Other blogs have suggestions on ways to save money, but I want to be original. There are a few things that I have thought of so, as of next week, I will be researching an A-Z of imaginative ways of saving money. I will begin to publish my findings as of Friday. Feel free to contribute any hints you have. They can cover absolutely anything you like, but I guess it would be helpful if they were legal.
Let your imagination run wild!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Cars - the type you drive
My first car was a restored 1965 Renault 8, which was the exact car my Mum purchased for her first car. She drove it for years, then after she was married, Dad drove it, but the engine blew up. Rather than disposing of it, we had it sitting on our farm with bags of chook food stored in it for years...and then I reached the big 18. There was no spare money around so I got the idea of restoring my 'little white beast'. After raising as much money as I could from breeding ducks, saving my Austudy, shoveling chook poo and cleaning eggs, Dad & I got it going. It was 30 years old by this stage, a vintage car.
I moved to Melbourne, four hours away and soon was aware of the cost of a car. While initially I had a free car, the cost of regular repairs became too much, so I had to sell my car, get a loan and buy a more reliable car. When I look back, I got good money for it. I sold the car for $2,000 which was a lot of money for something as unreliable.
My next car was great, and I'd have kept it for years except I wrote it off. Maybe I'm not a good driver, but my main expense on all my cars has been insurance claims. My driving habits have always required car insurance. My first accident I was turning a corner while putting lipstick on. Then I was putting mascara on and ran into someones bumper. Then my friend was driving my car, full of luggage and friends and spun it out of control on a freeway. We traveled backwards for a few hundred metres, gaping at oncoming trucks, and then landed in the median strip. Then another friend was backing my car out of the driveway and scraped the brick wall. But the end of that car was when I had been on a no-carb diet and passed out while driving. Thankfully in all my accidents, noone has been hurt!
My next car was accident free, except for a scrap at the back from parking too close to the wall.
My last car, I purchased with only 3000km on the clock, it was beautiful I thought. Then when I had only been driving it for two weeks, while on holiday, someone pushed their shopping trolley into it then ran off. I had that repaired, then a couple of weeks later, I scraped the side on the brick wall of our carport while parking. Then while I was pregnant, I backed, pretty hard into someone else. Their car was unscathed, but I had to repair the bumper. Then as soon as that was repaired, wouldn't you know it, I had someone back into my while I was driving. Pretty stressful when you have a precious bump you are trying to protect. I finally got that fixed, and while it was all looking good, I managed to sell this car.
The lessons have taught me that I need to carry all my information with my so I can show car insurance details to the other driver when the inevitable happens.
We are a one car family, and I'm fine with it. Unfortunately at Christmas, I must have parked to close to something and there is a scrap on the front bumper...this one I dont even remember doing, so I am going to say it wasn't me. There are two drivers of this car after all. At least we have the required car insurance, we just have to pay the excess and make the claim.
If I had only been more careful, I would be so much better off financially now: I have had about 10 accidents/incidents in 16 years and if you average that out at $450 per claim, then you come up with $4500 that the insurance companies have taken. However, the first accident cost me closer to $3500 because I was a P plater and had only third party insurance, so had to pay for my car to be repaired.
I'm pretty happy with just one car right now, I save on the purchase price of the car plus any interest on the car loan, maintenance, required car insurance, petrol, registration and accessories (coz you need them). We are lucky enough to live walking distance from Coles & Safeway and have close public transport. I drive our car regularly and my vigilance on the road will pay off. When we need to, we will buy a second car, but in the meantime its save save save.
My next car was great, and I'd have kept it for years except I wrote it off. Maybe I'm not a good driver, but my main expense on all my cars has been insurance claims. My driving habits have always required car insurance. My first accident I was turning a corner while putting lipstick on. Then I was putting mascara on and ran into someones bumper. Then my friend was driving my car, full of luggage and friends and spun it out of control on a freeway. We traveled backwards for a few hundred metres, gaping at oncoming trucks, and then landed in the median strip. Then another friend was backing my car out of the driveway and scraped the brick wall. But the end of that car was when I had been on a no-carb diet and passed out while driving. Thankfully in all my accidents, noone has been hurt!
My next car was accident free, except for a scrap at the back from parking too close to the wall.
My last car, I purchased with only 3000km on the clock, it was beautiful I thought. Then when I had only been driving it for two weeks, while on holiday, someone pushed their shopping trolley into it then ran off. I had that repaired, then a couple of weeks later, I scraped the side on the brick wall of our carport while parking. Then while I was pregnant, I backed, pretty hard into someone else. Their car was unscathed, but I had to repair the bumper. Then as soon as that was repaired, wouldn't you know it, I had someone back into my while I was driving. Pretty stressful when you have a precious bump you are trying to protect. I finally got that fixed, and while it was all looking good, I managed to sell this car.
The lessons have taught me that I need to carry all my information with my so I can show car insurance details to the other driver when the inevitable happens.
We are a one car family, and I'm fine with it. Unfortunately at Christmas, I must have parked to close to something and there is a scrap on the front bumper...this one I dont even remember doing, so I am going to say it wasn't me. There are two drivers of this car after all. At least we have the required car insurance, we just have to pay the excess and make the claim.
If I had only been more careful, I would be so much better off financially now: I have had about 10 accidents/incidents in 16 years and if you average that out at $450 per claim, then you come up with $4500 that the insurance companies have taken. However, the first accident cost me closer to $3500 because I was a P plater and had only third party insurance, so had to pay for my car to be repaired.
I'm pretty happy with just one car right now, I save on the purchase price of the car plus any interest on the car loan, maintenance, required car insurance, petrol, registration and accessories (coz you need them). We are lucky enough to live walking distance from Coles & Safeway and have close public transport. I drive our car regularly and my vigilance on the road will pay off. When we need to, we will buy a second car, but in the meantime its save save save.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Princess Cushions
The cushions were based on the 'work with what you've got' idea that helps save money and use resources you already have at home.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Art?!
The week before Christmas, my husband & I were shopping for gifts, when an awesome bargain caught our eye. We found an outdoor shower that would look great near our pool at our investment property in QLD. It was reduced to half price, and then being the cheeky bargain hunter that I am, I asked if we could get more of a discount since it was a display model. We actually got another 25% off the price again, so it pays to be cheeky.
Anyway, we opened it up at home and it was promptly set up in our living room as 'art'. My husband thought it looked like a cool sculpture. I do love the way it looks, but....well....art? If anyone asks, our living room is a temporary modern art museum. So anyway after it was displayed for a couple of weeks, it was dismantled yesterday and packed away until it can be installed when we next travel to update our QLD property. One day when I am able to use it properly, I will enjoy showering under a work of art.
Anyway, we opened it up at home and it was promptly set up in our living room as 'art'. My husband thought it looked like a cool sculpture. I do love the way it looks, but....well....art? If anyone asks, our living room is a temporary modern art museum. So anyway after it was displayed for a couple of weeks, it was dismantled yesterday and packed away until it can be installed when we next travel to update our QLD property. One day when I am able to use it properly, I will enjoy showering under a work of art.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Boxing Day Savings - Where the real bargains are!
One of my favourite traditions over the past few years is an early rise on Boxing Day to go to the sales. I love it! The panic and frenzy of scrounging through merchandise to find a bargain. Sure half price is nice, but when its more than that, my heart rate rises and I feel a sense of achievement and victory.
There are a few extra things that can save money at these sales.
1. Arrive early to get parking without driving around for half an hour looking for a spot. You are more likely to get some shade if you arrive early, as the Australian Summer sun, can be horrid for your car.
2. Take a sports bottle with some water. It will save you money on buying a drink, and be much healthier than buying a can of softdrink. (Every cent counts remember)
3. As above, either take a couple of biscuits or a museli bar to prevent impulse buying of snacks. If you must, buy something from the supermarket, rather than a donut shop or bakery.
4. Take frequent rests, unload your purchases into the car when you are starting to tire, and make sure you drink some more.
5. Make a rough list of what you want/need and then shop around. Even in sales there is a great different in prices.
6. Use your imagination for birthday/next Christmas gifts, you can find some great bargains that are a bit different.
7. Always forrage through the 'clearance' bins, you never know what you could find there. I purchased some items marked down from $15 each to $5 each and others from $5 each to 0.20 cents. That's the sort of bargain you want.
8. You could take your lunch from home, but I think you deserve a little luxury on Boxing Day. Take a nice rest, have something to eat and then replenish to find more bargains.
9. Try to use your gift vouchers on bargains, that way you are getting more value for something that didnt cost you anything in the first place (assuming you received those vouchers as gifts)
10. If you make an error in a purchase, return it if you can. This year I bought something that does not suit, thankfully I have the receipt, so will return this. No use wasting money on something I cant use. Many times in the past, I have just thrown this stuff out, but why when I can get a few dollars back to use elsewhere.
11. In a bargain bin, often identical items can be marked at different prices, so watch out for this and buy the cheapest item of course.
12. My top tip is DO NOT USE CREDIT IF YOU CANT PAY IT BACK BY THE END OF THE MONTH!!!!
There are a few extra things that can save money at these sales.
1. Arrive early to get parking without driving around for half an hour looking for a spot. You are more likely to get some shade if you arrive early, as the Australian Summer sun, can be horrid for your car.
2. Take a sports bottle with some water. It will save you money on buying a drink, and be much healthier than buying a can of softdrink. (Every cent counts remember)
3. As above, either take a couple of biscuits or a museli bar to prevent impulse buying of snacks. If you must, buy something from the supermarket, rather than a donut shop or bakery.
4. Take frequent rests, unload your purchases into the car when you are starting to tire, and make sure you drink some more.
5. Make a rough list of what you want/need and then shop around. Even in sales there is a great different in prices.
6. Use your imagination for birthday/next Christmas gifts, you can find some great bargains that are a bit different.
7. Always forrage through the 'clearance' bins, you never know what you could find there. I purchased some items marked down from $15 each to $5 each and others from $5 each to 0.20 cents. That's the sort of bargain you want.
8. You could take your lunch from home, but I think you deserve a little luxury on Boxing Day. Take a nice rest, have something to eat and then replenish to find more bargains.
9. Try to use your gift vouchers on bargains, that way you are getting more value for something that didnt cost you anything in the first place (assuming you received those vouchers as gifts)
10. If you make an error in a purchase, return it if you can. This year I bought something that does not suit, thankfully I have the receipt, so will return this. No use wasting money on something I cant use. Many times in the past, I have just thrown this stuff out, but why when I can get a few dollars back to use elsewhere.
11. In a bargain bin, often identical items can be marked at different prices, so watch out for this and buy the cheapest item of course.
12. My top tip is DO NOT USE CREDIT IF YOU CANT PAY IT BACK BY THE END OF THE MONTH!!!!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
What to get the man who has everything?!?
This year, we are trying to get our finances into order after the house purchase and renovation, so its not going to be a frivolous Christmas - a good thing.
A month or so ago, when the weather was divine, I took our toddler to the beach for a picnic and took some photos. I decided to paint one, as the Brighton bathing boxes at the beach are special to us. It is where my husband proposed to me. So this year for Christmas, using acrylics I will paint our son sitting at the beach with the bathing boxes in the background. This will also be special as we are moving interstate in a couple of years and this will remind us of our time spent in Brighton. I already had all of the supplies as I was going to use them for a project that I never started. I must add that I am no artist, but I enjoy painting on occassion which is why I will give it a go. To go with the painting, I can spend a few dollars on something token that my husband will enjoy. Perhaps a second hand game for his Xbox that is cheap (i.e. under $20) or alternatively I could make him a blokey leather necklace with some beads. I already have the leather and ends to make it, just need to spend a few dollars on the beads. You dont have to spend a lot of money on gifts! I promise.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
The $21 Challenge completed
I will count as a success, my challenge for last week, as I only spent $19 on extra food items, except for milk. We actually drink 12-15 litres of milk each week, and while I cut down by not having cups of milo, I would not cut down for my toddler, and its my husband's drink of choice, so I wouldn't deprive him of that. Most of his workmates go home and have a few beers, some of them smoke too, so that is an expense we dont have to worry about.
This week's meals were tasty and different, things that I had forgotten about cooking, we had chilli con carne, bbq chops, chicken kiev with roast vegies, beef stew, lamb shank soup, and I baked some Anzac cookies and some brownies. It was amazing to realise that I had so many ingredients already stocked up in the pantry and freezer. Also, a couple of the meals, I was actually able to make enough for additional meals to freeze.
This week, I am back to stocking up the pantry again, but rather than spending my usual budget of $200 I am aiming to spend $150. I'm sure it can be done, even with a few of my supplies running low. I need more meat, so will shop around for the best deals. I will also cook a satisfying vegetarian meal that will save some cash. I just have to use my imagination.
Tips:
* Butchers are often cheaper than the meat section of the supermarket
* If you shop at the supermarket, go in the afternoon when the price of meats are marked down to move stock.
This week's meals were tasty and different, things that I had forgotten about cooking, we had chilli con carne, bbq chops, chicken kiev with roast vegies, beef stew, lamb shank soup, and I baked some Anzac cookies and some brownies. It was amazing to realise that I had so many ingredients already stocked up in the pantry and freezer. Also, a couple of the meals, I was actually able to make enough for additional meals to freeze.
This week, I am back to stocking up the pantry again, but rather than spending my usual budget of $200 I am aiming to spend $150. I'm sure it can be done, even with a few of my supplies running low. I need more meat, so will shop around for the best deals. I will also cook a satisfying vegetarian meal that will save some cash. I just have to use my imagination.
Tips:
* Butchers are often cheaper than the meat section of the supermarket
* If you shop at the supermarket, go in the afternoon when the price of meats are marked down to move stock.
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