My son arrived at 7.30am just after dropping DIL off at her business breakfast meeting to pick up the cheesecake. So we went off to breakfast together, as there was a special of two for one deal at local fast food outlet that I get my free coffee at, instead of dropping in to DF-M place this morning. My time with him is precious as don’t see him enough and it was only for any hour. The only catch was that I had to buy him his drink as he only had enough for his meal. My meal came to $3.95 plus 2 free cappuccino’s saving $4.90 and then paying a $1.95 for his drink. Oh well! He took the cheesecake in the DIL work after 8.30 then went home to sleep. As he had just had just finish work when drove his wife to work. The cheesecake was enjoyed by all at the morning tea.

After I went down to DF-M place to see her and her grandchildren who had stayed for the week. I don’t think she is up to minding young children of school age any more it’s not much fun for them, if she can’t see them they can’t go anywhere nor will she take them anywhere even if I go with them too! So it’s just watching TV or read a book or using the colour pencils that I gave them for Christmas as I do know how boring it can be when the minder doesn’t understand some of basics of schooling that we can do now days. I have to do all her reading and writing for her if the family is not around. Anyway she is going back today with her grandchildren as a family friend is going back to they hometown at lunchtime and taking them with them.

My Medibank debit payment is due today, I do pay it in six month installments. So I have tallied this in my expense total.

As you can see from precious posts that I have a Zero balance on Credit Card at this time of the year and I hope to keep it at that into the future.

Today’s Full price Tally $205.65
Today’s Savings - $ 4.90
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $8886.27

After having my morning coffee & toast with DF-M. I went home for an hour then was asked over to my Greek neighbor’s house for coffee and chat. Coming home with a plate of Greek goodies too!

Later I went shopping for DF-M to buy bread and I spent $5.47 saving $6.21
Gift packs x 4 @ 40c saving $ 3.40 on RRP price.
1L milk x2 @ .59c saving $2.42 as their were markdown, I froze one.
Some Organic Shaved Ham $2.69 saving 50c

Later in the evening my handyman friend arrived with belated Christmas gifts, one was Full size Gourmet Café Cheesecake (RRP $40.00 & 15000 calories worth). I had just one half slice and paid the price for that piece. Now find a home for it. oh my liveeeeeeer!

Will not count it in the tally, as I will have to give it away. I will ring my DIL to see if she can pick it up to take to work in the morning. It need’s a large group to eat that one and they are having a morning tea party at her work tomorrow. My DS will call in to pick up.

Today’s Full price Tally $11.68
Today’s Savings - $ 6.21
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $8881.37

Lunch out today we again went to Sizzlers which is much better then what we had last month.

Today I had the manager’s special of firecracker prawns & (chips which I gave to young lad who was with one of the others) along with salad bar & dessert & drinks costing $13.65 saving $3.80 with my senior card.

I paid my visa card off yet again so it’s now back to Zero. That’s right I never put anything on Credit Card for Christmas, and haven’t put anything on in the post Christmas sales.

I spent more on my gift card today buying a special cookbook that was on my shopping list saving $5.75. I found some Lock n Lock Cereal Containers @ 50% off I bought x2 plus a smaller one 1L size, saving $23.00 here.

Today’s Full price Tally $85.40
Today’s Savings - $ 32.55
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $8875.16

Note.
What happen to the white backgrounds? As I can no longer read it for long periods. If does goes any darker it will be not reading it at all.

Well after 3 weeks into this year’s budget, I better work on want I have to live with for next 12 months. My projects for 2007 are over budget by around $5000. I will have to see where I can cut back, so some can get done.

My living expenses at moment are around $420 and bills $530 per 28 days with some over estimates on bills by 10%. This only leaves very little leftover for these projects. Three projects need to be done this year, each costing around $1800 each. On a gloss income of under $13500, I will have to cut fat big time.

As you know I am getting a water tank in the next few weeks, that’s $1540 there will be a rebate on it too! But will have to wait anything up to six months for it. So that rebate will go to one of the next projects on the list. My handyman friend wants to put an exit door and security screen door in my computer room, YES does need doing if there were a fire in this end of the house I can’t get out full stop! About $1200 for that job, as he is returning to New Zealand soon, it will be fixed before he goes. I had another person quote on this job but he has died since. The other project is buying a new computer, as this one is now too old to update any longer. I have about 10 months before I need a new one. I have to have my termite spray this year as well and will put it off as long a possible. That one is expensive and may have to come out of my capital savings if necessary. All other projects will be on unable to be fixed needs replacement list only. That’s will be only way they will be replaced in 2007.

So you may see a lot of no spending days in the future, as I go looking for the fat in this budget.

I will start with my grocery and eating out budgets, and see what can be done to cut back here.
Normally I annual budget is these amounts in these areas so I will keep them at these amounts and see if I can go under.

Grocery $1500 (last year $1160), target of $800 (I will live off bulk assets for a while.)

Eating out $400 (last year $520), target of $350 (As known spending is 4 birthday’s dinners and 18 lunch dates this year.) As I don’t budget for other’s eating at my place other than what on that week’s menu. I have to spend money to go with them to eat out as this is they lifestyle and we all go Dutch. I do keep a float $40 for this kind of spending so I am never notable to go. $$$ Another Strategy

I wanted to go the Hardware store here, to get some bird netting for my persimmon tree. I need to make it larger as the tree has grow bigger now, the one I got is to small so I will need to add more netting to it. 4m @$2.76 =$11.04. I got some recycle bags with three bags in each. RRP $3.96 x 3 $11.88 I paid $1.00 each =$3.00 saving $8.94. Also bought a 60L rubbish bin it was not on the docket when I got home. So saved $10.00 here. I saved $18.94 at hardware store.

I went off too the supermarket on the way home. I had a look the Christmas special there. Not much but some Christmas bags. I bought Grapes, which were on special costing $2.78 and only one item at full price for $1.11.

8 small @ 49c & 4 medium Christmas Bags @ 79c each. $1.00 off each so I saved $13.00 here Christmas Cake $3.49 …saving $3.50
Calendar 99c saving $1.00
Frypan $7.99 … saving $4.90
4 x Easyo Slimmer Yoghurt $1.33 each …saving $3.42
Le Rice $1.40 …saving $1.39
Complete Family Salad $1.10 …saving $1.18
Sweet Corn $1.30 ….saving $ $1.15
Sponge cake $2.00 …saving $1.98

Total cost $34.40 but saving $31.52 on RRP before Christmas.

Today’s Full price Tally $116.32
Today’s Savings - $ 50.46
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $8842.61

Drove my car over to a shopping centre so that I could do some shopping there today, as I need to use a gift voucher I was given by a friend before the end of year.

It was for $10.00 at a chemist shop on non-medical lines. This gift voucher is a good one, in that you buy what you would like and then have taken $10.00 off the price of items bought. So as I needed some new batteries for my personal organizer even I could them cheaper else where but they would be the cost of the gift voucher @$9.90, there I got them for FREE, I bought just one other line that I would like to try too! So all up I spend $4.85 at the chemist. Saving $13.90 on the lines that I bought as the other was on a special discount price too! $$$ Another Strategy

I drop into the grocery store next door. Only bought four items that I wanted Italian herbs, @ $2.69, changed twice but found by the operator and cancelled out. Coconut @ $1.79, 4 rolls of Christmas wrap 50% off @ $3.58 saving $3.58 here. Some Fruit & Nut Mix @ $3.97 on special only but I was changed $6.99 full price on Thursday when the special had been going since Tuesday. So I got that item for FREE with a full refund. How can you get two mistakes in such a small order?

Today’s Full price Tally $37.38
Today’s Savings - $ 24.47
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $8787.55

Well it’s Boxing Day here. I did look at the sale catalogues that arrived this week-end. Only item that I needed and as I was given gift card for that store, I decided to go and buy a Teflon frypan that was 50% off. (RRP $44.49 at another store.) Saving $25.88 as I get a staff discount on top.

After I went to look at the supermarket where I get staff discount also, all Christmas line were 50% off also. I did run-a-muck here. The items that were on special were items that I could use as gifts or as extra Christmas gift along with the frypan. I found the packs of Bows that I was looking for 3x, saving $3.06, gifts tags 2x saving $2.34, Door decoration 1x saving $$3.50.

Mixed Gift packs for next year x3 saving $14.81 and mixed Food gift packs $13.86.

At the next store I only bought another food gift pack saving $6.50 here.

When I went to the other supermarket in the shopping centre, and got some lunch for bananas 4x a luxury here but the price is now only $3.98 kg, 3 months ago it was $15.98kg. Walking around looking if they had put their Christmas lines on special too! Which they hadn’t I found some frozen Turkey Thigh Roll @ 50% of, last one left too! Saving $3.65 here. I will cook it for my birthday next month. I only spent $67.55 for the day including what was bought on my gift card. Saving a grand total $73.60 on the day.

As it was raining when I left the shopping centre, so I had to wash down my car later in the day. Well, I can wash my car in a litre of water and still have half of that water left to put on my garden when I am finished, I am using thick micro-cloths, one is a glove and other is thick flat square one and glass micro-cloth. I do dust the car down first if it’s not being rained on like today. It was over 20mm of rain. $$$Another Strategy

Today’s Full price Tally $141.15
Today’s Savings $ 73.60
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $8714.82

It started out late last night with phone call from my son, about party ice. Would I get some and how much room I had in my freezers, his view is that it should empty so that he can use it.

So early this morning at dawn, I drove up to the garage, which sells Party Ice and bought 3 x 4kg bags and found some room in my freezer for them. By the time we were ready to use them, they would have been sold out. That done I went about my routine of empty the bath water so that I could have a shower and wash my hair. I save my bath & washing water for recycling on the garden. Ironing my two Christmas T-shirts for today.

Early this morning one of my neighbors came over with plate of Greek goodies for me before he went off to church.

I went to DF-M place for coffee & toast, and exchange Christmas gifts with my adopted family as her youngest daughter’s children are age 6 to 10, three beautiful little girls have come to visit her for Christmas. (Over the years I have always adopted a young family to give small gifts too!) Each year I buy a small gift each for Christmas. Just something to occupy them while they are visiting, their Nona (grandmother). It has been coloured pencils and pencil case and some exercise books each for a number of years now. Next year, I will buy them some thing different. Maybe, those cross-stitches craft sets and floss, I bought not long ago. MMM! Made some Rum Balls for their parents and gave them in some large mugs that I bought last Christmas and never used. For my friend I gave her a toilette set & beautiful angel trinket dish.

After visiting there, I drove down to a friend place to exchange gift with her. I only give my friend a personal small gift. I have a Christmas breakfast each year with her family and I am there when the family exchanges gifts too! With four children, and partners along with all her grandchildren and at times family friends. She does this so the families can spend the day with the partners’ families and all children are in the same place at the same time. It’s nice to just sit and watch this activity each year. With 17 of us for Christmas breakfast, we had BBQ Rissoles, Sausages, Bacon, Grilled Onions & Tomatoes, Scramble Eggs and Fried Egg with Toast, along with Grapes, Cherries, Peaches & Nectarines, Nuts & Candy. This is all before 10am. $$$ Another Strategy

I came home to rest for a few hours and have a light lunch with my cats. I could have gone out for Lunch and made a pig of myself. But I needed to rest before driving out again as I was late in getting home to-night, I didn’t want to go to sleep at the wheel on the trip home.

Later in afternoon I drove up with the party ice and my gifts to my son’s house for Christmas Evening Dinner with his wife’s family. We had a swim in their pool, and found time to exchange gifts too! I got my DVD of DA Vinci Code, double set. Along with another new Cookbook AWW Red Cover $70.00 value, among other things. For dinner we had roast turkey with cranberry sauce, baked ham and two salads along with summer desserts. Eight sat down for dinner here.

So I was not alone for Christmas, as 33 other people had across my path today from two to eighty year old.

Merry Christmas.

Today’s Full price Tally $15. 00
Today’s Savings - $ 0.00
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $8641.22

Today I went off in the car to do some shopping at local grocery store that I go too rarely. They were a Fruit & Vegetable chain at one time taken over by a grocery chain but not one regular top five grocery groups here. They had can of soft drink that I drink going for less than 50% off per can a good buy around here. (We don’t have coupons here.) A few other items were on special so I stocked up on them too! Some were just to try unknown brands or different brand to normally used, Baked beans, Lasagne, Juice & boxed chocolate snacks

Drinks can x 36 @ 25c …..saving $11.16
#Can Chickpea x 4 @ .69 ..saving $1.20
Lasagne Kit x1 @ $1.59 …saving $2.66
Crushed Pineapple x 2 @ .69 …saving $1.78
#Can Asparagus x 2 @ $1.59 …saving $2.00
Baked Beans x 1 @ .69 ….saving .60
Juice 2L x2 @$1.69 ….….saving $2.58
Tomato Paste x 1 @ 99c…. saving .60
Jam x 1 @ 99c ……………saving $1.56
Chocolate x 1 @$1.99 ……saving $1.26
#Boxed chocolate snack pack x 1 @ $2.99… saving $2.50

95% were brand items. Non-brand items #

On the canned drinks, I saved $11.16 and saving $16.74 on other items. Total savings $27.90

Today’s Full price Tally $57.80
Today’s Savings - $ 27.90
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $8641.22

Today is another trip to the city by bus. This time, it’s visiting Chiro & doctor, I have low blood pressure so I need keep an eye it as the medication that I am on, may make worse.

I did some more shopping and paying my credit card off again. So now I will have only computer debit on it for next month. I bought a 1G - USB stick saving $26.79, groceries & gift and light lunch.

Today’s Full price Tally $70.54
Today’s Savings - $ 26.79
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $8578.52

Early this morning I washed the brick walls for painting that had not been cemented in anyway then this afternoon I washed down the parts that were cemented ready to be painted in the morning.

Having done that I got ready to go out to morning tea with friends. One of my friends came to my place so then I drove up to the area that my son lives, as I know the area. We all meet at a coffee shop for a chat and coffee. After we all went shopping separately. A few of us went to the local thrift shop and raided it of any bargains. I bought more books about $9.50 worth (RRP $52.00) saving $42.50 here.

I bought lunch at local Chinese Restaurant, they a lunch special for $9.50 saving $4.10 on same single items price. I am getting tried of roast chicken bread rolls so I had a change today.

Then it was shopping buying Cranberry Sauce for Christmas Dinner as part of my offering for this meal. Saving .60c on two jars. Went to another store an bought some Christmas gifts saving $3.20 here as it was Dollar type store even if all of the prices are lot more than a dollar now.

I went Aldi as well and bought some groceries and Christmas gift and biscuits. Saving $4.20

Today’s Full price Tally $116.44
Today’s Savings - $ 54.00
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $8551.73

I have my handyman friend visiting on his day off. He is a workaholic, getting him to stop working is a problem so we talk and drink tea and do small jobs around the place that I can’t do!

We are working on the water tank project, fixing up the brickwork that is cracked around the garage and plan to paint it as well! So we are cementing all the cracks and taking out the broken mortar so he can put new mortar in, I am fixing the large cracks between the brickwork and laid cement from 30 years ago. You can put a thumb down in parts. One area needs just cement & sand mix then pushed down into the cracks and the larger cracks will need gravel & cement mix then push this down these cracks, it took a 20 L bucket of gravel to fill this crack as it was 4 large bricks deep down to the foundations in parts. Then he fixed the mortar between the bricks on the outside of the building. This all took about 2 hours, I had all the stuff needed to do the job, from my last project when I paid him to do some work around the house like re-stumping some broken stumps etc.

After lunch we started washing & painting the walls around the garage. The plan is that he will do the high parts & I will do the lower parts and paint the brickwork when it dried on Tuesday . I was painting last year so I have all paint bought as well! 10L of main color Cream (dark side) & trim is a Heritage Green (dark green), the job will take about 4 – 5L of paint to do the job properly! It will take a few days to do, but I am happy that it will be finished before the tank arrives.

As he is going home to New Zealand in a few months, I will not be able do all my small jobs before he goes. I do pay for all the material used, and provide him free meals when he comes. Today I am cooking a roast chicken dinner for lunch.

Today was a run around of sorts. Which I spent very little but was shopping with the others, I end up visiting four shopping centres today. First with DF-M then with my DS. After I finish taking DF-M shopping and returned her home. I drove up to my son’s house and we went shopping at one of our largest shopping centre near his home. To buy his wife a new CD of Australian Idol and return a parcel for exchange. We had lunch together in the eatery. I only spent $6.67 including discount of $1.95 and Free Coffee Saving $2.45, while the other’s spent over $100 or more each. I have now got use to shopping with others while their shop and not buy up big, I have notice only when I go shopping with DF-D that I spend more than I normally do with the others.

Today’s Full price Tally $ 11.07
Today’s Savings - $4.40
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $8472.73

One of smaller fruit barns, these are old gas stations that have closed down a few years ago as we had a gas station on nearly every corner a few years ago. This one is under new management so new policy and opening bargains too! Some of the fruit & vegetables were of medium quality and others were on the poor quality side but the prices were 500% cheaper than supermarket prices this week. I spent over $19.20 on fruit & vegetables along a Kilo of feta cheese with five months to use it too!
Saving heaps over $36.80

After we went to the shopping centre on the way home and spent heaps there too! Bought a Maglite two torch set saving $62.00 on RRP. Pet food saving $6.40 Groceries saving $12.90

This not all I bought today, how about 3 bales of sugar cane mulch from the farm gate, giving the farmer the money and not hardware store that I normally buy it from even it is a better quality. but in a drought I think that I am helping the farmers and not big business. $12.95 per bale RRP or $3.50 per bale both will do the same job only one has a lot bigger stalks. So saving $28.35 here. My handyman friend was coming up from a cane farm area so he bought up 9 bales for us as DF-D bought the other six bales.

This evening I received a phone call from my sick friend's mother to say that it was not wise to visit the hospital as it has an infection in her ward. She doesn’t have this infection but it’s a gown, mask & gloves kind as in some of our nursing homes that have got it then visitors & staffs have been coming down with it too! I will not go again but leave it to her family to visit from now on!

Today’s Full price Tally $249.02
Today’s Savings - $ 146.45
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $8468.33

Today I had to visit my doctor and the pathologist for a blood test, both of which are free as I hold a health card for a free medical. Saving $86 on out pockets after normal refunds of our health care system. (Medicare).

After I meet up with my friend to have lunch at the casino, they have a special deal for $10.00 you can get 2 course meal with coffee, but it’s a limited menu. I had roast chicken and vegetables, carrot cake with coffee.* My friend had fish salad & chip, cheesecake with coffee. Not bad for the price, you have to take public transport and show your transport ticket along a casino player’s cards that are free. On a la carte menu these meals would have cost $18.00 each.

I played the pokies (one-cent slot machines) but only spent $4.00 then walked. I’m not much of a player.

After I we went shopping near where my friend need to catch her bus home. Buying next year diary and I also bought some more packs of floss cards was @ $2.00 for 47c each. Saving $6.12.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH lunch out*
DINNER Fruit Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $35.71*
Today’s Savings - $ 14.12
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $8321.88

I went today to the hospital to visit my friend, who is fading fast she is now not eating nor drinking much if at all. I stayed with her for over 2 hours today but she was sleeping most of the time. After I tried to get her to eat with little success, she went back into sleep again so I left to catch my bus to the city. This will be the most likely last time I’ll see her, as it’s too much for me to go all the time. Buying two more Meringues, which I doubt that she will be able to eat even with ice cream. Costs $2.00 for Meringues & Fare for concession off-peck ticket $2.00 saving $1.90

While in the city I went to buy some food items for my hamper Turkish Delight and boxed Shortbread. As I took my own lunch today so I was able to get away without spending money in that direction.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Grapes and Apricots, Water
DINNER Pumpkin & Lentil Stew with Garlic Focaccia Bread Coffee
SNACK Custard Tart

Today’s Full price Tally $13.87
Today’s Savings - $1.90
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $8307.76

My hearing aid stopped so I rang the company to check, as it didn’t work after charges of two sets of batteries. So it was a trip to the city to get it fixed. I went in by bus as usual. I only bought a bottle of water walking up to Hearing Aid Place.

Boy! Can a one bottle of water cost so much in 150 metres? I bought it for $1.00 a 600ml bottle at the Chemist, as I walked past the snack bars in the eatery, I saw it for $1.20 when I walked past the newsagent on the next level and it was $1.50 so the price was a extra 50c in 100 metres then up to the street that I was going to another 50 metres and it was $2.50 there. I made my lunch and took it with me today.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Tuna and Cranberry Sauce Roll Apple Water
DINNER Fillet Steak, Egg, Onion & Tomatoes Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $2.50
Today’s Savings - $ 1.50
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $8305.86

A quite day spent at home.
Just potting around the house doing nothing much at all.
Going through a box or too!

BREAKFAST Baked Beans on Toast Coffee
LUNCH Crackers with Avocado & Herbs Fruit Coffee
DINNER French Onion Chicken with Toast

I walked down to the bus that goes to the hospital so that I could visit my friend in hospital. Who is fading fast! Each time, I see her there is a big charge. While at the bus stop I bought her two more meringue as she did enjoy the last one that I bought.

For the recipe see Meringues. I would make some but my oven needs repairing and I am seeing how long I can go without it. I am up in the 5 years time frame now.

After the visit I caught the bus on to the city to pick up my new glasses. While there I did some shopping for some house t-shirts that were on special this week. At two for $10.00 I bought four of them, each in a different color all with V-necks. I wear them out shopping as good t-shirts while they are new then wear them around the house when they are strained or faded. This saves my better casual wear tops and they last longer too! Saving $8.00 here.

I bought some more bargains groceries while in the city too! As this is where one of the $2 shops is. Single pouches of soup 3 for $2.00, ideal for a quick meal with crackers. RRP is $1.89 each, saving $3.67. Pick up another DVD for $4.99 RRP $15.00 a saving of $10.00

As I was late getting around today so I had lunch in the city too! Chicken Roll & Coffee,* saving $2.45 with senior card. Bought another lot of bus tickets for $12.40, saving $14.30 with senior card discount.

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

Today’s Full price Tally $74.37*
Today’s Savings - $ 38.42
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $8304.36

This morning my son arrived so he could go down the local Target store at the shopping centre to buy lock for his bike. As I give his a set amount with gift card each year with this chain, but this time he wanted to buy items for his bike so he will not be getting any gift card as well! Costing $42.86 Saving $2.04.

While there I bought a George Foreman Vegetable Streamer for myself, $79.95 RRP. Saving $32.90 here.

This afternoon I went to DF-M lunch*, for a BBQ her style. When she cooks fillet steak it’s marinated in olive oil & garlic. Then BBQ on a wood BBQ, only problem is the amount that she cooks too much which I am to eat. Nine pieces of fillet steak between two of us, (that’s 5 pieces of fillets steak) normally I only eat one at a time. (If it’s not eaten then it’s put the garbage bin.) Along with marinated green peppers & garlic in olive oil and highly salted red cabbage salad with bread and Half bottle of coke. All I get told is munch munch!

I will need to watch my weigh and what I eat this week as I had a week’s worth of meat in one sitting. I am always saying you are cooking too much, the obdurate of getting old and view that I am too thin, which I am not.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH lunch out * free
DINNER Fruit meal, 2 Apricots, Grapes & Cherries Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $124.85
Today’s Savings - $ 34.94
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $8265.94

I went to doctors this morning for another check up all is ok, but for new tablets. Saving $50.30 with rebates.

While in that area I visited a $2 shop across the road and bought some cross-stitch items 5 x frames sets packs with floss & pattern etc. was $5.00 each for 97c each. Saving $20.15 and 8 packs of floss cards was @ $2.00 for 47c each. Saving $12.24. Another items Band-Aids & chocolate saving $4.00

As it was my lunch date with my ex-work friends, I had lunch with them Japanese Chicken Curry with fresh salmon sushi roll, green tea*. Costing $8.45. Today, the others wished to eat in the food court and not at a restaurant. I did take some cards for others to sign for our friend as we all have worked with her over the years or had lunch with her in this little group. One was Blank card for now, and Sympathy Card as we may not regroup in time.

BREAKFAST 2 Boiled Eggs Toast & Jam
LUNCH lunch out *
DINNER Omelette with Cheese Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $113.44
Today’s Savings - $ 86.69
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $8231.00

I walked down to the bus that goes to the hospital so that I could catch just one bus there. While at the bus stop I bought a meringue (A small sugar & egg white cake that’s baked slowly) I will find a similar recipe a post here for you.

After the visit I caught the bus on to the city to pick up some photos that I put in last Thursday, of the photos of my garden project so far. Saving $6.00 here then photo shop costs. While in the shop I bought yoghurt mix as they sell in packs of 3, saving $1.97 here.

I bought an off-peck day-tripper bus ticket so I saved $1.90 on fares.

I was given a plate of fresh cherry today about $5.00 worth free.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Coffee Cherries Coffee
DINNER Devilled Sausages with Garlic Focaccia Bread Coffee
SNACK Grapes

Today’s Full price Tally $35.07
Today’s Savings - $ 14.87
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $8144.31

I have a folder that I keep my warranties and dockets in which I keep until I have or no longer own that item. Doing this allows me to know how long I have had an item, some are bought in the 70’s as I still have all the dockets that are still in use. So I need to cull what’s no longer in use and a general tidy up as well.

The folder is just a with a lot of small Zip folder pockets that we have added over the years, these zip pocket folders are now around $2.50 each but I bought them 30 years ago. All my booklets and instructions for all appliances are kept in there too! If they are not needed for the running of an appliance.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers & Blue Vein Cheese Coffee
DINNER Roast Chicken & Steam Vegetables Fruit Coffee

Working on one of my bookcases, as I have many bookcases so doing one per week or month will be enough. I am just re-packing and only culling doubles along with any rubbish found.

Not many other jobs were done today, but it’s a no spending day.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Coffee apple
DINNER 2 Egg Cheese Omelette and Pasta Sauce & Grilled Peppers

This is very interesting reading, I do eat salad greens all year around.

Spinach linked to sun protection

Eating green, leafy vegetables may be as important as wearing hats and sunscreen in the prevention of skin cancer.

An 11-year study by the Queensland Institute of Medical Research involving 1,000 people in Nambour, on the Sunshine Coast, found those who ate at least three serves of green leafy vegetables a week reduced their risk of skin cancer by up to 55 per cent.

Doctor Jolieke van der Pols says green vegetables such as spinach contain a crucial cocktail of nutrients that can boost the skin's natural defence against sun damage.

"Other research that has looked at individual nutrients haven't found very clear evidence, so it might be that actually the combination of nutrients as they occur normally in the foods that we eat, actually have the effect on the skin cancer," Dr van der Pols said.

She says the findings highlight the importance of eating a healthy, well-balanced diet.
"So the message is: diet may play a role, but importantly in addition to the usual precaution measures such as using a hat, sunscreen and protective clothing."

ABC online - Friday, December 1, 2006.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers with Avocado & Herbs fruit
DINNER Poach Fish & Salad Coffee

This morning I had appointment with skin specialist. For my skin tone and hair coloring with freckles I should be a candidate for skin cancer. I just don’t tan, I just go red then blister and go back to white again. Luckily, I did get badly burnt as a child that would not go out in the sun again when it’s hot. I was a very stubborn child where getting burnt was concern. This has saved me from having any skin cancer, just may be. I only had a new sore on my hand which was zapped by the skin specialist just in case. I am to go back in 4 years if I am not worried by any charges in my skin. Our state has the one of worse rates of skin cancer in the world. So that little visit cost $110.00 and refund $64.30. But a lot of peace of mind here.

Less than hour later, I had a appointment in the same street with optician for new glasses. I have a new one pair of glasses each year, as this is part of medical fund rebates, use it or lose it policy. So each 12 months, I can get a new pair of glasses and have my eyes tested. As I have four pairs of glasses which I use over the year. Sunglasses clear street glasses, computer glasses and old pair of clear glasses that I use around the house. I am getting computer glasses this time, as the charge in my eye test was there and I am mixing up them with my clear street glasses when driving too! They have a similar frame. Costing $265 all up, rebate $245, I will be out of pocket $20.00.

I went looking for some more hair dye at the same store that I bought the last lot at. $23.98 cost saving $36.00. I bought a few groceries items saving $3.60 and a DVD movie pack for $4.99 saving $10.00.

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

Today’s Full price Tally $461.45
Today’s Savings - $358.90
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $8129.44

Well my handyman friend came today with his truck and to load all the green garden waste on to his truck. Give this man a pair of secateurs and he cut away too much. He got into a vine that was growing over the side fence taking with it over thirty year’s growth with it. Now you can see the tree that was getting covered, if does grow again. I think so as it still has a lot of fresh branches there. It was a Calliandra haematocephala (common names powder puff or fairy duster or red pompom flower) that can grow up to over 5 metres (15 feet.).

All garden waste was put on the truck, then we were off to the garden waste dump as our council does give each household some vouchers for dumping fees, after you have used them up you have to paid a dumping fees. One voucher for every 100kg, I used 3 vouchers today or pay $12.50 dumping fee.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Apple Coffee
DINNER Spaghetti Bolognese Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $ 12.50
Today’s Savings - $ 12.50
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $7770.54

Early this morning I got all the ironing done, using my ironing press which does saves time as I can do this part of my ironing in less than hour. That’s 21 days worth of washing too! I am saving energy by doing it this way too! This is another strategy that I use

It’s our shopping day today, so I have paid my power bill too! Saving $30.00 on my senior discount rebate. Bought some seasonal fruit today, green grapes and apricots. Both on special so I saved some money but still expensive saving $4.60 here. Soft drink cans were on special where we shopped today. 24 x 29c = $6.96 (RRP $1.25 each cold, saving $23.04. Groceries & Pet food were total $30.96 saving $14.20 overall.

I fill my gas tank up as well, surprise a few months ago now I wrote that I won a gas voucher for $20.00. I had spent some of it when I got it and thought I had spent most of it. I found it in my wallet this morning so used it, with gas at $1.04.9 to $1.25 litre around here. I was able with a 4c discount off docket and my voucher card, along with the lowest price day of the week get $23.87 worth of gas for $7.00. I still had $15.83 on my FREE gas voucher card.

As I got a new lock for my front door, and I have multi key sets. I will need to go and get new keys for each set. I better spend money on this than paid for a locksmith to let me in my house, because I have the wrong set with me. Costing $14.00 $$$ Another Strategy

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Macaroni & Cheese Apple Coffee
DINNER Lamb chop Egg, Onion & Tomatoes Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $302.98
Today’s Savings - $ 88.59
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $7758.04

Today I spent time with my son this afternoon while he did mow his lawn and cleaned his swimming pool. All I did was sitting on a chair and played with his two dogs. I did buy a vanilla slice for afternoon tea.

This evening my friend arrived with an old doorknob & lock for my front door, which is plying up. He got this one to work and it’s over 30 year old too! Saving $30.00 for new one. Now I need to buy some more keys.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Coffee Apple Coffee
DINNER 2 Egg Cheese Omelette and Pasta Sauce & Grilled Peppers Coffee
SNACK Vanilla Slice

Today’s Full price Tally $ 31.40
Today’s Savings - $ 30.00
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $ 7669.45

I went for a drive across the river to other side of the city. To meet up with some new friends that only meet on a local Internet forum here. We are trying to get a few of us to meet up, having a friendly back up and frugal outings a few times per year. We had a lovable picnic and talk about what to offer on that site. As we don’t know the numbers that are coming we all take only food for ourselves and maybe a small plate of home baked goodies. As I was making a tuna pasta salad and had a bit of three beans salad leftover so I mixed two together. It was nice change of two salads in one in dish.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Tuna Pasta & Bean Salad Apple Coffee
DINNER Roast Chicken with Vegetables Fruit, Coffee