Starting Right in 2011.

Now that our trip to New Zealand was behind us, and with our big trip to Asia coming up soon, it was time to re-assess priorities. The solar energy was now up and running, we were making inroads on the water bill, as well as changing to another internet/phone plan to reduce costs. The Simple Savings site had a new challenge for the year – no spend/low spend. We talked it over and decided to give it a go!

The Plan.

Reduce unnecessary packaging.
Grow our own vegetables from seeds instead of plants.
Do minor repairs ourselves, utilising Bunnings free classes where applicable.
Join a free walking group, run by the Heart Foundation.
Use pensioner access for the local Council run pool.
Borrow books/magazines from the library instead of purchasing new. Use voucher given for buying used books.
Use up the stock in the pantry and freezer.
Make home-made gifts where possible.
Sew my own clothes from materials stock piled.
Reduce car trips by combining tasks.
Make a list of free, or low-cost outings we could do.
Do regular $21 Challenges (using food already in house and substituting for items NOT buying from shop).
Use assets (wish cards, vouchers, pre-paid credit card gifted) to defray unexpected costs.
Only use the Credit card to pay essential bills.
Use Bpay where possible instead of credit card.
Use cash or assets to purchase groceries.
Make freezer meals instead of buying takeaway, or have tinned, packaged meals in pantry.
Use the Clothes Dryer only in emergencies.