I love reaching the end of another month and tallying up all the ways I've saved money for my family. In fact, it's one of the most rewarding things about blogging, for me.
I've always been an avid DIYer, but never documented my efforts the way blogging allows me to, and I'm always pleasantly surprised when the end of the month arrives, and I can revisit my pretty projects and see that what I do, really does make a difference.
So...on to November savings...
Without doubt, my biggest saving this month, was on a new bed for my daughter. We were looking at a budget of $750, for bed, linen, and accoutrements. She was moving from a single to a double, and even the most basic bed, linen and prettiness to clothe it, does not come cheap. I'd checked Gumtree at 1pm, and there was nothing. We were just about to leave the house to buy the new bed, and I said to her, 'let's just check Gumtree one more time'. Well, six minutes before, this darling bed had been listed. We rang the number, the lady was a bit surprised, but the deal was done in two minutes flat! $50 for the bed AND the mattress. My husband collected it the next day, fixed some very minor faults with the frame, and we were done. A further $150 gave her the pretty red comforter (very festive!), two new cushions, sheets and pillowcases, fairy lights, and the fur rug for her tootsies. She's thrilled and at $200 for the lot, as opposed to $750, we'll call a $550 saving very thrilling for Mum and Dad as well!
Cake Batter Fudge and Almond Butter Fudge, was made for a kindy morning tea, as well as for gifts, saving $30 on assorted foodie type things.
Another fun project has been embellishing a skirt to mimic one by Dolce & Gabbana. That one is not quite finished, but will be soon. The D&G version was $3800. Mine, just $60! A theoretical saving, for sure, of $3740, but a saving all the same!
I refreshed a sad and tired vintage cake storer with elbow grease and a touch of metallic rose gold paint. This project cost $18 all up, a saving of at least $50 on a similar vintage tin from Etsy or eBay.
My daughter and I did two manicures and two pedicures each, using our Jamberry vinyl nail wraps. These are the most brilliant thing, and are such a saving on salon mani-pedis. Each one works out to $11 for a manicure AND pedicure, they last up to three weeks, and you're ready to go without having to worry about waiting for your nails to dry!
I made two lovely bouquets for friends and family as birthday gifts, saving up to $60 on pre-made bouquets.
Christmas decorating was accomplished by keeping things elegant and low key, using what was on hand, and finishing with a few new pieces for a total spend of $65. A far cry from what I once spent every year, amounting to the hundreds! We'll call it a $200 saving, but in actual fact, it's probably twice that. Well. I do love Christmas.
And finally, high tea was served to friends, and my pastry rosettes were a huge hit. Along with lemon meringue tarts, Honey Swiss Roll, and Crepes Suzette, a good time was had by all, saving $50 a head for 6 of us. That's $300 saved!
How did you save money this month?
Tell me all....
