This Week's Frugal Tasks Saturday 18th June 2016

This week seemed to fly by without me noticing.  My days were filled with errands,  appointments,  food shopping,  housework and looking at new carpet and flooring.  Here's what I managed to get done in the frugal department -

*  We went to the football on Monday as a family outing.  We took snacks and bottles of water with us and only bought hot chips for lunch.

*  Refilled all the foaming hand wash pumps using watered down shower gel. The one in my bathroom was a new one so I tipped half into another pump and topped up both of them with water.

*  Made a big batch of pita chips for snacks.

*  Made a whole orange cake with pureed orange from the freezer.  This recipe makes a large cake so this time I made a smaller ring cake for us and a small loaf cake for morning tea at church.

*  Gratefully received a couple of fuel dockets from Tania and Rachel Ann.  Thankyou  xoxo

*  Dried the washing on the line on Wednesday including the bed sheets which usually go in the dryer at this time of the year.

*  Found another silicon baking mould from the op shop for $1.99 that can be used for soap making.

*  Megan found a birthday present for a friend in our present cupboard ( top of Jessica's wardrobe ) and a hand made card from my card box.

*   Saved a few more envelopes that had pretty patterns inside. They'll be used  for card making

*  Mended two pairs of socks.

*  Froze three single serves of leftovers.  I'm trying to build up my stockpile again as they will be needed when the kitchen is being replaced.

*  Bought lots of packets of choc bits on sale in Coles.  At $2.09 they are worthy of clearing the supermarket shelf.  .

*  Kept the heater off on days I was doing lots of housework.

*  Saved lots of shower and washing machine water for each next load.

*  Made a double batch of pumpkin scones sing cooked pureed pumpkin from the freezer.  The scones were frozen for morning teas.

*  Darren's birthday was on Friday.  Instead of going out for dinner he opted to have a roast leg of lamb at home and a bought birthday cake.  We still saved a small fortune by eating at home.  It was much quieter than a noisy restaurant too.

Pumpkin scones

Whole orange cake

Pita chips

Saving the washing machine water

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

Grocery Specials Wednesday 15th June 2016

Here are this week's best grocery specials -

COLES -

*   40% OFF Bonds

*  Lean Cuisine Balanced Serve Thai Green Chicken Curry 280g or Lamb & Rosemary Hot Pot 290g
1/2 PRICE Was $5.70, Save $2.85  Now $2.85 each.  Good for emergencies or if you can't cook.

*  Heinz Chunky Soup 520g-535g1/2 PRICE Was $3.59, Save $1.80  $Now 1.79 each

*  CSR Raw Sugar 2kg1/2 PRICE Was $3.50, Save $1.75  Now $1.75 each

*  Heinz Big Red 420g1/2 PRICE Was $2.20, Save $1.10  Now $1.10 each

*  Maharajah’s Choice Basmati Rice 5kg1/2 PRICE Was $17.50, Save $8.75  Now $8.75 each

*  Alfa One Rice Bran Oil 3 Litre1/2 PRICE Was $18.00, Save $9.00  Now $9.00 each

*  Arnott’s Marie or Milk Arrowroot Biscuits 250g1/2 PRICE Was $2.00, Save $1.00  Now $1.00 each

*  Lindt Lindor Gift Boxed Chocolate 147g-154g1/2 PRICE Was $12.00, Save $6.00  Now $6.00 each

*  Mars M&Ms, Maltesers or Pods 140g-180g Save $3.50  Any 2 for $5.00

*  Cadbury Cooking Chocolate Melts 225g1/2 PRICE Was $4.19, Save $2.10  Now $2.09 each

*  Vegeta Stock Powder 180g-250g Was $3.59, Save $1.59  Now $2.00 each

*   Peters Drumstick 16 Pack81¢ per cone.Was $22.50, Save $9.50  Now $13.00 each

*  Golden Crumpet Rounds 6 Pack1/2 PRICE Was $3.30, Save $1.65  Now $1.65 each

*  Mission Wraps 8 Pack 567g1/2 PRICE Was $5.00, Save $2.50  Now $2.50 each.  Stock up and store in the freezer.

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

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

*  Vanish Napisan Oxi Action Stain Remover 2kg1/2 PRICE Was $16.35, Save $8.18  Now $8.17 each

*  Dynamo Laundry Liquid 1 Litre1/2 PRICE Was $10.00, Save $5.00  Now $5.00 each

*  1/2 PRICE OFF all Décor Match Ups or Microsafe

*  Tresemme Shampoo or Conditioner 700mL-900mLBETTER THAN 1/2 PRICE Was $10.50, Save $5.50  Now $5.00 each.   It doesn't get any cheaper than this.

*  Frantelle Spring Water 24x600mL1/2 PRICE Was $11.00, Save $5.50  Now $5.50 each.  Great for sporting events,  holidays and parties.

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

*  Uncle Tobys Plus Antioxidant 765g1/2 PRICE Was $6.75, Save $3.38  Now $3.37 each  

WOOLWORTHS -

*  Campbell's Real Stock Varieties 1 Litre Now $1.99 each1/2 Price, Save $2.00

*  Arnott’s Chocolate Biscuits 160-250g Now $1.82 each1/2 Price, Save $1.83

*  Arnott’s Shapes 160-190g or Savoy Crackers 180-250g Now $2.00 each Save $1.00

*  The Natural Confectionery Co. Medium Bags 200-260g Now $2.00 each1/2 Price, Save $2.00

*  Nestle Cooking Chocolate 180-290g Now $2.00 each1/2 Price, Save $2.00

*  Campbell's Condensed Soup 400-430g Now $0.99 each1/2 Price, Save $0.99.  Stock up to make casseroles and pasta bakes.  It much cheaper than buying ready made sauces.

*  Campbell's Chunky or Country Ladle Soup 495-505g Now $1.64 each1/2 Price, Save $1.65

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

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

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

*  Golden Crumpet Breaks Pk 6 Now $1.99 each1/2 Price, Save $2.00

*  Australian Cauliflower Australian Grown.$1.90 each

*  Australian The Odd Bunch Carrot 1 kg Pack Australian Grown.$0.90 each

*  40% off all Olay

*  40% off all Dove

*  All Rimmel Face 1/2 Price

*  Nivea for Men Shave Gel Moisturising 200ml Now $2.99 each1/2 Price, Save $3.00

*  Brut Deodorant 150g Varieties Now $3.14 each1/2 Price, Save $3.15

*  20% off Vodafone Recharge, Verbatim USBs & Facebook Gift Cards

*  All Sistema Home Storage 1/2 Price

*  All Bonds Baby & Fashion Stationery 30% off

*  All Inspire Bathroom Manchester 40% off

*  Morning Fresh Dishwashing Liquid 400ml – Excludes Eco Range Now $1.97 each1/2 Price, Save $1.98

*  Birds Eye Oven Bake Fish 425g Now $4.39 each1/2 Price, Save $4.40

*  Continental Cup-a-Soup 2 Serve 40-75g or Continental Standard Pasta & Sauce 85-105g Now $1.00 each 1/2 Price, Save up to $1.10

  

                          

5 More Ways To Reuse Bread Bags

Who would have thought that the humble bread bag can be used so many ways ?  By reusing a bread bag,  you're saving money by not needing snap lock bags,  freezer bags,  nappy bags and cling wrap as often.  An added bonus is the environmental factor.  Less plastic going into landfill has to be good.

Here are 5 more tips for using your bread bags - 

*   Bread bags are great for putting dirty nappies in.  The bags are long enough that you can tie a knot in the top to prevent odour escaping.  Although nappy bags are reasonably cheap,  there's no need to buy them if you have bread bags in the house.

*  Use a bread bag to put your sandwich in.  After all,  the bag did originally contain a loaf of bread.

*  If you bake bread or rolls,  use a bread bag to store your homemade bread in the freezer.  I've been doing this for years and the bags can be used over and over again.  My use of new freezer bags has dwindled significantly.

*  Bread bags are great for coating meat in flour.  For example,  I like to make honey soy chicken drumsticks.  I add 2 - 3 tablespoons of plain flour to a bread bag.  Then I  drop a couple of drumsticks in,  fold the bag over a couple of times and give it a good shake.  The drumsticks come out evenly coated in flour and my hands remain clean.  This saves on washing a  sticky,  floury plate.

*  Pack a couple of bread bags in your suitcase.  They are perfect for storing dirty shoes..

Homemade bread in reused bread bags.  It just makes sense.

Bread rolls in reused pita bread bags

Ths Week's Frugal Tasks Saturday 11th June 2016

I'm on the home stretch with ordering everything for my new kitchen and flooring.  Lots of time has been spent getting the best deal,  researching,  picking colors,  putting down deposits and measuring.  Next week we'll be getting quotes for the flooring.  Then we'll get a few week's rest before the packing begins.

 In the $300 A Month Food Challenge at The Cheapskates Club I mentioned that I have too much food in my pantry.  Normally this wouldn't bother me.  Infact,  I love having lots of food.  But with the prospect of packing it all up for the new kitchen, I've realised we need to use up some of the food.  So until the kitchen is installed ( early August ),  I'll only be buying milk,  fruit and veg each week unless I run out of something.

Here's what I managed to get done this week -

*  Baked a batch of raspberry and white choc muffins to sell to a friend.

*  Made a large saucepan of creamed rice.  This was made from slightly over cooked rice that couldn't be use with a main meal.  I know rice is cheap and I did consider throwing it out but the family really enjoyed it as a dessert over the next few days.

*  We bought five new chickens that will give us eggs in about 9 - 10 weeks.  They re a little younger than the last ones we bought.  Megan is beside herself with happiness because they are so cute.

*  Dried the washing on clothes horses.  Only the sheets were put in the dryer.

*  Kept the heater off on the milder days or when the sun was shining.

* Baked four loaves of wholemeal bread with extra goodness.

*  Made a batch of natural yoghurt.  Then I used two tablespoons of the yoghurt to make vanilla yoghurt using this recipe.

*  Megan gave me a haircut.  I was tired of the rats tails at the bottom of my hair and didn't want to pay $20  $30 at the hairdressers.  I think Megan did a fabulous job.

*  Made some cranberry hootycreek  biscuits for morning teas.

*  Cooked a chicken curry in the slow cooker and froze three single serves of leftovers.

*  Saved lots of washing machine water and shower water to put back into the machine for each next load.  Saved water in the kitchen sink from drink bottles,  washing hands and the warm up water.  This was used to soak pots and scour dishes before putting the dishwasher.

*  Picked silverbeet from the garden for two meals.

*  Mended another shoe using shoe glue.

*  Only spent $6.10 on milk and veg for the week.  We had plenty of fruit left over from last week.

Our new babies.

Trying to get them to keep still.

Apricot tree

Pear tree changing color.

Picking my kitchen colors.

In full bloom

For a newborn baby

Jessica's birthday flowers

More of Jessica's birthday flowers

Even more of Jessica's birthday flowers

What did you get up to this week ?

Grocery Specials Wednesday 8th June 2016

Here are this week's best grocery specials -

COLES -

* Campbell’s Real Stock 1 Litre 1/2 PRICE Was $3.99, Save $2.00  Now $1.99 each

*  Cadbury Sharepacks 160g-180g1/2 PRICE Was $4.60, Save $2.30  Now $2.30 each

*  Smith's Crinkle Cut Potato Chips 170g 1/2 PRICE Was $3.20, Save $1.60  Now $1.60 each

*   Campbell’s Country Ladle or Chunky Soup 495g-505g 1/2 PRICE Was $3.29, Save $1.65  Now $1.64 each

*  SunRice Medium Grain Brown or White Rice 5kg1/2 PRICE Was $13.60, Save $6.80  Now 6.80 each

*  Gold Choice Canola, Sunflower or Vegetable Oil 4 Litre1/2 PRICE Was $18.00, Save $9.00  Now $9.00 each

*  La Española Rice Bran Oil 3 Litre 1/2 PRICE Was $18.00, Save $9.00  Now $9.00 each

*   Cadbury Boxed Favourites or Mini Blocks 320g1/2 PRICE Was $12.00, Save $6.00  Now $6.00 each

*  Sakata Rice Crackers 90g-100g1/2 PRICE Was $2.40, Save $1.20  Now $1.20 each

*  Darrell Lea BB’s 180g-200g1/2 PRICE Was $3.75, Save $1.88 Now $1.87 each

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

*  Lavazza Coffee Beans or Ground 500g1/2 PRICE Was $18.95, Save $9.48  Now $9.47 each

*  Four’N Twenty Traditional Pies 4 Pack 700g1/2 PRICEWas $8.00, Save $4.00  Now $4.00 each

*  Tip Top English Muffins 6 Pack1/2 PRICE Was $4.90, Save $2.45  Now $2.45 each

*  Palmolive Naturals Shower Gel 500mL1/2 PRICE Was $5.39, Save $2.70  Now $2.69 each

*  Macleans Extreme Clean White Toothpaste 170g1/2 PRICE Was $5.00, Save $2.50  Now $2.50 each

*  Norsca Anti-Perspirant Deodorant 150g1/2 PRICE Was $5.99, Save $3.00 Now $2.99 each

*  Brut Long Lasting Original Deodorant Body Spray 150g1/2 PRICE Was $6.49, Save $3.25 Now $3.24 each

*  L’Oréal Elvive Shampoo or Conditioner 250mL1/2 PRICE Was $5.95, Save $2.98  Now $2.97 each

*  L’Oréal Elvive Shampoo or Conditioner 700mL1/2 PRICEWas $13.95, Save $6.98  Now $6.97 each

*  Olay Moisturising Lotion 150mLWas $14.70, Save $6.70  Now $8.00 each

*  Bosisto’s Eucalyptus Oil 200mLWas $9.79, Save $2.79  Now $7.00 each.  This rarely comes on sale.  Great for making Miracle Spray.

*  Duck Fresh Discs Toilet Cleaner Primary 1 Pack1/2 PRICE Was $5.69, Save $2.85  Now $2.84 each

*  1/2 PRICE OFF all Sistema Klip It & To Go

WOOLWORTHS -

*  TRESemme Shampoo or Conditioner 750-900ml Now $5.25 each 1/2 Price, Save $5.25

*   1/2 Price all Decor Match-Ups & Tellfresh

*  Cadbury Blocks 290-350g Now $3.15 each 1/2 Price, Save $3.15

*  Sorbent Toilet Tissue Pk 10 30¢ per roll. Now $3.00 each1/2 Price, Save $3.49

*  Arnott’s Cream Biscuits 200-250g Now $1.42 each 1/2 Price, Save $1.43

*  Cheezels 110g Now $1.00 each 1/2 Price, Save $1.00

*  Heinz Baked Beanz or Spaghetti 420g Now $1.00 each1/2 Price, Save $1.09

*  Heinz Soup Condensed 420g Now $1.10 each1/2 Price, Save $1.10

*  1/2 Price* all Freedom Foods *Excludes Freedom Foods Vege Spread

*  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

*  Cinnamon Donuts Pk 12 Now $2.00 each1/2 Price, Save $2.00

*  Lynx Body Spray or Antiperspirant 96-100g Now $2.99 each1/2 Price, Save $2.99

*   30% off all Bonds Baby

*  20% off City Beach Gift Cards or Xbox 3 and 12 Month Subscription Cards

*  Energizer Max Batteries AA Pk 10 Now $6.58 each1/2 Price, Save $6.59

*  Vileda Dual Action Sponge Scourer Pk 3 Now $2.19 each1/2 Price, Save $2.20

*  Vanish Gold Oxi Action or Crystal White 2 kg Now $9.99 each1/2 Price, Save $10.00

*  Sunrice Medium Grain Rice 10 kg Now $12.00 each1/2 Price, Save $12.00

                                        

Cutting The Budget When There's Nothing Left To Cut - Part 3

Making ends meet can be a challenge when you don't have a lot of money in the first place.  Here are eight ideas that might put some money back into your purse -

*  Mend your clothes instead of buying new ones.   Buttons are easy to sew on and only takes a couple of minutes.  Many tops and cardigans have spare buttons sewn inside the item of clothing.  Torn seams are easy to sew up.  Just turn the clothing inside out and sew a few stitches.  It really is true that a stitch in time saves nine ( and it saves some money too ).

*  Throw out all the junk mail before the family sees it.  Having junk mail lying around the house fuels the urge to spend money.  Of course,  take the time to have a quick look yourself in case there are some grocery or clothing bargains.

*  To avoid all the unnecessary spending give yourself and your spouse a little bit of pocket money each week / fortnight or month.   Up until about four months ago I'd never had pocket money in the 20 years I've been married.  I'd never really needed it as I was just happy to spend money on groceries and household items when needed.  When our family budget had to be slashed late last year, we switched to a cash budget which meant we couldn't afford to put anything on the credit card except petrol ( too hard to carry that money around ).  To avoid denying ourselves completely Darren and I now get $15 a month each to spend any way we choose.  It might not sound like much but it's enough to buy a food treat / cuppa or in my case,  a small craft item.

*  Cancel magazine and newspaper subscriptions.  Many of these are available for free at your local library.  Maybe ask for a subscription as a birthday present instead.

*  Clean and declutter your home.  When your hands are busy you'll forget about the need to spend.  Having your home in order will give you peace and a longing to enjoy time relaxing in your nest.

*  Avoid overpriced restaurant meals. Instead,  invite your friends and family over for a meal where everyone brings a plate.

*  Read a book instead of turning the tv or computer on.  Reading doesn't cost anything and can be quite relaxing.  If you need something new to read,  go to your local library for inspiration.

*  Buy fruit and veggies in season to save lots of money.   Buying in season is when the food is at it's nutritional  best too.

This Week's Frugal Tasks 4th June 2016

This week has been a busy one. I'm suprised I got any frugal tasks completed.  Our new kitchen and appliances were picked out this week.  Next week I'll be picking out new carpet and floor boards.  Here's what else I got up to-

*  Gratefully received a hot water urn.  This came from a cleaning client who is moving house.  I've always wanted one of these but never got around to buying one.

*  Saved all the plastic wrapping  from Jessica's birthday flowers.  I'm very thankful that florists have changed from tissue paper to pretty patterned plastic wrap.  It's so much easier to save and can be reused a few times to wrap presents or flowers from the garden.

*  Cleaned the inside of the dishwasher with bi carb,  vinegar and Miracle Spray.

*  Had two extra days of work this week.  The money will go towards my future car purchase.

*  The family ate leftover freezer meals for one meal.

*  Picked silverbeet and lettuce from the garden to use in a couple of meals.

*  Filled up the car with petrol at $1.08 a litre just as it was going up everywhere else.

* Kept the heater off when possible by having the curtains wide open when the sun was shining.

*  Jessica had her birthday dinner at home instead of going out.  We had Krispy Fried Chicken,  roast potatoes and steamed veg for dinner.  Jessica isn't a big fan of cake so she asked for a watermelon cake.  For a birthday dessert treat I bought a box of Magnum icecreams on sale at half price.

*  Made some cranberry hootycreek biscuits using dough from the freezer.

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

*  Gratefully received some glass jars from a friend.

*  Made a batch of Miracle Spray after refilling all my spray bottles.  I never like to run low.

*  Refilled the foaming hand wash pumps with shower gel.

*  Saved lots of shower water and poured it into the washing machine.

*  Dried all the washing on clotheshorses over the ducted heating vents. 

I'm sorry but I couldn't take any new photos this week except for Jessica's " cake ".

Jessica's watermelon birthday cake

Krispy Fried Chicken and relish

Making Miracle Spray

Cranberry hootycreek biscuits.

What frugal tasks did you complete this week ?