Friday, November 25, 2016

Budgeting & Insourcing...How we saved in November....



 
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....
...Mimi...

22 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks Avalon. Yes, it was a great buy! Mimi xxx

      Delete
  2. Mimi I love your posts on saving money. Your daughters bed looks gorgeous, and your cooking and flowers are divine. Please could you share the lemon meringue tart recipe and what did you make the little rolls and roses (oh so cute). THANKYOU so much for all your sharing. 🌷🌷🌷

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Lorraine, thankyou. I always hope to show that what we do in the home really does have an important value. I will share the lemon meringue recipe and the pastry rosettes are already on the blog. If you type 'shortcrust pastry rosettes' into the search box on the right, they'll pop up. Mimi xxx

      Delete
  3. Dear Mimi,

    You have done really well especially with the bargain bed! Huge savings on that one, and it looks so lovely.

    I might have to try doing my nails, yours look so pretty. This is not something that I would normally do because I am wary of chemicals etc I put in and on my body, and I hear that Jamberry doesn't have many nasty's.

    I am also going to try your two fudges, they sound really easy and yummy!

    Have a lovely weekend,

    Tania xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Tania, yes the bed was a real find! As for the Jamberry, yes they're brilliant. I'm an avid convert as you've probably gathered. Good luck with the fudge. They're both yummy! Mimi xxx

      Delete
  4. What a good month! The bed deal is sensational! It looks like out of a magazine! Your daughter must be thrilled with all of this. That is the way to do it! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Annabel, thankyou! I'll tell her you said that about it looking like something out of a magazine. She'll be thrilled! You're right...we know how things should go, don't we? No big dollars to the retailers here...not if it can be helped! Mimi xxx

      Delete
  5. Well done on buying that bed, Mimi. I don't think I have ever bought anything on Gumtree. Your daughter must be very happy with your purchase and I love the way you have prettied it up for her.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chel, often it's about just being online at the right moment, as evidenced by this experience. Nothing at 1pm, the perfect thing at 1:10pm. Persistence is the key. Yes she is very happy, and looks so tiny in that big bed! Mimi xxx

      Delete
  6. Mimi it must be bed up grading time - we are moving from a double to a queen and over the past few weeks I have been sourcing everything bar the bed (hand me down from our daughter). This week I found a mattress on sale at a whopping saving of $2900- and free delivery. This added to the sheets and mattress protectors gave me a saving of just over $3500-. I spotted a similar bed last year and it was $800- so our overall savings is over $4300-. Not too shabby even if I do say so myself.

    Not that I have ever spent that much on setting up a bedroom. Even the $720- that it has cost me is more than I have ever spent.

    Have a great weekend.

    Lynette
    XXXX

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lynette, what an utterly brilliant saving on that mattress! Go you! And the Sheridan sheets were a steal. Well done. Mimi xxx

      Delete
  7. Hi, sweet friend! Ah, what a delight to visit you on this Friday morning. Yesterday we had our Thanksgiving and today it's nice to simply relax and take it easy which means time for visiting friends' blogs :)

    Your nails look so pretty, my dear. I hardly ever do anything with my finger nails, but seeing yours has inspired me to do a little more. And that bed - gorgeous!

    Wishing you a lovely weekend. Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Stephanie, how lovely to see you. You always say the loveliest things and bring a smile to my face. I hope your Thanksgiving was special. Love, Mimi xxx

      Delete
  8. That cake batter fudge is delicious! I've made it a few times now since seeing it on your blog.

    What a deal on the bed! It looks lovely!

    Your pastry rosettes are adorable. I just love them!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know Jenn! Dangerous stuff! Lol! Yep....that bed was the bargain of the year, I think. Thankyou. Mimi xxx

      Delete
  9. What a score on the bed and it seems like it was meant to be yours...I'd rather spend my money on the accessories in the room and your are so pretty. I'll try the cake batter budge fudge and since I'm GF liked that I could make it. What is gumtree?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Cathy...yes I agree...meant to be! Gumtree here, is like Craigslist there I guess. It's a local online buy and sell community, and always worth keeping an eye one no matter what you need. I hope you like the cake batter fudge. Love, Mimi xxx

      Delete
  10. I love your monthly posts. You always do great things.
    Blessings from Harvest Lane Cottage,
    Laura

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Laura, how are you? Thankyou. I always think it's good to review what one has achieved. It helps maintain the flow of things! Mimi xxx

      Delete
  11. Wow...how neat! You've been busy!

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

    ReplyDelete

I love hearing from you! I always respond to comments, so don't be shy! Mimi xxx