~ Have my credit card at Zero balance by end of the each month.
~ Come under budget. (But for Car it’s to come out of Bill A/C.)
~ Deposit into the online account.
~ Lodge my tax claim before middle of August
~ Pay All Due Bills on pension days.
~ Have my car service and rust proofing installed ($600.00 plus service.)
~ Chiro visit (one every 4 weeks)
~ Doctor Visit & 2 Hearing visits for August & September (paying the difference on hearing aid)
~ Known outings too budget for in August / September (Trip to the Annual Show, Lunch 3, Dinners 2.)
~ Live off my Bulk Food Assets
~ Make up another eight meals OAMC. Out of Bulk Food Assets.
~ Downsizing storage and clean these areas

I did it, all most!

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

Out of cat food that they will eat. So it’s off to supermarket to get some for them as well batteries that I have run out of. I used the car, as I had to go to one down the hill to get them. I saved $11.86 on the batteries that I bought by buying a larger size pack. Special was on 4 pack AA$4.98 ($1.25ea) regular price $6.96 ($1.74ea) and I bought another brand and saved money. 16 for $15.98 (99c ea.) regular price $17.98 ($1.24 ea.) It does pay to have a calculator with you.

I have got rechargeable batteries but they are very old and only last a few hours before I need to replace them.

Watched TV for 5 hours tonight. Tonight watched Big Brother the last Sunday show (It finish’s to-morrow) then watch CSI which I don’t do most nights.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Crackers Muesli Bar Coffee
DINNER Honey Mustard Chicken with Vegetables and Rice, Fruit, Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $43.67
Today’s Savings - $ 11.86
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $182.80
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $3804.22

Driving DF-M to the doctor for check up on her asthma and then doing some grocery shopping as this first time in two months she has been able too! We had free coffee at Hungry Jacks as we were near there today too! Thanks to our senior cards. Saving $4.90

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Leftover Lunch from ‘two for one deal’ - Free
DINNER French Onion Chicken with Toast

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $170.55

I had my first massage today, even had a gift certificate of $25.00 off plus medical rebate $15.00 off, still had to pay $30.00. I don’t think I can afford this too often on my budget at $55.00 a time after rebate. It was good but not that good that I would use food budget to pay for it.

I did some shopping while I was in the city today. I bought 3 DVD old classical movies for $12.00, RRP is $10.00 each. Saving $18.00. VHS x 6 pack (RRP each $2.99) saving $7.99

I got some sausages on markdown, saving $2.00. Lunch was ‘two for one deal’ saving $10.15 on food. Paid my quarterly Rates & Water Bill costing $298.95 saving $215.50 using my senior pension card discount rate. Still no smoke detector that I am looking for.

I put gas in my car after I came home on the bus today. It was 121.9c per litre with shopper docket of 6c off. I paid $33.35 saving $3.55

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH lunch out*
DINNER Fish Cakes Salad Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $688.84*
Today’s Savings - $297.10
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $169.75
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $3766.96

It’s time to go back home for my niece, so up early and off to the airport before the sunrise this morning. She paid for me to park the car, so my spending today just gas and that I had paid for. Her plane left on time about hour after sunrise. It was good to see her after such a long time!

When I left the airport I didn’t go home, but went to a friend’s townhouse until it was time to go off for us to meeting up for morning tea in near by park with a group friends on northside. By lunchtime we were all ready to go home after a long chat. I think I was sleepy on the way home driving so I will not do this too often as 60km around trip, and starting out so early too! But I was just 10 minutes away from my morning tea group and 60 minutes away from home to go home and come back with the cost a fuel these days in two hours. No spending day for me as I was given parking money fee.

Monday Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $1.95
BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Macaroni & Cheese Apple Coffee
DINNER Devilled Sausages with Garlic Focaccia Bread Coffee

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $168.00

I planned to cook from my stockpile so I put out a frozen Breast Turkey that I bought at Christmas, I planned to roast it in the microwave. It didn’t have the instructions for microwave on the box. So just did it like I roast a chicken in the microwave and it worked too! 10 minutes on high and then 10 minutes at 75% power for every 500g (650 watt) so as it was a 1000g Turkey Breast it was just a 30 minutes to cook in the end in roasting bag on roasting rack.. I had steamed vegetables to go with it.

The thing I bought today was fruit & vegetables, saving $3.00 on supermarket prices.

I pick up my niece, in the late afternoon when arrived home to cook the turkey breast. Very much enjoyed and I will have another few meals off it too!

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Apple Coffee
DINNER Roast Turkey with Cranberry Sauce and Steam Vegetables

Today’s Full price Tally $5.80
Today’s Savings - $3.00
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $166.05
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $3469.86

Took my niece to work today very early this morning, dropped her luggage off at the motel that she will stay the night at then drove her to work around the corner 1km away. I will pick her up tomorrow afternoon at same motel. Joys of being the driver. I live about 15 minutes away but 45 minutes away if it was a weekday, cost of taxi to & from my place is expensive. No public transport at that time of the morning on weekends. (1½ hours trip if using public transport each way, anyway)

When I got home later in that day. My DF-M came home from hospital in the afternoon. When we checked her medicine, I found that chemist at the hospital gave her the wrong thing, so it was off to local chemist to see what could be done. It does pay to take all the items with you, as they had given her the wrong pressure pack for asthma. Which I had to drive too a different chemist before it closed for the weekend to get right one. Two hours to fix it up too! What a runaround!
In the end I just made it to supermarket to buy milk for DF-M before it closed too!

I never spent any money (cash) all day of my own money.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Coffee Apple
DINNER French Onion Chicken, Muesli Bar Coffee

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $161.65

Gone shopping or bought something. 17 times

Went to the city by bus 3 times

Drove my car only. 8 times

Had food bought or had for free away from home. 5 times

And had 11 No Spending Days

Lets see what next 28 days tallies will be.

While we were at the doctor’s yesterday. The parcel post arrived for DF-M. I was told that it was very large and heavy this morning and now we have to go to the post office to get it, as she has to sign for it. So that is our task today at the moment she is a little better but not much. Boy! It was big and heavy full of cooking ware from a party she went too when she was with her daughter in Sydney last month. I used a trolley so I didn’t have to carry it very far. She bought some meat on the way home. I got some fillet steak for my trouble. I spent no money today.

BREAKFAST - Oatmeal with Current & Milk, Toast & Jam, Coffee
LUNCH - Pumpkin & Lentil Stew Apple, Coffee
DINNER – Poach Fish & Salad Coffee

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $148.40

As I am the driver for my friend M when her family are not available to take her anywhere. So today she is sick and medication that doctor gave her on Monday is not working. We went back to the doctor’s again! X-rays & blood test were taken and new medication given. We went the Hungry Jacks on the way back to the doctor’s for a fix of coffee then home. She’s not good. Saving $2.45

Later in the day I went for a walk and paid my phone bill and bought some avocados and some bread for my friend. Avocados were on special too! 4 for $2.00 or 69c at Woolworths next door were $1.25 each. Saving $3.00 here.

BREAKFAST - Oatmeal with Current & Milk, Toast & Jam Coffee
LUNCH – Egg Salad with Crackers & Cheese with Chutney, Coffee mandarin
DINNER - Steak & Onions Tomato baked beans Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $44.49
Today’s Savings - $5.00
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $145.45
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2981.16

My tank needed some more gas put into it so as its at lowest today I will buy it now!

Needed to go to the bank today, so I made a trip of it while I was out.

Also got my next few week’s supply of cat litter while I had the car out too!

By buying gas today I am saving around 16c litre, as while I am writing this up gas is back up to that level and rising.

BREAKFAST - Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH - Pumpkin & Lentil Stew, Mandarin Coffee
DINNER – Devilled Sausages with Garlic Focaccia Bread Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $79.87
Today’s Savings - $ 17.62
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $ 140.15
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2976.16

I took my DF-M to the doctors today. She has Asthma so she needed to be checked.
We stop of the supermarket on the way back.
Bought only some biscuits today.

BREAKFAST - Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH – Cracker Cheese Chutney Apple Coffee
DINNER - Pumpkin & Lentil Stew

Today’s Full price Tally $ 1.80c
Today’s Savings - $ .90c
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $ 138.15
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $ 2958.54

Restocking my basic groceries that I was low on today.

Groceries that were on special and some bulk items that I needed so that I need not shop for the week and canned pet food enough for a few weeks I hope!

BREAKFAST - Muesli & Milk Coffee 40c
LUNCH -– Soup & Toast Coffee Mandarin 45c
DINNER – Poach Fish & Salad Coffee $2.50

Today’s Full price Tally $39.65
Today’s Savings - $6.00
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $133.30
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2957.64

Today, I drop off some books that bought for a friend.

While in that area I return a broken coffee grinder that I bought for a refund as it had a 2 year warranty on it. This was the second time that I have return this model in 12 months so I ask for cash refund of $15.00 this time and got it too!

It was suggested that I get some health tablets called Macu-Vision by Blackmores to Preserves Eye Health. Expensive as I bought 90 tablets bottle as this one was on special so I saved $6.20

As it was past late past lunchtime, I bought before I drove home 2 sushi rolls & green tea $4.90. As I needed energy boost! It's low-GI meal!

Drop by Aldi on the way out of the shopping centre for some cereal that I use for my own Muesli mix.

BREAKFAST -– Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee 45c
LUNCH – Macaroni & Cheese Coffee 65c
DINNER – Pumpkin & Lentil Stew Paddle Pop Coffee 80c

Today’s Full price Tally $38.83
Today’s Savings - $6.20
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $129.95
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2951.64

One of my cat’s will not eat the flavour that I got left so I needed to drive over to next suburb to the supermarket there that has his brand on special this week, I did say they are spoilt.

So I bought 4 packets of his dry cat food, if he doesn’t eat it TOUGH not buying anymore.

Why they'll eat something one week then I am feeding the free loaders with it another week. I have some free loaders that I feed with what they don’t eat. I only give them food that my two cats will not eat and have left on the floor for more than 12 hours.

So my list of free loaders are four cats, one large German Shepherd from next door, and family of crows and it’s first in best dress too!

When German Shepherd from next door comes over he eats all his favourite cat food that’s on the floor for my cats, which at times I have just put down too!

Shopping today came to $21.65 saving $4.10

BREAKFAST – Muesli & Milk Coffee 45c
LUNCH – Soup & Toast Coffee Apple 65c
DINNER –Steak & Onions Tomato Baked Beans Coffee $2.50

Today’s Full price Tally $25.75
Today’s Savings - $4.10
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $127.00
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2921.93

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

Gone shopping or bought something. 15 times

Went to the city by bus 2 times

Drove my car only. 9 times

Had bought food or had for free away from home. 5 times

And had 13 No Spending Days.

Lets see what next 28 days tallies will be.

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

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

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

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

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

~ 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.

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

Gone shopping or bought something. 17 times

Went to the city by bus and had lunch out. 3 times

Used my car only. 6 times

And had 15 No Spending Days.

Lets see what next 28 days tallies will be.