Tightwad Kitty's $$$ Stretching Blog

Well it’s the local charity a few streets up from my home. Once a year they have ‘Fete & Garage Sale’ so I spent $21.00 there today. Other than this garage sale you don’t see or hear them at all. As it’s a closed-in day care centre for adults.

What I got for my $21.00 donation.
21 Cookbooks, History, Craft & Garden Books RRP $120.00 cost $1.10
Toaster oven almost new RRP $70.00 cost $5.00
Clariol Heat Rollers RRP $45.00 cost $2.00
5 Cookware dishes RRP $ 50.00 cost $3.00
2 folding chairs RRP $24.00 cost $4.00
Tupperware RRP $10.00 cost $1.00
Large Drink Ice Block for picnic & freezer RRP $ 6.50 cost 50c
250ml shower gel $10.00 cost 50c
3 CDs (1Classical Music & 2 Wiggles CD) RRP $60.00 cost $1.50
2 Garden Pots RRP $20.00 cost $1.00
Odd & Ends, & Kitchen Items RRP $ 15.00 cost 40c
Coffee & Muffins $1.00

BREAKFAST – 2 Boiled Eggs Toast & Jam Coffee
LUNCH – Corn & Chicken Soup & Toast Grapes Coffee
DINNER Fillet Steak, Egg, Onion & Tomatoes Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $430.50
Today’s Savings - $ 409.50
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $150.20
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $3390.66

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

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

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $148.40

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

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

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

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

Other than doing some washing & watering the garden. I worked on the computer, reading & writing up some articles for most of the day!

After viewing TV program the other night saying that eggs are good for you. I have decided to up the number of eggs that I eat by two per week.

BREAKFAST - Muesli & Milk Toast & Jam Coffee
LUNCH – Soup with Toast Mandarin Coffee
DINNER - Omelette with Cheese Coffee

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $141.75

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Today I cashed the coins at fruit shop as they are always looking for charges.
While I was buying my 2 week’s supply of fruit & vegetables.

When I next went online I transferred $35.00 over into my online line account.
I put cash into my coin purse, so now I don’t need to take money out of my everyday account for spending.

Still looking for one missing tax paper. Will phone to see if I can get a copy if I don’t find it by the end of the month.

BREAKFAST - Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee
LUNCH - Corn Beef Salad Mandarin Coffee
DINNER - French Onion Chicken with Toast Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $9.95
Today’s Savings - $0
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $136.65
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2957.64

I didn’t do much today at all.
Counted coins so that I could cash them.
Balance finances for Tax, as end of financial year was June 30.
Now too find the missing papers that I don’t remember getting.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants, 2 Toast & Jam Coffee
LUNCH Soup and toast apple coffee
DINNER Omelette with Sweet Baked Beans Coffee.

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $134.95

Restocking my basic groceries that I was low on today.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Well, it’s Lunch & Chiro day again! I went to Chiro first thing this morning when did shopping before I had lunch with my friends.

I have put some photos into to be developed last Friday and I didn’t pick them up until today. Saving $2.40 on other price quotes for the same job. I had morning tea using my senior card, saving $2.45. I saved $3.15 on lunch also. Spent $4.00 on lotto this month.

I went to Target and bought six vests that I needed for sometime, they were on special with the sale finishing today. RRP $45.05 saving $11.65

I dropped into ‘Priceline’ at chemist discount store here, and bought some more toothpaste @50% off again saving $3.86. I will not need to buy any toothpaste for a long time. It will have to be FREE for me to get some more now!

BREAKFAST – Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee 45c
LUNCH – Lunch out*
DINNER – Fish Cakes Salad Mandarin Coffee 60c

Today’s Full price Tally $87.44*
Today’s Savings - $23.51
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $128.05
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2945.44

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

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

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

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

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

Shopping today came to $21.65 saving $4.10

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

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

Its washing day again but its over cast but very little rain but only on the coast. I did hang my clothes under cover as I don’t need them for a few days anyway! I watered my back garden with the recycled water as I washed today and it did the whole back yard garden too! I had a few buckets leftover for top up in a few days time. Lawn still doesn’t need a mow sp I am lucky I may get a few more months before I need to buy a new lawn mower. Just think of all the interest that I am saving as I now saved the money for it. I have earmark around $500 for the mower, even if it’s just in my mind.

I will mow some time next week and give the yard a bit of a tidy up & mulch, mulch.

BREAKFAST –Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee 35c
LUNCH - Soup & Toast Mandarin Coffee 40c
DINNER – Chilli Con Carne & Toast Coffee $1.00

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $123.40

I was up early and worked on the computer. As I made my lunch and got it ready yesterday, just got to pack it with my chilly brick to keep it cool!

Catching the bus into the city to go our Botanical Gardens in the City, as we are lucky to have two Botanical gardens here. This one is now over 150 years old as it was the city first farm before that too! You would never think that we are in a drought when you go there, but they are using recycle water to keep it going. They have large duck pond, which they truck recycle water too then pump the water from there. They were trucking water while I was sitting wanting for my friends to come.

We had a beautiful day and just talked, talked. I hope to do this every few weeks until Summer, when it will be too hot for outdoor picnics.

It was a No Spending day as my bus ticket was pre-paid.

BREAKFAST - Bacon & Egg Tomatoes Baked Beans Coffee $1.50
LUNCH – Picnic - Salad Mandarin $2.50
DINNER - French Onion Chicken $1.25

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $ 121.65

I have decided to go out for a picnic by the river so it should be nice day!

I am planning what food I will take & finding all the picnic items has taken a few hours but it will be worth it.

Picnic Menu -Asian Green Salad Leaves, Mixed Bean Salad, Sliced Tomatoes, Bread & Butter Cucumbers, Stuffed Olives, Asparagus Spears, Pickled Onions, Corn Beef, Cheese and Garlic Focaccia Bread. Coffee and Mandarins (Homegrown)

MIXED BEAN SALAD

1 can 4 Bean Mix or 3 Bean Mix (drained & rinsed)
1 medium diced tomato
1 stick celery, finely sliced
1/2 tsp. Italian herbs
2 tbsp. fat-free Italian salad dressing

Mix all but the salad dressing.
Put into refrigerator until nearer to serving time.
Add salad dressing & blend.
Will be kept around two days in refrigerator.

Double or triple if taking to BBQ or bring salad outing. Simple and easy for non-cooks.

BREAKFAST - Oatmeal with Current & Milk Coffee 35c
LUNCH - Toasted Cheese Coffee Mandarin (free) 50c
DINNER - Omelette with Cheese Coffee 60c

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $116.40

I visited my friend who is Avon Rep. as I ordered things, out of the special Clearance Avon catalogue, which was the 2nd order. Luck would have it; I got some Christmas gifts for family & friends saving $26.00 on gifts. A house watch saving $20.00 on the watch. So out of 4 items that I ordered I got 3 for potluck ordering that not bad! Costing $34.50 save $46.00 on RRP.

Only other shopping, I did today was for the cats so $4.20 out of they budget.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk with LSA Prunes Coffee 70c
LUNCH Chilli Tuna Salad & Crackers Apple Coffee 80c
DINNER Poach Fish & Salad Mandarin Coffee $2.50

Today’s Full price Tally $84.70
Today’s Savings - $46.00
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $114.95
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2917.83

Today I went to the shopping centre to pick up something at newsagent, which in fact they didn’t get in, so I walk down that far for nothing. Anyway I just walk in one doorway and out the other, walking past the supermarket without buying a thing.

Spent most of my day working on the computer just read mostly. Must get some housework done.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants, 2 Toast & Jam Coffee 45c
LUNCH Vegetable Soup with Toast Coffee 40c
DINNER French Onion Chicken & Toast 1.00

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $110.95

1 large clove of garlic, crushed
1 large brown onion, chopped
2 medium potatoes, cubed
2 large carrots, sliced
2-3 large pumpkin wedges, cubed
2 stick celery, sliced
1 parsnip, sliced
1 turnip, cubed
6 - 8 cups vegetable stock
2 x 400g (15oz) cans diced tomatoes
1/2 cup green lentils
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon Canola or olive oil
Black pepper or chilli powder
2 x 400g (15oz)can of red kidney beans, strained or any other beans at hand, strained
250 grams (4oz) frozen peas

Melt the oil in a large pot. When it's hot, add the crushed garlic and potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, celery, turnip, parsnip, and onion. Stir for around three minutes.
Add diced tomatoes, vegetable stock, lentils, bay leaves and black pepper or chilli powder.
Bring to the boil and then gently simmer until the vegetables are just cooked.
Add the kidney beans and peas.
Bring to the boil again and then remove from the heat.
Discard the bay leaves.
Can be frozen.
Thaw & reheat single serve in the microwave (650W) for 3 - 4 minutes.
Note: You can add any other vegetables of your choice, if you don't eat or don't have at hand for any of the above.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants, 2 Toast & Jam Coffee 45c
LUNCH Vegetable Soup with Toast Coffee 40c
DINNER Fish Cakes & Salad Mandarin Coffee $1.00

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $109.10

I dropped into to 2nd Hand Bookshop & found two more Cookbooks with some information that didn’t have, so that’s another $2.00 for books. Value around $20.00.

If I ever tried to sell them on E-bay I will have some fun. Postage puts me off doing it. I will have a look into that one! As I have a lot of Books that I could sell!

BREAKFAST Chilli Baked Beans, Bacon & Egg with Grilled Tomato Coffee $1.45
LUNCH Vegetable Soup with Toast Coffee 40c
DINNER Chilli Con Carne on Toast Mandarin Coffee $1.20

Today’s Full price Tally $ 20.00
Today’s Savings - $18.00
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $107.25
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2871.83

I walked up to the next shopping centre from my nearest one, around to 2km away. Then walked back to Hungry Jack’s. I bought a Hamburger $1.90 & got a free coffee with my senior card saving $2.45.

Shopped at the local supermarket as a habit I think, and found that they were no longer going to stocking my ‘Spicy Italian’ by McCormick, as it was on a clearance for $1.55 each, so like a good little hoarder that I am I bought the lot! Four bottles, best before dates were good too, two bottles had Dec 2007 and the other two had Dec 2008. Saving around $4.12 on the lot. Bought also a markdown to 99c Soup Pack of Vegetable too! So Soup is on the menu this menu, saving $1.45 here.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants, 2 Toast & Jam Coffee 45c
LUNCH Dine Out *
DINNER Fish Cakes and Salad Mandarin Coffee 80c

Today’s Full price Tally $16.92*
Today’s Savings - $8.02
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $104.20
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2853.83

I was thinking of going to the Circus this morning, it would cost about $10.00 plus to go, it was at the local school today. It was a proper circus too!

But I decided to have luxury bath instead. Using what I have in my storage from my gifts of the past years. So it was FREE!

I saved the water so that I can reuse it on the front garden to-morrow then I will water my garden.
I will need to bale it out some time today when it cools down a bit! I will need to put into my buckets and my Tuff tub that I have got for Grey water. Oh what fun this is! It’s a learning curb for us all! I will mostly likely fair the best as I am now at next step to next level. Trying to find other ways to save water. Without going to too much expense, like spending a lot of money on rain water tank and new front loader washing machine, even with rebates it would set me back too much expense wise. If the washing machine breaks down then I will look into it. I am talking thousands dollars here! All to save $2.00 on my water bill. I do have the lowest water bill around here as it is now! Unless I buy a water tank 5000L one at that and new AAAAA washing machine I can’t get my water bill lower.

Now its time to work on tiding up the house for visitors. I will try to put notes in this blog, how I am going on that front. It’s very slow going!

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants 2 Toast & Jam Coffee 45c
LUNCH Slices of Toast with Mustard Spread, Melted Cheese & Topped Paprika Coffee 50c
DINNER Steak Pork, Egg, Tomatoes, & Grilled Onions Dinner $1.80

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $102.95

I had a go at my new system with all my buckets and water holding rubbish bins etc for my grey water.

Some ideas worked but others were not as successful as I hoped! I need to empty my rubbish bins before I washed so I watered the back yard with them.

Saving the soapy water to put back in the washing machine and having enough buckets to do this task. 10 buckets and 2 large rubbish bins were not enough.

As for the recycle water hose that I bought, I need some way to fix it to my washing machine waste hose and be able to remove it also! I used up 2 ideas as far with very little success.

I am still learning on this one so it’s back to the drawing broad. MMMM!

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants Coffee 2 Toast & Jam, Coffee 60c
LUNCH Crackers with Cheese & Chutney, Mandarin Coffee 65c
DINNER Omelette with Sweet Chilli Sauce Apple Coffee. 65c

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $100.20

I drove to another shopping centre today! That has a K-mart & Big W as well, the bank that I wish to go to pay my credit card off. I did it, I even paid the full balance including the direct debit which was only due today and the CC bill is due at the end of the month. I am back to $0 yet again on CC for past 25 months.

K-mart is having a 15% off sale this week. I check it out for photo –electric fire alarm no luck but I did buy a fire blanket for my kitchen and few more items, also. I went check out Big –W but they were still out of stock too! I walked out without buy anything there and past all the clothes sales that was on too! I did have lunch at McDonalds had a Chicken Roll and Diet Coke. $5.95* the Medium Coke was free.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants 2 Toast & Jam Coffee 35c
LUNCH Lunch Out *
DINNER Creamed Sweet Corn on Toast Coffee 50c

Today’s Full price Tally $36.10*
Today’s Savings - $3.93
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $98.30
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2445.81

Gone shopping or bought something. 15 times

Went to the city by bus 2 times

Drove my car only. 9 times

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

And had 13 No Spending Days.

Lets see what next 28 days tallies will be.

Challenge at 8th week.
Kitty’s Real Spending Total $2075.39
+ 2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2826.02
= Full Price (RRP) Income Challenge $4901.41

8th week’s Summary of $$$ Stretching Challenge
Opening CC Balance $0
Bank Fees & Interest $0
Kitty’s Opening Balance Rollover $340 ($161 Bill A/C)
$$$Money in - $1001
= Total Income Balance. $1341
Bills Total $791.58 – ($261 cc) = $530.58
Other Spending & Groceries $260.87
$$$ Money out = $1244.42
Cash $96.50
Cash Banked in other A/Cs $160
Kitty’s Rollover Balance $292.97 ($141 .00 Bill A/C)
CC Balance $261.00

Today task was to make room in my storage area downstairs to make room for more STUFF that needs to be move out of upstairs.

As I have the habit of re-buying the same items again and again if don’t keep them. I no longer part with them only move them into storage. I do have the storage too!

My aim is to put this goal into practice. Goal: To just leave out what projects & topic, I am working on this week, all other projects are to be returned to it’s own storage area. MMMMM!

I do work on a value system, so I don’t keep everything. If I can replace it at little cost & no longer need it now then it goes in the bin or given away. But if it cost a bit of money to replace it in the future then I will keep it. I have been known to go back too projects years later.

With this plan, I will be able to keep my house in some form of order, even it’s not just tidy as a picture perfect house.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Milk with LSA Pancakes & Maple Syrup with Whipped Cream 80c
LUNCH Crackers with Chutney, Home-cooked Corn Beef & Salad Coffee $1.00
DINNER Devilled Sausages Orange $1.00

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $97.45

I am cutting back on unwanted plants, tiding up some plants. Raking garden lawn as I don’t need to mow it just yet, another 2 weeks I would think then just cutting the tops off weeds in the lawn. As I plan to keep it a little higher than it is now!

Tidy the patio and sweeping it too! Removed any dead or unsightly plants.

As for watering it’s now via buckets or watering can only. I filled my yellow Tuff tub bucket up then just filled my watering can to half each time. As when you fill it to full it’s too heavy and I do have a sore back to start with.

As a younger adult I worked on a drink bar. So I know how heavy buckets can be if you are doing it for along time like we will be, then you just don’t fill them up to the top! At least I will not have to waters any plants above my head as I did when I was working filling drink machines with buckets on the drink bar.

This may be the reason that I am more safety conscious than other people, as I had that job for 10 years.

My DS turned up today, so it was off to car sale yard to a get a light bulb for my car. They have service area, it’s a one stop car yard. DS ask about the newer model sedan so we had a test drive in the newest model of my car too! Not buying.

Off too hardware superstore again at last. Yes I did get my refund & I was remembered too! As I was only person who bought a large Tuff Yellow Bucket.

DS cracked my toilet seat some month’s back. Said I would buy a new one when he was ready to install it so he went off to find it so $29.90 later we were off again. I did get it put in TOO!

We went for a drive to my DS - MIL business, for coffee then we drove home.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants Coffee 2 Toast & Jam, Coffee 60c
LUNCH Crackers with Cheese & Chutney, Mandarin Coffee 65c
DINNER Omelette with Cheese, Sweet Chilli Sauce Apple Coffee. 75c

Today’s Full price Tally $29.90 – refund $2.65 = $27.25
Today’s Savings - $ nil
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $94.65
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2826.02

I had to drive to the hardware superstore today. The nearest one is about 6km away.

As we went into level 3 water restrictions last week, I needed to buy more buckets and Bunnings one’s are more sturdier than the cheaper buckets but half the price more. ($1.50 to 89c) these are for my grey water in my laundry. Also bought a 42L rubber large Tuff bucket to fill so that I am not standing holding it up everytime to fill up. I do have a bad back to start with so I have to find ways around this problem. I got my 2 hose reels and fitting to put my hoses away too! They were a little expensive, I bought them for safety as this comes before money on my list. I would have to look after myself if I had an accident. I got a new rake for $2.65 also I was charged twice which I found out when I arrived home. Plus some other items. $$$Another Strategy ~ safety first

It may be a small amount of $2.65, but if everyone didn’t go back for a refund then they win!

I rang them up so that 20c off the refund to start. Yes, they did remember me. So I will not to wait to run a security camera check on the sale. “They run a security camera at each register and then view footage before a give a refund if there is any doubt!” (Yes, this is what she said on the phone.) They had a run of people taking other peoples dockets at some stage, then duplicating what was on it, when returning to a store for part refunds later! Another friend had her docket stolen while she was getting the charges from her sale. You need a docket the leave the store with any goods. This little exercise costs $58.74 less $2.65 when I get it. I will go back to-morrow as the girl who served me is on duty then!
$$$Another Strategy ~ check dockets & get your refunds if wrong.

As it was lunch time and I need to go grocery shopping on the way home. (Multi task trip here.)

I had lunch of a hot dog & mustard roll and milkshake at our Cheapest Snack Bar locality. It’s a one off snack bar. They serve a very limited menu, hot dogs, doughnuts and gingerbread men & drinks but they prices are cheaper by more than half what you pay at other places like Wendy’s. Cost $2.45* saving $4.55 if I bought at café in the hardware store. I nearly did too! I bought Pet Food & Grocery needed at supermarket cost $13.75 only saving 65c on Retire Staff Discount Card.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants with Milk Coffee 35c
LUNCH hot dog & milk shake *
DINNER Devilled Sausages Yogurt & LSA Coffee 75c
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $1.10

Today’s Full price Tally $79.49*
Today’s Savings - $5.20
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $92.65
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2842.21

Cut up one of my homegrown pumpkin today and made Pumpkin & Lentil Stew.

Pumpkin & Lentil Stew
Serve 6

1 large onion diced
1 clove of crushed garlic
3 tsp. curry powder mild or to your taste
(or 1 teaspoon of each cumin, coriander & turmeric)
1 tsp. chopped ginger
3 cups of vegetable stock (or 2 tsp. vegetable stock powder & 3 cups boiling water)
3 cups raw pumpkin diced
1 large raw potato diced
1 cup frozen green beans pieces
1 cup red lentil
1 can diced tomatoes

Saute onion and garlic for 2 minutes.
Combine spices with onion mixture and saute for 1 minute.
Add vegetable stock and all other ingredients, but the green bean pieces bring to the boil.
Cover and simmer are cooked stir occasionally.
Add frozen green beans in the last 10 minutes.
It makes enough for most of the week with two soup ladles per serve
I serve it with 1/2 Focaccia roll each time.
Freezer Friendly

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Currants & Milk 2 Toast & Jam Coffee 60c
LUNCH Pumpkin & Lentil Stew with Garlic Focaccia Bread, Mandarin Coffee $1.00
DINNER Steak, Egg, Tomatoes, & Grilled Onions Dinner $1.80

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $91.55