Make it yourself !
Our strict grocery budget is certainly teaching us value for money. When you have limited funds, the last thing you want to do is blow it all on a big-ticket item that isn’t worth it.
I shouted the girls out for tea to say thanks for being such good sorts about our changed lifestyle. A local restaurant enticed us in with an advertising discount voucher that promised the chance of a free meal.
We missed out on the ultimate reward, but still received a sizeable discount. The meal cost us $62, which we didn’t count in that week’s budget, as it would have only left us with $13 to spend. We are getting good at living on next to nothing, but we are not that good. It was a great night out – we had a laugh (or we may have gone a bit hysterical in the presence of all that food), but my point is, was it worth it?
I’d have to say no. When you have been living reasonably well on $75 a week, it becomes too hard to justify spending $62 on one meal, regardless of how enjoyable. So that may be a rare downside to our budgeting challenge – it is hard not to be analytical about value for money, which leads to an overdose of cynicism when faced with buying decisions. It doesn’t end with food and groceries, either. You start analysing every spending decision and questioning the value – not that that is always a bad thing.
Nowadays when we grocery shop, it is not a matter of what we need to buy, but more like what we can avoid buying. We walk past aisles and aisles of expensive, attractively packaged products basically thumbing our noses at all of them. At the checkout, it is a great feeling to hear $75, please, instead of $475. You see, we are not missing out on anything. At home, all our food and hygiene requirements are met, not only at a much lower cost but, in most cases, at a higher level of quality with the stuff we have learnt to make ourselves.
Our quest to make our own house-cleaning products has opened our eyes to opportunities to make other stuff ourselves. Danni has discovered that quality moisturiser, lip balm, shampoo bars and other cosmetic items can be made cheaply and easily at home. The products are so good that she is sharing them in a pamphlet and is running classes from home (Thursdays at 7pm). Join us – it’s a great way to save money.
Next week: Where are all the recipes?
* If you want to get in touch with Lyn, you can email her on pigtitsandparsleysauce@gmail.com or phone 754-8600, or see the website, www.pigtitsandparsleysauce.co.nz.
loved to hear about your business love your enthusiasm,[with out it you got nothing] how do i get your recipes,please. regards john
I wonder if she has thought about a video where you can either send to people to do a demonstration where we can keep it or a video on her website so the people who can’t get to her classes can still watch it and enjoy the wonderful work she has done? Good on her i say well done.
🙂
Hi Lyn, For some reason my email has bounced back, but I would like to attend both classes. Could you please let me know when you have spaces free? Email me when you have a chance. Many thanks, Melinda
hi Melinda – Cleaning class is any Tuesday at 7pm. Cosmetics any Thursday (after Oct 16) or any other night by appointment. e-mail me on lyn.webster@xtra.co.nz to confirm a suitable time. Cost $25 includes recipes and samples to try at home. Thanks Lyn
Would be interested to see one of your 75 or 100 budgets just to see what you get in that weekly shop plse, cheers
Hi Lyn,
I sent you an email on the 7th of June about obtaining your cosmetic recipe sheets. I was wanting to pay via Internet banking if possible but couldn’t locate your bank details.
Thanks, Cathy
Hi Michelle
I will post an actual shopping list next time I go with the real costs but in the meantime, I basically get a big 10kg bag of spuds which lasts for ages, tinned fruit (peaches and pineapple – whatever is on special or cheapest), loaves of bread (the cheapest is $1-51 a loaf), cheap home brand pasta (89c for 500gms), tinned tuna, fresh veges ie; onions, capsicum, tomato, lettuce sometimes, whatever is on special),eggs, tinned creamed corn, butter if less that $3-00, 1kg cheese if less than $8-99. We always have stocks of nuts, rolled oats, pulses, rice, flour, cocoa, custard, sugar and assorted baking ingredients from Bin Inn on hand and that is replenished when necessary. I will get corn chips, sour cream and chilli beans if nachos is on the menu. We also get whatever meat etc we might need depending on what we plan to eat that week but only cheap cuts. I also look out for mark downs and good specials… as sometimes things near the expiry date or reduced to clear. Sunday night is a good night for mark down at our local Countdown supermarket
Resources we have on hand that others may not are: Mince and sausages (and pet food) from a beast killed and free milk from cow shed. Seasonal fruit and veges given by relations and neighbours (we never turn anything down). I am also getting a vege garden together but this will not happen overnight but so far have eaten tomatoes, capsicum spinach and onions we have grown ourselves.
Common dishes we enjoy are: vege pizza, scones, pikelets, savoury mince, mashed spud, potato bake, spaghetti on toast, toasted sandwiches, fish pie, macaroni cheese, vege pockets, tuna bake, savoury rice, soup, nachos, tuna pasta, chicken and vegetables, salads, chips with creamy dipping sauce, wraps with salad, corn fritters, frittata, baked potatoes etc etc…
Hope this helps and watch out for post coming soon.
Thanks
Lyn
Hi Lyn,
I sent u an email about getting cosmetic recipe sheets, the baking soda and white vinegar books, and the ten useful cleaning products, just checking to see if u got the email. I would like to pay by internet banking.
Thanks,
Catherine
Hi Catherine – just double checking did we ever get this sorted out? E-mail me if you need to lyn.webster@xtra.co.nz