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

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

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

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

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

First it’s was off to the Chiro which I have prepaid all my visits until next year, but I get my refund when I have the treatment each time. Refund of $19.40.

I had lunch at McDonald’s today, Thai chicken roll & coffee $5.45 saving $1.50 on the coffee with senior discount card.

Then off to see my doctor for a check up as it’s a while since I have seen him, and asked for half yearly blood checks to be done and blood pressure check as I have low blood pressure. I got names of Dermatologists to ring for appointment, which I will get a referral when I see him next week. I remembered to tell him that I have a hearing aid now. He has just come back from trip to Europe. As a pensioner I get this visit FREE too! Saving $30.00

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH lunch out *
DINNER Pumpkin & Lentil Stew with Garlic Focaccia Bread

Today’s Full price Tally $35.45*
Today’s Savings - $50.90
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6254.86

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

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

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

All the males in my life came to visit today. First my DS came a spent the morning with me and got on my computer so he could look at the internet. We drove up to my car dealers and check in about the rust proofing that I ordered. So that’s a job for Thursday this week. After we went along to auto suppliers shop at the shopping strip near by. Bought nothing. So at lunch time I suggested that we go up to the Irish Pub for a counter lunch as he had never been there. I shouted both of us too! Two meals for $14.75 then he wanted a plate of hot chips cost $5.50 enough for 3 people, LOL afterward he went home.

This evening I have a visit from my handyman friend, he is the same age as I am too! After a lot of talking about a quote for a tank that I will need to do some work on the base if I go a head with it. He is working interstate at the moment and was having a few days at home. He said he would call in to-morrow to do any odd jobs before he goes back interstate for a few weeks more. It’s nice to have some friend will do little jobs for you. We will see what to-morrow brings and I may get my Smoke Alarm Detector up finger crossed

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH lunch out*
DINNER Beef Bourguignon with Basmati Rice Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $20.25*
Today’s Savings - $ 0
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6203.96

I finally got the smoke alarm that I was looking for too! I bought it as so as I saw it @ $25.00 saving $5.00 on quoted price at hardware. Now to get some one to put it up for me. As coffee Nescafe was on special this week and lowest price in the past year so I used some of my Bulk Food Replacement Fund money to buy 1kg. (2 tins of it) saving $14.50 of RRP. Other items bought I saved $3.25 as well! I will need to include my Bulk Food Replacement Fund value again and watch as spend it. I stopped the tally at $200 now I see how long this will last.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Potato & Leek Soup and Crackers with Low-Fat Cream Cheese & Tomato Coffee
DINNER Honey Teriyaki Beef with Rice Noodles Apple Green Tea

Today’s Full price Tally $78.79
Today’s Savings - $22.75
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6181.21
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $200.00 – $22.78 = $177.22

Today is my shopping day. I am trying to do most of my car & shopping jobs on today.

I went into the thrift shop in the shopping centre and looked at they books, which are what I normally, do. Today I came across a Calligraphy Cookbook collector item for $3.00. The cover is by Donald Jackson and all the calligraphy inside too! The Book is in good condition too. ‘Entertaining with Cranks’ it’s a vegetarian cookbook and I do have another Cranks cookbook too! Part of my cookbook collection is these kinds of books. I did do calligraphy at one stage and had a class with Donald Jackson in 1985. I think this is why I am so happy. He was at the time of writing was the Queen’s Calligrapher in England. Save $13.50 on sale of 2nd book for sale at abebooks co uk today.

Then off to the supermarket that I get a discount from. To buy my potting mix as I have a rain check for this items saving $5.55, along some gardening items instead of buy groceries I buy gardening supplies. This is a pet shopping stock up for next 2 weeks or more. If I don’t buy pets items then I don’t go to the supermarket. Well they stuff up today twice in 7 days can you believe, not the same store but little old me. I bought & checked my docket just outside of the checkout, in this case I would have not been believed if I had left the area. The check out staff did a multi sale ring up on both lots of pet food cans. I wasn’t planning to spend that much so I was checking why, 15 cans & 13 cans of pet food I don’t think so. When I & the supervisor counted them, we only got 12 & 10 cans of each sort, so a refund $4.83 on that lot. So moral of this tale check your dockets please.

I had a snack at my favorite snack bar & cheapest in the area too! Hot dog on roll & milk shake for $2.40. If I bought the same at Wendy’s, it would have cost another $4.00 so saving there.

The price gas is going down from what it was, so I put more gas in the car. Just fill it up not much I haven’t used the car much ¼ of tank. Got 4c litre off .40c as I only put 10L in.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Macaroni & Cheese Apple Coffee
DINNER Beef Bourguignon, Ice Cream with Ginger Chocolate Sauce Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $80.32
Today’s Savings - $22.95
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6181.21

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

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

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

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

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

In my local area the electricity company is installing new electricity meters in houses that have old style ones, next year we will be able to choose whom you have as our supplier as at the moment it’s the state government is the only supplier. So we will have fun of locked in contracts and the good and bad along with it too!

As my meter box turn off switch is locked in a room and can not be access from the outside. I had to make contract with the company doing this job, so that I was home when they did come. Well he came today, I have a new digital meters and not the technology of 60 years ago or more. All houses that are over 50 years old are getting these new meters. No cost to us I hope! Keep you posted on that one!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH French loaf with Low-Fat Cream Cheese & Tomato Coffee
DINNER Omelette with Cheese Coffee

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

At times, I like to try packet goods out first before I start substituting commercial-made items for a recipe made from scratch one. I was lucky the other week to get three packets of meals that I just had to add the meat too! Now that I know what it tastes like and what ingredients the manufacturer used. Now I can go and look at my cookbook collection for similar recipes and make my own combinations up using a few different recipes and ingredient of the packet as a guide. This does end up at times with a new version with a similar name. I start this when I couldn't eat certain foods over a number of period years, now I can eat them but not as much as before.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers with Low-Fat Cream Cheese & Tomato Mandarin Coffee
DINNER Pasta with Pasta Sauce & Tuna

Gingernut Cookies

Makes about 24

1 1/3 cups plain flour
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ginger grounded
1 tsp. mixed spice
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup (65g) butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp. golden syrup
1 1/2 tsp. grated fresh ginger.

Sift together the flour, salt, ground ginger, mixed spice and cinnamon. Set aside.
Cream together the butter and sugar until light fluffy.
Add the golden syrup and fresh ginger. Mix well.
Stir in the sifted dry ingredients. The mixture should be stiff but if it is too stiff, add a little more golden syrup.
Roll into small balls and place on a buttered cookie sheet. Press gently to flatten slightly.
Bake in 190 C (375F) oven for about 20 minutes.

Today I had to go up the street for a walk, as I was getting a bit housebound and as no one is home this weekend doesn’t help! After dropping in one thrift shop that had some pamphlets that I may have bought if the price was right, at the price they were asking for them I just put them back on the shelf and walked out. When I went over to the supermarket, outsides there was a street stall with any item in the box in packets too! For 50c each so I had a ball and bought two bags value about around $10.00 to $15.00 each. Two dishes one small ceramic tray & match heart shape dishes along with a hand crafted small butterfly and two tea lights. Value $12.00 Another one had chopping board and small make-up bag & tea towel and some samples in it. Value $12.00 All items were new too! Plus two novels value RRP $19.90. Along with a little bit of supermarket shopping.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers with Avocado & Herbs Fruit Coffee
DINNER Macaroni & Cheese Apple Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $76.30
Today’s Savings - $67.00
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $5881.26

As I am testing my hearing aid which is working ok for me to use. It just stopped this morning so I called the office and was told to come in today as well next Monday. A small part that I was cleaning wrong was replaced and all is fine again! Afterward I walk down to the city parkland near by which being watered with recycle water, to have the lunch that I bought with me from home. All I bought today was prepaid bus fares, and one bottle of water it came from Java too! Next time I will check where bottled spring water is from before I buy it.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Tuna & Cranberry Sauce on Bread Roll Apple Water
DINNER Pumpkin & Lentil Stew with Garlic Focaccia Bread coffee
SNACK Pancakes with Maple Syrup & Ice Cream

Today’s Full price Tally $1.20
Today’s Savings - $ .20
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $5814.26

In the last 28 days I have

Gone shopping or bought something. 11 times

Went to the city by bus 3 times

Drove my car only. 4 times

Had food bought or had for free away from home. 3 times

And had 14 No Spending Days.

Lets see what next 28 days tallies will be.

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

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

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

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

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

A catalogue arrived with something’s that I was looking for a time. Also it had competition that I am to collect a prize too! So today I sat down and filled in the order form so along with P&P it came to around $90.00. I don’t know if I save any money but I will see what I get in the way a freebies when it arrives. I will post saving on arrival.* It’s along time since I have order from a catalogue so we will see what happens, I will get the cheque and photocopy of my order in the morning.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Grilled Cheese with Mustard Toasted Slices Apple Coffee
DINNER Corn & Chicken Soup, Fried Rice, Black Bean Beef Water

Today’s Full price Tally $90.00
Today’s Savings - $0 *
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $5782.61

Thai Creamy Chicken Satay for 2

2 tsp. oil
1 tsp. red curry paste
250g (1/2 lb.) chicken fillets, cut into small cubes
1/2 cup coconut milk -see note
2 tsp. fish sauce
2 tsp. brown sugar
2 tbsp. crunchy peanut butter or less
Vegetables if using - see note
6 baby corn halved, 1/2 cup small pieces cauliflower & 1 small onion, sliced
Steamed jasmine rice
Lemon wedges

Heat the oil in a wok, add red curry paste and fry for 1 minute.
Stir in chicken and fry 4-5 minutes or until golden brown.
(Batch cook chicken if too much for wok at one time)
Cook onion, in wok and return cooked chicken to wok.
Add all remaining ingredients except lemon wedges and steamed rice.
Bring to the boil.
Lower heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes or until sauce has thickened.
Serve with steamed jasmine rice and lemon wedge.

Notes: coconut milk -(regular or lite) or evaporated milk plus 1 tsp. coconut essence
Vegetables - are not in the original version but I have been served these vegetables at times. So if you wished to use less chicken or serve a large portions then add vegetables.
This is one of my favourite Asian meals.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Pasta with Chilli Tuna Sauce
DINNER Thai Creamy Chicken Satay with Vegetables and Rice, Orange, Green Tea

I just went through some of my cookbooks and was putting them away in they boxes. As on the week-end I was looking for some recipes that were in bottom box of all places.

I must spend more time putting them in some order so I can find them more quickly.

I can’t put them on shelves as I have to many books for that. I am boxing them in categories, as they are all reference books. Time is money so saving time save money.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Jaffas with Chilli Tuna Spread Mandarin Coffee
DINNER Beef Bourguignon Coffee

I have been collecting recipes for a number of years now. What I would like to do with them, is to find about 30 – 50 recipes and study and follow them through the past 250 years until now. How they have charged with time. How the recipe were written what the ingredients use in them or how they were made and ways they are cooked and served. This is a challenge that one day I am yet to do! It may never get published but it will be an interesting study.

Today I have been working on the computer editing an ebook that I was sent to edit. Now I need to make an index for it. Which is missing on it! I like to make things so that I only have to do something once or just to update it when it’s out of date. It must be my path in life, to find ways so you only do something once or a good routine that can be followed.

I spend a lot of my time re-editing others people work to my way of doing it, so that I can read it once and understand what’s written. Some people do not like the way I do things too! We are all different.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers with Avocado & Herbs fruit
DINNER Steak, Egg, Tomatoes, & Grilled Onions Dinner

I was getting housebound. I went to three op shops plus the bookshop along with supermarket. As well going over to fruit shop later in the day. Want did I buy? Well a mixed lot this time, as it has been rain this week I notice that I was getting water in my letterbox after it rained. So went looking for a cake rack/baking tray that would fit inside my letterbox, I got a perfect size one baking tray for 1.00. saving $4.00 No more wet mail. I found 2 cup steel vacuum flask for $5.00 (value $35.00) but it didn’t keep things hot but will do nicely for cold drinks in summer. I had one many years ago the brand was ‘Thermos’ and I had the same problem I will never learn. I have a Décor one and it stay hot for 24 hours. I bought some cookbooks for $3.50 the RRP $ 26.00 saving around $23.00. On the Groceries plus Fruit & Vegetable shopping as I bought some black olives for 50c packet (saving $23.50 kg) saving $5.20 on them.

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 $79.00
Today’s Savings - $60.70
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $ 5782.61

I went for a drive with my DS over to his MIL business so she could go out for a half- hour or so. I went around to the Op Shop near by but it was closed today. So I went off to the newsagent and bought Calligraphy Set for $2.95. Value around $12.95 mark as it was a introductory offer. I have enough calligraphy items to sink the yacht. I don’t need anymore. So I will not be buying this set over 100 books and stuff in it etc. each book set will cost $7.95 each. Around $800.00 mark and counting. It’s not a good buy, don’t fall for such offers just buy the first one introductory offer only then stop. Buy only want you need to start and a simple textbook on the subject and you will come out better off. (Do the Maths Strategy)

I had appointment with my Financial Advisors I have two. Lucky me, as one is close to retirement so the another one is taking over smaller clients for now! All is well for the time being in that area. I look after my day to day stuff and they look after my Super, which is not a lot of money but it’s all that I will have. I went to the supermarket near by and bought some garlic bread that was markdown. Saving $2.50.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Salad Cheese with Crackers Apple Coffee
DINNER Pasta with Chilli Tuna Sauce
SNACK Pancakes with Maple Syrup Whipped Cream

Today’s Full price Tally $17.45
Today’s Savings - $12.50
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $5721.91

As I am looking for recipes to make from scratch in most things that I am cooking. So here is another one that I will try soon!

Hungarian Goulash
Serve 4-6

2 med. onions
Canola oil
2 lbs. Chuck steak, diced
1 cup dry red wine or tomato juice
1 can 410g tomatoes diced
1 tsp. caraway seed (optional)
2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1 large red pepper/capsicum , seeded & chopped
salt & pepper to taste

Chop the onions and saute them in the oil.
Set onions aside and brown diced steak.
Combine, then add the rest of the ingredients and simmer on top of the stove for about 2 hours or until the meat is tender and juices have reduced.
Serve with noodles, steamed potatoes or boiled rice.
Can be frozen. Thaw and reheat

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH BBQ Soy Beef with Rice Green Tea Orange
DINNER 2 Fish Cakes & Salad Orange Coffee
SNACK Pancakes with Maple Syrup Whipped Cream

One of my ex-workmates came back after 4 months visiting family and touring Southern States. It was good to see her after all this time. I think she had a good time spend time with families, in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and touring with each to Tasmania & south coast of NSW & Victoria.

Today I did a little shopping after our lunch with her. I bought some multi-vitamin tablets saving $7.95 off them. I pick up a two for one deal in room deodorizer with 50% that pack too! Saving $3.00. I got a few other items saving $3.00 on them too! So I had a good day as our lunch was an all you can eat salad bar & drinks $13.95 plus extra manger special for $2.00 value around $9.95 of two Kebabs of Prawns & Steak with Baked Potato with Mustard Sauce. Then we got 20% off for our senior card. They were eight for lunch today!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH lunch out *
DINNER Baked Potato* with Mango Chutney Coffee Apple
SNACK Muesli bar

Today’s Full price Tally $54.90
Today’s Savings - $23.90
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $5709.41

Today I work on de-cluttering papers in my dining room, as I have habit of dumping them there.
I found only a few that needed to be files, others just I dumped.

I walked up the street to the local supermarket & newsagent. Buying a few groceries and my multi bus ticket, saving around $10.80 on bus ticket. On groceries etc, saving $4.30

Yesterday I had quite day at home. Working on the computer and listening to the radio about Steve Irwin dead. He pulled the string-ray barb out himself then he died. The small township near Australia Zoo is Beerwah in the Sunshine Coast Queensland. It’s up to the family if there will be a State Funeral for him.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers with Cottage Cheese Chutney & Herbs Fruit Coffee
DINNER Omelette with Cheese Coffee
SNACK Muesli bar

Today’s Full price Tally $35.25
Today’s Savings - $15.10
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $5658.51

Steve Irwin the Crocodile Hunter was killed by Sting-Ray in North Queensland on Barrier Reef. Today

He was 44. (1962 – 2006)

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

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This is the one that I used this time. As I had some black beans paste in my pantry.

Black Bean Beef with Sweet Chilli
Serving 2

1/2 lb (250g) trimmed rump steak, cut into thin strips
3 1/2 oz (100g) black beans paste
2 tsp. chilli sauce
4 cups of chopped or sliced vegetables (Red Capsicum, Shallots Onion Carrot & Bean Sprouts)
2 serves cooked jasmine rice or 5 oz (150g) rice vermicelli (prepare before you start cooking.)
2 tbsp. stock or water if paste too thick.
Combine paste with beef in bowl.
Heat large, non-stick pan or wok add beef fry 2 minutes or until cook, stirring constantly.
Add vegetables, stir-fry a further 3 minutes.

I found another recipe for Beef and Sweet Peppers in Black Bean Sauce, which I will try soon!

Beef and Sweet Peppers in Black Bean Sauce
Serves 2 to 4

INGREDIENTS:

Marinade:
1/2 tsp. sugar
2 tsp. soy sauce
2 tsp. Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
1 1/2 tsp. cornstarch/cornflour
1 tbsp. Canola oil

3/4 lb (750g) steak (sirloin or rump)
2 bell peppers, 1 green and 1 red
1 small onion
1 tablespoon black bean sauce to taste
2 cloves garlic
2 large slices ginger
4 tbsp. oil for stir-frying, or as needed
1/2 cup chicken stock or water
soy sauce
PREPARATION:
Cut the beef into rectangular slices, about the size of a large postage stamp and 1/4-inch thick. Add the marinade ingredients and marinate the beef for 25 to 30 minutes.

While the beef is marinating, prepare the vegetables.
Remove the stems and seeds from the bell peppers and chop. Peel the onion and chop.

Use a cleaver or knife to chop the beans into tiny pieces. Finely chop the garlic and ginger. Mix the chopped garlic with the black beans.

Heat the wok over medium-high to heat. Add 2 tablespoons oil. When the oil is hot, add the beef. Brown briefly, then stir fry until it changes color and is about 80 percent cooked. Remove the beef from the wok.

Add 2 tablespoons oil. When the oil is hot, add the ginger and the garlic and bean mixture. Stir-fry briefly until aromatic. Add the onion. Stir-fry for about 3 minutes, then add the green pepper. Stir-fry for another minute, then add the remaining pepper.

Pour in the chicken broth. Heat to boiling. Add the beef back into the pan. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for a few more minutes. Taste and season with soy sauce if desired.
Serve hot with steamed jasmine rice.

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