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

My DS & DIL arrived home this morning, they had a very good trip. After five week traveling Europe. They were sleeping off they jet lag while I was at Fernberg. I saw them for a few minutes last night. Will see them on Wednesday evening.

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

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

~ 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.

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

At times I am called over for morning tea with my Greek neighbors. I always get a plate food put in front of me, they rarely eat but you have to eat it! Then I am given a parcel of food to take home. The wife loves to cook and making fancy Greeks treats for her visitor’s so as both are diabetics they don’t eat it! I do, do odd jobs for them at times. Today it was Greek Honey Puffs, she went and cooked them just for me too! I try not to eat too much and make it last for whole week. I will never get to make any muffins at this rate! Third plate of Greek treats in a week.

All my neighbors are home now! The last one got back today! In a close-knit community you do miss them when they are not around. My DS & DIL are the only one’s that are still away.

I picked up my Avon order today & visited two friends. One friend is an Avon Rep. I got Deodorants at a good price 3 x $4.99 reg. price for 1.45 each saving $10.62
Skin Care reg. price $12.99 for $3.99 saving $9.00.
Perfume reg. price $29.99 for $8.99 saving $21.00
Pill case $9.99 reg. price for $4.99 saving $5.00
Total saving $45.62
I delivered an Avon order to another friend who is caring for her sister.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk 2 slices Toast & Jam - 75c
LUNCH Cracker with Cheese & Tomato Apple Coffee –50c
DINNER Fish Cakes & Vegetables Yogurt & LSA coffee $1.20

Today’s Full Price Tally $67.94
Today’s Savings - $45.62
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $ 23.70
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $1226.46

I balanced my budget today. I did buy a few extra luxuries this last period but still came within the budget. It is on track but could have been better. I can over spend on books so I need to track everyone that I do buy. Food eaten outside the house was on the high side again but I do get value for my money when I do spend. Mainly Two for One Deal’s, as I only eat half & eat the other half next day for lunch. (Doggie Bag Strategy) These areas and my gift giving were my highest this period. When you just have $1000 to budget with for the month it can be tight. That’s why I am $$$ stretching and not saving, I do save if I can some months. I still had $85 left in my budget A/C when I got paid which is rollovered into next period. All my bills came out of this amount this month and not out of Bill A/C, (Freedom account) any surplus bill money does get banked until needed too! Banking the balance and not paying it out the Bill A/C allows for extra interest by depositing and not withdrawing.

I also did some shopping today, I went for a walk up to the chemist again, to get the right prescription filled this time. Liptor is ($82.31-RRP), general public NPS - $25.00, health card holders & pensioners $4.70 … saving $20.30. If I had to pay RRP I would never get the prescription filled. Never went and got a free coffee today as this is only a rare treat and I don’t need an ice cream cone everyday!

Popped into two thrift shops on my way, found a cute metal basket & another item for my baby gift basket both for $1.00…saving $8.00. So that baby gift basket has come under $15 value around $28.00. I have wrapping paper in my storage. At the supermarket I bought milk that was markdown today and 2 pens… saving $2.59 on RRP

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee 40c
LUNCH Devilled Sausages Coffee $1.00
DINNER Poach Fish & Vegetables for dinner… $2.50

Today’s Full price Tally $38.14
Today’s Savings - $30.89
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $5.15
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $991.29

I did washing today, so that I least I have something done today while I said a few prayers. Feeling very low and lost with cold as well. A dose of Frugal Shopping is much better than sitting home thinking about my friends and making myself depressed. I walked up to the local shops to post my sympathy card and have lunch with people even if it’s alone! I went thrift shopping instead being alone, talk to my friend at one of the shops which had Two for One on clothing sale as they are closing down that thrift shop in three weeks time. I bought six garments today, 4 tops and 2 pants for $10.00 original value $140
Another Costa Moda (up market) Top $2.00 as new value $55.00 as new in my size too!
Blouse and matching tank top $3.50 as new value $35.00 as new
Top sleeveless $1.50 as new value $25.00 as new
Track pants $ 1.50 as new value $15.00
Cotton pattern pants $1.50 as new value $10.00 Total saving on clothes $130.00
Pottery vase $2.00 value $30.00 saving $28.00 This is my memory vase for my young friend.
2 containers for gift baskets @50c $1.00 saving $12.00 (one is worth around $8)
Historical Romance Novel FREE for stay in the store while a difficult customer was in the store. new value 18.95
Lunch out, Two for One Deal again Spicy Chicken Baguette, with Hungry Jacks voucher + another 30c cone & more free coffee, two cups cappuccino this time with my senior card total cost $5.55 value $15.70 saving $10.15

Today’s Full price Tally $216.65
Today’s Savings - $199.10
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $896.60

What a sad week this week has been around here. DF-D mother passed away last Sunday after a long illness. Today is being buried in New Zealand. This morning I am told that DF-M granddaughter died after having three wisdom teeth remove in hospital this week. She died within 24 hours. It was found out later that she had leukemia and no one had any idea. She was only in her twenties too! So I am very sad today and alone here with everyone away. PLEASE GIVE YOUR FAMILY A BIG HUG FROM ME OR RING THEM TO-NIGHT.

This DF-M is old enough to be my mother. So I am the driver & trolley pusher etc. It’s part of our local block community barter system. (See below.) As we were doing banking, chemist, thrift shop drop off, & grocery shopping in one go, it took over 2½ hours. She always gives me her ‘4c off fuel voucher’ plus a cooked chicken & little cash for fuel. So I am not out of pocket only thing is time & my energy level and whether I can do anything else for the day.

Did some shopping today also, I was to buy eggs but there were none that at the price, I wish to pay & they price has gone up by 12c per dozen too! I looked at the bargain areas again it had some good buys, so I bought some items that I can use or try! Spent $6.90 full price $20.67. So my meal tonight will be part portions of the free chicken & fresh mushroom and Garlic Focaccia Bread which were all part of the bargain areas markdowns today. I drop off some Avon that I pick-up for someone else and with given ¼ of chicken & stuffing, for my trouble. I am well feed in this community.

Our Local Block Community Barter System.
We exchange garden produce, tools, cook meals, ironing, house sitting when tradesmen are coming, water gardens, putting out & returning Trash bins, feeding pets, doing errands for others, shopping, checking on one’s living alone each day. As well driving around, (including to airport (50 km trip), which the fuel & parking is paid, doctors visits, shopping, take them visiting friends etc or taking bulk trash to the dump) time in involved is free, over 8 hours each week, I am doing this for others. As my most valuable asset is that I have a car & time. With this barter system, you do something for someone, then they give you something in exchange and pay any the cost involved as you may be paying bills or doing shopping for them.

Today’s Full price Tally $32.67*
Today’s Savings Tally $25.77
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $383.15

*Full price includes items bought & value of free items or bulk assets storage.

Needed to buy milk for my DF- M, so I had to go the supermarket where I am paying my bills today. As I had to go Transport office to update my information after buying my new car so that I would get my pensioner discount, its worth over $52 for ½ year off the regular car registration. I paid local rates & water bill at the Post Office where we can pay most of our bills in person and it’s agent for some of the banks too! If you would like to pay something, you just look on the back of your bills and it will tell you if can pay them at the post office. (I am claiming pensioner discount on Rate’s Bill that’s a saving of $161.28 a ¼ year) + by due date % $15.04 Saving $52.00 + $161.28 + 15.04 = $228.32

As usual I gravitate to the markdown areas of any store that I go into. Today was not any different I got two tubs of Hummus with 6 week to go on used by date, its just not readable. Reg. price $5.89 tub markdowns price $1.99 saving $7.80 there! I also bought some ‘T-Cut for scratches on cars”, as last night my DS, back into my car with his wife car and marked and scratched both cars. We’re not happy about that one. I tried the stuff that I bought when I got home and got the marks off first time on my car! It cost $7.15 – 50% off plus a lot of peace of mind all round. As I used just the tinniest amount, there is enough for the whole family to use on their cars too!
Saving $7.30 here or saving on $300 x 2 excess car insurance.

Full amounts on Bills ($477.92 + 284.32) = 762.24 – 228.32 = $533.92 paid

Today’s Full price Tally $788.47
Today’s Savings Tally $243.32
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $357.38

Went late night shopping with DS & DIL last night. We had dinner in the food court; they bought crepes with a voucher from the Entertainment Book with two for one deal. , I bought two for one deal Spicy Chicken Baguette, with Hungry Jacks voucher that was in my letter box this week along with a free coffee that’s valued at $2.45 with senior card and small cone. (5.25 x 2 + 2.45 + 30c) = 12.45 – 5.55 = $7.70 saving.

We went to Target; I bought a new hair brushes @50% off plus my 5% retired staff discount of the total of the bill. Save $3.88 off here. Found some Baby Toiletries for a baby gift basket I am making for new baby in the DIL family. Baby items cost $12.35 saving $5.30 after retired staff discount.

Total of my shopping for the night. $21.40 saving of $16.88 on regular prices of $38.28

That’s 44% off saving on the regular prices for the night shopping.

I don’t think you can get this kind of return with shares!

Drove the car to my son's place.

Today’s Full price Tally $38.28
Today’s Savings - $16.88
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $114.06

That’s 2 household worth of ironing DF-D plus odd pieces for DF-M. & mine who doesn’t like doing any fancy stuff. I like to iron in very early the mornings around daybreak, when everything is very still and you can hear very little traffic on the main roads near by.

Today is my lunch date, meeting up with my old ex-work friends each month. As I need to make sure that I get out the house and talk to people other than my neighbors only. We go to a restaurant that has salad bars and gives discount to seniors too! This is part of my food budget each month, as I do believe in a healthy mind & body as well as healthy wallet. As these friends stop coming to this luncheon then I plan to join a local senior group. But I don’t think I am ready to start play cards, bingo or doing jigsaw puzzles just yet!

I spent every little today other than what was budget for. Monthly Visa card balance paid off. Lunch & monthly lotto ticket. The only item that I bought was a car duster -$6 that was on my shopping list to buy. (I budgeted over $20 so I saved $14 here.) Bus fares were pre-paid for this month. I buy ten trips ticket this is saving money, as two of the trips are free. It’s cheaper to go by bus to the city than pay for gas and parking when you are on a pension here. Around trip cost only $2 for pensioner and Car parking is between $4 to $10.00 hour.

While out today, I paid my credit card balance off so I am back to $0.00 again this month.

Today’s Full price Tally $32.25
Today’s Savings Tally $16.70
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $97.18

Today DF- D and I went grocery shopping together, it's her grocery shopping day. I also have to go as I get a discount there! When we go I always buy something in the way of specials.

Today we got 75% off salad greens; I got 2 packs of them. In the Meat Dept. we got Chicken Kebabs 50% off, I got 2 packs x 6 of them, I freeze want I don’t eat today, that’s 6 meals there. Grocery items are on super special prices this week at this one supermarket.

So a few things for storage, plus my generic cat food for next two weeks that I get from this grocery chain.

Everything I bought but for the cat food was on markdown or on super special and I saved $18 off the regular prices then got 5% off on top of that too!

We don’t have coupons here. How much did I spend you may ask, only $22.45 in total. It should have been $41.57. I didn’t go over aboard.

Today’s Full price Tally $41.57
Today’s Savings - $19.12
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $80.48

I got my pin money of $50 .00 for the odd jobs that I do for my friend D today until next time, when the tally of jobs goes in the red again! I get this in advance so it gives me a better feeling that you are not wondering if you are going to get paid or not! You do odd jobs for some people that take hours of your time then they don’t want to give anything for it. Just saying like ‘You're not doing anything /going anywhere!’ or ‘Will you just do or buy this for me, just this once I don’t have the time’, so they can go watch TV or go to work and get $100,000 a year! Then say I am broke; I’ll pay you back soon! 'In Ten years and counting.'

D is OK and this system works best for us both. I’m the one doing the tracking. We have a unit value system as one item is storage, or buying stuff for her or doing her ironing which she hates or watering her garden when they are away overseas as well as other things.

It does have some perks too! They buy expensive coffee that I can not afford, and have this when I go over to their place or when we go out together. As D is a better haggler than I am too! I do remember to take her with me; when I need to haggle at times! Often we go grocery shopping together.

And she appreciates me too!

I had no spending day cash wise. Got my son to return an indoor TV Antenna that was broken when I bought it last week. I am out of pocket there, as it a replacement for the one, I lent someone and they didn’t return it that was six months ago. I waited until a K-mart 15 % off Sale then bought it. So I didn’t need to drive 28km to exchange it and he was going there.