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 ?

Grocery Specials Wednesday 1st June 2016

Here are this week's best grocery specials -

COLES -

*  Arnott’s Cream Biscuits 200g-250g1/2 PRICE Was $2.85, Save $1.43  Now $1.42 each

*  Colgate Total Advanced Clean Toothpaste 190g1/2 PRICE Was $7.00, Save $3.50  Now $3.50 each

*  Moccona Freeze Dried Coffee 200g1/2 PRICE Was $18.36, Save $9.18  Now $9.18 each

*  Nestlé Block Chocolate 118g-200g1/2 PRICE Was $4.50, Save $2.25  Now $2.25 each

*  Pascall Family Bags or Sour Patch 185g-280g 1/2 PRICE Was $4.00, Save $2.00  Now $2.00 each.  Great for making rocky road.

*  Golden Circle Juice 2 Litre, Drink 6x250mL or Juice 6x200ml Excludes Pineapple 6x250mL.Save $2.20  Any 2 for $5.00

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

*  Tassal Salmon 410g1/2 PRICE Was $6.99, Save $3.50  Now $3.49 each

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

*  Campbell’s Country Ladle or Chunky Soup 495g-505g Save $2.58  2 for $4.00

*  Green’s Maple Flavoured Syrup 375g1/2 PRICE Was $3.19, Save $1.60  Now $1.59 each

*  Freedom Foods Bars 144g-210g1/2 PRICE Was $4.00, Save $2.00  Now $2.00 each

*  Moccona Café Classics 10 Pack 140g-150g1/2 PRICE Was $5.55, Save $2.78  Now $2.77 each

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

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

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

*  Playboy Men’s Body Spray 150mL1/2 PRICE Was $5.80, Save $2.90  Now $2.90 each

*  Sunsilk Shampoo or Conditioner 350mL1/2 PRICE Was $5.49, Save $2.75  Now $2.74 each

*  U By Kotex Ultrathins Regular Pads with Wings 14 Pack Was $5.00, Save $2.00  Now $3.00 each

*   Palmolive Body Butter Heavenly Vanilla Moisturising Body Wash 400mL1/2 PRICE

Was $6.80, Save $3.40  Now $3.40 each

*  Energizer Eco Advanced AA or AAA Batteries 10 Pack1/2 PRICE Was $16.97, Save $8.49  Now $8.48 each

*  Continental Cup a Soup 2 Serves 40g-75g1/2 PRICE Was $2.00, Save $1.00  Now $1.00 each

*  Allen’s Medium Bags 150g-200g1/2 PRICE Was $3.00, Save $1.50  Now $1.50 each

*  Sunsilk Shampoo or Conditioner 700mL1/2 PRICE Was $9.99, Save $5.00  Now $4.99 each

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

WOOLWORTHS -

*  Dynamo Laundry Liquid 2 Litre Now $8.24 each 1/2 Price, Save $8.25

*  Lindt Block 100g Now $2.00 each 1/2 Price, Save $2.00

*  Smith's Crinkle Cut Chips 170g Now $1.60 each 1/2 Price, Save $1.60

*  Spam 340g Now $2.45 each 1/2 Price, Save $2.45

*  25% off iTunes Gift Cards* *Excludes $20 iTunes Gift Card and Variable iTunes Gift Card

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

*  Espressotoria Capino Coffee Capsule Machine Now $49.50 each1/2 Price, Save $49.50

*  Kraft Peanut Butter 780g Now $3.99 each 1/2 Price, Save $4.00

*  Gold’n Canola Oil 4 Litre Now $9.00 each 1/2 Price, Save $9.00

*  Fountain Sauce Varieties 2 Litre Now $3.00 each 1/2 Price, Save $3.00

*  Tip Top English Muffin Varieties Pk 6 Now $2.45 each 1/2 Price, Save $2.45

*  Tip Top Raisin Toast 520g or Wholemeal Raisin Toast 600g Now $2.70 each 1/2 Price, Save $2.70

*  40% off* All Inspire Bedroom Manchester.May not be available in all stores. Colours, sizes and style may vary by store. While stocks last. *Excludes Memory Foam Pillow

*  Tontine I’m Low Allergenic Pillow Pk 2 Now $12.00 each1/2 Price, Save $12.00

*  Garnier Fructis Shampoo or Conditioner 700ml Now $6.00 each 1/2 Price, Save $6.00

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

*  Oral B 3D White Luxe Diamond Strong 95g Now $4.48 each1/2 Price, Save $4.51

*   40% off All L'Oreal Hair Colour & Model Co

*  Cold Power Laundry Powder 2 kg Now $7.50 each1/2 Price, Save $7.50

*  Morning Fresh Dishwashing Liquid 900ml Now $3.47 each1/2 Price, Save $3.48

*  Vileda SuperMocio Bucket & Wringer or 3 Action Mop Now $10.00 each Save $8.80

Please feel free to add any great specials you find.                                

Pizza Scrolls

Quite often I make mini quiches for the family or a catering order.  After the pastry shells have been cut out,  there's so much pastry left over.  It's always bugged me that the pastry goes to waste.  Just recently I had another catering order for 80 mini quiches.  With all that pastry left over,  I thought it was time to make something else from the scraps.  The following recipe is something I made up as I went along.  The result was yummy little pizza scrolls that my family enjoyed.  The rest were frozen for lunch box treats.

Scraps from puff pastry sheets
Sauce - I used tomato and bbq combined
Grated cheese
Mixed dried herbs.
Flour

Flour your kitchen bench then knead the pastry until it forms a ball.

Using a rolling pin ( or your hands ),  roll out the puff pastry until it resembles an oblong that's a few millimetres thick.  It might be a bit tough to work with.  When this happened,  I gave the pastry a 5 minute rest then continued rolling.

Spread the sauce over the pastry leaving 1 centremetre around the edges.

Sprinkle the herbs over the sauce and add the grated cheese still leaving an edge.

Roll the pastry lengthwise into a long log.

Cut the log into 2 - 3 centremetre pieces and place onto a lined baking tray.

Pinch the outer edge of the scroll to secure.

Cook at 180 degrees Celsius for approx, 20 minutes.

From the freezer

Fresh out of the oven

Pizza toppings just before rolling.

This Week's Frugal Tasks Saturday 28th May 2016

My frugal tasks list for the week doesn't have any big cook ups or major money busting jobs.  Instead I've spent a fair bit of the week looking at kitchens,  sinks,  door handles and bench tops.  Here's what I managed to get done in my free time -

*  Repaired a pair of Winter boots.  The soles were coming away from the upper.  So I used shoe glue to fix them.  I think they will last this year and next.

*  I went to the Cheapskates card making day and made 5 cards using what I had on hand.  I also gratefully received from the swap table - two mini stainless steel bowls I can use for cat food,  card embellishments,  card stock,  ribbons and Easter bags.  I also received a card making magazine with free stamps and a card making brochure.

*  Gratefully accepted some stickers someone left for me at church.  Thankyou.  They will be put to good use on my cards.

*  Lined both bathroom bins with bread bags.

*  Filled up my car with petrol at $1.08 per litre at a United petrol station.  At the moment they are about 7 cents a litre cheaper than the bigger petrol stations.

*  Dried the clothes on clothes horses over the ducted heating vents.  Only the bed sheets were put into the dryer.

*  Used a thermos to store boiling water in during the day.

*  Tried to keep to the two light rule whenever possible.

*  Fed the compost bin with kitchen scraps and fed the chooks some slightly old watermelon.

*  Gratefully received more silverbeet from my Dad.

*  Made a batch of dried seasoned bread crumbs.

*  Cut up school notices and other used photo copy paper to use as note paper on my mini magnetic clip board.

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

*  Found two more standby lights to turn off.  They were in the girl's bedrooms and I don't think they've noticed.

*  Gratefully received an envelope of card making stickers from my Cheapskate friend Chelsea.  Thankyou.

Lettuce ready to pick.

Daisies in the garden

Lots of rosemary

Making seasoned bread crumbs

What's on your frugal task list for this week ?

TV Story Links

Hi everyone.  I get countless requests for links to the stories I did for A Current Affair back in 2014.  Unfortunately the story clips only stay on their website for one year.  The producer I worked with has kindly given me a few links to share with you.  They will be available on  A Current Affair's website for the next 8 - 12 weeks.

I'm in the process of organising  permanent videos of my family's story and the Christmas story to be viewed on my blog.  Hopefully I can get that up and running with help from a friend in the next few weeks.

In the meantime,  happy viewing......

My family's story

http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/article/8864036/australias-tighest-family


 On the road helping families

http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/article/8885804/wendys-super-saving-tips


Getting a good deal when shopping.

http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/article/8932932/wendy-takes-us-undercover-and-shows-us-how-to-haggle-for-bargains


A Gower Christmas

http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/article/8941537/wendys-special-christmas-savings-guide

Grocery Specials Wednesday 25th May 2016

Here are this week's best grocery specials -

COLES -

*  Streets Magnum 4 Pack-6 Pack 250mL-428mL1/2 PRICE Was $7.99, Save $4.00  Now $3.99 each.  You can't get them cheaper than this.

*  Nescafé Gold 190g-200g1/2 PRICE Was $17.99, Save $9.00  Now $8.99 each

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

*  Dolmio Extra Pasta Sauce 490g-500g1/2 PRICE Was $3.29, Save $1.65  Now $1.64 each.  A great rice although a tin of tomatoes is cheaper.

*  Arnott’s Salada Crispbread 250g or Savoy Crackers 180g-225g Was $3.00, Save $1.00  Now $2.00 each

*  Arnott’s Tee Vee Snacks 175g 1/2 PRICE Was $3.65, Save $1.83  Now $1.82 each

*  Lindt Lindor or Creation Block 100g 1/2 PRICE Was $4.00, Save $2.00  Now $2.00 each

*  Arnott’s Shapes 160g-190g 1/2 PRICE NEW Hot Dog flavour only at Coles.Was $3.00, Save $1.50  Now $1.50 each

*  Golden Circle Tetra Drink 1 Litre1/2 PRICEExcludes Pineapple, Tomato & Nectar.Was $2.05, Save $1.03  Now $1.02 each

*  Mars Medium Funsize 144g-216g1/2 PRICE Was $4.60, Save $2.30  Now $2.30 each.  Do you have any birthday parties coming up ?

*  Peckish Snackers 100g1/2 PRICE Was $2.00, Save $1.00 Now $1.00 each

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

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

*  Masterfoods Squeezy Tomato Sauce 500mL1/2 PRICE Was $2.85, Save $1.43  Now $1.42 each

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

*  Campbell’s Fully Loaded Soup 505g1/2 PRICE Was $3.79, Save $1.90  Now $1.89 each

*   Cottee’s Jam 500gWas $3.35, Save $1.35  Now $2.00 each

*  Tetley Extra Strong Tea Bags 100 Pack1/2 PRICE Was $5.29, Save $2.65  Now $2.64 each

*  Yorkshire Tea 100 Pack 220g1/2 PRICE Was $5.00, Save $2.50  Now $2.50 each

*  Freedom Foods XO Crunch 285g1/2 PRICE Was $4.00, Save $2.00  Now $2.00 each

*  Governor’s Estate Tea 20 Pack 40g1/2 PRICE Was $4.99, Save $2.50  Now $2.49 each

* Balfours Frozen Pies 4 Pack 680g1/2 PRICE Was $7.50, Save $3.75  Now $3.75 each

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

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

*  Oral B Vitality Precision Clean Power Brush 1 Pack1/2 PRICE Was $50.00, Save $25.00  Now $25.00 each

*    Pantene Shampoo or Conditioner 350mL1/2 PRICE Was $7.89, Save $3.95  Now $3.94 each

*  1/2 PRICE OFF all Papermate & Sharpie

*  30% OFF all Décor Match Ups & Microsafe

*  30% OFF all Wiltshire Bakeware

*  Morning Fresh Dishwashing Liquid 400mL1/2 PRICE Was $3.95, Save $1.98  Now $1.97 each

*  Viva Paper Towel 3 Pack1/2 PRICE 82¢ per roll.Was $4.90, Save $2.45  Now $2.45 each

* Mars M&M’s or Maltesers 140g-180g1/2 PRICE Was $4.25, Save $2.13  Now $2.12 each

WOOLWORTHS -

*  Smith’s Crinkle or Doritos Chips 330gLarge value pack.Now $2.94 each 1/2 Price, Save $2.95

*  Lurpak Spread or Block 250g Now $2.70 each 1/2 Price, Save $2.70

*  Uncle Tobys Flavoured Oat Sachets 350-420g Pk 12 Now $2.74 each1/2 Price, Save $2.75

*  Golden Circle Juice 2 Litre Now $2.00 each Save $1.59

*  Sakata Rice Crackers 90-100g Now $1.16 each1/2 Price, Save $1.24

* Belvita Breakfast Biscuits 300g Now $2.00 each 1/2 Price, Save $2.00

*  Campbell’s Condensed Soup 400-430g Any 3 for $3.00 Save $2.94

*  Leggo’s Pasta Sauce Varieties 490-500g Now $1.50 each1/2 Price, Save $1.50

*  Golden Circle Corn 410g or Beetroot Slices 450g Now $0.85 each1/2 Price, Save $0.85

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

*  Campbell’s Real Stock Varieties 500ml Now $1.14 each1/2 Price, Save $1.15 

*  Birds Eye Chiko Roll 650g Pk 4 or Corn Jacks 575g Pk 5 Now $2.59 each1/2 Price, Save up to $2.80

*  Imported Freshwater Basa Fillets Seafood may not be available in all stores.Thawed for your convenience .Now $5.49 kg1/2 Price, Save $5.50 kg

*  Imported Smoked Cod Fillets^Seafood may not be available in all stores.^Thawed for your convenience .Now $10.00 kg Save $5.00 kg

*  Fresh Blue Grenadier (Hoki) Fillets Seafood may not be available in all stores Now .$12.00 kg Save $3.99 kg

*  Australian Cauliflower Australian Grown.$1.50 each

*  Australian Kent Pumpkin Australian Grown.$0.80 kg

*  30% off All Winter Manchester

*  Fuji Xerox Copy Paper Performer A4 500 Sheets
May not be available in all stores. Colours, sizes and styles may vary by store. While stocks last.
Now $3.00 each1/2 Price, Save $3.00

*  Canon Printer Mg2965 Now $39.50 each1/2 Price, Save $39.50

*  Oral B Vitality Sensitive Clean Rechargeable Power Toothbrush Pk 1Now $22.30 each Better than 1/2 Price, Save $27.69

*  Oral B Vitality Precision Clean Rechargeable Power Toothbrush Pk 1 Now $22.30 each Better than 1/2 Price, Save $27.69

*  Oral B Pro Health Toothpaste 145g Now $2.90 each Better than 1/2 Price, Save $3.09

*  Dynamo Laundry Liquid 900ml-1 Litre Now $5.00 each1/2 Price, Save $5.00

*    Morning Fresh Dishwashing Liquid 400ml – Excludes Eco Range Now $1.97 each1/2 Price, Save $1.98
*  Golden Crumpets Rounds Pk 6 Now $1.65 each1/2 Price, Save $1.65

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

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

*  My Dog 400g – Excludes Home Recipe Now $1.00  each 1/2 Price,$1.05 

                                                  

Hand Made Card Ideas May 2016

Here are a few more ideas for making cards on a budget.  These cards were made in April at the monthly Cheapskates card making day..

Cath Armstrong from The Cheapskates Club saw a similar card to this in the shops for $2.  The original only had a tutu on a blank card.   Cath thought we could do better than that and this is what we came up with.  We used a bit of fluff from a costume.  Only 1 cm of fluff was needed but a couple of feathers from a colored duster will do the job too.   I embossed a piece of card and cut it to size.  A  strip of wrapping paper could be used on the left of the card.  The bodice was cut from glittery card stock but you could use any card stock and decorate with glitter pens.  The skirt was glued on first then the bodice was mounted with sticky foam dots.

This men's card was made using three different colored card glued onto a grey card. The clock in the middle is a sticker bought from the $2 shop. I think 6 clocks come on a sheet. Alternatively you could use a stamp or a picture of a clock cut out of a jewellery catalogue.  The striped paper is card stock but wrapping paper will do the job nicely.

Continuing to reuse what we have,  this card was made using a map from an old Melway, street directory or atlas.  I'm sure most of us have an old school atlas on the bookshelf.  I also see them in op shops for a few dollars.  Alternatively you could go to tourist information centre and grab a couple of local maps.

Using up bits and pieces was the theme for this card.  We used circle punches to get perfect circles.  Alternatively you could cut squares out of scrap bits of paper.  The birthday cake is a stamp that was colored in.  We sponged on a little bit of ink around the edges and roughed it up.

The flowers on this card were bought from a craft shop for $1.99 with 40 in the packet.  The ribbon is a scrap glued on with a glue stick.

Here's the inside of the flower card.  The presents were cut and folded on the insert then decorated with scrap bits of wrapping paper,  ribbon and bows.  The insert was glued in last.


I hope you've been inspired to gives some of these designs a go.