Free Fun Week 4 – Friends for Dinner

This weekend was quite a busy one, I had to do the usual chores – as we all do – such as the housework. I also do a swimming squad class on Saturday morning, then we wanted to go to a house auction and I also had some work to do.

So where was the fun? Well we had invited some friends for dinner who had just spent 5 weeks in the US over Christmas and New Years; we were keen to hear all about their trip. It’s always fun to catch up with friends however, sometimes the thought of hosting a dinner party can be (a) overwhelming and (b) expensive.

As a professional organiser I highly recommend planning for such events in advance; it goes a long way to deal with both these issues. In addition, I had to plan a healthy menu as one of my guests was in the middle of a 12 week “boot camp” programme, and I didn’t want to sabotage her efforts. I have included the two main dishes I prepared so you might be able to use them for your own events.

It is definitely possible to have fun with friends at a dinner party on a very limited budget – you could even take it one step further and invite a larger group but ask everyone to bring their “signature dish” and bring the recipe to share with the other guests – this is loads of fun too!

Vietnamese Chicken and Prawn Salad (Main)

200g Chicken Breast Fillet

12 Cooked Prawns (Peeled)

Dressing

1 long red chilli, deseeded and chopped

½ garlic clove

3 teaspoons of shaved palm sugar (I just use soft brown sugar if you don’t have palm sugar)

1 ½ tablespoons of lime juice

2 tablespoons of fish sauce 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar

Salad

100 g of finely shredded white cabbage

1small carrot, finely julienned

1 cucumber (deseeded and julienned)

1 large handful of Vietnamese mint leaves

1 handful of coriander leaves

1 long red chilli, deseeded and julienned

To Serve

2tablespoons ground roasted peanuts

2 tablespoons friend shallots’

4 lime wedges

Method

Steam the chicken, allow to cool and shred or finely slice

To make the dressing, combine all ingredients and work together with a mortar and pestle or simply add to a food processor and blend.

To make the salad, combine all the ingredients in a bowl and toss together, add the sliced chicken and prawns, drizzle with dressing and then gently toss together.

To serve, divide the salad among four plats and sprinkle with the peanuts and fried shallots and serve with a lime wedge.

This is about $5.00 per serve! And oh so delicious

Fruit Salad and Moroccan Dressing (Dessert)

Seasonal colourful fruit, can be anything!

Grapes

Rockmelon

Blueberries

Banana

Pear

Passionfruit

Orange

Mandarin

Dressing

1 cup water

1 cinnamon stick

2 teaspoons of Orange Blossom Water

3 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons lemon juice

10 mint leaves

Method

Combine all dressing ingredients (except the mint leaves) in a saucepan, bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes and allow to cool and place in the fridge for about an hour Cut all the fruit in to chunks or slices, and then gently toss with dressing. Top with mint leaves and serve. I also served with a dollop of cream.

This is about $5.00 per serve which includes the Orange Blossom Water which is about $7 a bottle but lasts for ages!

Adele Blair- Green Apple Organising

Saving Money Weekend – Tip 4

After last weeks road trip, I thought I might stay closer to home this week – it was a bit tricky planning ahead this week as the weather was either going to be boiling hot or a complete wash out – as it turned out it was a combination of both.

So what did we do this weekend?  We went “old school” and played a board game!  My mother had sent us a game of Rummy-O for Christmas and we hadn’t even taken the wrapping off!  The game is similar to the card game but you use tiles like dominos – it was loads of fun as we tried to decipher the rules and eventually made up some of our own.

We played for hours whilst watching the cricket!

So it’s a short and sweet one, but the bottom line is get together and play an interactive game with the other members of your family whether it’s on a Wii where you all get a turn or a good old game of cards.  Take time to connect with your family and playing games is both free and fun! Have a fabulous week! – Adele Blair

Saving Money Adventure 3 – Road Trip

For those of you who read last week’s Free Fun Adventure, you will know that I felt a road-trip coming on, read on to see where I went!

Now I should explain that this weekend by partner is in Adelaide, he is a mad keen cyclist and has gone to Tour Down Under to watch his “heroes” in action as well as cycle one leg of the tour – crazy if you ask me.

Anyway, faced with being home alone (we don’t have any children), I called my friend who lives in Cooroy in the Noosa Hinterland – a gorgeous part of the world – to see what she was up to this week!

Fast forward to Saturday – with the arrangement made that I would meet her after she finished work at 4pm and stay the night.  Now, no self-respecting guest would go without a hostess gift – so how can I do this for free (or at last super cheap)?  I decided to make a Fruit Slice, which is super easy and only has 5 ingredients that most pantry’s would have (I have included the recipe below).  So with Slice made and a bottle of wine left over from Christmas I head north.

As I had until 4pm to meet her and all day at my disposal I decided to stop off at Sunshine Beach for a while, after all it is a gorgeous day.  I spend a couple of hours once again reading a book – (still the non-work-related-book I was reading in Week 1 “The Persimmon Tree” by Bryce Courtney, 700 odd pages) and had a quick dip!

I head up to Cooroy at the appointed hour and spend the remainder of the afternoon and evening lounging around chatting, eating and generally relaxing and have a good time.

On Sunday morning we all decide to head back down to Noosa for an early morning swim (two beach visits in two days – nice one), followed by Breakfast at the Surf Club.  OK problem, this Adventure is supposed to be free – right?  At the risk of sounding like a wet-blanket I suggest that we take a picnic breakfast instead and have more time at the beach – this suggestion was happily accepted so off we went!

We had a lovely time, lots of laugh and yes lots of FUN.

So why don’t you “invite yourself” to a friend or family member’s home for an afternoon or evening, take inexpensive food and re-connecting with friends and family – it’s fun.

Now for the recipe I promised.

Fruit Slice

Ingredients

1 Cup Brown Sugar

1 Beaten Egg

125g Butter

1 ½ Cups of Self-Raising Flour

1 Cup of Mixed Fruit (although just plain sultanas and/or nuts would work just fine)

Method

Pre-heat oven to 180

Boil together the brown sugar and butter, and take it immediately off the heat once boiling point is reached

Place flour, fruit and the egg in a bowl

Pour in brown sugar and butter mix

And thoroughly mix

Press the mixture into a slice tin (or a lamington tin will work just as well).

Bake for 20mins

Allow to cool slightly before cutting into slices.

Enjoy! – Adele Blair – GreenAppleOrganising

52 Fun Activities for Free or Low Cost

Saving Money Adventure – Tip 2

So what did you do for fun last weekend?

Our next instalment in Free Fun Weekends was using vouchers!  I won a voucher to a restaurant and we had a voucher to see a movie!  So on Sunday afternoon I got dressed up (well just a little) and headed to our restaurant for a yummy lunch (making sure to select items that would not exceed the voucher value), then headed to Palace Cinemas at Barracks  to see Up in the Air!

Did you get some vouchers for Christmas or a recent birthday?  Make sure you keep them handy and certainly make sure they don’t  expire before you get a chance to enjoy them!

Stay tuned for next week’s instalment – I can feel a road-trip coming on!

SecretBudget.net

Like most families the beginning of each year sets the scene for creating New Year resolutions.  One of ours was to keep a closer eye on our spending – was that the same for you?  In addition, we wanted to make sure we had a good balance of work and play (running your own business can consume all of your time whether you want it to or not).  So we have decided to see if we can come up with 52 fun activities (one each weekend), that we can do for free or at little cost.

I put this idea to Michelle , the budget guru, to see if she would like to share our “Free Fun Adventures” with her readers through her Blog; it might just give you a couple of ideas of how you can save money and still have a bit of fun!

So our first weekend of fun was going to the beach.  Now this may seem simple enough but we have lived in Brisbane for 9 years and not once have we had a “day trip” to the beach – I know it’s a sin!  So we packed a bag of goodies, some snacks, drinks, books to read etc and  left home at 9.30am on Sunday and headed south.  We had no idea where we were going and decided to simply stop at the first beach that had a car space! .  The weather was gorgeous and the surf was calm so it was perfect for a splash in the ocean and an opportunity to get my nose into a book, a book that was not business or work related, a novel of escapism!   We stayed on the beach for a couple of hours then sat on the grassed area near the beach and had a picnic lunch.  It was great just to sit and talk to my partner without the distractions of rushing to peg out washing or checking emails (I left my Blackberry at home)!  I felt like I’d been away on holiday! And yes it was most certainly fun! – Adele Blair

Unfair Comparisons: Keeping Up with the Joneses

There is a natural tendency to compare ourselves with others. In some instances, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing—comparing ourselves with others can drive us to be better. Some of the greatest athletes and minds in the world succeeded because they compared themselves to others. However, comparison also has a downside. This is particularly true when it comes to material possessions.

Why do we compare ourselves to others?

There is no one definition of success and there is no absolute way to measure it. If we don’t have a clear definition of how we define it internally, we often look for external signs that we’re doing ok by comparing what we have to what those around us have. The problem with this is that it is an endless and unwinable game. There will always be someone with more. Chances are we will continue to measure our success by comparing ourselves to others, but the good news is that there are three things we can do to avoid the downside of doing so.

Know what success means for you.

The most important thing you can do is to clearly define and write down what success means for you. Completing this exercise provides us insights into what drives us and can act as a compass when we catch ourselves making unrealistic comparisons. It may be that owning a six-bedroom house and a pool does mean success for you, and that’s Ok. What isn’t OK is deciding that success means a six-bedroom house and a pool because the neighbors only have a five-bedroom house and a hot tub.

Pay attention to how the media is affecting your buying decisions. It used to be that we were just trying to keep up with the Joneses—those in our immediate vicinity. The media has increased our comparison pool beyond the Joneses next door to every fictional family in every sitcom and drama on two hundred channels. Add to this the myriad Do-It-Yourself shows that teach you how to get a new bathroom for under $1000 when your old bathroom is functions just fine. We aren’t preaching the evils of the television. We are, however, asking you to pay attention to how what you watch affects your buying decisions. If you feel like going on a shopping spree after watching What Not to Wear you may want to avoid it in the future. Choose activities that build relationships In this materialistic world, sometimes we default to activities that cost a lot of money and aren’t very satisfying anyway. The most satisfying activities usually involve experiences that allow us to build relationships with our family and friends. Having friends over and cooking a meal together can be a much richer experience than simply going out to eat. Look at how you’re spending your disposable income and assess how satisfied you are with your activities. If you’re below 70%, come up with some new ideas. Finally, be vigilant and stick to your guns.

Knowing is half the battle. The other half is action.

Take a minute during your planning and goal-setting time to evaluate how you’re doing. When you catch yourself making comparisons with others, are you mentally referring back to your personal definition of success? Are your activities satisfying? Is there anything you need to quit watching that encourages comparisons to others? Keeping these unrealistic comparisons at bay and looking inward instead of outward will encourage a much more satisfying and fulfilling life.

www.secretbudget.net

The Most Important Discussion after the Most Important Decision

Engaged couples spend a lot of time thinking about merging physical assets, points of view, and expectations for the future, but many omit the all-important discussion on how money will be handled within the marriage. The number one issue couples fight about is money, so being on the same page from the beginning can avoid a lot of conflict later on.

In a perfect world, couples would agree on things like how credit cards will be used, what sort of savings and investment plans should be in place, and how to stick to a budget, but in reality, that rarely happens. But with a straightforward conversation before the joint account is opened, five major mistakes can be avoided.

Mistake #1: Mismatched financial goals

It isn’t romantic, and may seem untimely, but it is never too early to talk about long-term financial goals. Couples should have an idea of when they would like to retire and what it will take to meet this goal. This includes when and how much they are going to contribute to superannuation and retirement funds, disability insurance, wills, and other joint assets. Both partners should have a clear understanding of the assets and who holds them, understand where the documentation is kept, and be clear on how they will be handled in the future.

Mistake #2: Overspending

Going from one household and no accountability for how money is spent to a joint household with a lot of accountability can be difficult. Different values, priorities, and spending habits make overspending highly likely a meeting of the minds when it comes to spending. Couples should decide on a spending limit that, if approached, requires a discussion. For example, if one partner wants to buy new golf clubs for $500 but they agreed to a spending limit of $300, a discussion would be needed before the clubs were purchased.

Mistake #3: Skipping the rainy-day fund

Bathrooms flood, people get sick, jobs get lost, and acts of God happen. Households living pay to pay have little recourse aside from credit when the unexpected occurs. Couples should agree in the beginning of their marriage to build up a rainy-day fund above and beyond their retirement accounts that is equal to at least three months’ salary. This money should be kept in a safe and liquid form (ie.., no real estate, or heavy penalties for accessing it) and should be used ONLY in case of emergency. Couples should agree on the use of this money before any of it is used.

Mistake #4: Pretending the budget doesn’t exist

All couples should have a budget and stick to it. When most people think of budgeting, the word tedious comes to their minds, but budgeting can be liberating. Setting boundaries about money fosters communication between partners, keeps partners focused on both long and short term financial goals, and can even spark creativity by forcing couples to come up with very inexpensive or even free entertainment when the budget shows that there is no more money at the end of the month. Couples should set aside time every month to take a look at the budget and designate one partner as the keeper of the spreadsheet.

Mistake #5: Living beyond your means

Even when couples have the same spending habits, use credit the same way, and have no disagreements about long-term financial goals, they can still live well beyond their means. The past year has taught us a lot about the dangers of taking on more debt than can be handled. Couples should make living below their means a way of life.

The money discussion is the most important discussion an engaged couple can have. Making sure they communicate well about something that most people take very seriously will hopefully set the tone for a long and happy life together.

www.secretbudget.net

Untidy Handbags cost you money!

Is your bag messy? Get organised and save money!

How does an untidy handbag cost you money?  Here some examples…

* If you can’t find your mobile phone and you miss the call… you have to pay to retrieve the message and then pay again to return the phone call!

* Can’t find your lipgloss?

* Can’t find the tissues?

* Where is that pen?

* I need to write something down…

Be prepared, get organised and have useful items in your handbag so you are not impulsively purchasing new items because you can’t find them.

Here are my suggestions -

* Get a small pencil case and stock it with pens.  Keep the pencil case in your handbag.  WHY?  How many times have you been on the run and needed a pen and bought one?

* Find a small cosmetic bag (usually found in the bottom of my bathroom cupboard!) and put some lipgloss and your favourite lipstick in it.  Also pop in some lip balm.  WHY?  How many times have you lost your lippy in the bottomlessness of your handbag and bought a new one?

* Buy a handbag that doesn’t have black lining.  The lighter the lining inside, the easier it is to find stuff!

* Make sure your handbag has pockets on the outside for easy access to mobiles.  (deep pockets at the front of the handbag are safest)

Visit www.secretbudget.net to add your tips and ideas for saving money!

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Living Within Your Means: Do you know if you do?

Living within your means is more than just a zero sum game. If you successfully spend less money each month than you make, good for you—you’re actually ahead of about 75% of the population. But those who truly understand financial freedom know that it’s conscious (yet rewarding) work to stay on top of your finances. Reflect on the following questions to evaluate how well you live within your means.

1. I know exactly how much money is in my savings (and spending!) accounts. The first step to living within your means is understanding exactly what your means are. Be aware of your balances and cash flow. With online and automatic bill pay it is easy to lose track.

2. I have a monthly budget that I stick to religiously. Make sure you understand how much it costs you to simply exist. Outline your monthly bills, create a budget, and stick to it!

3. I follow the 24-hour rule. The 24-hour rule means that when you want to make a purchase that is not in your budget, you take 24 hours to determine your true need/want for the purchase. Waiting 24 hours ensures that you do not make impulse buys that you will later regret. For bigger purchases, such as cars, you may want to give yourself an entire week.

4. I set aside money every month. Those who truly live within their means understand the importance of rainy day funds. Aside from Superannuation Funds or 401Ks and other non-liquid assets, consider a good old-fashioned savings or money market accounts. The earned interest may be low, but they’re perfect for emergencies or even family vacations or other large purchases.

5. I recommend keeping low or zero balances on my credit cards and pay them off religiously. We live in a credit society. Having healthy credit is important and keeping low balances on your credit cards do not only increase your credit score, but also your sense of well-being.  If you can avoid them altogether – even better!

www.secretbudget.net

How Should I Buy – Cash or Credit?

Use cash from your Personal Budget Organiser

This is a guest post by Amanda McCall, Avery Financial

In spite of the current economic situation, we are encouraged by the Government to still buy and we will still buy. So how is it best to buy – cash or credit?

Cash is still king – you have more bargaining power and you can negotiate prices with retailers as they don’t have to pay additional merchant fees. Cash doesn’t leave you with a credit card debt and you avoid fees and charges.

Paying by credit card, however, can lead to more debt and more financial stress. If you do pay your credit card off in full each month – I can see no reason why you wouldn’t use your credit card. Credit cards can provide some safety – no lump sums of cash to carry around and if you lose your credit card you can report it stolen. If you lose cash the chances of getting it returned are low.

I believe there are 2 important questions you need to ask yourself prior to making the decision to buy:

· Do I need this? and  Can I afford this – be it cash or credit.

Experience tells me that the euphoria of a purchase usually only lasts a few days or weeks at the most. I practice a “sleep test” – if I see something I “need” and I can afford it and I still have the “need” 48 hours later -I buy it. Often times this “need” has gone and I’ve saved myself some money.

Another option is to buy using Interest Free terms. I recommend to anyone using these types of facilities to divide your total purchase by the number of months you have interest free and pay this off monthly. This ensures your purchases are paid off in the interest free period and you won’t end up with any nasty surprises if you can’t pay the total amount at the end of the term. Interest Free term loans often have a setup fee ($25) and a monthly service fee ($2.95). This adds to your purchase price for the convenience of paying for your purchase over a longer period.

Credit Cards and Interest Free Terms are not designed to help you save, they encourage you to spend more. I would advise you to budget and purchase any items with cash.

www.averys.com.au

Respect your money and it will respect you

With the New Year here it’s a great time to get organised and de-clutter. The saying, “a place for everything and everything in its place” is very true! As you place the item in its place, you are valuing it and respecting it… Now, apply that to your money.

1. Honour your money. You’ve worked for it, now look after it and use it with intent. How do you handle your money? Do you keep it neatly sorted or is it just jammed in? Handle your money as though you value it. Use cash as much as possible, we are more attached to it and value it more than EFTPOS or Credit Cards.
2. Be Conscious. Know how much money you are earning and how much you are spending. Be conscious of your spending and avoid impulse purchases. Stay on track to achieving your financial goals and dreams.
3. Create Balance and be organised. Reconcile your bank account, pay your bills on time, have a budget and a financial plan for your future. It is important to know your financial position with all debts and assets so that you don’t get any nasty surprises and so you can organise your money in a way to help you achieve your dreams. Have all of your accounts organised and ready for payment and then file away for easy reference.

Money is a form of energy and it needs to flow through you life – not just land in it! Anything to do with your money needs to be valued and respected for it to grow.

If you are interested in attending our latest seminar; Back to Basics – Managing the Household Budget – please send your enquiry directly to michelle@secretbudget.net

www.secretbudget.net