Tag: creative

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Life

Food On A Budget

So right now, I’m doing food on a budget. How does that look? And can you even get any good food for as little as $50 a fortnight (or $25 a week!!)? 

Lockdowns have caused funds to dwindle (especially mine, where my day job is school photography. Not an essential service apparently). So I’m trying to be more thrifty with my funds and stick to a food budget.

There are some fortnights where I only spend $30 for food, and others where I spend $70. So I’ve shared my ‘Penny Pinching Budgeter’ example (coins for visual), and a ‘Super Budgeter’ example. (use superman type logo for this one)

Also, I should mention that planning your meals in advance, can really help reduce your expected costs. If you know what kind of food you like to make (and that you’re going to actually stick to your shopping list), it becomes pretty clear, pretty quickly what you will need to grab on your next shopping day!

>>>Grab the eBook version of my book – “KIDNAPPED Entanglement” HERE

Some basic things to remember on saving money include

  • Avoid brand names that are expensive (the homebrand stuff is either just as good, or better on your money belt anyways. You’ll learn to appreciate the slightly different taste if you’re an avid foodie).
  • Who says your grocery trip has to be exclusively at ONE store? Going to a few different places (like that discount grocery place alongside your normal supermarket) can drastically make a difference. When money counts, it pays to do a few extra steps on shopping day.
  • Cut out on those luxuries this time, so you can grab them next time. It’s okay to skip a week of chippies, chocolate bikkies, or that special drink of yours.
  • Be creative with the limited choices you have. It’s easy to use Bolognese sauce JUST for spaghetti, but have you ever looked into the various recipes and options you can do with it? There are so many choices if you’re just willing to get a bit more creative!

Super Budgeter ($60-70 P/F for 1 person)

  • Tier 1 Essentials. These guys are the things you need every week, and use all the time:
    Milk, bread, eggs, cheese, toilet paper.
  • Tier 2 Essentials.
    Pasta, rice, sauces, fresh veggies (like lettuce, cucumber, carrots etc), potatoes, frozen veggies.
  • Tier 3 Essentials. This is your meat section. Meat can be pricy, so if you’re willing to go without a whole bunch of meat (or be a bit more particular), your bills will decrease quite a bit!
    Chicken, mince, ham.
  • Tier 4 Essentials. This is your cleaning and sanitary stuff. If you needed things like toothpaste, try grabbing those long lasting ones that only cost an extra buck or two.
    Dishwashing tablets/liquid, laundry liquid, shampoo, conditioner.
  • Miscellaneous. This is the stuff that you add to the cart when you’ve collected those essential
    Bagels, donuts, 2 minute noodles, Tacos, Pizzas, chips, drinks, fruit.

Shopping at places like Aldi, or discount grocery stores, I can easily hit this $60-70 mark for a fortnight (one person only though guys… keep that in mind!).

Penny Pinching Budgeter ($20-30 P/F for 1 person)

  • Tier 1 Essential.
    Milk, bread, eggs, cheese, toilet paper.
  • Tier 2 Essentials.
    Pasta, rice, sauces, frozen veggies, potatoes.
  • Tier 3 Essentials.
    Chicken, mince.
  • Tier 4 Essentials.
    Laundry liquid, dishwashing tablets/liquids
  • Miscellaneous.
    There ain’t none baby!

This can be harder to achieve, and you have to be a bit more brutal with your choices. Giving up a LOT for this price point. When you’re down to the wire for money though, sometimes all you can survive on is rice and beans (so to speak)!

These examples were just some of the ways that I try to be thriftier on a food budget when the money isn’t rolling in. They’re easily adjustable if you wanted to try them, but I always try to keep in mind that the more I look at those chip and cookie rows, the more I’ll want to grab some from them.

What foods do you think you could live without if you had to? Share with us in the comments below.

See You in The Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Life Writing

I Hate Writing…??? | I SPY, IN JULY

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I hate writing??? What kind of statement is that? Well… okay not ALL writing – just the editing stage.

I’m talking about why I hate editing, and how it get’s in the way of the creative process.

>>Check all about my first book – KIDNAPPED Entanglement >>>here

What’s something you hate to do? Share in the comments and let’s hate on those small things together!
If you want to read my book, head to the link >>>here for the KIDNAPPED Entanglement eBook, OR get the paperback direct from me for the cheapest price!

Don’t forget to check back tomorrow for the LAST I Spy, In July video – I saved the best for last!

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Life

Creativity Chaser | I SPY, IN JULY

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“Are you just a one trick pony?” I heard you all asking (okay, nobody asked… but I’m answering anyway) – and the answer is no!

I love all sorts of creativity outlets, and I’m taking you on the journey of one of them – painting:

>>Check all about my book – KIDNAPPED Entanglement >>>here

What kind of painting do you like? Are you an abstract like me, or more of a ‘bowl of fruit’ type of person? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

If you want to read my book, head to the link >>>here for the KIDNAPPED Entanglement eBook, OR get the paperback direct from me for the cheapest price!

Don’t forget to check back every night this month for another video – there are some pretty fun things coming!

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Life

No Prospects, No Money and No Idea

I left with no prospects, no money and no idea of what to do next.

Okay, so that may sound a little ‘Jane Austin-ish’ but I can assure you, that’s how it was when I left my full time job.

I decided to leave without any guarantee of work anywhere else, and no clue of what exactly I wanted to do. I applied for a few different creative fields, because THAT was the one thing I knew for certain; I wanted a creative job that I would enjoy!

Painter GIFs | Tenor

People say – just get a job that pays the bills, so you can do what you love on the side  – all the time. They are WRONG. Just. Plain. Wrong.
If you can find something for a job that pays AND you enjoy – that’s what makes you happy in life.

My grandfather spent his whole life in a horrid job, doing something he loathed – just the pay the bills. Grateful, is the only word I could come up with. Grateful that he did that to provide for his family, and that it lead to my Dad being who he is.

Fortunately in these times, we have more flexibility. Not only in WHAT job we do, but HOW we do it (and this could become even more flexible post Covid).
So, Why when I advise everyone NEVER to leave a job with no prospect of another on the horizon, did I make this decision?

The answer is simple, but it may sound strange – depending on your world view.
I just KNEW it was the right time. Things had been spoken to me and over my life (through trusted people in my sphere), and it was time! My job wasn’t challenging or interesting anymore, it was sucking my creativity and I was coming home tired because I wasn’t fulfilled – instead I was using my energy just to be present and do my work.

Tired GIFs - Get the best GIF on GIPHY

I knew that I was looking to publish my first book, so leaving was SCARY as heck! I pushed the book a few months until I could secure some income, and I searched!
What I found was an incredible blessing. Using some of my business skills, while also my creative eye – I ended up in School Photography.

Even though right now, schools are closed and my Day Job awaits for a more stable school community, the job was the greatest blessing I could have hoped for. Now, I have flexible hours to continue writing, enough income to pay bills, and I am happier than I’ve been in years.

Your answer; your dream; your YES; your silver lining; They are all out there. Don’t settle. Chase what makes you happy!

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Creativity

Talking To Myself….

I’m a writer, but first and foremost, I am a Creative!
I write books, poetry, music, and paint. Because I LOVE celebrating other creatives, I wanted to pay it forward and include you AMAZING Indi artists in my book!

Things are looking a little challenging in the world right now, but that’s not a cue to sit at home with a tub of ice cream and cookies (I went through that phase too, no judging!) This is the PERFECT time to get some exposure online and grow those important connections for when we can get out in the world again.

Check out the video below to hear about it:

 

If you want to have some fun, possibly get some exposure and listeners, head to the link and see HOW you can leap into the unknown!

I WANT TO REGISTER

So, DON’T MAKE ME TALK TO MYSELF! Share this with other creatives to jump on board and get their music to new people.

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

 

Categories
Life

Changing Things Up

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WIFE – “Do you notice anything different about me?”
HUSBAND – “What?”
WIFE – “I changed something, what is it?”
HUSBAND – “Ummm, did you change your clothes?”
WIFE – “No! What’s different?”
HUSBAND – “…….”
WIFE – “I changed my hair colour!”
HUSBAND – “It’s still blonde…”
WIFE – “It’s a darker SHADE of blonde.”

I have to admit (and no judging here), i’m usually a lot like the Husband in that scenario. I’m not good at picking up on subtle changes, but sometimes I have my moments. My sister in particular, is someone who changes things up all the time! Her hair is a different colour, style, length etc every few months – THAT, I can usually notice. BUT, if she changed her earrings, forget it Jack – I wouldn’t pick it up at ALL.

When it comes to changing up your look, if you’re going for a drastic change, most people would be able to tell that you look different. Recently, I got my sweeping side fringe back, and the amount of people who commented (either that I looked different, or noticing the fringe) was huge!

Hannah Carmichael recently had to change up her look; after the world and the spy agency CGT thought she was dead, she couldn’t very well head out looking the same! If someone spotted her, their undercover advantage would be gone!
So, she changed her hair, put in colour contacts and dressed differently – small changes, but if you looked at her at a glance, you probably wouldn’t put it together (particularly because the world thought she was Dead)
I’ll pop the link to Hannah’s transformation instalment at the bottom of this post so you can check out her changes yourself!

I steer away from changing how I look too much – it took me 26 years to colour my hair for the first time! But, I think if I was going to change it up COMPLETELY, I would go with an eclectic quirky vibe (like all those Brave souls in cities all over the world – wearing whatever they want, regardless. Like a dress made of meat :P).
Sometimes I can be brave with my fashion choices, but if I could go down to Kmart wearing pool floaties on my arms, a pink tutu and long knee high purple socks with sneakers, I would… maybe

But not every style suits every person – I know for a FACT, that I wouldn’t suit the grunge look or attitude! Then again, if I was on the run, it’s the opposite of my personality, so maybe it would be a good look to go for…. hmmmmmmm

How many times have you changed up your hair, or your personal style? I want to hear about the cool, unusual, and perhaps regrettable changes you’ve made! Comment below and share the stories – and don’t forget to Like this post and share it with a friend who’s gotten a bad haircut, or a good one – or maybe they wore only Pink for four years… who knows!

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Hannah Carmichael Chronicles

I am a Super Spy

“I am a Super Spy!”

Have you ever wanted to say that to somebody? You know, without having to kill them afterwards for National Security reasons….

I am ferociously working on new Hannah Carmichael Chronicles Instalments because THINGS ARE GETTING CRAZY!

If you tuned in to the last one, you will know that Hannah and Zeke’s future is unknown right now. Cliff hangers can be frustrating, BUT they will be back in Two Weeks. If that isn’t soon enough – don’t worry, because I flashback instalment will be uploaded at the end of this week to tide you over in the meantime.

Hannah Carmichael may not label herself a ‘Super Spy’ but others certainly do.

What would you do if you were a spy? Traveling the world, fighting for good (or not – depending on who you work for – is Dr Evil still around?? 😛 ), being a general badass… normal stuff.

If I could have said “I am a Super Spy” and it actually be true, part of me thinks that would be the coolest thing ever; but most of me (the sane part of me) knows that it’s better for me to be behind the keyboard.

Last but not least, I have a present for everyone still reading… A very special message from Hannah Carmichael herself!!!

“CGSP Readers: The stories you read about me have been officially declassified and are available only on ChristyGraceScarletPen. If you want to know the Truth, not just the government cover stories, keep reading to see just how far CGT goes.”

…. Well then, thanks Hannah – that’s not concerning at all.

Anyway, enjoy the coming instalments!

-Christy Grace

Categories
Life

Where For Art Thou Business Card

Business card, business card; where for art thou business card.

A while ago I sent away for my first ever business cards – and they were AMAZING.

I felt super professional and it was a great step forward in my writing career. Now if I pass you on the street, I can hand you a card and you know that I’m legit!

So, because I was super psyched to get the cards, I made sure to capture the moment I opened them on video (along with my very supportive Dog – Rosie).

It’s been a while since I officially opened the cards, but I finally had a chance to sit down and clip the video together and post it to the CGSP Facebook page!

So, without further ado – to see my rambling commentary as I open the business cards in the Photo attached to this post, follow this link to find the video on the CGSP Facebook page.

While you’re there, Like the page, share it with people – if only to show them my incredible Pizza socks!

Thanks for the Love and Support so far, enjoy!