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, December 24, 2011

Cyclone Making A Come Back, Op Shopping and Gardening.

It seems the cyclone will be heading our way as it has changed directions yet again. We may have gale force winds Christmas evening. However Darwin may miss out on being directly hit. It's a wait and see game with preparations thrown in. So far it's only predicted to be a category 2, but big enough to cause damage where I live.

This morning Dolly and I left the Rambling Expat at home for 2 and a half hours and headed to our local Salvation Army Op Shop (charity/thrift shop) (which I find over priced) and looked for the half price items (I was searching for heart shaped buttons). I was out of luck however we did make a few purchases.

  • Dolly purchased a Tinker Bell costume - $2.50
  • Baby socks & hat for her Dolls - $1 the lot.
  • I purchased a skirt for $2.50 because the light cotton, bird print fabric was too pretty to leave behind.
Total Cost = $6 (hat missing from pic)
Fabric is a light cotton with pretty birds.

Dolly and I then went to our garden plot to catch up on gardening as I haven't done any in over 5 weeks. The garden plot helps to reduce our groceries costs, is a healthier option to sitting at home watching TV and has way less food miles then items from the supermarket. We weeded, pruned and fed the chickens spinach. As I went to place green waste in the compost bin I carelessly thought wow look at that pretty snake.

WHAT!!! Stopped myself in time as I realised SNAKE! Stepped back and withdrew my hand. I think this is a small Golden Tree Snake - not dangerous. But I still don't want to be bitten.

Golden Tree Snake?

She was keeping an eye on me for the rest of the time at the plot.

This is our lovely produce: If purchased in a supermarket this would easily be over $25 worth. I am so lucky to have a garden plot.

Healthy, Local and Organic.

  • Basil from my plot and a friends plot (for pesto).
  • A handful of a new type of snake bean I have been growing (to eat with lunch tomorrow).
  • A few chilli's from another plot as their tree was loaded (to add to various dishes in next few days).
  • Eggplants (I want to make chargrilled marinated eggplant if possible).
  • Pawpaw (for snacking).
  • Banana from our home garden (for snacking). These trees will blow down in gale force winds.


We ended the day with Dinner at Grandmas and then Dolly, Grandma, The Rambling Expat and myself driving around in our little car to see all the Christmas lights. Dolly had begged to do this and was thrilled by each house she saw twinkling. She asked if we could do the same. I said no and explained the financial cost and ecological waste involved.

How was your day? Did you have any time for the garden or other inexpensive pursuits?

5 comments:

  1. It's Christmas Eve and almost noon. I just got up, so I have no idea how I am...lol. It's the middle of winter, so no gardening for me.

    The bird fabric is really pretty. Your produce from today is fabulous! Dolly is getting lots of lessons from her experiences in the garden.

    So sorry that the cyclone is headed back your way.

    In the US and Canada NORAD tracks Santa's ride through the sky. Can you get that info on the computer for Dolly?

    Did you get my address for my book I won?

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  2. It's good to see a productive garden. Batten down the hatches tonight and Merry Christmas to you and yours.
    Love from Mum
    xx

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  3. Hi FDU, Just to wish you a merry christmas and new year xx

    ReplyDelete
  4. That veg looks brill!! That snake is gorgeous too! Sounds like you had a great day. Is an Op Shop like a charity shop?

    ReplyDelete
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