Only 5 hours cleaning a week, but for nice folks and the amount earned doesn't interfere with my benefit. Now I can start contributing to Kiwisaver again. My paln is to keep living on just the amount of the benefit and save all extra money into my EF (which currently stands at nz2,358)

My church is looking for someone to clean. Just a few hours a week, but one must start somewhere, so I volunteered to spend the next week doing the cleaning. If it works out I should get the job.

A friend has this old hand knitted jersey he's very fond of. He complained to me the cuffs and neckband were wearing out and asked if I could do something to mend it. They were quite ragged, so I unravelled them and knitted up new ones using some old wool I had. Result, one smart looking jersey. He was very pleased.

I think poeple who know these skills are going to be frequently called on in the coming months.

Last night a friend rang up to say she had tickets to the National Youth Choir and did I want to go. So I jumped at the chance and hunted in my wardrobe for some glad rags to wear. Concert going ladies always seem to go for shawls in a big way, so I wore one of my hand knitted ones. I got several compliments, which is pretty good as the yarn only cost me a dollar, and the rest of my clothes also came from the thrift store - total considerably less than the cost of the tickets. Anyway, had a wonderful time, the choir was terrific, but there was a sour end to the evening. While they were performing someone broke into the changing rooms and stole their wallets and other property. Hope the cops catch them soon.

About 15 years ago, New Zealand deicided to get rid of the 1 cent coin, as you couldn't buy anything with it. From then on, everything was rounded to the nearest 5 cents. However, in their attempts to make us think we were getting a bargain, the shops continued to price in nines. So you'd see a can of beans at .99 and think, less than a dollar, but when you got to the checkout, it cost you a dollar anyway. But if you bought 3 cans, $2.97 rounded down to $2.95. Two cents saved!

Now we have got rid of the 5 cent as well and everything is rounded to the nearest 10 cents. Meanwhile the shops continue to sell mushrooms at nz9.99 a kilogram, so your purchase may come to nz4.76, which rounds up. Add the other things you're buying ending in 9 cents, and it may go up or down. Personally, I make it a game to get a total which will round down.

This morning I lucked out. I bought fruit and veg for nz9.78, so paid two cents extra. However, if I'd paid by debit card, they would have charged me the exact amount. Go figure.

I went on a retreat over Easter, which I've been doing for several years. Lovely peaceful setting, good meals provided, and all for only nz$100. Definitely not giving that up. i took lunch up with me, but on the way back down we stopped at a very expensive cafe, and I spent $13 on lunch, because I didn't want to say no to the others. Oh well, if it's the only time I eat out this month I'll be doing well.

Even though it was really cold outside I decided to go to Bible study at church. On my way I found a dollar. Wouldn't it be nice if I got money every time I did. guess a lot more people would go to church.

NSDs that is, if you don't count a direct debit to pay the credit union loan. The weather this week is horrible, yucky sleet and hail. I am not at all tempted to go out, so it looks like tomorrow will make it a hat trick. Of course I haven't received the electricity bill yet...

is what I'm looking for, since we're approaching winter in the Southern Hemisphere. I'm hoping to get one in the thrift stores for no more than nz$30, but no luck so far Ideally, I'd like it to be waterproof, but good enough to wear to work. I hope I find one soon, as I keep being tempted to impulse buy all sorts of pretty tops and skirts which I don't need, and all those two dollars an item keep adding up. The only other clothes I need are new socks and bra. Will wait for sale at The Warehouse.

I put in another p/t job application today, working at a yarn store. I would love that job, although it doesn't pay very much. But I would have to watch I don't spend all my money on knitting supplies.

At the moment I'm knitting baby clothes for Pregnancy Help, but the wool was all donated.

I briefly considered giving it up and drinking water, then I went and bought more coffee. nz2.50. I'll save on something else. No point having piles of money if I can't have what I like with some of the excess.

I have these periodic savings binges where I stop spending on virtually everything to save money, but that's not sustainable long term. I actually enjoy spending money on something I want, even if Depression-raised family voices keep telling me I should stick it under the mattress, in case I need it more later. I have no intention of being a multimillionaire centenarian full of regrets for how I deprived myself. So I'm planning to go on a retreat at Easter after my Lenten frugality.