frugalandthriving.com.au » miscellaneous

up poo creek

Melissa — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:00:06 +0000

Unfortunately the title of this piece is more literal than cliche (which should be enough to make you wary. After all, it’s pretty cliche).

So let me begin by saying that if you’re eating, you may want to stop reading.

Now, I’m no plumber, but I know that usually when when the sewer backs up it can mean your loo fills up with water. And that’s about all.

Let’s get out the plunger, call the council and she’ll be right.

The bloke who lives in number number six had assumed his kids had been flushing stuff down the dunny again. So get out the plunger he did (and here I would like to avoid all jokes about plungers, spring to mind though they may).

But when the lady in number two asked to borrow his plunger, he realised the plumbing problem was bigger than his kids’ fascination for flushing and had the nous to call the body corporate plumber.

We live in number one. At the end of the row. Down hill.

And we don’t need plungers, we need gum boots. Grossness has stepped up a notch or two in our house.

Our living room floor and transformed (did I mention carpeted?) garage is flooded with the sewage water of not one, but seven backed-up loos.

I’ve dealt with neighbour’s crap before. This takes things to a whole new level.

While I’m generally a fan of natural cleaners, right now I want to soak in a bathtub of pure bleach. And splash it around our house with reckless abandon.

Unfortunately pregnancy rules out the bourbon solution.

The silver lining part is that as I type this, we are waiting for the insurance people to come and rip up the carpet and they are going to scrub the house for us with disinfectant. They say there’s a possibility that the whole house will get re-carpeted if they can’t match the upstairs stuff. I’ll get a brand new bookshelf, and they will replace the toys we threw out and the towels we used to stem the flow.

Once the house is clean, the new carpet is laid and the furniture is back in place; once the little fella is over his tonsillitis; once my computer is back from the computer-fix-it-man with no more blue screen of death, once the rain, which has created a pond in the yard, stops threatening to flood the house (yes, it’s been one of those weeks) then I will resume my regular posting schedule, answer any emails (which for some reason I can’t access on the web) and stop the whinging.

If you’re an Aussie, happy Australia Day for tomorrow. I hope your day is filled with BBQs and sun and relaxation. We will be visiting relatives for a rest, some unpolluted air and sausages.

the 2012 january / february newsletter edition is out now

Melissa — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:00:25 +0000

The January / February edition of the Frugal and Thriving newsletter is out now.

I had several ideas for this year’s newsletter theme but settled at the last moment on ‘thriving’, so as well as the usual frugal tips, I will focus on the thriving side of life!

I’m excited to say that there are now over 1,200 subscribers to the newsletter and I hope that you find it interesting and beneficial. If you have suggestions for ways of improving it or ideas for content I would love to hear them!

This issue includes:

A link to the 2012 reader survey (if you haven’t seen it yet ).
Links to budgeting and goal setting articles on the blog
12 uses for lemons around the home
10 tips for having more energy
Articles from the archives
Links to blogs around the web
A free kid’s recipe book.

If you haven’t signed up for the Frugal and Thriving newsletter and would like to do so, you can subscribe here. Note: The newsletter gets sent out once every two months (and that’s all – no spammy stuff!) and is separate from the daily blog post email subscription.

Have you read these articles?:

2012 frugal and thriving reader survey

Melissa — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 03:25:20 +0000

Help make Frugal and Thriving a better website!

I’m busy planning for the coming year on Frugal and Thriving and my top priority is to make this a better website.

To help me achieve this goal, write the articles that you want to read, and cover the topics that are of interest to you, I’ve drawn up a very short (and anonymous) survey to get your feedback.

It would be wonderful if you could take just a minute or two to fill out the survey to let me know how I can improve the blog.

I want to thank you in advance for taking the survey.

You can take the survey here.

Have you read these articles?:

merry christmas from frugal and thriving 2011

Melissa — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 01:33:54 +0000

The last few days I’ve been silent on the blog but busy at home preparing for Christmas and taking lots of daytime naps. I can’t give too much away, but energetic moments have included sewing and baking and swapping truffle recipes over the fence with a neighbour whose Christmas gift list also includes lots of home-baked goodies.

I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and an enjoyable festive season. I hope that your Christmas celebrations are full of joy for you and your family. If you’re travelling, stay safe on the roads.

I’ve ummed and ahhhed and decided despite having so much time off blogging recently, to take next week off to spend some quality time with the family and to plan and prepare for 2012, which is set to be a busy year for me.

I hope to see you in the new year.

Best Wishes

Have you read these articles?:

tip tuesday–what have you been reading lately?

Melissa — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:00:45 +0000

This isn’t so much a tip as a sharing of some of the really good books I’ve come across lately.

I’ve been making the most of being recumbent (and therefore being less sick) all day long to catch up on some reading. I’ve caught up on quite a bit of fiction reading, getting through some of the books on my shelf that I’ve bought in the past and haven’t yet read, as well as revisiting some old favourites: I read my way through the Harry Potter series again; enjoyed Margaret Gaskell’s North and South for the fourth time; finally got round to reading Vikram Seth’s A Suitable Boy, which has been sitting on my shelf for almost six years and which has to be one of the best books I’ve read in very a long time; revisited Peter Carey’s Oscar and Lucinda and read Thomas Hardy’s The Woodlanders. It has been such a luxury to be able to read with leisure, despite the uncomfortable circumstances, and the little fella has been quite patient with me, enjoying his playdough and matchbox cars while I’ve had some serious couch time. We have also read The Three Little Pigs about 400 times, I’m sure he will be able to recite it back to me off-by-heart pretty soon.

As for non-fiction, I want to share some excellent books that I’ve read lately. A reader emailed and recommended Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma. I’ve read several of Mr Pollan’s other books, but not this one and I have to say it was a fascinating examination of modern food production as well as more ‘alternative’ agricultural practices. I highly recommend this book (you will probably find it in the library, as I did). My only reservation is that I would like to read a book written by an Australian about Australian food production, because I think our ways aren’t quite as extreme as they are in America.

If you’re looking for some young kid’s gift ideas, I came across this wonderful book from the library (just released) called Hop Skip Jump by Fiona Dalton. This book contains the patterns and instructions for a whole heap of gorgeous stuffed animals all made from recycled or ‘eco’ fabrics. Apart from the super-cute toys, the thing I love about the book is that it explains where to find the different fabric suggestions. For instance, where the book recommends woven wool for toy making, it suggests sourcing it from second hand suits, skirts and trousers. This is great for novices like me, who are unsure about fabric terminology. The other great thing about the book? The author is Australian and has a blog, Hop Skip Jump, where you can find a couple of free patterns and get an idea of how cute these creations are.

Finally, I came across a cookbook (also from the library) called The Improvisational Cook by Sally Schneider. This cookbook gives an overview of how to improvise in the kitchen, some ideas on good flavour combos, and then includes a variety of recipes “deconstructed”, with ideas on how to improvise, change or adjust them or use them as a springboard for creating your own recipes. It’s not often I come across a cookbook that has recipe after recipe that I want to try (and then improvise with). Recipes like flavoured salt and homemade infused oils and vinegars, which it has never occurred to me to make, or semi-dried tomatoes and roast capsicum (to be used as a base for many dished). One idea I love is using a very thick vegetable soup like cauliflower soup or potato soup as a binding agent in chicken pie instead of the usual white sauce. This means a sauce binding without the flour and dairy – great if you’re allergic to both and you’re getting extra ‘hidden’ veg in your meal. I also love that Sally gives a ‘formula’ for making jelly with any kind of liquid like juice or milk, from which you can make an infinite variety of jelly type dishes.

So, while I’ve been inactive in many aspects of day to day life, I’ve been making it up by getting some reading done. What books have you been reading lately?

Have you read these articles?:

site news–the absence edition

Melissa — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 10:11:00 +0000

I’ve been a bit ill lately and so haven’t been able to keep up with writing for the blog (or do much of anything, really). I’ve decided to give myself the next two weeks off to rest. The writing hiatus wasn’t planned, but much needed. In my absence, there may be a couple of guest posts.

A few weeks ago, I started writing for the Yahoo7’s new comparison website, Moneyhound. I’ve written a couple of articles for them about paying off the mortgage earlier and saving for an emergency fund, if you would like to check them out.

Thanks to everyone who has sent an email or written a comment on the blog. I haven’t been able to respond, but I have read them all and love receiving them.

Have you read these articles?:

site maintenance–a few changes

Melissa — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 23:37:27 +0000

Like the new logo? More about that later. I’ll be making a few changes to the website over the coming month. Apologies if the site is ‘down’ on occasion. I will endeavour to cause as little chaos as possible.

Have you read these articles?:

new: the frugal and thriving resources section

Melissa — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 14:00:09 +0000

In lieu of a post today I thought I would introduce you to the new resources section on the Frugal and Thriving website. It is currently under construction, however, the blog roll is complete if you would like to have a look. Click the ‘resources’ link at the top of the website to check it out.

There are lots of blogs on the web (um, millions actually) and a lot of blogs in my feed reader, but I selected just a few interesting ones to add to the blog roll. If there are any others you enjoy or think might be useful for Frugal and Thriving readers, don’t hesitate to mention them.

I had meant to do a lot more work before introducing the resources section, but illness has prevented me from getting as much as I would like. Both the little fella and myself are sick (again), so I am writing this (7pm on Tuesday night) and then going to bed.

The idea for creating a resources section has been on my mind for over a year now, so it was high time to do it. Sometimes I have to put perfection aside and settle with progress. This small step is progress towards the fully functional resources section that I envision.

Hope you find it useful!

Have you read these articles?:

site news–revised posting schedule and a question

Melissa — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:00:32 +0000

They say that less is more. I’ve been thinking a lot about that phrase lately.

When it comes to this website, I have big plans. I’ve been wanting to write some in depth articles and do a whole heap of other cool stuff (and oh yeah, some relaxing and some housework) but I’m struggling to find the time to fit everything in.

So for the rest of the year, I’m taking Fridays off. Here’s the revised posting schedule:

Mondays – frugal recipes
Tuesdays – frugal tips
Wednesdays – full length frugal article
Thursdays – full length frugal article
Fridays – Sundays – much needed silence on my part or maybe a guest post occasionally or an article if I feel particularly verbose.

For anyone who is wanting some ideas for making Christmas gifts, I will be doing a ‘12 days of Christmas crafting’ series every Thursday, starting at the beginning of October. I’ve been collecting craft tutorials on different things since January, so there are lots of great crafty gift ideas to inspire.

Now to my question.

One of my planned projects for this website is to write a 100% FREE eBook on a frugal topic. What topic? Well, that’s what I would like you to tell me.

What is your biggest challenge when it comes to frugal living?

I would love you to share your thoughts and frugal challenges in the comments section below or send me an email instead, if you prefer. I miss my large writing project and while I have a few ideas that I am itching to write about, I’m interested to learn what you find challenging when it comes to frugal living.

I would also like to take this post to thank you for dropping by at Frugal and Thriving. I am constantly amazed that people read these words that I pound out on the keyboard during naptimes and night times. Thank you too, to those who have shared websites, tips links and advice. I know I am often a little tardy in response but your emails and comments are always welcome and appreciated.

Looking forward to hearing about your frugal living challenges.

Have you read these articles?:

the ‘In need of a holiday’ link roundup

Melissa — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 14:00:25 +0000

Today’s planned post is half done. It’s not that I haven’t been working on it, but that my to-do list has just about reached critical mass and writers block is resting heavily on my brain.

I could do with a holiday.

I would really like to go on a mountain escape at the moment. A small cabin somewhere remote, where I can relax for a while (as much as any mum can relax).

But that’s not going to happen anytime soon, so I’m taking a break for today and linking to some other interesting reads from around the internet.

1. The Introvert’s Bill of Rights

Seven links later, I came across the Introvert’s Bill of Rights on the Shrinking Violet Promotions blog. If you’re an introvert like me, then you’ll get this (and I hope find some amusement from it). I came across the Bill of Rights from the Sister Wisdom blog (don’t ask me how I landed there) in a post regarding stealing solitude when you’re a parent. Here’s a great definition of an introvert:

"I am an introvert. By that, I don’t mean that I find conversations painful, I hate parties, or I dislike people – all common myths about introverts. For the most part I like conversations, I adore parties, and I find people, if not always likeable, at least amusing. So there. However, people drain the energy right out o’ me." Sister Wisdom

2. Toddler activity set

Living so Abundantly has a great idea for a toddler activity set, to keep your toddler amused during a luncheon. The lovely thing about this idea is that it isn’t the mother who wrote this, but the mother’s lunch date.

3. Zero waste home – tips for working towards zero waste

These tips on reducing waste in the home come from the Zero Waste Home blog. Their motto: Refuse, refuse, refuse. Then reduce, reuse and recycle.

4. Looking to the dietary gods – eating well according to the Ancients

A little secret of mine: one of my ‘minors’ at uni was philosophy, particularly ancient philosophy. The words diet, ancient philosophy and ‘4-Hour body’ were enough to pique my interest. This article is a guest post on the Tim Ferriss blog, the famed author of The 4-Hour Work Week and The 4-Hour body (I wish). I love this quote:

“An Athenian statesman once attended a dinner party put on by Plato. When he met his host again, he is reported to have said ‘Plato, your dinners are enjoyable not only when one is eating them, but on the morning after as well.’”

In other words, a good meal doesn’t leave you feeling full (and full of regret) the next day.

5. Balls! Balls for dinner. Balls for dessert.

Strange I came across two recipes for food in the shape of balls in one hour, but there you go. Planning with kids (one of my favourite Aussie parenting blogs) has a recipe for chicken balls, and what better way to finish off that meal than with cake balls from Smithfield.

6. Once a month…cleaning!

This is my type of cleaning schedule. Jamie of Simple Home School shares her once a month cleaning schedule and in her other blog, Steady Mom, shares her once a month decluttering schedule. (PS: I found these links via Childhood101 – another favourite Aussie blog).

7. What you should worry about

Finally, Seth Godin, the internet guru of lizard brain fame, tells you what you should worry about.

Have you read these articles?: