Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Insourcing....how I saved money this week...

 
I love a good tally up at the beginning of each week. I love eyeballing what I achieved the week before, and setting myself a goal to equal or better that total. It's fun for me. Maybe I need a life...lol!
 
But seriously, it does make sense of the myriad little invisible things I do each and every day, and shows my family my true worth, if nothing else.
 
So last week, I surprised a friend with some lavishly trimmed pillowcases. These are such a simple thing to create, and everyone loves them. Well, the ladies do anyway. If you can sew a straight line, you can trim a purchased pillowcase with lace and a ruffle. True. See how to, here.
 
 
I made a huge batch of Laundry detergent. Not only does this smell better than the overly perfumed bought stuff, I think it does a better job AND doesn't give us an allergic reaction. This is about a months worth here.

 
I added some more customised essential oil perfume blends to add to my gift cupboard. The comparable price for these at a high end gift store is around the $17-25 mark. Mine cost around $2 to produce, so that's a win, I say!

 
Yummy and quick chicken and veg one tray bake was an almost instant meal on a night when I didn't feel like cooking.

 
Fresh raw beetroot sliced on a mandolin slicer so it's paper thin...

 
...and home made coleslaw, made delicious burgers on the weekend. Honestly, who buys designer burgers and pays $15??? Crazy stuff.
 
 
 I scored some pre embellished Moccona coffee jars, with coffee obviously, for half price at the Supermarket. These are brilliant as canisters, or for gifting cookies and such at Christmas.
 
 
The granddaughters visited and we made fun at home, picking lavender and making little bouquets...free fun and an early appreciation of the garden coming right up.

 
I found a tutorial on painting lavender flowers to embellish some gifts I have in mind..
 
 
...and have you ever heard of magnetic chandelier crystals? Me neither. But I have now, and I'm about to save hundreds of dollars making my own.

 
All in all, a very satisfying week, and one filled with good times, good food, and family.
 
Just the way I like it.
 
I calculated savings of well over $650 for my week as a Home Guardian.
 
Nice.
 
...Mimi...

6 comments:

  1. What beautiful details to give a luxurious feeling to life! I may follow your lead and sew simple gifts for friends on pccasion, just because. Ladies who don't sew love receiving gifts that can really be so quick to make for those of us with a sewing machine.

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    1. Dear Leigh, thankyou. I love things that are basically just sewing a straight line that look lavish. I'd include pillowcases themselves, teatowels, beeswax coated food covers, little gift bags and pouches, pencil cases, heat packs, and makeup purses. Aleasy peasy stuff, but done in a luxurious fabric or one with a whimsical or classical print, very classy indeed. Mimi xxx

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  2. You had a great week. Saving over $600 is amazing for a week. I found some good mark downs this week. I got 3 gallons of frying oil 75% off. I got Easter candy marked down. I stocked up on pasta and canned beans that were on sale. I am trying to get my pantry to a 6 month supply. It will take a while but I'll get there. The rest of my shopping for the week is here: https://mcoia.blogspot.com/2018/04/adding-to-my-pantry_11.html

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    1. Making Cents of It All, that's a good week for you too. Oil is ridiculously expensive really, isn't it. I'm off to check your blog. Mimi xxx

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  3. Mimi your pillowcases look so lovely. I think it could be a lot of fun to make children's ones.

    I am suffering from lavender envy - wow!! Adding some dried lavender sachets in with pillowcases for gifts would be nice too, that's sewing straight lines as well :)

    Your 'can't be bothered meals' look amazing!

    Have a lovely weekend
    Jen in NZ

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    1. Thanks Jen! Yes kids ones can be super easy. Just a ruffle or a strip of fun fabric does the trick. Lavender sachets are a great idea too! Mimi xxx

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