Tightwad Kitty's $$$ Stretching Blog

Spent the day at home, first DS came to visit when he went out for lunch. Then DF-M came to get some of my Rosemary that I grow. When DS came back for the afternoon and sleep, while he was here DF-D arrived with her German Shepherd & they both had big chat about their last trips to Europe this year. I have never been to Europe and I am not likely to go, as I am not allowed to fly that far for health reasons.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers with Avocado & Herbs Fruit Coffee
DINNER French Onion Chicken with Toast Coffee

Owning to the fact that one of my neighbour can’t read or write in English, nor is able to write in their own language. I was elected to help them fill in their census form as well my own.

I did read a novel after did this, that I bought a few days ago also. It was a nice charge from spending my night on the computer catching up with my emails, newsletters and forums.

Spent money on books while doing some shopping for DF-M today. I bought a few more magazines on gardening and sewing. Saving $25.00

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Toasted Cheese with Whole Grain Mustard Spread. Fruit Coffee
DINNER Pasta with Pasta Sauce & Tuna Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $ 27.00
Today’s Savings - $25.00
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4316.29

Todays main task was to have my hair trimmed. On city prices I saved $ 12.00 here.

Walking by one of the thrift shops today I saw that they had a ‘fill a bag sale’ on books so drop in for a look. You can guess I bought a bag of books for $5.00, some of the titles were on my to buy list or I was thinking of buying them at one stage at full price. Saving $289.00 here on RRP. On Groceries today I save around $2.30

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Mandarin Coffee
DINNER Salmon Loaf with Salad Apple Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $325.05
Today’s Savings - $303.30
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $4291.29

Today I went over to the fruit shop around the corner, too buy some fruit & vegetables that I needed to for my cooking. While I was there I cashed my change in that I had rolled up so that $22.00 for my online bank account. It’s growing too!

Working on my computer today getting a few more ‘Re- Reading Tightwad Gazette’ posts ready!

The man from Census dropped off the Census Form today that has to be done on Tuesday this week.

BREAKFAST 2 Boiled Eggs Toast & Jam Coffee
LUNCH Avocado on Crackers with Cheese Mandarin Coffee
DINNER Pork Sausages with Vegetables Yogurt Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $4.95
Today’s Savings - $2.90
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $200.90
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $3987.99

Well its time that I did some ironing as I haven’t ironed in 20 days. So I got out my ironing press and had the job done in no time at all. Why don’t I use it more often MMMM!

I think that as I have got around $200.00 for my Bulk Food Replacement Fund so I will just stop tally this when I get over that amount. I have put this money into my online bank account until I need it. Now I will put any surplus grocery money into my emergency fund. That will be the differences between what I spend and I what I budgeted for the year. I will still post my menu each day as this will make me do one each week.

I am still living as much as I can out of my bulk pantry and freezers. I don’t know when the day will come that I will actually run out of something that I need and have to go to a neighbor to borrow it. It’s always the other way around. I once had one come and ask I did I have some Saffron as they didn't want to use turmeric in a recipe. Hey! I not that clueless, I do know the difference and the price between the two. I only use turmeric myself.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Avocado & Cottage Cheese on Crackers Apple Coffee
DINNER Fillet Steak, Egg, Onion & Tomatoes Coffee

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $198.70

After breakfast coffee with DF-M, I had breakfast with DS at Hungry Jack’s. It was two for one deal so we shared the deal. Each gets our own drinks. Can you guess what I had? Saving $4.45

A light bulb idea hit my DS, he normally just buy want he want then eats it all in around 5 minutes. Well today we just bought the deal and just sat and talked. When it got to 20 minutes I asked him if was going to buy his pancakes, he said no I am full. Funny, if you just buy all that stuff in the drive thru you will eat it. But sit an eat it and talk for a while then buy more if you are still hungry, you find that you are not hungry. I have been saying this for a while but he would never listen. If he just does this then he may just lose some weight that he need to lose.

After we when over a shopping centre so that I could pay a bill and bought a few items that were on special at K-Mart too! Saving $3.80

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Bacon & Egg Roll* Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Coffee apple
DINNER Poach Fish & Salad Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $85.60*
Today’s Savings - $ 8.25
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $195.20
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $3985.09

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

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

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

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

This ‘Year Long Mirror Image Challenge’ has made me stop think and ask myself a lot of questions.

Why I do, what I do whom I meet, where I go and how I feel about all parts of living, spending and saving money. Learning along the way.

Now I need to stop think, how much I would have paid if I paid full price for everything. As this my challenge.

I put this question “What is the true value of my lifestyle now that I am living on a pension?” to myself in April. And this what I wished to find out the difference, than that of someone single paying full price for everything and what I am doing now!

My pension is around $13000 per year before tax, what is minimum income of someone single paying full price for everything paying, doing the same things and lifestyle? Mirror Image Challenge

Last week I found my original Saved Money Journal that I started early in January 2004 with very similar ideas.

This is what I wrote as an outline then.

Saved Money is there difference in Money spent and what I would have paid if I bought it differently.

Lists of areas to look at too save money in.
1. Paid someone to do the job.
2. Paid full price RRP without discounts or buying 2nd hand.
3. Bought it at another outlet
4. Bought it at different time of year when it’s more expensive.
5. Bought it at regular price and not on sale.
6. Something that was given to me that had a cash value.

Today I had early appointment with my Chiro, I told him that I wouldn’t have another massage unless I was so stiff that I needed it. I am still limping after it. I got my refund and banked this back into my bill account.

Also I got Medicare refund for DF-M and put it into a separate wallet so that I would not spend it by accident.

Went looking for the smoke detector that’s on my shopping list, still not available. It's good, I have some to look for out, I don’t need to buy another thing there. Just say 'You are out of stock' and just walk out. Years ago I had to buy some little thing if I went into a store as I felt just so guilty if I didn’t buy thing. I have now got over this some what and now just watch other people spend their money. I am biting my tongue at times too! I could now save a lot of money for them.

I had lunch with my friends from my old job. Saving $9.70 because of my senior card 20% off deal and the way I order it.

After I went to get a missing file for my tax, from my bank.

BREAKFAST 2 Boiled Eggs Toast & Jam
LUNCH lunch out*
DINNER Soup & Toast Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $27.35
Today’s Savings - $ 9.70
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $187.80
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $3893.92

Had my termite inspection & pest control done today, as I had termites a few years ago!

I’m in the clear for another year as it’s still under guarantee for another year then I will need to think about redoing barrier again.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Crackers with Cottage Cheese & Herbs Coffee
DINNER French Onion Chicken with Toast, Chocolate Cake Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $ 330
Today’s Savings - $ 80.00
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $184.80
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $3884.22

~ 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

So I got into the mowing, that I have been putting off for a few weeks now! It done!!!!

While I was at it, I watered the back garden and did two loads of washing plus hand washing and hung it all under my house. Where did I find the energy from, I don’t know, so all my large projects for this week are now done!

This afternoon I had a nap for an hour or so! Now I am working on the computer until Dinner time!

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Avocado Salad with Crackers & Herb Cottage Cheese Chocolate Cake Coffee
DINNER Pumpkin & Lentil Stew with Garlic Focaccia Bread

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $186.70

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

Filling DF-M prescriptions at the chemist is one of my tasks that I do for her.

I dropped by the 2nd hand book store and bought 2 more cookbooks to read today. Saving $15.00 here.

Went to Hungry Jack’s for coffee and cone but as the Ice cream machine was out of order so I just got my coffee for FREE, saving $2.45 (Senior Card Discount)

Then it was off to the supermarket as I was bored and bought two packets of small cakes (16 cakes in all) at supermarket markdown, saving $6.00 on them.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers with Avocado & Herbs Fruit Coffee
DINNER Roast Turkey and Steam Vegetables Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $26.95
Today’s Savings - $ 23.45
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $179.70
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $3792.36

Quite day cooking vegetable soup and working on my computer.

MINESTRONE (Vegetarian version)
This is Italian peasant dish with rustic style.

375g dried haricot beans or Italian Soup Mix (see instruction below.)
2 tsp. crushed garlic (jar.)
1 large onion
4 carrots
4 stalks celery
1/2 small cabbage
1 x 410g diced tomatoes
250g green beans
125g frozen peas
125g small macaroni or other pasta
2 tbsp. finely chopped parsley or basil
1 tbsp. olive oil
4 tbsp. freshly grated Parmesan
8 cups Vegetable or Chicken Stock (Massel)
Salt & pepper to taste

Soak dried haricot beans or Italian Soup Mix overnight. Drain. Simmer beans in 4 cups water for 2 hours. (Italian Soup Mix, simmer for 1 1/4 hours see instruction below)
Saute in olive oil, cut onion into eighths and crushed garlic until golden.
Add stock simmer gently with finely sliced carrots and celery.
Slice cabbage, and green beans into large pieces (rustic style).
Add all vegetables, except peas; bring to the boil then cover and reduce heat until soup barely simmering. Simmer for 1 1/2 hours.
20 minutes before serving add peas and macaroni, bring to the boil and then simmer until macaroni is tender.
Just before serving, stir in fresh chopped parsley or basil and little olive oil.
Serve hot with freshly grated Parmesan.
Serve 6-8

As I am cooking for one person and freezing most of this soup.
I UNDERCOOK by about 10 minute after the pasta is put in.
Rapid Cool - FREEZE HERE after removing the portion for tonight meal and any that will used next day.
Fully cook single portion in the microwave. 3 minutes if warm and 4 to 5 minutes when thawed.
Garnish with Grated Parmesan and serve with crusty bread.

Note: This soup needs to be THAW IN REFRIGERATOR then adding extra liquid and seasoning if desired. (I in mine put 1/2 cup water, extra tomato paste and extra garlic or dash of Tabasco sauce. Stirring just a bit. Microwave as above.)

Serves 6-8 (portion 1 1/2 cups)
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Total cooking time: 1 3/4 - 3 3/4 hours.

Cooking - Italian Soup Mix.
Rinse soup mix before soaking. Soak soup mix for 6-8 hours (overnight if convenient) before cooking. As I have found that the bean soup mix need extra cooking, boiling for 15 minutes and change of water to stop wind. I now cook the bean first, until changing the water when the scum is to be removed. Then return bean soup mix to the stockpot using 4 cups of boiling water bring back to the boil and simmer for approx. 1 hour.

Tips: Any amount of soaking will reduce times.
Soups may be frozen for up to six months.

BREAKFAST Muesli & milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Apple Coffee
DINNER Poach Fish & Salad Coffee

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $175.25

I had to go for a long walk back to the hospital today, as my DF-M was charged the wrong amount on her prescription bill from the hospital. No pension discount on it. What a difference which her family would have just paid it! The charge was $45.60 but with the discount only $14.10 for just reading the bill seeing that her pension number wasn’t on it! Saving $31.50 for her.

While I was out I bought a fruit loaf markdown to $1.50 saving $1.95

I got to water my front garden this morning too!

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Pasta with Pasta Sauce & Tuna Fruit Coffee
DINNER Omelette with Cheese Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $3.45
Today’s Savings - $ 1.95
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $172.35
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $3768.91

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

As we needed to stay up so that DS & DIL could call in then they arrived home from trip up north for the weekend. (Visiting around 11pm at night.)

It’s Girl’s night on my computer and packing up a large owl, I gave her to take home. It’s funny that both of us have a collection of owls and never had any idea that the other collected them.

We are the same in liking old things so I know that some old family treasures may be heading her way in the future.

It’s funny that many a niece in our family takes after and look like their auntie than they own parents. Even when they a raised in another state or country. Many a times in the past when you put all cousins in the same room with they mothers and aunts, a stranger will always get it wrong when ask to pick mothers and daughters.

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

Today is day that my visitor arrive from interstate, my niece who I have not seen for 6 years and it’s 15 years since she has been up this way too! Very short stay as she is working on this trip. But at least I will have her here for two nights out of the three that she is here! My DS picked her up at the airport and bought her to my place.

Tonight, we went to the city to meet my DIL to say hello as DS & DIL flying out for the weekend too! We went shopping in the city as it late night shopping here tonight. (Only one night per week.) Bought some items for her family, as she will not be able to go shopping again before she goes home on Monday. Dinner we had at Sizzlers, lovely meal of Steak & Prawns with Salad Bar along with dessert & drinks.

I got a bargain in Red whiteboard markers when we went looking for boy’s beanies. Pack of 12 box @ $1.99 down from $14.99 someone had marked them wrong. Should have been $7.99, the whole stand too! Saving $13.00, I was able to give a few away and still save money this time.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Pumpkin & Lentil Stew, Avocado w’ Dried Herbs on Crackers Coffee
DINNER dining out*

Today’s Full price Tally $45.94*
Today’s Savings - $36.95
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $159.85
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $3466.86

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.

Challenge at 12th week.
Kitty’s Real Spending Total $2533.63
+ 2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $3427.84
= Full Price (RRP) Income Challenge $5961.47

Opening CC Balance $261
Kitty’s Opening Balance Rollover $292.97 ($141 .00 Bill A/C)
$$$Money in - $1080
= Total Income Balance. $1372.97
Bills Total $345
Other Spending & Groceries $418.24
$$$ Money out = $763.24
Cash $135.45
Cash Banked in other A/C’s $265
Kitty’s Rollover Balance $209.18 ($40 Bill A/C)
CC Balance $0

I got to get an hearing aid as I am going deaf in my left ear and losing my hearing in right if don’t get that left hearing aid soon! I am luck that our government is subsidize it, I will only pay for the extras that will make wearing it easier I hope! I thought that something was wrong when I slept though the siege a few weeks back. I had to pay a $50.00 deposit today but will get it in about five weeks time. I will include my savings on my hearing aid when I pay for it.

I bought 2 new books but markdown, saving $17.90. Lunch out costing $2.50 ‘two for one deal’ with free coffee, saving $4.95. Multi -Trip Bus Ticket using my senior card yet again, so saving $10.40

I did some housework before I went to the city today. So I am on track to have my house up to scratch for my visitors.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH lunch out*
DINNER Macaroni & Cheese, Paddle Pop Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $106.15*
Today’s Savings - $33.25
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $158.60
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $3427.84

Visited my friend in hospital and I never went near the shops so it’s no spending today.

Tiding up my computer room so someone can sleep in it. As I am having visitors this Week-end.

I normally use the bed as a filing area so it has to be made again into a sleeping area for a few days. Not much of a problem, just moving the things around a some what!

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Coffee apple
DINNER Steak (free) & Onions Tomato Egg Coffee

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $157.25

I walked down to the hospital today to see DF-M.

I just visited her then walked back home it's around 2.5km trip. I never went near the shopping centre across the road!

MUESLI BARS (NO-BAKING)

1/4 cup LSA mix or crushed nuts
1 1/2 cup toasted or non toasted Muesli
3 cups rice bubbles
1 cup coconut
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1 stick (125g) butter
1/3 cup honey
1/2 cup raw sugar
1/3 cup crunchy peanut paste

Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl.
In a small pan combine butter, honey, raw sugar and peanut paste
Bring to the boil, then reduce heat and simmer for five minutes without stirring.
Stir honey & butter mixture into dry ingredients, combine well.
Press mixture into a slab pan and refrigerate for at least two hours before cutting into squares.
Turn out on to a chopping board and cut into squares or slices.

Notes: Bars are best kept in the refrigerator.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Soup & Toast Coffee Apple
DINNER Chilli Con Carne & Toast Coffee

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $153.25

DF-M is hospital with Asthma and will be there for a few days. I walk down to the hospital to visit her today. After I visit her when over to the shopping centre and got some markdown breads and some items to make some home-made Muesli bars that I plan to make soon!

BREAKFAST Muesli with Milk, Toast & Jam, Coffee
LUNCH Cracker with Chutney & Avocado Coffee
DINNER Scramble Eggs with Herbs, Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $15.62
Today’s Savings - $ 6.00
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $151.55
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $3396.66