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 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.

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.

I received my lastest power bill from Contact, which says I have a credit of nzd66.24, so nothing to pay this month. Not sure where that came from but I'll take it.

I bought some thermal underwear from Orphans Aid for nz5.00. Still in the packet! Never been worn! It pays to look for these things in the off season.

I have nzd5.00 burning a hole in my cash envelope. I want to buy myself a treat - chocolate, ice cream, cookies. I am resisting and hanging on in case I need to buy some more bread or potatoes or tomatoes, something healthy.

I got on the bus this morning and the driver said the machine wasn't working, so I got a free ride. nzd1.92 saved.

Spent 1.10 on carrots.

In: found 10 cents
Out: fruit and veg $6

There was a load of very good yarn in the thrift store this morning. I could have spent $32, but realised it's only 2 months to Christmas and I'm supposed to be setting money aside for it.

I finished the last of the popcorn.

A quiet day at home; no money in, no money out. I earned about 12 cents interest on my savings account and a dollar on my retirement savings.

I am getting used to spending very little money; in fact I get a kick out of not spending, knowing every dollar saved brings me nearer to my goals.

stayed at home and did the laundry so a no spend day

I went to Pak n Save to buy a few things, but it took me ages because they have reorganised the layout and gotten rid of some lines. In the end I bought:
bread 4.00
soy milk 3.90
peanut butter 2.19
sultanas 1.79
pasta .70
hummus 2.69

On the way back I paased Toffs which was having a $2 an item sale. I didn't go in to see what they had. As a very successful businessman in our church is fond of saying, it's not a bargain at any price if you don't need it.

Today I yielded to my New Zealand middle aged female rite of passage and had my hair cut short. A friend did it for me so it didn't cost me anything.

The weather is getting warmer. I've been able to leave the heat pump off for the last 3 days, so this month's power bill should be lower.

For some reason I had difficulty logging in to the blog, it kept sending me to the forums.

A local yarn store is closing down at the end of the month, but so far I have resisted going to bag bargains. There are 2 better stores remaining.

Bought 2 cans of baked beans at 70 cents each.

Yesterday at the thrift store I spotted a nice top but decided I didn't really need it. I thought about it last night and went back this afternoon to have another look, but it was gone. Phew. $2 saved and into the Trans Siberian fund.

Today I bought a circular needle, $7, and a ball of yarn, $3.90, in order to complete a project. I'm not kicking myself over it as I've only bought 5 balls so far this year. I unsubscribed from some websites as they send me emails about what's on sale and I want to buy. One of my favorite lines is being discontinued and I want to stock up all the lovely stuff on clearance. I keep telling myself there will be more lovely yarns when I'm ready to buy again.

I reduced my yarn stash by 400 grams today. Someone had given me some laceweight but when I tried to wind it into balls it was all deteriorated. It must have been sitting in someone's basement for years. So I threw it out. I hate wasting yarn but some things are not salvageable.

I went to see the Australian documentary The Song Keepers. I left my money at home so no popcorn, but it didn't seem appropriate while the choir was singing ancient hymns.

When I got home ds had taken pity on me heating water in the microwave and bought me an electric jug.

Payday. I have decided to make Thursday my shopping day (in case there is a delay in my benefit going into the bank) so will withdraw money and hit the stores tomorrow.

I did give a koha of $1 at the Knit Squad today. We meet at the community rooms and today the community gardens had put a box of leeks there for people to help themselves. I didn't want to be greedy so only took one and made leek and potato soup for dinner which will last me 3 days.

I have been occupying myself with finding out how many cups of tea I can get from one teabag. I take it without milk and sugar so don't like it too strong. I can get 3 cups by putting the teabag in the cold water then heating it for 3 minutes in the microwave.

I found a dime. Net gain as I didn't spend anything. I did find a book of lovely lace patterns at the library and spent some time drooling over the gorgeous yarns but didn't purchase anything. Not until my birthday.

Today I volunteered at the Sallies. I came across 2 woolen sweaters which I could have unravelled to make charity items, but decided with the amount I already have it would take me months to get to doing it. Or if I do it right away something else will have to wait. I bought all that yarn with specific projects in mind and I should get around to doing them.

I got given a free ticket to a concert by the Returned Servicemens's choir. Good hearty singing, fine soloists, all ending in a stirring rendition of The Battlehymn of the Republic. Normally when I go to a concert I'll treat myself to a glass of wine in the interval (I only drink on special occasions) but it cost $10, so I passed.

$9.40 spent on food this week. Left in my envelopes:
food $10
misc $90
medical $148
change dish 90 cents
bus card $16.20
mta vouchers $80

I found a nice pink top in the Orphans Aid shop. The devil posed as an angel - It's only $3! It's for a good cause! - but I resisted and put the $3 in my Trans Siberian tin.

It drizzled all day so I didn't go out. I stayed home and organised my yarn stash. Now all the yarn I have plans for is in project bags with the pattern The rest is sorted by color and weight. It's quite sobering to reflect on the hundreds of dollars I have in yarn, but it gives me hours of pleasure and makes useful things.

Payday. One seventh through my year challenge. Also DS's birthday. I offered to take him out to lunch but he spent most of the day snoozng. Hard to believe 35 years ago I pushed out a 9 pound pumpkin. The memory of the pain fades; the joy remains.

My goal for this week is to have 7 NSDs. That's right, a complete no spend week. I passed a couple of op shops today: one was advertising a dollar of everything, the other offered 2 tops for $2. I didn't go in. I already have 65 tops - ok, some of them don't fit but I'll lose weight I promise.


I still have lots of oats, rice, canned beans, cabbage and potatoes. Looks like I'll be eating the same thing everyday but that's ok.

I'm rather tired froom all the walking I've done this week so just lazed around at home today. It meant another no spend day.

I walked past Knitworld today and saw they are having a winter sale. Proud to report I did not go in "just to see what they have". Could it be I am finally overcoming my CYHD (Compulsive Yarn Hoarding Disorder)?
There are still plenty of apples at Artsenta so I took 4 more. Someone had also brought chilli peppers from their garden so I took 3 of those as well.

I took $2.00 a Day back to the library. It was too depressing reading about such destitution in the richest nation on earth.

I have spent only $5 on a prescription in the last 4 days. I finally got it thru my head that if I want to save money I should not go into stores "just to see what's on sale". However I am starting a course tonight, learning the Maori language, so may have to spend on paper, pens and a plate of food.

I put $7 into my 52 Week Money Saving Challenge for a total of $28. I dodn't feel comfortable having cash around the house so, so will invest it in Bonus Bonds.

Neil Diamond is coming to perform at our stadium soon. I had a great time at his concert back in 1974 (OMG! over 40 years ago!) but I'm afraid if I go to this one he may be over the hill and spoil my happy memories. So I'm putting the $100 aside to pay for a visit to the optician.

Another no spend day, plus I found .10 cents. Need more days like this.

Raining today so I caught the bus. Does it count as spending if you use a prepaid card? Apart from that I didn't spend anything.

Today I kept wanting to spend money so I could put some in my change jar. That's silly. I will bank what is left in my wallet next Wed. If I keep having lots left over I will reduce the amount I withdraw weekly, and transfer the surplus from checking to savings.

Anyway, I didn't spend any, but I did find .10 cents so was able to put something in my jar.