REVIEW: Squeeze 'ems (Not sponsored!)

 

If you follow me on Facebook then you will know I have recently purchased some Squeeze 'ems through Lime Tree Kids. I picked them up from the post office yesterday and had a little play with my new toys (isn't it amazing what we consider fun and new toys when we become parents?).

Costco Rocks!

A few months back I got a Costco membership. I went down with another mum from school and we had a BALL! It was great to get out and do stuff together.
On the weekend I convinced hubby to let me stop there, so he could see the bargains for himself (and to pick up a few more things lol).

This is what we got:

$15 - Meat Lovers

It was too big to fit in my oven! I had to cut it in half! :O

18 pack  2 Min Noodles = $10

5kg Long grain Rice $7.50

2x 1kg Nutella $9

12 x tins diced tomatoes $7.50 & 6 jars (700ml) passata sauce $5

Shredded Ham - $8

2 x 750g packs

Koala March 25xlittle packs (like tiny teddies kind of) $7

1 kg! Minced Garlic $5

I am so impressed with what they have to offer! I would highly recommend people to go if you can. I am waiting until Tax time when I can take a lot of money in, and stock up for a few months! Looking forward to it. If anyone has any questions about Costco, please feel free to ask. Its really quite daunting spending $60 on a membership on something you don't know much about. :)

Daily Savings Hint : Number 4 - White goodies

 I hate having to buy white goods. My washing machine decided it didn't want to work any more a few months ago. How lovely. I didn't have any spare cash to spend on something like that. Luckily  for me my mum was able to help me out and I paid her back over time.

So I did some online research for what I wanted. Decided on the washing machine of choice. Then  my mum the kids and myself went shopping.

We saw the machine I wanted. I asked the salesman what his best price was. It was only around $50 off the marked price. My mum turned to me and said "Oh it was less then that at the other place wasn't it sweety?" LOL good on you mum! We never went to another place, she was playing him HAHA! I followed along though "Yeah it was mum" he asked how much and we said it was another $100 cheaper then the $50 he told us! He fell for it hook line and sinker! HAHA.

I was also told my a friend that when they have those sales "50 months interest free no deposit" thingys that they actually mark up the price a bit to cover the interest. Shifty hey! I told the guy I knew this and he admitted this was true, since I was paying cash I said I think I should have that increase taken off too. He went and spoke to the manager and came back with a YES! Woo score!

Another little saving was the fact we brought the one off the floor. There was nothing wrong with it, still never been used.

And one more little point of advice. I know it sounds CRAZY but take the kids with you! Mine were having one of 'those' days, they couldn't help but play with all the floor stock washing machines, opening the doors and pushing the buttons. I kept telling them not to and interrupting the sales man to tell them off. This annoyed the man, you could tell (what else was I suppose to do?!) So he just wanted me out of there as fast as possible. BAM! He threw in free delivery (which is usually at least $50 as we live so far out of town). HAHA mum and I left the shop feeling very satisfied. All up I got my $1200 washing machine, for $800 with free delivery! GO ME! :D Happy shopping fellow mummies :p

Daily Savings Hint : Number 3 - Weekend spending

 I have found - for us anyway - we spend most of our money, on the weekends! Of course I have my set day during the week which I do the groceries while the kids are at school. But apart from that, I don't do much shopping during the week, as we have school commitments and attempts at keeping the house tidy. Note I said attempts.

On the weekends we used to go out for lunch or dinner occasionally, or just going out to the shops to 'have a look'. It never ended in just looking!

So for a fews weeks now we have been slumming it at home. We have been watching DVD's together, playing board games, cooking together and doing other kid friendly activities.

Doing this has saved us heaps as we don't buy unnecessary things and we save on petrol, since we live 25km from the 'big shops' it costs alot to be driving in all the time.

I have also made it a mission to not 'pop' down to the shops for a loaf of bread or what not. This never ends up with me getting only what I went for. So if we don't have it, we go without until Monday.

Not a fantastic tip for the day, but it has helped us lately.

Daily Savings Hint : Number 2

I am not a environmentally friendly nut! Don't get me wrong, I agree with it all, looking after the planet and such. I turn my lights off when not in use, we have rainwater tanks and I use enviro bags, but I don't go out of my way to cut back with all the plastic bottles I buy etc. I know, its bad.
However one thing I don't like, is chemicals in cleaners! YUCK!
I find the best cleaners are water mixed with vinegar in a spray bottle, great for bench tops, toilets, tables etc. I also find personally the ensuite sink gets really grubby (from my make up, its loose powder foundation, so of course, it goes up in a puff every morning! lol) but if I don't get to it quick enough, it sticks like glue. All I do is get a little bowl, put in some bi-carb, and enough water to make a paste. Spread it on (I use just my fingers), leave it there for a few minutes, then wipe off or rinse with water. EASY! So much better then using chemicals, and soooo much cheaper then the sprays at the shop! Also if you want a lovely smell, just put a few drops of Lavender oil in it. Give the house such a yummy smell. You can also use wedges of lemon to wipe over brass etc. and polish off with some newspaper. Lovely glow!

Hint 1: Menu Planning

Well, to kick start my Daily Savings Hints, I thought I would go with something obvious. MENU PLANNING.
This is such a crucial thing for large families. Not only does it help to save you money, but it helps to keep you organised. You can plan ahead, and pre-prepare things you may need for another nights cooking, to cut down on time spent making the meal itself.