I visited my friend who is Avon Rep. as I ordered things, out of the special Clearance Avon catalogue, which was the 2nd order. Luck would have it; I got some Christmas gifts for family & friends saving $26.00 on gifts. A house watch saving $20.00 on the watch. So out of 4 items that I ordered I got 3 for potluck ordering that not bad! Costing $34.50 save $46.00 on RRP.

Only other shopping, I did today was for the cats so $4.20 out of they budget.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk with LSA Prunes Coffee 70c
LUNCH Chilli Tuna Salad & Crackers Apple Coffee 80c
DINNER Poach Fish & Salad Mandarin Coffee $2.50

Today’s Full price Tally $84.70
Today’s Savings - $46.00
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $114.95
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2917.83

Today I went to the shopping centre to pick up something at newsagent, which in fact they didn’t get in, so I walk down that far for nothing. Anyway I just walk in one doorway and out the other, walking past the supermarket without buying a thing.

Spent most of my day working on the computer just read mostly. Must get some housework done.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants, 2 Toast & Jam Coffee 45c
LUNCH Vegetable Soup with Toast Coffee 40c
DINNER French Onion Chicken & Toast 1.00

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $110.95

1 large clove of garlic, crushed
1 large brown onion, chopped
2 medium potatoes, cubed
2 large carrots, sliced
2-3 large pumpkin wedges, cubed
2 stick celery, sliced
1 parsnip, sliced
1 turnip, cubed
6 - 8 cups vegetable stock
2 x 400g (15oz) cans diced tomatoes
1/2 cup green lentils
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon Canola or olive oil
Black pepper or chilli powder
2 x 400g (15oz)can of red kidney beans, strained or any other beans at hand, strained
250 grams (4oz) frozen peas

Melt the oil in a large pot. When it's hot, add the crushed garlic and potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, celery, turnip, parsnip, and onion. Stir for around three minutes.
Add diced tomatoes, vegetable stock, lentils, bay leaves and black pepper or chilli powder.
Bring to the boil and then gently simmer until the vegetables are just cooked.
Add the kidney beans and peas.
Bring to the boil again and then remove from the heat.
Discard the bay leaves.
Can be frozen.
Thaw & reheat single serve in the microwave (650W) for 3 - 4 minutes.
Note: You can add any other vegetables of your choice, if you don't eat or don't have at hand for any of the above.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants, 2 Toast & Jam Coffee 45c
LUNCH Vegetable Soup with Toast Coffee 40c
DINNER Fish Cakes & Salad Mandarin Coffee $1.00

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $109.10

I dropped into to 2nd Hand Bookshop & found two more Cookbooks with some information that didn’t have, so that’s another $2.00 for books. Value around $20.00.

If I ever tried to sell them on E-bay I will have some fun. Postage puts me off doing it. I will have a look into that one! As I have a lot of Books that I could sell!

BREAKFAST Chilli Baked Beans, Bacon & Egg with Grilled Tomato Coffee $1.45
LUNCH Vegetable Soup with Toast Coffee 40c
DINNER Chilli Con Carne on Toast Mandarin Coffee $1.20

Today’s Full price Tally $ 20.00
Today’s Savings - $18.00
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $107.25
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2871.83

I walked up to the next shopping centre from my nearest one, around to 2km away. Then walked back to Hungry Jack’s. I bought a Hamburger $1.90 & got a free coffee with my senior card saving $2.45.

Shopped at the local supermarket as a habit I think, and found that they were no longer going to stocking my ‘Spicy Italian’ by McCormick, as it was on a clearance for $1.55 each, so like a good little hoarder that I am I bought the lot! Four bottles, best before dates were good too, two bottles had Dec 2007 and the other two had Dec 2008. Saving around $4.12 on the lot. Bought also a markdown to 99c Soup Pack of Vegetable too! So Soup is on the menu this menu, saving $1.45 here.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants, 2 Toast & Jam Coffee 45c
LUNCH Dine Out *
DINNER Fish Cakes and Salad Mandarin Coffee 80c

Today’s Full price Tally $16.92*
Today’s Savings - $8.02
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $104.20
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2853.83

I was thinking of going to the Circus this morning, it would cost about $10.00 plus to go, it was at the local school today. It was a proper circus too!

But I decided to have luxury bath instead. Using what I have in my storage from my gifts of the past years. So it was FREE!

I saved the water so that I can reuse it on the front garden to-morrow then I will water my garden.
I will need to bale it out some time today when it cools down a bit! I will need to put into my buckets and my Tuff tub that I have got for Grey water. Oh what fun this is! It’s a learning curb for us all! I will mostly likely fair the best as I am now at next step to next level. Trying to find other ways to save water. Without going to too much expense, like spending a lot of money on rain water tank and new front loader washing machine, even with rebates it would set me back too much expense wise. If the washing machine breaks down then I will look into it. I am talking thousands dollars here! All to save $2.00 on my water bill. I do have the lowest water bill around here as it is now! Unless I buy a water tank 5000L one at that and new AAAAA washing machine I can’t get my water bill lower.

Now its time to work on tiding up the house for visitors. I will try to put notes in this blog, how I am going on that front. It’s very slow going!

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants 2 Toast & Jam Coffee 45c
LUNCH Slices of Toast with Mustard Spread, Melted Cheese & Topped Paprika Coffee 50c
DINNER Steak Pork, Egg, Tomatoes, & Grilled Onions Dinner $1.80

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $102.95

I had a go at my new system with all my buckets and water holding rubbish bins etc for my grey water.

Some ideas worked but others were not as successful as I hoped! I need to empty my rubbish bins before I washed so I watered the back yard with them.

Saving the soapy water to put back in the washing machine and having enough buckets to do this task. 10 buckets and 2 large rubbish bins were not enough.

As for the recycle water hose that I bought, I need some way to fix it to my washing machine waste hose and be able to remove it also! I used up 2 ideas as far with very little success.

I am still learning on this one so it’s back to the drawing broad. MMMM!

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants Coffee 2 Toast & Jam, Coffee 60c
LUNCH Crackers with Cheese & Chutney, Mandarin Coffee 65c
DINNER Omelette with Sweet Chilli Sauce Apple Coffee. 65c

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $100.20

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

Gone shopping or bought something. 15 times

Went to the city by bus 2 times

Drove my car only. 9 times

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

And had 13 No Spending Days.

Lets see what next 28 days tallies will be.

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

Today task was to make room in my storage area downstairs to make room for more STUFF that needs to be move out of upstairs.

As I have the habit of re-buying the same items again and again if don’t keep them. I no longer part with them only move them into storage. I do have the storage too!

My aim is to put this goal into practice. Goal: To just leave out what projects & topic, I am working on this week, all other projects are to be returned to it’s own storage area. MMMMM!

I do work on a value system, so I don’t keep everything. If I can replace it at little cost & no longer need it now then it goes in the bin or given away. But if it cost a bit of money to replace it in the future then I will keep it. I have been known to go back too projects years later.

With this plan, I will be able to keep my house in some form of order, even it’s not just tidy as a picture perfect house.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Milk with LSA Pancakes & Maple Syrup with Whipped Cream 80c
LUNCH Crackers with Chutney, Home-cooked Corn Beef & Salad Coffee $1.00
DINNER Devilled Sausages Orange $1.00

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $97.45

I am cutting back on unwanted plants, tiding up some plants. Raking garden lawn as I don’t need to mow it just yet, another 2 weeks I would think then just cutting the tops off weeds in the lawn. As I plan to keep it a little higher than it is now!

Tidy the patio and sweeping it too! Removed any dead or unsightly plants.

As for watering it’s now via buckets or watering can only. I filled my yellow Tuff tub bucket up then just filled my watering can to half each time. As when you fill it to full it’s too heavy and I do have a sore back to start with.

As a younger adult I worked on a drink bar. So I know how heavy buckets can be if you are doing it for along time like we will be, then you just don’t fill them up to the top! At least I will not have to waters any plants above my head as I did when I was working filling drink machines with buckets on the drink bar.

This may be the reason that I am more safety conscious than other people, as I had that job for 10 years.

My DS turned up today, so it was off to car sale yard to a get a light bulb for my car. They have service area, it’s a one stop car yard. DS ask about the newer model sedan so we had a test drive in the newest model of my car too! Not buying.

Off too hardware superstore again at last. Yes I did get my refund & I was remembered too! As I was only person who bought a large Tuff Yellow Bucket.

DS cracked my toilet seat some month’s back. Said I would buy a new one when he was ready to install it so he went off to find it so $29.90 later we were off again. I did get it put in TOO!

We went for a drive to my DS - MIL business, for coffee then we drove home.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants Coffee 2 Toast & Jam, Coffee 60c
LUNCH Crackers with Cheese & Chutney, Mandarin Coffee 65c
DINNER Omelette with Cheese, Sweet Chilli Sauce Apple Coffee. 75c

Today’s Full price Tally $29.90 – refund $2.65 = $27.25
Today’s Savings - $ nil
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $94.65
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2826.02

I had to drive to the hardware superstore today. The nearest one is about 6km away.

As we went into level 3 water restrictions last week, I needed to buy more buckets and Bunnings one’s are more sturdier than the cheaper buckets but half the price more. ($1.50 to 89c) these are for my grey water in my laundry. Also bought a 42L rubber large Tuff bucket to fill so that I am not standing holding it up everytime to fill up. I do have a bad back to start with so I have to find ways around this problem. I got my 2 hose reels and fitting to put my hoses away too! They were a little expensive, I bought them for safety as this comes before money on my list. I would have to look after myself if I had an accident. I got a new rake for $2.65 also I was charged twice which I found out when I arrived home. Plus some other items. $$$Another Strategy ~ safety first

It may be a small amount of $2.65, but if everyone didn’t go back for a refund then they win!

I rang them up so that 20c off the refund to start. Yes, they did remember me. So I will not to wait to run a security camera check on the sale. “They run a security camera at each register and then view footage before a give a refund if there is any doubt!” (Yes, this is what she said on the phone.) They had a run of people taking other peoples dockets at some stage, then duplicating what was on it, when returning to a store for part refunds later! Another friend had her docket stolen while she was getting the charges from her sale. You need a docket the leave the store with any goods. This little exercise costs $58.74 less $2.65 when I get it. I will go back to-morrow as the girl who served me is on duty then!
$$$Another Strategy ~ check dockets & get your refunds if wrong.

As it was lunch time and I need to go grocery shopping on the way home. (Multi task trip here.)

I had lunch of a hot dog & mustard roll and milkshake at our Cheapest Snack Bar locality. It’s a one off snack bar. They serve a very limited menu, hot dogs, doughnuts and gingerbread men & drinks but they prices are cheaper by more than half what you pay at other places like Wendy’s. Cost $2.45* saving $4.55 if I bought at café in the hardware store. I nearly did too! I bought Pet Food & Grocery needed at supermarket cost $13.75 only saving 65c on Retire Staff Discount Card.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants with Milk Coffee 35c
LUNCH hot dog & milk shake *
DINNER Devilled Sausages Yogurt & LSA Coffee 75c
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $1.10

Today’s Full price Tally $79.49*
Today’s Savings - $5.20
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $92.65
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2842.21

Cut up one of my homegrown pumpkin today and made Pumpkin & Lentil Stew.

Pumpkin & Lentil Stew
Serve 6

1 large onion diced
1 clove of crushed garlic
3 tsp. curry powder mild or to your taste
(or 1 teaspoon of each cumin, coriander & turmeric)
1 tsp. chopped ginger
3 cups of vegetable stock (or 2 tsp. vegetable stock powder & 3 cups boiling water)
3 cups raw pumpkin diced
1 large raw potato diced
1 cup frozen green beans pieces
1 cup red lentil
1 can diced tomatoes

Saute onion and garlic for 2 minutes.
Combine spices with onion mixture and saute for 1 minute.
Add vegetable stock and all other ingredients, but the green bean pieces bring to the boil.
Cover and simmer are cooked stir occasionally.
Add frozen green beans in the last 10 minutes.
It makes enough for most of the week with two soup ladles per serve
I serve it with 1/2 Focaccia roll each time.
Freezer Friendly

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

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $91.55

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 went to the local shops today, I bought 2 items that were markdown.
Spending $3.63 Saving $2.29.

On the way home, I dropped in at my favourite Thrift shop. Today I bought a Traveler’s Tickets Holder in leather. Value $30.00, saving $27.50 and a Pill Case. Value 19.99 Saving $18.99

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Pancakes & Maple Syrup with Whipped Cream 80c
LUNCH Crackers with Chutney, Home-cooked Corn Beef & Salad Coffee $1.00
DINNER Devilled Sausages Orange $1.00

Today’s Full price Tally $55.90
Today’s Savings - $48.77
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $83.45
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2835.71

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

When I went for the hearing test I had lunch with DIL. We went to my favourite restaurant that has the ‘All You Can Eat Bar’. I had my usual meal of Soup, Large Salad, Apple Pie and Custard Coffee and Diet Coke. My salad is little of most salads served. Just what I can get on one plate, I do not go back for seconds like some people do. My waistline would be getting bigger if I did. Saving $2.85 on lunch. I had a FREE coffee , saving $2.45

I tried to go shopping today for items that I needed to buy but were out of stock. I will try again next time and keep looking elsewhere. I am looking for a photo-electric smoke detector, we have had a lot of fires of late with bar heaters. And this is the type of smoke detector you need for this kind of fire. I don’t use a heater as my house keeps its heat by 10 degrees above normal. If I am cold then I just put on extra clothes. I use my heater on my Air Con only if goes below 4 C and stayed below 10C all day, which is rare here or I am ill! I caught the bus today.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants with Milk Coffee 40c
LUNCH (Lunch Out) *
DINNER 2 Pancakes with Peanut Butter & Honey Coffee 30c

Today’s Full price Tally $16.45*
Today’s Savings - $5.30
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $79.90
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2594.14

A few weeks ago, a hearing company rang & offered a FREE hearing test. I don’t think I am in needed of hearing aid yet! I found out later that our government is paying for these tests for all seniors. So I had my hearing test today, I will need further tests as well. I had to go to a doctor to sign the papers also, that was FREE on Medicare bulked billed. I know that I may have a problem in the future with my hearing. As I am a bit deaf in one ear now! So I was not alarmed about it! This has been the case for many years. I will get vouchers for these tests and now have them every two years. I am doing well with all the FREE medical tests that we have here! You name it and it’s FREE for Health Card Holder’s and even more when you past 75 years.

I will have to pay if I go into a private hospital, if I need operation done ASAP. Our public hospitals are over crowded and short on staff and funds but FREE. They had too many admin (pen pushers) and not enough medical staff. Like three to one in some hospitals. And closing some wards too make more office space. The top admin guys were lying and covering up too! Anyway it will take a good few years to right it again! That’s my view of what, I think the way it was going.

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

I have put an offer on a new QB Bed & mattress for $100, if the owner has to leave it behind without selling when she moves. It’s worth around $1500 and 6 weeks old. I don’t hold out on getting the bed, or pay the price she was asking for it, as I don’t need it at the moment. I could also got a 3- month old washing machine for $100 but it’s too small for my liking and I don’t need it. I would need to do 4 loads to my 2 loads, each time I washed & more work.

I bought a Calligrapher’s pen set just missing the main pen which I have got. Full set value $25.95 less value of pen now $15.95 for 50c Saving $15.45 Stencil value $8.95 for 50c, Saving $8.45, Book on First Aid value $25.00 for $1.00, saving $24.00.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk with LSA 2 Toast & Jam Coffee 65c
LUNCH Corn Beef and Mustard Pickle on 3 Crackers, Orange Coffee - 80c
DINNER 2 Egg Cheese Omelette and Tomato Pasta Sauce, Apple Coffee -80c

Today’s Full price Tally - $49.90
Today’s Savings - $47.90
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $73.95
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2540.54

***
Update on the bed, she was able to sell it for near the asking price. Good as she needed the money. As she was leaving in a hurry legally, as her ex -SO tried to murder her last week.

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

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! It’s back to work for my DIL, and my DS goes back on Thursday. He arrived at my place after taking his wife to work. We did someone shopping for DF-M and delivered it too her when I was off to his place for the day. We did some work around the yard cleaning area that dogs were kept in. Sweeping and picking up rubbish that was lying around and as they have a pool this was needed to made right for next few months. Then it was doing the laundry, I folded the clothes that were washed before they went away and my DS did a few loads of washing and putting them in the dryer.

We had to go and get Gas for both their cars before next price rise. First stop was they local shopping centre where we had bite to eat as well. Some grocery shopping for my son and getting a gas voucher too! Off to fill up they first car with gas and check the tires, then off to home to finish the washing and pool. Out again too another shopping area to get the pool chemical balance checked, on to another shopping centre. We didn’t buy a thing at, we just pricing for Photo’s for best deal. Then it was off to fill 2nd car with gas and check the tires. Back to his place for more work, to finish the pool with chemicals etc. While we were driving back to my home and to pick up his wife from work. The price off gas had risen by 12c per litre in the past hour.

Later that evening I drove up to they place in my car for dinner and to be given my gifts from they trip. I got an beautiful Jade Elephant Pendant from Hong Kong, a green shopping bag from Harrods in London, A piece of the Berlin wall and a postcard, a small Swiss army knife with my name on it. Hot & Sweet Paprika 50g each and salad serving set hand painted from Hungary and few other small items. I think they had a very good time, now to get the photo printed and see them!

Meals*
Today’s Full price Tally $18.59*
Today’s Savings - $4.80
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2478.65

My DS & DIL arrived home this morning, they had a very good trip. After five week traveling Europe. They were sleeping off they jet lag while I was at Fernberg. I saw them for a few minutes last night. Will see them on Wednesday evening.

Fernberg is the state residence of Her Excellency Quentin Bryce AC, our Governor, the Queen's representative in our State. As today is 'Queensland Day' in our State, so DF-D was invited to morning tea and she could bring someone along too! As her husband didn't want to go I was invited to go. Well things didn't go to plan. My friend D had to go Interstate yesterday. But I still went on my own. I drove my car on to the grounds to park, as people with a disability were able to park there.

Fernberg House was built in 1864-65 and was bought by our State Government in 1910. Has been the residence of all governors ever since. It's only open to the public a few times a year. Around 1500 people had invitations for today's event. I wore my dark pink 2piece suit and people did compliment on how nice I looked. If they only knew, I wore it a little differently than I did before as I had lost some weight since I last wore it. It has a blouse-on top with a band around the bottom which I pulled down so it looked as if I was to wear it at the top of my legs making me look a lot thinner around the bust and waist area.

Morning tea was set in the garden area with seating for two hundred people, as this was an all day affair; people could come until mid afternoon.

Tea or Coffee were served in hot water urns and it was paper cups too! Food was not much in the way of variety. There were Scones with Strawberry Jam & Fresh Cream, Lamingtons and Anzac Biscuits. Recipes below.

After I had morning tea, I then had time to walk through the Fernberg Public Reception areas, as there is a formal dinner tonight the table was set up which we were able to see. Seating is for 24 guests. Look at Image Gallery - 26 January 2005/2006 Open days in September -Government House Open Day for pictures. This house has full staff, all in uniforms and as well as the aides-de-camp. If you have ever seen pictures of the stately homes of England then this is what this place looks like. And the flags flying on top of the roof too! Gardens are beautiful and I think they have bore water there. As I walked back along the drive way to my car I met the Governor herself and had a quick chat about the first time I visited Fernberg as a child. I stayed about 3 1/2 hours.

Home made Lamingtons

Anzac Biscuits

Easy Pumpkin Scones

Plain Scones

I put all the clothes that I decided to give away in the car this morning, and took them to a charity bin before I unpacked them again. I always give myself only 24 hours to get things out of the house if they are going. I started this when I found, that I had let DS leave things in his wardrobe after he left home. I had asked him to remove them, and always got, ‘I'll do it later’ remark, well one day I said enough was enough. So I just went in, only kept things of value, gave away clothes that were 6 sizes too small now, and papers from rentals he had lived in 8 years before. Some stuff had been in that wardrobe for 14 years. He had been married 5 years by then and left home 8 years before that! So the remark ‘ten years and waiting’ applies here! I do know that I keep things for a long time but I'm no longer keeping things for other people, for me to move around my house.

As I had to go to the shopping centre in the car, I did my cats groceries shopping too! Their dry cat food was on special and along with their regular cat food which went up yet again. Saving $1.50 I bought dairy markdowns, one my favourite health drink reg. $4.85 m/d $1.74, milk coffee 1L reg. $3.38 m/d $1.74 1L skim milk reg. $1.80 m/d 90c. Saving $5.65 2 jars of jam $1.99. Saving $2.86 I bought two books at the thrift shop $3.50 RRP $ 25.00 saving $21.50 and The Di Vinci Code shopping bag plus lotto tickets.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants with Milk Coffee 40c
LUNCH Crackers with Cheese & Mustard Pickle Relish Apple Coffee 40c
DINNER Honey Mustard Chicken with Vegetables and Rice, Fruit Coffee $2.20

Today’s Full price Tally $54.28
Today’s Savings - $31.51
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $64.85
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2473.90