What's Taking Up Space In Your Pantry ?

During the Cheapskates workshop in Adelaide last year, I mentioned that I removed a few non food items from my pantry that were taking up space. Since then I've received a few messages and emails from participants who found this to be a light bulb moment.

So this week's topic is " What's taking up space in your pantry ? " My pantry is 88cm wide X 57cm deep X 2.06 metres high. Not large by any stretch of the imagination but I can fit a lot in there. At the workshop I showed a photo of my very neat pantry. There were a few giggles about how neat it is. how many containers I have and how everything is in neat rows with ALL labels facing the front. A bit OCD ? Maybe, but when everything is neat and well stacked I can fit so much in.

I mentioned at the workshop that I only use my pantry to store food in. There are no empty containers, no extra rolls of paper towel, no toilet paper, no appliances, no cleaning products, no boxes of tissues, no canning jars and no cat food. These items are either stored in my garden shed or in the appropriate room ( cleaning products in the laundry etc ).

Once non food items are removed from the pantry, you might be suprised at how much space you have. For me, space means stockpiling and stockpiling means peace of mind.

This week I'd like to challenge you with two questions -

* Do you have non food items taking up valuable space in my pantry ?

* Can you relocate the non food items and start a healthy stockpile ?

Do you think I have enough tea bags ?

I like nice neat rows.

This Week's Frugal Tasks Saturday 30th July 2016

Hi everyone.  Well,  the house is a mess,  there are boxes everywhere and my kitchen has been packed up ready for demolition on Monday.  My new kitchen has been loaded onto the truck and is ready for delivery.  So exciting !!!  Please excuse my short frugal list this week.  As you can imagine I've had very full days.  I've also been working on some blog posts for the next couple of weeks.  Here's what else I got up to -

*  Froze two single serves of leftovers.

*  Closed the heating vents and doors in my girl's bedrooms when they weren't home.  Turned their power points off too.

*  Baked four loaves of wholemeal bread with extra goodness.

*  Picked up some paint swatches ( cards ) from Bunnings to use in my card making.

*  Filled up the dish washing detergent bottle and diluted the liquid.  I noticed the pump was starting to break.  I found a replacement out in my garden shed.  I keep a bags of spare bottles,  pumps and spray bottles as I never know when I'll need them.

*  Made a pot of soup for dinner one night using chicken stock I'd made in the slow cooker.  The chicken carcass used was from the catering job back in May.  I think I still have another 8 - 10 carcasses left in the freezer.  They make a very cheap meal.

*  We started running out of cardboard boxes for packing up our kitchen,  bookcases and fragile items.  Bunnings was a great source of free boxes.

*  When Jessica was packing up her room,  she found a pile of envelopes.  I cut them up ready to use to make some cards.

*  Saved the shower warm up water for the washing machine.  Saved the washing machine water for each next load.  Saved water from the kitchen tap ( washing hands etc ) to rinse and soak the saucepans.

*  Picked the first broccoli head of the season from our garden.  Very yummy indeed.

*  Made a batch of gravy powder.

*  Gratefully received a fuel discount docket in the mail.  Thankyou Tania  xoxo.

*  Made lots of cards to sell to a friend.

My temporary kitchen.

Trying to have everything I'll need for two weeks

Making the most of under the dining table

Our broccoli

More boxes

Card making

What did you do this week to save time,  money and energy ?

Grocery Specials Wednesday 27th July 2016

Here are this week's best grocery specials -

COLES -

*  Arnott’s Shapes Multipack Crackers 250g1/2 PRICE Was $3.99, Save $2.00  Now $1.99 each.  I don't buy this sort of thing but at half price,  I seems like a good deal.

*  SunRice Basmati Rice 5kg1/2 PRICE Was $18.00, Save $9.00  Now $9.00 each

*  Gold Choice Oil 4 Litre1/2 PRICE Was $18.00, Save $10.00  Now $8.00 each

*  Golden Circle Tetra Fruit Drink 1 Litre1/2 PRICE Excludes Pineapple, Tomato & Nectar.

Was $2.05, Save $1.03  Now $1.02 each

*  Arnott’s Tiny Teddy Multipack Biscuits 210g-250g1/2 PRICE Was $4.00, Save $2.00  Now $2.00 each

*  Vegeta Stock Powder 180g-250g Save $2.18  Now 2 for $5.00

*  Kraft Crunchy Peanut Butter 500g1/2 PRICE Was $5.68, Save $2.84  Now $2.84 each

*  ASC Basa Fillets Thawed1/2 PRICE From the Deli.Was $11.00, Save $5.50 kg Now $5.50 kg

*  Tip Top Café Raisin Toast 650g1/2 PRICE Was $5.90, Save $2.95  Now $2.95 each

*  Rexona Roll On Antiperspirant Deodorant 50mL1/2 PRICE Was $4.00, Save $2.00  Now $2.00 each

*  Garnier Fructis Shampoo or Conditioner 250mL1/2 PRICE Was $5.44, Save $2.72  Now $2.72 each

*  Redwin Sorbolene Moisturiser 1 Litre1/2 PRICE Was $6.25, Save $3.13  Now $3.12 each

*  Schwarzkopf Live Salon Hair Colour 1 Pack1/2 PRICE Was $13.95, Save $6.98  Now $6.97 each

*  Duracell Ultra AA Batteries 10 Pack1/2 PRICE Was $16.25, Save $8.13  Now $8.12 each

*  1/2 PRICE all Wiltshire Bakeware

*  1/2 PRICE OFF selected Disney DVDs

WOOLWORTHS -

*  Pantene Shampoo or Conditioner 900ml Now $7.85 each1/2 Price, Save $7.85

*  IXL Conserve 600g Now $1.99 each1/2 Price, Save $2.00

*  Cadbury Cooking Chocolate 200-225g Now $2.09 each1/2 Price, Save $2.16

*  Sunrice Jasmine Rice 5 kg Now $6.65 each 1/2 Price, Save $6.85

*  Vaalia Yoghurt 900g Now $2.99 each1/2 Price, Save $3.00

*  Tip Top English Muffin Varieties Pk 6 Now $2.45 each1/2 Price, Save $2.45

*  Tip Top Raisin Toast 520g or Wholemeal Raisin Toast 600g Now $2.70 each1/2 Price, Save $2.70

*   Palmolive Dishwashing Liquid 700-750ml Now $2.74 each1/2 Price, Save $2.75

*   40% off All Inspire Bedroom Manchester

*  30% off All Inspire Bakeware & Jamie Oliver Kitchenware.

*  1/2 Price All Olay

*  Herbal Essences Shampoo or Conditioner 300ml Now $3.29 each1/2 Price, Save $3.30

*    40% off All Formula 10.0.16

*  20% off All 1000 Hour, Eylure, Nailene, Elegant Touch & Revlon Lashes

*  BabyLove Bulk Nappy Pants Pk 20-34 Now $8.50 each 1/2 Price, Save $8.50

*  30% off RRP All Bonds Active

*  Continental Cup a Soup 2 Serve 40-75g Now $1.00 each1/2 Price, Save $1.00

Hand Made Card Ideas July 2016

Here are the latest cards I've made mostly using items I already had on hand.

 Pamela from our card making group had the feet shape cutter. We all made sure we cut out lots of feet to make more cards in the future.

 A very simple but effective card using a butterfly shape punch.

 An old school atlas was used for the background.  Then black patterned paper was scrunched up and glued onto the map.  The corners were rolled up using a pencil.  Another map was stamped then the edges roughed up then glued on.  This makes a great men's card for any occasion.

This shabby chic card was made using a cream card and a page from an old book.  A couple of shapes of contrasting colors and a clock stamp was used in the middle. A button and a couple of pieces of feathers wool added to the corner.

This ladies shabby chic card was made using grey patterned card stock,  a small paper doily,  material or paper flowers and a little gift tag.  Layering is the key.

I just love this chicken card.  The chickens were made from different shapes.  The body is made from half a circle.  The comb is a little flower shape,  the wings are a heart and the tail is part of a flower shape.  The legs were drawn on and the ground is a roughed up piece of cardboard from a box.

This is a single easel card.  A4 card stock is cut in half lengthways then folded in half then that half folded again. Patterned card stock is glued to one of the folded portions.  If the patterned card stock is not very thick,  then mount it onto another piece to give it strength.  Add something to the bottom to keep the card upright.  I added kitchen twine then decorated as per the theme.

A side view

A simple Valentine's Day card using patterned paper,  ribbon,  a little bling and a heart. The writing was found on the internet and printed off.

This card uses scraps of paper, a doily and a butterfly cut out.  I glue the butterfly's body only so the wings can be folded out.  A couple of blings were added to the body.

This card uses a few layers, patterned paper ( from the internet ) and an old button in the corner.

A very simple yet stylish men's card using an embossing folder for the background,  similar colored strips of paper, kitchen twine and an old button.

This Week's Frugal Tasks Saturday 23rd July 2016

I had a lovely time away making cards with the ladies from the Cheapskates Club. We all pitched in and brought food and snacks to share.  I also spent Tuesday with Cath making more card to reinforce what we'd learnt over the weekend.  Here's what else I got up to this week -

*  Gratefully received lots of colored folders and car magazines from Joy at our card making weekend.  The magazines have wonderful photos of vintage cars that I can use to make men's cards.

*  Gratefully received a fuel docket in the mail.  Thankyou Tania.

*  Made lots of cards over the weekend that I will hopefully sell very shortly.

*  Pureed six oranges and portioned them into single serves to freeze.  They will be used throughout the year to make whole orange cake.

*  Cut up some wrapping paper to use in my card making.  The paper had little shoes and handbags on it.

*  Saved the inside of a few envelopes for card making.

*  Saved the shower water for the washing machine.  Saved the washing machine water for each next load

*  Picked two armfuls of lemons from our tree.  This coming week I'm hoping to pick and juice lots.

* Filled up all our cars when petrol was as low as $1.00 a litre.

*  Did my monthly food shopping on Friday and it came to $169.27.  This included three loaves of raisin bread ( one was marked down to $1 ),  two packets of crumpets,  one packet of breakfast muffins and some muesli bars for Megan ( school ).  I don't usually buy all these ready made things but with the kitchen renos starting shortly,  I won't be able to bake for a little while.  The crumpets and muffins will be handy for lunches on the run when we are packing and unpacking the whole house.

I'll still be doing weekly top ups of  milk  fruit and veg as needed.

*  Dried most of the washing on clothes horses with a few items dried in the dryer.

*  Turned the heater off for two days when it was a little warmer.  I also tried to close the curtains around 4.30pm each day when the air outside cooled down

*  Took my car to the mechanic because a couple of warning lights came on.  The mechanic checked everything over and couldn't find a fault.  He didn't charge me anything which was a huge blessing.

*  Made a whole orange cake for afternoon teas.  

A double easel card I learnt to make

A side view

Car magazines given at the weekend away

Some of my monthly grocery shop.

Cut outs - sorry for the bad lighting.

Our broccoli is almost ready to pick.

What frugal tasks did you complete this week ?      

Grocery Specials Wednesday 20th July 2016

Here are this week's best grocery specials -

COLES -

*  Lindt Excellence Block Chocolate 100g1/2 PRICE Was $4.00, Save $2.00  Now $2.00 each

*  Arnott’s Tim Tam Chocolate Biscuits 165g-200g1/2 PRICE Was $3.65, Save $1.83  Now $1.82 each

*  Arnott’s Shapes Light & Crispy Crackers 120g1/2 PRICE Was $3.00, Save $1.50  Now $1.50 each

*  Arnott’s Family Assorted Biscuits 500g1/2 PRICE Was $4.50, Save $2.25  Now $2.25 each

*  SunRice Jasmine Rice 5kg1/2 PRICE Was $13.50, Save $6.75  Now $6.75 each

*  TCC Coconut Milk 400mLWas $1.70, Save $0.70  Now $1.00 each

*  Heinz Big Red 420g1/2 PRICE Was $2.20, Save $1.20  Now $1.00 each

*  Edgell Black Beans 400gWas $1.95, Save $0.95  Now $1.00 each

*  Espressotoria Vittoria Espresso Coffee Capsules 12 Pack 78g1/2 PRICE Was $8.39, Save $4.20  Now $4.19 each

*  Espressotoria Capino Black Coffee Machine1/2 PRICE Was $99.00, Save $49.50  Now $49.50 each

*  Vittoria Mountain Grown Coffee Beans or Ground 1kg or Organic Coffee Beans 1kg1/2 PRICE

Was $36.70, Save $18.35  Now $18.35 each

*  Sargents Traditional Meat Pies 4 Pack 700g1/2 PRICE Was $7.65, Save $3.83  Now $3.82 each

*  Golden Crumpet Breaks 6 Pack1/2 PRICE Was $4.00, Save $2.00  Now $2.00 each

*  Tip Top Raisin Toast 520g1/2 PRICE Was $5.40, Save $2.70  Now $2.70 each

* Wattle Valley Soft Wraps 6 Pack 260g 1/2 PRICE Was $4.00, Save $2.00  Now$2.00 each

*  Redwin Sorbolene Moisturiser 1 Litre 1/2 PRICE Was $6.25, Save $3.13  Now $3.12 each

*  BabyLove Nappy Pants 20 Pack-34 Pack1/2 PRICE Was $16.99, Save $8.50  Now $8.49 each

*  Lux Body Wash 400mL1/2 PRICE Was $6.00, Save $3.00  Now $3.00 each

*  Norsca Anti-Perspirant Deodorant 245mL1/2 PRICE Was $5.99, Save $3.00  Now $2.99 each

*  Herbal Essences Shampoo or Conditioner 300mL1/2 PRICE Was $6.49, Save $3.25  Now $3.24 each

*  Dove Shampoo or Conditioner 640mL1/2 PRICE Was $11.89, Save $5.95  Now $5.94 each

* Buy any 2 and get the 3rd FREE on Colgate Dental or Palmolive Soaps or Body Wash

*  30% OFF all Maybelline

*  Brut Original Long Lasting Deodorant Body Spray 245mL1/2 PRICE Was $6.49, Save $3.25  $3.24 each

*  1/2 PRICE all Wiltshire Bakeware

*  Morning Fresh Dishwashing Liquid 900mL1/2 PRICE Was $6.95, Save $3.48  Now $3.47 each

*  Handee Ultra Paper Towel 4 Pack1/2 PRICE Was $5.20, Save $2.60  Now $2.60 each

*  20% OFF $30, $50, $100 iTunes Gift Cards Excludes $20 iTunes Gift Card 

WOOLWORTHS -

*  Cadbury Coco Dark Block 100g or Bubbly Block 155g Now $2.00 each1/2 Price, Save $2.00

*  Golden Circle Drink 1 Litre Now $1.00 each 1/2 Price, Save $1.05

*  Moccona Espresso Capsules Pk 16 Now $4.75 each1/2 Price, Save $4.75

*  Massel Gourmet Liquid Stock Varieties 1 Litre Now $1.99 each1/2 Price, Save $2.00

*  Riviana Basmati Rice 5 kg Now $8.99 each1/2 Price, Save $9.00

*  Annalisa Tomatoes or Seed Beans 400g Now $0.69 each1/2 Price, Save $0.69

*  Continental Cup-a-Soup 2 Serve 40-75g Now$1.00 each1/2 Price, Save $1.00

*  Heinz Condensed Soup Cans 420gNow $1.00 each1/2 Price, Save $1.20

*  EasiYo Yogurt Maker – Excludes Mini Maker  .Now $11.49 each 1/2 Price, Save $11.50

*  Golden Crumpets Rounds Pk 6 Now $1.65 each1/2 Price, Save $1.65

*   Tip Top Cafe Raisin Toast or Cafe Style Breakfast Toast 650g Now $2.95 each1/2 Price, Save $2.95

*  30% off all Fashion Stationery

*  1/2 Price all Essentials Storage

*  1/2 Price all Decor Tellfresh & Microsafe

*  Rexona Deodorant 90g/150ml Varieties Now $2.50 each1/2 Price, Save $2.50

*  Colgate ZigZag Toothbrush Pk 3Now $3.97 each1/2 Price, Save $3.98

*  Carefree Ultra Thins Pads Pk 10 Now $2.24 each1/2 Price, Save $2.25

*  30% off all L'Oreal & St Ives Skincare

*  1/2 price all Covergirl

*  Arnott’s Shapes 160-190g Now $1.50 each1/2 Price, Save $1.50