Grocery Specials Wednesday 8th April 2015

Here are the best specials I found this week.  I hope it saves you lots of money -

COLES -

*  Continental Cup A Soups 2 serves Half price at $1

*  Gluten Free Weet Bix half price at $2.23 for 375 g.  I don't need to buy these but it seems like a good price for those who need them

*  1 kg bag of Australian carrots half price at $1.

*  Lucas Paw Paw ointment half price for a 25 g tube at $2.95

*  Radox shower gel 500 ml half price at $3.05.

WOOLWORTHS

* Golden crumpet rounds half price at $1.55 for a 6 pack

*  Australian Legs Of Lamb $7.99 kg.  If you can't get to a Tasman Meats in Victoria where they sell them for $6.99 kg,  then this is a great price.

*  Celery whole bunch $1 offer ends 9 / 4 / 15

Feel free to post any great specials you have found

Card Making On A Budget

Recently I've taken up card making in a big way.  As you know I'm on a tight budget and cannot afford all the fancy gizmos and gadgets that are used to make beautiful cards.  The stamps,  card stock,  cut outs,  hole punches,  tape,  water pens,  ink pads etc etc etc and the list goes on.  Sure,  I'd love to buy a few items some time in the future if the price is right.  But for now I've made do with what I had on hand and only purchased the blank cards and envelopes.

My first attempt at card making.

I'm no expert by any stretch of the imagination and wouldn't dream of showing you how to make amazing cards.  I just thought it would be helpful to let you know how I've made my cards for under 50 cents each.

Firstly I bought some blank cards from the $2 shop.  Other cheap shops sell them but you'll be paying $2.50 plus per pack.  Remember,  I'm doing this to save money not to spend any more than I need to.  Check the pack to see how many cards are in there and that envelopes are included.  Some will have 6 or 8 cards.  I always choose the 8 card packs.

Some of my card supplies.

Make sure you pick colors you can use.  No point in picking brown cards if no one likes the color.  I choose pale pink,  pale green,  white and purple to start with.  Since then I've added red,  cream and dark pink to the collection. Some $2 shops sell packets of A4 colored card.  I found some in a beautiful pearly purple color and there were 6 sheets in there.  I cut each sheet in half getting 12 cards for $2.  There were no envelopes with it but I can make these easily with plain paper I have on hand.  Spotlight also sells packets of A4 card 20 per pack for just under $5.  Cut each one in half to get 40 cards.


I already had some stamps and two ink pads ( purple and pink )  bought in a discount store many years ago.  If you have children,  dig through their craft boxes to see if they have stamps and ink pads.  If not,  you only need to purchase a few basic ones to get started.   E bay might be an option for you.  Here are the ones I have.

My old ink pads that are over 10 years old.

Many uses for these few stamps.

A Spotlight clearance bargain for $6

I purchased the paper doilies from Kmart but $2 shops also sell packets of them.  If you buy the smallest size available you'll get many more in the pack.

Doilies are punch outs.

Other items that you'll have on hand are -

*  Wrapping paper.  Look for ones that have pictures to cut out.  Also paper with writing on like happy birthday are great too.  You can cut out the writing to stick on the cards..  Have a dig in your wrapping paper box.  I did and was amazed at what I could use. Make sure you save any usable wrapping paper from birthday parties.  Even scraps can be used as a border strip down the side of the card.

Paper from my present box.

*  Buttons,  lace,  ribbon,   beads,  sequins,  stickers and old birthday cards are all handy to use.  Start saving anything that's useful.  Even scraps.  Save the ribbon from toiletry packs,  presents and clothing,   Op shops are worth checking too.  Christmas garlands come on clearance on Boxing Day.

Christmas garlands bought on clearance.

Embellishments picked up over the years.

Recycled and bought ribbon.

*  Glue sticks,  PVA glue and a hot glue guns are all useful tools.  I always have a heap of glue sticks for school use.  These are great for sticking paper bits onto the card.  PVA is for sticking card cut outs onto to card if you think the glue stick isn't strong enough.  I use the hot glue gun for embellishments like buttons and material flowers.

Gluing and cutting tools.

*   Magazines.  Do you have any gardening magazines or homemaking ones ?  You could find plenty to cut out from them. . 


HANDY HINTS -

*  Before you start sticking things onto your card,  place all the bits onto the card to see if it looks right.  Then go for it.

*  Clean your stamps in between uses.  Some people use baby wipes.  I just use water and a tissue to blot the water away.

*  If you make a card you really like,  get a production line going and make a few.  Maybe in different colors.  This will save you lots of time.

*  Keep all your card making supplies in a box.  Having it all in one place makes life easier.  If you're in the mood for card making you just need to grab your box.  Easy  !!!


Are you inspired to have a go at card making ? 

Happy Easter Sunday

The Gower family would like to wish you a very happy Easter.  We hope you are able to spend some time with family and friends reflecting on the meaning of Easter - Jesus dying and raising to life again so that we might have eternal life if we believe.

Here are some photos from our Easter display that Megan had fun setting up -

This Week's Frugal Tasks 4th April 2015

For the third year running,  Darren and I have had the pleasure of making our own hot cross buns. They are a labour of love but really worth the effort.  It was the highlight of our week.  Here's what else we got up to -

*  Sorted out the freebies from the flower show and stored them in my garden shed.

*  Ripped up some school notices to use as note paper.  I bought a magnetic clipboard a few years ago from a $2 shop.  It came with a note pad but once I used it up I started using school notices.  It's the perfect size for a weekly shopping list or a  "To Do" list.

*  Washed the dishes by hand a few nights this week when there wasn't enough to put the dishwasher on.

*  Made a few more birthday cards.

*  Picked the first crop of lemons from our tree for this season.

*  Gratefully received two big Queensland Blue pumpkins from my friend Cath.  Megan has put her order in for pumpkin soup.

*  Picked 10 - 15 raspberries each day.

*  Bought a big bag of apples from the fruit and veg shop bargain table for $1.  There were about 15 - 20 apples in the bag and they all looked good.

*  Saved lots of warm up water and shower water for the washing machine.

*  Froze three serves of left over beef stew and two of tuna pasta bake.  I'll have to put freezer meals on the menu again as they keep piling up.

*  Darren and I made two dozen hot cross buns.  We've eaten some fresh,  some toasted under the grill and the rest are for the freezer.  Our freezer gets fed well doesn't it ?

*  Planted out the broccoli seedlings I've grown from seed.

*  Gratefully received some fruit salad, sandwiches and small desserts.

Freebies from the flower show

First lemons of the season.

$1 a bag apples.

My clipboard note pad.

Homemade hot cross buns.

Part of our Easter display

* What things have you done this week to save time,  money and energy?

Melbourne International Flower Show Photos Part 1

Darren and I had a lovely day out last Thursday.  We went to the Melbourne International Flower Show held at the Royal Exhibition Buildings. The last time we were there was 15 years ago when Megan was a newborn baby in a pram and Jessica was 2 1/2 and riding in a stroller.

It was wonderful to have a day out together. The weather was mild,  the flowers were beautiful to look at and we enjoyed gathering information and freebies.  Gardening is something we've always done together as we strive to be semi self sufficient.

Here are a few photos for you to enjoy -

The Digger's Club display.

Don Bourke in action.  He pointed to me and said "  The lady with the camera might have children."  I think I was the youngest one there by about 20 years  !!

Royal Exhibition Building

Anyone hungry ?

More photos to come next week.

Grocery Specials Wednesday 1st April 2015

At this time of the year there is lots of chocolate,  junk food,  fish and gift cards on sale in the supermarkets.  Keep in mind that the supermarkets want your money and they'll do anything to get you into the store with your wallet or purse in hand. 

Here are the best of the deals I found -

COLES -

*  Cadbury Dairy Milk Easter Bunnies 80 grams 1/2 price at $1.85 each.

*  Tip Top English Muffins 6 pack 1/2 price at $2.35

*  Bulla Splits Icecreams 10 pack 1/2 price at $3.07.  We buy these on the odd occasion as a treat.

*  Sistema Plastic Containers 1/2 price.

*  30% off Energizer batteries

WOOLWOTHS -

*  Energizer batteries  AA and AAA at 1/2 price

*  30% off all toys

*  1/2 price off all Telfresh and Realseal containers.

*  1/2 price Morning Fresh dish washing liquid.

Fruit And Vegetables Are Cheap To Eat.

Have you seen the news reports and tv shows claiming that fruit is too dear to buy ?    So many times over the years the media tells us that low income families can't afford to buy fruit and vegetables and that junk food is a cheaper option.  WHAT ROT  !!!!

Darren and I always shake our heads at the tv.  We firmly tell the tv that we've always been able to afford to eat healthy.  It's probably quite comical to watch us talking to a tv but I get so frustrated.  There is no excuse for poor shopping habits.  There is enough information available to educate us about the health benefits of fruit and vegetables.

For starters,  it's what our body knows.  They are whole foods created to nourish our bodies.  Fruit and vegetables are full of anti oxidants,  vitamins and minerals.  They provide fibre to keep us regular which in turn gets rid of the toxins in our bodies.   I know I'd much rather get my vitamins and minerals from fruit and vegetables than from a multi - vitamin.

Yes,  at times some fruits and vegetables can be expensive.  The trick is to avoid buying them just because you want them.  Here's what I do to reduce my fruit and veg bill -

*  Look at your menu plan and write a list of items needed.

*  Take a detailed shopping list with you when you shop.  Specify what you need and how many.

*  If some items are too expensive,  be prepared to substitute or go without.  Bananas are a great example of this.  Their price can range from 79 cents a kilo up to $5.99 a kilo with no real reason for the price changes.  When they are too dear I buy a few extra apples or find something else.

*  Know your prices.  I won't pay more than $2.99 a kilo for bananas,  apples and grapes.

*  Buy in season.  It sounds obvious but I see so many people buying strawberries in Winter for $5.99 a punnet.  In Summer they can be under $1.  Buying in season means you are buying better quality and the nutrients are at their best.

*  Pick your fruit and veg over.  Do not buy soft fruit unless you are going to eat it that day.

*  Potatoes are always cheaper by the bag.  Check the inside of the bag to make sure they are not green.

*  Fruit and veg shops are almost always cheaper than supermarkets.

*  Check the bargain table at your fruit and veg shop.  Only buy reduced items if you can use them withing a few days.

*  Grow your own.  Even if you only grow lettuce in a pot this could save you $50 - $100 a year.  Lettuce costs on average $1.99 each.  Buy one a week and you are up for $103.48 per year.  A packet of seeds costs about $3 and lasts a few years.

*  When vegetables are cheap,  buy lots,  blanch and freeze for future meals.

This fruit haul cost  $9.88 and lasted one week.  That's $2.47 per person per week or 35 cents per person per day.  You can't quite see every piece of fruit in the photo but there was plenty to eat each day.

I can't think of any store bought snack that only costs 35 cents per serve that is as healthy,  nutritious
and filling.  Can you ?