Life certainly has become very busy since coming out of lockdown. Our days are full, work has picked up and our flower and vegetable gardens are almost in full swing. Some days I don't stop until 9pm.
Here's our frugal list for the week -
* Dug up 4 kilos of potatoes from our garden. These were grown from store bought potatoes that had gone soft and were sprouting.
* Made a bottle of surface spray with kitchen detergent and cooled boiled water.
* Baked 3 loaves of wholemeal bread with extra goodness.
* Made up a jar of gravy mix using ingredients I had on hand and a small amount of bought gravy powder.
* Bought more meat bargains from Coles just as the meat manager was marking them down. I now officially have no more room in my freezers.
* Saved and reused bread bags as bin liners, to double wrap meat ( to prevent freezer burn ) and as kitty litter rubbish bags.
* Used cut up old socks to tie up standard rose bushes and tomato plants.
* Planted more beans, zucchini and cucumber seeds in our garden.. Up until recently it's been too cold and not enough sun for some of the other seeds to germinate.
* Dug up a few flower seedlings I found in the garden and relocated them to fill in empty spaces. There are now very few empty spaces left thanks to the garden freebies.
* Picked a handful of strawberries from the garden. I'm freezing them until I have enough to make jam.
* Our cheapest meal this week was chunky chicken and veg soup from the freezer that cost about 15 cents per serve.
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| Strawberries from our garden |
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| Meat markdowns |
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| More meat markdowns |
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| Digging up potatoes |
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| Hydrangea cuttings are growing well. |
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| Color everywhere in the garden. |
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| The tomatoes are growing. |
December started my big save $18 thousand in 7 months plan so no money spent as yet. I have $200 in Coles gift cards put aside for any last minute shopping i need and a ham.
ReplyDeleteAm on the chemist free list so picking up meds today which will be free.
The chemist gave me a free shopping bag and calender last visit which was much appreciated.
I raided the gift cupboard getting everything out organising gifts and putting some things into personal use. I wrote out a list of needs for next year and hope to stick to my list only.
Organised a few bags to go to Savers potted up some garden cuttings. Fed the worm farm with scraps.
Got some great deals from our local food clearance shop. Cheaper Buy Miles they are opening a new store in Brunswick Victoria. I needed cold meats for lunch one day the packs were $2 well in use by date and i saved a fortune on what i would have paid in Coles.
it's a lovely day here time to get the washing out. Put something on for tea and sort thru another cupboard.
Have a great weekend Leanne
Leanne, I wish you the very best with your savings plan. Please give us an update in a few months time. I'm sure we'd love to see how you are going.
DeleteOh I’m so proud to see your meat bargains and your home grown strawberries and veg!
ReplyDeleteYou are such a positive inspiration for us all.
Take care,
Patti from California
Thankyou Patti. We find real joy is growing our own.
DeleteAs things have finally died here, it is lovely to see the photos of things coming to life there!
ReplyDeleteI feel the same when I see others growing in different parts of the world. It gives hope of better days to come.
DeleteThe wet and windy weather has knocked them about a bit but the sweet peas have been gorgeous this year and they produce lots of seed for next year. This week I've made yoghurt, bread and started some Christmas baking. Your garden is looking good as usual, well done also with some seriously good bargains. Bit of an overspend on my husbands 'special' birthday, but as we have barely left our home in nearly two years, it has made some treasured family memories. Have a lovely week,stay safe
ReplyDeleteJenny, there's nothing wrong with a little spoiling. I think we deserve it after everything we've been through
DeleteYour strawberries are beautiful, Wendy.
ReplyDeleteWendy, So good with your frugal victories this week and every week. Small and large things do make a difference. Your garden is lovely. Thank you for sharing your life with us. I so agree with your frugal lifestyle. Wanted to suggest that you replant those tiny potatoes whole. They are so hard to clean and could go straight back into the soil. I have always done so. Again, thanks and wish for your Family a lovely season of Joy. Dollie
ReplyDeleteOur growing season is done here (I have the last tomatoes ripening in our window & picked a few straggler carrots), so it's nice to see gardens from the other side of the world.
ReplyDeleteWe had a regular week. Looked for deals, ate leftovers, prioritized things we care about spending, etc.
I was excited to find cherry tomatoes growing under a tree fern. A little extra helps.
ReplyDeleteI have mended 7 socks, 3 pairs of tights, 2 cardigans, a pair of jogging trousers, 3 hot water bottle covers, a duvet cover, a fitted sheet, a onesie, and depilled a woollen sweater and a pair of fleece winter tights.
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks colourful and productive, Wendy. Picking food and flowers! I love growing flowers and find salvias grow really well here and come in so many different colours. My favourite flowers are sweet peas as their scent reminds me of my grandmother.
ReplyDeleteI have saved money this week by:
* reusing wrapping papers, cellophane, ribbons and postage boxes for xmas gifts.
* wrapping bars of soap in soft fabric offcuts
* sewing drawstring bags with fabric gifted to me by a lovely friend
* used online discount code to save when created a special calendar for one of my son's gifts
* used photo frame I already had in my present box to make a gift for my mother
* gifted some craft supplies, stamps and stickers through my local buy nothing group
* picking perpetual spinach, cucumbers, spring onion and herbs from garden
* dug up and separated some clumps of iris and replanted in another area of garden...free plants!
* meals - spaghetti bolognese with lentils, omelettes, crumbed chicken and salads, ricotta and zucchini parcels with salad
* made double batch of ricotta and zucchini parcels which we had for dinner and then lunch next day
* snacks from freezer - muffins, choc chip cookies and sweet potato brownies
* topped up fuel in car at cheapest price in our area using petrol spy site
* combined errands to save on fuel
Have a lovely week,
Meg🙂🌸
Hello Wendy
ReplyDeleteWhat fantastic meat markdowns, I love coming across markdowns to pop in the freezer.
I have many favourite flowers in my garden, but at the moment my jacaranda tree is flowering and the star jasmine is perfuming my whole garden.
I have set myself a challenge for next year to save as much many as I can for renovations to our house. I hope to be able to list my frugal tasks weekly to keep myself accountable! Your enthusiasm and positivity is an inspiration.