Today I made a special trip down to the place where I paid my bills as I am a bit old fashion and like to visualize that I paid a bill and hand over my cash or cards as the case may be. Well as I never pay many of my bills via credit card unless I am very short of money that week and I can be paid before next payment is due. What different about today’s phone bill it’s only a very bill and I can afford to pay it cash too! The phone bill is only $38.35 this month I do get a payment with my pension once every 3 months for a discount on my phone bill $20.30 so I better count that in my tally as I was paid it this week.

Different is that I have more than one credit card and this one hasn’t been use for a very long. While as I was talking to a cashier at another bank, I said need to make sure that I use it at a least once every few years so the bank knows that I still what it. The cashier did hear of a lady that had hers cancelled because she never used it. As I am going to the city in the morning and will have time to pay the credit card off again so it’s back to zero. I don’t have any fees on this card and it only there for a safety blanket, as I don’t qualify for any new cards so I need to keep them open even if I don’t use them. After tomorrow I will put it back in it home. This is one of the problems of having a very low income. Here you need an annual income of $25000 plus to qualify for one and my annual income is below $15000. Do any of you have this problem?

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Crackers & Marinated Feta Cheese with Marinated Peppers Fruit Coffee
DINNER 2 Sausage & Egg with Baked Beans

Today’s Full price Tally $58.65
Today’s Savings - $ 20.30
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $9907.32

It was a busy day today at dawn I went and got gas for the car saving $1.93 off with shopper docket then extra as the price went up again a few hours later by 10c litre. Timing is the key with buying gas around here.

I had lunch again with my friends at Sizzlers ‘all you can eat salad bar’ place and I had the manager’s special of fried seafood @ 3.95 and salad bar costing $14.32 for both. Saving $8.58 as I get a senior discount here.

Today I paid my car annual insurance and zeroed my credit card yet again. I ‘m getting good at that one. This time of the year I have a lot of major bills coming in so I can’t go spending big at the Summer clothing sales with their big discounts. If I want to buy something next year I will have to save some extra money for clothes at this time period. I like to pay most of my bill annually as I save money by doing this it this way. Take my car insurance if paid monthly which I can do, I would be paying extra $77.56 per year that I would need to fine and on my budget that is not easy. I am saving here that amount plus over 55 discount and multi insurance on top. That’s around $180.28 for just my car insurance.

I did by some remnants at dressmaker store it’s call Lincraft’s, these were about 60% RRP saving $10.57.

When I came home later, and had a rest, I went shopping for cat food and a few groceries, saving $7.80 here.

So I had a very busy day.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Lunch out*
DINNER Grilled Cheese with Mustard Toasted Slices Fruit Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $842.36
Today’s Savings - $ 209.87
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $9842.53

Today is DF-M Grocery Shopping day and I’m the driver. So it was off to the bank and chemist when down to the shopping centre and I just paid my Rate bill. Pensioner & Homeowner Discounts on rates bill $209.77. I got given some cherries when she bought some for herself, as she has a set shopping plan and there is no way of change her mind when it made up to buy or do something. I try not to buy anything when I’m on this shopping trip as when I do, most times it get add to her shopping tally. Madding and it not the checkout staffs fault. No lunch today as we had frozen food this time.

Today’s Full price Tally $505.97
Today’s Savings - $215.12
2007 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $9519.03

So that you can see what I am saving money wise. I added a extra few categories in. Money Banked, Major Projects & Cut Small Stuff have been added of late.

As I am a hoarder big time and I have a house full of Stuff of all kinds of things. This is what I will be using instead of buying to much more stuff, so I can find the money to pay for the Major Projects.

I will target what I will be buying and stop buying what I don't need and could live without. Last year I saved over $2000 cash and only took money out of my capital fund to buy a very good 2nd car under 2 years old.

Yes I can live off my pension and save.

This is my 300th post to date.

My son arrived at 7.30am just after dropping DIL off at her business breakfast meeting to pick up the cheesecake. So we went off to breakfast together, as there was a special of two for one deal at local fast food outlet that I get my free coffee at, instead of dropping in to DF-M place this morning. My time with him is precious as don’t see him enough and it was only for any hour. The only catch was that I had to buy him his drink as he only had enough for his meal. My meal came to $3.95 plus 2 free cappuccino’s saving $4.90 and then paying a $1.95 for his drink. Oh well! He took the cheesecake in the DIL work after 8.30 then went home to sleep. As he had just had just finish work when drove his wife to work. The cheesecake was enjoyed by all at the morning tea.

After I went down to DF-M place to see her and her grandchildren who had stayed for the week. I don’t think she is up to minding young children of school age any more it’s not much fun for them, if she can’t see them they can’t go anywhere nor will she take them anywhere even if I go with them too! So it’s just watching TV or read a book or using the colour pencils that I gave them for Christmas as I do know how boring it can be when the minder doesn’t understand some of basics of schooling that we can do now days. I have to do all her reading and writing for her if the family is not around. Anyway she is going back today with her grandchildren as a family friend is going back to they hometown at lunchtime and taking them with them.

My Medibank debit payment is due today, I do pay it in six month installments. So I have tallied this in my expense total.

As you can see from precious posts that I have a Zero balance on Credit Card at this time of the year and I hope to keep it at that into the future.

Today’s Full price Tally $205.65
Today’s Savings - $ 4.90
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $8886.27

Lunch out today we again went to Sizzlers which is much better then what we had last month.

Today I had the manager’s special of firecracker prawns & (chips which I gave to young lad who was with one of the others) along with salad bar & dessert & drinks costing $13.65 saving $3.80 with my senior card.

I paid my visa card off yet again so it’s now back to Zero. That’s right I never put anything on Credit Card for Christmas, and haven’t put anything on in the post Christmas sales.

I spent more on my gift card today buying a special cookbook that was on my shopping list saving $5.75. I found some Lock n Lock Cereal Containers @ 50% off I bought x2 plus a smaller one 1L size, saving $23.00 here.

Today’s Full price Tally $85.40
Today’s Savings - $ 32.55
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $8875.16

Note.
What happen to the white backgrounds? As I can no longer read it for long periods. If does goes any darker it will be not reading it at all.

Today was a run around of sorts. Which I spent very little but was shopping with the others, I end up visiting four shopping centres today. First with DF-M then with my DS. After I finish taking DF-M shopping and returned her home. I drove up to my son’s house and we went shopping at one of our largest shopping centre near his home. To buy his wife a new CD of Australian Idol and return a parcel for exchange. We had lunch together in the eatery. I only spent $6.67 including discount of $1.95 and Free Coffee Saving $2.45, while the other’s spent over $100 or more each. I have now got use to shopping with others while their shop and not buy up big, I have notice only when I go shopping with DF-D that I spend more than I normally do with the others.

Today’s Full price Tally $ 11.07
Today’s Savings - $4.40
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $8472.73

I walked down to the bus that goes to the hospital so that I could visit my friend in hospital. Who is fading fast! Each time, I see her there is a big charge. While at the bus stop I bought her two more meringue as she did enjoy the last one that I bought.

For the recipe see Meringues. I would make some but my oven needs repairing and I am seeing how long I can go without it. I am up in the 5 years time frame now.

After the visit I caught the bus on to the city to pick up my new glasses. While there I did some shopping for some house t-shirts that were on special this week. At two for $10.00 I bought four of them, each in a different color all with V-necks. I wear them out shopping as good t-shirts while they are new then wear them around the house when they are strained or faded. This saves my better casual wear tops and they last longer too! Saving $8.00 here.

I bought some more bargains groceries while in the city too! As this is where one of the $2 shops is. Single pouches of soup 3 for $2.00, ideal for a quick meal with crackers. RRP is $1.89 each, saving $3.67. Pick up another DVD for $4.99 RRP $15.00 a saving of $10.00

As I was late getting around today so I had lunch in the city too! Chicken Roll & Coffee,* saving $2.45 with senior card. Bought another lot of bus tickets for $12.40, saving $14.30 with senior card discount.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Lunch out *
DINNER Salmon Patties and Vegetables

Today’s Full price Tally $74.37*
Today’s Savings - $ 38.42
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $8304.36

It’s a trip over the transport department at the another shopping centre near my home. It’s time to pay my registration for my car, I paying it for a full year this time. Saving $90.00 with my pension discount this time. While there I bought a few more books saving $25.00.

This afternoon I went down the hill to another supermarket to buy some pets food and other things. Saving $10.65 here. Our food price are going up here but the cat food that my cats will eat price went down too it’s price of six months ago this time for how long?

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Grilled Cheese with Mustard Toasted Slices Apple Coffee
DINNER Poach Fish & Salad Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $593.26
Today’s Savings - $ 126.93
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $7521.90

Today it’s driving DF-M around, first to medical appointment then off to get blood tests.

After we dropped it at Hungry Jacks for Coffee & pancakes. The coffee was free saving $2.45 a cup with our senior cards.

Next stop bank, chemist & butchers in the nearest shopping area. Then home to drop off the meat bought at her favorite butcher, she bought meat for me too, some ½ kg fillet steak and 200g ham off the bone, around $20.00 worth.

After that stop, we went down to the supermarket and then on to another supermarket that she likes and had lunch together as she had not eaten much since last night. As her family is coming to stay for the weekend, she needed to buy food for another five people along with her monthly bulk shopping. I was very good with my shopping and spent only $2.00 saving $2.00. Paying my phone bill while I was at it!

I had to have my afternoon nap by the time we arrived home at 2.30pm, having started out 8am this morning. It was defiantly her day, I was just the driver today.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Ham Salad Roll & Orange Juice*
DINNER 2 Egg Ham Omelette and Salsa Apple Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $78.00*
Today’s Savings - $ 35.80
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $7394.66

It’s that time of the month yet again. Lunch with my ex-work friends, this is away of getting out of the house and without having to do what others wishes me to do. When I do go out with DF-M & DF-D or DS it want they wish to do, when to go home or go where their wish to go. Today is my day I do as I please. I did need to buy a photo frame for DF-M but it was where I was going today anyway.

As I paid my visa card last week, so I was able to put my rates bill on it for this month it interest free. Savings on full rates bill with discounts of senior pensioner subsidy & discounts etc $209.80 this quarter. Lunch was at Sizzlers again, saving $2.79. I bought a box of 5 VHS saving $6.55 on single ones.
On the way home I stop in at thrift shop where I had put away a pair of sandals all most new that I can where for $6.50 RRP $39.95 saving $33.45.

My arm is very sore but I am still using Panadol. I will have a quite day to-morrow.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Lunch out*
DINNER Omelette and Mild Chilli Salsa Apple Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $576.65
Today’s Savings - $ 252.59
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $7100.31

Just a bit shopping today, some groceries saving $2.30 and multi-trip bus ticket saving $13.60 on full price single tickets as we get two free trips buying a multi-trip tickets plus I am getting concession one. Saving $2.20 over single trip ticket for concession.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Salad with Blue Vein Cheese Apple Coffee
DINNER Spicy Lentil & Pumpkin with Basmati Rice

Today’s Full price Tally $31.05
Today’s Savings - $ 15.90
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6759.65

It’s a bus trip to the city to visit the Chiro, refund of $19.40 here. As I bought lunch yet again lunch today came to $5.95 saving $1.50 on my coffee with senior card. .

I also bought another book 2nd book by Shannon Lush & Jennifer Fleming ‘Speedcleaning’, I already have their first book ‘Spotless’ both published by ABC (radio) Books saving $5.10 off RRP price.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Lunch out*
DINNER 2 Egg Cheese Omelette and Pasta Sauce & Grilled Peppers
Today’s Full price Tally $27.40*
Today’s Savings - $26.00
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6743.75

I went to my son place again, to help him clean up the floors as he is having the carpet cleaners in to-morrow and we needed to make sure that they didn’t need to pick-up everything first as they have a lot of things on the floor to start with. I folded the clothes and got my son to put it away. An organized him into doing the washing that was backing up too! They have no lines so it all goes into the dryer. By the time we left in the late afternoon we had all the chores done included all but one load of washing. You couldn’t walk in that laundry for clothes to start with. I just got him to stop what he was doing, a charge the loads over to the dryer and put next load on. It just took about 5-10 minutes each time. I folded the clothes as they came out of the dryer too! $$$ Another Strategy
We did have lunch out again, saving $2.05. He gave me they exercise bike that they are not using so now I have an exercise bike in my small lounge room to use.
When I returned home one of the parcels that I am waiting on arrived an was sitting on my front porch for me. Everything was there too. I got two free gifts in the parcel. 3 savory trays value $29.95 and multi-tool value $7.95. I will now giveaway some of my savory trays and just keep these as I don’t go out much now days.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH lunch out*
DINNER Fillet Steak, Egg, Onion & Tomatoes Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $ 45.40
Today’s Savings - $ 39.95
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6711.88

Today he dropped by to pick up my ladder, as he plan to cut his front fig trees down. As his would not take me and the ladder, I drove up my self to help and watch take he doesn’t has an accident or so I could get help if did. Doing these kinds of jobs alone is not a good idea. We start around 9 am and by 11.30am we had all the trees cut down with a two small handsaws. We then went off to get a trailer to hire. I bought lunch at subway and we had this before we started to load the trailer for it first load to the dump. We have vouchers for the first 500kg each year for each household with our local council or its $7.50 per 100kg or part of. We didn’t know if we had enough vouchers so I came back home to pick up my vouchers and some pots to put over the trees stumps while DS took the first load to the dump 10km away. The load was 200kg so we still had vouchers left for next load. We got all rest of the trees on next loads, which came up to 300kg, and return the trailer with hour to spare on the hire time. They are hired in 4 hours lots.

He saved $350 by just hiring the trailer over the quote he got from the tree lopper and they were four small trees too! I got away with cost of lunch & gas, this time saving $2.30 on lunch with my senior card.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH lunch out*
DINNER Omelette with Cheese
SNACK Yoghurt & LSA

Today’s Full price Tally $7.85*
Today’s Savings - $ 2.30
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6474.81

I had a full schedule this morning with going the doctor for results on my blood test that I had last Friday. All is OK on that front. I had to catch the bus early this morning.

After I went to the bank so that I could pay half my car bill off my visa card so $350 off that bill and the same next month. Then I will pay no interest on the credit card at all. I am within the interest free time limit. The other amount is my debit bills on that CC. You may ask ‘Why do I still have Credit cards?’ Well it’s so that I can use them at time like this and carry no cash on me. I can’t close these cards and get new ones, as I am no longer in the workforce my income amount doesn’t allow me to reapply for any, if I do.

I went to lunch with ex-work friend at our usual restaurant, as it’s school holidays we had two of grandkids with us today. I saved $2.79 on my meal today. I only other item I bought today nail files at $2 store. I paid $2.00 for 4 metal nail files, the same nail files cost $4.95 each at the department store so saving $18.00 here.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH lunch out *
DINNER Omelette with Cheese Yogurt & LSA Coffee 40

Today’s Full price Tally $387.63
Today’s Savings - $ 20.79
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6439.50

First it’s was off to the Chiro which I have prepaid all my visits until next year, but I get my refund when I have the treatment each time. Refund of $19.40.

I had lunch at McDonald’s today, Thai chicken roll & coffee $5.45 saving $1.50 on the coffee with senior discount card.

Then off to see my doctor for a check up as it’s a while since I have seen him, and asked for half yearly blood checks to be done and blood pressure check as I have low blood pressure. I got names of Dermatologists to ring for appointment, which I will get a referral when I see him next week. I remembered to tell him that I have a hearing aid now. He has just come back from trip to Europe. As a pensioner I get this visit FREE too! Saving $30.00

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH lunch out *
DINNER Pumpkin & Lentil Stew with Garlic Focaccia Bread

Today’s Full price Tally $35.45*
Today’s Savings - $50.90
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6254.86

Went to the city today to have hearing aid final check on it too! While I was paying my phone bill which is next door to my health fund in the city. I dropped in to ask if I do get a refund on my share of the cost of the hearing aid. To my surprise the answer was yes, as I had the receipt with me. So I got a refund of $239.00 on what I had paid. Not bad since my share was $264.

I had lunch in the city, small burger and coffee save $1.50 here.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee
LUNCH Grilled Cheese with Mustard Toasted Slices Apple Coffee
DINNER Devilled Sausages with Garlic Focaccia Bread Coffee

Today’s Full price Tally $38.65
Today’s Savings - $240.50
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $6121.76

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

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

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

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

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

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

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