http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/blog.php?53036-elleandsam en Tue, 21 May 2013 22:17:11 GMT vBulletin 10 http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/images/styles/BubHub/misc/rss.jpg http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/blog.php?53036-elleandsam http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?133-How-to-save-on-fresh-foods Fri, 07 Oct 2011 20:46:46 GMT Or more specifically, fruit and vege.

The one thing I hear over and over when people are talking about grocery bills is the one thing they spend a lot of their budget on is fresh fruit and vegetables.

Now getting enough fruit and vegetables in your diet (and your children's) is important, but it doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg.

Majority of people buy their fruit and vegetables from major supermarkets. This is the most expensive place to shop for fresh food. Yes they may have specials, and if you only stick to what's on special then it may be affordable, however if you want to save some money then you're better off going elsewhere.

1. The Farmer's Markets
When we lived in Sydney we would go to Paddy's markets every second Saturday and spend $30-50 and buy all the fruit and vegetables for the fortnight for 3 people. It's in season, it's fresh, it's direct from the farmer and it's cheap! If you have a large farmer's markets near you, buy from them. This is where smaller grocery chains and restaurants buy their produce from.

2. Rotary markets
Often backyard farmers and small farmers will sell their produce at rotary markets. Now the range isn't as big as what's at a large farmers markets but there are still savings to be had. This weekend just passed I bought a zuccihini from my local rotary markets. It was as long as my forearm and as thick at the base as the palm of my hand. It cost me a whole 50c. It will do us as a vegetable serve for 4 different meals. Again, 50c. The woman that sold it to us had a whole wheel barrow full of them. Now these are in season right now. We've also brought chocolate pudding fruits from her at $1 a piece which is 2 meals for a baby just beginning on solids as opposed to $1.10 for a tin or jar of commercial baby food. I've bought bananas from her for $1 a kilo. She owns a small property and grows fruit and vegetables in rotation. So what she has this month will be different to next month but hey, variety is the spice of life!

3. Fruit and veggie shops
These aren't as cheap as buying from the farmer directly but often much cheaper then the big supermarket chains and often more competitive in price. And just between you and me, the service is usually better and the produce usually of better quality.

4. Road side sellers
Do you see them when you go for a drive? Mangos, bananas, watermelons? Stop, buy some, it will save you money. Don't think you can go through a whole tray of mangos? Cut off the cheeks and freeze them. A frozen mango cheek goes great in a smoothie.

5. Grow your own!
Even if you think you don't have the space, you probably do. I am getting at least a tomato every few days from the 3 tomato plants I have growing in pots on my front porch. And all it cost me was $1 for the seeds from Sam's Warehouse, $1 each for the pots from Big W and $3 for the bag of potting mix. All the work it took was putting the mix in the pots, putting the seed in the dirt and watering it each day. Too easy.

Remember supermarkets have to pay the farmer, the transport, the driver, the worker to unpack the truck, the worker to stock the shelf, the worker at the check out, the rent, the electricity… and if you buy direct from the farmer well there are less overheads. Also keep in mind that the supermarkets pay the farmers a pittance.

Buy direct, save yourself money, keep competition alive and kicking. ]]> elleandsam http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?133-How-to-save-on-fresh-foods http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?107-What-to-do-if-you-re-in-real-trouble Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:34:04 GMT Alright, so you're looking at your bills, your income and the stack of overdue notices piling up and beginning to freak out. How can you pay for all of this?

They're going to take the house! They're going to shut off the power! You can't afford to feed yourselves this week... :freakingout:

There is always a way. Here are some tips for making it through.

1. Prioritise your bills
There's no point having your internet paid up if your landlord is evicting you, or your pay TV connected if the repo men are coming for your plasma. So prioritise your bills.

1. 1. Keep a roof over your head. Mortgage or rent comes first, you need somewhere to live and it's vital you pay this first.
2. You need something to eat. Pay for food next. It doesn't have to be fancy gourmet, toast and beans, can of soup, cereal for breakfast, homebrand, all options if you are on the bones of your bum.
3. Utilities, keep the power on, the water flowing and your gas (if you've got it, connected).
4. Credit cards and personal loans. Keep paying that debt down.
5. Insurance, if you've got it, can save you a lot of money if you get in more trouble (car accident, lose your job, a death in the family) so if you've got it, pay it.
6. Mobile phone, home phone, internet. I would pay my mobile before the home phone and the internet last. A mobile you can take anywhere and generally most mobiles already have the internet.
7. And then the rest.

2. Ring your creditors
Tell them that you're in trouble and ask for a payment plan. They want their money and are likely to help you out in terms of a payment plan if you just call. It may be embarrassing but sometimes we have to swallow our pride. If you've received several notices and can pay a smaller amount they may just accept that.

3. Cut all unnecessary expenses
Do you need that daily coffee or can you make it at home for cheaper? How about lunch out every week? Do your children need a new toy every pay day? Can you buy cheaper brands or buy in bulk? If you're in real financial trouble you may need to slim down your budget, and this means sacrifices.

4. Downsize
Can you sell your brand new car and buy a cheaper one to cancel out your car loan? Can you take a cheaper rental? How about your power bills, anything you can switch off to save?

5. Think before you declare bankruptcy
Bankruptcy has very serious consequences and is not to be taken lightly, ensure you consult with a professional before making any decisions. Some may be able to liaise with your creditors to make a payment plan rather then going down the bankruptcy path.

6. Don't involve your children in adult issues
By all means, tell your children you can't buy something because you can't afford it or can't go somewhere because it's too expensive. But don't tell your children you're going to lose the house or you're worried about legal action because of the debt. These are adult issues and are not appropriate for children.

7. Pay your debts before you pay yourself
Don't buy that new top, new game, new book, before you pay your bills. It might be common sense but when you're stressed about money sometimes spending a little on yourself can make you feel good. Take the satisfaction from paying off your debts.

8. Make a financial plan, and stick to it
Sit down with your partner (if you have one) and be realistic. Don't make huge big plans if you won't be able to abide by them. That's not doing anyone any favours.

9. Seek help from government agencies and charities
Can centrelink or family assistance help? It may be worth asking. And if they say no then you've lost nothing. If you're struggling so bad you can't put food on the table, swallow your pride and reach out. The Smith Family, Salvation Army, soup kitchens, that is what they're there for.

10. Find any way you can to save money
Be thrifty! Make your own cleaning products, cook from scratch, make Christmas and birthday presents, have cheap or free family outings like take your lunch to a park for a picnic. This bubhub thread can help you slash your food costs.

Finally, good luck, you can do this! ]]> elleandsam http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?107-What-to-do-if-you-re-in-real-trouble http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?102-Budgetting-for-a-second-baby Sun, 18 Sep 2011 23:06:37 GMT I'll admit I spent far too much money on my first child. In fact some people spend less then I did on multiples. Did she need a $60 plush monkey that the Beatles when you pulled his tail? No, but I wanted it dammit.

Then I got pregnant for the second time. I was no longer working. We were relying on one single income and had the added costs of extra food, power, gas, from me being home full time with our first child.

We couldn't afford to splash out and buy up big again. We had to budget.

But I still wanted my baby to have special things. I wanted to decorate the nursery, I wanted my second child to have his own toys, I still wanted to nest. I needed a toddler seat and capsule for my pram. My funds were limited but I got it done.

My first port of call was, as is for many mums on a budget, eBay. I bought a glider brand new including shipping for $150 and a chest of drawers for $300, also including shipping. My daughter is 18 months older then my son so I chose to move her cot and change table into his room. That sorted the nursery furniture. I also bought a set of wall decals for $20, usually they're $50.

A friend of mine had items left over from her boy nursery, so I paid to take them off her hands. It can certainly pay off to ask around. $50 later I had a laundry hamper and a nappy stacker. I went for a Kidsline nursery theme, Safari, and retail they're not cheap but on sale and eBay you can certainly find a good deal.

We then went to a big name baby store and bought the toddler seat and capsule on sale, they gave us a discount for buying them together. Sometimes it can pay off to ask for a discount if buying a lot of items at once, what's the worst that can happen, they'll say no and then you've lost nothing. But if they say yes, you'll save, and you'll never know if you don't ask.

Around the same time as I had my gender scan a friend had her gender scan. It was her third baby and she was having a girl after 2 boys. I was having a boy after first having a girl. So we swapped baby clothes. My girl clothes for her boy clothes. Both our babies got all new baby clothes without the huge cost and our garages got a little less crowded. If you can't afford it, swap it. There are lots of baby markets that have a swap option. You can find them generally on Facebook.

I bought some new outfits on sale and on eBay but most of what he has worn has been what was swapped.

The best thing we did was pick a nursery theme and tell people about it. My mother bought DS two plush animals (for Christmas before he was born :laughing:) that look fantastic on top his tall boy. He got a towel set from my secret baby shower buddy in my bubhub birth group that fit perfectly with the theme.

Remember generally even subsequent babies get gifts. So keep that in mind when you're thinking you have to buy everything so baby has something special.

All up we spent under $1,000 including a new toddler seat, capsule and toddler bed.

Baby budget low down
Nursery

1. Always ensure your cot meets Australian industry standards, if in doubt, don't buy it.
2. Check on eBay for items like gliders, chests of drawers, and decorative items. You can buy factory direct for a fraction of the cost.
3. WAHMs can do wall decals, personalised wall art, cushions, blankets, pretty much anything you can think of for a small cost to give your nursery that personal touch.
4. Generic themes might sound boring but there is plenty of items available for a circus, underwater, safari, or farm animal nursery as opposed to a very specific theme like one character, plus they're often gender neutral so the items can be easier to resell.

Out and about

1. Never buy a second hand car seat, it may have been involved in an accident and is therefore unsafe.
2. Test drive any pram before you buy it, if you're using it a lot you want to love it.
3. A large hand bag can make a fantastic nappy bag and is usually less expensive.

Feeding

1. Breastfeeding is free, and with a toddler running around who has time to wash, dry, sterilize and prepare formula?
2. If bottle feeding, see if your baby will take the cheapest bottle, no point in starting with the most expensive if your baby doesn't like it. Same with dummies.
3. Baby led weaning is much easier then spoon feeding if you've already got a toddler, so much easier just to prepare one meal.

Clothing

1. Swap!
2. eBay
3. WAHMs do one of a kind pieces for good prices.
4. Baby sales happen all the time, keep an ear to the ground and grab a bargain.
5. For mum, again try eBay for maternity clothes. There's also a bigger range on eBay then there is in store.
6. Remember newborns generally don't like being dressed and undressed, onesies are the best thing to dress them in.

Special items

1. Every mum wants something special just for this baby, so try a piece of customised wall art, or a belly cast.
2. I collected books with the main character having the same name as my son, Sam, it was relatively cheap and was something cute just for him.
3. Do it yourself hand and feet casts for babies are relatively cheap.
4. If you use cloth nappies some WAHM companies do custom nappies, a one off pretty can be so special to celebrate a new baby.
5. Don't forget to buy something special for your first child, they can often feel left out in all the fuss of the new baby.

]]> elleandsam http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?102-Budgetting-for-a-second-baby http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?43-Saving-you-money-on-your-power-bill Tue, 16 Aug 2011 20:24:39 GMT It's the end of another quarter which means power and gas bills are here.  It also means a lot of families are suffering bill shock.

With the price of utilities going up and up and up, what can you do to try and reduce your bills?

Short of buying a solar panel, I have gathered some tips to help you reduce your next bill.  Some will cost you nothing and some will cost you a little up front, but they will save you.

We just reduced our last power bill, our power costs us $3.70 a day for a family of 4 and our power consumption is under the average for our area.

So here are my ten tips, I hope they're helpful and I hope they save you money on your power.

1. Turn it off!
Items on standby are still using power and so are still costing you money, even when you aren't using them.  Pull the plug and turn it off at the wall.  This includes your washer and drier.  At first it seems a little tedious remembering to constantly turn everything off, but it soon becomes a dollar saving habit.

2. Are you watching that?
If you're not watching your TV, turn it off.  A TV mindlessly blaring away in another room with no one watching is power wasted and money down the drain.  This includes your phone charger as well, if it's not charging your phone then turn it off.

3. Lights off when you leave the room.
It's pretty easy, flick the switch when you walk out.  This includes the porch light.  Which leads to...

4. Get solar lights for outside.
They automatically switch on when the sun goes down, don't waste power and apart from the initial outlay cost you nothing.  You can buy cheap lights from discount warehouse type shops or you can buy fancy expensive lights from hardware stores, including lights with motion detectors.

5. Know when it's peak and off peak.
Did you know that your power costs you different amounts and different times?  Different companies dictate different hours as peak but generally the times when most people are home are peak.  So boiling your kettle at say 6pm will cost more then boiling it at say 10am.  So think about what you don't need on in peak times, especially between 4-8pm.  Turn your TV off when you eat dinner, that's half an hours power saved.  Play a board game instead of watching a movie.  Wash your clothes in the morning instead of at night.

6. Hang your washing on the line.
Save your drier for wet or humid days, turn it off at the wall at all other times.  It really will save you.

7. Wash in cold water and chose a quick cycle.
The shorter the cycle, the quicker it's finished, the less time it's on, the less power that's used.

8. Newer appliances use less power.
Older appliances chew through power.  We switched an old fridge off at the end of last quarter and it has saved us approximately $4 a day!

9. Set your air conditioning to 25 degrees.
This is a comfortable temperature.  Keeping your room too cool will cost a lot in power and in turn you'll end up with a bigger bill.  Make sure you keep your filters clean.

10. Use a fan instead of an air conditioning unit.
A fan costs approximately 1c an hour to run, an air conditioning unit costs about a $1.  If you have it on 5 hours a day that is a $4.95 difference a day, or almost $35 a week! ]]> elleandsam http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?43-Saving-you-money-on-your-power-bill http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?28-The-hidden-sales-trap Thu, 11 Aug 2011 22:53:22 GMT The price of food is going up, and many feel they need to compromise nutrition or taste in order to stick to a food budget.

There are hidden pit falls when grab if a bargain, let me tell you the top five.

5. Smaller is cheaper, therefore it's a saving.
FALSE. A 1kg bag of flour may cost 99c and 2kg might cost say $1.20, but if you use 2kg of flour in a month in a fortnight it will cost you $1.20 to buy one bag instead of $1.98 to buy 1kg per week. This works for all foods, think about dairy as well. A bigger amount bag of flour uses less packaging, takes less to transport it.

Check the per kilo price the lower the per kilo price the more you save.

4. Homebrand is cheaper, therefore it's a saving.
FALSE. The homebrand version is not always cheapest, check what's on sale before going straight for the homebrand.

3. It's in bulk, therefore it's a saving.
FALSE. Check the per kilo price, and check what is on special, what's bulk in one store may be cheaper at another. Places like costco can actually be quite expensive. Also remember there is no point in buying say 10ltr of OJ if you won't drink it, or 5kg of prunes if you won't eat them. Food sitting in your cupboard uneaten is money wasted. You are better off buying food you'll actually eat.

2. It's in a package deal, therefore it's a saving.
FALSE. Pay an extra 50c and get a free tub of salsa, packet of biscuits, block of cheese... It's not a saving unless you actually intended to buy both products.

1. It's on sale, therefore it's a saving.
FALSE. You only save money if you intended and budgeted to buy that product. Especially if it's not something you usually eat. Sure you might be getting a good price, but if it's not on your list then you haven't saved a dime.

Make a list, stick to it, check the special and check the per unit price.

Happy shopping :) ]]> elleandsam http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?28-The-hidden-sales-trap http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?17-Budgetting-for-beginners Sat, 06 Aug 2011 05:54:53 GMT Life is becoming expensive. I find myself, as I'm sure many other parents do too, questioning whether I am able to afford to give my children the best of everything while sticking to what is a pretty tight budget.

It seems there is a never ending list of bills that need to be paid. Rent, electricity, gas, phone bills, food, play group, personal loan, car loan, savings... And my children aren't even in school yet!

I will admit it has been a deciding factor when choosing whether or not to have more children. At the moment we can afford to give our children the best of everything while still living the lifestyle we enjoy, movie nights, occasionally eating out, it's a big trade off though.

We manage to live quite a comfortable life on a single wage, and at times it is a juggling act. I do have a few tricks though, and a good budget, and I intend to share my 'secrets' with you in this blog.

I will admit that we should have saved more money before I finished paid work before I had my first child. If I had my time over I would have put at least half my wage in savings up until I went on leave, just for that bit of comfort and security.

My husband and I have a good budget, we stick to it, and it's flexible. We also have non-discretionary funds, a small amount of money each to do with what we like. He likes buying DVDs and I like buying clothes. Once that money is gone we don't get any more.

Writing a good budget is fairly simple, but it has to be realistic and you have to be able to stick to it. There is no point in wiring a budget if it's too restrictive.

In excel or a similar program first write down all your income that comes in. Total it.

Then write down ALL your expenses. Everything you pay per pay period. Then write down everything you pay monthly, quarterly and yearly and average out how much it will cost you if you put money away every pay. Let me give you an example. Our car insurance is about $900 per annum. We get paid fortnightly so $35 a fortnight goes into the bills account. When the insurance is due the money is there.

After you've worked out all your bills work out an average amount you are willing to put into savings and have it automatically come out of your account, or better yet straight out of your pay into a separate account that you don't have a card for. If it comes straight out of your pay you'll never be tempted to spend it.

Finally of the remaining money give yourself an 'allowance' and your partner and ensure there is some money left over for just in case, we have about $50 left over each pay.

It sounds simple and I promise I'll go more in depth in future blog posts, as well as budget healthy food shopping, but I hope this has given you a starting point for beginning budgeting.

I'm not an accountant, I was a Navy cook before I had children and part of my work was menu planning and sticking to what was a very strict budget. Most of my posts will be about grocery shopping and menu planning as that's my field of expertise but also where I notice most of our money going, and its going quick.

With a simple budget, and some simple money saving tricks, you can live the life you want without the price tag. ]]> elleandsam http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/entry.php?17-Budgetting-for-beginners