Tightwad Kitty's $$$ Stretching Blog

One of my ex-workmates came back after 4 months visiting family and touring Southern States. It was good to see her after all this time. I think she had a good time spend time with families, in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and touring with each to Tasmania & south coast of NSW & Victoria.

Today I did a little shopping after our lunch with her. I bought some multi-vitamin tablets saving $7.95 off them. I pick up a two for one deal in room deodorizer with 50% that pack too! Saving $3.00. I got a few other items saving $3.00 on them too! So I had a good day as our lunch was an all you can eat salad bar & drinks $13.95 plus extra manger special for $2.00 value around $9.95 of two Kebabs of Prawns & Steak with Baked Potato with Mustard Sauce. Then we got 20% off for our senior card. They were eight for lunch today!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH lunch out *
DINNER Baked Potato* with Mango Chutney Coffee Apple
SNACK Muesli bar

Today’s Full price Tally $54.90
Today’s Savings - $23.90
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $5709.41

Today I work on de-cluttering papers in my dining room, as I have habit of dumping them there.
I found only a few that needed to be files, others just I dumped.

I walked up the street to the local supermarket & newsagent. Buying a few groceries and my multi bus ticket, saving around $10.80 on bus ticket. On groceries etc, saving $4.30

Yesterday I had quite day at home. Working on the computer and listening to the radio about Steve Irwin dead. He pulled the string-ray barb out himself then he died. The small township near Australia Zoo is Beerwah in the Sunshine Coast Queensland. It’s up to the family if there will be a State Funeral for him.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers with Cottage Cheese Chutney & Herbs Fruit Coffee
DINNER Omelette with Cheese Coffee
SNACK Muesli bar

Today’s Full price Tally $35.25
Today’s Savings - $15.10
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $5658.51

Steve Irwin the Crocodile Hunter was killed by Sting-Ray in North Queensland on Barrier Reef. Today

He was 44. (1962 – 2006)

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

This is the one that I used this time. As I had some black beans paste in my pantry.

Black Bean Beef with Sweet Chilli
Serving 2

1/2 lb (250g) trimmed rump steak, cut into thin strips
3 1/2 oz (100g) black beans paste
2 tsp. chilli sauce
4 cups of chopped or sliced vegetables (Red Capsicum, Shallots Onion Carrot & Bean Sprouts)
2 serves cooked jasmine rice or 5 oz (150g) rice vermicelli (prepare before you start cooking.)
2 tbsp. stock or water if paste too thick.
Combine paste with beef in bowl.
Heat large, non-stick pan or wok add beef fry 2 minutes or until cook, stirring constantly.
Add vegetables, stir-fry a further 3 minutes.

I found another recipe for Beef and Sweet Peppers in Black Bean Sauce, which I will try soon!

Beef and Sweet Peppers in Black Bean Sauce
Serves 2 to 4

INGREDIENTS:

Marinade:
1/2 tsp. sugar
2 tsp. soy sauce
2 tsp. Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
1 1/2 tsp. cornstarch/cornflour
1 tbsp. Canola oil

3/4 lb (750g) steak (sirloin or rump)
2 bell peppers, 1 green and 1 red
1 small onion
1 tablespoon black bean sauce to taste
2 cloves garlic
2 large slices ginger
4 tbsp. oil for stir-frying, or as needed
1/2 cup chicken stock or water
soy sauce
PREPARATION:
Cut the beef into rectangular slices, about the size of a large postage stamp and 1/4-inch thick. Add the marinade ingredients and marinate the beef for 25 to 30 minutes.

While the beef is marinating, prepare the vegetables.
Remove the stems and seeds from the bell peppers and chop. Peel the onion and chop.

Use a cleaver or knife to chop the beans into tiny pieces. Finely chop the garlic and ginger. Mix the chopped garlic with the black beans.

Heat the wok over medium-high to heat. Add 2 tablespoons oil. When the oil is hot, add the beef. Brown briefly, then stir fry until it changes color and is about 80 percent cooked. Remove the beef from the wok.

Add 2 tablespoons oil. When the oil is hot, add the ginger and the garlic and bean mixture. Stir-fry briefly until aromatic. Add the onion. Stir-fry for about 3 minutes, then add the green pepper. Stir-fry for another minute, then add the remaining pepper.

Pour in the chicken broth. Heat to boiling. Add the beef back into the pan. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for a few more minutes. Taste and season with soy sauce if desired.
Serve hot with steamed jasmine rice.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers with Cottage Cheese Chutney & Herbs Fruit Coffee
DINNER Beef Bourguignon Chocolate Rice Coffee

It was a busy day today at my house! My DS arrived just after breakfast and went onto my computer and stayed there.

Not long after that a neighbor that I rarely see arrived to say that she had locked herself out of her apartment, and as she didn’t have her glasses with her could I find a locksmith as she didn’t have her landlord phone number on her mobile (Cell phone). After two goes, we found a locksmith that would come ASAP then her mobile went dead in the middle of giving her address too! After another call on my phone, he would call within the hour then he couldn't get it open so had to put a new lock in it as well! So it was a costly mistake to make, as now she was $100 out of pocket. My DS wouldn’t been any help even if she had left a window open as she is top level of the apartment block.

I had to phone about home help for DF-M. Which after a lot of chatting got something done at that front. Now someone is coming to help her, keep her house clean. Not that it’s dirty at all. But she does need help and she can get help with government subsidy.

While all this was going on, I did my pay day budget balance. Which came out on right side.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Chocolate Muffin Apple Coffee
DINNER Poach Fish & Salad Coffee

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

Today is my monthly visit to my Chiro. So as unusual, I caught the bus today no paying parking fees for me! I went into the ABC Shop to check the prices of my prize pack. They didn’t have any left but the normal prices for these items are around $30.95 each. So the value is around $163.00 plus autograph. Not bad for two phone calls as I did ring, this morning to tell them that I received my parcel and say thank you too!

I paid my visa card off this month so I am back to Zero again.

As it’s garbage bin day to-morrow this afternoon I fill up the 2 bins with garden waste. As I have ‘Wandering Jew’ in that part of the garden it’s best to get rid of it for good.
I didn’t buy lunch today but came home to have it.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Pasta with Pasta Sauce & Tuna Fruit Coffee
DINNER Pumpkin & Lentil Stew with Garlic Focaccia Bread Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $173.00
Today’s Savings - $163.00
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $5608.51

At Lunch time today the parcel arrived that was quick.
I got for FREE.
Biography Book ‘The Restless Spirits’ by Cassi Plate value ?
ABC magazine value $7.95
2 DVD ‘I-CLAVDIS’ Part 1-4 (652 minutes of viewing time) value ?
1 CD – The Audreys … on the modern side but OK for background noise. Value ?
1 CD – Danny Boy … 19 versions of the same song. OK for background noise. Value ?
I do like Danny Boy TOO!
Plus an autograph of radio announcer. Priceless.

I will check the values when I go to the city to-morrow! I will the value of saving to-morrow.

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

I pick up and paid the balance on my Hearing Aid today. There is a bit of buzzing noise when I am walking around or near any power generated things, like mobile phone, power lines, electrical kettle etc. If I am in a closed off room then there is no noise only when you put on electrical kettle. I will keep going with it as is until my review in three weeks time. Well as I said that would tell how much this Hearing cost. When I had it fitted I had to pay $50.00 deposit. Today I paid $215.00 the balance difference between cost of it $1085 .00 & my senior pension discount (government subsidy) was a saving of $818.00.

I had lunch out today for a treat at Sizzlers $10.75 saving $2.20

Oh I forget to tell you about winning a prize pack on the local radio show this morning, I normally don’t phone in but I knew the answer this time so I did. As most of the listeners were getting it wrong at 5.30 am in morning not many people are ringing up. I will get my prize in the mail in the next few days. I do know that it’s DVD’s, CD’s & books so I will have to wait and see.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH lunch out*
DINNER Devilled Sausages with Garlic Focaccia Bread Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $ 1097.95*
Today’s Savings - $820.20
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $5445.48

Quite day again today. The only spending today was over to the Fruit shop to get fruit & vegetables for next week. Spending $5.60 on Potatoes, Pumpkin & Chinese vegetables.
All will last a few weeks.

I bought a whole pumpkin in the size that I will all of it this time and I wouldn’t need to give away half each time I cut into it. But last time, I grew it and they were very large ones too!
Potatoes are for making fish loaves later this week and some stuffed baked potato early next week. They are all basic recipes.

BREAKFAST 2 Boiled Eggs Toast & Jam Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Coffee apple
DINNER Black Beans Beef with Noodles Custard Tart Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $5.50
Today’s Savings - $1.00
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4628.32

At lunchtime today I went off, after putting my smart causal op shop clothing. To look at the three new houses on my block, they look down on to my house. There are two town houses 3 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms each and older styled home with 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, I glad that I don’t have to clean that lot! Not much storage in any of the houses and there is no yards for children to play at all.

This afternoon I started to read a romance novel for charge. I don’t do this as much as I used too do! At least I will have a quite day!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers with Cottage Cheese Chutney & Herbs Fruit Coffee
DINNER Omelette with Cheese Coffee
SNACK Homemade Muesli Bar

I went to my pantry & freezer today to look at what I would like eat next week.
For Protein :~ I found 1½ lbs. rump steak cube & large can tuna, I also have some rump steaks plus eggs as well!
As I have hoarded a few packets of sauces, I have chosen three of these Beef Bourguignon, BBQ Soy & Black Bean Beef. I will use 1lb cube rump steak for Beef Bourguignon adding canned mushroom & onion it will serve 4 so I will have some for freezing too! ½ lb cube rump steak for Black Bean Beef with vegetables & rice vermicelli. That one will serve 2 meals over a couple days, as it will not freeze. I will use one piece of steak for BBQ Soy along with vegetables serving 2 meals over a couple days. I use the tuna to make a Mini Fish Loaves later in the week. I will need to buy some potatoes & Chinese vegetables too! I will put them on my shopping list for Sunday’s Fruit & Vegetable Shop.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Coffee apple
DINNER Poach Fish & Salad Coffee

Had a busy no spending day today. I got in and did my tax and posted it too!

Hopefully I will get money back, but not to sure on that one. We will just have too wait and see.

Watered the front garden & fertilizing it too! Boy! Did it need it, as I don’t remember the last time that I did it! I am in the process of fertilizing to whole garden and adding compost as well! I plan to repot most of my pot plant’s then just see what the water restrictions will be for next level. I will just cut back as each die’s if that what it comes too!

I found some time to do some cooking tonight, as I do live off my homemade TV dinners lot!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Mussels & Balsamic Vinegar with Salad Coffee
DINNER Devilled Sausages with Garlic Focaccia Bread Coffee

Today I worked in a corner of my garden pruning a tree with the help of my next door neighbor's son. After putting in the branch in the two rubbish bins. I worked on the garden beds around that tree. Put in the water bottles etc. The families next door over the fence found a snake in their garden the other day. I was asked if i would lend them some of my garden tools so their could cut back the under growth in their yard as it’s a rental property with two family living there with young children. I think it was a lizard not a snake but they are about and are the poisonous ones too! So one cannot be careful. I got my tools back that is the main thing and now the garden beds are clear too! What the wive's have to do the get the their husbands to clear the garden. Just scream SNAKE!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Pasta with Pasta Sauce & Tuna Coffee
DINNER Pumpkin & Lentil Stew with Garlic Focaccia Bread Coffee

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

When I have visitors or guests to stay, I serve a lunch, where I put out in divided dishes enough food for all of us in controlled portions plus one extra serve. It’s most times, mix your own salad, only thing I make is one of the following mixed beans salad, rice salad or pasta salad. I serve enough of other things to make a meal. Mixed salad green, olives, sliced tomatoes, pickled onions, bread & butter cucumbers, asparagus, fresh shallots & herbs, cheese, eggs, ham, tuna or sardines, Chutneys, relishes, lemon juice and two salad dressings and a long with crackers & bread. What is left in the dishes is used to make a meal later in the week. I never had anyone say I don’t eat this stuff, very little is left too! If put out full containers of each for two or three people they take a lot of one thing and don’t try any of others. e.g. olives serving is 4 so I put out 12 for two people. Cheese is 30g each. If it’s a luxury item then I only put out enough per serving only.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Apple Coffee
DINNER French Onion Chicken with Toast Fruit Coffee

I tidy up the dining room table after dumping all my goodies from Ekka there. I did go through them and put the items suitable for the children under ten in their bags. Putting away the food items that I bought, as two of the bags were grocery show bags with cakes baking dishes included. A nice little hoard of luxury grocery lines for me to try.

I did go and buy my cats, their canned food as it was on special and it was finishing today. Saving $6.12. I bought some garden fertiliser along groceries that I needed for next week as they on special this week. Saving $4.75

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Coffee apple
DINNER Black Beans Beef with Noodles Custard Tart Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $ 25.88
Today’s Savings - $12.10
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4604.42

I had some homegrown Kent pumpkin to use up this weekend.
Chopped up half of want I had to boil and gave the other half to DF-D to use. Then I set about making some Pumpkin Soup later in the day. As I was using cooked cold pumpkin, I need to charge the recipe somewhat. I blended few recipes together and did a what's in the pantry style soup I start out with 3 pounds of raw pumpkin that was cooked & cold still in it's cooking water. I put this in a large saucepan and blend/mashed to a pulp. Adding 1 tbsp. vegetable stock powder to 1 cup boiling water into the mixture. Heating this up on a stovetop. Adding 2 tsp. minced garlic, 2 tsp. minced ginger paste, 2 tsp. grounder coriander, 2 tsp. Thai Green Chilli Paste, and to give a bit more of a kick, I put in 100g Cajun All Purpose Sauce that need to be use up. After bring to the boil then slowly simmering for around 20 minutes. I had large serving of this for dinner with toast. I got around 6 serving for next few days. It can be frozen up to two months. I just reheat it in the microwave.

Now to make a copycat recipe of Cajun All Purpose Sauce. It will be fun trying!

BREAKFAST 2 Boiled Eggs & Toast Coffee
LUNCH Grilled Cheese on Toast Apple Coffee
DINNER Pumpkin Soup with Toast Salad Coffee

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.

Challenge at 16th week.

Kitty’s Real Spending Total $3494.11
+ 2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4590.28
= Full Price (RRP) Income Challenge $8084.39

Opening CC Balance $0
Kitty’s Opening Balance Rollover $209.18 ($40 Bill A/C)
$$$Money in - $1200.00
= Total Income Balance. $1409.18
Bills Total $585.00
Other Spending & Groceries $375.48
$$$ Money out = $960.48
Cash Banked in other A/C’s $240
Kitty’s Rollover Balance $209.32 ($30 Bill A/C)
CC Balance $0

Locally this show is called

EKKA today.
This is its 130th year on the same site too! Images are in the media gallery.

The family, have a member & visitor RNA membership passes which I was able to borrow the visitor pass today, saving over $30.00 on gate entry & cloakroom fees alone without spending another cent. I had lunch & dinner at the showground. We bought a Food & Treasure Maps you had to go to 30 places on the showground to get a stamp & a small gift at each. I bought only 3 showbags and I got a number of free ones for the children that rarely go to the show, as they’re live in the country 3 hours west of here. All up I spent around $55.50 this was an inexpensive day as you can spend hundreds on just food, rides & showbags as well the cost of entry fee and fares or parking.

It was great day in that I had quality time with my son as we went together alone and spent a good 10 hours there (This was the only second time since his marriage over 6 years ago that we went together.) Before his wife arrived after work, then we all went and watched the ring events for another 3 hours.

They were The Man From Susan River, riding a horse bare back with no raids doing tricks.
Carlton Clydesdales
Whiptacular An impressive 240 whipcrackers perform in assorted formations in this nightly show,
Buffalo Bill and Bison Show
With many species of bison now extinct, the Buffalo Bill and Bison Show is a rare opportunity to see this magnificent creature up close – 20 of them in fact! Humphrey the bison is the star of this show, though he shares the spotlight with three galloping horsemen in a performance that’s sure to be a hit with Ekka visitors of all ages. …Buffalo Bill riding bison up a ramp with herd of bison and running around the arena and wild horses running around the arena in the same act and some trick riding on horses.
Country Music Performer (Tania Kernaghan),
Freestyle Motorcross bike riding jumping over ramps
Holden Stormriders Precision Driving Team
Human Cannonball
Plus Dairy Farmers Fireworks which is the highlight of the night.
After which we collected our bags from the cloakroom and headed back to the car.
Oh! What a long day!

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH food out *
DINNER food out*

Today’s Full price Tally $205.25*
Today’s Savings - $150
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4590.28

Caught up on some of my ironing this morning and went shopping this afternoon with DF-D

Bought a large storage container with a Raincheck that I had saved $5.36 on it too! Some frozen Asian dinners were on sale 60% off so I bought 3 of them for a change, I will get two meal out of each as you need to add the protein to it cost $2.50 a serve but it will be a change. I will cook up the whole meal up and use the other serve as a meal in the next two days after cooking. I have plenty of steaks in the freezer to use. Saving on Asian dinners & soup $9.80 along with my staff discount of $1.05

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Apple Coffee
DINNER Black Bean Beef with Noodles Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $37.06
Today’s Savings - $16.21
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4442.32

Taking DF-M to hospital for a check up after she had being in hospital last month.

As I was just an escort for DF-M she paid for the bus fare. Saving $2.20 she was unable to walk that distance to the hospital.

With free car parking is just three streets from our homes. It saved around $9.00 by going by bus over paid parking in the visitor car park or $280 on towing fees, if I had parked in the shopping centre across the street and got caught parking there. You have to stay within the shopping centre or just go to the post office and back or they will tow you! Many have been caught too! It’s only five blocks too! It will get worse next year when two-hour parking comes in for the whole area including where we live too! Use Public Transport Strategy

Had all slacks fitted so that I can take up my hems that my next project to do! Seven pairs of slacks to take the hems up on. Oh well! I will get them done one day.

Quite day at home after had long afternoon nap.

BREAKFAST Baked Beans on Toast Coffee
LUNCH Crackers with Avocado & Herbs Fruit
DINNER Pasta with Pasta Sauce & Tuna Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $2.20
Today’s Savings - $2.20
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4426.11

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

Passionfruit Butter
Makes 2 cups or 2 jars.

4 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice
4 Passionfruit {up to 3/4 cup of pulp}
125g (4oz) butter

Combine beaten eggs and sugar in top of double saucepan: stir until combined.
Gradually add lemon juice, passionfruit pulp and roughly chopped butter.
Place pan over simmering water, stir until mixture thickly coats wooden spoon.
Pour into sterilized jars, seal. Store in refrigerator.

Notes: When thick, the mixture start to coat spoon and changes colour. It will set thicker when cool.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Sultanas & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Salad with Cracker & Sardines Coffee
DINNER 2 Pork Sausages with Salad Fruit Coffee

I have been working on my computer and having a BBQ lunch with DF-M, she loves to have a BBQ steak every now & then but cooking for one is not worth the effort. I talking about lighting up the wood BBQ for few pieces of steak. At times we char sweet pepper and then skin & cut them for later. I must do some more next time they are at their lowest price.

Later in the afternoon I had a visit from friend that came to pick up some books that I bought him seven months ago so $34.00 to bank in my online account plus the $10.00 that I won in lotto this week!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH BBQ Steak with Italian Salads Coke
DINNER Soup & Toast Apple Coffee

Visit DF-D and dogs, she is minding her niece dog this weekend it’s larger than of the German Shepherd and only 9 months old still has 30kg to go too! I am glad I not paying the food bill for that one. I don’t know the breed.

Went off to the supermarket and newsagent to pay my phone bill this month I got an email to say that my internet this month was FREE. Saving $50.00 (every fourth month I get Free, on my phone & internet plan. Saving around $150.00 per year.)

My grocery shopping was mainly DF-M milk & cereal for her. And few specials Focaccia bread saving $1.50 & 1kg Honey ‘Ironbark’ (that has low GI 48) saving $1.00

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Coffee Apple
DINNER Honey Mustard Chicken with Vegetables and Rice, Fruit, Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $107.29
Today’s Savings - $52.50
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4380.41

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

Our neighborhood has many small gardens with each household grows the right herbs in the right spot for that herb. I have Rosemary, Chives, lemon grass, bay tree, curry tree, mint,& my Italian Flat Parsley which is growing as a weed in my garden, but I like it as it ground cover in the garden beds.

DF-M has oregano, basil, chilli & dill, which I go and pick if I need it. A lot of other neighbors come and help themselves to my parsley at times. But will not allow them to use the roots. Some of the others have different varieties of chilli growing.

I went shopping with DF-D I got a bargain in bread roll 39c for six. Saving $2.10, along with other specials saving around $4.82 and buying pet food.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Macaroni & Cheese Apple Coffee
DINNER Steak, Egg, Tomatoes, & Grilled Onions Dinner Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $18.17
Today’s Savings - $6.92
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4323.21