This week it’s time to charge the batteries in the smoke detectors, I have 3 of them so I went and bought a pack of 4 x 9 volt batteries @ $16.57 pack or if I wished to buy them in single packs @ $6.99 a pack it’s crazy but I’m saving money by buying four. As three of them would have cost $ 20.97 and I got four for $16.57 value of $27.96 saving $11.39 on the four. It’s the end of our day light savings in the Southern States, we don’t have it here. Fire dept recommends’ to change at beginning of the day light saving but as I did put new ones up at this time last year I’m doing at end of it each year, it still one year but at a different time of the year.

Weekly Main Meal Menu

Sunday ~ Grilled Sausages with Onions & Grilled Tomato
Monday ~ Apricot Chicken with rice
Tuesday ~ Pasta with Tuna & Tomato Sauce
Wednesday ~ Omelet with salad
Thursday ~ Leftovers night
Friday ~ Salmon Patties with Vegetables
Saturday ~ Steak with Onions & Grilled Tomato

I had to go to the supermarket today. I bought fruit and vegetables that were much cheaper than buying at the supermarket with all this rain the farm are flooded in some places and the supermarket prices, apples and pears at 99c kg instead of $3.98 kg. Along with pet food stocking up on dry pet food as these were on special also my cats treats cat food was on special too! I also got a few bargains in chicken stock satchels for 20c each so I bought what was left. So if I shopped different place than where I did I would spent. Meat Lamb $2.30 marked down from $3.96

So I spend money today
Total Money spent today $43.09 (my cash outlay)
Savings $stretch $28.36

Went to a Garage (Yard) Sale I help there today I took a few boxes books and few other items also .

I had a great day spent $7.50, sold all my books for $10.00. I came home with $8.50 profit. But you should see what I got for my money about $400 worth on retail value alone, there were a some free stuff Leather handbag, 3 lunch bags, beauty bag, 2 shoe bags, heap of vintage jewelery including a watch which you can charge its faces 6 ways, many cookbooks, craft books, 2 milk bottles & 1 water bottles all glass for the fridge, Sunbeam Waffle Maker, Omelet Maker, and 12 silver plate napkin rings, 6 Brass Christmas Napkin Ring, 4 Brass Heart Napkin Rings and 6 Wine Glass Ring for Christmas also a lot other odd & ends.

So I spend money today
Total Money spent today $7.50 (my cash outlay)
Savings $stretch $400

I went to the city today. Visit to the Chiro and to pay my car insurance which is due next week. Went to Hungry Jack for lunch again, having burger, coffee and ice cream as the coffee was Free, so costing $2.40 only. I did buy some batteries that I need to replace. I went and bought some birthday gifts at chemist as they had them on for buy one get lowest price free, what you do when they do this, you buy both at same price so you getting at least 50% off. I got two toiletries gift boxes that were a great price $7.48 each so I only paid $7.48 for both.

So I spend money today
Total Money spent today $555.90 (my cash outlay)
Savings $stretch $9.93

Today is the day I go to the city for lunch with friends. While showing this morning I hit the nail on my index finger on the shower tap and it was a bit sore with a black spot on it. My first appointment this morning was the doctor’s so I wasn’t too worried. As it was raining the bus just got to the city in time. After checking me for my annual medical check and writing up scripts for blood tests and medicines. He checked my finger I had a piece of metal in the nail so no gardening for a few days.

I did put more money on my pre-paid mobile plan for another year.

Mobile phone prepaid recharge
Taking this total too $149 for 4 years averaging 37.25 per year, very few calls, mainly text messages.

Paying my rates and water bills and I had only 9kL of water in last 92 days. So I am on track with my water targets that have been set by the government. Which is a goal of 140L per person mine is only 97.8K.

Meeting up with some of my ex-coworkers, at the casino, there is a deal going there for $10.00.

I had Fish & Chips with Salad (reg. price $13.50) and vanilla slice as usual (reg. price$5.90), posted in this blog October 29, 2006 in recipe section. Coffee (reg. price 2x $3.00) total = $25.30. I did play the 1c poker machines for just two dollars then left.

As for shopping I only bought some books again today spending $13.00 (reg. price value $175.65) on them.

So I spend money today
Total Money spent today $369.00
Savings $stretch $168.15

Gone shopping or bought something 10 times

Travel to the city by bus 2 times

Drove my car only 8 times

Had food bought or had for free away from home 5 times

And had 20 No Spending Days since the last count.

Let’s see what next month’s will be

I was sent a gift voucher from Jewelry store for $25.00. It expires at end of month.

So I went to a shopping centre to spend it. I got 4 photo frames 50% off for extra $5.25 out of my own pocket. They did have much marked down to choose from without spending too much, I need spend much more if I didn’t buy some things for my gift box. I did spend some money on a nice wallet for myself to use later. This was marked down to $4.95 from $19.95 so it was great buy. I did have lunch out today, just hamburger and soft cone with a free coffee all for $2.40.

So I spend money today
Total Money spent today $12.60 (my cash out lay)
Savings $tretch $51.45 + $25.00 gift voucher = $76.45

I had quite day today, I did go shopping and walk. Dropped into the 2nd hand Charity stores, I got temped and bought a very nice Pottery fired small fruit bowl for $1.50 value $15.00. I would think never used ideal for a gift of homemade goodies, plus two magazines one has some nice craft patterns in it at the other 2nd hand Charity store only $1.35 value $10.90 other than that I spent very little else only some cheese for lunch. I booked a hairdressing appointment for Thursday.

So I spend money today
Total Money spent today $4.75
Savings $stretch $25.15

Found a tray of markdown chicken schnitzels saving $3.60 with 14 servings, along with a caramel mud cake markdown to $1.49 saving $3.00, and some fresh green seedless grapes for variety in my fruit intake. Along with some display books that were a faction of their true cost saving over $18.00 here. So in light of these saving I would have had to spend over $ 24.60 extra if I did pay normal regular price on all items I bought as some people do.

So I spend money today
Total Money spent today $18.62
Savings $stretch $24.60

Oh it’s hot here, not because temperatures are high but for the humidity that is around! The dams have risen 4% so far and one on the Gold Coast is overflowing.

I did go shopping today, first to get some items on special at one supermarket then off to other one to get cat food that it stocks. Oh fuss cats don’t you love them! Grocery shopping for my cats was up in the range of $35.00 and I still need to buy cat litter which was out of stock today. I will try again next time; I do buy a month supply at time so I still have one week’s supply left which is my backup supply. Fruit & vegetables are getting expensive around here , just bought cherry tomatoes, bananas, pears, oranges coming to $5.20. All other fruit & vegetables were too expensive this week; I will use what I still have left instead. I do have a good supply of can tomatoes so use these in cooking.

The total today was more than I normally spend but some items were for my survival kit project in the way of extra powdered milk as I do use this item so I bought 2 bags extra than I would this time. More 2 bags BBQ heat beads giving me about 5 bags now, I don’t use gas bottles for my BBQ’s and I have two different sizes ones. I went to the Two Dollars store and bought my first item for my car’s survival kit pack, it’s a whistle with a compress, key ring & thermometer called a 4-in-1 whistle. I did see other items that I may buy too! I had lunch at my favorite local food stall for a hot dog and milkshake, price $2.50 elsewhere it would be around $5.95.

So I spend money today
Total Money spent today $80.02
Savings $stretch $20.08

Meeting up with some of my ex-coworkers, at the casino, there is a deal going there for $10.00, you get a choice of about 8 different meals and about a choice 8 cakes or cheesecakes or fruit salad as well coffee or tea. The only catch is that you need to be over 18 and a member also came in by public transport. As our group are do all these things so it’s no problem for any of us here.

I had Satay Chicken with peanuts on steamed rice (reg. price $12.40) and vanilla slice as usual (reg. price$5.90), posted in this blog October 29,2006 in recipe section. Coffee (reg. price 2x $3.00) total = $24.30
I did play the 1c poker machines for a few dollars then left.

As for shopping I only bought some books today spending $16.90 (reg. price value $63.85) on them. One I saw in the bookshop window over the holidays and as this store was closed until this morning, I need to be quick if wanted it as it was a secondhand copy too! The other book was on 1001 hints & tips from yesterday year and craft book this is my style of reading. Two out of three books were a need of that information category and time savers as I was using my internet time looking for this information and I need this information in printed form anyway.

So I spend money today
Total Money spent today $29.90
Savings $stretch $61.25

Note - Savings $stretch is the different between original regular price and money handed over. Coming under $tretch category

I’m planning a frugal year for 2008 so it’s to spend wisely and only on needs, planned purchases and emergency replacements, so if I can do without it I will.

So planning a very minimum frugal year using what in the house or can be borrowed. This includes some food items, laundry & toilet paper, toiletries, linen, household goods, cookware, books, clothes & underwear etc, (buying only if I change sizes too much in clothing).

~ No Spending but for planned items. (If I have an item in the house or can borrow it, then I’m to use that first.)
~ Have my credit card at Zero balance by end of the each month.
~ Come under budget each month and deposit into the online accounts any leftover amounts.
~ Pay All Due Bills on pension days or ahead of time. (As my budget is now in Excel, I can see a working model of these figures. When due and approx amount needed for each month.)
~ As I have two gift vouchers from Christmas so that I can buy items on my need list or items for next Christmas gifts as one is a store voucher for January only. I do limit myself to extra $10.00 only if buying gifts for others.
~ Chiro visit (one every 4 weeks)
~ Known outings are budgeted for, as social events.
~ Making and setting up emergency survival kit & resources.
~ Saving as much cash I can for a new stove & oven later in the year. (Nothing fancy)

I have only two major projects other than new stove on the calendar next year, one is a must do (I have funding saved), and the other could go one more year. Both cost thousands of dollars and on a pension with limited fund I need to come up with little challenges to make them happen.

I did venture out into the Christmas crowds this week, mainly to pay off my credit card and get a cheque (check) for DF-M and then post a bill for her. She gave me some money to buy myself a present which I must show her what I have bought it’s a mind game. There were some sandals on special this week at Kmart that I liked the look of, so I went there and bought 2 pair black sandals, 3 T-shirt night dresses kind and 6 pairs of white sport socks as they were on all special and on my To Buy List. You may ask why not wait until Boxing Day Sales; I just want keep out of them, I will spend less by doing that. The prices may be a little cheaper and but the sizes may not be there, as some of the size were already missing. Along with buying some store gift cards for the family as they like to shop the Boxing Day Sales. I only buy a few gifts each year as most of my gifts now are gift cards.

Shoes reg. price $29.95 each x2 =$59.90, sale price $15.00 each =$30.00
Night Dresses reg. price $10.99 x 3 = $32.97, sale price $8.80 each =$24.75
6 pairs of white sport socks reg. price $9.99, sale price $7.92
AAA batteries x10 +6 free pkt. = $13.30
Total $75.97 - less 5% for team members discount =$72.18

Being a very practical person so DF-M gift will be two T-shirt Night Dresses & six pairs of white sport socks. Also while shopping around I started picking up a gifts for next Christmas saving 40% off in my under $10.00 range.

While I was out I bought some 1L brandy custard on special $1.00 off and regular fruit cake both coming $4.95. I’m a bit like Jamie Oliver and refer bought thick custard.

Saved on purchases $44.98

Weekly Main Meal Menu

Sunday ~ Omelet with Shredded Cheese and Salad & Mango
Monday ~ Pasta with Tuna & Tomato Sauce & Stone Fruit
Tuesday ~ Christmas Dinner
Wednesday ~ Chicken Salad & Stone Fruit
Thursday ~ Steak & Vegetables
Friday ~ Steamed Fish and Salad
Saturday ~ Chicken Kebabs with Salad

What is the cost of being a beauty? Can be as little as five shillings per week.

A pittance buys a wealth of beauty – If you spend it wisely.
Pounds-a - week buy very little – if they tossed around without a plan, and without a care.

Here is a three point course in clever spending; makes you a New Year gift of ready worked out budgets to suits your purse to follow.

Spend a Little … Look Great - Lesson One

Get to know which items are long-lasting, refillable or just simply wonderful value.

Learn when to buy big, when to buy small.

Look for huge economy sizes in day-in and day-out items which vanish alarmingly fast if you buy small, dainty versions.

Make-up ~ Make special effort to save up hard for the largest size in tried & tested foundation or lotions.

Shampoos & Conditioners ~ Those little ‘cushions’ and sachets are fine for a first time try-out or holidays but big bottles and jars usually work out at about half the price per shampoo.

Hair Care Items ~ Limit the amount products you use on your hair. Look for the largest size you can afford here.

Talcum powder etc. ~ Used to be cheap and nasty or nice and expensive. Now they are gaint tins to be had at around 3s soft, non-gritty, fresh smelling. Sample the one by Robert Windsor.

Cleanings Creams~ Ponds make a big pot for 9s. (I wish) Look for the largest size you can afford here.

Cotton wool ~ Instead of those tiny shilling packs, get a pound roll. Ask for “hospital quality” 4s 10d - seems to last for ever.

Look for tiny sizes when you are experimenting with new products; when you are buying special occasion eye make-up or nail polish and lipstick to match a special dress.

Look for refills not only for lipstick, solid powder, eye shadow sticks, but also for anti-perspirants roller (Mum Rollette) for squeeze bottle hair sprays and top –quality talcum powders and bath products.

The end of lesson one.
Note: 3s = three shillings and 4s 10d = 4 shillings & 10 pence

Here are my views on above text.

Today I use. Middle of the range beauty products and do read Avon Catalogues and buy some of their items on special only.

Cleanings Creams~ Of late I have started to use the new microfiber face clothes that we can buy here. I still use a liquid cleaner if I had make up to remove it.

As for anti-perspirant roller I don’t use much, but I bought a Crystal stick block. This will lasts a lifetime.

I use talcum powder rarely and they have changed the formula on this one now.

Much of the other tips and hints above, I still use when I remember to use the stuff.

I don’t go out as much these days so I wear very little make up daily.

Lesson two to follow

Well it’s almost two week since I lasted posted here.

I have been to EKKA again this year, which is on now. I wrote about it in last year August 2006 blog. I spent around $40.00 this time and $20 was on books.

Today I went to the second hand bookstore near my home and bought all the back dated copies of Australian Gourmet Travellers, which I collect. I bought around 35 copies this time. 5 for $2.00 which is good buy as they are new $7.95 each.

I got a free coffee again today - saving $2.45

Today’s Senior Card Savings - $2.45
Add to total $20 Challenge $89.95
My Spending today $54.00

Well I did get my Hot Water System put in last Saturday, all is well and working as it should. I was lucky as the plumber that bought & put it in for me is a son of one my neighbor’s that do watch from time to time. So now I owe him some of my time as he didn’t charge me for the work of putting it in just bought the best one in that style, as they are three grades each one cheaper each other and not as strong. This one has thicker copper tank so I’m told. So I was out of pocket by $625.00. I had that money put aside for such emergency so no big deal on the money front. I do try to budget, some money for that kind of problem knowing that a lot of my appliances are on the old side and will need to replace in the near future. What is next, it should be a computer & lawn mower in that order with stove and washing machine coming in after that. Only a microwave will be bought straight away.

I will try coming on here bit more regular and update starting a fresh.

My Spending today $625.00

In the city today, paid my credit card off again in full and paid another bill too!

We went to the Sizzler’s again, just having the salad bar & drinks today $11.95 as they have put the price up again. Saving $2.80 with my senior card. Even though I went to five other places to buy things on my list not one had them anything I wanted so I just walked out again.

Lucky I did as when I left this morning, I was having trouble with hot water system, it over 13 year old so it a replacement job. The thermostat is gone I think, and the $200 to fix it for around 2 years is not worth it. As it only will cost about $600 –700 to replace it for next 10 years plus. Life span is around 10-15 years for an electric hot water system. It not economical for me, to buy solar hot water system at $4000 and only $1000 rebate with about same life span.

Why I know it needs to be replace is for the last few weeks it been just eating the kWh big time. I have been reading the meter every few days, have use 68 kWh since Saturday, and had NO hot water when I went to shower this morning and I used so little hot water in that time too! It took over 20 minutes to fill the tank until it overflowed, then I read it and check the meter box was on too! When I came home this afternoon I read it again I had use 13 kWh in 7 hours which means that thermostat is not turn off when hot and all I am getting is the laundry full of steam instead. I rang the energy company and found when the next power reading is and as I am 100kWh over now and still 4 weeks to ago before next reading. I spoke to a plumber, we will buy one and replace it on Saturday. In the meantime the power tariff that is on 24/7 used only 12 kWh in all this time since Saturday with 2 large refrigerators & chest freezer as well all the lights, TV’s & computer etc. So another Major project expense this week, lucky I bank that $1000 rebate a few weeks ago.

Today’s Senior Card Savings - $2.80
Add to total $20 Challenge $87.50

It’s very windy here but no rain. The temperature has dropped quite a lot too!
I am not going far from home at the moment. But today I did go out this afternoon and bought three packets of sweet & sour sauce, at 80c each instead of $2.40 each. Tin of chocolate milk shake flavouring for 99c, saving $2.00 here. Spaghetti 50c and 5kg of basmati rice $8.29 saving $2.63 here & a Milk for my friend 99c

I also went to my favorite clothes shop there and they had want I had on my shopping list 3 pairs of ¾ length pants on special at $9.95 each so I saved $30.00 here. My old pants are very worn so they need replacing for next summer. So my practice of downsizing my clothes will put these new ¾ pants on top of the list.

My Spending today $42.98
Any Savings today $39.43

June / July Goals & Planning Ahead

~ Have my credit card at Zero balance by end of the each month.
~ Come under budget.
~ Deposit into the online accounts.
~ Pay All Due Bills on pension days or ahead of time.
~ Chiro visit (one every 4 weeks)
~ Known outings to budget for in June / July - lunch out 3
~ Live off my Bulk Food Assets
~ Make up another eight meals OAMC. - Out of Bulk Food Assets.
~ De-cluttering 5 Storage Boxes
~ Gardening Mowing & weed back garden & put water saving techniques in place done
~ Cull & de-clutter computer files not in use. – (on going)
~ Downsizing storage and clean these areas (zones 6, 7 & 8) (on going)
~ Have my car service

Review of the last two months.

April / May Goals & Planning Ahead
~ Have my credit card at Zero balance by end of the each month. Done
~ Come under budget. Did come under.
~ Deposit into the online accounts. Yes
~ Pay All Due Bills on pension days or ahead of time. All bill paid to date
~ Chiro visit (one every 4 weeks) yes
~ Known outings to budget for in April / May - lunch out 2 - had more lunch out 5
~ Live off my Bulk Food Assets Yes
~ Make up another eight meals OAMC. - Out of Bulk Food Assets. Yes
~ De-cluttering Computer Room Yes
~ Gardening Mowing & weed back garden & put water saving techniques in place done Yes
~ Cull & de-clutter computer files not in use. – (on going)
~ Downsizing storage and clean these areas (zones 6, 7 & 8) (on going)
~ Install the water tank, paid and apply for rebate. ? Done

Gone shopping or bought something. 10 times

Went to the city by bus 2 times

Drove my car only. 5 times

Had food bought or had for free away from home. 7 times

And had 17 No Spending Days.

Lets see what next 28 days tallies will be.

I caught up with friend today, after of many months not seeing one another. I had to go the Chiro again so we made it today. Even those we were to meet at one end of town after my Chiro visit. We run into one another at the bookstore near the casino so we finished of meeting there instead. I went off to the Chiro visit and she had a look around at the books. On returning I quickly looked at the books on sale and decided to return later in the day.

We walked across the road to the casino for lunch. Yes it was a deal, two courses for $10.00 with coffee. I had Thai chicken with spicy rice and vanilla slice. My friend had fish and salad with vanilla slice for the recipe look in Recipes folder as I wrote about vanilla slices last year.

Afterward we went and played to 1c slot machines until we sent our allotted money of $5.00 each then walked out. It’s good to know that we can walkout without putting all our money in them.

Then we left, we passed the man playing steel drums and put a few coins his way. Then I returned to that bookstore and friend went for her bus. I end up getting 4 books for $23.90, if I paid full price for them it would have been a lot more about $75.00 worth.

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

My tank arrived today, I had it delivered & installed today, after a 217 days since I ordered it.

It cost $1540 plus extra $50.00 for a ‘Water Diverter First Flush’ so I can drink the tank water if I want too and the first lot of water doesn’t go into the tank so it clean water going into the tank only. I will get back $1500 in government rebates over next few months. I will keep you posted. So will end up paying $90.00 all up for the tank 3250L with pump, extra tap & extra pipe plus fitting from part of main roof near the garage.
I spent nothing else today.

We all meet today at our usual spot Sizzlers. They have put they prices up so I will now need to re-think what I buy in future. Today I had the salad bar & drinks with the manager’s special of fish. Costing $15.90 with the senior card off of $3.00. We put in $2.00 each for a lotto between all of us each time we meet up but never won a large prize, it would be nice to won! I bought my only magazine that I each time comes out for $2.60. Recipe + is the name of the magazine and I have never seen it 2nd hand. I paid my credit card so it's back to Zero again.

Today’s Senior Card Savings - $3.00
Add to $20 Challenge $27.90

Finally the answer to my question in my first post.

Just twelve months ago I started this blog asking myself a question that I been wondering about for sometime. My Question was this “What is the true value of my lifestyle now that I am living on a pension?” and still living within my means.

As I have never included my other saving accounts in this challenge only what was money banked into them. The main aim of this challenge was to write a daily account of my life style and living solely on my pension and cash reserves (by this I mean any money that I get within the hour) without going into to my investments. I did start with a small emergency fund as a back up and two credit cards at zero balance and no debt.

After crunching the numbers, I am better off than I was when I started this challenge with the door finished and adding $6000 to the value of my home. I am still debt free as I have the money there to pay any money that I owe when due!

My motto for this challenge.

“Its real hard to come up with $1000 but it’s easy to find 1000 ways to save a dollar or two!”

So let’s go and find those 1000 ways to save a dollar challenge and see what’s amount is at the end of 12 months.

So here are the numbers to this question.

I’ve crunched My Challenge numbers. I spent an average of $498.75 a pay, on living expenses, including the major project –Door, over the year after savings but I don’t pay any tax. My Credit Card is balanced now $55.00 in the No % period.

At the end of 365 days these are the totals showing up. That if I was the one who paid original full price for everything that I use, ate or bought in that year, my income would need to be around $24149 and not $13312 that I get in the way of my pension plus some cash gifts and interest.

Here are few numbers to look at.

Pension Income $13312.00
Cash gifts & Interest $1050.00
Banking in $2020.00 & out $1400.00
Major project $1690.00
Money Left $881.00 + Water Tank Money $1540.00
Senior % $3423.49
Other % $8045.38

To recap
My Real Spending Total : $12968.04
+ 2006 - 2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally: $11469.07
= Full Price (RRP) Income Challenge: $24149.11

So that’s a saving of 47.5% on RRP & Senior Discounts savings overall. ($11469)
My senior discount ratio 30% other savings 70%.

Looking at savings and senior discount numbers

Total Savings at following weeks.
4th wk $1343.50
8th wk $2826.02
12th wk $3427.84
16th wk $4590.28
20th wk $5814.26
24th wk $6645.21
28th wk $7521.90
32nd wk $8304.36
36th wk $8886.27
40th wk $9629.66
44th wk $10,018.97
48th wk $10,473.01
52nd wk $11469.07

Senior Card Discount & Senior Rebate Amounts

Rates ___________ $855.00
Car _____________ $322.28
Insurance 55over_ $125.00
Coffee free ______$92.10
Lunch ___________ $79.31
Medical _________ $1309.80
Dr_______________ $180.00
Power ___________ $120.00
Phone ___________ $120.00
Fares ___________ $58.00
Free Cheque______ $96.00
No Bank fees_____ $60.00
Movies __________ $6.00
________________= $3423.49

Power of senior card & senior pension discount rebates is averaging out around $3500 or more if I used the State Travel Voucher once this year on what I have done over past 12 months. Much more senior card discounts are available that I didn’t use 5 – 20% off different things for just showing your senior card.

This the text from 'The Answer to my Question'

Challenge at 52nd week and end of this $$$ Stretching challenge.

Kitty’s Real Spending Total $12968.04
+ 2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $11469.07
= Full Price (RRP) Income Challenge $24149.11

Opening CC Balance $317.00 (In % free days period)
Kitty’s Opening Balance Rollover $648.00 ($265 Bill A/C)
$$$Money in - $1212.00
= Total Income Balance. $1860.00
Bills Total $339.00 + 262.00 CC = $601.00
Other Spending & Groceries $239.61
$$$ Money out = $840.61
Cash Banked in other A/C’s $138.00
Kitty’s Rollover Balance $ 881.39 ($400 Bill A/C*)
CC Balance $55.00 (No % free days period & to be paid next shopping day)
Major project bills outstanding = $360*

* (To be paid when my friend returns from a NZ holiday.)

Today DS ask me if I would drive to pick him up as he had to put one of they car’s in for a service then drive him to his house. So I end up at his local shopping centre for the day. I did make a day of it too! I did some shopping at the Aldi not much as I didn’t need a lot of things. Spending only $14.70

Then visited the thrift shop and bought a few cooking magazines & one cookbook signed by the author too! All for $3.00, saving on RRP about $31.70 here.

I bought lunch at the Chinese Restaurant as they have a great lunch time deal for $9.50. Two courses & soft drink dine in. My favorite Chicken & Corn Soup (reg. $4.50), Sweet & Sour Chicken with Fried Rice (I would haven’t this one again there). I try something else next time. (reg. lunch $7.00) Diet Coke $2.00 saving $4.00 here. *

While out I filled my tank with gas spend $23.64 saving $2.16 using 4c off voucher but did save much more as the price went up by 11c litre next day.

This afternoon DF-D rang to say that she got the fish we talked about yesterday. One of the bulk butcher had special on Pacific Dory for $25.00, I said I that I would like some as my cats & I have run out of fish for poaching. As she knows the owner she rang and asked for them to keep a few boxes for her. Frozen so we could put back into our freezer ASAP. We got 35 – 37 pieces each per box. Each box is 5kg. So I got 17 meals for myself & 18 meals for my spoilt cats. Her old cat loves it when we do this, as he will eat it raw mine like it poached. On a box of fish, I saved $19.75 on supermarket price.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Lunch out *
DINNER Poached Fish with Chilli Sauce. Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $98.75
Today’s Savings - $ 57.61
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $11469.07

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 drove down the shopping centre to pay my bills. Rates and phone bills $339.00 with seniors discount savings of $239 to be added for a full price amount in this challenge.

I went to Target to buy a gift card and birthday card for MIL. Spending $33.00 here.

While I was at the shopping centre, I went to the supermarket for DF-M to get her some plastic containers that she wanted. I had to get 10 x 1 Litre flat plastic containers costing $2.95 each. This all bought too at the supermarket!

BREAKFAST Boiled Eggs & Toast Coffee
LUNCH Chilli Tuna Salad & Crackers Apple Coffee
DINNER Thai Satay Chicken with Steamed Rice & Green Tea

Today’s Full price Tally $611
Today’s Savings - $ 239.00
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10877.46

I had to go to the city, as it was my Chiro appointment.
I didn’t have lunch today and went home instead. I need to do this more often.
I only bought some Band-Aids $2.55.

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

Today’s Full price Tally $2.55
Today’s Savings - $ 0.00
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10638.46