Bouncing Myself Up.

I Hit 70 followers last week!!! Who would have ever thought people would read my ramblings. Thank you so much for following and also thank you to those of you who don't have blogger accounts and yet read me too. You all keep me encouraged to keep saving my pennies for the good stuff in life.

I also want to say a big Hello and Happy You Are Still Here to my readers from the Irene hit areas. I think we will also be in for big ones this year (cyclones) and can fully empathise when the wind strikes your town.

Now back to ME, the red faced shamed me, the big spender me, the money grows on trees me. Last week was a very bad week for the pennies. I bought pastry, snacks and takeaway nearly every workday from the supermarket and restaurants downstairs from my job. Not only am I overweight and not in my prime of health but really that $10 a day in junk and take out is a HUGE waste of money. Why have I been doing it??? I'll tell you..... It's been bit of gluttony, a feeling of overwhelm at work, dissatisfied here and there, over committed, busy with family, aching back dragging me down and maybe a bit depressed too. But waking up to my negativity is the 1st step to getting off the spend and eat ride I've been on and a new week is here to start afresh and be motivated.

Today being Monday was a fresh start and I got myself together. I wrote a list of manageable things to do. I organised a plan. I decluttered a little at home. I looked at my growing savings (feels good) and I made myself the best lunch at work for only $4.

When I take photos in the lunchroom - I'm sure people think I'm totally wackorama.

My Wackorama Super Healthy and Delicious Lunch.

I'm already feeling better and more in control already. Weight has lifted from my shoulders and I'm going to fill my next few days with healthy food, some exercise, feel good library books and ticks on my To Do list.

Do you feel you loose control sometimes too? Do you anything in particular to get your motivation back?

Frugal But Not Eco, Luxury Lunch at Work

This week I spent $18.05 on 5 workday lunches.

I even purchased "luxury" items for my lunch such as the biscuits, orange juice, spiced cucumbers and savoury broad bean snacks as I have been feeling in need of a perk. In the aim preventing myself from craving and buying takeaway and junk food at hiked up prices.

I purchased a French Stick, Pears, Tomatoes, Carrots, Meat Spread, Broad Beans Snack, Biscuits, Spiced Cucumbers and a container of Juice. I had 2 left over kiwi fruits from the previous week, so they were also included.

My lunches this week cost $3.61 each. Much more frugal then takeaway even with all my additional goodies. However this is definitely not a eco lunch as everything here is imported to my region and has travelled many kilometres to get here. Plus there is nothing eco about manufactured meats, biscuits in plastic wrap and processed juice. It's hard to create a guilt free meal when trying to be kind to my environment and juggle the demands of full time work, a child and the many activities I am part of.

I may run out of bread and need to purchase a lone roll on Friday. One bread roll costs 60 cents so will still stay within my aim of lunch for under $20.

I forgot my re-useable bags at my desk once again!!! I had to accept a plastic bag as I had too much to carry and my handbag wasn't large enough to hold many groceries. I hold my head in shame. I will try harder next time to be the organised person I wish to be.

Being organised and prepared allows my brain to be more reflective, wise and eco. Are you eco and wise?

Stephanie @ Frugal Down Under.

Tuesday Blues are Green - Back at Work

Today I went back to work after 11 Days Off. It's hard getting back into the swing of things - I feel like the new girl on the block, a bit tired and a few blanks in the memory bank.

I work in a Government Department in Information Services. Basically I work on a IT - Help Desk assisting people with their databases and test database upgrades. The Government Department is creating a new Green Team to plan and implement Eco and Sustainable business practices as to minimise ecological unsound practices. An invitation was sent out to Government workers to become part of the team, 1 person per division. I asked my manager if I could apply and she said "yes".

So now I'll be part of a Green Team and will be able to learn about and encourage ecologically sustainable practices in my division. This is very exciting for me and gives me a boost to my personal ethics as I may be able to implement some of them into my workplace.

On the floor I work on someone out of the norm, has placed a bookshelf with FREE books in the tea room - and to start off my knowledge I found a real goodie, just there waiting for me; "Sustainable Growth".

I Found a Free Eco Book

It's ecological practices for small businesses however I'm sure many ideas are transferable into a large Government organisation.

I find being careful with resources to prevent ecological unsound wastage means less wastage with money too. Does your work place (paid or unpaid) implement Green Initiatives? Does anyone have ideas to share with me or others who work in offices?