Saving It.

Getting away from it all – at 50% off

One of my favourite things to do with my sunshine cash is to spend it on travel.

Now, while my businesses do generate a good liveable income, we cannot just have unlimited time away. Even the richest men and women are still found in their offices more often than not. I make a point of getting away for long weekends every 2-3 months plus and extended week or two once or twice a year.

One of the best ways I have found to have these breaks, is by making good use of daily deals sites. Sites like Groupon, Living Social, Luxury Getaways provide great deals on travel destinations that we may not have otherwise considered.

For us 3 nights away works well, as we can have Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights away and have at least some time at home on Sunday afternoon before getting back to work on Monday.

I am preparing to go away next weekend. I bought a Groupon Deal quite some time ago for 3 nights at Whale Watch Ocean Resort on North Stradbroke Island at 50% off the regular price. This short break is about a 90 minute drive from home.

I have already Googled some great places to eat. We will pack the car with the bulk of our food and drinks and maybe eat out for 2 lunches and 1 dinner.

We have both been working really hard the last couple of months , so are really looking forward to this break. I can foresee quite a few liquid beverages on the balcony overlooking the ocean and watching for humpback whales as they make their migration up the Queensland coast.

Where do you like to travel to, and how often?

Why every one of my dollars is a “blazing sunbeam”

“Sunshine Cash” is the opposite of saving for a rainy day.

For me, Sunshine Cash is the money I earn on top of my regular income. It is not intended to pay the bills or be saved in the emergency fund. It is FUN MONEY!! However, it does trickle in sporadically depending on what I am pursuing at the time, so I have a separate bank account for it.

Making the dollars s-t-r-e-t-c-h

It is not so much the saving of the amount, as maximising the value of it. I want every sunshine dollar to be a blazing sunbeam!!!

example: If I choose to spend my Sunshine Cash, I might choose a fine dining restaurant that is promoting a two-for-one deal. Or we might choose to buy some really expensive ingredients and cook a restaurant quality meal at home, complete with the “good” china and crystal.

Daily deals sites are brilliant for eating out. We often use Groupon, Living Social or Our Deal to have a meal out at restaurants that we would not think of.

Use deals for gifts.

Daily Deals sites also have some good ideas for gifts too. Just last Christmas I bought these awesome hampers for just $39.00 !!!

I ended up buying 6 of them. The recipients we MOST impressed with a (what they thought) was a very expensive gift.

Have a clothes swap party.

Instead of going out shopping, get your girlfiriends together (with a few snacks and glasses of wine) and host a clothes swap.

Stay in for a movie marathon.

Love going to the movies but don’t like the high price tag. Host a movie marathon at home. For a “large screen” experience, hire a projector (or borrow one from work if your department has one. Make some popcorn and ice cream snacks and enjoy the saving.

Always look out for deals at the supermarket.

I am not talking extreme couponing here. I am saying, while you should always sho with a list. Don’t be a slave to the brands on that list. eg; Instead of putting Cornflakes on the list, just put Cereal. Have a look in the aisles, you ight just find something different at a cheaper price. Same with fruit and vegetables. Don’t just write “Kale” think “green leafy” you might find baby spinach or asian greens at a fraction of the cost.

Look for deals on gift cards.

Check your autoclub to see if you can access discounted grocery cards. I regularly get our major supermarket cards at 5% discount. These are “ecards” so there is ot even any postage cost. 5% on 200 grocery bill is $10..

How do you maximise your dollars?

How I live a champagne lifestyle on a lite beer budget.

I have long admitted to having Champagne taste on a Beer budget, and I have discovered many ways to live the life I want on sometimes very little money. Whether by earning a bit of cash on the side, or just getting great deals on the products and experiences that make up life in general. I have found that the niceties of life can usually be found with some creative thinking and female ingenuity.

What sort of things?

My “Champagne taste” extends itself to most areas of my life 🙂 I love good food, nice cars, lots of travel and a quality wardrobe. (mmm Shoes 🙂 ) I have never earned enough to be able to go on wild shopping sprees so I need to be a bit creative to satisfy my wants.

How do I do it?

I am also a great believer in asking the universe for what I want. I have had visions boards and wishlists since I was a child ..Loooong before “The Secret” made the concept popular.

I hope you will follow along as I post ideas and tips on making the most of your money and start living your own “Champagne Life”.