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.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Herbal Tea and More Gift Giving

A long time work a colleague had a birthday this week. Happy Birthday Bev!!! As I'm on my personal mission of nothing purchased new and everything has to be within a certain $10 budget, I struggled. I struggled because I was too time poor to make anything and she's a strong woman who knows what she likes and doesn't like, full stop, no buts...

My brain had a lightbulb moment and this is what I gifted.

Apricot Delights.
A old glass coffee jar filled with dried apricots and apricot balls. I know she likes them. They are clutter free. They look pretty. They are a somewhat healthy snack for her office desk and it was just a bit over my budget.

To contribute to the morning tea I purchased a packet of Palmier biscuits (Italian) and made 2 bottles of herbal tea. To make the tea I simmered a pot of water with a generous amount of chopped basil, ginger and lemongrass. Once cooled down I added the juice of 1 lime. I placed the liquid into 2 sterilised glass bottles (old pasta sauce bottles) and chilled over night in the fridge.

My Home Smelt Delicious.

Refreshing and Healthy.
They were refreshing and zesty. A a super healthy addition to a table loaded with delicious rich, savoury and sweet foods. They were also frugal and eco as they were organically grown local produce. So that makes me very happy indeed.

Have you been frugally zesty lately? Love to hear from you...
Posted by Frugal Down Under
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6 comments:

  1. MandyOctober 8, 2011 at 8:51 PM

    Yum. That iced herbal tea sounds great!

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  2. Ms. DigOctober 8, 2011 at 8:56 PM

    I love reading how you stick to your frugal ethos in times like this. I think I would throw my hands up in the air and say I didn't have time to make the effort. I think your approach has a much more personal touch, as well as being good for the environment and the hip pocket. Well done! 80)

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  3. Practical ParsimonyOctober 8, 2011 at 9:32 PM

    Well, I am going to eat my neighbor's yard art like I did another year and posted on my blog just now. Zesty? I could fix it that way. Do you ever consider making gifts ahead for times when you are time poor? Or, collecting things for gifts second hand and starting a gift drawer/shelf/box?

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  4. africanaussieOctober 11, 2011 at 9:52 PM

    thanks for recommending me to my memories scrapbook software - I have a giveaway posted on my blog.

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  5. ♥.Trish.♥ DrumboysOctober 12, 2011 at 3:32 AM

    What a great frugal idea and it looks very pretty and useful.

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  6. brismodOctober 12, 2011 at 5:06 AM

    Now you are thrifty...and clearly very thoughtful. Love your frugal ways! xx

    ReplyDelete

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