My friend Al laughed at me recently.
“You’re always figuring out how much everything costs!”, she said.
I had to laugh with her – I’ve been doing it for so long now that I don’t even notice. It was ironic too, because while I was telling her about buying broken bags of salt at bargain prices, we were busy eating at Anason in Barangaroo. The food was excellent, but certainly not cheap…
You see, whilst the adding up and counting costs began out of necessity, a lot of time has passed since then. It was important when Small Man was sick in hospital and Pete had been retrenched, but that was decades ago. And although we live a fairly moderate lifestyle now, we certainly aren’t stingy on ourselves.
So it’s intriguing that I still find so much joy in scrimping and saving. Is it that my Asian genes love a bargain? Maybe that plays a part. But after giving it more thought, I’ve decided that it also has to do with empowerment. I find it very reassuring to know that if the time ever came again that we had to survive on very little, we could.
Actually, survive isn’t the right word. I reckon we could thrive. We would eat our homemade sourdough at 60c a loaf, turn chicken bones into hearty meals, bake cakes with discounted tinned fruit, and cook up nourishing pasta soups.
Which is, in fact, how we eat now – not because we have to, but because we enjoy it. It feels like an important life lesson to pass on to Big Boy and Small Man – work hard, enjoy yourselves, but understand that if times ever get tough, you can always survive thrive on very little. I know too many people who equate contentment with a certain level of income, but life has shown us the hard way that it’s not something we always have control over. By practising frugality even when we don’t need to, we hope to model a mindset to our sons that will not just prepare them for, but allow them to embrace, the unpredictability of life.
. . . . .
On our last trip to Costco, baby barramundi from Humpty-Doo (it’s a real place, google it!) was discounted by 50%. We brought home two fish, cut off the heads, then filleted them. The four fillets (skin on) and the bones were dusted in seasoned flour and simply pan fried, then I microwaved the heads with black beans and spring onions.
Accompanied by stir fried garden vegetables and steamed rice, this was a delicious meal for four adults using just $10 worth of fresh local fish. See, I’m still adding up! Do you do it too? ♥
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
I had to google Humpty-doo! Lol What an interesting place. The fish looks delicious.
Australian place names would make you roar with laughter! There’s a Dunedoo as well – pronounced “Dunny Doo”. :)
I get a real rush from a bargain, like you, I am not even aware I am doing it most of the time, and I have no Asian genes!! LOL
Your fish meal looks delish! Thankyou for your entertaining posts and fantastic recipes Celia. :-)
Love a bargain! Maybe you have a little Asian gene way back in your family history.. ;-)
Dear Sweet Celia, scrimping is a way of life for us too, but it doesn’t “feel” like it. As you said, we don’t always have control over our lives (or its unpredictable circumstances!), but we can thrive in spite of ’em. Russ has been reeling in large-mouth bass lately and I’m overjoyed at the prospect of “poisson en papillote” for dinner every time he brings me more fillets. (Your fish dish sounded wonderful, too!) Simmering stock, “re-purposing” leftovers, and cooking from scratch also afford me lil’ indulgences, too, when the occasion arises. (Yay!) Merry Christmas, dear one! xo
Kim, as others have commented here, it really is swings and roundabouts, isn’t it? We all have a fixed amount of money to spend, whatever that might be, and we need to make decisions on how to spend it. Merry Christmas to you both as well, lovely friend! xxx
P.S. Loved your links. WONDERFUL writing and thoughts!
P.S. YOU’RE wonderful! Thank you! xxx
Celia, your blog is so timely. Just this morning as we were talking about our community Christmas drive, my husband and I were laughing about how poor we were when we first got together. He said that he never wanted to take what we have now for granted and to always remember those early days.
A funny story from those times: One early winter evening, I asked him to run up to our local store and get a can of dog food. Mr G, the store owner was busy chatting to another customer while my husband was carefully counting out our last change to pay for the can of dog food. As he took the can off the counter and gave it to my husband, Mr.G said ‘bon appetit!’.
We still laugh about it almost 40 years after.
Joanne, you made me laugh out loud!! (Pete just said…”I think cat food tastes better” :D)
Yes, I agree, lets never forget or take things for granted. But the trick is how to teach that to our kids so that they can benefit without having to go through the same things. x
My beloved Mother would always say: “Waste Not Want Not.” I definitely can scrimp when called for. I don’t like to waste. If I don’t waste, it almost seems like I always have more than enough. Certainly appreciating what one has before going in for more is an almost perfect way to thrive.
It’s a mind-set really, and easily accomplished when in choice. It was not that long ago when people thrived to the best of their ability by scrimping. Many were successful, and I dare say happier and more grateful in the long run as a result too!
Think of our elders that scrimped. Had they not, and living to an older age in today’s world, they don’t have to simply survive, but thrive, many still in their own homes.
“If I don’t waste, it almost seems like I always have more than enough.” Exactly so! :)
I don’t believe I’ve ever lived any other way. I was raised by a mother who had 4 small children to feed by herself in occupied Holland during WWII. I was taught that throwing out food was a heinous crime, that making a small amount of food go a long way was a matter of pride and good housekeeping, and that paying full price was a matter of regret, not a matter of course. I still shop and cook that way, and am still horrified when I see people throw out perfectly good food because they can’t be bothered or are too fastidious to do things with leftovers.
By the way, I’ve just been gifted with a small envelope of ‘grand-daughter of Priscilla’ and I’m going to call her Corinna, after the baker-detective of Kerry Greenwood’s books. I’ll be baking in my Römertopf, so it’s going to be a time of experimentation!
Oh Kate, I’d have happily sent you starter ages ago, but for some reason, I thought you were gluten-free? Be warned that baking in the Romy is hard on the clay pot and that you can’t preheat it. If you have an old enamel roaster (they lightweight type they use for camping), it’s a cheaper and more reliable option. Having said that, the Romy is great for producing soft crumbed loaves and I used it often for my mum’s bread until I bought Emilie’s book (there’s a great soft sandwich loaf recipe in there).
Until about 3 months ago, I WAS gluten free, but I’ve had my coeliac disease diagnosis reversed after 10 years… I’m now happily eating bread of all kinds, and while I love working with yeast, I want to see if sourdough is a little kinder on my still-grumpy insides. I’ll maybe reconsider using the Romy in view of your comments, but I don’t have an enamel roaster, I’ll have to see what I can turn up in the op shops round here.
How lovely to be able to eat bread again! So happy for you! Sourdough is much gentler on niggly stomachs, or so I’ve found. Op shops are a good source of old enamel roasters – I line the base with Bake paper, so it doesn’t even need to be spotlessly clean (I never actually clean mine!).
I must say, it has been a revelation. Being gluten free made me a much better and more experimental baker, and now I’m applying my hard won knowledge with wheat once more. Happy days!
My uncle lived in Humpty-Doo. We went through there on a trip to Darwin.
I think you’ve been everywhere, Deb! :)
I learned culinary economy from immigrant parents and current finances mean that those lessons are even more important than ever. Is that lokum (Turkish delight) on the plate next to the drink in the top picture?
Yes! Locally made Turkish Delight – we have a company in Auburn which makes them and they’re divine! We were onto apple tea and sweets before I remembered to take a pic. :)
For some reason I love the stuff. I even like the chocolate bar, Turkish Delight. :)
What’s your favourite flavour? With nuts or without?
Ooh, I should have mentioned that. They do a sublime hazelnut Turkish delight coated in coconut instead of sugar. It’s not quite as sweet as the others, but soooo good. I took a kilo over to San Francisco on our holidays and then had to ban myself from eating it as I found it hard to stop! :)
There’s a middle-eastern grocery store nearby that sells different kinds of individually wrapped nougat/torrone and lokum by the pound. I get a little carried away buying various kinds …. sesame seeds, fig, coconut covered. There’s a pic of an assortment I brought home a while ago here.
https://aboleyn01.wordpress.com/2016/08/16/baked-kibbeh-kibbeh-bil-sayneeye/
Yes, I do it all the time. I’m always figuring out the cost of a meal, per serve and enjoy a bargain. Some fish, such as leatherjacket, sell for around $5 a kilo at the fishmarket: they are a tasty firm fish, but because they have bones, people don’t seem to like them. They are great with black bean sauce or a crunchy coating and a curry sauce. Herbs and leaves from the garden make the best pasta sauces. Lentils are my favourite frugal food- in dhals, or soups or salads. Bread making ( thanks to you Celia) happens twice or three times a week and I have decided to bake more often and give some away too.
Although I cook frugally and enjoy it more, I am immensely indulgent when it comes to travel( and jewellery, and wine, and….) One balances the other.
Speaking of enamel roasters, some of the recipients of your/our starter would like to know of any bargain sources of those ones we all bought a few years ago via woolworths online. Let me know Celia if you see any about. xx
I could live on lentils, I think. Or legumes at least! Thank you for understanding what I was trying to say, Fra. And I’ll let you know if I see roasters on sale again – cheapest I’ve found recently is DJs for about $35.
http://shop.davidjones.com.au/djs/m20/en/davidjones/enamel-bakeware-30cm-oval-roaster-with-lid
Yes, watching my mother be VERY careful, it has rubbed off me and my sisters and daughter. Waste not want not is right. I do remember your salt post and am still jealous :)
Hahahahaha! I mustn’t laugh though…don’t want to rub salt into the wound.. :D
I’ve been to Humpty-Doo. It’s not a big place. :)
My mother was very frugal because she had to be. I think of her every time I read one of your posts about watching every cent. My grandparents were immigrants to the US from Canada and the jobs they could get were at the bottom of the ladder.
I learn from you every time.
Thank you, lovely M. How are you traveling? I’ve missed chatting to you! xxx
I learnt from parents who lived through the depression that you never know what is around the corner and you need to be able to live on a budget and eat well. With 3 sons, two who are hungry teenagers this feels like a big task some days. But I am always inspired by your blog- I now bake bread with Leo son of Priscilla, make yoghurt, buy meat in bulk and love our small veggie patch. Soon I will make chicken curry in my romertopf for dinner. thanks Celia for the life lessons
See Katie, it’s comments like yours that make it worth writing this blog! Thank you! xxx
Wise words Celia.I think of frugality as just how l live. it certainly doesn’t mean miserly, but, a very content way of life.
Jo, there is so much peace of mind in knowing that, no matter how tough it gets, we can always manage. It really is the secret to contentment, I think. xx
Hi Celia, I am always telling people how little we spend on food. When I was working I had the motto “Never spend all that you earn because that puts pressure on you to always earn that much”
I was telling Big Boy today that we spend about half as much on food now as we did twenty years ago. And that’s because we weren’t baking or growing or buying wholesale. And you’re very wise…I remember being trapped in a job once I couldn’t afford to leave, and I never want to feel that way again! xxx
Celia, I really enjoyed this post and all the comments. Because I retired last year and we are currently downsizing it is a timely reminder that we can live well and joyfully on much less. I have lost the habit the last decade or so. Thank you. And, my starter is still alive and well here in California. i just purchased the bread book you mentioned on your blog and look forward to more baking in my retirement.
Oh Celia, I loved this post and what you have to say. It reflects so much the way we live and love to shop, cook and eat. We enjoy eating out, but often more for the social experience and meeting up with friends. Mostly though we enjoy cooking, eating and entertaining at home or simply sharing meals and time together. Not only is it more frugal (allowing us to treat ourselves more often), Big Man thinks the food is generally better at home 😀
Your domestic frugality is always inspiring, Celia and i agree that it is a balancing act: if you are sensible about what you need to live and eat well, you can indulge when the opportunity comes up and not feel horribly guilty. We worked with a Chinese boy some years ago and his Dad took us all to dinner – we were shown the Chinese way to eat fish because, he said, you Aussies throw the best bits away – fish bone and head diplomacy ensued:)
I’m sure we’ve all been there. With us there was always a threat of Josh’s company shutting down or downsizing every time we had a baby! I Still need to get better about meal planning, I feel like I save more that way but it gets hectic at times. While the boys keep talking about everything they want for Christmas we remind them how good they have it by adopting a family in need. I’m actually knee deep wrapping those presents now to drop off tomorrow!
Interesting thoughts Celia. So true. For me, I’m mostly ingrained with frugality day to day but splurge on travel. It’s called balance maybe?
Hi Celia – long time no see. I love your post. We have a similar approach. We watch our pennies, shop around and make sure that we aren’t wasting money on silly things we don’t need. Having said that, we also don’t deny ourselves luxuries – occasional meals out, travel, good wine. It’s just the way we are and I’m happy to say, it’s held us in good stead. xxx
An interesting (and amusing) post Celia. I grew up in a household where there was never any spare cash and learned frugality from my mother who was amazing at stretching the budget. We never went hungry, and no-one got out of her house un-fed!
It’s not essential that i follow her example, but I get a real kick out of a bargain. And i despise waste in any form. I drive The Management mad at times 😂