The little birds...

If you watch little birds you will see they are busy and happy! Using whatever they can find they create the most gorgeous little nest.
I would be the little bird with some glittery thread in her nest!
We can be like this. Happily working away with the things that are available to us to create a beautiful and happy home.
All the while with a little song in our heart.

Banner by Free Pretty Things for You.

Sunday 29 November 2015

The Vicky Challenge.


My favorite time of year is the days between Christmas and New Years Day. I love those days. In this time I have a review of the year and write down all the major events and things we achieved. I am usually amazed when  I do that look back at the year. Then I start to think about what I want to do with the new year and what I could change and even what NEEDS changing. A fresh new year is so exciting to me. A brand new diary and I am set!



The photos in this post are Thanksgiving photos some of the ladies sent me!  This one is from Colette. She has her wedding photo on the table. I just love this! Also later her Mum arrived and added two more pies!

I already know that come January I will be straight into making Christmas and birthday presents and as so many of you said that this January you want to get started too I am making it a challenge that hopefully helps us all! So that is challenge number one.

The other day I was talking to Vicky. And as she often does she said something that stopped me in my tracks. Her Mother would say "it's a Vicky thing"! I LOVE a challenge and this is the best one ever I think!
We have often discussed the value of our work and savings. Mimi frequently talks about this too and she calls it "insourcing". The idea is you count your savings as earnings.  So if you wash the dog yourself instead of paying someone to do it then you just earned.... (whatever it costs to have a dog washed!)  That money you just saved you pay yourself or your emergency fund or where ever you would like to pay that money instead of the dog groomer.
I think about this all the time. Usually I try to know, roughly, what things are worth. So if I just made four dozen sausage rolls I will try to keep track of what it cost me. And I try to know about what they would cost to buy. I know these would cost about $170 from the local bakery. Then I subtract my expenses and am left with how much I saved/earned.
When you look at the value of things it's amazing!
You could stop buying work lunches and take your own. Or take on some task yourself of make your presents... but the idea is to have an estimate of the savings.

Now, I know the numbers add up. If I was doing The Vicky Challenge I would have kept track of our savings last week and that would have included the $800 we saved making our own range hood  and all the other savings from sending Andy's lunch each day, using freezer meals instead of take away and so on. Already I just saved more than I probably could have made elsewhere less tax, travel and so on.

The difference is Vicky writes it all down. Daily she does a rough calculation of her savings/earings.

(I always mention that savings equal more than earnings since you are not taxed on them. So $1 earned might be 75c. $1 saved is $1. So your savings stay intact!)

Then Vicky tallies up each week, then month... then finally the year. At the end of the year she knows how much she saved/earned. Last year she earned $15,000 this way.

While I think about my savings and even report them in my Feather your Nest Friday posts I have somehow never thought to do a weekly add up. Let alone an annual calculation that would mean I can say how much my job at home equals for our family. It makes no difference if you are working outside the home or not. When you are home the savings from your effort count just the same.



Colette's Thanksgiving table.

As I love a challenge I can see that keeping track would be very motivating. Exciting even. Plus you know what? It would do a lot to make you (and the family) aware  of the value of all you do towards the building up of your home.
Society can be  a bit "what do you do all day and why don't you get a real job?" (which I hate!) and this means you can think of the huge financial advantage that your works actually gives your family and what a massive lie it is that if you don't work outside the home you don't contribute financially! What a scam that one is!  I have great suspicions about the motives behind whoever perpetuates that belief.  And this is all apart from  the many other sides to homemaking me cannot have a dollar value placed on them!

After I asked Vicky about a hundred questions on this she wrote something up to help me explain it...



Now as for keeping track of your savings here is what I do:
Many people only see the value of a paycheck we earn and not our value at home. When I left the workforce I decided my full time job would be to save money. I wanted to see if instead spending a 40 hour work week check if I could save it since we would be essentially losing my income. So I thought if I do things to save and my husband's paycheck covers the bills and we could have a little surplus things wouldn't change much. It was the best decision I ever made. I also decided that since I am a visual person I need to see if my efforts are really saving us and what those dollars and cents amounts look like? Maybe it's a throwback from having a pay stub all those years? I do have to say not all the saving efforts are mine. When I showed my husband my "records" the first time he started and still does bring me receipts or give me a value to put running tally.
First let me point out it doesn't take a lot of time even though it may sound like it does. It's no different than entering totals in a checkbook. And you can use a notebook, a pretty journal, a folder or a binder whatever works for you.
Last year at the end of the year when I added up my totals we had saved over $15000.00 yes thousand dollars. Other years have been higher and when I was first learning lower. I devised a system to put most of that towards debt and we are now debt free even if it took a few years. I looked at those dollars and cents as money still in the bank that didn't have to be touched thus increasing the bank account instead of depleting it.
Everything counts each week! Small things add up at the end of the year!
Things that I include:
I cut my husband's hair = $10 we are not paying the barber
If I pay a bill online or over the phone = .47 per stamp not used+I am not using a check from the checkbook either
I add the difference in my savings from a sale price versus full price I pay for an item
I add the difference between full price and a clearance price
Any extra money made that was not from my husband's work check because the extra money is tax free!
See a penny pick it up! More tax free money!
Items we have bartered for.
If I buy things at thrift stores throughout the year I allot a lump some for buying used and not "new", but I keep the values realistic.
Money I have saved using coupons
Gift cards I have earned or are given, more tax free money
Things that are given to us. If they are new and never used I allot the full price if something is used I give it a yard sale value.
Any produce given to us fruits, vegetables, plants for the garden or flowers, canning jars, pantry food or food that can be given to the animals. Someone paid for these items before I was blessed with them so again I don't add in a used value versus new value.
If I get something like buckets I add a dollar in my book because I would pay at least that much at Dollar Tree.
Homemade birthday cakes or cupcakes or pies or rolls or anything like that I base on the price at the store minus the cost of my ingredients.
I put in a value for all of the foods I grow and can, dry or freeze and base it on how much I have added to the pantry so it varies.
If we recycled anything for money that is added.
If I got a free sample(these do save) I a lot at least .25, but if it's a travel sized one like they sell at the store I
give it the store value. Examples: laundry soap=the soap is free for 1 load, pet food samples, deodorant, toothpaste, etc.
Anything I get from online sampling programs and the value of them. Example: I get a free pizza coupon to try and the pizza is $4.99 I add that into my savings since I am not paying for pizza.
One of the biggest is if we do things ourselves that saves immensely so I add a value for the cost of labor we saved.
Gas savings, either from not having to drive much or fuel rewards like $1.60 off a gallon up to 30 gallons
Oh I could go on and on, but I think you get the gist of it. So if you keep track of just how money gets saved in your household you get a better idea of just how much it all adds up. Everything counts from hanging laundry on the line(no electric used there) to you gave the dog a bath yourself instead of a groomer, doing your own hair and nails how much do you save there?  Maybe you use the library instead of buying books your saving.
Here is a good example: The other day I had to take my Mom shopping. I had $5 and some change to spend. The 2 stores are across the street from each other. I had a coupon, a promotional gift card and store rewards between the 2 stores. I got: a girl's lip gloss set , 2 girls tops, 1 girls pants and 2 infant clothing. So with the coupon and gift card I saved $20. But wait most stuff I bought on clearance so let's factor that in as well which =$29.50+$20 and then the other store I got 3# lemons free store price $2.99 each, a loaf of bread free=.99 and 2 yogurts free=$1.29 so I spent $5, but saved $60.75 total. That will go in my savings book! It all adds up!
XOXO,
Vicky


So I am in! In January I will have a little book to write my savings/earnings in each day and tally them up. I am pretty sure that knowing myself I will then try to beat last week, beat the best week, make the next month better than the last and so on! Also I am pretty sure I will feel quite proud of the numbers. It will certainly be an interesting experiment. I remember Laine would show her husband her work. Imagine showing him these numbers!

We would all have to make decisions about what to count and how to do it. Personally I think I will count anything that if I was not home and able to do we would be paying for or paying more for. 

I can't wait to start. If anyone would like to join in on The Vicky Challenge this is advance warning that can be used to get yourself a note book and also learn and record the prices of things that you often make. That way you know what you saved and the value of the things you produce. This is very handy information.
Some gathering of this kind of info will be helpful. I do this along the way ie if a friend has their windows cleaned I ask how much it was. Then next time I clean the windows I have an idea of what I just saved. Also I try and know what people spend per day on bought lunchs, coffees, takeaways and so on.
In the shops I take notice of things like how much is a muffin (since I make a lot of those) and I take photos on my phone ie I took a photo of the whole bakery price list. 
Other times I don't have a clue like when we were given the barrels for water. I found out online that rain barrels at the hardware store are about $100. So I would record that amount in my book.

I know that for this to work it needs to be simple and fast. In most instances I will be fairly approximate in my guestimations, jot them down and add up the days and weeks as we go. If I try to go to the last dollar and cent it will be much too time consuming.

Mostly I think you would be amazed at how much your work both saves and benefits your family. It would be a mind boggling exercise for even a week, just to see the financial reality of it. I can't wait to see what the first week is like and look at each month until I can say how much my efforts equalled for 2016.

So that is The Vicky Challenge! If you would like to join we will be starting the first week of January so start observing prices and gathering information and a note book etc. 




Rosanne's Thanks giving pies!

Have a wonderful week! Tomorrow is the first of December! That is the first day of summer for us. And the day we put up our Christmas tree and decorations! Very exciting! I am baby sitting, posting parcels and shopping today... I better get going.....xxxx

60 comments:

  1. Vicky and Annabel that post has left me so inspired. And hungry for pie lol.

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    1. Dear Jen, Thanks! Yes I love the look of pies. They say LOVE, country, family... all kinds of good things to me! With love Annabelxxx

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  2. I have been keeping a notebook of savings for many years now. I keep coupon savings, gift card savings, freebies, sales differences, etc. It is amazing how quickly it add up.
    Some months when I don't shop much the totals are less, then in other months it's quite high. It is a challenge every month to see the savings.

    I also keep track of ALL my garden produce I pick by weight and type. At the end of the season I add up pounds and find an estimate price per pound for each item - and that is what dollars my garden produces. I got this from my daddy years ago - he always kept track.

    Golly those pies look yummy.


    http://cherylsfrugalcorner.blogspot.com

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    1. Dear Cheryl, Yes! I hadnt thought of that... all the produce we grow, every time I pick a bunch of herbs I can count that value etc. And all the fruit I pick and bring home and turn into things, I can count all that!
      I love that you have done this. I dont know why I never thought of it. When Vicky said this is what she does it was a lightbulb moment!
      With many thanks, Annabel.xxx

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  3. I'm going to give it a try too! The past three months I've been trying to track my "extra" earnings, like money from recycling, over-time at work, gift cards, etc. and at the end of the month I've sent everything above my regular salary to my mortgage company in addition to the regular monthly payments. My goal is to pay it off early. This will really help me towards my goal.

    Lori

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    1. Lori that is a great goal. Imagine when your mortgage is paid off! This could save you years of payments. I am so glad to have you aboard! With love Annabel.xxx

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  4. Annabel, I love both of these challenges and I am in! Those pies do indeed look delicious!

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    1. Dear Patsy, I love both pies and a challenge so I was happy today!
      I am very pleased to have you aboard! With love, Annabel.xxx

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  5. Very Interesting!

    I think it's wonderful as a challenge as it helps those who stay home realize their value. Years ago, there were some excellent articles on the value of full time homemakers. When all of the figures came in, husbands figured out they couldn't afford to pay their wives what they were worth for staying home and running the household, plus childcare. It was very revealing at the time.

    Wonderful input and idea, Vicky and Annabel!

    Love and hugs,
    Glenda

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    1. Dear Glenda, I saw similar articles here. This is what I want the ladies to see. You cannot ever afford to pay someone to do all this stuff!
      Our efforts are worth such a lot.
      I enjoy a challenge and find it very interesting to see the results! With love Annabel.xxx

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  6. Annabel,
    Thank you for including me! I just know you are going to be amazed at the amount you save with all of the things you do! I know people who pay others to clean for them, cook for them, don't give a fig about prices and have no concept of what mending is. And I had to laugh because I have done that myself of seeing if I could beat the last months numbers! LOL! Some months are a lot better. There are so many things that save such as the free wood we get, doing some of the vet care for our animals, free entertainment, outgrown children's clothing that gets passed along, things set out on the side of the road and bartering. So if anyone thinks that we don't work to run our households they are just plain wrong. Have a great week!
    XOXO
    Vicky

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    1. Dear Vicky, You are so right. Running a household is a job and a busy one plus a serious contribution.
      I think I know already there will be a big variation in the months. I think summer when all the produce comes in I will get some amazing numbers! Well I am excited. You give me so many ideas. Thank you! With love, Annabel.xxx

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  7. Count me in! I have always kept track verbally with my husband. Also I keep a Frugal Accomplishment list (starting this year). But I have never kept a monetary value list. Just wish I could do what Mimi does and pay into savings. The money is just not there. If I or my husband can't do it ourselves, we do without.

    So glad to be in the company of other women striving to be Proverbs 31 wives!
    Thank you Annabel and Vicky.
    Blessings,
    Leslie

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    1. Dear Leslie, I understand entirely what you are saying. Many times we are the same. I cannot transfer the money as its not there. BUT we can live far far better because of our efforts, give lovely gifts, eat nice meals,and enjoy all kinds of comforts that perhaps otherwise our family would not. So your efforts make your family life much much better and we live at a much higher standard than we could otherwise. It makes us rich. Really this is glorious to me as through diligence and work so much is possible plus counting things that come our way and bless us. An income may not be great but like Laine did we might be able to stretch it into far more. I love this. There are many people on high incomes who enjoy less.
      I find it so helpful to keep my frugal accomplishments list and motivating!
      I am so glad you are in! With love, Annabel.xxx

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  8. Count me in on the Vicky Challenge. i think this is something my husband might like to participate in, as long as I do the calculations.

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    1. Dear Jane,
      This is what Vicky does... her husband and her count it up together. I think thats great. Each of us then can see and appreciate the efforts we do apart plus the efforts we do together. I love that.
      Working as a team is wonderful. A team can do so much. With love, Annabel.xxx

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  9. I think I will start doing this again. I used to keep a "blessings" book which I wrote down all the things that we got a great deal on or were given to us. I still have that book. I need to dust it off and use it again. :)

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    1. Dear Debbie, I think its a good idea. I think we are amazed when we see it all.Its a little bit like a gratitude journal. I am really excited as I know an amazing amount comes out way, like when I found the chook house recently... With thanks, Annabel.xxx

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  10. Hello dear Annabel, you and your family have been in my thoughts and prayers.
    I love this idea but I must admit at first I thought , I don't have much to count, I then thought what about the meals I gratefully receive from my parents , the lift up to the shops in my neighbours car instead of paying for a taxi , the herbs and vegetables from my parents garden, herbs, vegetables and strawberries ( next year ) from my own small garden, the roses from my rose bush which was given to me .the muffins I make instead of buying morning tea at the shops my discounted hair cut from a friend who is a hairdresser. All if these things count right?..there are many more examples I could include too. I have a pretty book to use already and I know my prices well. Thank you Annabel and Vicky for this challenge , it will give me something to look forward to for 2016. Thank you so much I have wanted to keep track of my savings for years but instead I have done calculations of savings in my head. Also I thought becauseI was on a pension I could not get ahead but thus proves I can plus it made me think and I already do save so much. I am so excited Love Barb

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    1. Barb,
      There are so many things that add up and not taking a taxi is a big one I think! Very frugal! You will see all the ways you do save! Mine have changed over the years. for example my oldest son is grown and wed and my youngest will be 18 this summer so they are both grown and we no longer get the bags of kids clothes gifted to us so that is no longer in my savings book. Over the last 3 years I have had 3 of my animals pass away which has cut some of the food costs and since my husband lost his job I have had to pass up store specials I may have stocked up on in the past and determine the ones that will benefit the household the most. So the numbers change and some years the savings is higher than others or I discover a new way to save that I may have overlooked it's just like being our own accountant in the household area. I know you will do great and have a lovely week!
      XOXO
      Vicky

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    2. Dear Barb,
      All those things are big savings. When you work them out you can think that is the amount you are getting on top of your pension. This has to be allowing you to live a better life and get ahead as well, even if only a little bit. Things like meals from your parents must really be so helpful. Food is a big expense. Also it is amazing what you can grow in a small garden... then you can see the cost of things in the shop and count those. If you can find a craft you like or it could be cooking.... then making your own gifts can be a HUGE saver and you could count that. I am sure that there will be lots of things that crop up and you will be amazed! It will help us with our creativity and make us think! I am so glad youre in! With love Annabel.xxx

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    3. Thank you for taking the time to reply to my comment Vicky. I love this challenge, in fact I am already thinking about all the ways I save money now and what I will do next year.one example is I get given cuttlefish for my 2 baby budgies , cuttlefish are expensive to buy but free from the beach. A saving there already. You are right Vicky , not taking a taxi is a big saving , I need to take taxis sometimes as I cannot take public transport. I can however save in other areas. I make my own cards , each card I don't buy at the shops saves me approx $5 more if I was to buy a handmade card. There are many many ways to save and I thought I did not do much to save but I do everyday without thinking. Thanks again Vicky and Annabel.

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    4. Thank you Annabel, I just came back to the page and saw your comment after I replied to Vickys comment and I wanted to reply to your comment too Annabel. I make cards and have made them for years, this Christmas I am giving sets of cards with pens and stamps as gifts which has saved me at least $30 per gift going on shop prices. I also have a supply of dove beauty bars which I am wrapping in scrapbooking paper from my stash and decorating with thick ribbon that came with my new pjs. Another saving there.I also have the baking ingredients ( bought on good specials) to make chocolate peppermint bark, rocky road and chocolate chip cookies/ biscuits for gifts too. The savings really do add up. I have never thought of it as getting extra on top of my pension because of savings but I do live really well Annabel and have done for years. My parents are a big support, they are wonderful and save me money, time , worry and effort in many ways. Thanks again Annabel. I will be the first in line for this challenge at the beginning of 2016. Love Barb.

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  11. What a great idea! I will definitely be trying this!! :)

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    1. Thanks Jes. I am sure your savings at home would be astronomical! xxx

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  12. I can tell you just love a challenge, Annabel :-) How is your Dad? Improving I hope. I hope you enjoyed baby sitting today. I might be doing that in a few weeks too. My little grandson turns one this month just before Christmas. Where has the year gone?

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    1. Dear Nanna Chel, Yes I do. I thrive on a challenge and the motivation.
      Dad is doing well and amazing everyone. I just want to have Christmas all together, that is all I want for Christmas.
      It will be beautiful for you to have the Grandchildren and your Daughter all together. Yes where has the year gone! With love Annabel.xxx

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  13. I've always thought about this concept - the more you do for yourself and family the more you save and you might not have to work quite as much. We always talk like "we'll we just saved $10" or whatever. Never thought of keeping track of the exact amount! Great idea and fun!

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    1. Vickie I think it really adds up. Even keeping track for a week would be very revealing. And amazing. And fun! xxx

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  14. Dear Annabel, What an exciting challenge! I do love a challenge for extra motivation, so count me in on this one! My husband and I actually have a goal to pay our house off in 2016, so this will fit perfectly. It's silly, I think, when people get the idea that just because a wife does not bring home that second paycheck, she does not contribute financially. That couldn't be more wrong if she does her job correctly! I could go on and on about the ways a wife can save money and raise the standard of living in her own home for little to no cost, but I think when this challenge begins, we will all see for ourselves what we have all been able to accomplish. And we must remember, as well, that we cannot put any dollar amount on the love and devotion we give to our families and those we are able to bless by being keepers at home. That is what makes us truly valuable, and no paycheck can compete with that. In the workforce, anyone can replace you, but in our homes, we are irreplaceable. Love, Kelsey

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    1. Dear Kelsey, I 100% agree with you. Many things money cant buy. You cannot pay a person to love your child. This amazes me. You can pay them to keep your child alive I guess but thats not being lovingly cared for.
      If you can pay your house off next year just wow! That would be so wonderful. I will celebrate with you when you do this! Imagine life after that! Well it sounds like we will have a lot of fun and motivation with this challenge. I cant wait now! With love, Annabel.xxx

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    2. Kelsey,

      I've read all the lovely comments and replies and yours is one of the most inspiring. I felt so blessed and esteemed while reading it. God is the God of the little things for which He blesses in huge ways. I can only imagine how The Vicky Challenge is going to honor and build innumerable homes around the globe! Don't you just love Annabel's posts?

      May God bless all of you commenters for encouraging words today. Annabel, I shared this post with "only" three so far this morning, two of whom were my beautiful girls-- young wives who want to start their families at "an as-yet-to-be-determined time." *wink* Oh, the challenges facing them in today's society! But the God we serve strengthens and equips us for The Challenge!

      *hugs*
      Kelley~

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  15. Dearest Annabel
    I am so excited to begin this challenge. I cannot imagine the total worth of my at home income and am looking forward to it with a passion. I am also looking forward to a year of more home made gifts. This of course will add to the over all "Income" I find. I have already begun adding up bits and pieces that I do daily without thinking and it certainly is a lot.

    I am thinking of you daily and your Dad as well and pray all is improving. I know you will be super organised for Christmas next year with the early start

    God Bless and looking forward to further challenges

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    1. Dear Mel, Thank you so much for your prayers.
      I know many of the things you do in your household and the savings must be huge. Also like me you are always adding new ways!
      That is a good way to put it... counting all the income we find! Basically that is exactly it!
      I am so glad you are in and will enjoy it so much more with others in with me. With lots of love,
      Annabel.xxx

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  16. Dear Annabel, as you know I already do this, and I know I've got a very full plate next year, so I won't join the challenge as such. But I will happily follow along and cheer everyone from the sidelines. It's a wonderful way to measure what you achieve in the home and to make others see value in your contribution. Well done Vicky for inspiring everyone to do the same. Lots of Love, Mimi xxx

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    1. Dear Mimi,
      I think you could roughly estimate already from the number of times you have worked out a day or a week in your insourcing. $1000 a week would be a conservative guess anyway from what I have seen of your creations etc.It certainly has inspired me! With love, Annabel.xxx

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  17. I like this! I know I save us a lot of money here on the home front but it would be awesome to know how much. I accept the challenge! This weekend I made broth from our turkey carcasses and canned 20 pints plus I cut my husband's hair. That was a huge savings alone. Haircuts here for him are $18 plus I figure $1.32 for each pint of broth! This sounds like fun!

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    1. Dear Lana,
      I think you will find it amazing how it adds up. This is what we are adding to the family income. It is so much and worth such a lot.
      I will post some easy ways to make this a quick and simple thing to do each day... it has to be easy or it will take too much time. But I am dying to see my first weeks savings/earnings! With love Annabel.xxx

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  18. A great challenge and count me in. Just today I made tuna tin sized Christmas cakes and a couple of medium sized cakes, the patisserie at work has Christmas cakes for sale done up in cellophane at $35 each for tuna yin size and $ 50 for a medium cake do all up today I saved myself around $300.
    I thinking of you and your family daily and hoping your Dad is still improving.
    Enjoy your week Annabel. Debbie xx

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    1. Welcome aboard Debbie! That was handy having someone to note the retail prices. Its very revealing isnt it!? $300 isnt a bad days work either! Truly its amazing.
      Thank you, Dad is improving... With love Annabel.xxx

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  19. This will be an interesting exercise and a test of our math skills! :-)

    Tonight we had homemade gourmet burgers. If we were to buy them out it might be $12.50 each maybe? (Really don't know as I make my own!) Say $50.I know it cost me heaps less, likely not even a quarter of that! That is a mere guesstimate, as I buy everything either generic or seasonal or half price or better. I could easily save close to my actual total grocery budget each year and that is the mere starting point. Because it is a way of life now buying the best and frugal deals everywhere and for everything, this will be a bit of an eye opener! I think it will take a bit of my concentrating on recording to be aware just how much is "earned"!

    Great idea Vicky!! Thank you. :-)

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  20. I think this is a great idea. I have a calendar that I will keep daily totals on , and then add up each week. I do work outside the home, as an accountant, and always have. Even though I worked outside the home, my family always had homemade dinners, we grew a large garden, and did lots of activities with the kids. We did not hire things to be done, they just took longer and had to be very organized. I admired women who stayed home, but it was not for me. To each their own. I am now in my 60s and still work outside the home. My sons are adults and on their own now. I look forward to doing this challenge, as well as your Christmas one. Best wishes to all.

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  21. Many years ago when my babies were still babies I sat down and calculated the cost/benefit of my returning to work part time. (Needless to say, I turned out to be more valuable as a full-time stay at home mommy.) But I've not kept track of the actual savings from doing the individual things vs. retail. Hmmmm...

    And Colette, I love your Thanksgiving table!

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    1. That was a wise thing to do. Many people dont do it. There was a calculator on Crown Ministries to work out profit from work less tax, less expenses... that was incredible. I am not sure if its still there... My friend used it and she was making less than $3 an hour. Ridiculous.
      Colettes table inspired me! With love, xxx

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  22. I'd like to do this too. I lost my little job in June and have been concerned over the small amount I was making not being added to our income. So this would help. BUT, I'm alittle confused. When you add the savings do you actually move it to a savings account or is it just on paper or kept at home. Sorry if it seems like a dumb question, I just didn't see where you actually put the saved money!!!!

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    1. Dear Christina, I am sorry about your job loss. I hope that through other ways you will be able to make up for it. And I do hope this helps!
      Some people might move the savings into an emergency fund or the pantry or the mortgage. That is up to the priorities you have. Others will not have spare money as such but can count this is the amount they they live a better life than their actual income shows by all they do to stretch it. So that will be a personal thing. Ours will be our emergency fund first as I want to built that up and this will help me do it.
      I am very glad to have you aboard. I am working on steps to make it easy as possible as well. With love Annabel.xxx

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  23. Dear Annabel and others,

    I'm late to the party, but SO in for the Vicky Challenge! This is excellent. I've already been doing this to some extent but not keeping a running tally. My hubby convinced me that I am more valuable to our family at home during this season of our life, and he is right. Sadly I needed convincing. Back to what you said earlier Annabel...this massive lie that women are fed about careers versus caring for our families, etc....this challenge can really free some people's minds and motivate them to do better and better for their families. I don't know how much savings I will be able to actually put towards reducing debt, etc., but I will take it one day at a time.

    This is going to be great! Thank you Annabel and Vicky for such an excellent post. The new year is going to bring so many good things!

    Love,
    Colette xxx

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  25. Thank you Annabel and Vicky! I am looking forward to participating in the Vicky Challenge, as well. I have often tallied how much I have saved after returning from shopping or made a guess at how much I have saved after preparing a meal, etc., but I haven't done a daily or weekly total. I think it will be helpful for both my husband and myself. We are both retired and try to stretch our dollars. Today, I picked up gifts for our daughter-in-law and youngest granddaughter that I was able to get at about 85% off. I saved about $60 while getting some items I think they will really enjoy. Thank you for the continued encouragement of your blog!
    I am so happy to hear your dad is improving! I will continue keeping him and your family in my prayers. With love, Elaine

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    1. Dear Elaine, I am glad to have you on board! Truly it is amazing how well we can do with a bit of creativity and keeping eyes open too.
      That was a great saving on the present.
      Thank you so much for your prayers I really appreciate them. Dad is doing well. With love Annabel.xxx

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  26. P.S. Although I mentioned we try to stretch our money as a retired couple, I really can't remember a time when I haven't wanted or needed to stretch my money :-). There were times with 3 kids that money was extremely tight!

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  27. I have just realised that I hadn't signed up for the Vicky challenge, an oversight that could cost more than I can afford.

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  28. I love the Vicky Challenge and would love to join in. I think this is such a wonderful challenge. I think this would be such a positive and uplifting experience. As I hate when people say and "what do you do all day?". I already know in my heart how much I do, but this is so visual. This challenge is a blessing. Lots of love, Bridget

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    1. Dear Bridge,
      We dont have to justify what we do to others but I have often been asked and my reply is so lame it sounds like I do nothing! Which I hate! But apart from that seeing the savings we "earn" I think will be both surprising and uplifting! And help us to be inventive to find more ways. I cant wait even to see what I save in a week or a month, let alone the year. I have started gathering some prices of things I regularly do myself... a few shocks already! I am so glad your in! With love Annabel.xxx

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  29. This is a fantastic challenge & I am most definitely in!! Keep up the great work Annabel!

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  30. I love this idea of actually tracking our savings! Over the years, raising our 11 children, my wise hubby would always tell people that the amount I saved this way was well over the amount of his salary from work! I have always been grateful that he appreciates my contributions to our family finances and it's been great these 45 years to work as a team to DIY so many projects!

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  31. Dear Gardenpat, You have 11 children! That is wonderful. I am sure your husband is exactly right. It is so good he appreciated your work. And team work is a big help. We get much more done this way! Many thanks! Love Annabel.xxx

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  32. This sounds similar to my thrifty week at Harvest Lane Cottage posts, but I haven't put a dollar amount on the things I've done or received. Great idea!
    I know during my cancer battle, our family budget suffered greatly. I am nearly done with all my treatments. One more surgery next week. As I recover, I'll be adding new things, especially with Christmas coming! Thanks for the idea and for answering my question about Who is Vicky!

    Blessings,
    Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

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I really appreciate your comments thank you! The aim of my blog is the be a place of encouragement and happiness. Very rarely is anyone rude. Actually only twice so far! If you post a rude or aggressive comment I will read it but not publish it, thanks for understanding.xxx

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