Free Kids’ Lunchbox

MAGGI Back-to-School Offer.....
This offer is exclusive to Coles (Aust) and is only available from 22nd January for a limited time or while stocks last. The MAGGI team are offering a fantastic kids’ lunchbox free with every purchase of specially marked MAGGI 10 Pack noodles. Give your kids the taste they love and the nutrition they need & be quick to grab your free lunchbox. Finally…. after 6 weeks...school’s back... time for mum & dads to catch their breath & take time for themselves!

Woolworths National Drought Action Day

If you live in Australia you might find this of interest.....

On 23 January 2007 , Woolworths will be donating itsentire supermarket's profits for the day to the droughtrelief. The funds will primarily be used by the CWA (Country Women's Association) for immediate supportfor rural families with the remainder to help fund researchinto sustainable farming practices. This is expected to bein excess of $3 million dollars.So if you do your normal shopping on the 23 January youwill helping farming families who are currently doing it tough. Please pass this on to as many people as possible if youwould like to support it. Check out the Woolworths website which confirms the details.

Rainwater Tank & Washing Machine Rebates

Water Saving Rebates & Offers

Rainwater Tank Rebates
Sydney Water has a Rainwater Tank Rebate Program offering customers up to $800 to install a rainwater tank. A special Rainwater Tanks in Schools Rebate Program is also available for schools.

Washing Machine Rebates
A rebate of $150 is available to customers who purchase a new washing machine with a water efficiency rating of 4-star1 or AAAAA. The rebate offer commenced on 1 March 2006 and will run until 31 July 2008. 4-star1 or AAAAA water efficient washing machines save more than 21,000 litres of water a year compared to older machines. The rebate offer could help to save one million litres a day.

These are some of the many ways the NSW Government is helping you to help secure Sydney’s water for life by saving water in and around your home. To find out more and to take advantage of rebates and offers visit the website links above. Please read all information to qualify for rebates & expiry dates of offers.

Save Water, Save Money, Save the Environment!

Vacuum Cleaner Bites The Dust

After years of service my Electrolux vacuum cleaner died yesterday! After a hectic xmas & new year I decided to bring the vacuum out for a big clean.

It's amazing how much dust can collect over the weeks.... Almost finished the whole house... when all of a sudden, there was a burning smell! Smoke was coming out of my vacuum. Certainly was a shock & so was the price of a replacement. Took it down to the repairman, just incase... he said 'in it's day it was a top of the range' but sadly the motor had burnt out. I'm usually vigilant in cleaning out the dust bag after every use. But I wondered if it had been full to start with & this created the overheating. I will never know.

Prices are unbelievable... Must admit I think I had the old one for over 15 years. Served us well. I need one that is easy to move around & I was astounded at the prices of a decent vacuum... almost $400 & up! I'm on the hunt for a new vacuum. So a word of warning... always ensure that you regularly empty the dustbag.

Fresh 'n' Crisp

Fresh 'n' Crisp Fruit & Vegetable Storage Bags

This morning while shopping I spotted some gel pack fruit & vegetable storage bags.

I thought this was quite an interesting concept.... Just ask yourself this question... How often have you thrown out vegetables because they've gone limp or discoloured... this is especially true for broccoli or celery that goes limp after one day!

I thought for a cost of about $2.60 AU for 10 medium bags it was worth a shot at what I could save.

These bags are light green...& I have heard something about green bags before... where? who knows?....The pack states that they contain approved natural ingredients (couldn't find a list anywhere on the pack) which slow down the ageing process of fruit & vegetables.... Preserves freshness, vitamins & flavour.

I will let you know how my experiment went. Of course there are directions which I will need to follow to help preserve my fruit & veges for as long as possible.They also list the suitable produce to place in your Fresh 'n' Crisp storage bag.

On the back of the pack they show a piece of broccoli that was stored for 21 days still looking fresh & green from using the storage bag.... 21 Days my goodness! If it was still in my fridge after all that time it'd make me wonder what I'd been eating!!

Looking forward to saving money by keeping my fruit & veges fresher!

Click Here => For Everday Savings Hints & Tips

Financial Security Reflection!

It's amazing... The message.... Wants & Needs seems to be everywhere! I think I'm trying to be given a message!

Sitting quietly after dinner - I was reading one of my favourite quote books....Meditations & Reflections....Special messages...One for every day of the year.... & you wouldn't believe what the message was about.... You guessed it.... Wants & Needs.

The entry was for Financial Security......A special message I wanted to share with you...

Actually we are slaves to the cost of living.
~ Carlina Marin deJesus ~

All of us have to cope with the cost of living. Existing gets more and more expensive, and living seems sometimes as if it's only for the wealthy.

We have lost track of the difference between what we want and what we need. Everything has become a need. If we don't have what we think we need, it lowers our self-esteem and our feelings of worth. We can hardly remember what is important anymore.

We are important. Our children are important. Our relationships are important. The planet is important. Our lives are important.

LEST WE FORGET What We Are All About, Let's Stop Today And Remember! .......

Distinguish between Wants and Needs…..

In my previous post I mentioned…. Is this really a Want or a Need?

It was an amazing morning in more ways than one… The cicadas were again singing up at my place threatening another hot day, the sun was shining.

As I drove round the DY beachfront the fog hung heavy in the air….I wondered what the day had in store as the wind had started to whip up. The radio station said Centerpoint tower in the city could not be found.

My girlfriend & I headed out for one of our morning Manly beachfront walks.

We always stop at our local restaurant ‘Cristals’ for our coffee kick… We are supporting our local café during their time of controversy with the local Manly Council…. Now that’s another story!

Then off to check out Humphreys’ Newsagency for the latest Scrapbooking Magazines or card designs or other bargains (they have great book bargains) before we do our return journey.

My friend had her eye on a certain item & quickly had it clutched in her hand. As we strolled round the aisles she looked at the item & said to me “Is this really a Want or a Need?”

I almost fell over & told her that this was exactly what I’d posted on my blog this morning. We had a good laugh.

My friend resisted the temptation & placed the item back on the shelf…. It turned out to be a Want & Not a Need!

Want or Need!

Distinguish between Wants and Needs…..

You will save a lot of money if you don't mistake Wants for Needs.

Needs are those items that are necessary to sustain: Shelter, food, clothing, transportation.

Wants....are those things that enhance or possibly improve your family life. A car is a need. Unless necessary for your business, a flashy expensive sports car is a want.

Have you ever heard (or said) "I absolutely need...?" when the actual meaning was "I really want?" …. If you’re anything like me… I already know your answer!

This is not to suggest that you shouldn't be able to have the things you want.. you deserve a splurge now & then….Just don’t delude yourself into believing that a want is a need…and busting your budget in the process… This is a recipe for your financial disaster.

With the Xmas sales ahead of you this is a time when the Wants are screaming at you… Buy Me!! Buy Me!..... If you can’t resist just stay away from the sales!...

Just think... You'll not only save yourself money... but also your Sanity!

Asking yourself this simple question when tempted can keep money in your pocket….. Is this really a Want or a Need?

Welcome to Money Talk$!

Discovering The Secrets To Financial Freedom!

Along our 'Journey of Discovery' I will share with you tips & techniques that I have learnt... To help you save money in your everyday life.... working towards a 'Secure Financial Future' for you and your family!

.... As ol'Ben Franklin used to say, "A penny saved is a penny earned."....

To Financial Freedom Success & Surviving The Costs of Everyday Living!