Grocery Specials Wednesday 30th March 2016

Here are this week's best grocery specials -

COLES -

*    Arnott’s Shapes Crackers 160g-190g 1/2 PRICE Was $3.00, Save $1.50  Now $1.50 each.  At this price it's well worth stocking up.

*  Old El Paso Hard ’n Soft Taco Kit 350g 1/2 PRICE Was $6.99, Save $3.50  Now $3.49 each

*  Gold’n Canola Oil 4 Litre1/2 PRICE Was $18.00, Save $9.00  Now $9.00 each

*  Alfa One Rice Bran Oil 3 Litre 1/2 PRICE Was $18.00, Save $9.00  $9.00 each

*  Heinz Big Red Condensed Soup 420g 1/2 PRICE Was $2.20, Save $1.10  Now $1.10 each

*  Green’s Traditional Cake Mix 340g-470g 1/2 PRICE Was $2.65, Save $1.33  Now $1.32 each

*  Golden Crumpet Rounds 6 Pack 1/2 PRICE Was $3.30, Save $1.65  Now $1.65 each

*  Colgate Pro Clinical C250 Power Toothbrush 1/2 PRICE Was $60.00, Save $30.00  Now $30.00 each

*  Redwin Sorbolene Moisturiser Restoring with Vitamin E 1 Litre 1/2 PRICE Was $6.25, Save $3.13  Now $3.12 each

*  Playboy Body Spray 150mL 1/2 PRICE Was $5.80, Save $2.90  Now $2.90 each

*  Sunsilk Shampoo or Conditioner 750mL1/2 PRICE Was $10.49, Save $5.25  Now $5.24 each

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

WOOLWORTHS -

*  Cinnamon Donuts Pk 12**Only available in stores with an in-store bakery.Now $2.00 each 1/2 Price, Save $2.00

*  Continental Cup-a-Soup 2 Serve 40-75g Now $1.00 each 1/2 Price, Save $1.00

*  Moccona Mixers Pk 10 Now $3.00 each Save $2.59

*  Moccona Capsules Pk 16 Now $4.75 each 1/2 Price, Save $4.75

*  Aurora Coffee Beans or Ground 1 kg Now $8.99 each1/2 Price, Save up to $9.41

*  Fountain Sauce Varieties 2 Litre Now $3.00 each1/2 Price, Save $3.00

*  Sara Lee Cheesecake or Chocolate Bavarian 360-410g Now $3.07 each 1/2 Price, Save $3.08

*   Borg’s Puff Pastry 850g-1 kg Now $2.00 each1/2 Price, Save $2.00

*   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

*  Redwin Sorbolene Moisturiser 1 Litre Now $3.12 each1/2 Price, Save $3.13

*  Garnier Fructis Shampoo or Conditioner 250ml Now $2.72 each 1/2 Price, Save $2.73

*  Macleans Milk Teeth or Little Teeth Toothpaste 63g Now $1.00 each 1/2 Price, Save $1.00

*   Oral B Clinical Gum Protection Toothpaste 110g Now $2.49 each 1/2 Price, Save $2.50

*   Macleans Extreme Clean Whitening or Deep Action Toothpaste 170g Now $2.55 each1/2 Price, Save $2.55

*  BabyLove Nappy Pants Bulk Pk 20-28 Any 2 for $20.00 Save $13.98

*  Pine O Cleen Disinfectant 1.25 Litre Now $2.49 each1/2 Price, Save $2.50.  Well worth stockpiling.

*  Palmolive Dishwashing Liquid 700-750ml Now $2.74 each1/2 Price, Save $2.75

*  Canon Printer MG2965• Wireless printing • Fast mobile printing and scanning • High quality and efficient printing Now $39.50 each 1/2 Price, Save $39.50

*  40% off selected Bathroom Manchester

*  TRESemme Shampoo or Conditioner 750-900ml Now $5.25 each1/2 Price, Save $5.25

*  Sunrice Medium Grain Rice 10 kg Now $12.00 each 1/2 Price, Save $12.00

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

Please feel free to add any specials you find in the supermarket and department stores.
                         

Fish Cooked In Foil

Back in the day when my girls were doing swimming lessons,  I had to find simple things to cook on swimming night.  There was no point in cooking a roast as time was scarce.  After watching a few cooking shows,  I came up with this recipe that ticks all my boxes - simple,  tasty, can be prepared earlier and very quick to put together.

I've used a few difference types of fish for this recipe with Blue Grenadier being the cheapest to buy on most occasions.  Here's what you need -

Aluminium foil
Baking paper ( not waxed )
Canola or olive oil spray
Long oven tray
Fish
Butter
2 lemons - one sliced, one juiced
Seasoning to taste.  I use salt,  pepper,  garlic,  paprika and  parsley

Tear off a long piece of foil and lay flat on the baking tray.
Tear off a slightly smaller piece of baking paper and lay on top of the foil.
Lightly spray the baking paper with canola or olive oil.
Lay the fish in the middle of the baking paper length ways
Drizzle the lemon juice over the fish
Season the fish to taste with your choice of seasonings
Add a couple of knobs of butter to each piece of fish
Lay the sliced lemon on top of the butter.
Bring the long sides of the foil and baking paper together in the middle and fold over a couple of times.
Then fold the short ends of the foil to form a sealed parcel.
Bake in the oven on 180 degrees Celsius for 20 minutes then check to see if the fish is cooked.
Serve with rice,  steamed vegetables or a salad.
Use some of the juices from the fish to pour over the fish or rice when serving.

This Week's Frugal Tasks Saturday 26th March 2016

It's been another challenging week to get through.  I'm very grateful to family,  friends and my blog readers for their kind words,  prayers and support.  THANKYOU  xoxo  Time still ticks on no matter what comes our way and I managed to get a few frugal things done each day.  Here's what I got up to this week -

*  Dug into a bag of bits and pieces ready to donate to the op shop and found a pair of new sneakers Megan was donating.   I tried them on and they fit perfectly.  Their new home is in my wardrobe.  It always pays to check what your kids are throwing out.

*  Saved and washed the plastic wrap from some flowers given to me.  The plastic will come in handy for another present or bunch of flowers.

*  Cut up some old socks to use as garden ties.

*  Cut up a cereal bag to use as go between for burgers and crumpets.

*  Picked a good handful of raspberries.  I'm counting the days until the plants have finished fruiting for the season.

*  Bought one punnet each of broccoli,  mixed lettuce and silverbeet to plant in our veggie garden.  Of course I made sure I picked punnets with the most seedlings to get extra value for money.

*  Gratefully received a fuel docket from a blog reader.  Thankyou Tania  xoxo

*  Darren made one dozen hot cross buns for us all to enjoy.  So yummy and much better than anything you can buy.

*  Refilled the foaming hand wash pumps with shower gel and water.

*  Dried all the washing on the clothesline.

*  Saved the kitchen warm up water to use on the raspberry bushes growing in a pot.

*  Cooked up a leg of lamb on Thursday night and made it stretch for three meals.  We had some that night as a roast and tonight we having some of the meat in a shepherd's pie.  The rest of the meat has gone into the freezer for an easy meal in the future

*  Brightened up our home with Easter decorations we've bought over the last few years.  I resisted the urge to add to our collection.

*  Gratefully received an Easter bouquet from Cath's daughter Hannah at the last card making day.  Hannah had placed a bouquet at each place setting with a lovely Easter card.  I was having a tough week with the passing of my friend.  This bouquet cheered me up and gave me something pretty to look at in my kitchen.

Darren's hot cross buns.

Hannah's Easter bouquet

Just beautiful

Easter decorations in the lounge room

Entrance decorations

Bunnies in the kitchen

What did you get up to this week ?

Grocery Specials Wednesday 23rd March 2016

Here are this week's best specials -

COLES

*  President Double Brie or Camembert 200g1/2 PRICE Was $10.00, Save $5.00  Now $5.00 each

*  Peckish Rice Crackers 100g1/2 PRICE Was $2.20, Save $1.10  Now $1.10 each

*  New Zealand Blue Grenadier Skin Off Fillets Thawed Was $13.00, Save $3.00 kg Now $10.00 kg

*  Coles RSPCA Approved Whole Extra Large Chicken Australian Grown .From the Meat department.Was $4.70, Save $1.20 kg Now $3.50 kg

*  Tip Top Café Raisin Toast 650g 1/2 PRICE Was $5.90, Save $2.95  Now $2.95 each

*  Mission Mini Wraps 8 Pack 384g Was $4.79, Save $1.79  Now $3.00 each

*  Kellogg’s Just Right 460g 1/2 PRICE Was $5.59, Save $2.80  Now $2.79 each

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

*  Espressotoria Vittoria Espresso Coffee Capsules 12 Pack 78g1/2 PRICE Was $8.39, Save $4.20  Now $4.19 each

*  Moro Pure Olive Oil 500mL1/2 PRICE Was $8.20, Save $4.10  Now $4.10 each

*  Continental Cup a Soup 2 Serve 40g-75g 1/2 PRICE Was $2.00, Save $1.00  Now $1.00 each.  Great for taking on holidays.

*  Patties Party Pies 12 Pack 560g1/2 PRICE Was $7.15, Save $3.58  Now $3.57 each   Handy to have for a holiday treat.

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

*  Palmolive Naturals Shampoo or Conditioner 350mL1/2 PRICE Was $4.94, Save $2.47 Now $2.47 each

*  Morning Fresh Dishwashing Liquid 900mL 1/2 PRICE Was $6.95, Save $3.48  Now $3.47 each

*  1/2 PRICE OFF all Sistema Klip It.

*  40% OFF all Smash.  This is a brand for drink bottles and lunch boxes etc. Well worth stocking up for school next year.

*  Cadbury Dairy Milk Easter Bunny 80g 1/2 PRICE Was $3.70, Save $1.85  Now $1.85 each.  Stock up for Easter next year

WOOLWORTHS

*    Fresh Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon Fillets Skin On Australian Seafood. Tassie Grown.Now $23.90 kg Save $5.99 kg

*  Imported Smoked Cod Fillets Thawed for your convenience.Now $10.00 kg Save $5.00 kg

*  Woolworths Croissants Pk 3 or Pk 4 Now $2.00 each 1/2 Price, Save $2.00.  Freeze ahead for Mother's Day.

*  Cadbury Cooking Chocolate Melts 225g, Chips 200g or Block 200g Now $2.50 each Save up to $2.00

*  Woolworths Bake at Home Dinner Rolls Pk 12 White or Multigrain Now $2.24 each 1/2 Price, Save $2.25

*  Peckish Rice Crackers 100g – Excludes Peckish Brown Rice Crackers 100g Now $1.09 each 1/2 Price, Save $1.10

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

*   Alfa One Rice Bran Oil 4 Litre Now $12.00 each 1/2 Price, Save $12.00

*  Tabasco Sauce Red Pepper 60ml Now $2.20 each 1/2 Price, Save $2.20

*  Patties Party Pack 1.25 kg Now $6.75 each 1/2 Price, Save $6.75

*  Four’n Twenty Traditional Pies 700g Pk 4 Now $4.00 each 1/2 Price, Save $4.00.  Stock up for the footy season.

*  Castello Blue or White Cheese 150g Now $3.59 each 1/2 Price, Save $3.60

*  Original Source Skin Quench 250ml Now $2.50 each 1/2 Price, Save $2.50.  I think this is a shower gel.

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

*  Oral B Pro Health Advanced Deep Clean Toothpaste 110g Now $2.49 each1/2 Price, Save $2.50

               

       

Please feel free to add any other great specials you find in the supermarkets and department stores.
      

Hand Made Card Ideas March 2016

During the February Cheapskates card making day,  Pamela continued to show us how easy it is to make impressive gift cards and gift tags for any occasion.  Here's what I made on the day -

This card design is great for using up scraps of any type of paper. I must admit,  I did cut up sheets of paper for this card as I don't have many scraps yet.  You could also put on a layer of lace for added texture.

This card was made with an embossing folder on the grey card stock.  The tape measure down the left side came from IKEA as a freebie.  The wording was typed up on a computer and cut out.

A very simple card using a balloon punch,  Gels pens for the strings and a scrap piece of ribbon tied in a bow.

Looks very simple on the outside

Look what's on the inside.  Balloon shapes were glued to strips of overhead transparencies and attached to a card stock insert that had folds in the middle to glue it all together.

Gift tags made from scraps of cardboard ( boxes ).  The one on the right had some of the top layer of cardboard ripped away to reveal the corrugation.  These tags are great for using up little bits and pieces of lace,  ribbon,  string and anything else that looks remotely crafty..

A card made for my Dad's 70th birthday.  It was made on a black square card with striped card stock attached.  The 70 was typed up on the computer ( thankyou Megan ) and mounted on a square of black card stock.  This was then mounted with adhesive foam squares to give a slight 3D effect.  I then glued on the silver stars ( bought from cheap shops ).  My Dad loved the card..

This Week's Frugal Tasks Saturday 19th March 2016

Here's what I got up to this week -

*  Saved the wrapping paper from a gift Jessica gave me to cheer me up.  The paper will be used to make some cards.

*  Made a batch of chocolate choc chip muffins for the freezer.

*  Picked a small handful of raspberries each day to freeze.  The season is almost over.

*  Ate freezer meal leftovers for dinner one night.

*  Blessed a friend with lots of excess food that was given to us.  My friend said it was a miracle as she had family coming to stay and didn't know what she was going to feed them.

*   Gratefully received a bag of lemons from a friend.  I'll be freezing the juice for future use in jam making,  baking and cooking.

*  Gratefully received two samples of Magic Eraser at the shopping centre.

*  Darren found two fuel discount dockets in a trolley.

*  Diluted two bottles of white vinegar 50 / 50 with tap water.  It works just as good for cleaning.

*  Baked two loaves of wholemeal bread with extra goodness.

*  Baked raspberry and white chocolate muffins for snacks and to take to the Cheapskate's card making day.

There's nothing like home baked bread.

Free samples

Our first strawberry guavas

I asked Jessica to help fold the washing. Later I found her watching something on her tablet and playing with the pegs.  Some things never change.  She loved playing with the pegs as a toddler.


Unfortunately I don't have a very big frugal list this week or many photos to share.  On Sunday night we heard the sad news that our family friend passed away.  Don was a special part of our family history and the reason Darren and I met and married.  He was a loving husband and father to two young girls.  He was also a champion for the homeless and disadvantaged in Dandenong and surrounding suburbs devoting many years at Cornerstone Contact Centre.  Please uphold his family in prayer.


What frugal tasks did you complete this week ?

Grocery Specials Wednesday 16th March 2016

Here are this week's best grocery specials -

COLES -

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

*  . Golden Circle Tetra Fruit Drink 1 Litre1/2 PRICE Excludes Pineapple, Tomato & Nectar.

Was $2.05, Save $1.03 Now $1.02 each

*  Fantastic Rice Crackers 100g1/2 PRICE Was $1.95, Save $0.98  Now $0.97 each

*  Cadbury Favourites Gift Box 540g 1/2 PRICE Was $19.00, Save $9.50  Now $9.50 each

*  Gold Choice Sunflower, Vegetable or Canola Oil 4 Litre or La Española Rice Bran Oil 3 Litre1/2 PRICE Was $18.00, Save $10.00  Now $8.00 each

*  Golden Circle Beetroot Slices 450g1/2 PRICE Was $1.80, Save $0.90  Now $0.90 each.  Make a start on next Summer's stockpile.

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

*  Fresh ASC Salmon Skin On Portions Australian Seafood.From the Deli.Was $29.90, Save $5.90 kg Now $24.00 kg.

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

*  Lemnos Fetta1/2 PRICE From the Deli.Was $15.00, Save $7.50 kg Now $7.50 kg

*  Don Kabini Sticks1/2 PRICE From the Deli.Was $25.00, Save $12.50 kg Now $12.50 kg

*  Lurpak Butter Spreadable Tub 250g1/2 PRICE Was $5.40, Save $2.70  Now $2.70 each

* U By Kotex Ultrathin Pads with Wings 14 Pack Buy any 2 and get the 3rd FREE .Lowest priced item free .Excludes clearance items.$5.00 each

*  30% OFF all Pyrex.

*  Handee Ultra Paper Towel 4 Pack Was $5.20, Save $2.20  Now $3.00 each

*  Tresemmé Shampoo or Conditioner 750mL-900mL1/2 PRICE Was $10.50, Save $5.25  Now $5.25 each

*  Luv-A-Duck Frozen Duck Size 21 2.1kg1/2 PRICE  Limit of 6 per customer From the Freezer department.Was $23.00, Save $11.50  Now $11.50 each

WOOLWORTHS -

*  Uncle Tobys Cheerios 640-670g Now $3.44 each 1/2 Price, Save $3.45

*  Heinz Condensed Soup Cans 420g Now $1.10 each 1/2 Price, Save $1.10

*   Gravox Instant Gravy Varieties 120-140g Now $2.00 each Save $1.30

*  1/2 Price All Freedom Foods

*  Ferrero Rocher 200g Now $6.30 each 1/2 Price, Save $6.30

*  Lindt Lindor Balls 150-154g Now $6.00 each 1/2 Price, Save $6.00

*  Cottee’s Jams or Marmalade 500g Now $2.00 each Save $1.40

*    I&J Flathead Fillets 300g Now.$3.99 each 1/2 Price, Save $4.00

*    Imported Freshwater Basa  Fillets.Now $7.00 kg Save $3.99 kg

*   Cinnamon Donuts Pk 6 or Mini Cinnamon Donuts Pk 8**Only available in stores with an in-store bakery.Now $1.00 each 1/2 Price, Save $1.00

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

*   Herbal Essences Shampoo or Conditioner 300ml Now $3.29 each 1/2 Price, Save $3.30

*  30% off All Wiltshire & Pyrex

*  1/2 Price All Bonds

*  10% off Selected Gift Cards
Kathmandu $50, Kathmandu $100, Quickflix $20, Quickflix $50, iSubscribe $60, Accor Hotels’ $100, Accor Hotels’ $200, bras N things $30, bras N things $50, Red Balloon $50, Red Balloon $100, Red Balloon $150 multi pack, Airtasker $50, Ticketmaster $100.

*  20% off All Armor All

*  1/2 Price All Sistema Home Storage

Please feel free to add any other great grocery or department store bargains you find.                   

50 / 50 Fruit Cordial

I remember being at my Grandma's when she served 50  50 fruit cordial.  I thought it was just amazing that she could make cordial instead of buying it.  My Grandma had lots of fruit trees in her backyard so I'm certain the lemons used in this recipe came of her tree.

Years later when I had my own family I remembered this drink and wondered if anyone had the recipe.  Unfortunately no one knew of the recipe so I did a little bit of internet research.  As usual I found lots of recipes but combined them together to form my own.  Here's my recipe for 50 / 50 fruit cordial -

3 cups of sugar
1 tablespoon of citric acid
1 tablespoon of tartaric acid
3 large lemons
3 large oranges
5 cups of boiling water

Zest the lemons and oranges and add to a medium saucepan.
Juice the lemons and oranges and add to the saucepan.
Add all remaining ingredients and boil for 10 minutes.
Cool the mixture, strain and pour into sterilised bottles.
To serve mix 1 part cordial to 4 parts water or to taste.

I'm not sure how long it lasts in the fridge but using sterilised bottles will keep it for at least 3 - 4 weeks.

NOTES -

*  When oranges are cheap in Winter,  I buy up big,  zest and juice the oranges together with lemons from our tree.  Then I place the mixture into  snap lock bags ( in batch size as per recipe ) and store in the freezer for Summer.

*  This recipe could be made as lemon cordial.

*  A bottle of homemade cordial makes great presents.  Just add a homemade gift tag and ribbon to jaz up the bottle.

This Week's Frugal Tasks Saturday 12th March 2016

As I look back on my week I'm not sure where the time has gone.  I did have two full days of work ( and school runs etc ) and a lovely visit to see Cath.  Unfortunately my frugal list is a little on the small side.  I try to write things down as I do them but I guess so many things have become a normal part of my everyday life.  Here's what I got up to this week -

*  Went to the Spotlight 30% off sale to purchase some card making items on my watch and wish list.

*  Picked raspberries each day.

*  Made a birthday card for my Dad using what I had on hand.  I also finished off the cards I made at the Cheapskates card making day.  I'll post the pictures shortly.

*  Dried the washing on clothes horses and the line.

*  I made a pasta bake with 250 grams of mince that served 5 people plus three serves of leftovers for the freezer.

*  During our mini heatwave we kept the curtains closed with the evap cooling on medium and used the electric fans ( cheaper than evap cooling on full strength ).  Overnight we kept the cooling on the lowest fan setting which gave us a great night's sleep.  By doing this the house stayed cool during the morning heat the next day and we didn't have to turn the cooling up any higher.

*  Saved the washing machine water for each next load.

*  Topped up my car with petrol at 93 cents a litre just as all the other petrol stations put their price up to $1.20 a litre.

*  Cut up a cereal packet to use as go between for hamburger patties etc.

*  Made 8 jars of plum jam with fruit given to us.

*  Redeemed the last of my Woolworths rain checks for chicken drumsticks at $1.98 a kilo.  I think I have enough drumsticks in the freezer for another year.

*  I only went to the supermarket to get 3 litres of milk,  chicken drumsticks and choc melts.  We are still living off our Summer stockpile.  Any grocery money left over is going into the grocery slush fund each month.

*  Lined the bathroom bins with bread bags.

*  Picked a handful of yellow pear tomatoes.  These tomatoes seem to pop up in the veg garden each Summer.

Dad's birthday card.

The raspberries are slowing down

Lining the bathroom bins

Yellow pear tomatoes

Plum jam to add to my jam stockpile.

What was on your frugal list this week ?

Grocery Specials Wednesday 9th March 2016

Unfortunately I am unable to post the usual grocery specials for the week.  Yesterday I was at work all day as well as doing the school runs.  I was unable to be near a computer for an extended period of time.  Instead I'll post the links to the catalogues for you to have a look.

My sincere apologies and I hope to post the specials for you next week.


Here are the links to the supermarket catalogues

COLES -

 http://www.coles.com.au/catalogues-and-specials/view-all-available-catalogues

WOOLWORTHS -

https://www.facebook.com/woolworths/app/195957810578457/

Please feel free to post any great specials you find.

Change Of Season Bargains

I was having a look around the shops last Friday and noticed quite a few sales on seasonal stock.  As the Southern Hemisphere moves into Autumn you'll find lots of camping equipment and outdoor furniture coming on clearance.  For those of you who live in the Northern Hemisphere you'll find lots of Spring Cleaning products coming on sale to entice you to do more cleaning.

Here's a list of items either on sale now or likely to come on sale shortly -

*  Big W has most of their outdoor furniture and bbqs on clearance.

*  Big W has Easiyo yoghurt makers on sale for $11.75 which is half price.  Well worth buying a few for Mother's Day or Christmas presents.  On sale until Wednesday 9th March 2016. From memory,  they don't usually come on sale during Winter as most people are eating warm comfort food.

*  Supermarkets will start reducing prices on marsh mellows,  lollies and choc bits used in Easter baking.  If you see a good bargain on these items,  stock up for another year.

*  The last of the back to school stationery,  drink bottles and lunch boxes come on clearance sales.  Think ahead to your children's needs over the next year or two.  Well worth looking in the supermarkets as well as department stores.

*  Camping gear will be on sale shortly in readiness for Easter holidays and long weekends.  Get your list ready.

*  Easter wrapping paper,  gift baskets,  bags, toy baby chicks and eggs will come on sale leading up to Easter.  After Easter you'll get the best bargains.  Lindt bunnies are usually half price starting Easter Sunday.  Buy up for next year.  Last Easter Sunday I bought enough bunnies for Mother's Day,  birthdays for the four of us,  Father's Day,  Anniversary, our Christmas stockings. and Easter this year.  Yes I bought quite a few but at $2.25 each I couldn't resist the bargain.

*  Perfumes will come on sale leading up to Mother's Day.  Also keep a look out for beauty products,  gift baskets, pjs,  slippers and dressing gowns. 

*  You'll find the last of Summer clothing and shoes on sale right now.  Think ahead to next Summer and buy up now. Spendless Shoes has bins on Summer sandals on sale.

*  Now is the time to check out op shops for last minute Summer clothing.  If you need a particular item for your wardrobe start looking now as they won't be getting the same quantity of stock coming in.   By the same token,  get your Winter wardrobe list ready.  As the weather cools,  people will be cleaning out their wardrobes and donating unwanted items.

*  Keep a look out for Summer sporting equipment.  You might be able to pick up some bargains for next Christmas.

*  Northern Hemisphere residents should check their cleaning supplies.  Dusters,  cloths,  mops,  buckets and cleaning chemicals will be coming on sale. You'll also find Winter clothing and shoes being reduced shortly.

This Week's Frugal Tasks Saturday 5th March 2016

Well,  the day finally came when my soaps were hard enough to wrap.  I've been waiting for over 6 weeks so you could say I was super excited to pretty them up for gift giving.  Here's what else I got up to this week -

*  Bought two cushion for the lounge room from Savers for $4.99 less 20%.

*  Also bought some soft netting from Savers for 44.99 less 205.  I'll be cutting this up Annabel style to use as ribbons on presents.

*  Picked a good handful of raspberries each day.

*  Packaged up all the soaps I've made lately.  They are now packed away in a box to give as presents during the year.  I'm quite happy with how they look.  the ribbons I used were bits and pieces I've saved over the years. It really does pay to save every scrap you come across.

*  Only used the cooling when really necessary.

*  Bought two oven mitts for $1.99 each less 20% from Savers.  I'm always on the look out for these as they cost so much in the stores.

*  Cleaned the dishwasher using bi carb of soda and white vinegar.

*  Gratefully received some shredded paper from a cleaning client to use for our chickens.  This saves us buying sugar cane mulch for the nesting boxes.

*  Saved the shower water to hand wash the op shop finds.

*  Megan made chocolate brownies

*  Ate left over curried sausage casserole one night.

*  Made more raspberry jam using our berries and lemon juice.  Any more raspberries I pick will be save for muffin baking throughout the year.

*  Redeemed a rain check for 5 kilos of chicken drumsticks at $1.98 a kilo.  This rain check was from March last  year.  I  have one more to redeem next week then I think I will have enough drumsticks for another year.  Woo Hoo  !!!

*  I'm still picking tomatoes but they are slowing right down.

*  Topped up all the cars with petrol every 3 - 4 days.  We are trying to make the most of the cheaper petrol and keeping the tanks full in case the price goes up shortly.

*  Made pizzas from scratch on Thursday night.  There was enough leftover for another dinner for Darren and a slice for Megan to take to school.

*  Made two batches of double strength miracle spray. One is kept in the kitchen and one in the laundry.  When I refill my spray bottles I dilute it down to normal strength which is 50 / 50 with water.

Lots of soaps for presents

Love this ribbon bought on clearance at Spotlight.

Made with love.

Leaf soaps.  The mould came from Mimi.

Our raspberries

Raspberry jam and the day's pickings of tomatoes.

Princess hiding in my wardrobe shoe rack.

My KFC schnitzel and relish with salad.

What fugal tasks did you complete this week ?

Grocery Specials Wednesday 2nd March 2016

Here are this week's best grocery specials -

COLES -

*  Arnott’s Savoy Crackers 180g-225g or Shapes 160g-190gWas $3.00, Save $1.00  Now $2.00 each

*  Spam Ham 340g1/2 PRICE Was $4.90, Save $2.45  Now $2.45 each

*  Gold Choice Sunflower, Vegetable or Canola Oil 4 Litre or La Española Rice Bran Oil 3 Litre
1/2 PRICE Was $18.00, Save $10.00  Now $8.00 each

*  Peckish Snackers Crackers 100g1/2 PRICE On sale for 2 weeks.Was $2.00, Save $1.00  Now $1.00 each

*  Sanitarium Weet-Bix Gluten Free Cereal 375g1/2 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

*  Jarrah Drinking Chocolate Sachets 10 Pack 115g-140g Was $5.30, Save $2.30  Now $3.00 each

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

*  Johnson’s Cream Body Wash 1 Litre1/2 PRICE Was $10.00, Save $5.00  Now $5.00 each

*  Viva Paper Towel 3 Pack Was $4.90, Save $1.90  Now $3.00 each

*  Oates Tilt-A-Matic Squeeze Mop1/2 PRICE Was $16.49, Save $8.25  Now $8.24 each

*  White King Bleach 2.5 Litre Was $4.25, Save $1.75  Now $2.50 each

*  Coles A4 Copy Paper 500 Sheets1/2 PRICE Was $6.20, Save $3.20  Now $3.00 each

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

WOOLWORTHS -

*  Peters Drumstick 475-490ml Pk 4-6 Now $3.99 each 1/2 Price, Save $4.00

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

*   .Cold Power Laundry Detergent 2 kg/Litre Now $7.49 each 1/2 Price, Save $7.50

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

*  Nestle Cooking Chocolate Melts 375g Now $2.00 each 1/2 Price, Save $2.00.  Time to stockpile  !!

*  Cadbury Hollow Eggs 100-110gMay not be available in all stores. While stocks last.Now $1.75 each 1/2 Price, Save $1.75

*    White King Oxy-Lift Fabric Stain Remover 2 kg Now $5.00 each1/2 Price, Save $5.00

*  1/2 Price All Sistema Klip It

*  20% off All Arcosteel Frypans.

*  1/2 Price All Aveeno Skincare

*  .Pantene Shampoo or Conditioner 900ml Now $7.85 each 1/2 Price, Save $7.85

*  30% off All Gillette

*  Cadbury Dairy Milk Block 350g or Marvellous Creation Block 270-300g Now $3.14 each 1/2 Price, Save up to $3.16             

 

Please feel free to add any specials you see to the list.