tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63933805175732352002024-03-13T13:34:27.572+11:00Stepping BackChasing the simple life. Going from a public servant to living a sustainable life with my family. Frugal living and making and baking my way to being more self reliant.Jacintahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399196817665374933noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393380517573235200.post-91556250807859095882023-09-12T11:48:00.000+10:002023-09-12T11:48:01.417+10:00Frugal tips for living with Inflation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkhDtUHUWYk7I-dCdDNDCqRiqCdHjIarjmakoXB-U_RqmwRBoeGpAULq1JGaJnpwgxbNDs0Ydaw2u0THHpN5BeL2Xp7NLoraECAs1lEMv4_U0EV4vO5hX-Yr0SAZSji-95C-d9n2lm82PHDRDjPlYAfVB52HZk4sUK_HvlvPCKyBy2VstobbnRyKtY1M/s1040/family%20resilence%20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Growing resilience" border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkhDtUHUWYk7I-dCdDNDCqRiqCdHjIarjmakoXB-U_RqmwRBoeGpAULq1JGaJnpwgxbNDs0Ydaw2u0THHpN5BeL2Xp7NLoraECAs1lEMv4_U0EV4vO5hX-Yr0SAZSji-95C-d9n2lm82PHDRDjPlYAfVB52HZk4sUK_HvlvPCKyBy2VstobbnRyKtY1M/w444-h640/family%20resilence%20.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><p>If you are in Australia right now you will know that we are struggling through a massive inflation. Mortgages, rent, groceries and fuel is at an all time high. the major supermarkets are capitalising on this and driving prices up. But we do have options for saving money and still living a comfortable life. Not only now but into the future to prepare ourselves to weather future climates.</p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Future proof your life</h2><p style="text-align: left;">Future proofing isn't about stock piling or prepping. It's about looking at what you can change about your life and lifestyle now that will save you money and time later.</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Collect and store - Install rain water tanks to collect and store water for use on the garden to prevent reliance on the grid if there is a drought. If you own your own home put rain water tanks in to store water for your home too. If you don't already have solar panels many states in Australia offer substantial rebates in getting it installed. Add a battery to store and use energy at night and over winter when there is less sun. This will save you a fortune on electricity bills which is more money in your pocket.</li><li> Grow - Even small gardens and homes can grow their own foods. Lettuce and herbs can be grown on a windowsill, pots can be used on balconys' and in rentals. My current home only has a small courtyard but I can grow an abundance of produce saving me money and stopping me from being reliant on the supermarkets and their fluctuating prices. </li><li>Freeze and store - We know that buying in bulk saves money but having an abundance in spring and summer is common. Freeze or can your produce to use it over the leaner months. Buying produce when it is in season it will be far cheaper than trying to buy out of season. I buy oranges in Winter and make them into marmalade and cordials then store them for the summer when they will be far more expensive. The same with berrys and mangoes. Any sauces or dry goods that I don't use all of, I freeze into cubes for use in another recipe or store in jars for later use. These things only take a moment and can save money and resources in the long run.</li></ol><h2 style="text-align: left;">Buy now and save later</h2><div>You know that Christmas happens. We know birthdays will come around. Why wait until a month before to get gifts? After Christmas and during the year there are numerous sales which can be 50%-85% off. Buy gifts, wrap, candles, all of this in advance and store until they are needed. Because when the time rolls around you wont have to accept what ever price they are. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDkj8gH9BIlaonCuShjeFQajz_YjZLtm32JwnhKql7W2E3vqQYg96UfSjfqDnyXxMhDT75ILDtKUCLb8EHofg1GzD-HUPQd2WXnckwn6xm5-B5A4tWL9oHzJqZ6YVfLOMCbvIZRr2YdItQAoTniiahWH_a7ydrP7rqWIX9wgrLldhvbqS3wvl1-9lnNg/s1040/buy%20now%20save%20money.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="buy now save later sales" border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDkj8gH9BIlaonCuShjeFQajz_YjZLtm32JwnhKql7W2E3vqQYg96UfSjfqDnyXxMhDT75ILDtKUCLb8EHofg1GzD-HUPQd2WXnckwn6xm5-B5A4tWL9oHzJqZ6YVfLOMCbvIZRr2YdItQAoTniiahWH_a7ydrP7rqWIX9wgrLldhvbqS3wvl1-9lnNg/w278-h400/buy%20now%20save%20money.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>This applies to groceries too. If something that you use often or you know you will use is on sale at a good price then buy several. Cleaners, tinned foods, shampoo etc all of these you know you will need again but waiting until you are out means you will need to pay the ticket price, buying several when they are 50% off or better saves money in the long run. </div><div><br /></div><div>What about clothes? At the end of the season clothes run out the door for just a few dollars. Buy them one size up for children and store for the next year. This is especially great for shoes which can be expensive. I got three pairs in progressively larger sizes for just $2 each at a sale. I know they will be used so why not get them? </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Network and share the love</h2><div>Do you know how to bake bread? It can cost just cents to do so but it is just as easy to bake 4 loaves as one. Can you trade these for something from a friend or neighbour? Maybe exchange bread for a lift to work each morning saving you on fuel costs. Or ask a friend if you can park in their driveway which is closer to your office meaning you don't have to pay for parking and can walk or bike the rest of the way. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgbgJshL9ZWJ_MGEuS4tR3HSG7gX7sCbwX-7fM8QoLpKY-GckomOiAbnz7sTlg5E3e2dgx-XAo--gSpZi0ilcEGa2jT2shC_Vi7-5vWwyxU9aSnv6urW7X2Xa3o2fpYzSoi4k2YoQIz1QjWIXH6sJclYhyZAMXSp5GgDezUsBxuRNudyME8FCrobXZyI/s300/fuel%20app.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fuel app cheap fuel" border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgbgJshL9ZWJ_MGEuS4tR3HSG7gX7sCbwX-7fM8QoLpKY-GckomOiAbnz7sTlg5E3e2dgx-XAo--gSpZi0ilcEGa2jT2shC_Vi7-5vWwyxU9aSnv6urW7X2Xa3o2fpYzSoi4k2YoQIz1QjWIXH6sJclYhyZAMXSp5GgDezUsBxuRNudyME8FCrobXZyI/w400-h224/fuel%20app.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>There are a number of fuel watch apps that can tell you exactly what fuel costs in your area. In my small area this can fluctuate up to 10c a litre from petrol station to petrol station. Costco does cost $60 to join but they have fuel for about 20c a litre cheaper than any where else and considering this can save $10 a tank at the moment its a fair price to use for the year. But also ask around, does a friend have cheaper fuel in their area, or have they spotted a sale on an item you had your eye on? Do they have that lawn mower you needed and can borrow? </div><div><br /></div><div>My local area has a tool library. For $20 a year I have unlimited access to tools, kitchen machines and pans, event equipment you name it they probably have it. This means that I never have to buy these things. I can use them to do the job then return them saving me space in my home and a ton of money!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeCQ05f1vFUdXUZVjF-JX6pCWFM66eKPQKF6wysizGxFoZQNjH_pzaKuQc5JyHvCCZkeUQviSpVPirFsdq0rBDsJOzN74Xg_ZvHIrJEQj0nrrO8Rc4X926193ivk1fFXI_xixt_H0Ecumsu-bcstx-7VUDTcescq76ZfEtGsYgeA-HbI3LRBQRusGqmU/s164/signiture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="114" data-original-width="164" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeCQ05f1vFUdXUZVjF-JX6pCWFM66eKPQKF6wysizGxFoZQNjH_pzaKuQc5JyHvCCZkeUQviSpVPirFsdq0rBDsJOzN74Xg_ZvHIrJEQj0nrrO8Rc4X926193ivk1fFXI_xixt_H0Ecumsu-bcstx-7VUDTcescq76ZfEtGsYgeA-HbI3LRBQRusGqmU/s1600/signiture.jpg" width="164" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p></p>Jacintahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399196817665374933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393380517573235200.post-17194986287417517302023-03-14T15:30:00.001+11:002023-03-14T15:30:00.172+11:0028 meals and 22 snacks for under $60 with leftovers!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oZT8sGLsvoLRMv4X2yRQfHMkTV9Kc64FnglEkACl5jGvQwBd13-x_ngBtfF54QaCPEAULaavD3Sb5Cy_PfmyTTMBoFXQkOrHvN1pOslQuT7OmjkjaZwG9KqSCm6sAaCHJlQETMNCPP4ceXtvr0vaIaMeDv-J2DINizMj3ZrmnkcA0hjkCRX2Eh1X/s1280/Budgetmeals%20in%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oZT8sGLsvoLRMv4X2yRQfHMkTV9Kc64FnglEkACl5jGvQwBd13-x_ngBtfF54QaCPEAULaavD3Sb5Cy_PfmyTTMBoFXQkOrHvN1pOslQuT7OmjkjaZwG9KqSCm6sAaCHJlQETMNCPP4ceXtvr0vaIaMeDv-J2DINizMj3ZrmnkcA0hjkCRX2Eh1X/w360-h640/Budgetmeals%20in%202023.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><p>I heard on the radio this morning that inflation means an average of $160 extra a week on groceries. I assume that's for the average household of two adults and two kids. Even in my home of me and my son our grocery budget has doubled. Just buying cheap ingredients for me doesn't always work because we are both very picky eaters and time poor, so sometimes just buying pre prepared meals is the way to go. You waste less food, all you have to do is heat it up.</p><p>So this week I decided to just go the easy rout and grab some pre prepared meals at Aldi. They weren't the freezer meals but rather I got the meat portion already made up. This is actually quite a bit cheaper than if it made it myself as I don't have any leftover ingredients I will need to use another time or throw out (yes some gets thrown out if I don't have the space or time to use it before it spoils or gets freezer burn).</p><p>I got all of this for $47.22!</p><p>It will make approximately 24 meals with a 22 snacks with ingredients left over for next time. This is enough to feed me and my son for two weeks!</p><p><i>If you need to buy everything I have used today it will come too $74.62 as current prices at Woolworths and Aldi in Australia as of March 2023. However most things are pantry/ fridge staples and will stretch to many more meals than this and you probably already have at home.</i></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">What I bought to eat for the week for under $50</h2><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG73p6O1jNtzWpS1nkP-e20KUp1Lpv3fgPRntQzL8ibqKue2tqR8Zo_UqCojpCXjoiKEnFvCF6GYf64s6t-bq1Vbn64om3Pu_I8uVHlnDqsIqM4u6UAxhvDAWii2AboZhXXMMvApimhuF4ElfDa6iH9iaLS9C9ppV_UvfW2zmviDhIzzMaT7rtUuly/s4032/IMG_8068.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG73p6O1jNtzWpS1nkP-e20KUp1Lpv3fgPRntQzL8ibqKue2tqR8Zo_UqCojpCXjoiKEnFvCF6GYf64s6t-bq1Vbn64om3Pu_I8uVHlnDqsIqM4u6UAxhvDAWii2AboZhXXMMvApimhuF4ElfDa6iH9iaLS9C9ppV_UvfW2zmviDhIzzMaT7rtUuly/s320/IMG_8068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>1.2kg lasagne $7.99<p></p><p>800g Satay chicken $10.99</p><p>wraps $2.09</p><p>Curly fries $3.19 (getting chips atm is almost impossible with the potato shortage so this was a lucky find)</p><p>1kg frozen Mixed veg $4.19</p><p>Spring rolls $4.99</p><p>Pizza $5.49</p><p>Quiche $8.29</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Things I used from the pantry $16.70</h3><div><i>Most of these are staples in my home and I only use a very small amount for each recipe.</i></div><p>Rice $3</p><p>Jelly $2</p><p>825g Two fruits $5</p><p>Vanilla cake mix $0.90</p><p>Berries I have picked from home and froze or sub in any fruit you have</p><p>Eggs $5.20 a dozen</p><p>Margarine $2.30</p><p><br /></p><p><i>I will try and break down how much each serving will cost but it will be rough guestimates. I did add things I already had in the house also. We both prefer to eat smaller meals during the day as I get full quickly and my son is at school and top up with snacks in the evening. All of these can be bulked up by adding extra rice or vegetables.</i></p><p>The satay chicken I divided into 8 serves with 1/3 cup rice for each at about $1.20 per serve.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3O_5kKzOGUyZlJGfnR1z0EVpfF4vF5qdbidfRHI6axb12xuwdkN1gudD_2jqKojeMwRjJf6_X4J9_BXAUfIbS8qpb5OkKrpdytCi0HbP1S3mYZ1qbu28bcA3_-kBY2s_unt-15y4wW5YxL8gA6W4dFDtJFSL3bZXT5GUp_qpzD-DNvBMfnU0u7YIr/s4032/IMG_8076.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3O_5kKzOGUyZlJGfnR1z0EVpfF4vF5qdbidfRHI6axb12xuwdkN1gudD_2jqKojeMwRjJf6_X4J9_BXAUfIbS8qpb5OkKrpdytCi0HbP1S3mYZ1qbu28bcA3_-kBY2s_unt-15y4wW5YxL8gA6W4dFDtJFSL3bZXT5GUp_qpzD-DNvBMfnU0u7YIr/s320/IMG_8076.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Lasagne will serve 6 at $1.33 each or with curly fries and mixed veg about $2.60 a serve.</p><p>Quiche will serve 6 for $1.38, with a side of veg $1.60 per serve.</p><div style="text-align: left;">Pizza will serve two for $2.74 each</div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">Snacks</h3><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Sugar free Jelly and two fruits 6 serves $.45 each (slightly cheaper than buying them but these are also sugar free)<p></p><p>The spring rolls are 4 for $4.99 so are $1.25 each</p><p>Berry muffins (using the cake mix with 2 eggs and a spoon of margarine and adding berries, diced banana or diced apple) <u><b>Makes 12 $0.15 each</b></u>! You can also add a drizzle of icing to the top for a sweeter treat.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENUNuBWl4f4yth9Xm9vqzgj55iUEQMgGGBqjneugMUrR2okapH0-gpTgpzaBYit1Vh8KqyJNwDIz3dvivfmoSyjLE6W3R4W45UCiaFjvpE7jU4D9AmzobGI9EH5rLKl-O4gdW0W5LN2DNphqls-R4HYDP1E0l_fEbyHIyWuw7AjKxFNRHQp2VhPXM/s4032/IMG_8075.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENUNuBWl4f4yth9Xm9vqzgj55iUEQMgGGBqjneugMUrR2okapH0-gpTgpzaBYit1Vh8KqyJNwDIz3dvivfmoSyjLE6W3R4W45UCiaFjvpE7jU4D9AmzobGI9EH5rLKl-O4gdW0W5LN2DNphqls-R4HYDP1E0l_fEbyHIyWuw7AjKxFNRHQp2VhPXM/s320/IMG_8075.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Lunches with what you have at home $10.70</h3><div>24 cheese slices for $5</div><div>Shredded ham for $5.70 serves 8</div><div>The wraps from todays shop</div><p>For lunches we will be eating the wraps which are $0.34 each and top with ham and cheese which comes too $1.25 per serve.</p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">How much did I spend on groceries this fortnight for two people?</h2><p>Incidentals I will buy or use this week include 1L long life milk at $1.60, 4 bananas $2.88 and a bag of grapes $4.28 = $8.76. </p><p>With the Aldi shop above this means that I have spent $55.98 for two people for two weeks!</p><p> I think you can agree that's an amazingly low amount. Of course this won't happen every shop because as I run out of staples they need to be replaced but it goes to show that you don't need to spend big every week to eat well. </p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h2>Jacintahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399196817665374933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393380517573235200.post-8895870418969025372023-02-20T10:50:00.002+11:002023-02-20T10:50:30.368+11:00Eat well for less<p> I know that I'm still guilty of falling for the take out trap. As a single parent with both me and my kid being fussy eaters the allure of just going a buying something is really tempting. But with one take out costing $50 for just two people we really cant afford to do this, not to mention its very unhealthy.</p><p>With inflation it is also expensive to keep buying groceries. So I have made a list of healthy quick and cheap meals that you can whip up and store leftovers. </p><p><i>All prices correct as of February 2023 Australia.</i></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPMIZi5pNrJ4Nkq-JZTuL0pPZCSiLVuj1Z-YdGfEAn37NjlZmg8_Q-CuGLrAd6vRvVqFiZjOUULHkMhlk-Fj8aFfttBugtjm05Uv5jC4bCVi_ZqNVVDub1qrYSGUZBD_4Kj3xOpVH3dJERr4MhjoqpuQOL-cfGbox3orw__WuaaU-w-bKDr7IpzsG/s1200/Mushroom-Risotto-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mushroom risotto" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPMIZi5pNrJ4Nkq-JZTuL0pPZCSiLVuj1Z-YdGfEAn37NjlZmg8_Q-CuGLrAd6vRvVqFiZjOUULHkMhlk-Fj8aFfttBugtjm05Uv5jC4bCVi_ZqNVVDub1qrYSGUZBD_4Kj3xOpVH3dJERr4MhjoqpuQOL-cfGbox3orw__WuaaU-w-bKDr7IpzsG/w400-h266/Mushroom-Risotto-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">Mushroom risotto </h2><h3 style="text-align: left;">$4.39 for about 2-4 serves </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">$2.19- $1.09per serve</h3><div>If you have none of these at home the price comes to $20.04 to buy it all but most of these items will make many many meals and most of the ingredients you will already have at home.</div><p>This one couldn't be simpler. The quantities depend on how many people you are feeding so just double until you get enough.</p><p><i>1 cup short grain rice (or medium) ($3 a 1kg bag .60c for 1 cup)</i></p><p><i>1 cup sliced mushrooms ($4 200g punnet $2 for half)</i></p><p><i>1-2 tsp thyme (grow your own or $1.65 for a jar. About 10c for this recipe)</i></p><p><i>1L Chicken stock or as much as you need to get the rice cooked. (make your own or use powdered $2.80 or 20c for this recipe)</i></p><p><i>2tbls parmesan cheese ($2 a bag, 20c)</i></p><p><i>1/2 onion (59c each)</i></p><p><i>1tbls butter or oil ($6 for 500g butter, 50c for this)</i></p><p>Add diced onion and thyme to a pan with a little butter or oil. Sauté until softened. Add your short grain rice and stir until the rice starts to change color a little as it absorbs the butter (about 3mins). Start ladling warm chicken stock in a little at a time allowing the rice to absorb it before adding more. Add parmesan cheese and stir through. Voila, risotto. No prep, no fuss. This is best kept in the fridge for a day or two. Rice doesn't freeze well I have found and risotto especially shouldn't be frozen. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfkZVzBzgThoq9r85oFawvVAIebdgcEgSgjpjs1OikvAM7PDIT5UZtRBdIWn6NbxSdrBHFch59zwSYG70saqTKOMIGSAA1ZMLPM9QdPzAqywflM93_eqTkzhxReXIiaYILpyQLb41cVMwiaZ3MS4vCkbveJrmfcNTF4yh7hh8L_MdrTAidB92baum/s900/Homemade-chicken-stock_92-SQ.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="homemade chicken stock" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfkZVzBzgThoq9r85oFawvVAIebdgcEgSgjpjs1OikvAM7PDIT5UZtRBdIWn6NbxSdrBHFch59zwSYG70saqTKOMIGSAA1ZMLPM9QdPzAqywflM93_eqTkzhxReXIiaYILpyQLb41cVMwiaZ3MS4vCkbveJrmfcNTF4yh7hh8L_MdrTAidB92baum/w320-h320/Homemade-chicken-stock_92-SQ.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">Making chicken stock</h2><p>A note here if you make your own then it's free! Just save any chicken bones you get when you eat roast chicken. Then throw it all in a pot and fill with water, add onion, carrot, pepper corns and a bay leaf and cook for a few hours (I use a pressure cooker for 2hrs). And voila, 2-3L chicken stock. Best stock is made with 2 carcases per 1L of water. I then freeze it in a baby food mould or you can use a muffin tin for easy portioned chicken stock.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrFW1rU45L1Vpm3ZaHdbwA9mJjkwzFAknl6ifLYDSSBYwqK2-HKThIbXBPLrHNMkm3ggxqI6LlC_e_cDKJ9dKoXxj-47O--tBdYcZYemzZHnmn2O968ea9fGLjZPmK8ueL-wybhbKwzpkmlKt1AYVveiTXz2NA-K9Hw1vm_gM42c_h3zDoV5CpxBg/s800/vegetable%20sauce.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Vegetable sauce" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrFW1rU45L1Vpm3ZaHdbwA9mJjkwzFAknl6ifLYDSSBYwqK2-HKThIbXBPLrHNMkm3ggxqI6LlC_e_cDKJ9dKoXxj-47O--tBdYcZYemzZHnmn2O968ea9fGLjZPmK8ueL-wybhbKwzpkmlKt1AYVveiTXz2NA-K9Hw1vm_gM42c_h3zDoV5CpxBg/w400-h400/vegetable%20sauce.webp" width="400" /></a></div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">My kids only eat bland beige food sauce</h2><h3 style="text-align: left;">$6.50 for the whole batch which can make about 15 serves! .43c per serve</h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">Add pasta for $1.25 for a bag of woolworths brand spirals which is .25c a serve (a bag serves 5) for <u>68c per serve</u></h3><p>Yep, we are fussy eaters. But this recipe is packed with veg and is so easy to whip up as you can freeze it in portions.</p><p>1 capsicum ($1.98)</p><p>1 onion (.59c)</p><p>1/2 sweet potato ($2.21 or $1.10 for half)</p><p>1 zucchini (.98c)</p><p>1 carrot (.35c)</p><p>1 jar passata (or diced tomatoes) ($2.20 passata or crushed tomatoes $1.50)</p><p>Dice all your veg and throw it in the air fryer or oven with a spray of oil until roasted (about 30mins). Place this and your passata into a blender and blend until smooth. Add garlic and herbs if you wish. </p><p>That's it! I said it was simple right? Not only that but its great for using up the slightly past their prime veg in the bottom of the fridge. My son laps it up it tastes so amazing. Again I freeze it in a baby food pod silicone tray then pop them out into a zip lock bag ready for when we want to use it. </p><p>To use your sauce. Just cook some pasta then pop a sauce pod into the hot pasta and stir for a few minutes until defrosted and heated through. My son loves some sausages chopped up and mixed through his or cheese.</p><p><i><br /></i></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><i>You can also use this as a base for anything with a tomato base such as lasagne or pasta bakes.</i></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziXEUzMcT0iorHtMgCm5mFSw2mai0cETa-IjxpTZYVSN2dWF2qkkSYDktIbyPHYd0qATiS3PiCF-f9aKUzixg5Q23e88RfkiWKeD0P82QhAWVytdyDsrHZhcgAwpMTOHImaU0veele84UWDvEIOX3y6Ru10FvOLwT8JcPj0jViqr0JSA0DYd0YJmU/s1280/skinny-alfredo-sauce.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="cauliflower alfredo" border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziXEUzMcT0iorHtMgCm5mFSw2mai0cETa-IjxpTZYVSN2dWF2qkkSYDktIbyPHYd0qATiS3PiCF-f9aKUzixg5Q23e88RfkiWKeD0P82QhAWVytdyDsrHZhcgAwpMTOHImaU0veele84UWDvEIOX3y6Ru10FvOLwT8JcPj0jViqr0JSA0DYd0YJmU/w400-h400/skinny-alfredo-sauce.webp" width="400" /></a></div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">Healthier Alfredo</h2><h3 style="text-align: left;">$4.10 makes 6 serves of sauce: 68c per serve<br />With Fettuccini 93c per serve</h3><p>I have to admit I'm not a fan of alfredo sauces, they always make me feel ill. But this one is healthy and not heavy at all.</p><p>1/2 head cauliflower ($2.50 depending on availability)</p><p>1 tsp garlic (10c)</p><p>1/2 cup chicken stock (10c)</p><p>1 tbls parmesan (20c)</p><p>onion (.59c)</p><p>hand full Cashews ($3.70 for 150g, .61c)</p><p>oil to cook</p><p>Fettuccini ($1.25 per pack serves 5 25c per serve)</p><p>Cut up your cauliflower and onion into chunks, spray with oil and roast in the air fryer for 30mins. Throw this into a blender with the garlic, parmesan, cashews and about 1/2 cup chicken stock and blitz until creamy. Adjust with more chicken stock to get the consistency you want, more for a runnier sauce, less for a thicker clingier sauce. Parmesan can also be adjusted to taste. Use to top fettuccini. </p><p>Again this sauce actually makes a great alternative to béchamel for Lasagne also just throw in a bit of cheese.</p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Bulking meals up</h2><div>All of these recipes are for the bare basics of a tasty meal. You can add any extras you can afford to them like meats, diced ham, shredded chicken, more veg.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cooking meat once and using it for several meals is a great way to make things last and then you can even use the bones to make stock! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p>The babyfood silicone mould that I use is <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Bebe-Bites-Containers-Food-Grade-Dishwasher/dp/B0953WC69T?pd_rd_w=LRmmt&content-id=amzn1.sym.0ce094a0-630c-43ef-afbc-5f93b0f18676&pf_rd_p=0ce094a0-630c-43ef-afbc-5f93b0f18676&pf_rd_r=F35SCKYCWT0SJ8T6H718&pd_rd_wg=oegEh&pd_rd_r=9138fa55-0bc3-4e7e-b4c0-878813377eb9&pd_rd_i=B0953WC69T&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_d_grid_rp_0_1_t" target="_blank">this one</a> called Bebe bites. This isn't an affiliate link it's just the one that I bought.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNd2zcfI37jeIc9QOhaIRAkHWUkEWUSQcQvlud73dfPW78UnsStfIY2Hf8Q9z8YINf2wcuDTBR_Ds6SLj1F9i0ATWOosbGRemsehxqmNK3Sevmme4ZuxwpHEoFu99ahvIP-jf0O1qaHQ_RJKNRhtgNPX1hUjSpgVTiTV0z5IdPIfSfowdXpo33eMdJ/s679/61sows9Cf4S._AC_SX679_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="food mould" border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="679" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNd2zcfI37jeIc9QOhaIRAkHWUkEWUSQcQvlud73dfPW78UnsStfIY2Hf8Q9z8YINf2wcuDTBR_Ds6SLj1F9i0ATWOosbGRemsehxqmNK3Sevmme4ZuxwpHEoFu99ahvIP-jf0O1qaHQ_RJKNRhtgNPX1hUjSpgVTiTV0z5IdPIfSfowdXpo33eMdJ/w320-h198/61sows9Cf4S._AC_SX679_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTU9TYCCDmw1VTJg8RTbk6PnockwVSlO_MdJd35gpYlw_bcTGnzrK8Jt8Drkl9P9lgD7fQFTyRbhc54jELW0s5qlovXy84tzG6M2gLGZqSBGCerSazW38XoaT5gk_0iZB4V5umJbFHqH78ZqKSpeT1JkwblwKSm4NZ1DNokhFDkXJIMAKcwFTunX-/s1280/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="freezing portions" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTU9TYCCDmw1VTJg8RTbk6PnockwVSlO_MdJd35gpYlw_bcTGnzrK8Jt8Drkl9P9lgD7fQFTyRbhc54jELW0s5qlovXy84tzG6M2gLGZqSBGCerSazW38XoaT5gk_0iZB4V5umJbFHqH78ZqKSpeT1JkwblwKSm4NZ1DNokhFDkXJIMAKcwFTunX-/w320-h180/maxresdefault.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy cooking!</h2><br /><p><br /></p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jacintahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399196817665374933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393380517573235200.post-18511725142679209312023-01-06T12:59:00.003+11:002023-01-06T13:02:23.756+11:002023 Financial health overhaul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguA145UNUMjMOf_93d_4Pn1DeR1m3o4PvXvRotCH84vTWzdn-Kl23P-mbz6Kskh-YVVEYH5gtxmTJ09vwU0S1YqiCEQC_Nh1QPoBXFXUTpatYvxhUsB4wVSLSa7KjhQ9QRWfraaEISlYUpAqsiic-Uw5QxQ4G9ni0pHTrAVNrWWCYi9A4KPYfclzIc/s1040/2023%20financial%20clean%20up.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1040" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguA145UNUMjMOf_93d_4Pn1DeR1m3o4PvXvRotCH84vTWzdn-Kl23P-mbz6Kskh-YVVEYH5gtxmTJ09vwU0S1YqiCEQC_Nh1QPoBXFXUTpatYvxhUsB4wVSLSa7KjhQ9QRWfraaEISlYUpAqsiic-Uw5QxQ4G9ni0pHTrAVNrWWCYi9A4KPYfclzIc/w640-h444/2023%20financial%20clean%20up.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span> </span>It's a new year and for a lot of people this means renewing their insurance or paying your annual fees on services. That is why its always in January of a new year that I do a full financial overhaul. This means going over your bank statements and working out every single transaction and how much things are costing you. </p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;">Get the best deal on your insurance</h2><p><span> </span>Before letting your insurance auto renew go online and use a comparison service to see if there is a better deal. I have found that often, by cancelling then signing up again the next day I save about $100 a year of a single insurance premium. Why? Because a lot of companies offer deals to make people sign on with them but they are only introductory so at the end of your 12months you go back to the standard plan. Sounds weird right, wouldn't they reward you for staying with them. Not at all! I have never found a company that has lowered my plan for renewing with them. They will also not tell you if there is a cheaper plan available because they want you to pay them more. So always always hunt around for a better deal before renewing. </p><p><span> </span>I recommend: <a href="https://www.comparethemarket.com.au/?gclid=CjwKCAiAh9qdBhAOEiwAvxIokyDLeC4-MQbb14cclbvKxb1DOvkS1pihgXHB3g0khjCAY3jGb_YhaBoC03QQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank">Compare the market</a>, if you are in Australia. They don't have every company but it makes it easier to compare several deals at one time.</p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Check for hidden subscriptions</h2><p><span> </span>I realised that I had recurring subscriptions for several things that I hadn't even realised I was using. I had both an icloud and onedrive subscription coming out monthly and didn't realise I had a onedrive. I also had two xbox subscriptions for different services I wasn't using as well as an Audible one that auto rolled over after a free trial. These add up! Why would you pay for things you don't use? They rely on people forgetting to cancel after free trials. If you call them and say this they will refund you the amount but you have to be firm with them as they will try and get you to stay. </p><p><span> </span>Microsoft store was the sneakiest one. When I went to my account subscription page it only showed one subscription and that was for icloud at $4.95 a month. But when I opened view previous orders I could see that I actually had 4 active subscriptions! I immediately cancelled two and will re assess the other after the school holidays. By cancelling those and Audible I have already saved nearly $30 a month.</p><p>I had a number of subscriptions to watch on demand services also, Netflix, prime, binge, stan and Disney+. really though I only got them to watch one show, it isn't worth paying every month. So if you want to watch something, wait until the whole season is out, pay for a month, then cancel it. I am now down to just Netflix saving $40 a month. </p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">How much are you actually spending?</h2><p><span> </span>I budget for all of my variable bills like petrol, parking and food. How much I actually spend in a month however is vastly different. Take the time to go through your monthly statement (I use scroll through the app on my phone) and calculate how much you spend on each thing. The number will shock you. All of those little trips to the shops to pick up one thing or a trip out to grab lunch really ads up. </p><p><span> </span>I budget $80 a fortnight for fuel. Depending on where I drive I may have to fill up twice in that time. Depending on fuel prices again that number can change. I know that I can usually fill up my car for $60-$70 and this will last me the fortnight. If I go out of state or drive around visiting people though this can mean I need to fill up again. </p><p><span> </span>Likewise I budget $200 a fortnight for food. This includes the grocery shop and takeaway. I usually try to stick to under $150 for groceries, this allows for one takeout for both of us, or a few lunches for me at work or my son at school. I make a rule that we can only eat out once in the fortnight for health and cost reasons but little treats are ok. Last month (keeping in mind it was Christmas which meant more eating out with friends and a big family lunch) I spent over $1,200 in a month! That's nearly 3x my budget. This was done with several small costs of $8 lunch here, a $12 cafe there or $35 for a quick top up at the supermarket. But they all add up. </p><p><span> </span>Working out where your money is going is the first step in plugging that leak. </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>How much of that money was spent on actual meals? </li><li>How much was eating out, how much was avoidable? </li><li>Planning ahead for the days you just don't feel like cooking or cant decide what's for lunch can save money in the long run. </li><li>For example at work I stock my desk with cans of soup and instant noodles. Not the healthiest but they are only $2 or so and mean that I don't need to pay for lunch at the shops which averages $15. </li><li>Having a stash of frozen pizza or meals in the freezer means you can just grab and go when you can't decide what to eat. </li><li>Or if you are eating out with friends, drink water, it's free and drinks cost on average $5-$8 at a cafe. </li><li>Think about how much you actually want to eat, don't get a big pasta dish if you only really wanted a some chips. </li><li>If you are ordering takeaway again think about how much you can eat. I grew up with one pizza per person. We never ate more than a few slices each. Find a flavour you all like and order one. Does anyone actually want garlic bread? </li><li>Choose cheaper options when eating out. Subway charges $9 for a 6in. Or a small fried rice with meat at an Asian place will be around $14. </li></ul><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"></ul><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UzAoBa8obilF68iWGDQOR-HFOO1YFmbVnpfoJZK07Gk6D4l5WmrqKQd7uz-df8t6hZtzF8C148rwMz-3wLby9MekLe0KXtAzjSsfmxuu5TzZsFNWW_pjToD6CTlCp_sGQqT6Qw1ARuur6GTW4azM4flhTE6GwGxv1nuSJs82Cb5FqSaOxleZcY-6/s1040/Every%20cent%20matters%20finance%20budgeting.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Financial health" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1040" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UzAoBa8obilF68iWGDQOR-HFOO1YFmbVnpfoJZK07Gk6D4l5WmrqKQd7uz-df8t6hZtzF8C148rwMz-3wLby9MekLe0KXtAzjSsfmxuu5TzZsFNWW_pjToD6CTlCp_sGQqT6Qw1ARuur6GTW4azM4flhTE6GwGxv1nuSJs82Cb5FqSaOxleZcY-6/w640-h444/Every%20cent%20matters%20finance%20budgeting.jpg" title="Every cent matters" width="640" /></a></div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">On a final note</h2><h2 style="text-align: left;">The home delivery trap</h2><p></p><p><span> </span>Delivery apps always charge more even if you go to the store to collect. Ordering directly with the store saves them and you money. </p><p><span> </span>My local Chinese charges $20 for a laksa on menulog with a delivery min of $30 I end out ordering a rice $9, and a meat dish as well $24, which comes too $57 with delivery when all I wanted was the laksa. Had I ordered over the phone that same laksa would be $18. </p><p><span> </span>Again Wok in a box ordering in the app only allows to order a full meal for $20 (even though they claim you can order just the noodles). If I went to the store I could have just gotten the noodles for $12.50. </p><p><span> </span>Ultimately learning to cook these recipes at home will save the most money. Nothing wrong with eating at home before going out, or whipping up a batch of steamed or fried rice to accompany your dish rather than paying for it. </p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: center;"><i>Know where your money is going and you will ultimately have more of it.</i></h3><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Jacintahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399196817665374933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393380517573235200.post-25522794143345052742022-12-14T09:00:00.001+11:002022-12-14T09:00:00.173+11:00Waldolf Steiner education the Pros and consSo you want to know if Waldolf Steiner is for you? <div><br /></div><div>This curriculum idea is sometimes called Steiner Education or Waldolf. Steiner education is very focused on the arts and imagination. Founded in the early 20th century, Waldolf education is based on the insights, teachings and principles outlined by the artist and scientist Rudolf Steiner<span face="Open Sans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px;">. </span></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span face="Open Sans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Main Philosophies and teachings</span></h2><div><span face="Open Sans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Some of the more common teachings are that children don't learn to formally write or spell until they are 7. This is because they believe that children do not have the capacity to understand what they are doing until that age. Before this they are taught form through drawing pictures shaped like letters, such as the below image of a mountain for the letter M. They also learn rhythm and rhyme which helps them to understand the structure of speech and writing through the memorization of poems and limericks.</span></span></div><div><span face="Open Sans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Open Sans, sans-serif"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.waldorfconstantia.org.za/about/faculties/primary-school/class-1-letter-m-2/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="703" data-original-width="1000" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVqyY8CIDHciAIgykb-DXBw3Kv2mLoDVtwPdARI9eUs9NT5PXTRfRGPmoYp4HejeyMx-mocx0TRNknIfjaauSK1zTlQJq3gdLLgQd-A5yugwLpRPWqF69jg7t3KiQ1ve4wnN_AZ5ppgZ3967lSSPrEjwqbFB1SEmWhqLzEUVt7tlKtPGyGC4Z_g1Z/w400-h281/Class-1-Letter-M-1.jpg" title="Waldolf education letter M drawing" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Waldolf constantia</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 14px;">All toys and materials used are natural, no plastic or artificial or fake toys or materials are used in the classroom. This means wooden toys, bees wax crayons, chalk boards are a common teaching tool as teachers create large colorful drawings.</span></span></div><div><span face="Open Sans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Open Sans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Work books are large and blank, no lines. This is because children lack the ability to control and make fine drawings. The books are brightly colored and allow a child to take up as much space as they wish in their work.</span></span></div><div><span face="Open Sans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Open Sans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px;">There is a strong theme of folk lore. Many woldolf stories feature gnomes and fairies as this encourages story telling, imagination and creativeness in a child. They celebrate alot of the folklore holidays such as a lantern walk in November where children create a lantern from sticks and tissue paper with leaves and flowers embedded in it then gather in the darkness with their lanterns singing into the woods to light the way to winter. They also celebrate St. Nicholas Day, Santa Lucia day, spiral of light as well as many others which encourage children to recognise the changing of the seasons and participate in festivals with their families. </span></span></div><div><span face="Open Sans, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlU36JfuSGDnHoqJKIBRw3IDeA0_tv1McFomQhHMI_hT86IRQFXZFiZDrUjNPhfG4jAB3nJIzgdoLIX901_ABJuCuLa1MLsOVsT9YIGa8R9RmwrAUHh8gHDYXvOvwzcqUg0RH7-GiPoxwbpL01L7he7DH0zPe1WYZEMBUOXexzYh4nZX4zRml0y8bN/s1200/Morris_161110_0113.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlU36JfuSGDnHoqJKIBRw3IDeA0_tv1McFomQhHMI_hT86IRQFXZFiZDrUjNPhfG4jAB3nJIzgdoLIX901_ABJuCuLa1MLsOVsT9YIGa8R9RmwrAUHh8gHDYXvOvwzcqUg0RH7-GiPoxwbpL01L7he7DH0zPe1WYZEMBUOXexzYh4nZX4zRml0y8bN/w400-h266/Morris_161110_0113.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtjZbUBg4h5DEj4P7BSiRtmrDJ0cR62mpjfw7evVJp6x2AbjF8q6qC3APkvDZCRUMIyhHKTx1HG1OxgjwWWYzADYOdTYEwvvnA1G6AhRuTR9RcNg8KXTlg3cDAY2QXOM3Qzq6FQIZIzW-HyzJ8ZH-sVTaKvHzA8mSiRAabOhsLO4P2oBN30oX3HXX/s500/lantern-walk-drawing.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="500" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtjZbUBg4h5DEj4P7BSiRtmrDJ0cR62mpjfw7evVJp6x2AbjF8q6qC3APkvDZCRUMIyhHKTx1HG1OxgjwWWYzADYOdTYEwvvnA1G6AhRuTR9RcNg8KXTlg3cDAY2QXOM3Qzq6FQIZIzW-HyzJ8ZH-sVTaKvHzA8mSiRAabOhsLO4P2oBN30oX3HXX/w400-h280/lantern-walk-drawing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span face=""Open Sans", sans-serif" style="font-size: 14px;">A walk is taken every day rain or shine as outdoors is seen as embracing a childs world. They wear a beanie or hat outdoors often handmade and indoors they have slippers to keep their feet warm and clean. The food eaten is made daily including bread and soups. Often the children are encouraged to make this themselves taking turns making and serving the food to their class. </span></div><div><span face="Open Sans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Open Sans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Even in the later years of Woldolf education there is a strong emphasis on the arts with drama, wood working and music playing a larger role. Children are given lessons on an instrument, in the early years this is clapping and singing developing rhythm, then progresses to a wooden flute then violin or another string instrument in the primary and highschool years (5-16yrs old in Australia). </span></span></div><div><span face="Open Sans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span face="Open Sans, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Cons of Steiner education</span></h2><div><span face="Open Sans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px;">As with any learning style there are things that I feel do not work with this style of education. These are my own views. </span></span></div><div><span face="Open Sans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Open Sans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The focus on the arts is great but can mean that children who are very academically intelligent can be left behind and grow frustrated. Even if a child can read and write earlier they won't generally teach this in school until the scheduled ages of 7-8. </span></span></div><div><span face="Open Sans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Open Sans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Taking the only Steiner school in my area as an example they can also be very academically minded for a system that is based on the arts. My neighbours kids attended and they had so much homework and book work. Even though this was beautifully curated it was still hours of homework. Unfortunately applying this philosophy in a classroom setting isn't really what it was designed for. A true Steiner class is very open and free flowing where children can move around, not sitting at desks looking at a board no matter what those desks and board are made of or contain. </span></span></div><div><span face="Open Sans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Open Sans, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNogC9kw13_uX6MZQ1AAn2vnp8uFfEolbiw77BycSmdFV0oh5wqh6E9cmcv6w-gdKIdWspc4xWWUbOjqwISKgk3oyD4xWu91r9xNZybHXUyQTnwcAo4OuaLwtgYwG0dubD2B5ssEgniCFzZshJN3KNO0wyuZ8idubvPJCUIejcrm2uMNDyuQFFBo4y/s2560/c4b66e-Orana-68x-scaled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1707" data-original-width="2560" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNogC9kw13_uX6MZQ1AAn2vnp8uFfEolbiw77BycSmdFV0oh5wqh6E9cmcv6w-gdKIdWspc4xWWUbOjqwISKgk3oyD4xWu91r9xNZybHXUyQTnwcAo4OuaLwtgYwG0dubD2B5ssEgniCFzZshJN3KNO0wyuZ8idubvPJCUIejcrm2uMNDyuQFFBo4y/w400-h266/c4b66e-Orana-68x-scaled-1.jpg" title="Steiner school room" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Open Sans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>Jacintahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399196817665374933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393380517573235200.post-20589594486927611612022-12-13T14:01:00.002+11:002022-12-13T14:01:27.657+11:00Money saving hacks to adapt your home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8dQar18vIFYsqNxz_5b-e4PX8PWj1Kf5xvfKuXNNLj2mGfoKJPnpNfS6IljciTDMHvunwuW-hcYHmH2pI-RI26ATSIVPu0xE66lsyWMDOFdQK7MsBIo1YkqVZiyDytGrDuvgptoEVu2RT50T3wVxwNxX-a0XxvD5zp4imk352nP0M98BKw2SzMIz/s1200/Combatting%20rising%20power%20costs%20with%20solar_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8dQar18vIFYsqNxz_5b-e4PX8PWj1Kf5xvfKuXNNLj2mGfoKJPnpNfS6IljciTDMHvunwuW-hcYHmH2pI-RI26ATSIVPu0xE66lsyWMDOFdQK7MsBIo1YkqVZiyDytGrDuvgptoEVu2RT50T3wVxwNxX-a0XxvD5zp4imk352nP0M98BKw2SzMIz/w400-h268/Combatting%20rising%20power%20costs%20with%20solar_resized.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>As we move through this amazing time of rapid inflation and rising petrol and electricity costs its more important than ever to make your home work for you. Its fascinating to look at how home life has changed over the years based on world events and attitudes. After the wars women went to work so our homes became time saving automated machines. Being able to afford the latest gadgets and run your home in luxury was the height of society. Unfortunately this meant that in many ways we went too far into it meaning that we started needing more and more money in order to keep our homes running this way. This lead to stress and time poor families who rush around and whos homes just suck money. We buy everything to work for us rather than doing it ourselves for free or much less money and often not much more time. </p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Upgrade your garden to save money</h2><p>The change from farms to gardens back to victory gardens then back to beautifying your neighbourhood has been a long one. Gardens used to be about feeding your family. Then they moved to a sign of wealth that you could buy all of your food and have ornamental plants in your garden. Then during ww1 and ww2 they moved to needing every space for growing food then again after this it was a social status to not need to grow your own and we went back to ornamental. In fact we went so far into this that many communities banned the growing of food as it made the area look poor. Thankfully councils have seen the error of their ways and communities are coming together to plant verge gardens where anyone can come and eat for free. If covid taught us anything its that we need to be more self sufficient and not rely so heavily on the supply chain. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">What can you do? </h3><div>Even rentals can grow their own food. Plants reduce temperature around your home by providing shade and creating better soil that absorbs water leading to less flooding and less waste. </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Start a compost pile.</b> These can be as small as a bin that you put all of your kitchen and garden scraps in. Or as large as a three bin system that is constantly in rotation. If you don't have the space some communities have compost areas that anyone can bring their scraps to. Coffee grounds, leaves, grass, are all great for the garden.</li><li><b>Get worms!</b> Worm farms can be made of foam boxes which are often free at your local green grocer. Stab some holes in the bottom and layer with mulch, newspaper, scraps and worms. The juice makes an amazing fertiliser when heavily diluted and the worms will make short work of your kitchen scraps. </li><li><b>Pot it up</b>. Even the smallest balconies or even window sills can hold food. Lettuce and tomatoes grow great in pots, in small courtyards raised portable beds can hold onions, garlic and beetroot and even potatoes. Fruit trees can go great in large pots especially lemons and blueberrys just make sure to cover your blueberrys to save them from the birds. Larger gardens can have rotating beds of greens, peas, carrots, leeks, or what ever you use often in the kitchen.</li><li><b>Grow it up.</b> Large and small gardens benefit from vertical growing. Fruit trees can be trained to grow flat to a wall or fence and trellising cucumbers, pumpkins and other trailing vegetables looks amazing and provides shade. </li><li><b>Save water.</b> Any down pipe can be attached to a rainwater tank. Small 100L ones can be bought online for just $100 with a small hole needed to divert water from your gutters. Also consider adding water saving crystals and mulch to the garden to reduce the amount of water used and frequency of watering. Here in Australia we have had really bad droughts in the last 20years. We had to shorten showers to 3minutes (they gave out free timers) and had buckets in with us to catch the water while we waited for it to heat up. This was used on the garden or to wash our cars. It's important though to not use water with soap in it, such as washing up liquid or shampoo, for the garden as this can kill your plants. </li></ul><div><br /></div></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Upgrade your heating and cooling</h2><div>I don't mean install ducted heating and cooling. But as the recent heat wave in England and now the energy crisis meaning people cant afford to turn their heating on there are a lot of ways to heat and cool your home without turning anything on. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuxY7WXVRxyfqPLrf7SQP6ZzXBKN7vqxr-BRQ60BB0Gl2k41_i60O472Vt1MAw2-GGvxBg5g6vqsIL_ZwLYQLybBahAijfT6NY3DKAGMAkWRyEFe-Oo9oQCmvUzEw8-6PJJx4Ew_ApP1neHwQk5hHwJDXv80cdM2v3kc6UVaH5I1Aq4XjHXigH4Li/s1024/car%20shade%20window.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuxY7WXVRxyfqPLrf7SQP6ZzXBKN7vqxr-BRQ60BB0Gl2k41_i60O472Vt1MAw2-GGvxBg5g6vqsIL_ZwLYQLybBahAijfT6NY3DKAGMAkWRyEFe-Oo9oQCmvUzEw8-6PJJx4Ew_ApP1neHwQk5hHwJDXv80cdM2v3kc6UVaH5I1Aq4XjHXigH4Li/s320/car%20shade%20window.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Heating</h3><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Block out the cold</b>. Any rooms that you don't use you can cover the windows with sun visors. These are made of bubble wrap so are actually very insulating. Ensure you place a towel or other absorbent cloth between the window and the visor for condensation and check it regularly to dry it out to prevent mould. </li><li><b>Seal it up</b>. Check around your home including windows and doors and make sure they are air tight. I live in a house built in the 1970s with siding and there were many holes around the windows where I could see straight out. Expanding foam or flexible sealant are both great for plugging these holes. Around doors you can get foam strips to stop drafts and place draft stoppers at the bottom. Panty hose filled with rice work great or just a rolled up towel works too. </li><li>One under equals two on top. What am i talking about, blankets of course. Did you know that one blanket under you will keep you warmer than placing two on top of you? Get a cheap quilt from IKEA or Kmart and use it under your fitted sheet. The amount of warmth this holds is amazing. </li><li><b>Warm it up then turn it off</b>. If you have an electric blanket then turn it on for 10mins before you get into bed then turn it off. Your blankets and body heat will keep the heat in for the night. A hot water bottle will also do the job.</li><li><b>Block out curtains.</b> Close them early when the heat leaves the day so that its trapped in your house. It will take longer to cool down inside if there is a barrier between it and the windows. Placing a towel or blanket over the top of the window frame will also help to insulate. </li><li><b>Pick your times</b>. If you are going to use a heater choose when you put it on. In the middle of the day is the warmest outside so turning the heater on for an hour in the morning then turning it off should maintain enough heat to see you through until the evening. Likewise turning the heater on after dinner means that the house will be warm before bed when you can shut it off again. </li><li><b>Under foot.</b> Rugs. It's amazing how much heat can be captured just by having a rug under foot. In the kitchen too. This stops the cold from seeping up through the floors and also stops your body from getting cooled down through your feet. If you have an external wall that feels cold to the touch you can use a rug as a wall hanging and prevent that cold from seeping in. </li><li><b>Keep your nose warm</b>. A recent study has found that having a cold nose may be why we get sick more often in winter. Wearing a mask outdoors is one way to warm that nose or a scarf pulled up works great too. </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfl37AUAo9vqrPJiVjYqM91fphVlQWp2jIZWrwKfqPOQsMSiBaspXLRgVchyc1Kd0arkCobaYL4LBDd3lXpIIFPKGwyyrt75h5ZUejRG4SYoPdwxr6tf0mOCL5wBvtGKGr0_QrUaLLLhAL1vqtlWKei_724ZsueXKR3G9AAdN6q4tm9FQMqEcJHXS/s569/insulating%20doors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="569" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfl37AUAo9vqrPJiVjYqM91fphVlQWp2jIZWrwKfqPOQsMSiBaspXLRgVchyc1Kd0arkCobaYL4LBDd3lXpIIFPKGwyyrt75h5ZUejRG4SYoPdwxr6tf0mOCL5wBvtGKGr0_QrUaLLLhAL1vqtlWKei_724ZsueXKR3G9AAdN6q4tm9FQMqEcJHXS/w400-h400/insulating%20doors.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">Cooling</h3></div><div>Most of the above tips will also work for keeping your home cool but in reverse. Block out curtains closed before the heat of the day sets in keeps the heat out. Blocking gaps in siding and around doors stops cool air from inside from seeping out or hot air coming in. </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Cook once.</b> Turning the oven or hotplate on is basically turning on a heater. Cook in the morning or in bulk to save turning it on every day or have cold meals that don't need cooking like salads.</li><li><b>Internal cooling</b>. Drink cold water. Being fully hydrated actually helps the body to keep cool. It also helps prevent heat stress which you get from not eating or drinking enough. </li><li><b>Ice hat</b>. This is something that every Aussie kid knows about. Wet a face washer (flannel for my Americans) and place it in the freezer. When its frozen put it on your head. I'm not kidding haha. It keeps you amazingly cool. You can also drape it around your neck. </li><li><b>Dog cooling mats</b>. These are gel filled mats that are designed to draw heat out of pets on hot days. But you can also use them in your own bed! Get the large ones and use them as a sleeping mat. Be careful doing this with small children who can not regulate their body temperature as well as adults. You can now get these as collars with Velcro which are great to put in the fridge or freezer and then place around your own neck. Again not for small children as it is a strangulation hazard. </li><li><b>Wet towels.</b> This is another common Aussie trick. Placing a wet towel in front of a fan makes an air conditioner. An ice brick behind the fan does the same thing or even a tub of ice water infront. The fan basically blows out the colder air rather than circulating hot air in the room. You can also sleep under or on top of a damp towel or wet socks but be careful not to over cool and make sure you have water proof sheets so you don't get your mattress wet.</li></ul><h2 style="text-align: left;">Saving on electricity</h2><div>Finally saving on electricity. There have been many great inventions and gadgets around that can save you on your electic bill. </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Solar lights</b>. You can get lamps and outdoor lights that can be charged during the day and used indoors at night. </li><li><b>Power banks</b>. Charge your power bank at work then use it to power your devices at home. Some can charge a phone 3-4 times or charge an ipad and a phone. Although generators are great they do require fuel to run so that can get pricy. </li><li><b>Smart appliances</b>. Get smart about how you use your appliances. Fridges run better if there is a gap between them and the wall behind them. Ensure the freezer is full but not overly filled this ensures the fridge doesn't have to work as hard to maintain the temperature. When you cook or use the oven make extra to fill it and you can cook several meals in the same time it would take to cook one.</li><li><b>Don't leave it to boil</b>. If you have a temperature regulating kettle as I do it will keep your water hot unless you turn it off. This used a lot of power so boil once and keep it in a thermos to have hot water all day. You can also speed up cook times by using lids on pans to retain heat and bring them up to temperature quicker. Using an airfryer also saves power as there is no need to preheat.</li><li><b>Combine and conquer.</b> Go to a friends place one night a week and use their heating/ cooling. This spreads the load/ cost and keeps everyone comfortable. Most of us work from home at least one day a week so pick a day that suits you all and work together. You can also cook at their place so each person brings a tray to put in the oven at the same time.</li><li> </li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>I hope this list helps anyone needing to save on electricity or rising food costs this year. If you have any other tips please let me know in the comments. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jacintahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399196817665374933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393380517573235200.post-31789145799632744082022-12-13T10:10:00.001+11:002022-12-13T10:10:24.257+11:00Rebalancing your finances in the wake of Covid<p> One of the things that Covid has brought is escalated prices. I'm in Australia and the price of houses as gone up 22% in a lot of places, interests rates are at .1% but that means that we do not earn interest and a lot of people are taking out mortgages based on this low rate. Grocery and petrol prices are through the roof which means the cost of living has increased to a level where people are struggling and wondering what is going on. Sadly the fact is that the only thing that hasn't gone up is income wages. Inflation is set at about 11% where as wage increases are around 2-5%.</p><p>I have certainly noticed a huge impact on my own budget and have had to drastically adjust several things to balance it. </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Budget adjustments for 2022</h2><p><b>Groceries</b> - My grocery budget used to be max $100 a fortnight. Now even $200 is often not enough. Realistically I could set it to $200 if I want to live on the basics but I enjoy going out with friends so realistically it's at $300 now. To give some idea of prices at the moment. </p><p>500g block of cheese used to be around $7, it is now $20</p><p>1kg tray of beef mince was $7, now $14</p><p>2 chicken breasts used to be $6, now $11</p><p>a loaf of bread was .90c now $3.10</p><p>So even buying the cheapest brands and not splurging my groceries have had to go up drastically. </p><p><b>Car</b> - My old car just required too much maintenance to keep it running and things just kept breaking. I think when I traded it in it needed $4000 of work and was only worth that so I traded it in for a 4yr old i30. These are great little cars. Plenty of room for two of us and passengers if we need it. Heaps of boot space and a 5 star ANCAP (safety) rating. Its much more fuel efficient and an automatic which has been a god saver for the rising petrol prices. The interest rate on the loan for the car isn't the best but I am planning on paying it out within a year rather than over the 3yr loan term. </p><p>On that, petrol is now $2 per litre which mean by budget here went from $70 - $90 and I try to limit my interstate trips. My insurance on it was initially $100 a month which to me was much too high so I hunted around and found a much better rate with Budget Direct for just $40 instead. </p><p><b>House hold costs</b> - Rent has stayed the same thankfully and I may be moving shortly for the same rent. Electricity prices have gone up but as my home is fairly new and small it is easy to heat and cool. thankfully also it has been a very mild summer and winter so we haven't had to use the heating/ cooling too much. </p><p><b>Work</b> - I am back at work which means more petrol is being used as well as having parking costs again. This is $15 a day for parking, thankfully I can still work from home some days so this is around $80 a fortnight plus the additional petrol of about +$30 a fortnight. My style has changed a lot since the last time I was at work so I have had to purchase some new work wear. My work is casual corporate so nothing too fancy but some sensible shirts and pants were needed. Unfortunately the charity shops in my area aren't great and can be just as expensive as going to a regular store. I will cover more on clothing in another post as I have some tricks to keeping that budget down. </p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Single parent savings rate for 2022 </h2><div>Being on a sole income my savings rate fluxuates a lot depending on the time of year. Sometimes I splurge and allow us to live a bit more comfortably with swimming lessons, Disney+ etc and other times I really tighten the belt and try and save as much as I can. </div><div><br /></div><div>2022 - </div><div>Expenses 70%</div><div>Splurge 10%</div><div>Savings 20%</div><div><br /></div><div>2023 - Assumed rates</div><div>Expenses 57%</div><div>Splurge 10%</div><div>Savings 33%</div><div><br /></div><div>This is based off my average costs. 2023 assumes me moving house and paying off the car. </div><div><br /></div><div>What does this look like?</div><div><br /></div><div>Splurge at 10% is $235 which is my spending money for the fortnight. This covers anything that isn't a must so clothing, takeaway, movies, school things etc. </div><div>Savings at 20% is $470 a fortnight but this is dependant on nothing going over. Which it often does because of course a budget is a plan not a life. Savings next year should be more around $775 a fortnight which will make getting ahead a lot easier. </div><div><br /></div><div>Of course what all of this has come down too is that my savings rate is far below what it was 2years ago. Through no fault of my own it is just that the cost of living has far surpassed the rate of wage increases. </div>Jacintahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399196817665374933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393380517573235200.post-91643047306955190982022-06-27T14:46:00.003+10:002022-06-27T14:46:32.466+10:00Kmart kids winter haul<p> I just posted about the new homewares coming to Kmart this winter then I saw the amazing toys that have been released too! I just had to make another post for those. Some of you who have been here a while will know that I have a passion for early childhood learning. My son is growing out of that now so I try and grow with him but it does make me sad that a lot of the great materials available today weren't available when he was younger. </p><p>I will try and label each of the things I have found with the age groups I believe they are suitable for as some of these can transcend several years.</p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Kmart Educational toys</h2><div>Don't be fooled. All toys can be educational. Children learn through play which is why its so important to not focus on sitting at a desk and doing board work when teaching even as parents. Children deserve things that are fun and active to get their minds thinking about how the world around them works. </div><div><br /></div><div>Although I have broken them into age groups every child is different. These are more the ages that I have observed my son and the children at daycare would enjoy them the most in their developmental stages.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">2-5years</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsXk2XdtETmAmVSGGhilKz0HroJPUOlyEuBH_zCGWbS8UXiZHK9L7rl21oZhrAc8YRYbBTYjLLMq8v1TfNkSkdlyWpb6gAcQ67ff3oB04_ubJrfD2-3xDz8_70Hq3OU9yZ0dUgWXVVcjz1dpQ7Ug-PVjca0c-LCy5FqBvo8szLu751AsOOUQYgyCg/s1040/kmart%20winter%20kids%20haul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1040" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsXk2XdtETmAmVSGGhilKz0HroJPUOlyEuBH_zCGWbS8UXiZHK9L7rl21oZhrAc8YRYbBTYjLLMq8v1TfNkSkdlyWpb6gAcQ67ff3oB04_ubJrfD2-3xDz8_70Hq3OU9yZ0dUgWXVVcjz1dpQ7Ug-PVjca0c-LCy5FqBvo8szLu751AsOOUQYgyCg/w640-h444/kmart%20winter%20kids%20haul.jpg" title="kmart kids haul" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>1. <a href="https://www.kmart.com.au/product/8-pack-bath-crayons-43144631/" target="_blank">Bath crayons</a> - $4.50 Encourages fine motor skills, grip, control and interaction between water and materials.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. <a href="https://www.kmart.com.au/product/32-piece-nature-finds-activity-43145133/" target="_blank">Nature finds activity</a> - $5.50 This activity teaches identification of colors and textures as well as identifying natural elements around them. Teaching them plant names, identification, and for older children can teach reading also as they read the card for themselves.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. <a href="https://www.kmart.com.au/product/cvc-spelling-bingo-43111503/" target="_blank">Spelling Bingo</a> - $10 This game teaches kids the letter sounds which is why I have put it in the lower age group. For older children it can teach the difference between consonants and vowels as well as making it a fun challenge between groups.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">5-10yrs</h3><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMWVCDaJd3885DmxY-Ejs1rSl91mGLUvlJxVi2NbvXq66PL23uU7yhvXRXG3wuh86lw1DIsULHCf-QyxSAjXSsR-PYqemBOKZE0zbENmcbcWk4fTUo021l7rgW0GiaF35cpvEjbIeiczrcrajG4ZWOSvmQlZoDA9_Pt5FXYi4Pv2A8ovzDMbmZCAz/s1040/kmart%20winter%20haul%20olderkids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1040" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMWVCDaJd3885DmxY-Ejs1rSl91mGLUvlJxVi2NbvXq66PL23uU7yhvXRXG3wuh86lw1DIsULHCf-QyxSAjXSsR-PYqemBOKZE0zbENmcbcWk4fTUo021l7rgW0GiaF35cpvEjbIeiczrcrajG4ZWOSvmQlZoDA9_Pt5FXYi4Pv2A8ovzDMbmZCAz/w640-h444/kmart%20winter%20haul%20olderkids.jpg" title="Kmart kids haul" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>1. <a href="https://www.kmart.com.au/product/16-piece-learn-with-me-anatomy-bib-43143313/" target="_blank">Learn with me anatomy bib</a> - $15 Any kids still learning from home (our school still gets sent home due to teacher shortages) this give them a visual of what's inside their bodies. Giving kids autonomy when we talk about what happens in their bodies this helps them connect ideas and concepts and helps them identify their own needs.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. <a href="https://www.kmart.com.au/product/mandala-puzzle-43090594/" target="_blank">Mandala puzzle</a> - $13 This one is fine for any age after they stop putting things in their mouths. It teaches fine motor skills, color and shape recognition as well as pattern recognition and especially for kids with ADHD or ASD they can find some peace in creating patterns and color gradients.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. <a href="https://www.kmart.com.au/product/101-200-sight-words-43144686/" target="_blank">101-200 sight words</a> - $13 Oxford sight words are broken into groups in order of when they should be learnt. This pack is the second group so designed for second stage learning which is generally years 1-2 but every child is different. A great activity for these is to set them up around the room and get children to shoot them with nerf guns or jump on them on the floor or maybe making sentences with them. This makes it a game for identifying the words and you can use a variety of games such as, shoot all the words with a Th sound.</div><div><br /></div><div>4. <a href="https://www.kmart.com.au/product/blocks-sorting-case-with-storage-assorted-43139040/" target="_blank">Lego storage case</a> - $15 Who doesn't need a new way to store their lego. There is never a perfect way but this sure looks like a great one. The inside is roomy and divided and you cant lose the mat for building on. Kids can divide between color, kids, people and shapes and develop fine motor skills in building their own creations. Why not get one per child so they can keep their creations going.</div><div><br /></div><div>5. <a href="https://www.kmart.com.au/product/slap-band-plush-assorted-43109388/" target="_blank">Slap band plush</a> - $7 For kids who need to fidget or enjoy bringing a soft friend with them these are perfect. They wont drop or lose the toy and it keeps their hands free. The snap band can be use to fidget with when they need to occupy their hands. </div><div><br /></div><div>6. <a href="https://www.kmart.com.au/product/build-your-own-electronic-science-set-43105724/" target="_blank">Electronic science set</a> - $20 I adored these when I was a kid. They are amazing for teaching about how electronics work which builds understanding about the world around us. Its also great for fine motor and building problem management.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jacintahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399196817665374933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393380517573235200.post-6229785464550688002022-06-22T16:57:00.001+10:002022-06-22T16:57:27.122+10:00New Kmart Winter haul<p><br /></p><p>Kmart is a bit of an institution in Australia. It's budget friendly, has some great home decor and there is great opportunity for making the items your own with a little DIY.</p><p>Being a renter I love the range of stick on and temporary items that Kmart sells. I don't have to break the bank to buy them which means that when I move I don't have to worry about how much I am leaving behind or removing.</p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">What's new for Winter at Kmart</h2><div>I'm really excited about the new items coming through at the moment. So much that I have seen overseas in America and Canada in their homewares are finally starting to trickle through. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.kmart.com.au/product/decor-and-furniture-paint-chalk-finish-black-43156276/" target="_blank">Chalk paint</a></h3><div>This is really expensive to buy in Australia usually. You only need a small amount to give a piece of furniture a facelift for that great French provincial look. I have only seen black and white at Kmart so far but it's promising for future colors and for just $10 for 500ml it's a great buy. Might have to find a bedside table at the tip shop to try it out on. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSDi98TuAl3lEefWrb3bOclFDi3XM0mgN4eP39ZG3dT7ElRUwyqQSPw2nDFm5pqZ_OtrVSNppB_3BiKQjW1W2L94GsuCPlz2ZSIwtpNtjcryrbyFi_xfHiajKZ2Xhh7tNhOKd38qoBMqGAOLsKQcJQEBJHmNSA1oZIfJeXjKzswCbUoTv_W3DyrPI/s602/chalkpaint%20kmart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="476" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSDi98TuAl3lEefWrb3bOclFDi3XM0mgN4eP39ZG3dT7ElRUwyqQSPw2nDFm5pqZ_OtrVSNppB_3BiKQjW1W2L94GsuCPlz2ZSIwtpNtjcryrbyFi_xfHiajKZ2Xhh7tNhOKd38qoBMqGAOLsKQcJQEBJHmNSA1oZIfJeXjKzswCbUoTv_W3DyrPI/w124-h157/chalkpaint%20kmart.JPG" width="124" /></a></div><br /><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.kmart.com.au/product/arch-rug-extra-large-43153282/" target="_blank">Arch rug - extra large</a></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finding affordable and cute rugs can be hard. Most are thin and cheap looking and get kicked around the house by small people. This rug is thick and lush and the texture on the pattern elevates it to such a warm inviting rug for winter and still bright and welcoming for summer. It's selling for $129 for 270x180cm which is a fair deal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKnC-6flV6_Q08hWRhgROAkS-W5tWsNSaWnnrYekxW8dbMKBYyA_PXmeNhd02Nz1Vcy31w_JHTiIl2WaaIlHnkwcCOF_0PF6bs8-aEuUv_ODyF5O5DKIixUWUq697nxeYV0metxOa0MndsDmrMAfHVfkVorQjNo2AGen0MpQp8HDuBg3MqLXMN0a1/s716/kmart%20rug.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="655" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKnC-6flV6_Q08hWRhgROAkS-W5tWsNSaWnnrYekxW8dbMKBYyA_PXmeNhd02Nz1Vcy31w_JHTiIl2WaaIlHnkwcCOF_0PF6bs8-aEuUv_ODyF5O5DKIixUWUq697nxeYV0metxOa0MndsDmrMAfHVfkVorQjNo2AGen0MpQp8HDuBg3MqLXMN0a1/s320/kmart%20rug.JPG" width="293" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.kmart.com.au/product/2-compartment-rattan-shoe-cabinet-43158379/" target="_blank">Rattan shoe cabinet</a></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Shoe cabinets have been really popular at IKEA but I was never a fan of the finish on them. This warm and inviting rattan one is a much more inviting option for an entry way at $119. For me this seems a little pricy but I seem to always think that things are expensive and looking at current inflation prices this is actually quite on the mark. If I end out moving shortly this will be coming home with me for my narrow entryway. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQA7wdE-OiFQJdMZppItpbqpNoEtnjf4AILkHHgQwgktoFaDj8QhUkHwI9NL_cNku1MlHfwCsGWAK6WypFlWZK4RTxrOAQU3bV6Mz9o4lLRjuq4EnPOFlkRcyARr62otPKYGP-UwPa7hquQJxu_g0A0uzLQi3u1WFQNLSZjIftrpXLi7PgUwefxhVJ/s558/shoe%20cabinet%20kmart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="469" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQA7wdE-OiFQJdMZppItpbqpNoEtnjf4AILkHHgQwgktoFaDj8QhUkHwI9NL_cNku1MlHfwCsGWAK6WypFlWZK4RTxrOAQU3bV6Mz9o4lLRjuq4EnPOFlkRcyARr62otPKYGP-UwPa7hquQJxu_g0A0uzLQi3u1WFQNLSZjIftrpXLi7PgUwefxhVJ/w163-h194/shoe%20cabinet%20kmart.JPG" width="163" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.kmart.com.au/product/rechargeable-automatic-soap-dispenser-43151325/?" target="_blank">Soap dispenser</a></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">this might seem like an odd thing to be excited about but I always wonder what's lurking on my foaming soap dispenser in the bathroom. If you have kids you get this. With cold and flu (and covid) season upon us I'm getting two of these, one for the bathroom and one for the kitchen at $29 each its a bargain to just buy soap refills.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiZAIhdUAl0X-w0ESgPitqxW7OTulwy3EOaCc4KXDr_L2KZrsBfGsK8gzczz13nPfO15we4BfBL4phgJtir1Hv0N8GznY1Q2a_lpZ_fd9IK8X1gBF4H4R25sV_jxEfMBIWvXJA0_hKcgyfSztfArBfrRImlFfFLbcM8gEQnL-Cle9bFGmEw7CHzAO/s582/soap%20dispensor%20kmart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="406" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiZAIhdUAl0X-w0ESgPitqxW7OTulwy3EOaCc4KXDr_L2KZrsBfGsK8gzczz13nPfO15we4BfBL4phgJtir1Hv0N8GznY1Q2a_lpZ_fd9IK8X1gBF4H4R25sV_jxEfMBIWvXJA0_hKcgyfSztfArBfrRImlFfFLbcM8gEQnL-Cle9bFGmEw7CHzAO/w159-h228/soap%20dispensor%20kmart.JPG" width="159" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.kmart.com.au/product/5-pack-self-adhesive-3d-tiles-scales-blue-43152117/?" target="_blank">Adhesive tiles</a></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">these come in a range of styles from plain white subway to these amazing green scale. I'm never one for plain so these are just an amazing hack for renters. Each pack comes with 5 30x30cm stick on sheets for $26. They are even textured to look like the real deal. Great to stick on old bathroom, toilet, laundry or kitchen areas then peel them off when you leave. Also great for those who like me change their mind a lot and redecorate often, no need to replace tiles every time, just make these temporary changes and remove and redecorate when ever you like.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0uSfF6c789gwqj0XPptAmLSeVLFpcUY9vljixkAOCE5FGclmCUaGoGUA25HLW0YdUkxdksY-c5E4u8nWz9F8IBqbigljDNoUr-vzLvie3cj8JKWe2tkA8bcbTZ8AmQcfaND8asHQqEviWbdxQAsFKlfIcp4aNTENywmAZsC7o0LXOVj7m_rWKJwx/s653/stick%20on%20tiles%20kmart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="653" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0uSfF6c789gwqj0XPptAmLSeVLFpcUY9vljixkAOCE5FGclmCUaGoGUA25HLW0YdUkxdksY-c5E4u8nWz9F8IBqbigljDNoUr-vzLvie3cj8JKWe2tkA8bcbTZ8AmQcfaND8asHQqEviWbdxQAsFKlfIcp4aNTENywmAZsC7o0LXOVj7m_rWKJwx/w210-h188/stick%20on%20tiles%20kmart.JPG" width="210" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.kmart.com.au/product/adhesive-vinyl-eucalyptus-43123247/" target="_blank">Adhesive vinyl - Eucalyptus</a></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kmart have sold adhesive vinyl for a while now but I never liked any of the designs. They stocked marble and wood look varieties but nothing that really struck me as wanting to be on show. I have seen people use these as drawer and shelf liners, kitchen bench covers (removeable for renters) and as wall paper. A word of warning though, these are not designed specifically for walls so do a small test area over a few weeks to ensure it removes cleanly for your walls. These come in 2mx45cm rolls for just $3.75 a roll! I'm loving the eucalyptus print for a statement piece, and the chalkboard for that feature wall strip or even on the fridge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDE6UID-p1szcsSm7hyiRQvUnQtMhYFCW0HwgykdCdKWYwZOhcMwQBFaejKLNEjfx0eD6VjDN1VTu-2vy_zHeftTZcMgHMwSs_H-3lJFKKJJt1Nh9PGbINAKCrFUnsapUEZUrPpxkRuN2Xhw42MSWbqCdHkdqRdU9LopN-ooUA5wCDt0cNU0UqTgAc/s622/chalkboard%20vinyl%20kmart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="622" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDE6UID-p1szcsSm7hyiRQvUnQtMhYFCW0HwgykdCdKWYwZOhcMwQBFaejKLNEjfx0eD6VjDN1VTu-2vy_zHeftTZcMgHMwSs_H-3lJFKKJJt1Nh9PGbINAKCrFUnsapUEZUrPpxkRuN2Xhw42MSWbqCdHkdqRdU9LopN-ooUA5wCDt0cNU0UqTgAc/w173-h137/chalkboard%20vinyl%20kmart.JPG" width="173" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvQSzBL6rGFoa6Dgn9sST2I73pUv6MWskH5fdqaIIdcWwSeXLamRntFUIwGWIUeYnW5hCgBOMI0a_GAUEldszWUzZNG0_2W0997uacyS3ZSUIeRHOZk4wfHDwTHRgKvHljOtKj3cE_GojmIluF7S9e7lYkDYmce4p-eXQGu4t-o7ttsTe0MNbXBOY/s657/vinyl%20wallpaper%20kmart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="657" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvQSzBL6rGFoa6Dgn9sST2I73pUv6MWskH5fdqaIIdcWwSeXLamRntFUIwGWIUeYnW5hCgBOMI0a_GAUEldszWUzZNG0_2W0997uacyS3ZSUIeRHOZk4wfHDwTHRgKvHljOtKj3cE_GojmIluF7S9e7lYkDYmce4p-eXQGu4t-o7ttsTe0MNbXBOY/w193-h129/vinyl%20wallpaper%20kmart.JPG" width="193" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.kmart.com.au/product/20cm-cream-ceramic-saucepan-43019328/?" rel="nofollow">Ceramic saucepan</a></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finally we have their range of ceramic saucepans. I have a love hate relationship with cookware. Most of mine loses its lustre quickly and becomes battered and flaky. The ceramic range is non stick and just looks amazing especially if you are a blogger or social media user your food pics will look great from any angle. This pot is $20 for a 20cm pan, $18 for the 28cm frypan, but there are many other options available. They are suitable for use on electric, gas, ceramic, halogen and induction cooktops. The hands is wood look bakealite so not suitable to go in the oven. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDj8eTfoHsk1VXQcDBKhmghSYFe76MYEknmqgpaMuaytGxJidpiI-R1qmx9rxhx3S6JK8Sp0Fj98wLPEC8c1jmMZ8rGeKJZHVTrnb5maMfroARUBOr4Nxzi4GoRn-q95erwC-qSjYCG1HwQ4Xgv3TxV0rHu40G5zIhh8mQmZ_61qeIbpPKY1H1lQW/s650/kmart%20saucepan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="650" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDj8eTfoHsk1VXQcDBKhmghSYFe76MYEknmqgpaMuaytGxJidpiI-R1qmx9rxhx3S6JK8Sp0Fj98wLPEC8c1jmMZ8rGeKJZHVTrnb5maMfroARUBOr4Nxzi4GoRn-q95erwC-qSjYCG1HwQ4Xgv3TxV0rHu40G5zIhh8mQmZ_61qeIbpPKY1H1lQW/w257-h171/kmart%20saucepan.JPG" width="257" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUc3Eg3gZ0xCLQEtVn73ae3Po_C3hZLHHguh90o8bc8I7IzzbxgzjQ9zm6QcE1ozOvaKKxcaOFdLYSyhkGAwYSMTNnBweHRDZ5vvYhE4_FdH8mskONn3k_HP7X3aAciYN_f-RVGs16BStg2sVwH8XnRG5odLjMf82G39QqGAXdiF3ZvrfdAPd-eDi5/s631/ceramic%20frypan%20kmart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="631" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUc3Eg3gZ0xCLQEtVn73ae3Po_C3hZLHHguh90o8bc8I7IzzbxgzjQ9zm6QcE1ozOvaKKxcaOFdLYSyhkGAwYSMTNnBweHRDZ5vvYhE4_FdH8mskONn3k_HP7X3aAciYN_f-RVGs16BStg2sVwH8XnRG5odLjMf82G39QqGAXdiF3ZvrfdAPd-eDi5/w242-h173/ceramic%20frypan%20kmart.JPG" width="242" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Do you have any go too Kmart items? I will post again when I get these beauties into my home and show off how great these look in use. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFrm6mD1jZZ3ZXHKwrTKguxkcHQ_HIzMkAEHCGeZmoBHop-lZJ4aqc9zs_2u32imUuiZCWiDi0bslRrL2lrPSJqbf1OAScMjvqjrYmZ1b1LIXUUtNwhcpge0Q2fWJaVv1gjk2S-b6gQjnSXpjHCiafZaIphOwOh89SOUWpQBDT5wHqWIU1lM-K1yr/s164/signiture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="114" data-original-width="164" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFrm6mD1jZZ3ZXHKwrTKguxkcHQ_HIzMkAEHCGeZmoBHop-lZJ4aqc9zs_2u32imUuiZCWiDi0bslRrL2lrPSJqbf1OAScMjvqjrYmZ1b1LIXUUtNwhcpge0Q2fWJaVv1gjk2S-b6gQjnSXpjHCiafZaIphOwOh89SOUWpQBDT5wHqWIU1lM-K1yr/s1600/signiture.jpg" width="164" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p style="background-attachment: inherit; background-clip: inherit; background-color: white; background-image: inherit; background-origin: inherit; background-position: inherit; background-repeat: inherit; background-size: inherit; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: AnkoModerat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5rem; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left; word-break: break-word;"><br /></p></div>Jacintahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399196817665374933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393380517573235200.post-56858869914386167512022-06-20T09:00:00.002+10:002022-06-20T09:00:00.178+10:00Frugal meals for tight budgets<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwgu9VKEuoysEEFLH8YMRBd5Zmlhbx_7vmNS5Lg8Epak7ItKizQuovVc9MJyF1xh60O7PKiPLbsLeNgc1rZACPSodzB3h4Yb5wznKobDOfZ62i4JCe6RBevlgjFy8kfpmBg684nbOHv2ic51AqvuxVEz3bKD-r1CWIbih_TrBKcKrJCHiYS7ecmuSG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="3508" data-original-width="2480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwgu9VKEuoysEEFLH8YMRBd5Zmlhbx_7vmNS5Lg8Epak7ItKizQuovVc9MJyF1xh60O7PKiPLbsLeNgc1rZACPSodzB3h4Yb5wznKobDOfZ62i4JCe6RBevlgjFy8kfpmBg684nbOHv2ic51AqvuxVEz3bKD-r1CWIbih_TrBKcKrJCHiYS7ecmuSG=w283-h400" title="frugal week night meals" width="283" /></a></div><br />Current supermarket prices have gone through the roof. My grocery budget has actually tripled just getting the same groceries that I always have in the last year. In Australia right now one lettuce is $12! KFC has actually announced they have had to switch to cabbage in their burgers because they cant get lettuce. I saw a whole watermelon for $45, something that is usually a cheap staple over summer and sells for $1-2 a kg. Unfortunately living in my state its currently winter and literally nothing will grow at the moment, the frost is too bad. So I have had to find alternative ways to save on the grocery shop. <p></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">How to save on your grocery bill</h2><div>These are the few tips that I swear by when keeping costs low in my weekly shop.</div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Check what is on sale before making a meal plan. If Chicken is $15per kg but mince is $20per kg then its going to be a chicken week. </li><li>Buy in season. Because its winter in Australia right now the things that are in season are the cheapest so this means cabbage, cauliflower, apples, pears, beans and peas.</li><li>Only buy as much as you need. Meal plan and work out exactly how much you will need for those recipes. Having things sitting around and going bad is not going to be budget friendly. </li><li> If you are using something for a recipe that doesn't use up the whole thing then find other recipes to make that week that will use up the excess. </li><li>Frozen is just as nutritious as fresh sometimes more so because they are snap frozen at the peak time. It wont rot in your fridge and can be much cheaper anyway. </li><li>Build your grocery list online over the week. This stops you forgetting things and having to go back to do top up shops which end out getting things you don't need. It also means that you can see the total as you go and adjust accordingly.</li><li> Keep lazy foods on hand to stop you being tempted to get takeaway. For my family of two its $40 minimum for takeout which is half my weekly food budget. </li></ol><div><br /></div></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Budget friendly recipes</h2><div>We all need a list of go to recipes that we can whip up quickly and for a small budget. Some of these are uni student specials and some are adapted from family favourites to really cut back the cost. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Student spaghetti</span></h2><div><i>Serves 4-6 </i></div><div><i>$1.30- .86c per serve</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Spaghetti (<b>$1</b> 500g homebrand)</div><div>Can of condensed soup (<b>$1.70</b> campbells brand)</div><div>Frozen veg (<b>$2.50</b> 500g frozen peas and corn, should stretch to at least 5-10 meals)</div><div>Leftover chicken if you have it</div><div>Cheese (<b>$9</b>, 1kg block. Blocks are cheaper then pre grated. Will last a very long time.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Boil some spaghetti, the more you cook the bigger this will stretch. Once cooked strain and add to a baking dish. Add the soup, a little milk and how every much veg you want. If you have leftover roast chicken or ham add it in, mix to combine everything. Top with half a handful of cheese and bread crumbs if you have them (or put a stale piece of bread in a blender). Bake at 180C for about 15mins to make the cheese melt and a little crispy. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Garlic noodles</span></h2><div>Noodles of your choice. I like Soba but you can use spaghetti or thin egg noodles. (soba $3.70 for 270g enough for 2 big meals or $1 for spaghetti)</div><div>Garlic ($2.30 500g minced)</div><div>Butter ($5 375g tub.) This is the cheapest per 100g option. Mine was actually 2 for $8 the day I got them which makes it $1.06 per 100g.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUstDEyKov-oUcXwer9iw0qJvJDChjxu13sFwquYEDUKQEKE_3kZyEEXoS5tXbqKH2JZIPMWt6cvE1_c1ZpSP_m0WgJL_8e16pN2TCWDYGq54rBjA7alj_u-w7swCKZTGH84rVO53PQZMZff7N4irLJOI5fZ2rP1XmTSD80DsPJHjevFq8NxBsf3Xq/s2048/Quick-Easy-Amazing-Garlic-Noodles-6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUstDEyKov-oUcXwer9iw0qJvJDChjxu13sFwquYEDUKQEKE_3kZyEEXoS5tXbqKH2JZIPMWt6cvE1_c1ZpSP_m0WgJL_8e16pN2TCWDYGq54rBjA7alj_u-w7swCKZTGH84rVO53PQZMZff7N4irLJOI5fZ2rP1XmTSD80DsPJHjevFq8NxBsf3Xq/w426-h640/Quick-Easy-Amazing-Garlic-Noodles-6.jpg" title="Easy frugal garlic noodles" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jacintahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399196817665374933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393380517573235200.post-77273433460338045242022-06-19T18:25:00.005+10:002022-06-19T19:35:22.244+10:00How to make sales on Etsy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhO4fhY4PTKppKrPGag9XSOyYGlg8cEjH367yFudRoETnYcThQg2bGAXwURtGMyDRYk9H0lpJBOlvg1E9dvss2HZpr07PF73vdyLm4kB2kokLvbIu5RePSmdrH1d_ZmITNdZdfYPDImYMzJNKIfZNFMtnvC748mXQwu7i-XixuFEbBcMVvVvUqq5NFv" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="3508" data-original-width="2480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhO4fhY4PTKppKrPGag9XSOyYGlg8cEjH367yFudRoETnYcThQg2bGAXwURtGMyDRYk9H0lpJBOlvg1E9dvss2HZpr07PF73vdyLm4kB2kokLvbIu5RePSmdrH1d_ZmITNdZdfYPDImYMzJNKIfZNFMtnvC748mXQwu7i-XixuFEbBcMVvVvUqq5NFv=w283-h400" title="Boost your etsy sales" width="283" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br /><p>I have been running an Etsy shop now for 2years. I have really loved it but the time has come where I have temporarily turned it to holiday mode. Why? Well that's a long story really. </p><p>I have always been a creative person jumping from one hobby to the next. Everyone told me I should sell what I make but I just couldn't get sales and for the time that it took me to make things it just wasn't worth it. I initially started my store, Mothermaple, in 2017 selling washi tape. The only sales I made were when I drastically discounted them to sell them out. About 6 months later I changed to baby items like headbands and wraps. I didn't make any sales and it was time consuming and expensive to make the products to list. I left the shop open until 2020 and only sold a few hair clips in that time. </p><p>During Covid, like alot of people, I wanted something to do with my time at home that would be productive. I researched stickers and found that I could make them myself for much cheaper than what people were selling them for and why not sell my designs while I was at it. Sales were slow but actually picked up quite fast. I found that I really enjoyed designing and making them and it was a fast and cheap process that I could make on demand. </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">How I got started in stickers</h2><div>The first things I bought were a Silhouette Curio sticker machine. Silhouette was far cheaper in Australia than Cricut and the machine cost me about $250. I only realised a few weeks after buying it that I had bought the wrong machine. The curio only cuts A5 and is designed for several different mediums like metal etching and thick cutting. It would still do what I wanted but it was frustrating to have to print and cut all A5. You can purchase a larger A4 mat and tray but they are over $120 each and were out of stock for about a year. </div><div><br /></div><div>I also bought some matt sticker paper from Amazon. Sadly a lot of the sticker paper people on youtube and others recommend is vastly more expensive in Australia. A lot of people use label sheets but the company they recommend, online labels, are about $1 a sheet and $60 postage. The ones I found on Amazon, Rock paper scissors, were $40 for 50 sheets and free postage. </div><div><br /></div><div>My printer was a canon $40 one but it did the job. </div><div><br /></div><div>I also bought an Apple Ipad for $600. This gave me something to design stickers on using Procreate and also an additional computer in the house which during school lockdowns was very handy.</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">How I make my stickers </h2><div>I designed and drew my stickers using Procreate which is a free app available on ipads. I then sent them to my computer to be printed and cut using the Silhouette. I bought some envelopes and stamps and some white tissue paper to wrap them in. One of the big selling points of Etsy is the packaging so I focused on making a thankyou card and a logo which I printed onto round stickers also using the Silhouette and used these to close the wrapping. </div><div><br /></div><div>I eventually included Vinyl stickers in my listings for the artwork and vintage stickers I sold which looked much better on laptops etc rather than the paper ones for planners.</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">How to get sales on Etsy</h2><div>Etsy certainly has a formula for getting sales and it has nothing to do with what you sell. These are my top tips that I found to work the SEO algorithm.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">List a new item once a week</h3><p style="text-align: left;">This boosts your listings on the results page and pings your shop as active. The weeks that I listed a new item I got vastly more sales, the longer I waited between listings the lower my sales got. </p><p style="text-align: left;">The more listings you have the more traffic your page will get because there are just more search terms leading people there. If you are just starting out I would open your shop with no less than 10 listings. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Know your tags</h3><p style="text-align: left;">Use up all the tags. You get 11 of them, use them all. The more tags you have the more chance someone will find your listing. The more listings you have, the more tags and the more hits and sales you will get. Try putting one or two words into the Etsy search bar and seeing what suggestions come up. These are the most searched terms for your keywords. </p><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcBCljnYA3ovM2Rjbaty1oUOQLCFWUnMXprusMVTYzrOVvIFYjycx0LjDxW7B--utt0qgOXixoLT6MMMFR8YmqSzqoiRjceOjgyI1fiGAvYpxReEvel40cKKNhIhVct6lI_4GZvqDXKNHOPWy-rdZu6MXSDZSKO8kyyJNlGA08DusLlI4IxmB9o1R/s562/etsysearchhits.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="460" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcBCljnYA3ovM2Rjbaty1oUOQLCFWUnMXprusMVTYzrOVvIFYjycx0LjDxW7B--utt0qgOXixoLT6MMMFR8YmqSzqoiRjceOjgyI1fiGAvYpxReEvel40cKKNhIhVct6lI_4GZvqDXKNHOPWy-rdZu6MXSDZSKO8kyyJNlGA08DusLlI4IxmB9o1R/w262-h320/etsysearchhits.JPG" title="Etsy search finder" width="262" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Accurate and catchy listing headings</h3>Make your heading and description use a lot of key words that people will search for, this is another chance for Etsys crawler to find your listing. </div><div><br /></div><div>For example: Planner stickers | Cute stickers | Native animal art | Back to school</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Use <b>Google Trends</b></h3><p style="text-align: left;">This is an off branch of google that tells you all the most searched terms on Google over the last week or month. This tells you what people are currently looking for and what terms will get you the most hits on your products. Is it Mothers day, Christmas, Super ball, Harry styles. Adding these terms to your listings will shoot hits through the roof.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Erank</b></h3></div><div>This is a free SEO keyword service. You just log in and give it the code from your etsy store so that it can see your listings. Then it tells you which listings are missing tags, has spelling errors, missing images etc. You can search keywords and it will tell you how many times that it has been searched across Etsy, amazon etc and what similar searches have been so that you can see what the most popular tags are for your products. </div><div><br /></div><div>It also tells you what the most popular stores are in your category so that you can see what they are selling and may be doing differently to you.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://erank.com/">eRank - FREE Etsy SEO, Keyword Research, Top Seller, and Trend Tools</a></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfHhUgyHFIJpJu76NsndB9IOBmaJhzNgj5iTgFk2D8QK1Dq9Y0PwOUdyga5eXGRTZdzzd1UtOEFu7NYEJnpCV1Vqg0QeZlX3xieI-Jp9RPjIl8EPdsFByiXcrBZTV_NnseI9MLcu7YShpZ76zWo3ix28Av0XttoQkhT9eLTDJviWAdwY03UtwbrwFQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1835" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfHhUgyHFIJpJu76NsndB9IOBmaJhzNgj5iTgFk2D8QK1Dq9Y0PwOUdyga5eXGRTZdzzd1UtOEFu7NYEJnpCV1Vqg0QeZlX3xieI-Jp9RPjIl8EPdsFByiXcrBZTV_NnseI9MLcu7YShpZ76zWo3ix28Av0XttoQkhT9eLTDJviWAdwY03UtwbrwFQ=w436-h158" title="erank etsy search" width="436" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Professional listing images</h3></div><div>I don't mean hire a professional. Make your listing images look professional and include pictures from many angles, in different scenarios like on the sheet, stuck on a daily calendar, stuck on a notebook. </div><div><br /></div><div>No one wants a dimly lit pic on your kitchen table. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfs984ycTtIWaEELAVVnU0r3fP9cW7csvHayARWRlVG-EFvHXP51KQY0pGyxNjPSe8SS1_QJGrlAULrx1V1XgiUrB2nC-m_EXQzUzpPNSG9soAL4CpyJgwdi22h8z5636qDZ3--00NhKwRLXKkp-HmR00D0FhHOQTb984q1e18uv79ZIPVbOXuAIn/s416/better%20etsy%20listing%20images.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="297" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfs984ycTtIWaEELAVVnU0r3fP9cW7csvHayARWRlVG-EFvHXP51KQY0pGyxNjPSe8SS1_QJGrlAULrx1V1XgiUrB2nC-m_EXQzUzpPNSG9soAL4CpyJgwdi22h8z5636qDZ3--00NhKwRLXKkp-HmR00D0FhHOQTb984q1e18uv79ZIPVbOXuAIn/s320/better%20etsy%20listing%20images.JPG" width="228" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upgrade your photos from this</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjxurzqMZTOHEbADDnzH1tunRPWZjXqpzmFby0fhFdVhjSk_fu2lX1Jvnue8ijFw9s3__wkdaFV9qjyoRFiwoiGIx28-8GBAbY4pzznzovCns5t2px06wEu8inKsiB9bF2jK9m6ScP0xvf5DmBELrTzkvGyTCSVa_MYY62B9dLKSWvRkjpt7Y22dR/s314/getting%20listing%20photos%20right.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="235" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjxurzqMZTOHEbADDnzH1tunRPWZjXqpzmFby0fhFdVhjSk_fu2lX1Jvnue8ijFw9s3__wkdaFV9qjyoRFiwoiGIx28-8GBAbY4pzznzovCns5t2px06wEu8inKsiB9bF2jK9m6ScP0xvf5DmBELrTzkvGyTCSVa_MYY62B9dLKSWvRkjpt7Y22dR/s1600/getting%20listing%20photos%20right.jpg" width="235" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To light, bright and clear. <br />Including your hand gives a personal touch as well as a size gauge.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Phones these days have amazing quality cameras, there is no need to go and get fancy equipment. Natural light is best, go outside if you need too or use a table (or floor) against a window. </div><div>I purchased stick on vinyl samples from my local hardware store for about $5 each to use as back drops which were about 80x80cm in wood plank look and marble effect. Then I layered items in and around it that related to the product, journals, a pen, glasses, cup of tea, plants, candles. Google flat lay if you need inspiration. You can also get ring light stands to add lights if needed. I got mine for about $20 from Kmart.</div><div><br /></div><div>If your product is digital you can purchase backgrounds ready to go just insert your image, or take your own to use over and over again.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another hot tip is to look at other stores that you like and see how they styled their pictures or look on Pinterest. <br /><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Free Postage</b></h3><div><br /></div><div>Increase the cost of your items to include postage so that you can either lower or make postage free. People are more likely to buy items with free postage not realising that it has been rolled into the cost of the items.</div><div><br /></div><div>Important point here too. Don't forget when deciding on the price of your items to include the cost of packaging. You wont make money if you are using $3 worth of packaging for $3 in sales. Buy the cheapest you can, I recommend buying envelopes in bulk that come in the cheapest postage rates. I used C5 rigid envelopes which under 250g is $2.20 postage in Australia and cost about $40 for 100 of them on Amazon.<br /><b><br /></b></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Sale Sale Sale</b></h3><div>Again raising the cost slightly (I'm talking maybe 20c) means you can run sales and not lose money. When people see that it's discounted they are more likely to buy now rather than adding to cart and not checking out or favourites and risk losing out on the sale.<br /><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b>Marketing your Etsy shop</b></h2><p style="text-align: left;">Although Etsy offers ads there are plenty of free ways to drive people to your store. If you do want to use Etsy ads I would recommend choosing your 6 most sold items and only spending $3 a day. You are only charged per click and if you make a sale from the ad (which is why I don't like them because Etsy takes some of your sale). </p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Pinterest</b></h3><div>Save all the images you list to Pinterest as soon as you list the item. Etsy has a Pinterest button or you can install an add on to your browser that enables a Pinterest save button to appear when you hover over the image. </div><div><br /></div><div>In your Pinterest account make sure that you have connected your store (in settings) and that you set the format of saved pins to include a bold heading, description and link to your store. This can all be done if you change your Pinterest account to business I believe. </div><div><br /></div><div>Pinterest is responsible for a lot of traffic to my store and is free! Another tip on Pinterest is to gain followers so that they see your pins in their for-you page. Save about 3 pins a day, to any board doesn't have to be business related. Make sure your boards are titled appropriately so that people can find them by searching those terms and people will start following you which will push your images across their feed.<br /><b><br /></b></div><div><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmcHp-_7X47aJsoXcxgNPE68Tn6D-oYto-NMwVZUMuCYGa-VspZK_9O9IVdIdLRwP_HVgCkxmfsGt9HR9cJizikH8m-m6KmM7d4Y4q5QXqsl3Gj-aXCrDofySVAam0kvJlsRl2TYxj_Ws6zFV31CxhY6mK2oD4DwQBWNpCkYKwBIXMzuVIOQ28fefh" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1301" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmcHp-_7X47aJsoXcxgNPE68Tn6D-oYto-NMwVZUMuCYGa-VspZK_9O9IVdIdLRwP_HVgCkxmfsGt9HR9cJizikH8m-m6KmM7d4Y4q5QXqsl3Gj-aXCrDofySVAam0kvJlsRl2TYxj_Ws6zFV31CxhY6mK2oD4DwQBWNpCkYKwBIXMzuVIOQ28fefh=w528-h293" title="Pinterest listing tips" width="528" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how mine are formatted. Bold heading using a lot of key words, brief blurb and my business details. This is all automatic and taken from where I save it from.</td></tr></tbody></table></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Instagram</b></h3><div>Post at least weekly to Instagram with product images and how you and others have used them as well as general posts on topics that relate to your business like motivational memes that people will want to interact with. As soon as you post, go and follow and like other peoples posts. This pushes traffic to your account.</div><div><br /></div><div>If your account is a business one you can also see what the most popular times for posting are based on your audience. Generally it is Tuesday-Friday 9am and 3pm. And 10am and 9pm on weekends for me. Because if you post when no one is online other posts will push yours off their feed before they see it.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>That's it! Sales to my store went up 400% in one year of following these tips. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3WhiuK2eBEkGvdawRW4tLtmnK2nFgdyIEpW8vsTm5Eg-2XWgY693m2UFco6zVUZ9OtJ0yRrA1Oi-Durtdd9dNG2S72A4pwUdhifrz2n4IO0s3U1Z4NMwEJXEZHQ3d8Df_0nGUVxWUzIcE9XyJcL5A5m1eaRxRdsASRePkQlDFDZacobh9KpdivGt/s164/signiture.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="114" data-original-width="164" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3WhiuK2eBEkGvdawRW4tLtmnK2nFgdyIEpW8vsTm5Eg-2XWgY693m2UFco6zVUZ9OtJ0yRrA1Oi-Durtdd9dNG2S72A4pwUdhifrz2n4IO0s3U1Z4NMwEJXEZHQ3d8Df_0nGUVxWUzIcE9XyJcL5A5m1eaRxRdsASRePkQlDFDZacobh9KpdivGt/s1600/signiture.jpg" width="164" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jacintahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399196817665374933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393380517573235200.post-70674323467732170972021-08-26T22:52:00.003+10:002021-08-26T22:52:35.956+10:002021 Second lockdown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rghZpC6Ok2U/YSeMX2Wu1fI/AAAAAAAAB1I/KLO29TzpHzUDTsoFnm9ZVc22IjFlu0THACNcBGAsYHQ/s474/OIP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="lockdown" border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="474" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rghZpC6Ok2U/YSeMX2Wu1fI/AAAAAAAAB1I/KLO29TzpHzUDTsoFnm9ZVc22IjFlu0THACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/OIP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I know that alot of countries and states have been in many lockdowns. But for us here in Canberra, Australia this is our first lockdown since the initial few months of the pandemic. We are really lucky in that sense. I was talking to my mum today about how this one differs from the rest and I think the main takeaway was that people are just frustrated that we are still doing them in the first place. We are over the idea of locking down suddenly without warning. For us we had one case. Yep, one case and were put into lockdown for 3weeks from 5pm that night (the announcement was made at 11am). The shops were packed and the shelves stripped again. I always have a fully stocked pantry and fridge but I did happen to be at the shop already when the announcement was made and it was a mad house. Thankfully everyone was being very civil about it and only buying one packet of toilet and several bags of lollies. </p><p>We have one week left and are hoping that we get the restrictions lifted then. The added difficulty on my part is two fold, firstly our TV broke on Monday after a powerout and because of lockdown we cant get it replaced until things open up again (its only 2 months old!). So that has been a major stress trying to keep both of us occupied and given we only have 1 computer and I'm working from home full time and Rue is doing homeschool its certainly a juggling act. </p><p>The second major annoyance is that his dad lives across the border and they are also in lockdown. Given his job if he or anyone in his home crosses the border (to pick up Rue for visits) they have to go into isolation for 14days and he can't work at all which means basically no visitations until both states open back up which could be November! Its super stressful for him not seeing his son, for Rue not really understanding why he can't see his dad and for me as an introvert to not have any time alone. </p><p>I understand the reason for these lockdowns but they also only opened it up for under 40yr olds to get vaccinated this month and the waiting list is 2months long. So they haven't given us any way to protect ourselves against this yet keep pressing people with how serious it is if you aren't vaccinated! They are even talking about allowing fully vaccinated people to go out and socialise which is really unfair for us who have been waiting 2years to get the shot but haven't been given access. Its not sustainable to keep locking down and causing people to lose their jobs and businesses not to mention the affect on mental health. I understand that people die of Covid but the governments need to give us a way out, give us access to the vaccines. </p><p>Regardless I try not to complain as comparatively me and my loved ones have sailed through with jobs we can do from home and no family sick. </p><p>I have been trying to keep busy with gardening and organising around the house. I ordered a whole bunch of seeds which I have planted and are germinating on the clothes airier next to the sunniest window. Im trying and failing to eat well and really need to focus on that alot more. I'm prity sure i have gained about 5kg in two weeks. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HjZWVPK7PBY/YSeOBSTmQoI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/3wdOg_mcc7EMUko5zWr3rRIKEAod0abzwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Seed raising indoors" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HjZWVPK7PBY/YSeOBSTmQoI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/3wdOg_mcc7EMUko5zWr3rRIKEAod0abzwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_1876.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>So I guess the point of this blog is to remind you all that if you have access, then please get vaccinated so that we can stops this cycle of lockdowns. And if you, like me are stuck at home with children, then god speed my friends haha just take it one day at a time and ease up on the rules, its ok not to get dressed, its ok not to home school for the day, its ok to have cereal for lunch and takeaway for dinner. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CONw0MxILZQ/YSeOTuZZ9yI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/hQ_0CTUmU3swiXMPyQ5UKFn6dTBZ4R5-ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spring daffodils" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CONw0MxILZQ/YSeOTuZZ9yI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/hQ_0CTUmU3swiXMPyQ5UKFn6dTBZ4R5-ACNcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_1877.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Jacintahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399196817665374933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393380517573235200.post-61743337511152479842021-08-02T17:46:00.001+10:002021-08-02T17:46:12.184+10:00Family home deposit scheme and new budget<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eoXoUP3v3C0/YQehtAIPL1I/AAAAAAAAB04/h2b6GkVzmgQNy232hFTD4WypAFw4sO9twCNcBGAsYHQ/s474/OIP%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="474" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eoXoUP3v3C0/YQehtAIPL1I/AAAAAAAAB04/h2b6GkVzmgQNy232hFTD4WypAFw4sO9twCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/OIP%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>In a new year a few new things have happened. Firstly, grocery prices have gone up which means that my $100 budget a fortnight is no longer really cutting it. I have raised it to $150 just to cover the basics. This is sad but we are also eating better being able to add some Farmers market veg in there which yes would be cheaper in the supermarket but I prefer to not only support local small farmers but the food is cleaner and tastes better. </p><p>Fuel is also back on the rise after the slump in 2020 which means my tank now costs $70 a week rather than $50. Boo.</p><p>The third thing is that the <a href="https://www.nhfic.gov.au/media-resources/media-releases/update-from-the-australian-government-family-home-guarantee/" target="_blank">Government</a> has opened places for single parents to purchase a home with just a 2% deposit without having to pay lenders insurance. I might have had a bit of a rant on a certain youtubers page when he suggested that this was an attempt to break up families and win the election. Clearly that middle aged white male has never had to buy a house and support a family in todays economy. For those also thinking that's an insane idea let me clear a few things up. </p><p></p><b>Firstly there is a cap on the max price home you can buy for each area</b>. In Canberra I believe its $600k because homes here are really expensive. HOWEVER. You also have to be approved for the mortgage by the registered banks which means you still have to pass their means test. They aren't going to offer a $600k loan to someone only earning $40k a year. <br /><br /><b>Single parents aren't idiots</b>. It's not encouraging us to be single by offering this. Being a single parent is often the result of a toxic relationship where you and your child are much safer and happier away from the other person. This includes mothers, fathers, aunts, grandmothers/ fathers and widows who support a child or children on their own. <br /><br /><b>Most single parents are well aware of their limits.</b> We have been supporting ourselves for a while. I for one could borrow far more than I am intending. Because I know full well that interest rates aren't going to stay low and that I need to be reasonable in what I can pay off. My upper limit I am willing to borrow is at the bottom of my affordability. So I could afford something much larger but I'm not going to put myself in that position. I would rather pay more off the loan while rates are low and have a little extra in my pocket then buy some massive house that I have to sell in 5yrs because I cant afford the repayments. <br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Rent is currently more than a mortgage in Australia.</b> Yes that's right, I'm comfortably paying more to rent than I would be paying off my mortgage. This however also means that it makes it really difficult to also save a deposit on top of rent. How many people do you know who can buy two houses? Because thats what we are trying to do, save for a deposit of a home while paying off someone elses home. In Australia many banks want at least a 10% deposit with many expecting 20% which is about $90k. For me this means saving every last cent I have for about 15yrs to afford it. Which means that when I retire I'm not going to own a home and will be living off government pension which is not nearly enough to support anyone. This means that the government needs to get people into their own home to save them having to be supported later. They aren't giving us money, they are just allowing us to pay off our own homes rather than someone else's. <p></p></div><div><b>Lastly and sadly alot of single parents cant afford to do this anyway. </b>However it does give us that leg up so that those who can afford it can get off that cycle of government support payments and into a secure place. They are paying off their own homes and getting ahead in life with an asset under their belt. When the kids are grown up we can work more and pay it off in time for retirement. I know many parents in my facebook groups have seen the light to start saving where before they knew there was no hope without a partner, which also drove many people into relationships which weren't healthy just to afford basic living. </div><div><br /></div><div>I myself should be able to get into my own home early next year which for me is a big weight off my shoulders to know that my landlord cant just kick me out whenever they please and that I can tailor the home to suit my needs. I can save money by upgrading insulation and appliances and installing Solar. In the long run it is much better for everyone involved to get into their own home!</div>Jacintahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399196817665374933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393380517573235200.post-70757565219113806922021-05-27T14:26:00.002+10:002021-05-27T14:26:18.774+10:00What to cook with Sourdough discard<p> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rI5uAhzqDB8/YKBb1kUp01I/AAAAAAAABxc/RMykTXcti2YBX6zVBd4-6TFjLAnVj-T2gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1138.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rI5uAhzqDB8/YKBb1kUp01I/AAAAAAAABxc/RMykTXcti2YBX6zVBd4-6TFjLAnVj-T2gCNcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_1138.JPG" title="Sourdough discard crumpets" width="480" /></a></p><br /><p><br /></p><p>Each time you feed your sourdough starter you need to discard half. So what do you do with it? Ideally you cook with it rather than throwing it to the chickens (who love it by the way) or putting it in the bin.</p><p>If you are like me and don' use it all that often it can be hard to come up with recipes for the discard because there are only so many baked goods you can consume in a week. </p><p>My favourite things to make are Sourdough cinnamon scrolls, a sourdough loaf or sourdough English muffins. With the small amount of discard I get before feeding it can be a challenge to think of something to make. </p><p><br /></p><h2>WHAT IS SOURDOUGH DISCARD</h2><p>Discard is what you remove before feeding your starter. This halves the amount of starter you have and means you don't need to feed it as much flour and water and it also doesn't burst out of the jar you are keeping it in. For a small user such as myself this is usually no more than about a cup of starter. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dvxiy4SnBKo/YKBcBIVTCMI/AAAAAAAABxk/SlW8r3IFbeURsVr2f0VnSwY-y1qZ-Kp7QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1125.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dvxiy4SnBKo/YKBcBIVTCMI/AAAAAAAABxk/SlW8r3IFbeURsVr2f0VnSwY-y1qZ-Kp7QCNcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_1125.JPG" title="Sourdough discard recipes" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><h2>MY RECIPE CALLS FOR ACTIVE DISCARD</h2><div>Active discard means it has been fed in the last 12hrs usually. It can vary recipe to recipe but it will generally say how active it needs to be. You should remove your starter from the fridge for 3hrs before feeding then leave it out for 8hrs before returning to the fridge. If returning it to the fridge then leave out for 8hrs and collect the discard then feed and leave for another 8hrs before returning to the fridge.</div><div><br /></div><h2>HOW DO I PREVENT THE STARTER FROM RUNNING OUT</h2><div> If your recipe calls for more starter than you have then skip the discard step before feeding and double the feed. Son if you start with 200g starter then 200g flour and 200g water, rather than discarding down to 100g before feeding. This will double your starter giving you more to cook with. If you accidently use it all up then just reserve some of the dough after rising and feed as you usually would. As the starter is in there it should still be active in the dough. Its not ideal but it will get the job done.</div><div><br /></div><h2>THE BEST SOURDOUGH DISCARD RECIPES</h2><div><br /></div><div>My go to discard recipes are crumpets and pizza bases. </div><div><br /></div><div>Both are super easy and require almost nothing added to cook with besides the discard. </div><div><br /></div><h2>Sourdough Discard Pizza Bases</h2><div>Scoop out half of your starter (or about 1 cup) and use it to line a hot pan like a giant pancake. It will puff up a little so don't worry if it looks a little thin. Drizzle oil, herbs and toppings on top and slide the pan into an oven on about 180C (if your pan isn't oven safe then slide the pizza onto a tray first). Cook for about 5-10mins to melt your toppings.</div><div><br /></div><div>Done! Amazing right?</div><div><br /></div><h2>Sourdough Discard Crumpets </h2><div><i>You will need:</i></div><div>Sourdough discard</div><div>Salt </div><div>Sugar</div><div>Bicarb soda</div><div><br /></div><div>Add 1/2 cup discard to a bowl and stir in 1tsp sugar, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp bicarb soda. Use it straight away and fill two greased crumpet rings about half way. Keep the pan on low as this is what makes them rise and bubble like a good crumpet should.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cook them until the top goes dull and most of the bubbles have appeared. For a more holey texture you can pop the bubbles. Remove the rings and gently flip the crumpets, cooking a few seconds longer to get a golden top.</div><div><br /></div><div>Slather these in butter and any honey or jam. They taste absolutely amazing hot straight from the pan.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KbWJKs19ra8/YKBbp3RlY8I/AAAAAAAABxY/IhafA7A4Zx40x8s-n19ehis_ufK-npc4wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1133.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KbWJKs19ra8/YKBbp3RlY8I/AAAAAAAABxY/IhafA7A4Zx40x8s-n19ehis_ufK-npc4wCNcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_1133.JPG" title="Sourdough discard crumpets" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jacintahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399196817665374933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393380517573235200.post-37664366552266574132021-05-27T14:24:00.005+10:002021-05-27T14:24:36.110+10:00How to store food and prevent food waste<p> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YG1RnkafWiU/YKBfao98Q8I/AAAAAAAAByQ/FyBR4VnYCfQQa1tgpmZaaJ4D4adA_wpRACNcBGAsYHQ/s1500/Pantry%2Bchallenge.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YG1RnkafWiU/YKBfao98Q8I/AAAAAAAAByQ/FyBR4VnYCfQQa1tgpmZaaJ4D4adA_wpRACNcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/Pantry%2Bchallenge.png" title="prevent food waste" width="426" /></a></p><br /><p><br /></p><p>Food waste is a serious problem in the western world. We throw perfectly good food away just to make room for more food. </p><p>I always keep pantry staples on hand for baking and whipping up meals with very little need to go to the shop. Flour, sugar, salt, eggs, milk, tinned tomatoes and pasta are all essentials in my home.</p><p>When I buy meat or vegetables I portion it up and freeze it so that it prevents it going to waste if we don't get around to eating it. We all have that droopy draw of vegetables that we forgot about right? </p><p>Being a single parent household with just the two of us we don't eat a lot and its always hard to cater for both our tastes. This is why I cook for 4 most of the time and freeze the remaining serves. It makes for easy weeknight meals and also prevents waste. </p><p>There always comes the time when you realise that your pantry and freezer are full to the brim and you just have to take the time to stocktake and eat it down before you shop again. </p><p>You might be surprised at how long you can go without shopping and how many meals you can make with just what is in your home. </p><p>I cant go into every meal that you can make with few ingredients so this might need to be a series. Today though I can give you some of my go to use it up recipe ideas. </p><h2>USE IT UP RECIPES</h2><h2><b>Tuna bake</b></h2><div><div><i>You will need:</i></div><div>Some kind of pasta</div><div>milk</div><div>flour</div><div>butter</div><div>cheese</div><div>tuna</div><div>optional: breadcrumbs</div><div><br /></div>Cook up some pasta (its doesn't even need to be all the same kind of pasta) and pour it into a baking dish. </div><div><br /></div><div>Make a rue with 1 tbls butter melted and 1 tbls flour mixed in then over low heat slowly pour in milk and whisk until you get a paste. Keep adding milk until it forms a sauce (about 500ml), add a hand full of what ever cheese you have. (you can even leave out the cheese but it will be less tasty). </div><div><br /></div><div>Pour this over the pasta and mix in a can of drained tuna. Sprinkle a hand full of cheese and bread crumbs if you have them over the top and bake until the top is crispy, about 180C for 10mins.</div><div><br /></div><h2><b>French Toast Dippers</b></h2><div><i>You will need:</i></div><div>Bread</div><div>egg</div><div>optional: cinnamon and milk</div><div><br /></div><div>A great way to use up bread that is nearly stale. Beat about 1 egg per 2 slices of bread that you have and add a dash of milk and cinnamon. Dip both sides of the bread into the egg and fry both sides in a fry pan with a little oil or butter until golden brown, about 3mins per side. Cut into three strips and freeze. </div><div><br /></div><div>To eat just take a few out and pop them in the toaster. We like to dip ours in maple syrup or honey.</div><div><br /></div><h2> <br />CURRIED SAUSAGES</h2><div><i>You will need:</i></div><div>Sausages</div><div>Tomato paste</div><div>Curry powder</div><div>Vegetables</div><div>optional: corn flour, strawberry jam, chicken stock</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I always seem to have sausages in my freezer and this is great to use them up. Kid approved.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cook the sausages how you prefer. You can fry them, bake them or boil them (if you boil them you can remove the skins once they are done). </div><div><br /></div><div>Chop sausages into bite sized pieces (about 1in). Add them back to the pan and add 1tbls tomato paste and stir around. Add curry powder to taste, for kids I use about 1tsp of a mild powder or double for me. Add about 1 cup of water or chicken stock.</div><div><br /></div><div>Add what ever vegetables need using up. I generally use frozen peas and corn, chunky diced carrots and sometimes diced potato (you can also cook the potato separately then mash and add in to thicken the sauce). Turn to a low simmer and cook until the vegetables are cooked through, about 10-15 mins.</div><div><br /></div><div>At this point you can eat it as it is or I like to add 1tbls strawberry jam which adds sweetness and cuts through the bitterness of the curry nicely. You can also mix 1tsp of cornflour with a little water and stir it in heating for a few minutes to thicken the sauce. </div><div><br /></div>Jacintahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399196817665374933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393380517573235200.post-6361600425931628642021-05-27T14:22:00.002+10:002021-05-27T14:22:21.065+10:0010 simple tips to save $700 on your electricity bill this winter<p> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5920tthZTgc/YKBchTtljzI/AAAAAAAABxw/v9257BWL_lkCaXcSR9gIswMxl8cdpBj6QCNcBGAsYHQ/s1500/Save%2Belectricity.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5920tthZTgc/YKBchTtljzI/AAAAAAAABxw/v9257BWL_lkCaXcSR9gIswMxl8cdpBj6QCNcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/Save%2Belectricity.png" title="save money on electricity" width="426" /></a></p><br /><p><br /></p><p>Electricity prices aren't going down any time soon. I'm sure we all remember our parents yelling at us to put socks or a jumper on when we got cold. I don't know about you but I'm a free spirit and hated wearing layers of clothing, especially socks and jumpers. Even now if I can get away without wearing a jumper I will. Layers people. </p><p>I live in Canberra, Australia which can get down to -7C (19F) over night with a max day temperature of about 10C (50F), if you're lucky. </p><p>But now as a single parent I am saving for a home of our own and a few things need to be cut back. I'm already very frugal but am very aware of how lazy I have become with my electricity usage. I was locked into a deal with my supplier where if I payed in equal fortnightly payments then they gave me a 20% discount. Sounds like a great deal right? Well no, because when I used Compare the market to compare electricity companies, even with the deal it was still over $100 a quarter more expensive. Which brings me to my first tip.</p><p><i>Prices correct as of 2021</i></p><p><heading1><b><span style="font-size: large;">1. Shop around for the best electricity deal.</span></b></heading1></p><p><heading1>How many times have you just connected with the company you know and stayed with them until you move? I move a lot so I often just reconnect with the same company. Now I know that you really do need to shop around. A lot of companies don't charge a disconnection fee but do offer new user deals. </heading1></p><p><heading1>What this means is, you actually pay more to stay with the same company! </heading1></p><p><heading1>Compare the market (not sponsored) is the one that I use here in Australia, you can compare electricity, gas, and insurance companies and by entering in your details (address and usage) it gives you quotes from each of your local companies. Just by doing this my supply charges went from 94c a day to 83c per day. That might not seem like a lot but over the course of 3 months that's $100 off my bill, or $400 a year. </heading1></p><p><heading1><span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. Do a powerpoint audit to save serious cash</b></span></heading1></p><p>In a quick ten minute circle of my home I found nearly 10 things that were using power even when I wasn't using them! This is money down the drain. Go around your home and check every single powerpoint, if there is something plugged into it that you aren't using, unplug or turn it off at the wall (in Australia we have switches on every powerpoint to turn it off). This includes phone chargers which are a secret money chewer. Did you know that phone chargers use power even then they aren't plugged into your phone? I also found the washing machine, dryer, computer, modem, game machine, microwave and air purifier all use power to run their monitors/ clocks in standby when not in use. Getting smart plugs can also help as these can be controlled with an app on your phone so one click can turn them all on or off as you leave the house. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ngM0FVsKtUU/YKBcrn1lG5I/AAAAAAAABx0/BIxRRlrtxlMWLetRaTJqaa-NmOU3LHq0QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1121.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ngM0FVsKtUU/YKBcrn1lG5I/AAAAAAAABx0/BIxRRlrtxlMWLetRaTJqaa-NmOU3LHq0QCNcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_1121.JPG" title="turn off powerpoints to save money" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. Computers and TV's are chewing your power bill</b></span></p><p>I am very guilty of these two. Generally I will leave my computer running 24/7. This is as well as having the TV going in the background when I'm not even watching it because I like the noise. Even turning your monitor off when you get up for a break can save dollars in the long run. </p><p>In standby mode your TV uses about $6 a year to run, games consoles cost $13, Microwave $3 and a wireless modem can be up to $25. This might not seem like a lot but when you combine the total of running appliances in your home it can add up to over $100 a year in standby costs. If you only have one of each of the appliances listed below in standby mode (plugged in but not in use) it would cost your household $90 a year for the privilege of having them plugged in...Not to mention the average Australian household has 3 TVs, 2 games consoles and 3 computer devices which brings the cost up to $130 a year straight down the drain. </p><table class="table table-bordered" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; border: 2px solid rgb(24, 153, 214); color: #333333; font-family: Walsheim, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 20px; max-width: 100%; width: 656.8px;"><tbody style="box-sizing: border-box;"><tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><th style="border: 2px solid rgb(24, 153, 214); box-sizing: border-box; color: #1899d6; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">Appliance</th><th style="border: 2px solid rgb(24, 153, 214); box-sizing: border-box; color: #1899d6; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">Hourly standby usage</th><th style="border: 2px solid rgb(24, 153, 214); box-sizing: border-box; color: #1899d6; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">Hourly standby cost</th><th style="border: 2px solid rgb(24, 153, 214); box-sizing: border-box; color: #1899d6; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">Annual standby cost*</th></tr><tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">Television (LCD)</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">2.3W</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">0.06c</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">$5.26</td></tr><tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">Microwave</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">2.4W</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">0.07c</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">$6.13</td></tr><tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">Games console</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">5.4W</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">0.15c</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">$13.14</td></tr><tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">DVD player</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">1.5W</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">0.04c</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">$3.50</td></tr><tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">Computer monitor</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">1W</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">0.03c</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">$2.62</td></tr><tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">Washing machine</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">1 – 6W</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">0.03c – 0.17c</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">$2.62 – $14.9</td></tr><tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">Clothes dryer</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">2.6W</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">0.08c</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">$7</td></tr><tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">Dishwasher</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">3W</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">0.09c</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">$7.88</td></tr><tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">Air conditioner</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">2W</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">0.05c</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">$4.88</td></tr><tr style="box-sizing: border-box;"><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">Wireless modem</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">7 – 10W</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">0.2c – 0.29c</td><td style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-left-style: solid; border-right-color: rgb(24, 153, 214); border-right-style: solid; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 2px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #727272; line-height: 1.42857; padding: 8px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">$17.5 – $25.4</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. Keep the cold out and the heat in</b></span></p><p>Now that you have unplugged everything lets talk about keeping the cold out in the first place. A lot of homes allow the cold air to enter without even realising. A few simple tricks can cut your heating bill drastically. I only turn my heating on for an hour a day now and it stays toasty warm through the day. </p><p>Firstly, as the sun goes down close your curtains and blinds. This stops the cold air from cooling down your home where the sun warmed it up during the day. </p><p>Get block out drapes. These are lined curtains that are much better at blocking the cold from entering and preventing your heat from being sucked out also. If you own your home then consider installing curtain caps which are boxes that enclose the top of your curtain rail and stop the cold/ hot air from escaping up.</p><p>If you are in a rental, as I am, then a neat trick is to spray your windows with water then cover them with bubblewrap. I kid you not. The cells in bubblewrap trap the air and act as a very effective barrier. I don't do this for all my windows as I like to see out but certainly for less used or seen windows such as the bathroom, laundry, lower/ upper panes or rooms that aren't in use. In a pinch you can also use car window covers also, the foil acts as an insulator. </p><p>Finally move around your home and check all windows and doors for drafts. A lot of doors and windows aren't sealed properly which lets the cold in. You can get foam strips to run along the edges of windows to seal them better and draft stoppers for doors. A sock or stocking filled with rice is a great draft stopper for under doors, I have one against the internal entry door for my garage. Silicone can also be run around doors and windows to seal them better.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vpYoimqJGD0/YKBc2-74f3I/AAAAAAAABx8/wM9pk8IP6qYRbrDSI5Rz_nRh8hdInAbvgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1118.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vpYoimqJGD0/YKBc2-74f3I/AAAAAAAABx8/wM9pk8IP6qYRbrDSI5Rz_nRh8hdInAbvgCNcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_1118.JPG" title="draft stopper" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">5. Avoid using power un-</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>necessarily</b></span></p><p>How many times have you boiled the kettle only to forget about it and have to boil it again. Or if you have a kettle like mine that keeps the water boiled then you may be shocked at how much this is costing you. Heating elements including heaters, dryers and kettles are the biggest sucks of energy you can imagine. Try instead boiling the kettle in the morning and filling a thermos. This will stay hot for most of the day and save you having to boil it again. </p><p>Cook in bulk so that the oven is full when you use it. This not only saves you time during the week but prevents the oven being in use to preheat for several hours a week. For small amounts (or fussy kids) like chips or vegetables get an air fryer which has a much shorter cooking time and doesn't need to preheat.</p><p>Dryers are an essential for many homes but there is also that big glowing thing in the sky which dries our clothes for free, yes folks lets go back to good old sun dried clothes. In winter it can be hard to get things dry but with just a little forward planning there is no reason you have to use a dryer. Running a dryer costs approximately $1.60 an hour. Which might not seem like a lot but one load takes about 1.5hrs to dry which is $2.40 a load. Average it to 3 loads a week and that's $374 a year! Or if you use it 5 times a week for bigger families (3 loads of clothes and one of each towels and bedding) that's over $600 a year to do something that can be done for free. </p><p>With a washing machine, don't run it unless its full. I know my sister runs a load of whites or delicates with only a few items in there. Just hold off until you have a full load. If you need too, buy enough clothes to get you through a week. This also means you don't have to use a dryer to wear it the next day. </p><p>Then we come to dishwashers. I know the ads say that using a dishwasher uses 1/4 of the water that hand washing does but I didn't believe that and looked that study up. They are basing this off pre rinsing, post rinsing with the tap running the whole time and changing the water twice during the washing up. I don't know about you but I don't know anyone who washes that way. </p><p>We have been in drought for a long time in Australia which means we are just used to not wasting water. You scrape the dishes into the bin then half fill the sink with hot water. If you want to rinse the bubbles off (I see no need but I know some people do) then fill a second sink or bowl about 1/3 full and rinse in there. Running a dishwasher daily will cost you $100 a year. </p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;">6. Lets talk rugs</b></p><p>No one likes cold toes. Having carpet in your home works as a natural blanket for your floor. So if you have hardwood or vinyl floors like me then invest in some rugs. Even cheap ones block the cold seeping up through the floor, it feels warmer on your toes and stops the floor sucking the heat out of the room also. </p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>7. Heat it up</b></span></p><p>There is a lot of debate over what the best method of heating your home is. I have ducted heating which sounds great but if I want to turn it on then it heats the whole house, even rooms I'm not using. I usually set it to turn on just before we get up in the morning to take the edge off then turn it off when I'm up. </p><p><b>Fan heaters</b>: These little guys don't really heat anything unless you are right in front of it or its a very small room like a bathroom. They also use about 70c an hour to run. I would give these a miss as they really aren't good for much. </p><p><b>Oil heaters</b>: These cost about 47c an hour to run. They can heat a much larger space and can work on a timer. I can tell you from experience that these can really heat a room! </p><p><b>Panel heater:</b> These are the mid range at 51c an hour to run. I have found them to not be as warm as an oil heater but still a nice option for a small space such as a bedroom. Keep in mind that if its left on over night that's $5 a night. </p><p><b>Electric blanket</b>: These are amazing for getting into a warm bed. I would always advise turning it off over night. Its a fire hazard (from a firefighter friend of mine who responds to the most electric blanket caused fires each winter) and its not good for you to sleep on an electrical current. They do however cost just 5c an hour to run. So, switch it on for an hour and warm up your bed, then turn it off at the wall. </p><p>If you do use central heating lower it to as low as it goes (mine is 16C). This saves about $1 a day for every degree you lower it. Close the vents in rooms you don't need to heat to save it trying to heat a larger area. </p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">8. Go old school to warm yourself</span></b></p><p>Electric blankets are great but personally I go old school when it comes the warmth in bed. Sure sharing with other people will keep you warm but aside from that I go for flannelette sheets which hold my body heat much better than cotton and a heavy winter doona. When I first get in I like a hot water bottle (made with our thermos from earlier or from hot bath water, hey you aren't drinking it and it saves it being wasted). Go for a hot shower or bath before bed and your stored body heat will warm your bedding and keep it in all night. Chuck a natural fibre blanket on top for extra chilly nights. </p><p>During the day hot drinks will keep you warm as well as eating spicy foods. I kid you not. Ramp up the curries in winter. </p><p>Muscle is warmer than fat. I knew a woman who lost about 20kg just before winter and she said she has never felt colder. Yet my friends who work out regularly barely felt the cold. This is because muscle helps your metabolism fire which helps keep your body warmer. </p><p>Thermal underwear! I'm not talking long johns but even a thermal singlet traps an amazing amount of body heat. </p><p>Get it on. I'm sorry to those who, like me, are single but yes sex is a wonderful way to keep warm. It gets your heart pumping and you share that body heat. There is a reason alot of babies are born in Summer. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7MRm5b9v4Zg/YKBdEL3ICII/AAAAAAAAByE/tln7_4Ww6uAVhDOMvOIxZbVn5OubYtmlQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1500/Save%2Bmoney%2Bthis%2Bwinter.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7MRm5b9v4Zg/YKBdEL3ICII/AAAAAAAAByE/tln7_4Ww6uAVhDOMvOIxZbVn5OubYtmlQCNcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/Save%2Bmoney%2Bthis%2Bwinter.png" title="10 tricks to save on electricity" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>9. Go for the jugular</b></span></p><p>Odd advice? Not at all. Placing a hot water bottle or heat pack on major arteries will warm you in a second. The amount of blood pumped around these areas is so high that it is warmed by your heatpack then sent around your body keeping you toasty warm. So put that hot water bottle between your thighs for a much more efficient heating system (this also works for keeping cool with a cold pack in summer).</p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">10. Finally, turn out the lights. </span></b></p><p>We have energy efficient bulbs now and I would advise everyone to make sure you make the switch if you haven't already. A friend had all her lights stop working and could only use her power points with lamps plugged in for several months. Her electricity bill halved. I know at my home turning on one switch powers several overhead lights. Things don't need to be as bright as daylight. Even at work if I'm the only one there I often only turn on half the lights, its a lot more relaxing and there is no need for so much light for most of us (unless you have night vision issues). So ditch the over head lights all together and plug one lamp in to each room. It's ambient, its cozy, and it saves you a ton of money. </p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">All of these tips may seem like pocket money but add them up and it can save your household <u>$700 a year</u> just from the things I mention above!</span></b></p>Jacintahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399196817665374933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393380517573235200.post-78096690057701566172021-05-27T14:12:00.005+10:002023-09-12T15:24:01.952+10:00Make your own Sourdough starter from scratch<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MFyiLWx48H9qmoUEaSwAi12o-tMbN-92Jnyn1D2QHs1I_VitB9W-erW13NAN9A1oooblvEzf7aZCmAlApJoXE10gJqo8Pw8ycBETdtWxFGOeZ90udWqISa9V31cscpy92WMhL7quEqfyIWagwCDz8OotamRLm_OAkvdonsEkRCcuPmBZybz8fK1K7bw/s1040/sourdough%20starter%20recipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="make your own sourdough starter" border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MFyiLWx48H9qmoUEaSwAi12o-tMbN-92Jnyn1D2QHs1I_VitB9W-erW13NAN9A1oooblvEzf7aZCmAlApJoXE10gJqo8Pw8ycBETdtWxFGOeZ90udWqISa9V31cscpy92WMhL7quEqfyIWagwCDz8OotamRLm_OAkvdonsEkRCcuPmBZybz8fK1K7bw/w444-h640/sourdough%20starter%20recipe.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><br /><p></p><br /><p>Sourdough has become very popular due to its ability to be more easily digested then a regular yeasted loaf. It is also very tasty and you can just keep using it again and again rather than going to the store for packaged yeast. </p><p>Personally I prefer sourdough bread. I find store bought yeasted loaves are really sweet and lack flavour. The full body chewy texture of sourdough is hard to go past. </p><p>If you don't have a friend or family member to give you a little of their discard to get you started then it can be a challenge to work out how to make your own starter. </p><p>It doesn't have to be a headache to start one yourself and they are surprisingly hard to kill, I accidently baked mine for a full 10mins and it was still fine (don't ask).</p><p>Starters can last for generations if cared for properly. Bakeries hand it down and keep theirs going for 50+ years. Mothers and fathers hand it down to their children and the flavour just keeps developing and getting better. </p><p>I have heard of people who name their starters so they can remember where they got it from or when they started it. I particularly love <a href="https://www.lacucinaitaliana.com/italian-food/italian-dishes/sourdough-starter-date-of-birth-1848?refresh_ce=" target="_blank">this article</a> about a woman with a 168yr old mother starter handed down through her family.</p><p><br /></p><h2>CAN I USE ANY FLOUR TO MAKE A SOURDOUGH STARTER</h2><p>Technically yes but it best to use the freshest flour you can get your hands on. Unbleached will also give you a better, faster result as the culture in the flour is still alive. So don't use that bag of flour you have had sitting at the back of your cupboard for over a year. Some people will say rye is the best to use but I haven't seen a difference in mine so white, or wholemeal are also fine. If you use wholemeal or rye then use a little less water. Its all about trial and error but it should be like a thick pancake batter.</p><p><br /></p><h2>DOES IT NEED TO BE FILTERED WATER</h2><p>Yes. Unless you use tank water then it does need to be filtered. The reason for this is that our tap water contains chlorine to purify it. Its a very small amount but will kill all the live yeast we are hoping to attract. If you don't have a water filter then leaving a glass of water out for 10-20mins will allow the chlorine to evaporate. Its not ideal but it will still work.</p><p><br /></p><h2>DO I HAVE TO FEED MY STARTER DAILY</h2><div>While you are getting it started then yes. Once the initial process is done you can store it in the fridge and feed it once a week. The cold means that the yeast consume the flour slower so it doesn't need feeding as often. If you want to use your starter more often then you can leave it on the bench and feed it daily or you can remove it from the fridge at least a day before you intend to use it and feed it twice, once when you first get it out then again 12hrs later, this will allow it to get warm and active before you use it. </div><div><br /></div><h2>WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE A SOURDOUGH STARTER</h2><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>A 3L jar with a lid, I prefer clip top</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul><li>Unbleached fresh flour</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul><li>Damp teatowel or muslin (pudding) cloth</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul><li>Filtered water</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><h2>MAKING YOUR STARTER</h2><div>You want one part flour to one part water. 1 cup works well but its up to you how much you use as long as its equal parts. Mix it well and leave in a warm spot but not in direct sunlight for 24hrs with a cloth over it to stop bugs getting in (not plastic wrap as we want the wild yeast to get in). Next to the stove is a good place.</div><div><br /></div><div>After 24 hrs discard half and add another cup of each flour and water. Stir well. Replace cloth and leave again. </div><div><br /></div><div>Repeat this process for days 3, 4 and 5 of discarding half and feeding with 1 cup flour and 1 cup water. After a few days you should see it start to get bubbly. This indicates wild yeast has taken up residence. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t33IVOd8CI8/YJ4x_Q-y6EI/AAAAAAAABwQ/enuKT9yqTP410sj0o9HW6uUCpFl1a7QjACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1013.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t33IVOd8CI8/YJ4x_Q-y6EI/AAAAAAAABwQ/enuKT9yqTP410sj0o9HW6uUCpFl1a7QjACNcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_1013.JPG" title="How to make sourdough starter" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This process could take longer depending on your flour, water and climate. Warmer weather will speed up the process. If you notice your starter is turning a little grey and getting water like liquid on top this means its hungry (usually in warmer weather) and you will need to check how much flour and water you add (it should be equal parts so 100g starter, 100g flour and 100g water). This liquid is called hooch and you want to pour it off not mix it in. </div><div><br /></div><div>After a few days you should see it start to bubble up and double as it gets fed. Discarding half prevents your bowl getting too full. As you need equal parts if you don't discard, your amount of flour and water needs to go up too. So if you want more starter then don't discard but double the amount of flour and water to match the amount of starter you have. You generally do this if you know you will need a lot for a recipe to ensure you have some leftover for next time. </div><div><br /></div><div>After 7 days you should have a healthy starter. If you want to keep it in the fridge then after feeding leave it out for 8hrs then place in the fridge for up to a week. </div><div><br /></div><h2>TIPS FOR SUCCESS</h2><div><ul><li>Sourdough doesn't like metal. Try and use only wooden, plastic or glass when interacting with the starter.</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul><li>Keep up a ratio of 1:1 with the flour, water and starter after the initial week. This means if after discarding you have 100g of starter, then add 100g flour and 100g filtered water to feed. You can add a little less water if using rye or wholemeal flour as their water update are different. It should be like a thick pancake batter.</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul><li>A dark grey liquid or acidic smell indicates your starter is hungry and has eaten all the previous feeding. Pour off the hooch (liquid) and feed. Remember to feed more regularly in future.</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul><li>A healthy starter will double over a few hours once fed. Ensure if you seal the jar that you open it to release the pressure at least once in the day after feeding. This is called burping and releases the gasses caused by the fermentation process. </li></ul><div><br /></div><ul><li>If you forget about your starter and it has a very strong smell of nail polish remover (acetone) this indicates its gone too far and should be discarded and you will need to start again. </li></ul><div><br /></div><ul><li>Wash the jar with hot water only to remove old starter every few months. This prevents mould. Pour remaining starter into a bowl and add back to the jar once clean.</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul><li>If you forget to feed your starter but think it can still be saved then discard most of it and feed a few times over the next few days to revive it. </li></ul><div><br /></div><ul><li>Starter can be stored in the freezer for several weeks. I have heard of it surviving after several months in the freezer. This is a good idea to store half if you are afraid of killing it and want to store some as a back up or if you are going on holiday so won't be home to feed it regularly. </li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div>Most importantly don't give up! Even if you forget to feed it it can usually still be saved. Just keep going and eventually you will have a strong, healthy, bubbly starter. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jacintahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399196817665374933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393380517573235200.post-11137829355820110682021-05-15T12:28:00.002+10:002021-05-15T12:28:45.529+10:00Using up lemons with Lemon Barley Water<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a54f6fNSuC4/YJ8xkJLAxEI/AAAAAAAABxQ/hxOcTVYRvm8-4XEEwXprnW74drqCQux0wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1500/Lemon%2Bbarley%2Bwater.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a54f6fNSuC4/YJ8xkJLAxEI/AAAAAAAABxQ/hxOcTVYRvm8-4XEEwXprnW74drqCQux0wCNcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/Lemon%2Bbarley%2Bwater.png" title="Lemon barley water recipe" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Here in Australia the lemon trees are starting to groan with green lemons. Some are starting to ripen to their sunny yellow color and it always has me thinking of what I can make with 300 odd lemons. Because lets face it, here in Australia every man and his dog has a lemon tree. They are so easy to grow and so expensive to buy! The average cost at the supermarket is about 3 for $5. Outrageous. </p><p>Added to this that most people have no idea what to do with their lemons once they grow them. There are only so many cups of water or gin and tonics you can add a slice too. </p><p>There are so many great ways to use up lemons including giving them away. Baskets of lemons always appear in the kitchens at work, on the side of the road or at the farmers markets with free lemons as people try and deal with the glut. </p><p>Personally there are two simple uses that I go for. You can juice them and freeze it for future use, making lemon curd or using in recipes. Or you can slice them and freeze. </p><p>The best recipe in my opinion is Lemon Barley water and I look forward to it every year. This is not technically a water and is more of a cordial as it contains a lot of sugar. But the ingredients are lemon, barley and water so I guess that's where it gets its name from. </p><p>This is a deliciously mellow and refreshing drink that has me sighing in bliss every time I drink it. The tartness of the lemons is offset by the mellow earthiness of the barley. The discarded barley can be thrown to the chooks or put in the compost, you can even use it to make soup after if you like as it is only boiled in water. </p><p>Ensure you wash the barley well to remove the husk and any trapped dust and dirt. </p><p>Barley is high in fibre and lemon juice is antibacterial making it the perfect drink for avoiding those winter sniffles as well as basically tasting like sunshine.</p><h2>CAN I LEAVE OUT THE SUGAR</h2><p>Yes you can but it will need to be consumed within a few days. The sugar acts as a preserving agent and also makes the batch go further as you can then dilute it with water like a cordial before you drink it. The original recipe had double the sugar that mine does but I find most things really don't need that much unless you want it to be a true cordial and have a very big sweet tooth.</p><br /><p><br /></p><h2>WHERE DO I GET BARLEY FROM</h2><div>Thankfully most supermarkets now stock pearl barley with the soup ingredients like lentils. You can also pick it up from your bulk goods supplier like farmers markets, just bring your own container to fill up. My local Woolworths and Coles both stock pearl barley for about $1.70 for 500g.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8LC8VolxoO0/YJ5D6I-o08I/AAAAAAAABxE/-wCW-D-MyXofK-Nf-2hzeCeLRH2qJVLggCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1044.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8LC8VolxoO0/YJ5D6I-o08I/AAAAAAAABxE/-wCW-D-MyXofK-Nf-2hzeCeLRH2qJVLggCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_1044.jpg" title="Lemon barley cordial" width="640" /></a></div></div><h2>CAN YOU FREEZE LEMON BARLEY WATER</h2><div>Yes you can. Just ensure there is space at the top of the jar for it to expand as it freezes or it will explode in the freezer. To thaw, move it to the fridge for a day or so or leave it on the bench for a few hours. Ensure you refrigerate after its defrosted. It should last for 3-5days in the fridge.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QIStcIYMhxU/YJ48Xa0257I/AAAAAAAABw0/4AdzG3YQ2xQLNRjuUivV1ZQgeQ8I4uVwQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2100/Lemon%2Bbarley%2Bwater%2Bmain.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QIStcIYMhxU/YJ48Xa0257I/AAAAAAAABw0/4AdzG3YQ2xQLNRjuUivV1ZQgeQ8I4uVwQCNcBGAsYHQ/w304-h640/Lemon%2Bbarley%2Bwater%2Bmain.png" title="Lemon barley water recipe" width="304" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><h2>RECIPE FOR LEMON BARLEY WATER</h2><div>Ingredients:</div><div><br /></div><div>Zest and juice of 6 lemons (or 1 cup juice)</div><div>1 cup sugar</div><div>1 cup pearl barley</div><div><br /></div><div>Method:</div><div><br /></div><div>Rinse barley well then add to a pot. Add 6L of water and bring to the boil. Turn the heat down and simmer for 10minutes. </div><div><br /></div><div>Strain out the barley reserving the liquid, discard the barley. Return the liquid to the pan and add the sugar stirring until dissolved.</div><div><br /></div><div>Add the lemon juice and rind and stir to combine. Allow to cool then pour into jars or bottles and keep refrigerated for up to one week. </div><div><br /></div><div>To use, dilute 1:1 with water. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-kvbSP4k30/YJ5DsSIf1gI/AAAAAAAABxA/XeFcc4JIKJEksllLyUf1D3lO_hD9qhvbwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1079.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-kvbSP4k30/YJ5DsSIf1gI/AAAAAAAABxA/XeFcc4JIKJEksllLyUf1D3lO_hD9qhvbwCNcBGAsYHQ/w360-h640/IMG_1079.jpg" title="Lemon barley cordial" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><h2>TIPS FOR SUCCESS</h2><div><ul><li>Wash both the lemons and barley well as you will use the rind also. </li></ul><div><br /></div><ul><li>Remember when straining out the barley that its the water you want to keep, don't accidently strain it down the sink and keep the barley. </li></ul><div><br /></div><ul><li>You can boil the barley straight in the water then strain it out or tie it into a piece of muslin cloth like a giant teabag.</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul><li>When decanting into bottles for storage heat and sanitise the bottles first to prevent them from cracking from the heat. As Lemon Barley Water has a high sugar content it will be very hot like a syrup.</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div>Jacintahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399196817665374933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393380517573235200.post-89527751082530129622021-04-19T15:02:00.006+10:002021-04-19T15:24:08.907+10:00Eat your pantry challenge!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Goq7AGZSlh8/YH0T5wkkleI/AAAAAAAABu0/FOlEMdtlFEYA2z7c46bpKIY_R9wJUyzfwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1137/eat%2Byour%2Bpantry%2Bchallenge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1137" data-original-width="800" height="463" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Goq7AGZSlh8/YH0T5wkkleI/AAAAAAAABu0/FOlEMdtlFEYA2z7c46bpKIY_R9wJUyzfwCNcBGAsYHQ/w325-h463/eat%2Byour%2Bpantry%2Bchallenge.jpg" width="325" /></a></div><p>I have been watching youtube videos of people shopping on really low budgets and it just reminds me how lazy we have become when it comes to groceries. How often have you done a shop and come home and had no where to store it all because the freezer and pantry are already full? Why do we shop when we already have food? Because we want instant gratification. We want to eat what we feel like at the time because we can. When i write out a meal plan its always amazing how little food is actually needed to feed me and my son for a week. We are just a society of excess! </p><p>So this fortnight im going to try and not go to the shop or get takeaway and just eat what we have. We have plenty of fruit and vegetables, frozen meat and pasta. More than enough to keep us going and eating well at that. I will try and keep you all updated on what we are eating and how long we are going. </p><p><u><b>Off the top of my head this weeks meals will be:</b></u></p><p>Ham sandwiches</p><p>banana muffins</p><p>Sausages and mash potato</p><p>Chicken filo rolls</p><p>Chicken nuggets and potato gems</p><p>Mushroom fettuccini (vegetarian)</p><p>Vegie mac and cheese (great for kids who wont eat greens. Basically make a rue and add cauliflower, zucchini, and broccoli before blending it. Then add your cheeses and pasta.)</p><p>Chicken curry, rice and broccoli (Thai red curry paste, peanut butter, coconut cream and brown sugar)</p><p>Homemade ham and pine pizzas (maybe pesto and chicken for me)</p><p>Zucchini, corn and fetta fritters</p><p><br /></p><p>Frankly this will leave alot of leftovers too so we can double up on meals.</p><p><br /></p><p>If you want some inspiration this is a good one for vegans on shopping for a week in the UK on 12pounds <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sshTJFXZ3Lw">(3) £12 VEGAN WEEKLY BUDGET GROCERY SHOP AT ALDI 💰 - YouTube</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jacintahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399196817665374933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393380517573235200.post-1743518861468690202021-02-19T13:10:00.004+11:002021-02-19T13:10:35.095+11:00Southern hemesphere Easter decor ideas<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4loo-Ag76OI/YC8VhSdpS8I/AAAAAAAABtg/RZrHZ2J1IIwIR6kIdVTHvdp5MSdsTwG2ACNcBGAsYHQ/s994/eastern-history.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="994" height="406" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4loo-Ag76OI/YC8VhSdpS8I/AAAAAAAABtg/RZrHZ2J1IIwIR6kIdVTHvdp5MSdsTwG2ACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h406/eastern-history.jpg" title="folklore easter rabit" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p> As a kid i didn't put much thought into the whole Easter eggs, chickens, rabbits thing. Now as an adult it makes very little sense for those of us who live in the southern part of this world. My son got rather confused when it didn't snow at Christmas and I'm prepared should he get confused by Easter also. So what is Easter? </p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"<span class="ILfuVd"><span class="hgKElc">The exact origins of Easter are unknown, but some sources believe that the word “Easter” is taken from the Teutonic goddess of fertility and spring"</span></span></span> </p><p>Well originally it was a celebration for the Spring Equinox. Ie, the middle of spring. Which for the Northerners was all new life, babies (hence fertile rabbits, eggs, chicks etc). Folks would decorate their homes with bits of blossom from trees and daffodils etc which at this time of year were just appearing. It was a time for eating in abundance after the hardships of winter. Then the Christians took it over as their way of remembering when Jesus was crucified then resurrected on the cross. But alot of people kept the bunnies and eggs jazz because it all got a bit mushed together. Of course these days we still mush it all together. We have bunnies and we have crosses. We have 'he is risen' with 'Hippity hoppity'. Then it gets doubly mushed when those of us in Autumn try and find flowers to adorn our homes...</p><p><br /></p><p>This year, not being Christian, or in the northern spring seasons, I am quite happy with the range of decor available and how darn cute it all is in a no-idea-what-we-are-celebrating kind of way. Chocolate? Hibernation? Seems likely. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_9REGQn5bZ4/YC8V4RFBqmI/AAAAAAAABto/QwG4DI2VIuI3bSMjdkqLNXJuMgxPY5TPgCNcBGAsYHQ/s628/6b1d6681d5ca909840a8c18e283b0635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="485" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_9REGQn5bZ4/YC8V4RFBqmI/AAAAAAAABto/QwG4DI2VIuI3bSMjdkqLNXJuMgxPY5TPgCNcBGAsYHQ/w309-h400/6b1d6681d5ca909840a8c18e283b0635.jpg" title="easter decor" width="309" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>Here is another point. Down here in Australia our eggs are made of chocolate. I got so very confused when people were saying the eggs they didn't find went rotten or that they were dying eggs, how do you dye a chocolate egg i ask?! Well it wasn't until I was an adult that i realised that, yep, Americans actually hardboil real eggs and are excited to hide and find these. Ew? Why would you not use chocolate ones?? I have never been a fan of hardboiled eggs, and as a kid would have thought the world had gone mad if i was expected to be excited to find these on Easter. The Australian version for those of us confused by American movies was to punch a small hole in each side of an egg with a pin, blow out the contents into a bowl to use in baking later, then dye whats left. Made little more sense but hey, it got us over the whole Easter crafts thing. </p><p>So yes, happy with the range and style of things coming in. We have masses of fake blooms and little stick trees to hang eggs off. (don't question just do it). I saw something the other day that called todays style as Granny Chic. I kid you not. Apparently todays Millennials which i am kind of one, are skipping our parents design style and going back to our grandparents more sustainable styles. Cloth napkins and tea towels, upcycled furniture, paired with very modern touches. So this seasons Easter style is right up there. Its all white, soft blues and pinks in a kind of farm house country style with lots of vintage rustic touches. Plenty of metal and wood and paper also.Having said that there is alot less paper or plastic decor. It is all designed to last several years. </p><p>This style works great for us southerners becuase that rustic looks lends itself to adding Autum foliage rather than blossoms. It fits well with golds and browns and even black metals and a few cozy tealight candles (LED because we dont want to burn the house down). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRUNEBPBpm8/YC8atrrq4RI/AAAAAAAABt0/RJq66feHKN4nBX6MYpSfUjMaOWJxL5TXgCNcBGAsYHQ/s846/95cb1a1dcbf28fea83a6eb9e9f1afb9a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="564" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRUNEBPBpm8/YC8atrrq4RI/AAAAAAAABt0/RJq66feHKN4nBX6MYpSfUjMaOWJxL5TXgCNcBGAsYHQ/w266-h400/95cb1a1dcbf28fea83a6eb9e9f1afb9a.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dGFW9Gfc3Fo/YC8coXZR0jI/AAAAAAAABuA/trUYZpTo5oUO409UKivAKhd03rK6oSYZwCNcBGAsYHQ/s352/cad9c2cf090993e4e6efcb7e990c9361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="352" data-original-width="236" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dGFW9Gfc3Fo/YC8coXZR0jI/AAAAAAAABuA/trUYZpTo5oUO409UKivAKhd03rK6oSYZwCNcBGAsYHQ/w269-h400/cad9c2cf090993e4e6efcb7e990c9361.jpg" width="269" /></a></div>What's your Easter style?<br /><p><br /></p>Jacintahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399196817665374933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393380517573235200.post-27487755544105069442021-02-14T22:51:00.001+11:002021-02-14T22:51:09.299+11:00Getting the budget back on track after over spending<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cu2izAaIH2c/YCkONrJKYHI/AAAAAAAABtM/XYlkKvHuWy02qdx4wN7Ql5WXO2n9cIbwgCNcBGAsYHQ/s552/b305ef885708b4b3a2f93f9a1d39f1d4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="552" height="366" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cu2izAaIH2c/YCkONrJKYHI/AAAAAAAABtM/XYlkKvHuWy02qdx4wN7Ql5WXO2n9cIbwgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h366/b305ef885708b4b3a2f93f9a1d39f1d4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <p></p><p>I seem to be missing alot of money lately based on my budget. I haven't been keeping track of spending and have been very slack with my grocery shopping, often going for several top ups because I just felt like something. </p><p>Well I sat down with my banking ap and worked out how much I have spent on food in the last week (payday is this Thursday so since last payday a little over a week). OMG its over $600! It is just so easy to get off track when you dont track your spending closely. This was little $30 top ups here and there are a few times eating takeaway. But it all adds up! This is why I say often on this blog that you have to go into your spending habits often to see where your money is actually going. Its all well and good to have a budget but if you dont track your spending then its just so easy to fall into bad habits. </p><p>Of this spending I worked out $230 was on actual groceries, the rest was takeaway and my food budget is only $100. So I have now put myself on a takeout and grocery ban for this fortnight. I wont set foot in a grocery store or fast food place for two weeks. </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I will plan my shop online as I should do and order on Payday.</li><li>I will meal plan and work out exactly what I need</li><li>Zero top up shops!</li><li>I will not eat takeaway and will actually pack my lunch daily. </li><li>Zero hot chocolates at the coffee shop</li><li>No trips to the markets because although its good to support small business it is basically a top up shop because its in addition to my fortnightly shop. </li><li>I will go through the food that is already here and ensure im not buying extra.</li></ul><div>Its ok to fall off track so long as you recognise where you went wrong and fix it as soon as possible. I cant go back and return the food so instead I will plan to use what I have and learn from this. Pulling in the purse strings and getting my budget back on track.</div><div><br /></div><p></p>Jacintahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399196817665374933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393380517573235200.post-54580020296863022502021-02-05T15:36:00.006+11:002021-02-05T15:38:37.863+11:00A few truths of being a Single mum that your single/ child free friends might not understand<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZ8CGLEwEzA/YBzJYSetbvI/AAAAAAAABsQ/tiJtDyJpdCMczYyl1uJIwG75EUrtL-mkACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/solo%2Bparents%2Bwish%2Btheir%2Bfriends%2Bknew.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZ8CGLEwEzA/YBzJYSetbvI/AAAAAAAABsQ/tiJtDyJpdCMczYyl1uJIwG75EUrtL-mkACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h452/solo%2Bparents%2Bwish%2Btheir%2Bfriends%2Bknew.png" title="solo parenting" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> This inst a whining post. Its more of an explanation. I tried to find a post I could share on Facebook to explain to people what being a single mum is like but every article I could find I read it and just felt that they are stereo typing. That we are broken, broke and just need help. Well, that's not me at all. So I thought I would try and sum up what being a single mum is like for me and hopefully others can relate.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><b>1. Being single doesn't equal broke</b></p><p>No, I cant afford a house right now but frankly who can? I live in one of the most expensive cities to live in Australia. A small run down 3 bedroom house goes for about $700,000. But I am also more financially stable then when I was in a relationship. Why? Because I don't have to contend with someone elses bad spending habits. We don't live large, I buy second hand and home brand groceries but frankly I don't have too if I didn't want too. Its just good finance. I'm not a single parent because as one article put it "Most single mums come from impoverished background where they didn't receive a good education". Ah no, yes I was raised by a single mum but I also saw my dad weekly. The reason we are single parents is because we didn't want to stay in an unhappy relationship. I have two Diplomas and work in a great Government job but no im not going to fork out for $300 designer jeans or go on 3 trips to Bali a year because that's just a dumb idea! Which brings me to my next point.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>2. Why I don't just get a better job</b></p><p>I get this alot. Why do i stay in my current job if I don't like it. I should be reaching for a management position. Well no. One of the challenges of solo parenting is time and flexibility. I need to be able to take off if I get a call from school or leave work before 5pm for after school pickup. I have been in positions where I have been constantly told that its not acceptable that I had to go pick my son up from school at 1pm because he was sick. Yet those same people tell me they totally support flexible working arrangements. Like, huh? I cant accept several jobs I have been offered because they require me to work longer hours, which I cant do. So im going to stay in my current job, because its flexible, I can leave any time i want and no one is put out if i need to leave early to get a sick kid. This wont be forever. Once he is older and can stay home alone and catch busses then sure I can go back to that old corporate ladder. But for now this is where I need to be.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>3. Just bring him with you</b></p><p>I get this one alot. I see my friends on the weekends my son is with his dad. My friends say oh but he will be fine with his ipad just bring him along. Well yes he will be occupied but that's not fair on him and that's not the reason i say no on the weekend i have him with me. The reason is that I cant relax when i have him there too. I'm constantly checking to see that he isn't bored, does he need the bathroom, a drink, has he wandered off? He is 6yrs old so these worries are getting less but its still the fact that i cant just sit and enjoy a coffee with you because i have another person to think about and care for. Imagine if your parents organised a dinner party and made you tag along. Even as an adult you would probably hate it because you don't know anyone and what's being said probably has no interest to you. This is how my son feels if i drag him along with me. I would much prefer to just come out when he is with his dad. There is no time limit to how long i can stay out. I can relax and not have to think about anything else but hanging out with my favourite people. Frankly i don't get to spend alot of time with my son (about 2hrs on a week night after work/ school and alternate weekends), so the few hours I do I prefer to do things we will both enjoy.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>4. My house must be hectic</b></p><p>Well at times yes but most of the time no. Usually its just him playing a game or watching TV and me either cooking up some dinner or laying around watching tv also. Because frankly he has been at school all day and I have been at work all day and neither of us really wants to do much. Yes he asks for my attention alot but its normally to turn around and see what he is doing then we both go back to our own tasks or we talk while watching telly. It takes a few minutes to chuck a load of laundry on or vacuum the floor. I spread it out over the week so its never more than maybe 30mins a night spent cleaning. Then its drawing him a bath and me taking a shower. He only needs one story to go to bed then I have the rest of the evening to spend gaming or doing odd jobs for my store, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/Mothermaple" target="_blank">Mothermaple</a>. I have come to realise that we both work much better if its not a dictatorship. I ask him to clean up but am realistic about what he will actually do which means we don't butt heads too often. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>5. I'm broken from my failed relationship</b></p><p>Nope. I learnt alot of important lessons and came to realise what i wont tolerate in a relationship but no im not broken or fragile. I raise my child and manage my home by myself. That doesn't make me fragile it makes me a woman who can look after own darn self. I do attempt to date but the men all seem to either assume ill put up with their bad treatment because im desperate or that I am only looking for a husband. Well its actually the opposite. I wont put up with anyone else unless they truly care for me and treat me well. I don't want to find a dad for my kid, he has a dad! What I look for is someone who can take care of themselves, someone who I can walk through life with and laugh about the good time and the bad. The fact that they are great with my son and can help me raise him is an essential criteria also but I don't even introduce men to him until I know its a secure long lasting relationship. So if you assume single mums are desperate then think again. </p><p> </p><p><b>6. Just get a babysitter or ask family to pick him up/ watch him</b></p><p>Our kids aren't puppies. He is my family and I wont just fob him off on other people so I can have an afternoon off. Yes its stressful not having someone who you can tag out too. I cant pop down the shop to grab something or see a movie after work but to me this isn't the worst thing ever. I knew what I was getting into in becoming a mother. For the first 15yrs or so I am going to be relied on to be there for my kid. Now as a single mum that hasn't changed. It just means that I need to plan these things better. I get groceries delivered so I don't have to drag him around the shops or grab them on the way to pick him up from school. I plan events on my weekends off. Frankly I get out alot more than my married friends. No, I wont go out on a school night but frankly im tired from work anyway and its so much easier for everyone to do things on a weekend where you aren't trying to drag yourself out of bed at 7am the next morning. Frankly I have dropped several men who get annoyed that either I only see them alternate weekends or they come to my place after my son is in bed. If they can't be bothered putting in even that tiny amount of effort they why should I let them waste my time? </p><p><br /></p><p><b>7. What you can do to help your solo parenting friends</b></p><p>Ask them to do things, even if you know they have their kids with them, ask anyway. They will most likely say no but give them the option and make them feel included.</p><p>Arrange things for their weekends off. You know they cant see a movie on a Wednesday so just arrange it for a Saturday night instead or ask them when they prefer to go out. </p><p>Offer to bring dinner over and go to their place to watch netflix and chill after bedtime. Just because they cant leave the house doesn't mean you cant leave yours. </p><p>If you know an event is coming up, tell them about it in advance so they can make arrangements. My family are happy to babysit or I can swap weekends with my ex, but this is alot easier with a few weeks notice. </p><p>Don't make us feel guilty about saying no. If I say I cant do something because I have my son with me, just accept that or ask when is a better day/ time. Don't try and weedle me into bringing him or getting a sitter. I know what I do and don't want to do. It might just be too much stress at the time to make those kinds of arrangements and I would rather stay home.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5r1bNcmnF38/Xj5JHfOcnFI/AAAAAAAABNY/8iVfVueurGoIbrOLtSbI7KSLoX8jA5p2QCPcBGAYYCw/s164/signiture.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="114" data-original-width="164" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5r1bNcmnF38/Xj5JHfOcnFI/AAAAAAAABNY/8iVfVueurGoIbrOLtSbI7KSLoX8jA5p2QCPcBGAYYCw/s0/signiture.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jacintahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399196817665374933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393380517573235200.post-3500906698884705272021-01-24T20:11:00.004+11:002021-01-24T20:11:24.361+11:00How Frugal can we get in 2021?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yb5PPoNCGq8/X73BAQlS3rI/AAAAAAAABnA/r8vvfgcun_gJljF2U513lTOH3yf9PS_-ACPcBGAYYCw/s775/2021%2Bfrugal%2Bbudget.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="frugal budget for 2021" border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="775" height="370" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yb5PPoNCGq8/X73BAQlS3rI/AAAAAAAABnA/r8vvfgcun_gJljF2U513lTOH3yf9PS_-ACPcBGAYYCw/w400-h370/2021%2Bfrugal%2Bbudget.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Last year was a bit of a wipe off for alot of people. Our incomes were uncertain and toilet paper was even more uncertain! So I thought I would pick up my frugal ideals again this year and see where we can get as things return to some semblance of normality. </p><p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"It's life Jim, but not as we know it."</span></p></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My budget for this year.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Rent</b> - This is as cheap as I can get it. We are very comfortable. The only thing that could be better was if we were more central to my work and weekend activities but that would mean moving and paying the same or more, so a bit of a hassle.</p><p> </p><p><b>Groceries </b>- I already am very frugal at groceries thanks to being brought up in a way that I don't like fancy things like salmon or steak. I'm a plain mince and bread kind of girl haha. However I can certainly cut out take away which I get about twice a week. (down from 7-8 times in 2019). At $16 for a lunch and $40 for dinner delivery it really adds up when your fortnightly budget is $100 for groceries!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VcXPwi3Qk9o/YA04K2IviRI/AAAAAAAABrc/SYEXjp6utRk0RgKWrxT6FC1FJ9G8KE9mwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1301/Apple-iPhone-SE2020-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1301" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VcXPwi3Qk9o/YA04K2IviRI/AAAAAAAABrc/SYEXjp6utRk0RgKWrxT6FC1FJ9G8KE9mwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Apple-iPhone-SE2020-4.jpg" /></a></div><p><b>Phone</b> - This one is something I am planning to fix this year. Last time I needed a new phone I went with a cheap $400 telstra tough phone which was $9 a month on a 24month contract but the plan was $59 for just 3GB of data. The phone is really struggling now and the battery life is terrible, barley half a day and the camera is shot so I do need to upgrade. </p><p>I did my research and the ALDI prepaid sim is by far the cheapest at $5 for the sim, then $15 a month for 4GB of data, SMS and calls. There is no contract it just automatically charges you the same each month until you cancel and your data rolls over so it builds up if you don't use it. As I am mainly at home or work both of which have wifi there is no need for heaps of data. </p><p>If I was to get a phone on a plan it would cost me $45 a month for the phone and at least $55 for the data. That's $100 a month! I worked out that over a 24month contract (2 years I don't know why they use months) Its about $2,360 including a cheapish phone. Where as if I buy something outright like an iPhone SE which is their flagship budget model and every one is raving about how brilliant a phone it is considering its price tag (about $650), then the ALDI $15 a month plan it will be $1,010 over 2years. That's a saving of $1,360! And there is no contract so I can change the phone easily if it breaks or I decide I need to upgrade. </p><p><b>Parking</b> - I would love to be able to find a solution to not having to pay for parking at work. If I'm full time then its $150 a fortnight. Because I'm part time in the office and part time at home at the moment its still a hefty $90. Bus isn't really a good option in this current climate for for now that's where its going to have to stay unless I can find someone driveway to steal :P</p><p><b>Electricity </b>- I pay a set price fortnightly which is calculated to cover my average bill so I never pay more or less and it gives me a 25% discount doing it this way. However this is calculated every 6months off my past bills so I am going to try and lower my energy usage. Turning my computer, printer, and Silhouette powerboard off each night as well as the washing machine, microwave and kettle etc at the powerpoint. Doing this should save me about $50 a bill. I will also have a hunt around and see what I can unplug so its not accidently drawing power when Im not using it. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>Rewards</b> - I am using my Woolworths rewards card more which has already saved me $20 off my shop this month. As long as I activate the rewards I do seem to earn alot more points. I use Flybuys also but not as often because this is generally only when I shop at Kmart. </p><p><br /></p>Jacintahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399196817665374933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393380517573235200.post-549144092681539442021-01-11T22:15:00.004+11:002021-01-11T22:15:36.346+11:00The importance of decluttering in sections<p> This is just a brief post. As I declutter the house for the 1000th time the importance of doing it again, and again, and again becomes clear. You can't just assume that the last time you did it that you only kept the bare essentials. I just pulled a cork board out from under a shelf in my bedroom which I have had for about 8 years and never used. Why, why on earth do I have a cork board?! I've never used it, its literally laying in the middle of my bedroom floor for 2yrs. Why have I not gotten rid of this before?!?</p><p><br /></p>Jacintahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399196817665374933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393380517573235200.post-21218812325073454592021-01-11T09:00:00.016+11:002021-01-11T09:00:02.193+11:00New home office? Part 1<p>One thing that changed this last year was that I set up my Etsy business. I'm really loving it and my orders are growing by the day. However I have very quickly outgrown my original desk which I only set up December 2019 for my laptop to sit on. In 2020 obviously I needed to work from home so it got a PC and monitor, then it got a printer, then the Silhouette, then the cutter. It just wasn't factored in when I bought the desk! I have taken over a corner of the living room which in a small open plan townhouse isn't alot of space and looks very messy. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r4TIaWQ0wYw/X_rcJmcDCkI/AAAAAAAABpU/Xp7P7lQoL2cw0cB_2a_UWN1qnY7DJQSAwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/P1105994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r4TIaWQ0wYw/X_rcJmcDCkI/AAAAAAAABpU/Xp7P7lQoL2cw0cB_2a_UWN1qnY7DJQSAwCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/P1105994.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L0TI5CpZNh0/X_rcJ6LHDuI/AAAAAAAABpc/DSmJaMEuxmomrasmX2SwisN__y69AtUDgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/P1105995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L0TI5CpZNh0/X_rcJ6LHDuI/AAAAAAAABpc/DSmJaMEuxmomrasmX2SwisN__y69AtUDgCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/P1105995.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UaHcrzaC_zE/X_rcJ4sC3ZI/AAAAAAAABpY/WPCRlvjuAaI7lpBmj0DPF2o6qP_ByEhHgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/P1105998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UaHcrzaC_zE/X_rcJ4sC3ZI/AAAAAAAABpY/WPCRlvjuAaI7lpBmj0DPF2o6qP_ByEhHgCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/P1105998.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MNwHRKc_iS8/X_rcLKmc69I/AAAAAAAABpg/bLUPaafvCqQnd0Fql7Yge5h2rIPRIrJ1QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/P1105999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MNwHRKc_iS8/X_rcLKmc69I/AAAAAAAABpg/bLUPaafvCqQnd0Fql7Yge5h2rIPRIrJ1QCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/P1105999.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kDPsvLkhQjs/X_rcLesa6NI/AAAAAAAABpk/4l58Yxo40AwRJ8nK1gwQxQ8mMe1qF0JkQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/P1106000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kDPsvLkhQjs/X_rcLesa6NI/AAAAAAAABpk/4l58Yxo40AwRJ8nK1gwQxQ8mMe1qF0JkQCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/P1106000.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Generally I take my product photos on the floor which is less than ideal. As you can see I have zero work space and usually have to move my keyboard to use that small area to cut on. My Silhouette is stacked on top of my printer which makes printing hard. And my guillotine is actually hanging off the back of that shelf which given how heavy it is is less than safe! the shelves are all open making it look super messy even though I only just organised it. There is just literally no where else to put everything.... </p><p>As I rent I have a few options. I also have to consider that my computer is plugged in via a cable to the modem so the cable will have to go where it goes. I think that no matter what it will have to be taped across the floor somewhere.</p><p>1. I can move it to my bedroom which I only sleep in so alot of the space goes unused but honestly I don't think it will all fit anyway.</p><p>2. I can move my son into my room and use his room as my office. Not too keen to do this because it would give me no privacy and I think its good for him to have his own space even though he also only sleeps in there and plays in the main room usually. </p><p>3. I can make the garage my office. It has internal access and is actually a very decent size and its a fairly new house so its clean and nice. Draw back here is trying to get the internet in there and also temperature control would be alot harder.</p><p>4. Keep it where it is and just deal with it taking over the house. </p><p>Honestly options 3 and 4 are the main two. I am going to get a second desk to use as a work station. Surprisingly my stock storage all fits into a tiny tub on my desk. Its everything else thats taking up the space. My design and printing areas. </p><p>So of course I went to pinterest to find some ideas. </p><p>This is my current situation, lol. Its not as bad as it looks, really! In there is my dryer so the pile of clothes are actually clean and waiting to be folded. The hutch right in front of the door is actually my craft hutch, then behind that are two shelving units that hold my wood working things. On the far wall is a bag of wood scraps and Rues ikea kitchen which I think he is much too old for now but he says not so we will see if that gets handed down. Next to the dryer is another shelving unit which has plastic tubs on it. That's it. So its actually not that crowded it just looks that way. My idea is to use that far wall as my office. Throw a rug down, some lamps and a picture maybe. However as I said its not ideal as I have no idea how to get the internet cable in there and my computer doesn't have wifi. I could upgrade my PC as it was a free one from my brother in law but then I have to re install everything and that's a pain.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jyNc500eS4M/X_rf-pP1vGI/AAAAAAAABp4/ktHvlEY-EHou_r_YDpUjzV8l3dToUu2hwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/P1105996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jyNc500eS4M/X_rf-pP1vGI/AAAAAAAABp4/ktHvlEY-EHou_r_YDpUjzV8l3dToUu2hwCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/P1105996.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-asXHIovpUhg/X_rf-6cbfwI/AAAAAAAABp8/44HS5zMN6i4i0ctL8wRMyAsgqLrxRNBMwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/P1105997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-asXHIovpUhg/X_rf-6cbfwI/AAAAAAAABp8/44HS5zMN6i4i0ctL8wRMyAsgqLrxRNBMwCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/P1105997.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Inspiration:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aAqLURrVn3Q/X_rg6bWbIxI/AAAAAAAABqQ/eldMCKjNn0kIICQdWeoSQVy269aj12YLACNcBGAsYHQ/s468/garage%2Boffice2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="312" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aAqLURrVn3Q/X_rg6bWbIxI/AAAAAAAABqQ/eldMCKjNn0kIICQdWeoSQVy269aj12YLACNcBGAsYHQ/w266-h400/garage%2Boffice2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BAjV-KiP7YI/X_rg6fiBNzI/AAAAAAAABqM/StKW3mJbcn4eDmlTqsXYlHds3G0npP_IACNcBGAsYHQ/s564/garage%2Boffice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="564" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BAjV-KiP7YI/X_rg6fiBNzI/AAAAAAAABqM/StKW3mJbcn4eDmlTqsXYlHds3G0npP_IACNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/garage%2Boffice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G59sGEvWroA/X_rg7a5MO6I/AAAAAAAABqY/11-Ok-cFkocRKOqZaarWOfQHjvs_o15wgCNcBGAsYHQ/s563/office%2Bgarage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="563" height="341" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G59sGEvWroA/X_rg7a5MO6I/AAAAAAAABqY/11-Ok-cFkocRKOqZaarWOfQHjvs_o15wgCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h341/office%2Bgarage2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GKzE4wVW4EY/X_rg6pQvF1I/AAAAAAAABqU/pJQjtfDFn6QzmM_wDTBp6MH7h2oKOtXCQCNcBGAsYHQ/s717/office%2Bgarage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="564" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GKzE4wVW4EY/X_rg6pQvF1I/AAAAAAAABqU/pJQjtfDFn6QzmM_wDTBp6MH7h2oKOtXCQCNcBGAsYHQ/w315-h400/office%2Bgarage.jpg" width="315" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><p>Should I decide this is a no go my alternative is option 4 which is to leave it all where it is and just add another work surface. Its a temporary solution because I would be taking up half of my loungeroom but it also means I'm still in the house with my son and can watch him play xbox (he is very clever on it and knows how to do things he shouldn't haha). I'm thinking an L shape as I already have but with an additional table to either replace the one I currently have and use it under the window or nearly completely block out the window with the new one. I will have to set it up and see how it fits. Would be ideal if the window wasn't there but I have to work with what I have. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bn0UZwD1RrI/X_riXQRMoZI/AAAAAAAABq0/kgecxw_EYesX00B_dRbb56OC4GromkjEwCNcBGAsYHQ/s666/home%2Boffice%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="550" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bn0UZwD1RrI/X_riXQRMoZI/AAAAAAAABq0/kgecxw_EYesX00B_dRbb56OC4GromkjEwCNcBGAsYHQ/w330-h400/home%2Boffice%2B2.jpg" width="330" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zXAo0tis4kE/X_riWL7ksoI/AAAAAAAABqw/Bh6WS2AECl0kmAGQBrjyjJNAFJMvE9MjQCNcBGAsYHQ/s744/homeoffice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="564" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zXAo0tis4kE/X_riWL7ksoI/AAAAAAAABqw/Bh6WS2AECl0kmAGQBrjyjJNAFJMvE9MjQCNcBGAsYHQ/w304-h400/homeoffice.jpg" width="304" /></a></div><br /><p>I am very open to ideas at this stage as really there is no ideal solution...I will write another post when I get the new table and see if we can work it out!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5r1bNcmnF38/Xj5JHfOcnFI/AAAAAAAABNY/8iVfVueurGoIbrOLtSbI7KSLoX8jA5p2QCPcBGAYYCw/s164/signiture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="114" data-original-width="164" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5r1bNcmnF38/Xj5JHfOcnFI/AAAAAAAABNY/8iVfVueurGoIbrOLtSbI7KSLoX8jA5p2QCPcBGAYYCw/s0/signiture.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Jacintahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17399196817665374933noreply@blogger.com