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.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Blue the Budget on a Gift

A friend had a baby girl about 4 months ago. And I was slow at delivering our gift. But this is the hamper I created and gave last Sunday. Over our usual budget as baby's mum is the person who hooked me into the community garden and has saved me a lot of money in produce and health costs by eating my own organics and getting exercise. Plus the gardens give me a fantastic mental health boost.



My $3 secondhand basket has:

  • A new dress $15 (on super discount), 
  • Lovely local hand made soap $4, 
  • Op shop (higher end brands) clothes $3 
  • A few of Dolly's gorgeous outgrown clothes and books.
  • Gift tag is a picture cut from an old diary and glued to a piece of card.
I love the hamper and Dolly was very proud to present it. She made the mum change her baby's clothes 4 times during the morning. I'm currently preparing another baby hamper for another friend. I found a gorgeous baby, designer dress at the op shop for $2. Retails for roughly $180!!! This time I'm going to try to stick to budget.

My frugality has been a bit poor this week as I feel the blues. I feel exhausted from work. I just want to eat junk food and not cook. I want to sookie-la-la. I don't want to buy stuff though (just chocolate). Instead I've wanted to purge and have been able to declutter 1 or 2 small items per night which is freeing up more space. That feels good.

Do you think you spend more when you are over tired or have the blues? 
Posted by Frugal Down Under
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6 comments:

  1. Miss Piggy BankNovember 3, 2011 at 7:18 AM

    What a lovely hamper.

    ReplyDelete
  2. NazcaLinesNovember 3, 2011 at 12:15 PM

    I definitely spend more when I'm feeling down although I'm a lot better at controlling myself now.

    Lovely basket of goodies.

    ReplyDelete
  3. BryallenNovember 3, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    That looks gorgeous! I bet she loooved it!

    Also, WHOA, who would buy $180 baby clothes?! You'd only get a couple months usage out of it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Practical ParsimonyNovember 3, 2011 at 8:51 PM

    When I am overtired, I do spend. But, the next day, I look at what I purchased and wonder why on earth I spent the money. I don't evev like what I bought! So, I take it back and get a refund.

    ReplyDelete
  5. NIXNAXNovember 3, 2011 at 10:08 PM

    Oh yes we can even spend a fortune at op shops.
    I love your baby gift.

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownNovember 5, 2011 at 5:23 AM

    A gorgeous Hamper!

    TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF..I'M FEELING THE SAME THIS WEEKEND..IT'S TIME TO CHILL AND REST.

    Sft x

    ReplyDelete

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