Bloody Camry drivers!

I’ve just been to Target. When I came back to the car some moron driving a Camry adorned with Frangipani stickers and seat covers had parked so damned close to my driver’s side door it wasn’t funny.

Now, I am no waif, but even if I was the skinniest rake of a thing I would not have been able to squeeze my arse into the drivers seat, in fact the only way I would have got in is if I morphed into vapour!

Needless to say I waited for 15 minutes for the offending driver (presumably a young woman with classy taste in car accessories) to turn up. But alas, my patience dissipated quicker than expected, plus I was sitting on wet ground doing a spot of people watching and my arse was becoming a little too damp.

However, I will admit that I did use those minutes wisely figuring out how I was going to get into the drivers seat NOT plotting the demise of “frangipani Camry driver”.

So, here is what I did:

Attempt no. 1: I sat in the passenger seat and attempted a shuffle across. FAIL! Jeans are restricting my flexibility. Plus I was risking the possibility of having to call an ambulance saying “ah, I am stuck in my car with a centre console up my bum".

Attempt no. 2: I pushed the front passenger seat as far forward as possible. Sat in the back seat removed my jeans (thank god for excessively tinted windows) and was counting my blessings on my choice of undies this morning.. Then squirmed my way over between the front seats, a foot on the drivers and another on the passenger side then gracefully parked my arse into the drivers side with a bit of squirming and squeezing.

It would have been a riot for any spectators!

Did I leave them a note? NO! But blimey was I tempted! Sadly, getting out of my car in a busy car park wearing only undies and a t-shirt wouldn’t be seen as “socially acceptable” nor graceful for a lady of my stature, plus I didn’t want to spend the night in the lock up for indecent exposure.

I then drove home in my undies praying that I wasn’t pulled over by the Police OR in a car accident. I know that Mum always says “make sure your wearing good undies in case you get hit by a bus”.

However once I got home I did find my neighbour on my front lawn waiting for me. Thankfully I had enough time to pull into the garage and pull my pants on before she spotted me sans pants.

New blog to the list

I have added a new blog to my list of favorites.

I don't even remember where I came across it.  But for Sydney Foodies it's a good read!

http://www.theunbearablelightnessofbeinghungry.com/

The $34 challenge: closure

I've just realised that I have neglected to give my readers closure on the $34 challenge.

At day seven (7) with three (3) days to go and $15 left in the budget I had to do a dash visit to the pharmacy for medication which sadly put me over my budget.

I guess if I hadn't have needed to run off to the pharmacy I would have succeeded in my challenge.  I am fairly confident that I would have survived on $15 for those three days quite easily considering I had my groove on.

So, lessons learnt?  I can survive on a shoe string budget.  BUT, only if you:
Have some lettuce and veggies in your garden.
Have the freezer is stocked
Keep the pantry stocked with of staples
Can use a little imagination with creating meals from literally nothing.
Can do without newspapers and magazines
Have the Internet.

All those things in mind.  I don't have pay TV, the $34 didn't include utilities (gas, water, electricity), nor did it include fuel for the car (I have a fuel card paid through my salary) nor did it include food for the Mentalheads and the Chooks because their welfare is more important than mine and because they cannot just cook up some toast if they are feeling a little "peckish".

I've also learnt that it's nice to have meals out every now and then, but blimey they take a huge chunk out of your wallet!

Has this made me tighten my purse strings?  Hmm, yes and no.  It has made me more conscious of what I am buying.. Do I really need that? Will it improve my lifestyle?  It has made me be smarter with my dollar and has made me make my money work for me, not the other way around.

Am I going to create a household budget?  Because I've never had one before.. Might be time to do a rough budget for utilities, mortgage etc.. But it won't be fish arse water tight, life it far too short for that!

Right, now I am off to lunch with some work mates!  Hmmm, green curry!

That is all!

Be careful of what you ask for...

Because you just might get it........

Recently I have been discussing the options of moving on from where I am currently.

So, it seems I kinda got what I wanted in a round about way.

I've got a new job.  Start date yet to be confirmed, but I am really looking forward to a new challenge.  It will be another opportunity to expand my skillset, do some PR and become a little more confident in myself all in the spirit of exercising the ol'grey matter!

Am I shit scared? Hell yeah! But in a good way!  I'll keep you posted!

Day 3 - OHS issues

Ok, so it has become apparent that I need to set myself some more parameters.  I may need to write a bit of a ruling on what I can and cannot include in the $34.

As of yesterday, after a visit to the local Bunnings Store to pick up a 9 volt battery for the smoke detector, do a few burn outs in the carpark and put my car stereo on my most favorite "doof doof" CD - Queen's "I want to break free", there is debate for AND against it being included in the $34 budget.

It IS part of my normal living expenses so it should be included.  However it is also a safety risk if I don't have a battery installed in the smoke detector.  I guess if it was hardwired I wouldn't be having this issue. I DO have a duty of care to the occupants of my home so, here is my question: 

Do I or do I not include the $6.98 battery in my $34 budget?  Should I consult my Accountant? Or, do I just get a life?  lol.

Post from Facebook

Sal

Day 3 - I only have $27.02 left because I had to buy a $6.98 battery for a smoke detector OR could that be seen as an OHS issue and therefore struck off the budget? After all, it IS a safety risk. The fact that it's still sitting on the kitchen bench is irrelevant.

Warren and Lisa like this.

Lisa: Safety issue doesn’t count. Especially since there was publicity from fire brigades about changing the batteries at Daylight Saving (so you could say it was a work related expense?)

David: Yes, I'd try the tax deduction angle as well, but honestly, surely this could have waited until next pay if you are as strapped as you claim to be!!

Sal: Ok, then. So after these comments and a discussion around "the water cooler" in the last few minutes the consensus is that the $6.98 for the smoke detector battery should be omitted from the budget because it's a safety issue?

Sal: Dave: I am not strapped, I am just proving a point to myself. But, yes, you have a point; it COULD have waited till the $34 challenge is over.

Meanwhile I am now on $27.02 and it has now become apparent that I need to think about some rulings.  If any of my readers have suggestions comments are welcome!

Tonight's dinner on a budget from the freezer, fridge and pantry:
Chicken with mushroom gravy with Ribbon pasta (fresh lasagne cut up in strips), Broccolini and Brussel Sprouts.  Also made enough for lunch or dinner tomorrow! Bazinga!

Closing balance after Day 3 - $27.02c.

Day 2 of the $34 Challenge

Day 2 in the $34 challenge and I am desperate for a coffee from the cafe downstairs. Maybe I can just walk past and sniff the coffeebeans for a hit or even pash some poor unsuspecting person (preferably male) who has just taken a swig of his deliciously frothy Latte with a light scattering of chocolate powder on top of the frothy goodness that just glistens in the sunlight and does a slight shiver when the protective lid of the take away container is taken off it for the first time, just like when your nice and warm and take your jacket off..

Maybe they could just give me the lid and I could lick the froth off the bottom of it.. Desperate times and it's only day 2!

Oh GOOOOODDDDD I NEEEDDDDD CCCOOOOFFFEEEE!

I've been up since 0430am as I had to take a friend to hospital for surgery..  It is these times that are sent to try us.. I might head out to the kitchen and make a double strength Nescafe and dream of freshly roasted aribica beans.

I will however claim that I am not doing this because I have no money.  I am doing this to prove a point to myself.  So please, whilst I appreciate the thought, don't ring me asking me if I need to borrow money, because I don't! That's not the point! God bless ya cotton socks!

0722hrs - Total spend of the $34 at this point in time - $0!

Off to Nescafe land I go.. Wish me luck!

P's but no corn please!

Today I am a proud Aunt..

My clever neice has not only bought herself a fantatic little car recently, but today she got her P plates!

She is going great guns at school and she even has a job.

Not that I am biased, but why can't more teenagers be so damned sensible and responsible.. Admittedly she has been raised exceptionally well.. She is intelligent and constantly has her nose in a book.

She's a clever kid and I am awefully proud of her..

Yeah, ok, so I am biased!!

Well done Sunshine and congratulations on getting your licence! 
Love ya lots x

The $34 challenge!

Challenge:

This morning whilst looking for that elusive postage stamp in my wallet I counted the money I currently have to my name. $34!  Mostly $5 notes and a few 5c coins that I don't count.

So, I need a bit of a challenge don't I!  So, I am going to try and live on it for the next fortnight.. What will it be: epic fail or success?


To keep me on the straight and narrow I am going to blog it..  This may bore you to the point of wanting to flush your own head in the toilet and some of you may even prefer to read a Mills n Boon book (do they still exist?), however stick with me even through the boring parts!
 
The $34 does not include:
Fuel for car (I have a fuel card)
Alcohol (ok, ok, maybe I am stretching the friendship here)
Pet food (because their welfare comes first)
Utility bills (phone, water, electricity, council rates, gas etc)
Necessary birthday presents for friends (there is a few coming up)
 
Rules:
Friends are not allowed to help me. 
I have to live out of my pantry and fridge/freezer.
Meals at work functions are not counted.
No unnecessary purchases of cardigans.
No Graysonline, No Ebay
Nothing for house projects
 
If my readers think I should be adding other rules, please feel free to comment.
 
Day 1 - Monday 4th April 2011
 
Full tank of fuel.. Not that it's included, but we'll see how long a tank of fuel lasts.
 
No cafe coffee this morning... *sigh* seriously, who can live on Nescafe?  I think that's going to be the worst part of this.. Nescafe at double strength might be the way to go. 
 
Lunch consisted of noodles out of my draw.. Normally it might be "chicken in a tin with VitaWheats".
 
Dinner tonight is another story!  Stay tuned!  Maybe this isn't going to be so hard after all!