Cutting The Budget When There's Nothing Left To Cut - Part 1

Towards the end of last year,  we saw our family income drop significantly.  I started losing some of my cleaning jobs due to clients selling their homes or not needing me any more.  I always think our budget is tight and well planned but somehow we always find ways to trim the budget.  For the last year we've been saving to get a new kitchen and flooring for our home.  To maintain these savings on our lower income we've juggled a few things around in our budget and cut our spending.  Not everyone has the luxury of monthly savings to play with so I thought I'd give you some ideas to cut your costs.

Please keep in mind that not all these budget cuts will suit your family.  You might already be doing these things.  By reading my tips it might remind you of something similar you can change or do.

*  Revise your mobile,  home phone and internet packages.  Do you really need unlimited everything ?  Are you paying for services you don't need or use ?  Phone providers are always changing their packages but don't necessarily advertise better deals.  Make the call to get the best deal you can.

*  Cut pay tv.  Yes I'm sure it's great to have and some cost as low as $10 a month.  Could you use that extra money to feed your family or pay a few bills?  Save pay tv for when you are debt free and still really, really need it.

*  Start making your own presents.  By doing this you are keeping more of your money within the budget.  See this post about creating your own mini economy..

*  Pay your bills on time to get the discounts and avoid late fees.

*  Ring your utility providers to make sure you are getting the best discount available.

*  Cook a couple of meatless meals a week.  Fried rice,  chunky veggie soup,  pasta and sauce,  toasted sandwiches,  eggs on toast  and  baked / stuffed potatoes are all very tasty and super budget friendly.

*  When the weather gets warm,  use an electric fan to cool down the room you are using instead of turning on the cooling / air conditioning.  If it gets too hot,  turn your cooling on low and keep your electric fan on.  Electric fans cost about 2 cents an hour to run.

*  Grow your own lettuce.  You can grow it in a pot or in the ground all through the year.  By purchasing a packet of seeds for about $3 you'll have enough seeds for the next couple of years. This can save you up to $100 a year based on buying one lettuce per week at $1.99 each. I like to grow the salad mix variety and pick as many leaves as we need per meal.

Stayed tuned for more budget busting posts throughout the year.

This Week's Frugal Tasks 13th February 2016

As I look back on my frugal week,  I didn't think I'd done much at all. A very special friend of ours has been  hospitalised and is very unwell.  Darren,  myself and the girls have spent much of the week in prayer for him.   If you are friends with me on Facebook,  I've posted a photo of him.  please join us in prayer for complete healing.  He's the reason Darren and I met and married.

Here's what I managed to do this week - 

*  Picked,  cut and froze lots of beans from the garden.

*  Picked lots of tomatoes,  lettuce, raspberries and one strawberry.

*  Made 7 jars of raspberry jam using our raspberries, our lemon juice and sugar given to us.  I used this recipe ( using raspberries and without the apples ) to make the jam.

*  Made lots of pita chips for snacks.

*  Saved the washing machine and clean shower water.

*  Made 7 jars of peach jam.  The peaches were $1.99 kg and the lemon juice and sugar were free.

*  Made four loaves of wholemeal bread.

* Stayed away from the shops except to buy milk,  fruit and veg.  I'm participating in the Cheapskate's February No Spend Month.

*  Cut up lots of used printer paper to recycle into note paper.

*  Made potato cakes for lunch when Cath came over.  The potato was leftover for dinner the night before.

*  Threw the kitchen scraps into the compost bin.

*  Refilled the shampoo and conditioner bottles in the girl's bathroom.  I also diluted it a little.  I can't dilute it 50 / 50 any more as they complain it's too runny and they use more.  If I dilute it a little I'm hoping they won't notice.

*  Bought Tresemme shampoo  and conditioner on a half price sale using money from the slush fund.

*  Refilled the hand wash pumps with diluted shower gel.  Here's how I do this

*  Used electric fans when possible to cool the house instead of the evap cooling.

*  Picked a few beautiful pink roses from the garden.  They smell divine

From the garden

Pretties for my kitchen

Peach jam to eat and give as presents.

The egg on the right is a normal sized one.

Producing my own food

.How did you save money this week ?

Grocery Specials Wednesday 10th February 2016

Here are this week's best grocery specials -

COLES -

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

*  Cadbury Boxed Favourites or Mini Blocks 320g1/2 PRICE Was $12.00, Save $6.00 Now $6.00 each

*  Fountain Tomato or Barbecue Sauce 2 Litre1/2 PRICE Was $6.00, Save $3.00  Now $3.00 each

*  Gold Choice Sunflower, Canola, Vegetable Oil 4 Litre or La Española Rice Bran Oil 3 Litre 1/2 PRICE Was $18.00, Save $9.00  Now $9.00 each  Great for soap making too.

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

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

*  Cadbury Dairy Milk Gift Box 175g1/2 PRICE Was $10.00, Save $5.00  Now $5.00 each

*  CSR Raw Sugar 2kg1/2 PRICE Was $3.50, Save $1.75 Now $1.75 each

*  Garnier Fructis Shampoo or Conditioner 250mL1/2 PRICE Was $5.44, Save $2.72 Now $2.72 each

*  Garnier Fructis Shampoo or Conditioner 700mL1/2 PRICE Was $12.00, Save $6.00 Now $6.00 each

*  Veet Spawax Starter Kit 150g 1/2 PRICE Was $59.99, Save $30.00  Now $29.99 each

*  Brut 33 Deodorant For Men 150g 1/2 PRICE Was $6.29, Save $3.15  Now $3.14 each

*  Pine O Cleen Disinfectant 1.25 Litre 1/2 PRICE Was $5.00, Save $2.50  Now $2.50 each

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

*  Mars Celebration 300g, Maltesers 360g or M&Ms Peanut 440g 1/2 PRICE Was $10.00, Save $5.00  Now $5.00 each

WOOLWORTHS -

*  Streets Magnum 360-468ml Pk 4-6 Now $3.99 each 1/2 Price, Save $4.00.  The cheapest you'll find.

*  Abbott’s Village Bakery Bread Varieties 680-850g Now $2.69 each 1/2 Price, Save $2.70

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

*  EasiYo Yogurt Maker – Excludes Mini Maker Now $11.49 each 1/2 Price, Save $11.50.  If you've ever thought about buying one,  now is the time.  Buy a few for Christmas presents and include my super easy recipe.

*  Edgell Beetroot, Corn or Seed Beans 400-425g Now$0.84 each 1/2 Price, Save up to $1.03

*  Arnott’s Salada Biscuits 250g Now $2.00 each Save $1.00

*   Golden Canola Oil 4 Litre Now $9.00 each 1/2 Price, Save $9.00

*  10% Off Village Cinema Gold Class & $50 Gift Cards.

*  Cadbury Favourites 540g Now $9.50 each 1/2 Price, Save $9.50

*  M&M’s Peanut Box 440g or Maltesers Box 360g Now $5.00 each 1/2 Price, Save $5.00

*   Imported Freshwater Basa Fillets Now $5.49 kg 1/2 Price, Save $5.50 kg

*   Steggles Whole Chicken Family Roast – From the meat dept Now$3.00 kg Save $1.99 kg

*  Cinnamon Donuts Now $2.00 each 1/2 Price, Save $2.00

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

*  Radox Deodorant 250ml Now $3.00 each 1/2 Price, Save $3.00

*   Sunsilk Shampoo or Conditioner 400ml Now $3.09 each 1/2 Price, Save $3.10

*  L’Oreal Elvive Shampoo or Conditioner 250ml Now $2.99 each 1/2 Price, Save $3.00

*  Tontine I’m an Allergy Friendly Pillow Pk 2 Now $11.00 each Better than 1/2 Price, Save $13.00

*   1/2 Price on all Home Essentials & Inspire Bathroom Manchester

*  Hygiene Plus Powder Free Gloves Pk 100 Now $4.99 each 1/2 Price, Save $5.00. 

*  Kraft Peanut Butter 500g Now $2.84 each 1/2 Price, Save $2.84

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

Zucchini Slice

This zucchini slice recipe is wonderful to eat all year round.  In Summer I serve it with salad,  a baked potato and fish.  In Winter it's served with rice,  steamed veggies and any meat.  My girls don't like zucchini as a vegetable but they'll happily eat my zucchini slice.  I think it's the cheese on top that makes it appealing.

2 large zucchinis,
1 large carrot,
1 large potato
A couple of pieces of pumpkin ( optional ).
2 eggs
2/3 cup of plain flour
Salt,  pepper,  garlic granules or powder to taste
1 tablespoon of chives or parsley ( dried or fresh )
1 tablespoon of onion flakes or 1/2 a finely diced fresh onion

Grate the zucchini,  carrot,  potato and pumpkin.
Squeeze all the juice from the grated veggies
Place all the grated veggies into a large bowl and mix together.
Add the eggs,  flour and seasonings and mix well
Place into a large greased oven / casserole dish and pat down with your hand..
Top with grated cheese and bake at 180 degrees Celsius for 1 hour.

NOTES -

*  This recipe is interchangeable. Any veggie listed can be increased or deleted depending on what you have on hand

*  Using a food processor makes light work of all the grating.

*  This recipe is easy to double or triple if you have an abundance of zucchinis.

*  I sometimes add ham or bacon but this does increase the cost of the slice..

*  Can be frozen.  I cut up into portion sizes, and place squares of cut up cereal packet between each slice.  Then cling wrap and place in a freezer bag.

*  Keeps for up to one year in the freezer or 48 hours in the fridge.   

Slabs of zucchini slice

This Week's Frugal Tasks Saturday 6th February 2016

I'm not sure where my week has gone but I did keep myself busy.  My housework is up to date,  I worked and I even found a little time for card making and a visit to a friend.  Here's what else I got up to -

*  Picked tomatoes,  beans,  raspberries and the last of the lemons for the season.

* Cooked up some tomatoes from our garden.  There was enough for two meals of spag bol sauce.  I've frozen the sauce for future use.

*  Cut up a cereal packet liner to use as go between for crumpets,  chops and hamburger patties.

*  Made a double batch of pumpkin scones for the freezer.  I used cooked,  pureed pumpkin from the freezer that was bought when pumpkin was in season and really cheap.

*  Made a double batch of raspberry and white chocolate muffins to sell to a cleaning client. I also sold two dozen eggs to this client.

*   Topped up my car with petrol when it was 98 cents a litre without a docket.  Every time the fuel gauge drops to 3/4 full,  I keep topping up.  Buying petrol this cheap is a real blessing to many people's budgets right now.

*  Gratefully received a couple of fuel discount dockets in the mail from a blog reader.  Now that we have three cars in the family and very little spent in the supermarket,  these dockets are a blessing to us.

*  Gratefully received some card making supplies from my lovely friend Leesa.  I received some stickers, embellishments,  pretty papers,  stamps and lots of other bits and pieces.

*  Made lots of female birthday cards using supplies I had on hand.  Over the next few months I'll concentrate on making some male cards.  My stocks are getting low.

*  Saved some tissue paper and gift bags from belated birthday presents Megan received.

*  Kept the evap. cooling off most of the week.  The mild weather has helped.

*  Did the usual water saving tasks ( washing machine and shower water ).

*  Ate out of the pantry and freezer.  I only spent $4 at the shops on milk this week.

*  Picked lots of lavender from our garden.  I'll be drying the bunch and using it in my next batch of soap I make.

Lavender from the garden

Pumpkin scones for snacks.

Hand made card

Tomato relish for a friend.

Card making supplies from a friend.

Tomato pasta sauce. Princess had to have a look.

What frugal tasks did you complete ?

You'll Fall In Love With Aldi Adelaide Workshop

 I am so excited to announce the details of this extra special workshop to be held in Adelaide.

When: Friday 12th February 2016
Where: Aldi Hallet Cove, Hallett Cove Shopping Centre, Lonsdale Road, Hallett Cove
What time: 8:00pm - 9:30pm
Cost: $30 per person

What makes this workshop so special?
 Well apart from Wendy and Cath, you will actually be in-store from 8:30pm!

Yes, you'll be able to shop.

Yes, there will be lots of gifts and handouts and other fun stuff for everyone who comes along.

Yes, there will be someone from Aldi there to answer your questions.

Yes, places are limited - we can only have 30 participants at this workshop.

Yes, it will be worth it. Trust me - you'll fall in love with Aldi and if you're already an Aldi fan you'll fall even more in love with Aldi before the end of the workshop!

Click here to book your place: http://www.cheapskatesclub.net/youll-fall-in-love-with-aldi.html

Remember, places are strictly capped at 30, so bookings are on a first in basis.

Hope to see you at Aldi Hallett Cove on the 12th!

Grocery Specials Wednesday 3rd February 2016

As you can imagine there are lots of chocolates and lollies on sale in readiness for Valentines Days.  I couldn't post all the specials as there were so many.  Here are this week's best grocery specials -

COLES -

*  Nice & Natural Bars 180g-192g 1/2 PRICE Was $3.99, Save $2.00 Now $1.99 each

*  Spam Ham 340g1/2 PRICE Was $4.90, Save $2.45 Now $2.45 each  Could be good for emergencies

*  Starburst Medium Bags 104g-180g1/2 PRICE Was $2.70, Save $1.35 Now $1.35 each

*  Arnott’s Marie or Arrowroot Biscuits 250g1/2 PRICE Was $2.00, Save $1.00  Now.$1.00 each.  These biscuit are great to use in slices.

*  Mars Maltesers 360g or Peanut M&Ms 440g1/2 PRICE Was $10.00, Save $5.00  Now $5.00 each

*  Mars Celebrations Box Chocolate 300g1/2 PRICE Was $10.00, Save $5.00  Now $5.00 each

*  Kraft Peanut Butter 500g1/2 PRICE Was $5.68, Save $2.84  Now $2.84 each

*  Lavazza Coffee Beans or Ground 500g1/2 PRICE Was $18.95, Save $9.80  Now $9.15 each

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

*  Uncle Tobys VitaBrits 1kg Was $4.59, Save $1.59  Now $3.00 each

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

*  Maharajah’s Choice Basmati Rice 5kg 1/2 PRICE Was $17.50, Save $8.75 Now $8.75 each

*   Trident Coconut Cream or Milk 400mL1/2 PRICE Was $1.95, Save $0.98  Now $0.97 each

*  Streets Magnum 4 Pack-6 Pack 360mL-468mL Was $7.99, Save $2.99  Now $5.00 each

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

*  Imperial Leather Body Wash 1 Litre1/2 PRICE Was $9.00, Save $4.50  Now $4.50 each

*  Dettol Liquid Hand Wash Pump 250mL 1/2 PRICE Was $2.90, Save $1.45  Now $1.45 each

*  Handee Ultra Paper Towel 4 Pack1/2 PRICE Was $5.20, Save $2.60  Now $2.60 each

WOOLWORTHS -

*  Uncle Tobys Muesli Bars 120-185g Now $1.99 each 1/2 Price, Save $2.00

*  Nescafe Cafe Menu Pk 20 Now $7.00 each Save $4.99

*  Lipton Ice Tea Varieties 1.5 Litre Now $1.80 each 1/2 Price, Save $2.00

*  Golden Circle Fruit Drink 1 Litre Now $1.00 each 1/2 Price, Save up to $1.19

*  Nature Valley Bars 100-210g Now $1.99 each Better than 1/2 Price, Save up to $3.30

*    Uncle Tobys Vita Brits 1 kg Now $2.25 each 1/2 Price, Save $2.34

*  Cancer Council Sunscreen Ultra or Sport SPF50+ 110ml^Now $5.97 each 1/2 Price, Save $5.98

*  Morning Fresh Dishwashing Liquid 400ml – Excludes Eco Range Now $1.97 each 1/2 Price, Save $1.98

*    Cadbury Favourites or Mini Blocks 320g Now $6.00 each 1/2 Price, Save $6.00

*  Pedigree Dog Food 1.2 kg Now $1.84 each 1/2 Price, Save $1.85

*  TRESemme Shampoo or Conditioner 750-900ml Now $5.00 each 1/2 Price, Save $5.50

  Please feel free to add any specials you find in the supermarkets,  department stores and Chemists etc.        
                      

2016 Goals

As I mentioned last week, a new year means new goals and a new budget.  It's time to start afresh.  Have you had the chance to think about what you'd like to achieve this year ?

Here are my goals for this year -

*  Learn how to crochet.  If I can't find anyone to teach me,  I'll be looking up youtube.  I'd like to be able to crochet beautiful edges around face washers,  towels and tea towels etc.  Annabel's beautiful handiwork has really inspired me to learn.

*  I'd like to give more handmade presents.  If I learn to crochet,  this will help me achieve the goal.

*  To grow more veggies in succession.  For example,  to plant more lettuce seeds while I'm still picking from the plants in the veggie patch.

*  To find ways of increasing my income.  This year will see me losing most of my cleaning jobs.  Although I don't want to be cleaning for too much longer due to wear and tear on my body, I do like contributing the the household income.  Increasing my income might come through selling some of my crafts,  public speaking,  holding workshops or speaking at workshops.  I might even set up a shop  here on the blog.

*  Finish writing my book.  This is a big one but I will have more spare time this year.  No excuses !!

*  Set up some exciting new challenges for you to participate in.  Maybe even hold a Christmas present exchange later in the year.

* Continue to find ways to trim the family budget,  yet still live well.  I might need to do more research on frugal living.  There's always more to learn.

Making more

Growing more

Cooking more

What goals would you like to achieve this year ?

This Week's Frugal Tasks Saturday 30th January 2016

The cooler weather has been great for baking and cooking.  I now have restocked the freezer with muffins for snacks.  We've received lots of rain for our garden.  This is such a blessing.  I continued to save the warm up shower water but have only used some of it.  I'll have to find more buckets to keep my water " stockpile " in.  Here's what else we got up to this week -

*  Megan and I both had to sew a button on a pair of jeans when the stud fell off.

*  Gratefully received some card making equipment from a lovely friend.  I received a corner rounder,  embossing ink pad and pen,  embossing powder,  two other ink pads,  a pattern cutting mat,  pattern cutters and cutting tools.  I was overwhelmed with her generosity as these were items I wanted to get some time in the future if  I could spare the money.

*  Gratefully received some other shape cutters from another friend.

*  Baked Anzac biscuits for Australia Day.  Megan baked some mini meringues and we used home grown raspberries on top.

*  Bought four bags of present bows for 50 cents a bag.  There's about 26 bows per bag.  I think I'm right for the next few years.

*  Baked four loaves of wholemeal bread.

*  Baked raspberry and white chocolate muffins using our own raspberries.

*  Made a batch of soap with olive oil in it.  I was able to make twelve rose soaps for presents.

*  Gave a hand towel, rose soap and a hand made card for a friend's birthday..

*  Ate leftovers for dinner after Australia Day.

*  Kept the cooling off most days as the weather has been mild.  When the cooling was used we had it on low and used electric fans to move the air around.

*  Used the shower warm up water to keep all the fruit trees and bushes hydrated.

*  Hand washed the dishes a few nights.  There wasn't enough dishes to put the dishwasher on.

*  Picked tomatoes,  beans and a handful of raspberries each day.

*  I had to use the dryer one day to dry the towels.  The weather was muggy so I knew the towels wouldn't dry on the line.  To offset the electricity usage I stayed off the computer all day.

*  Used my flyby dollars to buy mince and sausages for our Australia Day BBQ.

*  Bough Megan two pairs of school shoes.  Spendless Shoes had a " buy one pair get 50% off the second pair " sale.  I got a pair that fits perfectly now and a pair in the next size up for next year.  If her feet don't grow any more,  we'll put insoles in the second pair.

*  Made potato cakes for lunch with 2/3 cup of left over mashed potato.

Raspberry and white chocolate mufins

Soap with olive oil in it.

From the garden

This is what i'm picking each day

Potato cakes

The card making equipment I was blessed with.

These templates will make cutting shapes easy.

Bargain bows for 50 cents a bag.

What did you do this week to save time,  money and energy ?

Grocery Specials Wednesday 27th January 2016

Here are this week's best grocery specials -

COLES -

*    Birds Eye Oven Bake Fish Fillets 425g 1/2 PRICE Was $8.79, Save $4.40 Now $4.39 each

* Golden Circle Tetra Fruit Drink 1 Litre 1/2 PRICE Excludes Pineapple.On sale for 2 weeks.Was$2.05, Save $1.03  Now $1.02 each

*  Sanitarium Peanut Butter Natural Crunchy 375g1/2 PRICE Was $4.05, Save $2.05  Now $2.00 each

*  La Española Rice Bran Oil 3 Litre 1/2 PRICE Was $18.00, Save $9.00  Now $9.00 each

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

* Zoosh Aioli or Mayonnaise 350g1/2 PRICE Was $4.49, Save $2.25 Now $2.24 each

*  Norsca Anti-Perspirant Deodorant 150g 1/2 PRICE Was $5.99, Save $3.00 Now $2.99 each

*  Brut 33 Deodorant For Men 150g 1/2 PRICE Was $6.29, Save $3.15  Now $3.14 each

*  Palmolive Liquid Hand Wash Pump 250mL 1/2 PRICE Was $2.99, Save $1.60  Now $1.39 each

*  Imperial Leather Body Wash 1 Litre 1/2 PRICE Was $9.00, Save $4.50 Now $4.50 each

*    Pantene Shampoo or Conditioner 900mL1/2 PRICE Was $15.70, Save $7.85  Now $7.85 each

*  Oral B Waxed Dental Floss 100m 1/2 PRICE Was $5.85, Save $2.93 Now $2.92 each

*  Palmolive Dishwashing Liquid 700mL-750mL1/2 PRICE Was $5.49, Save $2.75  Now $2.74 each

*  Sard Oxy Plus Stain Remover 1kg1/2 PRICE Was $7.29, Save $3.65  Now $3.64 each

WOOLWORTHS -

*  Australian White Seedless Grapes Australian Grown.$3.50 kg

*  Arnott’s Chocolate Coated Biscuits 160-250g Now $1.82 each 1/2 Price, Save $1.83

*  Fantastic Rice Crackers 100g Now $0.97 each 1/2 Price, Save $0.98

*   1/2 Price All Decor Match-Ups & Microsafe.

*  Kellogg’s Nutri Grain 290g Now $2.29 each 1/2 Price, Save $2.30

*  1/2 Price All Freedom Foods Range

*  1/2 Price ALL Palmolive Hand & Body Wash.

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

*  Energizer Max AAA Pk 14 or AA Pk 16* Now $9.74 each 1/2 Price, Save up to $9.76

*  Inspire Microfibre Sheet Set or Quilt Cover Set QB Now $10.00 each1/2 Price, Save $10.00– Also available in 180TC Flat or Fitted Sheet QB*1/2 Price All Bedroom Manchester. 

*  Graph Book 9 x 7 Pg 48, Grid Book 9 x 7 Pg 64 or Exercise Books 9 x 7 Pg 64 Now $0.20 each 1/2 Price, Save $0.80

*  BIC 4 Colour Shine Pk 1 or BIC 4 Colour Charm Pk 1Now $1.74 each 1/2 Price, Save $1.75

*  Fuji Xerox Performer Copy Paper A4 500 Sheets Now $3.00 each1/2 Price, Save $3.00

*  1/2 Price All Scotch-Brite.

*  1/2 Price All Decor Match-Ups & Microsafe

 

      

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