Our Frugal Lifestyle

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Passionate about eco-frugality. I used to party hard, clubbing my way from pay-packet to pay-packet. Never getting ahead, just getting by. Then came our much wanted baby with no savings in the bank - only an old car. Changes were made to our lifestyle and we didn't turn back. In the past 6yrs we purchased a flat, found employment, lived below our means, built an emergency fund, purchased a reliable car and saw the financial benefits of our frugal lifestyle. Our only debt is our mortgage. Our aim is to manage our cash flow wisely, pay off our home quickly and eventually work for pleasure, not necessity. Join us on our journey, share insights, tips and tricks to help us and others to get ahead while having a good time.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

My Frugal Funday - Sunday.

Today I woke up over stressed with my mind racing ahead and unable to settle. So with tense and frayed nerves I asked Dolly to get herself ready for a beachy outing. I thought a morning at the beach might ease and calm my soul.

So in the car we jumped with a handful of toys, a bucket of mangos and our water for a 10 minute drive on a quiet Sunday morning. We parked easily in a 2 hour for FREE car park and headed to the FREE salt-water Lagoon, which is netted, to protect us from box jellyfish and crocodiles. We played and splashed in the sea water from 9am to 11am and my stress just melted away. We sucked on our FREE juicy mangos and enjoyed the beauty of the sand and shells. A perfect start to the day.
The Lagoon - Fun and Free
We then had a quick FREE eco shower on the grassy picnic area of the lagoon. I was very impressed and surprised to see a sign noting "no soap or shampoo allowed". Yeah for advancements in protecting our environment! Then home it was to drop of Dolly before I headed out to purchase a second hand Ikea chest from my moonlighting job Boss Lady, as she is moving house and de-cluttering in the process.

I've been trawling op shops (thrift stores) for a while trying to find a chest to purchase but have not had great success. I live in an area where furniture shops are over priced and limiting in choice. So when I found out she was selling her simple Ikea piece for $80 I jumped at the opportunity to buy it from her.
So Easy to use - Dolly Loves Her New Chest of Draws
But I got more then just the chest!!! I was loaded up with food from her cupboards and fridge. And given lots of other goodies for myself, my family and to sell at my market stall.
Gift of Food, Full Containers, Dutch Pancake Maker and Super Cute Ikea Rug for Dolly!
Gift Of Clothes, 2 New Boxed Drinking Flasks, Mugs, Bag, Beauty Products and Lollies :-)
This was really a lucky day for me, as I still had my weekly menu planning and grocery shop to do. On Sundays my cupboards are always verging on bare. But due to this generous gift I am able to hold off the shopping for a few more days!

My neighbours Thai Lady and Thai Niece collected some green pawpaws from our communal garden and made my favourite Green Pawpaw Salad. And we were lucky to receive a plate which Dolly, The Rambling Expat and myself shared sitting on the ground in the backyard with 3 forks. Yum!
Pawpaws In The Garden
Spicy Green Pawpaw Salad
I then found in my cupboards a tin of tomatoes, some olives and herbs to add to the pasta, parmesan cheese and pine nuts Boss Lady had given me for our quick and easy cheap dinner. My stressed out morning became a super lucky frugalistic funalistic day. I feel ready to start another week of work, refreshed and peaceful.
Fast Food - Quick, Easy and Cheap.
Today made me think about how lucky I am yet again. Did you receive any helpful/generous gifts this week? Tell me all about it! I'd love to hear your stories!

2 comments:

  1. Wow, I just came across your blog and am so inspired by how simply you live! We are on a tight budget & try to live a very healthy lifestyle. Thank you for so many good ideas! I recently just started a small photography business to be able to help contribute a little financially, while staying at home with my youngest, and going to school full-time online. It's a lot to balance and I don't have much spare time to cook, so I really love the simple recipes you shared! Also... the chest was an amazing gift! So happy for you. :) Please feel free to stop by and say hi sometime at my newest blog, www.laylah-and-lior.blogspot.com

    Blessings, Erin

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  2. Thanks Erin. The chest wasn't a gift... but it was a great $80 spent, but all the other stuff was a gift (food, clothes, pawpaw salad). Good luck with the photography, it can be a tough yoyo ride at times. I was doing online study with and trying to find the time to squeeze it in again - hence part of the stress and frayed nerves trying to decide what to do.

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