Wednesday 31 December 2014

25 words ~ things to love about summer





 

Beach daytrips

Swimming

Picnics

Drippy icecream cones
 
Sandcastles


Watermelon
 
Sundresses

 Verandah entertaining 

BBQ dinners

 Lingering daylight hours

Kids under sprinklers
 
Cool breeze on hot days

What do love about summer ?


 

Tuesday 30 December 2014

Easy 52 week Christmas Saving Challenge

Have I got a plan for you - well my boys and I !
  
In the past I found their currency was games, apps and lollies but that is not going to work long term.




In 2015 I'm starting them on a savings plan using increments - I think 25c will be easier on my pocket and great maths for 8yr olds. The idea is to encourage them to save all year. Then I'll let them spend half and bank the rest...

25c = $344.50
50c = $689
$1 = 1378

One of the many 'tricky' decisions I've had to make as a parent is letting my kids write wish lists if I know that it might create disappointment because the wants wishes are unrealistic, out of the budget or on the NO guns & noisy toys list.

It feels mean to build up false hopes, so I do try to steer them in the right direction.
 
Sam and Joel just toe the line between cute and cheeky at the moment when asked to help clean up ! They love to help with some jobs not so other family chores. I don't think they should be paid for cleaning their rooms and that is one sticking point in my plan. They have to keep rooms clean.

Also, the number one reason I yell at my boys - would be for not tidily returning things to their proper PLACE when not in use. Then the pressure starts rising as they ignore me because of the TV or iThings.

Hopefully, there will be less of that.


This saving plan works for anything. Perfect - if the whole family needs an easy way to save an extra $1,378 in the 'bank' for Christmas 2015 or a summer holiday  ? Or start an emergency fund.


If you decide to participate in the money saving's fun with us -let me know how you go. I'll post monthly updates.

Live as you live it has created templates in a range of increments in PDF - so easy to print out and paste them onto a jar!

Now I just need to to find two identical jars !
What is your child's currency ?
Have you used a savings plan that worked for you ?

 

Tuesday 23 December 2014

Wordless Wednesday : Giant Lego Christmas Tree




To All My URL Friends in Australia and Around the Wonderful World Wide Web
Wishing you all a Happy and Safe Christmas Celebrations and Holidays with Family And Friends and a Successful New Year 2015.




Even better at night - in the day time it was so crowded.
 

Monday 22 December 2014

Great Christmas Cookie Caper


I'd give you one of my Red velvet cookies but I ate them...

Image Credit - Annoyed Thyroid ... I think my phone got hungry because someone ate my cookie photos.

 

Saturday I was invited to a Cookie Exchange at Nasa HQ. A picture paints a 1000 calories ..


Sam's Fantastic Fudge - @ Annoyed Thyroid -

This was my entry in Lid decorating event ...it went home with someone else LOL

The Pavlova Queen Stephanie made this !

Beaut packaging and the best cookies.













Best kids Entry - delicious Gingerbread !


I baked my @ss of Friday baking over 160 cookies . I'll be working it off for weeks after all the cookies, fudge, pavlova and cupcakes I inhaled Saturday.

So much sugar plus a few protein balls and a healthy fudge option. I think my phone got hungry because someone ate my cookie photos.

Next year I'm using this 50 cookie exchange for inspiration  - and I might organise an Outback Cookie Exchange.


What's your favourite cookie ?