Gifts to Give when the Purse is Empty

There are some who say "All you need is love..."

But try giving the gift of love to a four year old on her birthday and ~ trust me ~ it will generally end in tears. *cringe*  I do think children do have too much ~ too many things to play with, too much time involving screens, too great an expectation of 'I need' when its really 'I want', too much on offer and too much to compete with on a peer scale ~ mostly thanks to advertising, product placement and keeping up with the Jones' kids.

I know, I know ~ that's a very generalised statement which will cause some to rant "I don't do that", or "If I want to spend my money on my kids then I can", or "Blah, blah, Justifications, Who do you think you are making such judgments?" I'd like to say I don't yield to the pressures of modern life where 'every 10 year old' has either an mobile phone or ipod or laptop or TV in their room ~ or all four and more as the case may be.  Alas, with a Husband who loves 'toys', SmallBoy and MudGuts definitely benefited from Santa Claus*  over-ruling this poor mummy with 'family presents' of gaming consoles or other such electronic entertainment devices. 

(* also known as the Christmas Savings Account)

Still, sometimes there is diddly-squat in the purse to provide nieces and nephews or school mates birthday presents. And I really hate this current 'norm' of a card with $10 or $20 in it as a gift. Unless you are sending something by post, what is the 'joy' in getting $10 in a card? I see a 'couldn't be bothered choosing something for you, go get it yourself' attitude developing. Are we really all just so busy and harried we can't stop to get a gift for a child? There have been many times I cannot afford the frivolity of putting $5 into a card, let alone $10 or $20! So what do you do??

For the littlies, pop down to an OpShop (or look through your own bookcase) for an alphabet type book ~ you know ~ A is for Apple, B is for Ball...  Carefully take all the pages out, trim up the sides nice and neat and using a hole punch, make a hole in the top left and right corners. If you have ribbon or a long strip of material to thread through, great. Twine will do just as well. For under $2, or nothing but a little time if you have everything available, one home-made personalised Alphabet/Reading Frieze.

This one was made by the super creative Naomi D

Other firm favourites for gifts for the under 5s are homemade playdough or slime. $2-type-shops often have the fat pavement chalk which is great for using inside on a blackboard or outside on the driveway/concreted area in the yard. Colourful, messy and washed away with water!  

If you've never made Playdough before, I've put an easy Play-Dough recipe up on FaceBook. Dividing this into four portions, you can make four different colours to go into separate little containers (250ml or larger), add a few cookie cutters or a little rolling pin and you've got a fantastic gift. These last for ages in the fridge, can be used several times and (if you add the recipe to the package) the containers can be refilled as needed.

Older kids tend to have a plethora of cars, dolls, toys, cards, pencils and other nick-knacks its hard to be original. But a medium size pot, filled with a bag of potting mix and a packet of lettuce or flower seeds is a great gift - encouraging care and responsibility while ensuring a bit of outdoor time while putting their gift together and watering it. If you're a creative type - grab and old pair of pantihose and make a grass hair man kit for a child to make.  Using these instructions ~ Grass Hair Man ~ some grass seed, a pot, some potting mix, buttons for eyes and a red marker for the mouth is more economical (and more fun) than some of the $20 kits available in stores. Most of the items can be found around the house or on Freecycle. Make it a project kit with instructions and the gift will last longer.

Hey Dude ~ A green gift

There are lots of lot cost / no cost gifts to be made and most kids love mucking about with this type of present ~ especially if it is not homework or an assignment set from school. 

Of course you can always enter competitions and hope to win a prize to pass on as a present. So don't forget we are giving one reader the change to win a plush Koala and a tube of EukyBearub. You could gift them as a pack for someone you love coupling both the cute and cuddle with the useful and thoughtful bonus for when cold and flu strikes.  

More details are available here

Well, I'm going to pack up the bat and ball and head off to bed. It's been a long day and the housework did not get finished. Still, Husband has started the frame of our new veggie bed and I am on the hunt for about 200 newspapers to put at the bottom. Fingers crossed we can source these in the next few days. Been saying a little ditty to get me off to sleep at night, thought I'd share it with you :

Angels, Fairies, Spirit Guides, Gods

Please take me off to the Dreamlands of Nod

Help me to sleep peacefully all through the night

To wake up refreshed in the new dawning light

Night all :D

Looking for the Good Stuff

I love a good 'find'...

And I'd love to say I had a day with no spending but with the chiropractic session (or should that have been waste of an hour being spoken to like I have no idea how the spine works and the issues I am facing) at a cost of $90 ~ sadly not. What a waste of time and money - not even a little bit of relief provided yet is cost a bomb. If someone would like to reimburse me for that, we'll gratefully accept any contributions.

Especially as I have now the need to return to my doctor and get another referral for further 'work'. I might just get the x-rays for reference to show another therapist what is the current status of my back and work with issues and tensions as I know them to be. OK ~ maybe he is being over-efficient, over-cautious - but to charge a non-refundable on information being provided just seems a little rich for me...

So it is off to the 'Purple Door' to see an Osteopath about a Care Plan and a Reiki practitioner about some acupuncture. It's never easy to find the right person who 'fits' with your body, mind and soul quickly ~ but we will get there *smiles*

It's been another beautiful day ~ we 'Mexicans' (as we Victorians from 'south of the other border) get called are being very careful in the sun, making sure SmallBoy has sunscreen on each morning and a roll-on bottle which he as proved he is using because I've had to fill it up already. *cheers* Both Husband and I also put on our sunscreen ~ although I do try to get 10-15mins in the morning sun before covering up to keep up the Vitamin D and ensure my skin is not too fragile when the sun gets hotter over the spring/summer months.

SmallBoy loves pie ~ we love this one used the leftovers

Must scoot ~ writing tonight and I've got the mojo for poetry again.  Keep safe, eat well and enter our UukyBearub competition soon. Details are available on the previous posts. 

Saturday ~ sadness, strangers and savings

Today, many members of the website Simple Savings gave support to a member who lost her little girl by releasing pink balloons, lighting pink candles or finding pink flowers ~ Amelia Grace was born sleeping this week and the flow of love on the website for heaven's newest angel, her mummy and family has been unbelievable, sincere and so heartfelt. 

Yes, there is extreme sadness for so many at this time but to see an entire forum be redesigned for a few days as a tribute, to have 'strangers' sharing the sorrow they feel for a member most know only as 'Mrs Wez', supporting each other and expressing such kindness and love ~ it is wonderful to realise there is still some true beauty in people in this scary, crazy world.

The Simple Savings forum ~ changed to pink while we mourn

I am proud to have association with Simple Savings ~ its not always about the money (lack or better management of) ~ but it is always about the people who participate, contribute and support each other in many of life's struggles, trials and adventures. 

If you do want to become a member of Simple Savings, click the banner link below or HERE and remember to mention Mands sent you. It's worth it - for so many reasons...

Competition Reminder:  If you have a look at yesterday's post for details, you can win yourself a lovely plush koala and EukyBearub (valued at $40) ~ let your friends know, have them follow the blog or FaceBook to be eligible for a small "Thank You" draw. More details tomorrow.

Finally ~ Reconnecting with 'The World'

We had rainbows to guide the way... 

We've travelled up the coast and we are finally here...

Mands on a Mission is back online ~ with a temperament and attitude as warm and sunny as the climate we now reside! Oh Queensland ~ you are divine *grins*

Honestly, I never thought I'd get back on-line to natter ~ Hellstra gave a little grief in setting up our phone line. Which leads me to ask why, when every other amenity we transferred from the house owners' names into our own could do it as we talked and confirmed details, when changing the name on the phone account and leaving all other information the same does Hellstra need to disconnect, reconnect and allow a 48hr no connectivity window?

But all seems to be up and running, lets send out the vibes for it to remain so...

Day 1 ~ Brunswick to Beechworth ~ to Stevie B's

The Month Just Gone

Was a rather expensive one for us but ~ having bought a campervan, repaired a car, secured tenants for our home, registered a car (twice), finalised accounts, paid for the results of storm damaged property AND moved across the country for under $10,000 ~ we incurred little extra debt and that we borrowed from Husband's mother was budgeted to come from our tax return. This has just been finalised and repaid in full.

In many ways, we are starting from scratch with debts now at $38,290.07 (excluding the mortgage). While it seems to be going up, the amount of bills and accounts attributing to the debt has reduced. Our next 'victim' on the debt trail is the credit card. With beaches for our playground and sunshine instead of snow, we should have lots of free adventures that will ensure low electricity bills and reduce other expenses we would have in a usual winter. Sitting on a beach is free, exploring along an esplanade is free, discovering the joys of Sunday markets and new places is free - all possible as its not bitterly icy cold!

There is definitely a satisfaction which occurs when each bill is removed from the equation of your own debt. Having no outstanding electricity, gas, telephone or internet - no arrears in the mortgage, minimum payments on the current remaining debt - its a much easier position to be placed.

Compared to last September, there are now only three remaining debts. The Line of Credit is currently being covered by the rent being received on our place in Ballarat. MrCentrelink advises this is still our primary residence and will be for the next two years so long as we do not purchase property or land elsewhere. On $602 per week, this is highly unlikely to occur. *chuckles* 

VISA: $6,982.55

Personal Loan: $9,414.00

Line of Credit: $21,839.52

The short term focus is re-establishing our budget. Using my "Bill's Budget" sheets, this will be set for the end of the month and run through August and September. Already we have menu planned for the next ten days and shopped under budget. Considering the cupboards were bare ~ this is truly satisfying and a mighty feat! We even got ice-cream for desserts this week! Baked some buns, made pizza and will be enjoying a roast on Sunday! Gee it feels great to say that!!

Tonight's dinner - Char-sui beef stir fry - under $2.50ea

So a big fat pooh-pooh to those who said we shouldn't risk moving, those who said we might be running into trouble with our accommodation plans and those who questioned the choice of Bundaberg. The Karma-Fairies have given us a wonderful gift and blessed us with the opportunity to help others while giving us the chance to get back on track with our plans and dreams. Knowing Husband, SmallBoy and I agreed together to make the move, to embrace the chance and enjoy the change makes the whole journey so much easier and the adventure more enjoyable. 

Here's to fulfilling your dreams ~ stay with us on the Mission to being debt free, budget savvy and if you feel the need to help along, the Spare Change Jar at the top of the blog is a great place to gift those 5c and 10c coins you find in the gutter ~ it all adds up for us. 

Don't forget to share ~ if you've got unwanted 'stuff', look up your nearest Freecycle group because someone else might need what you are ready to throw out! We've already sourced a plethora of plants, heaps of herbs, bagged a bookcase and given toys, clothes and utensils since arriving in Bundaberg using Freecycle. Its even on FaceBook - like all the good stuff (such as Mands On A Mission) *grins*

Chat tomorrow friends and followers ~ I've another giveaway to share this weekend, a perfect winter winner! So enjoy your Friday :D

A Wintery Wordless Wednesday...

And being -2.7 this morning ~ cold enough to leave ice on a duck's butt ~ it was "hello winter ~ thanks for the icy slap in the googlies..."

Ice - cubed ~ for the fairies in our garden to add to their drinks...