On Saturday we were going to be out for the whole day so I decided to pack a picnic lunch. We knew that we were going out for dinner so it seemed ridiculous to consider ‘eating out’ twice in one day.
This is where we had our lunch. It is not out in the country but a suburban park about 4km from the Brisbane CBD. There is a bus depot across the road and a major freeway and interchange a few hundred metres in another direction, yet it was a quiet and peaceful oasis where we stopped for our picnic.
We unpacked our picnic set and cloth, added the food and drink and we were ready to tuck into our feast.
I had made a mixed salad of lettuce, capsicum (red peppers), cherry tomatoes, cucumber and cheese as well as a couple of hard-boiled eggs. There were rice crackers and some mango chutney as well. I packed some walnuts and dried figs to finish and the whole lot was washed down with lemon cordial and soda water.
A pleasing note is that the lemon cordial, mango chutney and soda water were made at home, the chickens provided the eggs and the cucumber and tomatoes were picked from the garden.
Just a few minutes spent planning meant that we saved at least $30 and were able to enjoy some of our favourite foods in a pleasant setting rather than doing battle with holiday crowds at a cafe or food court.
organised castle 
Good on you Fairy. We had to spend the day in Bunbury today while our car was being serviced and I was not organised at all. We bought our lunch, two beef and bacon burgers with salad from a little diner plus chips shared with friends, also one coffee and one cool drink. My purse was $25 lighter and the meal was nothing special at all.
A lesson learned, I must take time to put a simple picnic together next time something like this occurs, so much cheaper, healthy and enjoyable. Oh well, even the best Simple Saver gets caught out once in a while but it doesn’t make you feel good.
Saturday was one of my successes but I definitely fail sometimes, too. Don’t be too hard on yourself.