tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122163157306498894.post7158546509091698098..comments2024-03-29T01:24:49.394+11:00Comments on My Abundant Life: This Week's Frugal Tasks 18th April 2015Wendy Gowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079131126381265901noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122163157306498894.post-43249653613616370482015-05-05T11:14:59.776+10:002015-05-05T11:14:59.776+10:00I hope you survived the storm ok.
Please let me k...I hope you survived the storm ok.<br /><br />Please let me know when you start a blog. I'll be one of your readers.Wendy Gowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01079131126381265901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122163157306498894.post-39983474977605441952015-05-05T11:02:04.824+10:002015-05-05T11:02:04.824+10:00Apologies for not replying to the question sooner...Apologies for not replying to the question sooner however that Monday afternoon we were hit by an incredible storm, wind, rain that went for several days and equalled no power, fallen trees, etc. Re a blog.... I've often thought of having one but being on the recovery journey from a brain injury I know I haven't reached that point of being able to create one. One day I'll reach that point :)<br /><br />Enjoy a wonderful week.<br />WendyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122163157306498894.post-50188756168151406032015-04-28T23:07:13.511+10:002015-04-28T23:07:13.511+10:00It definitely makes me feel good Wendy
I have had...It definitely makes me feel good Wendy <br />I have had to change and swap a few meals on my plan here and there due to parties work and mum leaving for overseas but other wise things have been slowly coming together and I have noticed that I actually have a lot more money on hand if need be. Which is absolutely fab!!! <br />Mums going to come over this Saturday to give me a hand with de cluttering and will releive me of some of the kids clothes that are a bit uncontrollable at the moment can't wait to share my frugal tasks have a lovely weekAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06447133944172668925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122163157306498894.post-63055090313947887842015-04-21T11:44:31.717+10:002015-04-21T11:44:31.717+10:00Tania, I think you had a well rounded frugal week...Tania, I think you had a well rounded frugal week.Wendy Gowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01079131126381265901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122163157306498894.post-44081040694899867622015-04-21T11:42:43.882+10:002015-04-21T11:42:43.882+10:00Sue, it sounds like you made your holiday work fo...Sue, it sounds like you made your holiday work for you with all those savings.Wendy Gowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01079131126381265901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122163157306498894.post-40852338690884792412015-04-20T22:30:14.179+10:002015-04-20T22:30:14.179+10:00Wow Wendy so much has been happening at your place...Wow Wendy so much has been happening at your place.<br /><br />Those cards are so pretty, you certainly have the crafty touch. I too have been saving and cutting from magazines etc to make cards. Annabel has inspired us all!<br /><br />Your cooking always looks so nice and delicious! That is a lot of sausage rolls to make in one hit.<br /><br />Lots of lovelies in your garden too...<br /><br />My frugal tasks were;<br /><br />Preparing my veggie garden for Winter. I purchased some more kale and some strawberry plants. Also some oregano as mine died recently. I planted garlic and picked celery, kale and pumpkins.<br /><br />Using velvet soap and a sud saver to wash my dishes. Nicer on my hands and the environment.<br /><br />Making liquid laundry soap tomorrow.<br /><br />Baked bread and started a sour dough starter for the first time.<br /><br />Baked chocolate cake and date loaf.<br /><br />Sold eggs.<br /><br />Dyed my own hair.<br /><br />Went to local farmers market and bought some organic produce like, cucumbers, peaches, figs, dried sultanas and apricots, olive oil.<br /><br />I mended hubby's jeans and a top of mine.<br /><br />Five no spend days.<br /><br />Hope you have a beautiful week Wendy,<br /><br />xTania<br /><br />Taniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10176661940614462611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122163157306498894.post-88488250463076255352015-04-20T17:07:41.237+10:002015-04-20T17:07:41.237+10:00If you are going to cut the book up for crafting a...If you are going to cut the book up for crafting ask if they are throwing any books into the bin. I am an op volunteer and I have to throw out books that are too far gone in condition to be saleable.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122163157306498894.post-77240163277205374312015-04-20T12:23:57.117+10:002015-04-20T12:23:57.117+10:00For the 4th month in a row I've succeeded in a...For the 4th month in a row I've succeeded in achieving my $300 grocery/food budget, so I'm happy.<br />This week I gratefully accepted a free loaf of bread.<br />Made soup for weekend lunches, using the lamb bone from a roast.<br />Used clothes horses even when it was tempting to use the dryer-such wet cold weather in Melbourne.<br />Replaced 2 watch batteries with batteries we had on hand.<br />Made a get well card for a friend.<br />Made rock cakes for school/work lunch snacks.<br />We had biscuits leftover from our trip that I'd made so we used those too.<br />On our trip home we stayed overnight in a caravan park cabin and we had some pasta, jar of sauce and cheese we had on hand for our evening meal.<br />Picnicked our way up to Qld from Melbourne and back with a thermos and esky. Ate very well and no time wasted looking for food to buy.<br />Used the driver/reviver stops when available for cup of tea/coffee.<br />Took jars of homemade relish as gifts for people we visited on our trip.<br />Also shopped from present shelf prior to leaving and wrapped families birthday gifts that are due in the next couple of months and left them with them to save postage costs.<br />Made chow mein from scratch from the few ingredients I had left at home on our return and it fed us for 2 nights.<br />Had a win at WW on Saturday with some marked down bags of apples and pears bought for less than $1.30 kg bag. I find fruit a large expense in our house.<br />Also picked up Birds Eye frozen bags of peas/corn 500g for $1.25 at Coles on my big shop this morning which will be very handy.<br />Planning to do some bulk cooking this week when I can.<br />Sue.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122163157306498894.post-18709436466226521172015-04-20T10:39:57.811+10:002015-04-20T10:39:57.811+10:00How exciting about the rose book. I'm now on ...How exciting about the rose book. I'm now on a constant hunt for a rose book myself. Do you have a blog ? If so, I'd love to see a picture of the cards you make.Wendy Gowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01079131126381265901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122163157306498894.post-14366041895056252422015-04-20T10:37:48.825+10:002015-04-20T10:37:48.825+10:00Yes, you are right about the flowers. I just lov...Yes, you are right about the flowers. I just love looking out my kitchen window at all the changes in the garden.<br /><br />You had a great week. Wendy Gowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01079131126381265901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122163157306498894.post-36015625987784172742015-04-20T10:35:50.515+10:002015-04-20T10:35:50.515+10:00Yes we can certainly save a lot of money by doing ...Yes we can certainly save a lot of money by doing things ourselves. Time I do have, money I don't so it makes so much sense to make as much as I can. Well done on the cushions too Mimi. They look great.Wendy Gowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01079131126381265901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122163157306498894.post-61123888280857587662015-04-20T10:32:02.768+10:002015-04-20T10:32:02.768+10:00coming soon.coming soon.Wendy Gowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01079131126381265901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122163157306498894.post-83167324829070541692015-04-20T09:54:22.789+10:002015-04-20T09:54:22.789+10:00Hi Wendy,
Your blog always brings a smile to my f...Hi Wendy,<br /><br />Your blog always brings a smile to my face and joy to the heart. That was especially so when I saw that Megan had bought the exact same items I had for the same price. How wonderful to see how frugality crosses all generations and all states/territories!<br /><br />Running out of gas Thursday evening (cylinder to be replaced Monday) and the street without power all day Friday I haven't done the cooking I usually do in advance. There's always next weekend.<br /><br />Have been decluttering. Took a couple of bags to the op shop. Came back with a beautiful book on English roses, $2. Pictures will be used to make cards as I've been inspired to do by yourself, and Annabel on Bluebirds Are Nesting.<br /><br />Enjoy a lovely week.<br /><br />Wendy (Yes, from one Wendy to another :) )<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122163157306498894.post-31499710979904073682015-04-20T08:52:55.716+10:002015-04-20T08:52:55.716+10:00Hi Wendy,
Looking forward to your recipes for the...Hi Wendy,<br /><br />Looking forward to your recipes for the sausage rolls and mini quiches. Your cards look gorgeous and the flowers are beautiful. Is one a daisy and the other a chrysanthemum.<br /><br />This week i made:<br />Lasagna, meat pie, hamburgers, all Wendys recipes. Also ANZAC bickies, quiche, chocolate cake and a double batch of red pasta sauce. <br />We were given 3 loaves of bread and DS2 went to a party on Sunday and i had lots of gifts bought on special throughout the year, so the present was within budget.<br />Saved water and used tank water as it finally rained enough to use this in the washing machine. <br /><br />Received Gas bill and paid with credits from solar panels.<br />Finally pulled out the last of the Tomatoes and got the bed ready for the winter vegies. Still picking strawberries and silverbeet. Lots of gardening done this week, although lots of green tomatoes leftover, oh what to do with these?<br /><br />Have a great week, xxx<br />MaureenMaureennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122163157306498894.post-41916530994618361692015-04-20T08:48:18.102+10:002015-04-20T08:48:18.102+10:00Wendy that all looks fantastic! The quiches, sausa...Wendy that all looks fantastic! The quiches, sausage rolls and biscuits alone would save your family so much money. The cards look gorgeous and your dahlias...oh gosh...they're beautiful! As you might already know, I get a lot of satisfaction out of also putting a price on my weekly achievements. Let's face it, if I wasn't around, even for a week due to accident or illness, my family would have to outsource all this stuff. So with no further ado, I'll add that this week I prepped at least a weeks worth of bargain fruit and veges and stored them in the crisper in ziplock bags. This saved not only on buying ready prepared salad and vegetables for the week, but also made staying on track with our clean eating weight loss plan, very easy and smooth, and prevented any random shopping. My savings at the fruit shop were already substantial on similar buys at the supermarket, so I'm going to say I saved a bare minimum of $50 by doing this. I made 5 gathered ball cushions, the same as the one I saw in a very posh homewares store priced at $59. Actually I think mine are nicer due to the fabric and embellishments I've used. Total spend including embellishments was $54. Total spend if I'd bought five similar cushions, $295!! So on a potential $295 spend, and a $54 actual spend.... my saving was (theoretically) $241. My daughter and I are sewing a tulle skirt refashioned from a bustle on a vintage wedding dress bought some months ago for under $50. We bought the dress as it has the potential to be a semi formal dress next year, and the bustle had so much fabric, we just knew we'd get one, if not two tulle skirts out of it. Saving of $100 on two similar bought tulle skirts and gosh....lets conservatively say $150 on the semi formal dress. Value generated $250, from a $50 spend. I cleaned, decluttered and ironed, saving $200 on a cleaning lady and an ironing lady (or man!). And I rejuvenated the herb garden, and sowed some seeds to generate a new crop of coriander, rocket, and lemongrass, saving up to $100 in bought herbs over the next three months. So not a bad week when you consider all that I saved my family in employing a gardener, cleaner, ironing lady, seamstress, fashion designer, and interior decorator...hehehe! Mimi xxxMimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189100084557458199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122163157306498894.post-68126137708594235762015-04-20T01:07:40.063+10:002015-04-20T01:07:40.063+10:00Hello Wendy, I would love your recipe for sausage ...Hello Wendy, I would love your recipe for sausage rolls. They sound yummy! Thank you for sharing with us. You are an inspiration!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10634819008060411321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122163157306498894.post-70355881357697704332015-04-19T16:52:52.665+10:002015-04-19T16:52:52.665+10:00Anne, it sounds like you are getting things in or...Anne, it sounds like you are getting things in order. I bet it makes you feel good.Wendy Gowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01079131126381265901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122163157306498894.post-46232002256081167462015-04-19T16:49:22.665+10:002015-04-19T16:49:22.665+10:00Patsi, I don't usually cook that much in one ...Patsi, I don't usually cook that much in one week but it needed to be done.Wendy Gowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01079131126381265901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122163157306498894.post-62172539536839578672015-04-19T16:48:22.914+10:002015-04-19T16:48:22.914+10:00It sounds like you are having light bulb moments D...It sounds like you are having light bulb moments Donna. Good on you !! My family just loves homemade hamburgers. We rarely eat at the well known takeaway places and I personally avoid them at all costs. They taste like plastic.Wendy Gowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01079131126381265901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122163157306498894.post-80592679067206142782015-04-19T11:21:50.720+10:002015-04-19T11:21:50.720+10:00Hi Wendy you've had a great week.
I haven'...Hi Wendy you've had a great week.<br /><br />I haven't posted for a couple weeks now but I have been sticking to my meal plan as best I could I think next months meal plans are going to change a little to make it baby friendly as well although my son does eat what we eat I just feel something's he can't quite have yet till he's a little older <br /><br />Made majority of my dinner meals from scratch I think I only bought takeaway twice in the last two weeks just because we weren't near home and I couldn't bring anything that needed heating up.<br /><br />I've vac sealed some pre preped meals and left overs and froze them <br /><br />Trying to de clutter as much as I can <br />Can be very over whelming at times<br /><br />Haven't had the to in much for the last 2 weeks it's only been turned on after 5 pm <br /><br />Bought some books and display books from Kmart to start sorting out payments bills and spendings etc also had to buy a few things for the baby bag for when I go into labour <br /><br />Made some kitchen bench rags out of an old towel gee they really come in handy!<br /><br />That's all I think <br /><br />Hope you have a great week next week <br />I'll be very busy at work, finally received a decent roster. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06447133944172668925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122163157306498894.post-26813919792550786402015-04-18T22:22:35.939+10:002015-04-18T22:22:35.939+10:00Wendy, your cards are beautiful and all that cooki...Wendy, your cards are beautiful and all that cooking! Oh my ... you are inspiring me! patsi @ a working pantryhttp://aworkingpantry.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122163157306498894.post-40355157841057417462015-04-18T20:38:43.085+10:002015-04-18T20:38:43.085+10:00Hi Wendy, so much baking and crafting you have bee...Hi Wendy, so much baking and crafting you have been so busy! It's been busy at our place too. Lots was achieved but I’ll just give you my favourite highlights. I have baked but not nearly as much as you Wendy lol! Baked 2 banana cakes and froze one (this is the first time I have frozen a cake- it turned out great when we defrosted it, no-one in the family noticed, they just thought I'd made another cake). Did the fortnightly shop it was $100 under what I normally spend so yahoo! I don't do the $300 challenge like yourself but we have our limit and it's been very achievable and we have cut it down gradually so yeah for us. I bought some cheap netting to stop those pesky possums from decimating my vegie seedlings. Everything is starting to recover now, thanks heavens. My parents came for dinner and instead of taking them out we ate in and the whole meal including wine and soft drink came to a grand total of $27.86 for 6 people, that's $4.64 per person. I was gobsmacked when I did the breakdown. My husband and son went out for an athletics breakup party at a fancy burger place last weekend and it cost them $28 each and that was just for a burger with the lot, a small serve of fries and a drink. I replicated this meal for my parents and what the boys had paid for one person was what it cost for 6 so a massive saving. Our burgers were homemade with homemade fries, just scrumptious. My parents loved it and they said they’d come to our “burger joint” any time lol It was a great evening and as my husband and I were chatting around the dinner table with my parents my gorgeous kids quietly got up did the dishes and cleaned up everything. I was so proud of them and their grandparents were delighted. My folks live interstate so we don’t see them often. Cheers Donna Z :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122163157306498894.post-83448652215052752292015-04-18T17:14:37.459+10:002015-04-18T17:14:37.459+10:00Hi Wendy
What a busy week you had the sausage ro...Hi Wendy <br /><br />What a busy week you had the sausage rolls and quiches are a great idea This week we have <br /><br />Saved the water from the washing machine for watering our big Backyard <br /><br />Only did full loads of washing <br /><br />Went to the op shop and bought some great picture books for my son and a few other books that we will use for presents <br /><br />Went through my freezer to see how much meat we had left so nothing gets wasted or forgotten <br /><br />Sold some of my unused craft supplies which will go towards our Christmas Holiday <br /><br />Have an amazing week - Laine :) Lainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122163157306498894.post-89483355772711843602015-04-18T13:23:48.232+10:002015-04-18T13:23:48.232+10:00Most banks now have coin counting machines.Most banks now have coin counting machines.Wendy Gowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01079131126381265901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122163157306498894.post-68822145295621798022015-04-18T12:53:06.891+10:002015-04-18T12:53:06.891+10:00When I burgled, my money jar was taken. Never agai...When I burgled, my money jar was taken. Never again. Also at the bank where I once worked, we HATED counting money tins.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com