I drove to another shopping centre today! That has a K-mart & Big W as well, the bank that I wish to go to pay my credit card off. I did it, I even paid the full balance including the direct debit which was only due today and the CC bill is due at the end of the month. I am back to $0 yet again on CC for past 25 months.

K-mart is having a 15% off sale this week. I check it out for photo –electric fire alarm no luck but I did buy a fire blanket for my kitchen and few more items, also. I went check out Big –W but they were still out of stock too! I walked out without buy anything there and past all the clothes sales that was on too! I did have lunch at McDonalds had a Chicken Roll and Diet Coke. $5.95* the Medium Coke was free.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants 2 Toast & Jam Coffee 35c
LUNCH Lunch Out *
DINNER Creamed Sweet Corn on Toast Coffee 50c

Today’s Full price Tally $36.10*
Today’s Savings - $3.93
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $98.30
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2445.81

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $97.45

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pumpkin & Lentil Stew
Serve 6

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

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

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

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $91.55

I went for a walk today to the shopping centre where I pay my phone bill. The newsagent that I go to the pay my phone bill was having a big problem with their Bpay machine but in the end got it to work (about hour.) Phone bill $46.03, it’s higher this month because of phoning overseas and interstate as well more local calls. If I didn’t pay it then it would have been over due.

At supermarket there, I just bought a fruit loaf markdown $1.30 saving $1.30

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants 2 Toast & Jam Coffee 35c
LUNCH 2 Slices of Toast with Mustard Spread, Melted Cheese & Topped Paprika Coffee 50c
DINNER 2 Egg Cheese Omelette and Pasta Sauce & Grilled Peppers - 50c

Today’s Full price Tally $48.63
Today’s Savings - $1.30
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $88.15
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2837.01

When the mail came today the information about my online account arrived, now I can deposit more money.

I have notified Centrelink about opening it. I don’t have to phone again until it goes over $1000, and then each time it gets to a next 1000 which it’s nowhere that now!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee 45c
LUNCH Crackers with Cheese & Mustard Pickle Relish Apple Coffee 40c
DINNER Poach Fish & Vegetables … $2.50

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $86.80

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

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

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

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

I got to Chiro this morning just in time for my appointment, as the bus was late today. I did put my annual Chiro bill of $421 for 12 visits onto CC, but it was at zero balance. That will be no problem, as I later went & got my refund for today’s visit of $19.40. Made a special visit to the bank to pay off what was left of my bill money plus the refund off my CC. Balance now is $261 plus DD Internet for this month. All this will be paid by the end of June, as there are three Pension paydays this month. Saving on $131.00 on regular single visit rate of $46.00.

I had to buy a bus ticket today, $10.00 that for 10 trips. Saving $14.00 on normal full price per single trip. (Senior Card Discount).

I did some shopping in the city today, 5 craft wooden signs @ 79c saving $35.00 found on a clearance table. Underwear was on special so got some things that I needed. Costing $17.85 saving $8.00.

Had my usual lunch with my friends, 8 of us today. ‘All You Can Eat Salad Bar’ $11.15 with drinks saving $2.80 with Senior Discount Card they have. My Lotto share with the group $2.00

It's an expensive week for dining out MMMMM!

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants 2 Toast & Jam Coffee 35c
LUNCH Meal out *
DINNER Fruit & Coffee 40c

Today’s Full price Tally $656.95*
Today’s Savings - $190.80
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $80.65
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2786.94

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

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

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

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

We will be into Level 3 Water Restrictions to-morrow! That no hosing or sprinkling. Only washing of vehicle/house /widow / boat permitted with buckets filled directly from the tap. You can use a Bucket or Watering Can that is filled directly from the tap to water your garden only. I hope I don’t get a sore back from using buckets as I will be water two houses as DF-M is away again too! This is for next two years if not longer or when we go to level 4 and no buckets at all. I'll see how I go; as I don’t fill buckets up to the top and will use the walking back to the tap all the time as an exercise.

I will keep my water level near to what it's now! Under 20KL per quarter. Hopefully saving money too!

I will need to get some more buckets and hose reels to put my hoses away for now.

BREAKFAST 2 Boiled Eggs Toast & Jam Coffee 60c
LUNCH Crackers with Hummus & Tuna Apple Coffee 50c
DINNER Devilled Sausages Yogurt & LSA Coffee 75c

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $79.20

Last time I was at my friend’s house that sells Avon. I ordered on the off chance of getting the best buy out of the clearance book, well my luck was in this time. I got an overnight bag on wheels for $16.95 value $49.95 when it sold in the regular catalogue a few weeks back. Saving $32.95. I was given a FREE Make Up Concealer value at $14.99. I did order some more items from the clearance book for gifts at Christmas time. It’s the luck of the draw with this catalogue 2nd time around. I delivered an order to my other friend when I went for a walk that night. I used the car today.

Went to the local shopping market and bought a tray of sausages markdown $ 2.80 saving $1.08, 2 cans of mushrooms pieces 69c each, saving $1.18, along regular items. Spent $5.78 saving total $2.36

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

Today’s Full price Tally $70.72
Today’s Savings - $50.30
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $77.35
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2590.84

This fortnight my budget balanced and is on track. I finished this time with a balance of $188.00 cash surplus, I have open an online account with $100.00 of this money and too rollover the balance to my next pension fortnight.

I have only the monthly phone bill to pay this time. The balance will go on to pay the CC which has all bills on it. I allot certain amount of my pension to bills each pension payday, this is rollover method that I use. As long as I don’t use it for other things or lend it to other people because they have over spent. It works for me. I use the CC as buffer, as at times, the bills can be due a few days before the next pension payday. Which is the case this time.

How long can I go before I withdraw out of my Bill & EF saving account? I am aiming for August if I buy a new lawn mower or November when all my large bills are due at the moment. To make this work I have to bank $40.00 into that account each month and not withdraw any money. It’s my version of the saving game. Any surplus savings will now be going to the online account at end of each month.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee 45c
LUNCH Crackers with Cheese & Mustard Pickle Relish Apple Coffee 40c
DINNER Poach Fish & Vegetables … $2.50

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $71.50

Her cousin husband had past away yesterday. Traditional visit, with myself as driver, after along talk in her native language & 2 cups of Italian coffee. I think she was hoping for me to take her to the funeral, which I can’t as I have appointment that day. Which her sister who lives here too! Should be the one taking her as I can’t speak or understand their language at all! .

After I went for a walk to post some mail and did a bit of shopping at the local supermarket.

One of the thrift shops is closing down & I bought a Miniature House for $1.00, Value RRP $14.95 saving $13.95 That’s the last time I will visit that group as cost for Gas or bus fares is to great now!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk with LSA Coffee 60c
LUNCH Baked Beans on Toast Mandarin Coffee 90c
DINNER Apricot Chicken & Vegetables Coffee $1.80

Today’s Full price Tally $ 16.45
Today’s Savings - $ 13.95
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $68.15
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2492.60

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Home made Lamingtons

Anzac Biscuits

Easy Pumpkin Scones

Plain Scones

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

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

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

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

This afternoon I had a good look in my wardrobe, culling some of my around house clothes for starters, that 14 T-shirts plus some of my old clothes that were in a bag downstairs. That’s another 12 items.

Now it’s time to look it in some of my wardrobes, another 12 items found to go the Charity bin. Total of 38 garments. One & half bags of clothes that are good enough to be resold and a bag for rags only. I have enough rags without adding to it. Nice work for an afternoon.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants with Milk Coffee 40c
LUNCH Sandwiches with Mustard Pickles & Corn Beef Coffee 70c
DINNER Fish Cakes with Baked Beans & Salad Orange Tea $1.40

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $61.85

Today was the last day of my gas voucher 4c off to get fuel for my mower, using my FREE Gas Gift Card that I won the last month. Saving $4.15 Had Coffee and Ice cream cone at Hungry Jack’s. Saving $2.40 (Senior Discount Card.)

Then went to the local supermarket around the corner to buy biscuits. I bought 1 tray each of veal & pork steaks for 50% off markdown. Saving $10.94

Later I went shopping with DF-D to Office Works, I bought some stationary $3.90 Saving $7.00

Then on to supermarket where I bought some markdown jam $1.50. Saving $2.00

The fruit shop outside was having a 50% off all stock sale. So I got my weekly fruit & vegetable there. spent $13.20 Saving $13.20

Only one thing today was full price and they were store brand chocolate biscuits saving $1.20 on brand name one. So 50% off.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal With Currant & Milk Toast & Jam Coffee 60c
LUNCH 2 Grilled Cheese on Toast With Seed Mustard Spread on Toast & Sprinkle with Hot Paprika on Top 65c
DINNER Bacon & Egg, Tomatoes, Baked Bean, Coffee $1.00

Today’s Full price Tally $71.97
Today’s Savings - $40.89
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $59.35
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2442.39

As a lot people had walked over them, it was necessary to wash all of them. I put them into colour and texture and whether if I needed to use wool wash on them and hand washing the lot.

Now it’s time to iron them up and cull some clothes this weekend.

In the mail today, got a free sample of toothpaste from Colgate’s.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Currants & Milk 2 Toast & Jam Coffee 60c
LUNCH Pasta with French Onion Chicken Mixed In. Mandarin Coffee 80c
DINNER Steak, Egg, Tomatoes, & Grilled Onions Dinner $1.80

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $ 57.10

Well we went to our local Target store to buy sleepwear for (DF-M) her young grandchildren that she is visiting this weekend. One of our other neighbors has a vineyard in the same town DF-M daughter lives. He will take her up for the weekend & bring her home again too!

So I took my car out today. DF-M bought lunch at the local Pizza Parlor at the shopping centre. ½ each only, I wouldn’t let her buy by two. As she only eats 2/3 of ½ then you have to eat all what’s left. Munch, Munch! I am watching my waistline too! I’m too skinny to her but my BMI read 29, her is 41. Oh well! Free lunch and gas money. Saving $6.50* on lunch.

I bought only needed items for the cats, so that I don’t need to take the car out to that shop until next month, only if I go the other supermarket. Spent $11.00 this trip saved $2.00 on a bucket for the garden that I priced before hand.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk with LSA Prunes Coffee 70c
LUNCH ½ Pizza (Lunch Out) Soft Drink – Free*
DINNER No Meal Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $17.50
Today’s Savings - $8.50*
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $50.40
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $1459.00

Well my washing is update and everyone else ironing is done! I got another pile ironing last night to do. Now it's mine to do and what’s left of mine ironing will just have to be done at later date.

I had quite time in the afternoon resting and working on clearing out the junk out & downloading what I need to taken off my computer emails. I do this about once month working on downloading information. That I would like to keep and read when I am resting. Now I am finished for another month.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants Coffee 35c (Breakfast at Neighbor’s 2 Toast & Jam, Coffee – Free)
LUNCH Crackers with Cheese & Chutney, Mandarin Coffee 65c
DINNER Omelette with Cheese, Sweet Chilli Sauce Apple Coffee. 75c

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $ 49.70

~ Have my credit card at Zero balance by end of the month.
~ Come under budget. (But for Car it’s to come out of Bill A/C.)
~ Open online account.
~ Pay All Due Bills on pension days.
~ Have my car service and rust proofing installed ($600.00 plus service.)
~ Have my termite inspection & pest control done (estimate $180) (Had termites a few years ago) annual check.
~ Chiro visit (one every 4 weeks)
~ Doctor Visit & Hearing Test for June.
~ Five known outings to budget for in June. (Morning Tea, Lunch, Picnic, 2 Dinners.)
~ Live off my Bulk Food Assets.
~ Make up another eight meals OAMC. Out of Bulk Food Assets.
~ Downsizing my guestroom & living areas and clean these areas
~ Visit by a relative in July.

Today I had my hair styled $13.00 normal price here is around $25 - $65 mark. Saving $12.00.

While I was up the street, I stopped at three of the Thrifts shops there. One is having sale on Thursday until Saturday in an empty shop that has it rent paid until the end of the month. It’s my kind a Sale too! Fill a Bag for $2.50. I will limit myself to just three bags see, what I come up with. I finish up with a cookbook today $1.50. Saving $8.50

I had another coffee & ice cream cone 30c. Saving $2.40 (senior discount). Bought the paper today $1.00. Some items at the supermarket on the away home, as I had to buy jar of jam for my neighbor there. 2 Sewing Items discounted for $1.66. Saving $1.06 Tomatoes 50c saving $1.00

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee 45c
LUNCH Chilli Tuna Salad & Crackers Apple Coffee 80c
DINNER Poach Fish & Vegetables … $2.50

Today’s Full price Tally $42.92
Today’s Savings - $24.96
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $ 47.95
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $1441.50

As I live alone all prices are for one person and everything is at cost.

You need to remember what you are paying for things, this skill I learnt when I was working.

Rule of thumb: Cost of items or recipe divide by number of serving.

Breakfast
example: updated 2006
Cost of Economical Breakfast ~
2 weet-bix 11c
1/4 cup skim milk 5c
3 prunes 5c
1 toast 4c
Black Coffee or Tea 5c
Hot Water 0 = 30 cents

Cost of Economical Breakfast ~
1/3c Quick Oats 4c
1/4 cup skim milk 5c
1 tbsp. sultanas 5c
1 tsp. Honey 3c
1 toast 4c
Black Coffee or Tea 5c
Hot Water 3/4 c 0 = 26 cents
Note: If you have Jam & Butter on your toast adds 30c
Vegemite add 2c

The Muesli that I have is homemade and very expensive to start off to make. Now I have got it too around 40c serve. I make enough for 21 days at a time and costing now is under $6.00.

The first time that I made it cost over $21.00 to make. I did a costing chart for it. Now I buy in bulk and on special if I can get the ingredients cheaper. Storing most of the items in the 2nd fridge.

Milk is mostly bought as 1kg bag of skim milk powder made up by the 1/2 cup dried and 600ml (1 pint) of water. This lasts around 4 days for my cereal only. If I can get fancy milk products at a markdown price then I will buy them for variety. Milk on cereal would be around 5c a day.

Lunch per serve

2 slice of bread or 3 crackers (broken into 6 small crackers) @ 10c
Chutney or relishes @ 5c
Cheese is bought when on special @ 20c
Salads around @ 60c
Pasta and 1/2 cup pasta sauce with 1/2 cup vegetables @ 60c
Just a few items here.

Dinner
Take Steak Dinner with Canned Mushrooms, Egg, Grilled Onions and Grilled Tomatoes @ $2.20
Based on $1.20 per Steak, Onion 20c, Tomato 20c, Mushrooms 40c, and Egg 20c

I only buy steak at its lowest price that I can find. Last time I bought steak, I got 3 trays @ $1.14 each, a steak at its regular price here is $21.99 kg at the moment. When buying meat tray markdowns buy the cheapest and the lowest price you can find. Look at the weight before you choose which tray to take if you are not taking all of them. But in truth if I want too, I could only post value of the bulk items in this case it would be Steak $1.20 & Mushrooms 40c @ $1.60.

Meals made from Chicken To-Night Sauce on special $1.50 to $1.99 range, @50c serve, 300g Chicken Breast diced (@ $10.00 kg), 3 serves of chicken for 4 meal. @ .75 serve, vegetables 500g $1.50 @ 38c allowing $1.65 meal serving.

As I am repeating recipes and meals on a regular bases. I can estimate costs, as I am writing in my Blog at times.

Well! If you call doing the washing and having all the ironing up to date.

After I had done those chores, it was a day for working on the files on my computer. Clearing out files, downloading what I need to take off & out of emails files. Deleting the junk out of my email addresses boxes. As I have multi –email addresses so I need to do this once month to all of them.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk with LSA Prunes, 4 Honey Puffs, Coffee 70c
LUNCH Chilli Tuna Salad & Crackers Apple Coffee 60c
DINNER Two Chicken Kebabs with Garlic Focaccia Bread, Yogurt & LSA Coffee $1.50

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $44.20

All I can say it’s about time too! I have been ‘go-an-do-that’ for so long now! I don’t remember the last time I did it. I do tidy it up but not a deep clean and clear everything off it. I rearranged some of the stuff that I have on the counter and put some stuff away too. I feel much better now that I have done it! Now what is the next area that bugging me MMMMMMM!

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants with Milk Coffee 35c
LUNCH Corn Beef Salad, Crackers, Honey Puffs, Coffee 60c
DINNER Devilled Sausages Yogurt & LSA Coffee 75c

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $41.40

Friday was pension day, so it’s the day that I allocate to pay any bills that I have what are due in the next fortnight. I keep my bill money in the Pension A/c until I have too much over for next lots of bills. Then I will transfer balance allotted for bills out for future large bills at the end of the year.

Instead of working out how much for each bill for each pay. I use annual totals instead plus 10% system then allot the grand total divide by 26 for bills each pay, it’s more than half my pension each time. I am not allow to spend this amount on anything other than bills and credit cards if the bill was paid via credit card so that now I pay my credit card out of Bill A/C because that is all that it’s used for now! I only pay an annual fee on my credit card, which is budgeted for and no interest on CC as it paid in full each month. My Internet has to be paid by direct debit via CC only.

Today bill’s are Electricity Bill $139.10 saving $16.00 on the last bill.
Car Club M’ship $58.00
Personal Accident Insurance $87.45 Annual saving $7.95
Total $284.55 with left $141.43 for bills this pay.

Two of the Bill’s had to be paid by Cheques so I needed to go to the bank for these. Normally you pay $6.00 each for them, as I am a pensioner they are FREE (see below). Saving $12.00.

Bill still to come is Chiro $421.00 in next this pension pay period.

How do I get around this without taking out of my saving bank A/C?

Simple pay off the credit card first before I put the Chiro on to it, which has been done. Deposit $140 + medical refund in CC when the bank opens. Then pay the balance out of the next two pays amounts for Bill A/c before the interest is due! I am lucky that all the dates are right to do this. I have only one bill due before the end June that I can be pay out of my grocery allotment. If am short. This is how I use my CC to my advantage. But you must have a ($0) zero balance to do it.

I only pay my credit card annual fee to the banks, I have no other fees including interest as I paid off my CC each month. I don’t pay account keeping fees even, which is here around $5.00 per month on all banking accounts if you haven’t found away to get around it. I am lucky that I am on a pension as I have a pensioner fee FREE A/C and free bank Cheques, which are normally $6.00 each. (Saving $120 on bank fees. Allowing $10 each month in saving tally.) I may open another account online in the future so I can keep my EF & saving out of my Bill A/C. But there is so much red tape to do it when you are on a pension.

I did have to go to Westfield’s Shopping Centre by car to pay one of the bills there. So I did a little shopping and had lunch there too! Lunch, I only saved $4.90 on coffee, as I had no vouchers left. Bought few Sympathy cards for my Bulk Assets box. Saving $8.00 on buying them at a newsagent each time. Had my exercise for the day while there, once around both levels.

Spend more money on groceries on Cereals & Bacon on the way home at Aldi. Saving $3.00.

Went shopping at night DF-D only bought a gift for DS & Coffee in the markdown area saving $4.00 While DF-D spent well over $130.00, I only spent $8.00 mostly of that was not Food.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk with LSA Prunes 4 Honey Puffs Coffee 65c
LUNCH Crackers with Hummus & Cheese with Mango Chutney Coffee 40c
DINNER Mini Salmon Loaf with Tomato Sauce & Vegetables, Yogurt & LSA Coffee $1.50

Today’s Full price Tally $ 318.65
Today’s Savings - $65.85
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $39.70
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $1416.54

It’s time to see how much I still got left on that account. My shares dividend was deposited $124 that will need to transfer that over to the other account before I spend it. After transferring dividend I still have $340 left in my pension account. I will rollover this until I have paid all my bills due for next three pays and what’s is left then I will bank for future large bills at end of the year. $340 is not bad when I only had $85 in it to start off last pay. I only get $500 every two weeks. It’s has have been this way for years. I know that I am stretching my money as much as I can and I have saved money as well as the other bank account balance was down to $400 only 18 months ago. Now it looking more healthy that I will need to phone in my balance to Government pension office soon!

BREAKFAST Bacon, Egg, Steamed Mushrooms, & Tomatoes Coffee $1.00
Snacks Only ~ 5 Greek Honey Puffs (Free), 1 Slice Pagnotta Bread & Mortadella (Free), Yogurt & Tropical Fruits Salad, Coffee 60c (Eaten over 4 hours, snacks at neighbors houses)
DINNER ¼ roast chicken (free) & vegetables coffee 2 pancakes & whipped cream with maple syrup $1.00

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $37.15

Boy! I got a lot of groceries in my two pantries; I have a storage cupboard downstairs for the overflow, along with my Toilet Paper and cleaning items. One of my freezer/refrigerator is there too! I have a very large storage area under my house. It can’t be made into living areas, as only one area is legal height but just a good height for me to walk around. If you are over 5 feet 5 inches then you will hit your head on the beams as you walk around.

I think I will have enough Grocery items to last until I run out of the proteins meats in about two to three months. Too many items of some things and very little of salad items left which I like to add to my salad in the way of Bread & Butter Pickles which will be on my list in a few weeks. Here you can have salads all year around. I think I will cut back on my bulk asset stock by 50% just buy enough for 3 months not six months supply like I have been doing. I will use up want I have got before I replace it too! I have got a small Gourmet Deli corner in my pantry as DIL loves to buy Gourmet Christmas Hampers in the ‘After Christmas Sales’ but doesn’t like all the food so I end up with it. MMMMMM. YUM!

Did do some cooking in the slow cooker today, ‘French Onion Chicken’. I used the two trays of chicken thigh I bought yesterday along with half can French Onion Soup and two cans small crushed tomatoes. I portioned the chicken into soup ladle meal sizes and I plan to add it to pasta or rice. I will get another nine meals doing this for 80c a serve.

BREAKFAST - Oatmeal & Currants with Milk, 2 Pancakes & Maple Syrup with Whipped Cream. Coffee. 60c
LUNCH French Onion Soup French Bread & Hummus Apple Coffee + Health LSA Bar (That I won. $3.95 ea.) 50c
DINNER French Onion Chicken Chocolate Paddle Pop Coffee $1.25

Today’s Full price Tally $3.95
Today’s Savings - $3.95
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $34.55
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $1350.69