I had a very busy morning; first I spent 5 hours with my Italian DF-M, as she is elderly and wanted to make pasta today. So we were up at first light this morning making and rolling pasta for Easter. It was just the two of us do this today.

After having lunch I started working on an area in my workshop. I got to put some stuff away into they right place after I had finished the painting the other day. With that lot cleared it made way so that I could get to the area that I wished to clear out. I did half this area today which took about 2 hours so far. I needed to put some wood away that I would need to repair the outside of the house what was sitting the corner from my door project a year ago. If I ever get dry rot I will have matching boards to replace with and I do have the storage there.

I did go and pay my power bill this week and did a little shopping too! Bought beef soup bones and made a Meat & Vegetable Broth (Soup) and I got 8serving, so I will have a few meals for lunch time. I just add 2 multigrain toast with butter and vegemite. I know that black stuff us Aussie love. I just have a little not a lot. I did find a soup recipe for marmite soup while I was looking for a recipe for the beef soup bones recipe. Not to many around now I had to go back to the 1950's for the recipe. It's not a fancy recipe but more like a recession recipe with very little meat in it. Post recipe soon.

I finished painting the door is done, it looks good too, it just needs my friend to come back and put it back up. It's far too heavy for me to do and it's to go on the top of flight of stairs too!

Weekly Main Meal Menu
Sunday ~Apricot Chicken with rice
Monday ~ Steak with Onions & Grilled Tomato
Tuesday ~ Omelet with salad
Wednesday ~ Leftovers night
Thursday ~ Chicken Schnitzel & Egg with Vegetables
Friday ~ Salmon Patties with Vegetables
Saturday ~ Kangaroo Steak with Mushroom Sauce & Vegetables

Today my handyman friend arrived and took off my back screen door that was showing signs of weather over 20 years needing new fly screen and painting, as it was full of rust which was surface rust only. After remove the rust and fixing the fly screen panel which is separate piece. I put the first coat of metal primer on today and over the next few days I will be putting on next two coats before my friend come back to put it back up as this door is very heavy and need more than one person to put it back in place.

No spending days this month:- 4

I’m planning a frugal year for 2008 so it’s to spend wisely and only on needs, planned purchases and emergency replacements, so if I can do without it I will.

So planning a very minimum frugal year using what in the house or can be borrowed. This includes some food items, laundry & toilet paper, toiletries, linen, household goods, cookware, books, clothes & underwear etc, (buying only if I change sizes too much in clothing).

~ No Spending but for planned items. (If I have an item in the house or can borrow it, then I’m to use that first.)
~ Have my credit card at Zero balance by end of the each month.
~ Come under budget each month and deposit into the online accounts any leftover amounts.
~ Pay All Due Bills on pension days or ahead of time. (As my budget is now in Excel, I can see a working model of these figures. When due and approx amount needed for each month.)
~ As I have two gift vouchers from Christmas so that I can buy items on my need list or items for next Christmas gifts as one is a store voucher for January only. I do limit myself to extra $10.00 only if buying gifts for others.
~ Chiro visit (one every 4 weeks)
~ Known outings are budgeted for, as social events.
~ Making and setting up emergency survival kit & resources.
~ Saving as much cash I can for a new stove & oven later in the year. (Nothing fancy)

I have only two major projects other than new stove on the calendar next year, one is a must do (I have funding saved), and the other could go one more year. Both cost thousands of dollars and on a pension with limited fund I need to come up with little challenges to make them happen.

Well I have been off learning to use my new computer and printer; I did fine some free online lessons so I have been doing these for the past two weeks.

Well I have been busy looking at my next major project.

Unlike most people living on limited income, I believe in buying the best quality products for my money that I have to spend and not spending to save money by buying the cheapest I can get.

I’m updating my computer, printer, & programs this time. After checking out what was available for the price that I wanted to pay! I found one that I had made up to what I wanted. I was able to buy all branded parts just over my total budget $1500 cash only. On Programs Window Office 2007 & anti-virus programs, I saved $220 on top prices quoted. Printer I got one that I could print in black only, and refill the ink. Saved $20 as it went on special the day before I picked up the computer and USB data stick 2GB saved $13
HP Pavilion or Dell had for the same money only, had 512MB Ram and Memory 80G to 200G in $1000 to $1500 range with paying for expended warranty extra.

My computer has Ram 1G, Memory 250G with fast drive, 19 inch LP flat screen monitor including Window ® XP Home, floppy drive, optical keyboard & mouse,
DVD burner, safety power pack and temperature warning system plus five years labor warranty and including help to exchange data from old to new computer, loading all the programs.

On what I got included in one computer that I bought, saved about $900 on one with same standard components around $2000 mark.

Summery
Computer $1044 - saved $900
Programs $305 - saved $220
Printer $69 - saved $20
USB data stick $27- saved $13
Office 2007 book $27 -saved $13
Warranty - Free - saved $248
Safety power board- $149 - top of range
Total spent $1594 Total saved $1414
saving 47%
Over budget by $94

(If I had paid by credit card that would have been extra 3% charge of $37.29)

So now it’s back to saving for a holiday next.

During the last week my last refund for my tank arrived, $500. Bring the total to $1500, therefore the water tank cost $90 out of my own pocket, and it’s full with rainwater as we had rain in the last few weeks.

I have been saving money with my medical bills also, as I have been to a number of different specialists and have had a number scans. So far as I’m on a pension and most but not all doctors do charge a different rate. It has just cost so far $105 out of my pocket, but without these rebates & Medicare on these services would have cost over $1000.

I will have to get back to writing more regularly as then I will keep to being on track a lot better.

So today, I went to Bunnings our major hardware to check out the prices. About 3 years ago I was thinking that I had to buy one then, so I had worked out which one I was buying and how much I would pay for it. You can get many cheaper lawn mowers but as this one I hope will last one I will be buying if it last as long the last one. It was coming up to about 30 years plus, and it came with the house when I bought it.

I had motor fix a few years ago hoping it would last around 10 years that was about 6 years ago. I decided when I had to pay any more money on this one it was dead. It has been breaking down and pieces falling off over that time.

As I just went in to look as I was there on Monday was a friend, and saw that brand on special for $419 so I went back today to see which one it was! It was not the one I wanted but one down from it, so I check the price on my chosen one and found it was $50.00 off the price since I last price it six month ago. I had set my mind that was close to what I would have to pay for it around $500, so I did buy it today for $449. I got one made in Australia too! The company is planning to make them in China next year. Three years ago they were around $489 so something has come down in price. I had to put it on my credit card but I will have it paid off before bill comes in. I have save for this lawn mower three times then had to buy some else so I just got it, as it would has cost between $35 - $ 50 to pay someone to mow my lawn every three weeks just to mow weeds. I spent some more money on a few odd & ends that I found there for my garden too!

Weekly Main Meal Menu
Sunday ~ Pea & Ham Soup with toast
Monday ~ Chicken Mustard with Rice.
Tuesday ~ Garlic Chicken Schnitzel with Tomato Salsa & Steamed Vegetables.
Wednesday ~ Hot Beef Curry with Rice.
Thursday ~ Chilli Con Care & Corn Chips
Friday ~ Sweet & Sour Fish with Rice (Pineapple & Vegetable.)
Saturday ~ Scramble Eggs on Toast

My Spending today $489.00

Well I did get my Hot Water System put in last Saturday, all is well and working as it should. I was lucky as the plumber that bought & put it in for me is a son of one my neighbor’s that do watch from time to time. So now I owe him some of my time as he didn’t charge me for the work of putting it in just bought the best one in that style, as they are three grades each one cheaper each other and not as strong. This one has thicker copper tank so I’m told. So I was out of pocket by $625.00. I had that money put aside for such emergency so no big deal on the money front. I do try to budget, some money for that kind of problem knowing that a lot of my appliances are on the old side and will need to replace in the near future. What is next, it should be a computer & lawn mower in that order with stove and washing machine coming in after that. Only a microwave will be bought straight away.

I will try coming on here bit more regular and update starting a fresh.

My Spending today $625.00

In the city today, paid my credit card off again in full and paid another bill too!

We went to the Sizzler’s again, just having the salad bar & drinks today $11.95 as they have put the price up again. Saving $2.80 with my senior card. Even though I went to five other places to buy things on my list not one had them anything I wanted so I just walked out again.

Lucky I did as when I left this morning, I was having trouble with hot water system, it over 13 year old so it a replacement job. The thermostat is gone I think, and the $200 to fix it for around 2 years is not worth it. As it only will cost about $600 –700 to replace it for next 10 years plus. Life span is around 10-15 years for an electric hot water system. It not economical for me, to buy solar hot water system at $4000 and only $1000 rebate with about same life span.

Why I know it needs to be replace is for the last few weeks it been just eating the kWh big time. I have been reading the meter every few days, have use 68 kWh since Saturday, and had NO hot water when I went to shower this morning and I used so little hot water in that time too! It took over 20 minutes to fill the tank until it overflowed, then I read it and check the meter box was on too! When I came home this afternoon I read it again I had use 13 kWh in 7 hours which means that thermostat is not turn off when hot and all I am getting is the laundry full of steam instead. I rang the energy company and found when the next power reading is and as I am 100kWh over now and still 4 weeks to ago before next reading. I spoke to a plumber, we will buy one and replace it on Saturday. In the meantime the power tariff that is on 24/7 used only 12 kWh in all this time since Saturday with 2 large refrigerators & chest freezer as well all the lights, TV’s & computer etc. So another Major project expense this week, lucky I bank that $1000 rebate a few weeks ago.

Today’s Senior Card Savings - $2.80
Add to total $20 Challenge $87.50

Just got my first water tank rebate back! I open my online account to check if my debit had been taken out and found that my first rebate of $1000 has been debit credit to my account. I quickly transferred it to my ING account so that I won’t spend it and save it for one of my major project later this year like a new computer as my computer is very outdate now and 8 years old but still working very slowly and can’t be upgraded anymore.

I just paid off, the last payment for my doors of $400 as my handyman friend has returned from his holiday this week. Call in to do a little bit of work around the place too! Hood cover for my tank’s motor. He also put extended the pipe into my sunken pit area in my yard. All excess rainwater heads there before sinking into the ground. It’s nice to have such a good friend and all these small jobs he did today, I had in my workshop the materials for each job I never spent a thing. It's great when you can do a job and not have to run to the hardware for this screw or that right bolt for each job. No wonder my friend’s think I have a gold mine at times. I didn't have the right tools in something’s but what I didn’t have he did. I made him, his morning tea and lunch then we went to the bank to get the money thatI own him. He is going to price sand blasting job for me for those three wrought iron chairs I bought a few weeks ago. They do need to be sandblasted. I will have to pay for this to be done. He will take it to sandblaster for me. I went into the supermarket while I was out and only bought some eggs & candy $3.39.

My Spending today $403.39

My tank arrived today, I had it delivered & installed today, after a 217 days since I ordered it.

It cost $1540 plus extra $50.00 for a ‘Water Diverter First Flush’ so I can drink the tank water if I want too and the first lot of water doesn’t go into the tank so it clean water going into the tank only. I will get back $1500 in government rebates over next few months. I will keep you posted. So will end up paying $90.00 all up for the tank 3250L with pump, extra tap & extra pipe plus fitting from part of main roof near the garage.
I spent nothing else today.

~ Have my credit card at Zero balance by end of the each month.
~ Come under budget.
~ Deposit into the online accounts.
~ Pay All Due Bills on pension days or ahead of time.
~ Chiro visit (one every 4 weeks)
~ Known outings to budget for in - lunch. 4
~ Chiro visit (one every 4 weeks)
~ Known outings to budget for in April / May - lunch out 2
~ Live off my Bulk Food Assets
~ Make up another eight meals OAMC. - Out of Bulk Food Assets.
~ De-cluttering Computer Room
~ Gardening Mowing & weed back garden & put water saving techniques in place
~ Cull & de-clutter computer files not in use. – (on going)
~ Downsizing storage and clean these areas (zones 6, 7 & 8)
~ Install the water tank, paid and apply for rebate.

Review of the last two months.

February / March Goals & Planning Ahead

~ Have my credit card at Zero balance by end of the each month. Yes
~ Come under budget. (Only if you don’t count major project)
~ Deposit into the online accounts. Yes
~ Pay All Due Bills on pension days or ahead of time. Yes
~ Chiro visit (one every 4 weeks) Yes
~ Known outings to budget for in February / March - lunch out 4 - more than this time
~ Live off my Bulk Food Assets ~ (On Going)
~ Make up another eight meals OAMC. - Out of Bulk Food Assets. Yes
~ De-cluttering Computer Room for door project. – Stage 1 done
~ Finish Door project - Done
~ Gardening Mowing & weed back garden & put water saving techniques in place - Done
~ Cull & de-clutter computer files not in use. – (on going) - no time
~ Downsizing storage and clean these areas (zones 6, 7 & 8) no time, worked on major project
~ Install the water tank, paid and apply for rebate. - Still waiting for deliver.

Challenge at 48th week.

Kitty’s Real Spending Total $12389.43
+ 2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10473.01
= Full Price (RRP) Income Challenge $22862.44

Opening CC Balance $0
Kitty’s Opening Balance Rollover $918.78 ($720 Bill A/C)
$$$Money in - $1141.06 + cash w/d $400
= Total Income Balance. $2459.84
Bills Total $818.50
Other Spending (& major project)& Groceries $1533.84
$$$ Money out = $2352.34
Cash Banked in other A/C’s $72
Kitty’s Rollover Balance $648.00 ($265 Bill A/C)
CC Balance $317.00
Major project bills still outstanding = $360

This morning all the painting is finished on the doors. It’s looks so good. After I did some housework before went out. As late last night after I posted here, I got a phone cal to say that my niece was flying in for the weekend, if I would like to meet up for a few hours today. As she wasn’t available after that as she is working all weekend and then flying home on Sunday.

I meet her at her hotel around 2pm and then we went to say Hi to my DIL who works just a few blocks away. Then it was shopping and a walk around city for a while, as she didn’t need to report in until the morning. We went off too the Friday Night Market’s at South Bank. We had something to eat while we were there. After walking around for hour or two we both went separate ways. This outing costing $10.65 with two free cups of coffee along the way. Saving $4.90 on these.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH fruit
DINNER take away

Today’s Full price Tally $15.55
Today’s Savings - $ 4.90
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10473.01

I did some varnishing today; this only took an hour to do. I will do one more coat of varnish on the doors themselves in the morning. I spent most of the day on the computer and resting for part of the day. I still get very tried when doing this kind of work for too long. So its another no spending day here.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Fruit Coffee
DINNER Bean Patties with Salad Fruit Coffee

Early this morning before sunrise, I worked on getting my patio back in order. While working on the door project, I had to put what plants that were there, all in one corner so they had to be thinned out and rearrange so I could put back the patio setting that belong there too! I had saved some recycle water so that I could give it a quick wash down and water the plants while I was at it. It will be along while before that corner will be sweep again.

After breakfast using what paint that I had at hand I painted the white work it’s first coat. Then I when and put away all the tools that belong in the workshop and sweep up. Gee that feel good to have all that done.

I did go for a walk this afternoon but I never bought anything. So I did have No spend day after all!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Chilli Tuna Salad & Crackers Apple Coffee
DINNER Curry Ground Beef & Rice with Sambal

I still have some more painting to do, this is about one hour per day, as I have to wait for each coat to dry and do one section first before the other. So it’s working on white paint then I will do the varnishing. I did do the undercoat and the restrained some of the wood as cement got on to it. This took about 75 minutes this morning.

After I took myself off to the hairdresser to get a trim that was long over due. Spending $14.00 saving $9.00 on a city salons. On the way back I dropped into one of the thrift shop that I rarely visit to look at a gift that was in the window but it was not up the standard for that person’s present. I did buy $5.00 worth of books, some cookbooks as my donation for the month. Value of these books on RRP $29.70 saving $24.70.

Now I am sitting here at my computer looking out the door that was just made smelling my gardenia that is just outside, listening to all the birds in the trees.

My handyman friend rang to say thathe is flying out on Thursday morning for New Zealand, which I have been trying for him to do for months. As he hasn’t been home to visit his sister in 15 years and both are not getting any younger. I dare say I will be happy when he arrives there.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Salad & Light Cream Cheese on Crackers Apple Coffee
DINNER Beef Bourguignon with Basmati rice

Today’s Full price Tally $52.70
Today’s Savings - $33.70
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10468.11

My handyman friend arrive this afternoon to finish the final job for him on the doors. So we had lunch then off the buy the insect mesh for the doors and the rubber F/S spline that used join it to the frame. This cost $52.68 so the cost of just putting a fly screen on was $140 alone. But as the whole house is flyscreen so it had to be done.

All I have to do now is the finishing touch too inside surround of the door and it’s all done and now too paying for all of it. I have paid more than half of it already. My handyman friend paid for two-thirds of the total bill and I am to pay him back over next two months. I have found some money to pay him two-thirds of what I owe him and the balance will be paid in the near future. Overall I paid all but $600.00 of whole bill. This is between what I owe him and what I put on my credit card. As he did the labor for free, saving a large amount here! He was doing this job between jobs and when he had a little free time. One rule here is I pay for all material used. He broke a few drill bits so I did add some in when I was at the hardware store. I do have a very good workshop with some very old tools in it, it was a case of he could use some of my tools as well of his own which was more specialized.

Buying meat on special that was markdown, I will be able to make 2 x 4 serving meals plus 4 grills or stir-fry meals with the amount I bought. Saving $5.84 on markdown price. I bought some lettuce leaves for my salad next week, as this was the best option for me this week. I don’t normally pay supermarket price for fruit & vegetables unless extra cheap price. But as I would have bought unnecessary items that I could have done without. Non washed small fancy lettuce was $1.95 and my normal baby Cos lettuce was $2.95 this week. I paid $1.98 for 100g fancy lettuce pieces washed. Years ago I worked out this strategy as I worked in a store that was like K-mart is today but Deli & small grocery store included. It was too expensive to buy a full grocery order or carry it home and paying for delivery with out of the question

I found a chemist selling a handle strap for my walking stick as I keep on dropping it. Costing $3.95 saving $2.00 here.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers & Cheese with Mustard Pickles Apple Coffee
DINNER Fillet Steak, Egg, Onion & Tomatoes Coffee

My major project door spending spree = $1608.75

Today’s Full price Tally $75.11
Today’s Savings - $ 7.84
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10434.41

Hanging the security doors & final touch up on white paint was what got done today. So the security doors are at lock up stage. Now making and adding the flyscreen when all the painting is dry. Fixing another small problem that came up and buying the screws for the flyscreen. Costing all up $25.50 Only a few more days and all will be back to normal.

I was given some Roasted Peppers still hot and charred to make into charred grilled roasted peppers this will be enough for a week as garnishes with my meals. I do like getting these little treats that my neighbors send my way.

BREAKFAST Ham steak & Egg with Baked Beans Coffee
LUNCH Chicken & Tomato Sandwich Coffee
DINNER Ham Steak & Scrambled Eggs with Roasted Peppers & Grilled Tomatoes.

My major project door spending to date. $1533.64

Today’s Full price Tally $25.50
Today’s Savings - $ 0.00
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10426.57

I worked on the second coat of security door, which took a few hours and did a little bit of housework. Washing and doing the floors.

While my handyman friend worked on doing finishing other parts on the door. Tiling and finishing off. I didn’t have to pay for the tiles, as they were leftover off cuts from another job. Guess what, no money was spent today. So it’s no spend day after all.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Turkish Bread with Hummus Lettuce Tuna Marinated Feta with Marinated Peppers
DINNER 2 Egg Cheese Omelette and Pasta Sauce & Grilled Peppers

My major project door spending to date. $1508.14

Well today I started work on my first topcoat of enamel on the security doors. Which took over two hours to paint. It’s looking good.

After I went off the supermarket to buy some cat food for the next few weeks while there I bought some fresh fish for us to eat to-night as my cats love fresh poach fish as a treat. Saving $12.88 on grocery.

My handyman friend went shopping today and spent another lot of money for another project he thought that I should have done also at the back of the house. So more money spent here $126.39.


BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Salad & Light Cream Cheese on Crackers Apple Coffee
DINNER Poached Nile Perch with Salad Coffee

My major project door spending to date. $1508.14

Today’s Full price Tally $176.96
Today’s Savings - $ 12.88
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10426.57

Finally started painting the metal primer on security doors this morning, they are a bit heavy so I did need some help to turn them over to paint the other side. I plan to do two coats of white enamel then let dry for a day or so if I am allowed too! Then touch up if I need too, when hang.

Did any money with my name on it go out today? Yes as we had order the flyscreen frame parts did come in, so it was off to get them this afternoon when my friend arrived. Costing $76.50, which I did put on my credit card.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Turkish bread with ham salad Fruit Coffee
DINNER Fillet Steak, Egg, Onion & Tomatoes Coffee

My major project door spending to date. $1381.75

Today’s Full price Tally $76.50
Today’s Savings - $ 0.00
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10413.69

This morning my handyman friend arrived at 6.30am to finish off the security door section he was working on so I could start painting before he went off to do job for someone else. Before going we went to the locksmith to exchange & buy the new lock. Buying a right lock & refund $55.38 and spending another $163.20 for a better and stronger lock a deadlock this time.

After this I left him and walked to the city from the locksmith, as it was only about 2km across the Walk Bridge then though the gardens up to the city this took me about hour. I am going to meet a friend for lunch, we haven’t seen each other for around eight years as she lives interstate and is here for the week. As both of us are into spending for the sake of boredom. We went off to the State Registry Office so that she could apply for her Parents Marriage Certificate, when jump on a free bus for trip around the city so that she could see the charges to our city since lived here 40 years ago. When it was time to go to lunch, we used our senior cards here and saved $5.00 each on our meals.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Lunch out *
DINNER Grapes, Muesli & Milk Coffee

My major project door spending to date. $ 1305.25

Today’s Full price Tally $180.88
Today’s Savings - $5.00
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10413.69

We went for a drive to get more tools today and pick up the slide that was order yesterday no price so far as this was put on to his account. Also bought the steel for inner steel bars $31.70
I bought some flyscreen mesh to replace the screens in my other doors when I get around to it paying $28.00.

He started welding the security doors today and made the frame up and started putting the in the bars. So I will be able to start painting. While looking at the door he had another look at the security door slide that the locksmith sold us it’s too small for the thickness of the steel, he is using. We will need to return it and buy a more expensive one. This is another task for the morning.

I did go and buy some more food today, as I’m not use to having some for lunch & dinner on daily bases. So I bought chicken slices for our lunches and also bought chocolate blocks on special saving $3.50 here.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Salad & Light Cream Cheese on Crackers Apple Coffee
DINNER Chilli Con Carne with Corn Chips Coffee

My major project door spending to date. $1197.73

Today’s Full price Tally $77.02
Today’s Savings - $ 3.50
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10408.69

The major part of security door was bought & arrived today. These doors are to be made on sight. As they are custom made to my unusual size & design of these doors. Normally he does makes commercial type security doors with hinges. This door is the first one he is making that is sliding. You will never be able to take it down once it has been put up. You will take the brick wall too! This part costs $105.00. We went off to the hardware yet again for some more Dyn-bolts costing $17.50. As he is designing this door as he goes and working out what will work and what won’t work! The price is going up. I have put in cost supplying welding gear into this costing also, as this door is a full welding job. We are asking each other what is the weakest link and then working fixing that part a little more. His first idea on the bottom slide was too weak so extra work was needed there. The top slide has to be closed in and fixed so it can’t be slipped off the bottom slide. So the top slide was order today and bottom slide is in place. I didn’t spend any other money today.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Turkish Bread with Chicken Salad Fruit Coffee
DINNER Curry Ground Beef & Rice with Sambal

My major project door spending to date. $1166.03

Today’s Full price Tally $122.50
Today’s Savings - $ 0.00
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10405.19

As soon as the hardware store was open, we were off the buy edging trim and gap foam for the door. So that cementing and finishing off the inside could done. I will not be able to paint this area until he goes as he is keeping his tools and odd & ends around this area at night or when he is finish for the day and it’s never empty.

He put some old brick rabble and the gap foam to finish the trim on the wall were the brick came out of. The plan is to use old recycle off cuts to finish off this area. These do tone with the colour of the brickwork when it will be finish. This is a very slow job if I wasn’t getting a very good discount on his labor this job would never got off the ground.

Today’s cost for materials were $31.45 & $95.77 for parts of security door. This security door is a commercial standard one using much thicker steel than normal.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Turkish bread with ham salad Fruit Coffee
DINNER Fillet Steak, Egg, Onion & Tomatoes Coffee

My major project door spending to date. $1042.53
Today’s Full price Tally $127.22
Today’s Savings - $ 0.00
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10405.19

This morning we put on the door handle & deadlocks. Then drove down to the his storage area to pick up some more tools then off to the locksmith to buy the locks and patio bolts for the security screen doors, we did get trade discount on these. Spending $116.33 but if it’s not right we will return them for a more expensive one.

While we were out, we went to Yatala pie shop yet again. I think this his favorite eatery. Meat Pie & Custard Tart and Coffee and this treat food not everyday. *

BREAKFAST Bacon & Egg Baked Beans Toast Coffee
LUNCH lunch free *
DINNER Scrambled Eggs on toast

My major project door spending to date. $915.31
Today’s Full price Tally $116.33
Today’s Savings - $9.50*
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10405.19

As only the brickwork was removed yesterday and extra bolts bought. Today we worked on removing the old window and the rest of the walls. No one could have broken in last night, as the original wall was still intact. This is one of the big days on this project as the plan was to have the new door lockable tonight. Which I am happy to say it’s the case.

My friend is a master builder, this the first time he has put a door in of this type and did work too!

I did set a bit of problem in making these doors, yes they are two doors but you wouldn’t know it by looking at it from outside. As it’s one standard door and half panel door in French door style, but we have made look like a standard door with a half panel. I did buy extra bolts so that the half door is bolts at all times but when you need to remove furniture you can unbolts this panel door. It even has a mock centre wooden butt screwed and glued to extra half door so that it looks like a half panel.

While this was going on I drove down to shopping centre and paid my bills so that I wouldn’t forget to do so next week, when we will be still working on this project. Saved $30.00 on my power. (senior discount). I bought a few groceries as I am feeding an extra person for next few days.

MMM I will be very lucky to have any no spending days this month, at the rate I’m going now!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Salad & light Cream Cheese on Crackers Apple Coffee
DINNER Poached Fish with Salad Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $238.10
Today’s Savings - $ 30.00
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $10395.69