Spring!

I've been spending every opportunity outside that I can. The weather is just gorgeous at the moment, so trying to get lots done before the weather gets too hot! I'm loving all the spring flowers out, the chooks are laying well, the herbs are growing like weeds and there are new seedlings in the vegetable garden.

How's the weather in your neck of the woods?

The goodness of the rain

We are finally having some decent rain. Lots and lots of it. Day and night. For days on end. A few thunder storms thrown in for good measure. Everything is so green. The veges are thriving!

Ella's broccoli

Cabbage

The flowers are loving this weather too

 

 

Yellow Marigolds brighten up the day!

Green garden!

We finally have some sunshine (not that I am complaining) after lots and lots of rain, so this morning I got out and added some more organic soil to the vegetables and herbs. Everything is looking so green now. The lettuces are almost ready to eat, the cabbage, broccoli and cauliflowers are growing madly. The parsley is huge - we had some with scrambled eggs yesterday morning - so yummy! I need to get Phil to get me another planter soon so we can expand what we grow!

New Find

I found this gorgeous tin this morning at the garden centre. It's perfect for the bench.

We are just about to start our own composting, so this was a great motivator to get us going.

Even the girls were excited, and because they already have vege gardens at school and know all about compost, they told me what can go into the bin!

And plenty of more gardening books from the library today! Fun and interesting to look through.

Op Shopping

Ella tries on some of her new gear. Love this shirt  - eat, drink, sleep, DANCE! Very appropriate for a dancer!

 Today, I met up with Amie & Jonah at the shops to buy the kids winter pj's for Easter. Yes, it is a tradition here as we believe the kids gett too much chocolate and just do not need it. They always need new pyjamas anyway with growing so far, so we have made it part of Easter. After we finished at the shopping center, we visited some Op shops. We headed to some I have never been to before which was a nice change. First up was the Salvos where I got the girls some cool shirts and 3 brand new dress-up skirts. Next was Save the Children where we got a book for Ella, and a vest and a toy car for Jonah. We walked along in search of more and came across Good Sammys where more bargains were found (mostly for Jonah and Ruby) and I picked up two gorgeous Easter baskets for the egg hunt. Next door was St Vinnies where I snapped up a few bargains for Kate. All in all a good day.

Some of Kates' bargains with the Easter baskets in front

Home-made liquid soap

Today I made a batch of liquid soap (recipe here) 

It was super easy and fun to make

I can't wait to try it out!

Saving at the Supermarket

I bought this book a couple of weeks ago, and I am thoroughly enjoying the recipes in it. For next to nothing I can create delicious meals that the kids love. Amie got a copy too, as it has so many ideas about saving money at the supermarket. I've lent my copy to a friend at present, will have to get it back tomorrow as I'm missing it.

Easy Friday Tea

Small Change

Saving all your small change in a tin (that can't be opened until you need it) or a jar is a good way to save for an emergency or extra savings. I personally save all our gold coins in this tin and when it's full (nearly is for the third time) I whack it all on the mortgage. This size tins usually holds between $350 and $500 depending on whether you have more one or two dollar coins. :) As a rule I don't spend gold coins so that at the end of each day if I've spent cash I check to see if I have any gold for my tin.

When you keep a change jar, never take from it, just keep addding adding adding. Half the fun is the surprise at the end when you open it and count. Only count it when you are ready to transfer it to a bank account or to pay off a debt.

You can also add to your savings by adding notes here and there. I occasionally add a $5 note or a ten, I've even added the odd $20 before.

If you are debt-free, add it to your savings account or use it towards a holiday.

For those of you earning a good weekly wage, you may think saving small change is a bit trivial. But living frugally whether by choice or need is all about small steps.

So think about starting a change jar. If you give up a few things and save all your small change, you'll be able to pay off your mortgage faster or take a family holiday without using the credit card.