BBQ for few pieces of steak. At times we char sweet pepper and then skin & cut them for later. I must do some more next time they are at their lowest price.

Later in the afternoon I had a visit from friend that came to pick up some books that I bought him seven months ago so $34.00 to bank in my online account plus the $10.00 that I won in lotto this week!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH BBQ Steak with Italian Salads Coke
DINNER Soup & Toast Apple Coffee

Visit DF-D and dogs, she is minding her niece dog this weekend it’s larger than of the German Shepherd and only 9 months old still has 30kg to go too! I am glad I not paying the food bill for that one. I don’t know the breed.

Went off to the supermarket and newsagent to pay my phone bill this month I got an email to say that my internet this month was FREE. Saving $50.00 (every fourth month I get Free, on my phone & internet plan. Saving around $150.00 per year.)

My grocery shopping was mainly DF-M milk & cereal for her. And few specials Focaccia bread saving $1.50 & 1kg Honey ‘Ironbark’ (that has low GI 48) saving $1.00

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Coffee Apple
DINNER Honey Mustard Chicken with Vegetables and Rice, Fruit, Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $107.29
Today’s Savings - $52.50
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4380.41

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

After breakfast coffee with DF-M, I had breakfast with DS at Hungry Jack’s. It was two for one deal so we shared the deal. Each gets our own drinks. Can you guess what I had? Saving $4.45

A light bulb idea hit my DS, he normally just buy want he want then eats it all in around 5 minutes. Well today we just bought the deal and just sat and talked. When it got to 20 minutes I asked him if was going to buy his pancakes, he said no I am full. Funny, if you just buy all that stuff in the drive thru you will eat it. But sit an eat it and talk for a while then buy more if you are still hungry, you find that you are not hungry. I have been saying this for a while but he would never listen. If he just does this then he may just lose some weight that he need to lose.

After we when over a shopping centre so that I could pay a bill and bought a few items that were on special at K-Mart too! Saving $3.80

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Bacon & Egg Roll* Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Coffee apple
DINNER Poach Fish & Salad Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $85.60*
Today’s Savings - $ 8.25
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $195.20
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $3985.09

~ Have my credit card at Zero balance by end of the each month.
~ Come under budget. (But for Car it’s to come out of Bill A/C.)
~ Deposit into the online account.
~ Lodge my tax claim before middle of August
~ Pay All Due Bills on pension days.
~ Have my car service and rust proofing installed ($600.00 plus service.)
~ Chiro visit (one every 4 weeks)
~ Doctor Visit & 2 Hearing visits for August & September (paying the difference on hearing aid)
~ Known outings too budget for in August / September (Trip to the Annual Show, Lunch 3, Dinners 2.)
~ Live off my Bulk Food Assets
~ Make up another eight meals OAMC. Out of Bulk Food Assets.
~ Downsizing storage and clean these areas

I did it, all most!

~ Have my credit card at Zero balance by end of the month. ~~~~ done.
~ Come under budget. (But for Car it’s to come out of Bill A/C.) ~~~ done
~ Open online account. ~~~~ Done
~ Pay All Due Bills on pension days. ~~~~ Done
~ Have my car service and rust proofing installed ($600.00 plus service.) ~~~ booked in August
~ Have my termite inspection & pest control done (estimate $180) (Had termites a few years ago) annual check. ~~~~ to-morrow
~ Chiro visit (one every 4 weeks) ~~~ done
~ Doctor Visit & Hearing Test for June.~~~ done
~ Five known outings to budget for in June. (Morning Tea, Lunch, Picnic, 2 Dinners.) ~~~ Done
~ Live off my Bulk Food Assets.~~~ done but bought some meat.
~ Make up another eight meals OAMC. Out of Bulk Food Assets. ~~~ done
~ Downsizing living areas and clean these areas ~~~ done
~ Visit by a relative in July. ~ came & gone

I had my first massage today, even had a gift certificate of $25.00 off plus medical rebate $15.00 off, still had to pay $30.00. I don’t think I can afford this too often on my budget at $55.00 a time after rebate. It was good but not that good that I would use food budget to pay for it.

I did some shopping while I was in the city today. I bought 3 DVD old classical movies for $12.00, RRP is $10.00 each. Saving $18.00. VHS x 6 pack (RRP each $2.99) saving $7.99

I got some sausages on markdown, saving $2.00. Lunch was ‘two for one deal’ saving $10.15 on food. Paid my quarterly Rates & Water Bill costing $298.95 saving $215.50 using my senior pension card discount rate. Still no smoke detector that I am looking for.

I put gas in my car after I came home on the bus today. It was 121.9c per litre with shopper docket of 6c off. I paid $33.35 saving $3.55

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH lunch out*
DINNER Fish Cakes Salad Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $688.84*
Today’s Savings - $297.10
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $169.75
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $3766.96

Challenge at 12th week.
Kitty’s Real Spending Total $2533.63
+ 2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $3427.84
= Full Price (RRP) Income Challenge $5961.47

Opening CC Balance $261
Kitty’s Opening Balance Rollover $292.97 ($141 .00 Bill A/C)
$$$Money in - $1080
= Total Income Balance. $1372.97
Bills Total $345
Other Spending & Groceries $418.24
$$$ Money out = $763.24
Cash $135.45
Cash Banked in other A/C’s $265
Kitty’s Rollover Balance $209.18 ($40 Bill A/C)
CC Balance $0

Today I cashed the coins at fruit shop as they are always looking for charges.
While I was buying my 2 week’s supply of fruit & vegetables.

When I next went online I transferred $35.00 over into my online line account.
I put cash into my coin purse, so now I don’t need to take money out of my everyday account for spending.

Still looking for one missing tax paper. Will phone to see if I can get a copy if I don’t find it by the end of the month.

BREAKFAST - Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH - Corn Beef Salad Mandarin Coffee
DINNER - French Onion Chicken with Toast Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $9.95
Today’s Savings - $0
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $136.65
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2957.64

I didn’t do much today at all.
Counted coins so that I could cash them.
Balance finances for Tax, as end of financial year was June 30.
Now too find the missing papers that I don’t remember getting.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants, 2 Toast & Jam Coffee
LUNCH Soup and toast apple coffee
DINNER Omelette with Sweet Baked Beans Coffee.

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $134.95

I drove to another shopping centre today! That has a K-mart & Big W as well, the bank that I wish to go to pay my credit card off. I did it, I even paid the full balance including the direct debit which was only due today and the CC bill is due at the end of the month. I am back to $0 yet again on CC for past 25 months.

K-mart is having a 15% off sale this week. I check it out for photo –electric fire alarm no luck but I did buy a fire blanket for my kitchen and few more items, also. I went check out Big –W but they were still out of stock too! I walked out without buy anything there and past all the clothes sales that was on too! I did have lunch at McDonalds had a Chicken Roll and Diet Coke. $5.95* the Medium Coke was free.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants 2 Toast & Jam Coffee 35c
LUNCH Lunch Out *
DINNER Creamed Sweet Corn on Toast Coffee 50c

Today’s Full price Tally $36.10*
Today’s Savings - $3.93
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $98.30
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2445.81

Challenge at 8th week.
Kitty’s Real Spending Total $2075.39
+ 2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2826.02
= Full Price (RRP) Income Challenge $4901.41

8th week’s Summary of $$$ Stretching Challenge
Opening CC Balance $0
Bank Fees & Interest $0
Kitty’s Opening Balance Rollover $340 ($161 Bill A/C)
$$$Money in - $1001
= Total Income Balance. $1341
Bills Total $791.58 – ($261 cc) = $530.58
Other Spending & Groceries $260.87
$$$ Money out = $1244.42
Cash $96.50
Cash Banked in other A/Cs $160
Kitty’s Rollover Balance $292.97 ($141 .00 Bill A/C)
CC Balance $261.00

I went for a walk today to the shopping centre where I pay my phone bill. The newsagent that I go to the pay my phone bill was having a big problem with their Bpay machine but in the end got it to work (about hour.) Phone bill $46.03, it’s higher this month because of phoning overseas and interstate as well more local calls. If I didn’t pay it then it would have been over due.

At supermarket there, I just bought a fruit loaf markdown $1.30 saving $1.30

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants 2 Toast & Jam Coffee 35c
LUNCH 2 Slices of Toast with Mustard Spread, Melted Cheese & Topped Paprika Coffee 50c
DINNER 2 Egg Cheese Omelette and Pasta Sauce & Grilled Peppers - 50c

Today’s Full price Tally $48.63
Today’s Savings - $1.30
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $88.15
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2837.01

When the mail came today the information about my online account arrived, now I can deposit more money.

I have notified Centrelink about opening it. I don’t have to phone again until it goes over $1000, and then each time it gets to a next 1000 which it’s nowhere that now!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee 45c
LUNCH Crackers with Cheese & Mustard Pickle Relish Apple Coffee 40c
DINNER Poach Fish & Vegetables … $2.50

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $86.80

I got to Chiro this morning just in time for my appointment, as the bus was late today. I did put my annual Chiro bill of $421 for 12 visits onto CC, but it was at zero balance. That will be no problem, as I later went & got my refund for today’s visit of $19.40. Made a special visit to the bank to pay off what was left of my bill money plus the refund off my CC. Balance now is $261 plus DD Internet for this month. All this will be paid by the end of June, as there are three Pension paydays this month. Saving on $131.00 on regular single visit rate of $46.00.

I had to buy a bus ticket today, $10.00 that for 10 trips. Saving $14.00 on normal full price per single trip. (Senior Card Discount).

I did some shopping in the city today, 5 craft wooden signs @ 79c saving $35.00 found on a clearance table. Underwear was on special so got some things that I needed. Costing $17.85 saving $8.00.

Had my usual lunch with my friends, 8 of us today. ‘All You Can Eat Salad Bar’ $11.15 with drinks saving $2.80 with Senior Discount Card they have. My Lotto share with the group $2.00

It's an expensive week for dining out MMMMM!

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants 2 Toast & Jam Coffee 35c
LUNCH Meal out *
DINNER Fruit & Coffee 40c

Today’s Full price Tally $656.95*
Today’s Savings - $190.80
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $80.65
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2786.94

This fortnight my budget balanced and is on track. I finished this time with a balance of $188.00 cash surplus, I have open an online account with $100.00 of this money and too rollover the balance to my next pension fortnight.

I have only the monthly phone bill to pay this time. The balance will go on to pay the CC which has all bills on it. I allot certain amount of my pension to bills each pension payday, this is rollover method that I use. As long as I don’t use it for other things or lend it to other people because they have over spent. It works for me. I use the CC as buffer, as at times, the bills can be due a few days before the next pension payday. Which is the case this time.

How long can I go before I withdraw out of my Bill & EF saving account? I am aiming for August if I buy a new lawn mower or November when all my large bills are due at the moment. To make this work I have to bank $40.00 into that account each month and not withdraw any money. It’s my version of the saving game. Any surplus savings will now be going to the online account at end of each month.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee 45c
LUNCH Crackers with Cheese & Mustard Pickle Relish Apple Coffee 40c
DINNER Poach Fish & Vegetables … $2.50

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $71.50

~ Have my credit card at Zero balance by end of the month.
~ Come under budget. (But for Car it’s to come out of Bill A/C.)
~ Open online account.
~ Pay All Due Bills on pension days.
~ Have my car service and rust proofing installed ($600.00 plus service.)
~ Have my termite inspection & pest control done (estimate $180) (Had termites a few years ago) annual check.
~ Chiro visit (one every 4 weeks)
~ Doctor Visit & Hearing Test for June.
~ Five known outings to budget for in June. (Morning Tea, Lunch, Picnic, 2 Dinners.)
~ Live off my Bulk Food Assets.
~ Make up another eight meals OAMC. Out of Bulk Food Assets.
~ Downsizing my guestroom & living areas and clean these areas
~ Visit by a relative in July.

Friday was pension day, so it’s the day that I allocate to pay any bills that I have what are due in the next fortnight. I keep my bill money in the Pension A/c until I have too much over for next lots of bills. Then I will transfer balance allotted for bills out for future large bills at the end of the year.

Instead of working out how much for each bill for each pay. I use annual totals instead plus 10% system then allot the grand total divide by 26 for bills each pay, it’s more than half my pension each time. I am not allow to spend this amount on anything other than bills and credit cards if the bill was paid via credit card so that now I pay my credit card out of Bill A/C because that is all that it’s used for now! I only pay an annual fee on my credit card, which is budgeted for and no interest on CC as it paid in full each month. My Internet has to be paid by direct debit via CC only.

Today bill’s are Electricity Bill $139.10 saving $16.00 on the last bill.
Car Club M’ship $58.00
Personal Accident Insurance $87.45 Annual saving $7.95
Total $284.55 with left $141.43 for bills this pay.

Two of the Bill’s had to be paid by Cheques so I needed to go to the bank for these. Normally you pay $6.00 each for them, as I am a pensioner they are FREE (see below). Saving $12.00.

Bill still to come is Chiro $421.00 in next this pension pay period.

How do I get around this without taking out of my saving bank A/C?

Simple pay off the credit card first before I put the Chiro on to it, which has been done. Deposit $140 + medical refund in CC when the bank opens. Then pay the balance out of the next two pays amounts for Bill A/c before the interest is due! I am lucky that all the dates are right to do this. I have only one bill due before the end June that I can be pay out of my grocery allotment. If am short. This is how I use my CC to my advantage. But you must have a ($0) zero balance to do it.

I only pay my credit card annual fee to the banks, I have no other fees including interest as I paid off my CC each month. I don’t pay account keeping fees even, which is here around $5.00 per month on all banking accounts if you haven’t found away to get around it. I am lucky that I am on a pension as I have a pensioner fee FREE A/C and free bank Cheques, which are normally $6.00 each. (Saving $120 on bank fees. Allowing $10 each month in saving tally.) I may open another account online in the future so I can keep my EF & saving out of my Bill A/C. But there is so much red tape to do it when you are on a pension.

I did have to go to Westfield’s Shopping Centre by car to pay one of the bills there. So I did a little shopping and had lunch there too! Lunch, I only saved $4.90 on coffee, as I had no vouchers left. Bought few Sympathy cards for my Bulk Assets box. Saving $8.00 on buying them at a newsagent each time. Had my exercise for the day while there, once around both levels.

Spend more money on groceries on Cereals & Bacon on the way home at Aldi. Saving $3.00.

Went shopping at night DF-D only bought a gift for DS & Coffee in the markdown area saving $4.00 While DF-D spent well over $130.00, I only spent $8.00 mostly of that was not Food.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk with LSA Prunes 4 Honey Puffs Coffee 65c
LUNCH Crackers with Hummus & Cheese with Mango Chutney Coffee 40c
DINNER Mini Salmon Loaf with Tomato Sauce & Vegetables, Yogurt & LSA Coffee $1.50

Today’s Full price Tally $ 318.65
Today’s Savings - $65.85
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $39.70
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $1416.54

Challenge at the 4th week.

Kitty’s Real Spending Total $1062.74
+ 2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $1343.50
= Full Price (RRP) Income Challenge $2406.24

4th Week’s Summary of $$$ Stretching Challenge
Opening CC Balance $0
Bank Fees & Interest $26.40*
Kitty’s Opening Balance Rollover $334 ($283 Bill A/C)
$$$Money in - $1194
= Total Income Balance. $1528
Bills Total $ 651.74
Other Spending & Groceries $371.56*
$$$ Money out = $1023.30
Cash Banked in other A/C $165
Kitty’s Rollover Balance $340.00 ($161 Bill A/C)
CC Balance $0

Note: ($161 Bill A/C) ~ This money is left in this account until a surplus, and no large bills due in next pay periods. Saving the losted bonus interest in other A/C if I withdraw any money.

It’s time to see how much I still got left on that account. My shares dividend was deposited $124 that will need to transfer that over to the other account before I spend it. After transferring dividend I still have $340 left in my pension account. I will rollover this until I have paid all my bills due for next three pays and what’s is left then I will bank for future large bills at end of the year. $340 is not bad when I only had $85 in it to start off last pay. I only get $500 every two weeks. It’s has have been this way for years. I know that I am stretching my money as much as I can and I have saved money as well as the other bank account balance was down to $400 only 18 months ago. Now it looking more healthy that I will need to phone in my balance to Government pension office soon!

BREAKFAST Bacon, Egg, Steamed Mushrooms, & Tomatoes Coffee $1.00
Snacks Only ~ 5 Greek Honey Puffs (Free), 1 Slice Pagnotta Bread & Mortadella (Free), Yogurt & Tropical Fruits Salad, Coffee 60c (Eaten over 4 hours, snacks at neighbors houses)
DINNER ¼ roast chicken (free) & vegetables coffee 2 pancakes & whipped cream with maple syrup $1.00

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $37.15

I went to see the movie ‘THE DA VINCI CODE’ today. What did I think of it!

In having read the illustrated collector’s edition of the book. It has historical facts yes, but it needs to be remembered that this is a novel not Fact!

The movie should be viewed in the same way as any novel with a Hollywood makeover. Thought it was around 90% consistent with to book plot, but not for the faint hearted or very young to watch. I did enjoy the sets & scenery, which were a great joy to see.

I do suggest that you read the book before you see the Movie, as the changes are fast that it is sometimes is difficult to make sense while watching. The characters were wholly believable. View it as a good yarn worth watching more than once. I would give it four stars.

I also made it a day out for myself which is a rare these days, and took myself to lunch as well! I don’t remember the last time I went out to the movie & lunch, I think it may be when I saw a Jane Austin Movie base on book ‘Mansfield Park’ a few years ago now! I went to the restaurant that I go to with my ex co-workers for lunch. So I got my senior card discount and I didn’t buy the drink package also. I drank water. Saving $ 6.90. On the movie ticket I saved $6.00 on that too! Regular adult ticket price here $14.50.

I paid my CC in full yet again! 24 months in a row paid in full! No interest in 2 years. WOW!

My annual CC fee was due on this one, to have the reward points on your card, the fees are $59.00 and no reward fee $26.40 saving $32.60. Why paid extra $97.80 over three years for reward points that are cancelled before you can get enough to use any. This way I still get my interest-free days for a lot less. I don’t need 0 % as I am not using interest. I wonder, how long before the banks start charging you for paying your CC account in full? MMMMMM!

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants 2 Toast & Jam Coffee 35c
LUNCH Dine Out $9.00*
DINNER Creamed Sweet Corn on Toast Coffee 50c

Today’s Full price Tally $129.35*
Today’s Savings - $45.50
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $29.25
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $1271.96