Easter 2013

Well the Easter long weekend has come to an end ~ I am all chocolated out & cannot believe it's only been a few short days since the kids started school holidays and there are still 2 weeks left to occupy them {more on that later!}

 

This year we had all of the kids home for the whole of Easter (we get every second year) so it was nice to have them all wake up in one home & celebrate together.  It was the first Easter we have been at home in 4 years, so a day at home to kick back and enjoy was long overdue!  On Friday I spent the afternoon finishing off the shopping (mainly for my Mum who uses me as her personal shopper) my task was to get the kids an Easter present each but avoid chocolate, preferably slippers.  Target, however, at 2pm on Easter Eve was not cooperating size wise for slippers only & I ended up instead with a selection of slippers, coloured skinny leg jeans, hooded jumpers and flanelette Pj's plus a small chocolate side accompaniant all for $100 the lot!  Mum & the kids were most impressed. 

 

Sunday we spent the day celebrating at home, we had plans on going to the park or the beach, but the rain soon changed our minds and the kids didn't even want to go on a drive so a home day was settled upon.  The kids played up a storm and watched the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, they also watched Men in Black 2, but I fail to see the Easter significance in that one.  Do you know Foxtel only had Christmas movies on Easter Day????? Odd. 

 

And on Easter Monday we went to Alma Park Zoo for the day followed by a local beach for a wander, play at the park and some shell collecting. We went to Alma Park Zoo last year and the kids thought it was great, so this time when I saw a Scoopon I decided to purchase another family ticket for $34 and go along again.  This time Mr 1 was a little older so really enjoyed his day and the others enjoyed revisiting the animals and we even saw a few we missed last time such as the spotted Quolls and all of the Monkey/Orangutan area that was closed last time we went.  I got a kick out of the Monkey's, they are so funny to watch - rather amusing, but the Baboons really freaked me out, he was so person-like, it was like seeing an old man locked up in a cage (although Iv clearly never seen this in real life to compare it to) he seemed too wise the old monkey.    The food at the Zoo was even reasonable (thank goodness because I forgot to bring our lunch along!) with each of our lunches costing $5.00-$5.50 and the kids got a Fanta Slushee at the end for $3.00 each. 

 

So all in all we have had a great weekend with just the right measure of busy, fun and rest. I hope your family had a Happy Easter also!

 

Making our Dollar Stretch Further..

The past two weekends I have ventured to the fruit markets to purchase the weekly fruit and veggie's and I must say I have been amazed at how much you can get for little $$. It happened by chance that I went last Saturday, but after realizing how much I was able to save and was also impressed by the quality I decided to go back again today. It's a loud and crazy environment, people everywhere and loads of shouting '$1, $1, $1 a bag..' but the kid's got a great kick out of it & seemed to enjoy themselves (which doesn't usually happen at the regular grocery store) so it's been a win win really.  The first time I went I got there at approx 10am, there was still a lot left, great selection/quality etc and today I didn't get there til 11am and once again there was still plenty left and what was even better, they reduce things further the closer to midday it is, so there were even better bargains to be found!  I even heard of 6kg of washed potato's going at one stage for just $2! (I was quite miffed as I paid $8.00 for 3 kg the other day from Coles!) but alas, I'd already bought my spuds early for 2kg for 99c a bag (maybe next week!).

I also bought a pineapple $1.20ea, Tomato's $2kg, Spinach leaves $10.00 kg, Carrots 99c bag, Mushrooms (fill a bag for $2!) Massive Strawberries for $4.00, Watermelon for $1kg, Squash for $2.00 a bag, Red Capsicum for $2 a bag, banana's for 99c kg, Apple's 99c kg the list goes on.. which added up to a very big saving on our weekly shop as I usually buy all of these items at supermarket prices. 

After finishing up at the fruit markets (and blowing my saving's on some German sausages for the kids..) we went to discount Grocery Store which offer's discounted grocery line's that may be out of their best before or close to their use by date etc and nabbed even more savings.. once again the kids were suitably impressed because there was a room filled with American chocolates/lollie's so they though that was just wonderful, even though they only left with one each... Last week I was able to buy Chicken Kebab's for only $1.99 for a tray of 6! This week a packet of gourmet Chili Con Carne for only $3.00! and 4 Serve Ravioli's for only $3.00 also among many other bargains!  I had planned on photographing my stash of bargains, however, Hubby was far too efficient in packing it all away.. so I'll have to do that next week for you all.. 

In a household that spends far too much of our $$ on food, I am very happy to have found these great places which have saved me many many $$ in the past fortnight, better spent on anything other than Woolworths or Coles! 

Shop til I drop..

Its certainly no secret that I'm an avid shopper.. In the past I have often felt like the shops are a second home to me, I could walk around them for hours, aimlessly browsing and feeling right at home! Since the birth of my Son, I haven't been out to the shops quite as often as I used to (it's no longer a daily habit, more so a weekly one!) Funnily enough I haven't suffered too many withdrawal symptoms because I have turned to the oh so convenient world of online shopping and I'm loving it!

Why? well since Charlie was born, hubby started popping to the shops here and there to pick up groceries or the odd supplies that we needed.  All well and good (he sticks to a list like a fly to flypaper)  but, I missed being able to pick up the bits and pieces that never make the list and overall I missed being able to grocery shop in general.  So over the school holidays I turned to Coles Online and used their 'Click and Collect' facility which allowed me to select all of my grocery items and then collect my purchases at my nearby Coles loading dock, all bagged and ready to go for no extra cost!  I was initially dubious about items such as deli, fresh produce and meat, but every item that was selected by the personal shopper was in great condition (sometimes even better than I choose for myself!)  and what I loved most about the experience it was the easiest grocery shop I had ever done with 5 kids in tow!

I also liked the fact that I was able to shop smarter because I was at home and can go and check on the items before I order and I didn't seem to forget anything, which is usually my biggest problem! I could rave about this service for ever and ever and have used it 3 times so far, each time, I was equally as impressed.. definitely something I will stick with in the future.. (if only Aldi had the same service, I'd be set & a little better off financially..lol)

Iv also used the Catch of the Day website to purchase Saucepans for 60% of the RRP and Lamaze storybooks for Charlie, also 60% off the recommended retail price.  Charlie's rocker came off of Big W online for $30 cheaper than I'd seen advertised elsewhere and was delivered to my door for $7.00!  Other sites I have been checking out are Grocery Run, Babies R Us, Toys R Us, Target online, Pumpkin Patch and a host of other brilliant sites that are often run by Mum and Dad operators.  You can save so much money by doing your shopping around and shopping online! 

I don't even think it's worth driving to the shops anymore! 

Shopping for Baby..

I must admit, this is something I have yet to start.. which is highly unusual for me! Any excuse to go shopping is usually good enough for me & you would think shopping for an impending arrival would be a great excuse! Initially I held off for the first 12 weeks, then til my next ultrasound, then til I started working again and now I figure I may as well wait until I know if I'm buying pink or blue (which I find out in approx 2 weeks).

 I'm a little over 17 weeks now, with 21 weeks until my delivery date (to the day! - eek)  so I've still got plenty of time to gather supplies.. no need to panic..  but if the last 17 weeks are anything to go by, time flies & the newest addition will be here in no time!   In the past week, I've visited the baby shop a total of 5 times to gather 'ideas' BUT I'm so indecisive.. Here are some of the products I am ogling at the moment..

The Strider Plus pram/travel system from Steelcraft.. Colour choice pending boy or girl! I think I may also use it in conjunction with the travel system capsule, however, as my Son was a larger baby I am still contemplating the practicality of this as bubs mightn't be in it very long..

The cot really has me stumped.. If the finances would allow it, I would go straight for the Boori Sleigh cot... But then common sense tells me, this cost more than my own King Size bed..

So perhaps I would choose something like this for a boy..



But then again, I don't know if this would be my choice if I were having a girl.. Perhaps I would choose something more like this..

Bedding choices are a little easier.. for a boy I love..

And for a girl I adore...

But Hubby, My Son and My Mum all love the following for a girl (thankfully they agree with the boy choice!) I don't mind this one either.. it will still brighten the room..

The following products I am loving also;

Avent Steam Steriliser (literally used mine til it blew up last time.. so its on my list..)

More than likely Avent bottles to go with.. Although I used NUK bottles last time as my Son didn't like the Avent bottles, I think the Avent accessories/teats etc are going to be easier to come by than the NUK ones, last time I found only certain stores stocked them.

I am interested in getting another baby swing this time round also..

And the list goes on and on and on.. car seat, baby carrier, wraps, dummies, nappies. I think the list may be never-ending and or endless, however, I guess I have the next 21 weeks to fill as much of it as I'm able.. (And I really don't think that will be a problem hehehe)





Born to Shop!

My Stepson told me the other day, that I must have been 'born to shop' and although I'd like to think I was put on this earth for something other than gracing Target hellbent on getting a bargain, he was pretty spot on.  I can't remember a time that I haven't enjoyed shopping, shopping of all kinds - I even love grocery shopping (until I reach the cash register and ponder upon how many other things I could have bought with all of that money if only we didn't need to eat!)

As a child, I looked forward to Friday afternoons as this was our shopping day. Mum and Nan would take us to the local Target/Woolworth's (before the big shopping centres started to appear) and we would get a bucket of chips, cup of cordial and Nan would buy us a $2 toy each week.  I can still vividly remember walking down the aisles and the smells of the store, some of the things we bought and events that happened when shopping such as loosing my Brother in Target (he was hiding under a round rack and Mum nearly had a coronary searching for him).  As I got older and the shopping centres got bigger, I was in awe of the atmosphere, particularly the atmosphere at Christmastime with all of the lights, crowds, decorations and music, still to this day, that is my favourite time of the year to shop!

My favourite shops by far are Op Shops - second hand stores like Lifeline etc - as a child I wouldn't have imagined walking into such shops, let alone buying and wearing things from them (snooty much).  They are wonderful outlets for home wares, clothing, books, toys and renovation items and over the years I have found many bargains and saved myself thousands of dollars - many of the items new or near new - you would never know they are second hand.  My most recent purchase was a 3.5 seat chocolate brown suede lounge, gorgeous modern design and at only $299 was a fraction of the price you would pay from a furniture retailer & the best part is, it was brand new!  

Other favourite stores I love to explore are Bed, Bath and Table, Target, Myer, Trade Secret, Pumpkin Patch, Loot & the Vast Interior & even the humble K-Mart (which has an awesome selection of fantastic home wares this year) including this gorgeous bedding, wall decal etc that I picked up the other day.

I guess my tips for finding a retail bargain are; shop often - the more you shop, the more likely it is that you will come across price reductions, only buy things you genuinely need - after all it's not a bargain if you buy it to store in the cupboard.  I don't tend to lay by as I find I get the item cheaper before the lay by expires or I change my mind about what I purchased in the first place, cancelling multiple lay by's each year can become costly.  For example one year my kids wanted those electronic interactive cubes, $59 each at Toyworld, I picked them up for $3.00 each from Target right before Christmas, guess what a lot of the kids in our family received that year!  I also picked up the I-teddy, originally $120.00 for $15.00 by playing the waiting game at Target.  Patience is luckily a virtue I have!

Another tip, after becoming an avid second hand shopper is, often if you wait, you will find the item in a second hand store.. so why buy new??  An example of this that happened to me recently was shopping for our family portraits. I went to target and bought myself a red top ($40) and my stepdaughter a white cardigan ($29) only to find a near identical red top ($2) and an identical white cardigan ($4 - WITH TAGS!) in Lifeline only 3 days later!!!! I was also able to pick up all of the Marian Keyes novels at Lifeline for $2-$3 each over time, rather than purchase the at department stores for $20+ and the other day I picked up a whole bucket of Mr Potato Head toys (including Darth Tater) for only $4 - a toy I have been resisting paying full price for, the kids now have more than they would have gotten if I'd bought new - Good things come to those who wait!  Go to garage sales and utilise eBay to your advantage also.. you'll never pay full price again..

Later this week, I am going to try out a new method of shopping for me, the world of online grocery shopping! Ill let you all know how that goes too...

Happy Bargain Shopping! :)