A few weeks ago I got a raincheck for 2 L fruit drinks, so I got four bottles, and a few other things like 2 tubs Borax saving $2.94 alone, saving $5.90 overall.

As I had a $5.00 off voucher for a dress store, that I could spend at the shopping centre I was going to, I put this in my handbag, to see if they had any swimwear left in my size. I was lucky to be able get the size I wanted, but not the colour as I am using it in the family swimming pool it will not matter it’s still a colour that I can wear. Saving $5.00 off.

I had some lunch there too! Hot dog with mustard on a roll, and caramel skinny milk shake at Wendy ‘s it’s around $6.00 with milk shake. At Tina’s the lot was $ 2.45 saving $3.55

BREAKFAST Baked Beans on Toast Coffee
LUNCH lunch out *
DINNER Black Bean Beef with Noodles Mandarin Green Tea

Today’s Full price Tally $52.00*
Today’s Savings - $14.45
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $7536.35

I went to my DS home today, as he was having his dishwasher fixed. After lunch we drove to auto supply store a few suburbs over from where my DS lives. I bought a Battery charger and car paint for touch up paint for my car as some one took some paint off my car last week, small mark but it need some paint on it.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Apple Coffee
DINNER Omelette with Cheese Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $85.95
Today’s Savings - $ 0.00
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $7521.90

In the last 28 days I have

Gone shopping or bought something.14 times

Went to the city by bus 4 times

Drove my car only. 5 times

Had food bought or had for free away from home. 6 times

And had 9 No Spending Days.

It’s a trip over the transport department at the another shopping centre near my home. It’s time to pay my registration for my car, I paying it for a full year this time. Saving $90.00 with my pension discount this time. While there I bought a few more books saving $25.00.

This afternoon I went down the hill to another supermarket to buy some pets food and other things. Saving $10.65 here. Our food price are going up here but the cat food that my cats will eat price went down too it’s price of six months ago this time for how long?

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Grilled Cheese with Mustard Toasted Slices Apple Coffee
DINNER Poach Fish & Salad Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $593.26
Today’s Savings - $ 126.93
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $7521.90

Today it’s driving DF-M around, first to medical appointment then off to get blood tests.

After we dropped it at Hungry Jacks for Coffee & pancakes. The coffee was free saving $2.45 a cup with our senior cards.

Next stop bank, chemist & butchers in the nearest shopping area. Then home to drop off the meat bought at her favorite butcher, she bought meat for me too, some ½ kg fillet steak and 200g ham off the bone, around $20.00 worth.

After that stop, we went down to the supermarket and then on to another supermarket that she likes and had lunch together as she had not eaten much since last night. As her family is coming to stay for the weekend, she needed to buy food for another five people along with her monthly bulk shopping. I was very good with my shopping and spent only $2.00 saving $2.00. Paying my phone bill while I was at it!

I had to have my afternoon nap by the time we arrived home at 2.30pm, having started out 8am this morning. It was defiantly her day, I was just the driver today.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Ham Salad Roll & Orange Juice*
DINNER 2 Egg Ham Omelette and Salsa Apple Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $78.00*
Today’s Savings - $ 35.80
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $7394.66

Today was an expensive day as I did buy a new car battery. The battery on its last legs, I would keep on having trouble with it. A bit more expensive than I have paid before on the old car. It has a two year warranty and I have used that warranty before on the old car. Now I need to buy a battery charger for that type of car. My son & I went off to Car supply store to price them out.

2nd mail order parcel arrived today, I was thinking that it would never come. Some good buys in this parcel, 3 throw rugs for $15.00 saving $25.00, 2 Christmas Snow Globe Trains for $10.00 saving $40.00, 2 DVD for $5.00 each saving $30.00, a engraved pen set for $5.00 saving $25.00 and crystal angel ornaments as a free gift value $19.95. Total saving allowing for P&P $144.00.
I am happy that I got the crystal angel ornaments as I do have others crystal ornaments so I use them this year. One of the Christmas Snow Globe Trains is a gift for DIL. Refer to 'Car Service & Rust Proofing'post.*

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

Today’s Full price Tally $127.00
Today’s Savings - $144.00*
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $7282.51

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

In this morning mail came credit card statement & my tax cheque refund $100, I am happy with that one. I don’t pay tax but I do have some shares which why I got a refund.

I checked my bank account to make sure that I had enough to pay the car service that order today as well as rust proofing on my car. I put my car in first thing this morning and pick it up at lunchtime today. Paying $103.95 for the service on my debit card and putting the rust proof on CC. Cost $595, which I will pay off before the end of October when the interest free days run out. This little job I did promised my self when I bought the car back in February. Bus fare of $1.10 saving $1.10 to go back to car dealer’s as they drove me home instead of waiting 3 hours for the car.

While I was out I went to the bank & supermarket nearby. I banked the Tax cheque and got another one for the another mail order that I am sending for this month costing $62.35 saving a lot (I will tally saving when it arrives.) Groceries & pet litter costing $11.40 saving $3.40.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers with Cream Cheese & Herbs, Fruit Coffee
DINNER Devilled Sausages with Garlic Focaccia Bread

Today’s Full price Tally $772.70
Today’s Savings - $104.40
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6359.26

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the last 28 days I have

Gone shopping or bought something. 11 times

Went to the city by bus 3 times

Drove my car only. 4 times

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

And had 14 No Spending Days.

Lets see what next 28 days tallies will be.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Did I need another cookbook the answer to that one is NO. But if I bought a Kraft mini cream cheese along with a tub of another Kraft cream cheese I would get a free cookbook, as there were on sale as a multi buy, so I bought that as the shelf life on all packets were until January 2007. $3.49 each but two for $4.00 + mini pack $2.35 = $6.35. Saving $2.98 + cookbook $15.00 = $17.98

I paid my power bill while I was at it too! $146.80 for the quarter. Saving $30.00 on pensioner discount.

I bought some more fertiliser at the other supermarket as I needed more potting mix and as it was the last day of the sale on it, its likelihood of there being some was slim. I plan to ask for a rain check for 5 bags. I got my rain check too! Saving $2.10 on fertiliser. Other groceries came to $5.65 saving $3.00

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Corn & Chicken Soup Toast Orange Coffee
DINNER French Onion Chicken with Toast

Today’s Full price Tally $217.88
Today’s Savings - $53.08
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $5670.41

Even though, I am not shopping for groceries this week. I did go to the supermarket for garden supplies as one had them on special this week. So I bought five bags of potting mix and six containers of nitrophoska fertiliser, along with want I have still got from last year. I most likely need about another five bags of potting mix for my pot plants that need new soil. As I can do it in only small jobs at a time this is the best way to buy potting mix for my needs.

This afternoon I made up muffins and pancakes from packets that I still had in my pantry. So now I have some snacks to eat instead buying packet of biscuits at times. When I finish up what’s in my pantry then I will start making them from scratch. As I can put on weigh by eating my own cooking as I have to eat the whole recipe and try stretch it out over a number days or weeks where possible by making only what I can freeze in portions size. A packet of pancakes will give about 8-10 serving, limiting to only two serving per week that 4- 5 weeks worth. Too much of a good thing is fatting.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Mussels & Balsamic Vinegar with Salad Coffee
DINNER French Onion Chicken with Toast Fruit Coffee
SNACK Pancakes with Maple Syrup Whipped Cream

Today’s Full price Tally $32.21
Today’s Savings - $8.85
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $5617.33

I did go and buy my cats they dry food as it was on special. Saving $3.00

Along with the balance of my grocery and other items shopping for next two weeks. Saving $19.90

I am trying to cut back the amount of grocery shopping that I do. They are little shops but it does add up to hoard of grocery line in my pantry. The only way I will stop buy is not going or limiting what I can buy. As I mainly go for cat food so I have bought enough for two weeks. I am limiting myself to eggs, fruit & vegetables, and gardening items. As I go with or take people shopping in my car this will be fun when I don’t buy when their shop!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers with Cottage Cheese Chutney & Herbs Fruit Coffee
DINNER Steak, Egg, Tomatoes, & Grilled Onions Coffee
SNACK Homemade Muesli Bar

Today’s Full price Tally $78.23
Today’s Savings - $22.90
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4627.32

Gone shopping or bought something. 14 times

Went to the city by bus 4 times

Drove my car only. 9 times

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

And had 11No Spending Days

Lets see what next 28 days tallies will be.

I drop in to one of thrift shop and I bought wine bag & 3 historical novels all for $3.00 saving $26.95 It’s a novel that I can’t put down. I went up to the shops to buy DS birthday gift card for him. Along a few other items.

I had visit & lunch with my friend today. He called after he had been at the hospital for health check up on previous stay in hospital.

DS Birthday Dinner at Hog’s Breath Café, as this was not a inexpensive place to eat, I had Beef & Salsa Salad one of lower end of their menu price range. Also as I had large serve of BBQ fillet steak on Sunday I didn’t need to buy a large meal there. It was healthier anyway. It cost $13.50 if I had steak & vegetables, I was looking at around $30.00 a plate. So I saved $16.50 here.

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

Today’s Full price Tally $101.40*
Today’s Savings - $43.50
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4423.91

A while back I wrote about making up a baby gift basket, well I finely got to see this little one. And she slept all the time that I was there & she is only around 8 weeks old.

To-night as the family were babysitting her as it’s first time her mother was going out. I went over to visit and have a take away with them. Once we got our cars parked all four of them too! It was not good to go off again, as they are no parking as she lives in a restaurant area.

What did we all order, as they are 15 restaurants and Take Away in that area! Looking up the menus, we order from two places. One of which we had a voucher for ‘two for deal’ Pizza and garlic bread delivered. It was Satay Chicken Pizza saving $20.00 with the voucher. Remembering that driving was out of the question. As only with smart parking got the fourth car parked legally.

My DS & I walked around to one of the restaurants to pick up other half of our meals, calzone & pasta meal for one and herb & garlic dip with pita bread slices. When we returned with that meal the other part of dinner arrived too! Each was paying for their portion of the meal. Total cost was $53.85 plus $2.00 tip it was between four adults. Two had full pasta meal with dip and one pizza with garlic bread between them along with a larger bottle of Coke. Other two had the calzone & pizza only with water between them.

Costing came for first two $39.85 and the other two only $8.00 each. I think you can guess which half I am in.

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

Today’s Full price Tally $13.00
Today’s Savings - $5.00
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4328.21

Off to the doctor’s again with DF-M then off to do shopping at a larger shopping centre. We had lunch at Subway which cost DF-M around $7.90 all up after the I made a compliant over a coffee machine on go slow so FREE coffee and cookies for each of us. Along with senior card discount it was a saving of $10.70 all up. As my lunch was FREE, so saving me $9.30. I bought only pet food on this trip. Saving $1.20.

In the afternoon I went shopping with DF-D got a few bargains, special on jeans, 2 pair for $18.50 RRP per pair $39.95 saving $61.40 then bought some Copy Paper 5 realms for $24.00 saving $10.75 and having green tea at her place. All I need to do now is turn up the hems on the jeans.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Avocado & Cottage Cheese on Crackers Apple Coffee
DINNER Roast Turkey Dinner, Paddle Pop, Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $123.95
Today’s Savings - $ 82.65
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $192.30
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $3976.84