lieweheksie's blog

Today is rubbish day so I thought I would share with you how we recycle.There are very few formal programmes- what happens in most of our city is that unemployed people come around every rubbish day and collect the paper and cardboard, which they then take to the center- in supermarket trolleys- whre they get paid
So to help these people survive and make less mess most people place their paper on top of the bins, as well as old clothes,or food.
Soda cans are also mostly recyled.
So we do recycle, just informally- the informal sector is the fastest growing sector in the SA economy

Today I decided I am not buying any more blank VHS tapes- I use them to tape programmes or movies that we( DH & I)want to watch, but then of course we don't always get around to watching the movie and we also like to keep the tapes of some of the better movies
However the cupboard under the TV was full, no more space left for new tapes, so I culled some old movies that we had seen but actually didn't really want to see again
I've vowed that I am not buying any more blank tapes( new releases- we'll just have to see) this year- we will jsut have tio use tha ones we have- hoping this will save me money as weel as reducing the clutter

Had a lovely BBQ yesterday afternoon, actually very hot- 25C and it's only spring
Now I have plenty of leftovers I wont have to cook for at least a couple of days
Managed to come up with 2 new ideas this weekend
1- Turned our washing line- it's a circular model which turns- into an umbrella by draping two large pieces of fabric over it- good cheap shade
2- Sorted out my icecream shelf of the freezer- I had about 6 half and quarter full tubs, so I pulled them all out, softened them in the microwave and mixed all the SAME flavours together- took all the choc ones and mixed together, all the berry flavours etc-turned out really well- I landed up with 2 full tubs of ice cream, and four spare tubs to use for storage, freezing etc and best of all I didn't spend money on more icecream which would have been half finished and sat in the freezer for months

I am a happy camper- just got back from the supermarket- and the cat food I normally buy was Half price- this was an unadvertised special - I was only planning on stocking up next week- but stock up I did...
Was just as well as I've had to but a few extra's for the BBQ on on the weekend- bit this definitely helps
We have an interesting "informal industry" here is SA- called car guards. Unemplyed people, sometimes organsied in a group, will offfer to watch your car while you shop, help you unpack your bags- and you tip them whatever change you feel approporiate- this may sound odd but we have no form of dole or social security here - you get unemployment for about 6 months( 45% of your last salary, assuming of course that you have had a job) and then that is IT...

Today was another good money saving day... fish and chips ( french fries) for supper- made from scratch
Alos starting a rag rug, using canvas and old fabric- managed to finish 2 rows while watching TV- wonder how long the whole thing is going to take me- but then again I guess it's better than just vegging in front of TV
No money spent- but it's shopping day tommorow and the list is long- having a BBQ (we call it a braai) this weekend
In case again is wondering Lieweheksie means " Lovable little witch" in Afrikaans( a derivative of Dutch and other langs)- given to me by my MIL 'cause I occasionally do tarot readings

Yesterday was a good frugal day...love it when those happen
DH is of work with the flu, so we both stayed home. Made veggie soup for supper, and baked some treats with puff pastry from the freezer.Spent nothing- allways like days when we can stay home and enjoy ourselves.DH says if we spend so **much for the house we can at least stay home and enjoy it

Got a nice suprise in the mail today- I won a competition
Not a big prize- a hamper of mens skin care products. DH will probably use some of them- like the aftershave balm, but I think the moisturisers for men will go into the gift drawer, for the younger more "metrosexual" of our friends
This is the second prize this year- last one was also a toiletry hamper, with baby and adult products
Allways nice to win something

Spring has definitely sprung- still a bit chilly from a cold wind, but the blossoms on the fruit trees are out
Looking forward to summer, just not the heat
I burn very easily in the rather harsh African sun, so one of my necessary expenses is heavy duty sunscreen- SPF 60. ROC makes a great product, expensive but means I can be in the sun and not resemble a lobster
If anyone has good tips on how to survive summer, please do post them as those of us doen south can definitely use them

Got my tax refund today- nice extra. Either it will go to replacing the dishwasher or paying for vet's bills- haven't decided yet.
Due to our rather erratic power supplies in winter, often we get power but the voltage is much lower than it should be- some of the more advanced digital appliances have the onboard computers blow- so next dishwasher will be old fashioned model with dials- no computer chips

Sarah asked for some price comparisons to the US -s o here are a few
A loaf of sliced brown bread costs btw R4 and R5, a litre( don't know what that is in gallons) is R4.50 if you buy long life, and about R3 for fresh
Veggies and fruit can be quite cheap, depending where you look- I can normally buy soup veggies for about R5, depends on the specials, potatoes are on special at R10 for 10kg(=18 pounds)
and oranges for about the same
We also have "NoName- or generic brands, which often give the best prices
Toiletries are hard to compare, because I tend to but local brands( cheaper) but a 350ml bottle of PAntene will cost about R15
We also dont get coupons here very much0- I get very jealous when I read about how much you guys save with coupons...
Hope you guys find this interesting

Amazing what the vet's charge for- kitty's itemised bill looks like a hospital bill- includes a wash and shampoo- I guess we all need looking after when we get old- including our animals
They have to be fed special food - so I will see if I can find this cheaper than at the vet- maybe through a good pet shop

This is going to be an expensive week- two of the older cats at the vet with kidney problems- one is still in hospital...but we love them so we pay
Also have to feed them special diet...
Am trying to type this with a kitty on lap( Pixle- 'cause he was so small when left on our doorstep)
Going to jazz concert tommorow- Earl Klugh and Michael Franks- this is big for SA- tickets aren't cheap and concert is sold out- should be good though

This is my first journal entry- I must admit the thought of getting dollars for my musings is rather enticing (current exchange rate is $1 to R6.50) and also to clarify my thinking and behavour regarding money and spending
I am also hoping it will be interesting for American readers to get an idea of how we do things over here
Spring is starting early- buds on the trees and temps of 25C( not sure what that is in Farenheit)