As he is again driving he picked me up today, for a day watching DVD ‘Da Vinci Code’. We both have seen it at the movies too! It was nice to just sit and watch it all again, and pause it to find Dan Brown cameo roll in the movie. There is only one scene that I don’t remember at all in this version. I have asked for the DVD - 2CD to be my Christmas present this year. (Fingers crossed)

After we went out to do some shopping and have lite lunch, half of what’s normal bought this time. Saving $1.90.* Then on to the vet’s to get some flea & worm stuff for my cats that worked last time, it’s expensive but it did do the job. Saving $34.69 and much more if I bought it single packs at a pet store.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH lunch out*
DINNER Lamb chop Egg, Onion & Tomatoes Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $105.95
Today’s Savings - $ 36.69
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6841.92

What a day, about mid morning my Sicilian friend (DF-M) and her DD & SIL arrived back from a weekend in the country. As they had left early for the 3 hours drive down, they need breakfast so as I was invited along for the afternoon outing. I ate with them too! Meze’s type of food which we bought on last Thursday shopping trip along fresh bread. Sun-dried tomatoes in oil, artichokes in oil, marinated mixed olives, two different cheese & meats. Very nice but rich!

Then it was off the crematory for a visit to the family crypt. DF-M wanted some chore done before her SIL flew home that night. So it was off that Mega Hardware store again. I got out with just a rubbish bin this time. Saving $7.18

After we arrived back home, we went different ways and meet up again for dinner.

Sicilian Green Salad and fillet steak cooked on the B-B-Q but marinated in garlic & olive oil with crusty bread and red wine or water. I do think, I will gain weight this week not lose it! After this DD & SIL left for the airport to return home to Sydney.

BREAKFAST Baked Beans on Toast Coffee
LUNCH Sicilian Brunch with DF-M family - (free)
DINNER Sicilian Dinner with DF-M family - (Free)

Today’s Full price Tally $17.18
Today’s Savings - $ 7.18
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6802.23

My handyman friend arrived today to fix my tap & a blind that needed few holes drilled as it was falling down.

As he knows that I like vanilla slice as a cake, that he arrived today with six of them! I don't make them but I like eating them but its too messy to make for one. See a recipe for them below. These have the puff pastry on the bottom and top with that beautiful vanilla confectionery custard filling and iced with yummy passionfruit icing. They are the cheaper version and but gourmet version, with it's triple layers puff pastry, double layer creme patisserie with white water icing is a bit rich. Can't waste them as they cost $2.50 each at the cake shop for a small cake 2 1/2 inch square. Gourmet version coffee shop & restaurant only at $5.00 plus. 1 1/2 by 2 1/2 inches Rectangle.

My car had a flat battery as I left the boot light on. I hope that was all that was wrong with it! The car club's roadside service came and restarted it for me. It does pays to be a member.

Everyone has they own version of making Vanilla Slices so here two versions. One cup = 250 ml

Vanilla Slice Deluxe

1 500g package frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup custard powder
3/4 cup cornstarch
5 1/4 cups milk
1/4 cup butter
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Icing
1 cup confectioners/icing sugar
1 tablespoon milk (4 tsp.)
1 dash vanilla extract

1) Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C.
Unfold puff pastry sheets, and place flat onto baking sheets.
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until lightly browned and puffed.
Set aside.

2) Combine the sugar, custard powder and cornstarch in a large saucepan.
Mix in just enough milk to form a paste, then gradually mix in the rest.
This will prevent lumps from forming. Add the butter.
Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently until thick.
You may need to use a whisk to ensure a smooth consistency.
When the mixture comes to a simmer, cook stirring constantly for 2 minutes.
Remove from the heat, and stir in the egg yolks and vanilla.

3) Line a 22cm baking dish with aluminum foil.
Place one of the baked pastry sheets in the bottom of the dish.
Spread the custard filling in an even layer over the pastry, and top with the other sheet.

4) Mix the confectioners' sugar with 1 tablespoon of milk, and a dash of vanilla to make an icing.
Spread over the top of the pastry.
Refrigerate until the custard layer is firm.
Remove from the pan and slice.

Chef: Geoff Lindsay ~ Pearl Restaurant

Vanilla Slice

Serves Makes 4

1 sheet puff pastry, cut into 4, 6 x 10cm rectangles
2 cups skim milk
1/4 cup caster sugar
1/3 cup custard powder
1 tsp. vanilla essence
icing / confectioners' sugar
Method:
Step 1
Preheat oven to hot 200 C.
Cut pastry into 4, 6 x 10cm rectangles.
Arrange on a baking tray.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until puffed.
Allow to cool.
Separate each into two layers.
Step 2
Prepare custard by bringing milk and sugar to the boil, stirring.
Whisk a little milk into the custard powder.
Whisk the custard powder mixture back into the milk.
Return to heat.
Cook, stirring until mixture boils and thickens.
Simmer, stirring for 3 minutes.
Cover the surface with plastic wrap to stop a skin from forming and allow to cool.
Step 3
Spread custard over 4 pastry halves.
Top with a second layer.
Dust with icing sugar.

Nutritional Information: Per serve: about 1265 kJ; 8.5 g fat; 4.9 g sat fat
Chef: Jennene Plummer ~ Food Editor, New Idea

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Ham Salad Vanilla Slice Coffee
DINNER Lamb chop Egg, Onion & Tomatoes Coffee

Today's Full price Tally $ 18.10
Today's Savings - $ 13.80
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6795.05

My son called in on the way home from hospital. He does have heart disease, an enlarged heart, arteries high tension not good for a 35 year old. This is a very big wake up call for him & his wife. He is lucky that he has got a chance to right his lifestyle now. Funny you can tell them but they will not listen, its’ not that he has being going to the hospital when he has had chest pain for years now. But it was righting its self before the ECG was taken, so they would send him home again. This time it didn’t but did 12 hours later so doctors looked further this time.

After I went up the local shopping centre for a walk. I bought eggs and crackers that were on special so now I will have enough for a while. I went two thrift shops and bought some glass dishes one is the top of casserole that I use at times. And soup bowl that I can use for smaller serving of pasta when I have pasta now. I will be watching my diet more closely now too! I got a cookbook by one of my favorite author on beans & lentils. Saving $18.00 here.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers & Blue Vein Cheese Coffee
DINNER Honey Mustard Chicken with Vegetables and Rice, Fruit, Coffee
Today’s Full price Tally $27.50
Today’s Savings - $ 21.60
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6781.25

My DS was taken hospital last night. He had chest pains again, this time they did fine something a wrong with the ECG. So they are taking tests to find out what is wrong. Before he has being going the another hospital and they were not finding anything wrong by the time they got to see him. So they were sending him home. Cardiologists said they would find out what is wrong this time as he is too young. He is to have a number of tests and week off work as well! As his ECG went back to normal by morning as usual and all his blood test were normal too! Anyway, he does needs to loose some weight ASAP. This is a big wake up call for him. They did say that had they not found something wrong with first ECG and he keep going as he was, he would be dead from a stroke before 40th birthday. As I spent the day at the hospital buying food and drinks etc. My budget got knocked out a bit today, spent $13.85 on food and $1.10 fare home.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Lunch out*
DINNER Poached Fish with Salad

Today’s Full price Tally $14.95
Today’s Savings - $0
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6759.65

Just a bit shopping today, some groceries saving $2.30 and multi-trip bus ticket saving $13.60 on full price single tickets as we get two free trips buying a multi-trip tickets plus I am getting concession one. Saving $2.20 over single trip ticket for concession.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Salad with Blue Vein Cheese Apple Coffee
DINNER Spicy Lentil & Pumpkin with Basmati Rice

Today’s Full price Tally $31.05
Today’s Savings - $ 15.90
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6759.65

It’s a bus trip to the city to visit the Chiro, refund of $19.40 here. As I bought lunch yet again lunch today came to $5.95 saving $1.50 on my coffee with senior card. .

I also bought another book 2nd book by Shannon Lush & Jennifer Fleming ‘Speedcleaning’, I already have their first book ‘Spotless’ both published by ABC (radio) Books saving $5.10 off RRP price.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Lunch out*
DINNER 2 Egg Cheese Omelette and Pasta Sauce & Grilled Peppers
Today’s Full price Tally $27.40*
Today’s Savings - $26.00
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6743.75

Italian Bean and Tuna Salad

1 can (185g) Tuna in springwater
1 can (420g) butter beans or 3 bean mix, drained.
1/2 small onion, thinly sliced
Lemon juice to taste
Italian Dressing, (Fat-Free) to taste (optional)
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tsp. grated gingerroot fresh (optional)
Small red pepper finely chopped (optional)

Drain tuna and beans.
Break up chunks of tuna with a fork
Mix tuna with the beans.
Add onion, pepper and lemon juice and or Italian Fat-Free Dressing to taste.
Add ginger and red pepper if you are using.
Serve with Cos lettuce & sliced tomato or green salad.
Serves 2 as main meal or 4 as side

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Italian Bean and Tuna Salad & green salad Coffee Apple Coffee
DINNER Hungarian Goulash with Rice Coffee

All I did was water the garden, I had some recycle water left from when I last did the washing so I used that today. I do try to use it up as soon as I can, it’s not wise leave a long time in storage tanks. My friend & handyman called as well! He is trying to fix my front water tap which playing up. Well it didn’t get fix this time. I made a lite lunch for both of us. Saving money by using what I have in the house and not going out to buy anything, just because I have a visitor.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Salad with Blue Vein Cheese Apple Coffee
DINNER Pasta with Pasta Sauce & Tuna

I have just finished the repotting garden all but the large pots, which I will need someone too help me lift them. I am still to weed the garden but this can wait a bit longer as my next project is get ready for the tank and painting the garage which the tank will be going behind as the water will be coming off it’s roof.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Bread with Tomato & Blue Vein Cheese Carrot Cake Coffee
DINNER Black Bean Beef with Noodles Mandarin Green Tea
SNACK Pancakes with Maple Syrup Whipped Cream

Today I got out my old Mower and mowed the grass, its not a lawn but mixed grasses with weeds in it but it green. This chore took around hour to do. I have 20 perches of land, so it’s not that large to do around the house on just three sides. I did get into weeds specially the bindi-eye with a knife. The knife handle broke but being a hoarder and a tightwad, I just went to the can that I keep some wine bottle corks in, got one out then work the knife blade into it. Now I got a few more years out that knife I think. On the subject of hoarding, I have large coffee cans that I put things in when these are full then I stop collecting that item. I find these in the street at times, or I just ask the neighbors for some as I don’t drink wine any more.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers & Blue Vein Cheese Coffee
DINNER Omelette with Cheese Coffee

Today it was an ironing day for me. I got out my ironing press an ironed all my clothes from the last two wash days. this is the most time saving method that I have found, as I am sitting down for one thing and I can get two baskets of ironing done in under 50 minutes most times. I did buy this Elna ironing press 2nd hand in the first place, for $100.00 about two years ago now! Normal price new was at the time $599 so its has paid for it self in time. I bought it for ironing the men shirts but the material was not good for the press and found my own ironing was quicker using the press instead.

I went for a walk today too! Drop in to the supermarket down the hill from here. I got loaf of bread that was on markdown saving $2.89 and I bought some pink lady apples at another shop saving $2.98 on price that the supermarket was charging.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Apple Coffee
DINNER Beef Bourguignon with Basmati Rice Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $10.12
Today’s Savings - $ 5.87
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6717.17

I went to my son place again, to help him clean up the floors as he is having the carpet cleaners in to-morrow and we needed to make sure that they didn’t need to pick-up everything first as they have a lot of things on the floor to start with. I folded the clothes and got my son to put it away. An organized him into doing the washing that was backing up too! They have no lines so it all goes into the dryer. By the time we left in the late afternoon we had all the chores done included all but one load of washing. You couldn’t walk in that laundry for clothes to start with. I just got him to stop what he was doing, a charge the loads over to the dryer and put next load on. It just took about 5-10 minutes each time. I folded the clothes as they came out of the dryer too! $$$ Another Strategy
We did have lunch out again, saving $2.05. He gave me they exercise bike that they are not using so now I have an exercise bike in my small lounge room to use.
When I returned home one of the parcels that I am waiting on arrived an was sitting on my front porch for me. Everything was there too. I got two free gifts in the parcel. 3 savory trays value $29.95 and multi-tool value $7.95. I will now giveaway some of my savory trays and just keep these as I don’t go out much now days.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH lunch out*
DINNER Fillet Steak, Egg, Onion & Tomatoes Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $ 45.40
Today’s Savings - $ 39.95
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6711.88

I drove down to visit my Avon friend but I never put an order in this time. Afterward I walk up to Sizzler’s and had lunch there saving $4.74 and on the way home bought a plastic container for $1.00 saving $2.45 and a book for 50c saving $9.45. Not much else in the way of saving, another than using one of frozen meals at dinner time.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH lunch out*
DINNER Salmon Patties and Vegetables Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $32.09
Today’s Savings - $ 16.64
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6671.93

This morning I did heaps of gardening and finish repotting my small pots in the backyard. Geraniums, palm, angel butterfly plant etc. I cleaned up some what so that I could mow sometime this week as my back is now saying help I sore please stop. I will have a few days off as it’s my son days off soon! I always seem to have a break when people are away. This I did get some things done.

This afternoon to drove to pay my phone bill at the local newsagent. Funny I can do this over the net but I like to visualize myself paying it and it’s same with some of my other bills too! I am a very visual person knowing that if I can picture it doing the task then I know I have done it. After I when a bought Anzac biscuit saving $2.49 and some fruit buns saving $1.49 on these as well!

As gas was cheaper today I filled my tank up also. Saving 4c off a litre while I was at it. Saving 80c. Our gas is ranging from $1.01 to $1.55 per litre. So if you can get a few cents off it helps.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Grilled Cheese with Mustard Toasted Slices Apple Coffee
DINNER Honey Mustard Chicken with Vegetables and Rice, Fruit, Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $25.58
Today’s Savings - $ 4.78
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6655.29

I needed to clean the pot plant area before I do much more so that it will clear and tidy to return the pots once potted. This job took over 1½ hours to do. I did cleared it out and put another bag of bark over the ground too! I did manage to get around 10 pots repotted as well! This will save me a lot of water when things get bad. I am using a cheap potting mix but adding a lots of fertilizers and Wetta ® soil products too! As I will be using mostly recycle grey water, I also adding a bit of gypsum to help with any salt in the washing grey water. I also have clay in my soil so with any run off, this will help the general ground soil as well! This is a tip I read a few months back so I am trying it out as my plants are not any nursery bought plants, they all died years ago.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers & Blue Vein Cheese Coffee
DINNER Pasta with Pasta Sauce & Tuna Coffee

Well I got another 12 plants repotted and planted Lemon Grass in the ground. While I was at the supermarket today, I saw mother-in-law tongues that I have just repotted today selling for $20.45 just for one plant in ceramic pot. I have around six or more, which is a weed if you grow them in the ground around here.

I went to the supermarket to get some more pet food and few groceries items on my list. Saving $5.30

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers & Blue Vein Cheese Coffee
DINNER Salmon Patties and Vegetables Fruit coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $34.60
Today’s Savings - $ 5.30
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6650.51

Today I started to repot all my pot plants. The first I had too clean to my entry floor, which is tiled. I keep a few of my plants in this area, which I repotted today! I am trying to do about 10 to 15 per day until done, or until I run out of energy to do any more. I bought all the garden supplies over last few weeks. So its time start using it to save water, as most was for water saving and for repotting. I hope get a lot done this week as everyone is away at the moment and my son is working this weekend, and will have days off during the week instead. As he works four days straight 12 hours shifts and then has three days off, starts all over again. That is why he is at home during the week as times.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Garlic Bread & Blue Vein Cheese Fruit Coffee
DINNER Omelette with Cheese

We are in the middle of a drought here and we are going to the next level on 1st November.

Our state government along with some local councils are have a plumbing Waterwise service in which a plumber visits households for $20.00 (value @$150.00.) You get a AAA shower rose, air aerators fitted to you kitchen & bathroom taps plus 3 dripping taps fixed, you do have to invite them in to house by calling a special number. Along with my handyman doing all the others taps, I should be right for awhile. So I saved $130.00 here. My water bill is low to start with so it may go lower yet! I am at 46% below the amount used in an average single household and I do water my garden with 80% recycle water.

I also went for a walk and bought a bag of ‘MilkyWay’ ® again. Saving $1.50

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Coffee apple
DINNER Poach Fish & Salad Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $152.98
Today’s Savings - $ 131.50
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6645.21

In the last 28 days I have

Gone shopping or bought something other than food out. 15 times

Went to the city by bus 4 times

Drove my car only. 8 times

Had food bought or had for free away from home. 8 times

And had 8 No Spending Days.

Lets see what next 28 days tallies will be.

24th week’s Summary of $$$ Stretching challenge

Kitty’s Real Spending Total $5683.38
+ 2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6645.21
= Full Price (RRP) Income Challenge $12329.09

Opening CC Balance $0
Kitty’s Opening Balance Rollover $384.40 ($111.50 Bill A/C)
$$$Money in - $1316.00
= Total Income Balance. $1700.40
Bills Total $784.90
Other Spending & Groceries $348.96
$$$ Money out = $1133.86
Cash Banked in other A/C’s $625
Kitty’s Rollover Balance $241.54 ($0 Bill A/C)
CC Balance $300

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

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

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

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

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

Today he dropped by to pick up my ladder, as he plan to cut his front fig trees down. As his would not take me and the ladder, I drove up my self to help and watch take he doesn’t has an accident or so I could get help if did. Doing these kinds of jobs alone is not a good idea. We start around 9 am and by 11.30am we had all the trees cut down with a two small handsaws. We then went off to get a trailer to hire. I bought lunch at subway and we had this before we started to load the trailer for it first load to the dump. We have vouchers for the first 500kg each year for each household with our local council or its $7.50 per 100kg or part of. We didn’t know if we had enough vouchers so I came back home to pick up my vouchers and some pots to put over the trees stumps while DS took the first load to the dump 10km away. The load was 200kg so we still had vouchers left for next load. We got all rest of the trees on next loads, which came up to 300kg, and return the trailer with hour to spare on the hire time. They are hired in 4 hours lots.

He saved $350 by just hiring the trailer over the quote he got from the tree lopper and they were four small trees too! I got away with cost of lunch & gas, this time saving $2.30 on lunch with my senior card.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH lunch out*
DINNER Omelette with Cheese
SNACK Yoghurt & LSA

Today’s Full price Tally $7.85*
Today’s Savings - $ 2.30
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6474.81

Why is it when I spend a day with him, I spend. Today was no different!

He just got a NEW car and it had to go in for its first service. My car was needed to pick him up for the morning. Then he wanted to go the Big Hardware store that I went to on Sunday but one near his place. So I got the sugar cane mulch and Zero weed killer applicator that I was looking for on Sunday. Saving $5.00 as the sugar cane mulch was on special.

After we went to his place so he could mower his lawn and clean his backyard up. I clean his tile floor area while I was there. Then his Labrador dog came over with mulberry juice all over him. His mulberry tree has ripe fruit, so I picked what I could of them. As he plan to cut it down to-morrow if his wife would let him. So FREE fruit.

Then it was back to the car service to pick his car up but we had to got McDonald’s for lunch on the way. Saving $1.50 on coffee senior discount.

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

Today’s Full price Tally $49.21*
Today’s Savings - $ 6.50
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6472.51

It’s wash day at my house so it’s also watering the garden backyard day as I do use my washing water to water my garden.

Not much else in the way of saving money or spending money today for that mater!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers with Cream Cheese & Herbs Fruit Coffee
DINNER Fillet Steak, Egg, Onion & Tomatoes Coffee
SNACK Pancakes with Maple Syrup Whipped Cream

This morning I went to the hardware store for some gardening supplies as I am starting next weekend and don’t what to go when I start. Just do it! I bought some orchid mix for my orchid. As I can’t use a hose now, I had to buy weed n feed lawn fertilizer in pellet form and a lot of water saving cones & wetting agents. I had a cappuccino & slice of cheese saving $1.00.

While I was there I went to DIY class on compost making & worn farm very interesting but a little expensive. I do have compost maker but I don’t have a worm farm. I may look in to it at a later date.

Fruit & Vegetable shopping in the afternoon, saving $4.40 on supermarket prices.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Grilled Cheese with Mustard Toasted Slices Apple Coffee
DINNER Fillet Steak, Egg, Onion & Tomatoes Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $98.00
Today’s Savings - $ 11.61
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6466.01

After working around house today. I needed a something sweet to eat. So I went up to the local shopping centre for a walk to by a packet of triple chocolate biscuit. I limit myself to only 2 biscuits per day so I get to eat them slowly. I bought a cake that was on special saving $1.70.
I also bought pet food that was on special. Saving $1.30

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers with Cream Cheese & Herbs Fruit Coffee
DINNER Salmon Patties and Vegetable coffee

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

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

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

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

It’s my cousin birthday today as she lives alone 40 minutes away but can get to my place via a train, she came to dinner to–night and I pick her up at the train station. Instead of going out to dinner, I pulled two single dinners form the freezer and used these. She bought the dessert too!

I gave her a small gift from hoard of gifts that I have bought over the years. I have a suitcase full plus a cupboard with these kinds of items. I shop my own cupboards first then only buy if I don’t have the item that I need. Working in retail over the years, you do learn to pick out very good bargains by knowing the (RRP) prices of all kinds of lines. A few years ago I stop buying these items, and now I am using them as gifts to the right people.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Coffee Apple Coffee
DINNER Beef Bourguignon with Basmati rice & vegetables

I had a full schedule this morning with going the doctor for results on my blood test that I had last Friday. All is OK on that front. I had to catch the bus early this morning.

After I went to the bank so that I could pay half my car bill off my visa card so $350 off that bill and the same next month. Then I will pay no interest on the credit card at all. I am within the interest free time limit. The other amount is my debit bills on that CC. You may ask ‘Why do I still have Credit cards?’ Well it’s so that I can use them at time like this and carry no cash on me. I can’t close these cards and get new ones, as I am no longer in the workforce my income amount doesn’t allow me to reapply for any, if I do.

I went to lunch with ex-work friend at our usual restaurant, as it’s school holidays we had two of grandkids with us today. I saved $2.79 on my meal today. I only other item I bought today nail files at $2 store. I paid $2.00 for 4 metal nail files, the same nail files cost $4.95 each at the department store so saving $18.00 here.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH lunch out *
DINNER Omelette with Cheese Yogurt & LSA Coffee 40

Today’s Full price Tally $387.63
Today’s Savings - $ 20.79
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6439.50