I went to knit squad at the community rooms, and they had some veggies from the community garden for anyone to take. I took a cucumber, but it turned out to be quite bitter.

I am on my 52nd day of not drinkining caffeine. I feel good, less anxiety and am sleeping better. I've no idea how much money I've saved but it must be quite a bit (had fruit tea at a cafe a couple times).

Out:
property taxes nzd354.49

I am starting to sort some of my older books, and those I'll probably never read, to donate to the Regent book sale in June. My goal is to fit them all into one bookcase in my living room. At the very least, get rid of one for every one the comes in (library book sale coming up soon.)

I am looking into a new way of saving money - when you save on a purchase at a sale or by using vouchers, etc, put the money saved into my change jar. I don't want to overdo it from my $20 a week or I will just wind up having to take more money from the bank and I don't see the logic in that - I transfer any money left in my checking to my EF. But I will make a game of trying to get as much as possible for a lower price and see how much I have left over.

Today was an NSD. I went to the Botanical Garden and listened to the Salvation Army band.

left in my envelopes:
food 5.00
medical 165.00
necessities 31.00
play 3.00
gifts 2.00
cash in my wallet 5.00

I found nzd1.00 outside Pizza Hut. Alas, not enough to buy a pizza.

Went to the dentist for a chackup, nzd135.00. Unfortunately she discovered a cavity which means I am up for more expense, But it's worth it. I want to hang onto my teeth for as long as possible - so better cut out sugar.

I have gone back to buying the nzd6.00 bag of produce from the All Saints co-op. When I was getting whatever I wanted from the supermarket I would buy more and eat more - like, I would get a bunch of bananas and eat them all the first day. If I limit what I buy I make it last the whole week.

In: 289.17

Out:
oil 5.00
salt 2.00
knit group 1.00

I donated the rest of my mohair to the knit group in exchange for 2 balls of acrylic. Think it was a net loss, and I will definitely use what I got.

I messed up my envelopes, because all my change is in an unbroachable jar, and I was trying to split twenties into several places. I could do an over the counter withdrawal and get the exact amounts, but there is a charge for that. Never mind. I am trying to get a month ahead in my envelopes, so very little spending for the next few weeks.

In:
Bonus Bonds 40.00

Stuff has been coming into my house and I'm running out of places to put it. Need to clear out some of the old stuff, so I donated somme clothes, jewellry and yarn to Orphans Aid. I have aspirations to be a minimalist but right now it looks as tho that will have to wait until I'm in my coffin.

I have been 44 days without caffeine. I was yearning for a cup of coffee at church, but I know if I have just one I will be addicted again within days.

Maybe I could start a crusade at church to convince people of the evils of their drug habit...?

Out:
laundry powder 3.00

I use the concentrate and it lasts me for ages. The last box I bought was nearly a year ago - I do the washing twice a week.

Out:
bread 1.00
peanut butter 2.29
sultanas 1.99
tomatoes 1.20

Today at Artsenta I was given a bag of oats. After I've finished them I'm going to ask my doctor to check my cholesterol levels not that she's ever said there's cause for alarm, but I like to know the numbers.

Out:
milk 2.29
hummus 2.49
popcorn 1.99
crackers 1.49

I went to move my change tin and the bottom fell out. I didn't realise it has a lid, I thought it was sealed like the last one. I didn't want to pay for a new one, so repurposed a 2 liter juice bottle. I wrote the word Britain on it to save for my next trip.

I think being able to see the money in it will be better than the closed container. With the others I was constantly consumed with curiosity about how full it was and wound up opening it before the end of the year (I did put most of the money in the bank). This time my intention is to see how long it takes me to fill it. Atm there is exactly nzd30.00 in it. I also have nzd40.00 in my Christmas Club. I think the year is progressing nicely so far.

For some reason I have been unable to log into Everydollar for the last week, which means I am unable to track my expenses for February so far. I think I will do ok without recording as long as I stick to cash and stop spending when I run out - no going into my buffer to get more money, and no borrowing from other envelopes. I do have my change jar if I get desperate.

One of my favorite foods is avocado on toast. I have been eating a lot of it lately but I shall have to stop. I'm putting on weight again.

If I put nzd100.00 a month into my EF, it will take me 4 years to get to $10,000. I want it fully funded earlier than that, so I transferred $200 from my House account. The new stove can wait till next year. I like to see quick results and get frustrated if it takes a long time to reach my goal, as happens when I am saving for several goals at once. Something I learned from Dave Ramsey is the power of focus. One thing at a time. Prioritize and work on the most important thing.

One good thing about the hot weather - it's great for line drying the laundry. I am washing all the contents of the linen cupboard, and if it continues I'll do the curtains.

Another warm day. I lazed around inside and wasted a lot of time websurfing. And ate a lot of apricots.

Thanks to being away most of the month a surplud built up in my checking account. I transferred nzd500.00 to my EF.

I am becoming a little bit shaky on my nzd20.00 a week for groceries. I spent $13.00 from my Play jar on fruit for tomorrow's bbq. I wiil try to stop myself borrowing from envelopes and jars in other categories.

I got 2 more free books today: the original Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Stevenson, and A Visitation of the Plague by Defoe. I don't generally read fiction but I make an exception for the classics.

I was saved from buying yarn at the thrift store today by the fact that the prices have gone way up. They are charging nzd2.00 per ball, even for the unlabelled partials and regardless off whether it is wool or acrylic. I realise they want to make as much money as possible for charity, but it makes knitting for charity rather expensive.

It isn't as hot atm as it was in India but the humidity makes it harder to cope. I bought myself a new pair of sandals nzd45.00. The weather is predicted to turn cold and wet over the weekend. Hope it holds off as I've a bbq on Sunday.

I got a recipe book from the free box outside the SPCA shop. The Destitute Gourmet by Sophie Gray. She was all the rage when I was bringing up DS, feeding a family on nzd50.00 a week - with the help of a large vege garden and a flock of chickens. I'll see if any of her recipes can be adapted for a single person.

I have to put money aside for a retreat at Easter, and also to pay for yardwork. I want to get my Travel fund back up to nzd5000 in case I am unexpectedly called to visit family overseas, and I want to replace the stove. I waill still be working on my EF but more slowly, maybe $100 a month.

Phoned the dr to renew a prescription. Because of the new govt health subsidies it only cost me nzd12.50 instead of the previous $25, and $15 at the pharmacy.

I am on my 36th day of not buying yarn. I hope to go all year or until my stash is used up, whichever comes first. Just have to stay out of thrift stores.

While I was away, Lime scooters were introduced all over town. They cost nzd20 an hour. I don't think they'll solve the energy crisis for anyone but the ablebodied well to do,

Add the e-scooters to the kids riding regular scooters, students riding bikes and skateboards and hooverounds, pedestrians have to keep alert on the sidewalk now. Maybe they should rename it the sideride.

I am still a little jetlagged, so spent most of the day snoozing.

I have started saving for Christmas. I put nzd5.00 into my Christmas Club for groceries, and my spare change into a money tin for gifts. I also found 10 cents so that went into the money tin too.

Catching up on my emails and the news. I have been e-free for the last few weeks - not even an English newspaper. It was a relaxing experience without having media 24/7.

Best suggestion to end the U.S. govt shutdown - since President Trump is a billionaire, he can advance the money to build the border wall, and Mexico will pay him back.

I'm back. India was wonderful, beautiful, maddening and challenging as always. Full of contrasts, ancient temples by modern highways, incredible riches next door to appalling squalor. I'm torn btween weeping over so much suffering, and rejoicing at the resilience of the human spirit. The children in the villages were very happy to see us and they loved the hats.

I had nzd400 left over which I put in my EF; halfway to my goal. For groceries I bought
bread 2.38
red peppers 2.81
bananas 3.29
tomatoes 1.76
carrots 1.45
broccoli 1.49
avocado 1.69
bread rolls 1.38

New Year's Eve and I have one resolution, which is to not drink caffeine (on my 5th day) and one financial goal, which is to reach nzd10,000 in my EF. But we'll see about plans for 2019 after I get back. India has a wonderful way of putting things into perspective.