Cashing Up The Pig

The piggy bank is full again - for the second time this year so far. The total is $79. Added to April's total of $85.95 gives us $164.95 saved in loose change.

I love savings that can happen almost effortlessly. The money has been deposited into the bank and will be used towards special food & treats for Christmas.

Now to start the process again! How are your savings going?

Cleaning the Fridge

I don't really like cleaning, but as I meal plan it's helpful to know what I have on hand as I make up my shopping list. Why buy sour cream etc.. if I already have it at home? It also helps use vegetables before they go yucky - I have 3 zucchini's leftover and some diced bacon, this will make a nice zucchini slice for lunch on Saturday all for "free".

So here is before:

And here is after:

There were a few bottles of dressing that had expired, a small bowl with spaghetti that had dried out, and half a lemon that had withered. I am pretty pleased with the fridge mainly needing a good wipe over and tidy.

This Thursday is my big shop so it won't be empty for long. I will post my meal plan tomorrow when it's finished, although I am thinking of joining in Menu Plan Monday - maybe I'll do a pantry challenge and see if I can stretch what's already in the house til then. Mmmm - I'll ponder on that...

Time Off For Good Behaviour

I have had a few days away from the computer - my husband bought me Breaking Dawn (book 4 in the Twilight series) for Christmas and this year has been so full that I haven't yet been able to read it. On Sunday night with hubby and the older boys out, Missy Noodle requested that we watch Twilight on DVD.

Afterwards I was just in the mood for more - so I thought I would read Breaking Dawn - but with a 7 month break between this book and the last, I could barely remember the third book at all! So I read half of Twilight on Sunday night - and then finished it, New Moon and Eclipse on Monday. Then Tuesday I had a meeting and as soon as they were out the door - I read Breaking Dawn!

My eyes are a little exhausted and the laundry could definately use some attention - but I enjoyed every minute of it!!

Can I make this frugal though? Yes - an unused/unread book is a waste of money - but once it is read and enjoyed it's value is much more appreciated.

Oh well - I tried!

Frugal Thought #1

Do not take your husband to the supermarket for a"just a couple of snacks"!! Are you reading this? Yes, Suzanne I am talking to you! Do Not do it!

Last night we picked up a few DVD's and then hubby asked what snacks did we have? I told him about the fruit & nut mix, the eclairs left from last week, and the portello drink. We ended up going to the supermarket and $32.45 later we have mini donuts, pepsi, a cheesecake, salt & vinegar chips, jersey caramels and hot dogs for dinner - because it's now to late to do a nachos from scratch (his words not mine). The only thing we bought that I actually needed were large zip lock bags.

I have a headache just thinking about it! Was I there? Could I have put a stop to some of it? Yes. But I am weak - throw me in the creek.

I really need to plan Friday nights better.

Meal Planning and other disasters...

I did most of the meal plan yesterday and finished it off this morning after checking one of the supermarkets online catelogue that is only posted on Thursday mornings.


But I really didn't feel like it... am feeling a little "who cares" in the food department. But knowing I was going to post this kicked me into gear and helped keep me accountable - which is one of the main reason I started blogging about all of this in the first place.


So here are the fortnights meals:

Thursday: Noodles (kids choice - as in 2 min - I'm glad hubby & I won't be here!)
Friday: Sizzle Steak Burgers with chips
Saturday: Nacho's
Sunday: Chicken & vege soup with rolls (held over from last week due to the winter heatwave)
Monday: Corned Beef, mash potato & vege with parsley sauce
Tuesday: Bacon Tortellini
Wednesday: Sheperd's Pie with sweet potato mash topping

Thursday: Macaroni Cheese (kids only)
Friday: Homemade Pizza
Saturday: Fish & Chips
Sunday: Chicken drumsticks, poato bake & vege
Monday: Lamb Curry with couscous
Tuesday: Beef & mushroom casserole
Wednesday: Chicken satay with rice


This fortnight I am going to keep a list of what we actually end up eating. Last fortnight we did a bit of changing around, but I can't remember exactly what and when. I want to know if I am feeling lazy on certain nights - should I plan an easier menu? Should I spend some time doing a mini OAMC for meat & sauce for spaghetti etc...

Will let you know how it goes!

Sick Days

The last few days have been busy as I have been caring for my 9yr old daughter - she has had a fever and exhaustion since Sunday night. There have been lots of cuddles, panadol and napping draped over Mum. I was told "you are the best Mum in the world for me" - I feel so loved and blessed - even during sickness special memories are made.

I hope to do a more frugal post later - my fortnightly planning on Wednesday to prepare for shopping on Thursday.

Financial Friday

Every Friday morning I sit at my computer and do our bills, bpaying & saving for the week. The pays come in over night and I like to get our money organised straight away.

I have a green folder that holds our budget on the first page, and has seperate sections for keeping track of a variety of budget categories within a few bank accounts. I keep a paper record of all our transactions. I tried Excel in the past, but for me paper works best.

I have just finished doing our finances for this week and we are closer to a few of our goal amounts. Our emergency fund has $339.11 - I am pretty happy with it's growth since we only started it a few weeks ago.

We have a bit of our tax refund left and my husband and I will be discussing tomorrow a few of the purchases we would like to make with it - mainly camping equipment to finish off our preparations for our family camping trip to Fraser Island in 6 weeks.

Only 6 weeks to go!! I thought it was a little further off then that! I really need to get organised with our meal plan for the trip. I am so looking forward to relaxing and vegging out. And there aren't that many places to shop either - probably a good thing. ;-)