It's definately getting to summer temperatures here. On Sunday it topped 37C, Monday was apparently 36C (though at work it is always a good few degrees hotter - blergh) and today I saw it was 34C. No doubt once summer is in full swing temps will be around 40C. Yuck.

DF bought a home brew kit on the weekend. He drinks one or two beers every day, so this will definately be a money saver in the long term. The kit cost $99.95 and you are able to make 23L of beer with everything included, and after that you just have to buy the sugar/yeast etc. DF's uncle also brews his own beer. He and his wife have gotten their costs down to 30c per 375ml bottle over the years.

I don't drink beer (or other alcohol for that matter) regularly, but I don't mind the occasional one in the hotter months. So, this can only be a money saver in the end!

Income: $5454.10

Expenditure: $5250.89

Mortgage Payments: $1572.46
Groceries: $498.81
Petrol: $246.74
Phone & Internet: $77.39
Car Registration (2 x 1 year): $1058
Electricity: $79.35
Car Repairs/Expenses: $63.00
Mobile Phone: $58
House Insurance: $69.56
Life Insurance: $53.67
Car Payment: $148.00
House Spending: $189.00
Work Expenses: $20.00
DF Fun: $413.83
WS Fun: $234.04
Clothes: $211.90
Dining Out: $78.60
Entertainment: $153.54
Misc: $19.00
Bank Fees: $2

Remaining: $203.21

NOTES: Groceries are higher this month due to our housewarming party - however, we are only $4 over 'budget' per week. This is probably due to me cleaning out the pantry at the same time. So it is good I decided to do that this month!

Car Registration is what really set us back this month. I mean, it didn't set us back, but, if we didn't have to pay it, it would mean we could have sent $1058 more to our mortgage or savings this month. As it is, we only have $203 remaining after all of our expenses. Which means, next month should be great. (SHOULD be).

DF is still spening more than his allowance per week. This month it was $23 per week. I said to him 'I have spent $2 less per week than I am allowed, and you have spent $23 more!' and he said 'yeah but you don't buy alcohol!' and I said 'yeah, but I get $20 less than you per week, and I have coffee with friends three times a week, buy my makeup and clothes and magaziens out of that too, remember!' Hrrrmmmmph!

Clothes expenses are actually out of my stimulus money - but it is an expense, and I added our stimulus money into last months income, so that is why I am listing the spending this month.

Dining out and entertainment aren't too bad, but could be better. $50 of that was for food for the party too (I bought it from work so it didn't really count as groceries).

DF got a cash withdrawal from another atm so we were charged a $2 fee, that's why we have bank fees this month. GRR! lol.

The $203.21 remaining will be paid into the mortgage. I am also going to start next week putting $180 into our E-saver account for bills. When I pay a bill I will just record it, and then transfer it back at the end of the month into our main account.

I am also going to start splitting the leftover money each month into two groups: mortgage pay off and EF fund. Even though it will be going into the same account, I will record it in a spreadsheet so that I have totals of how much we have put into each. Once things start settling down we will work out a buffer amount of how much we want in our everyday account (I was thinking $5k is a nice round number, but it's possible we could do $10k).

So, here's to June!

I have decided it is about time I worked out our bills budget. Actually, our budget in general. I am not the type to stick to a budget religiously, but if I have a figure in my mind, I automatically factor that into things when purchasing or choosing to spend money. Of course we go 'over' in many categories, but who's making the rules anyway? We are. So we're breaking our own rules. And if we aren't hurting anyone, or going into debt, does it REALLY matter? Everything sorts itself out in the end.

Having said that, I like to be super organised anyway. I like to have everything written out, and planned. Not that I necessarily stick to any plans, but I like to have them!

I want to start putting away money each week again for our bills. While it will take away from our main account, and may mean a little bit more interest on our home loan in the process, the amount would only be very small, so I think peace of mind is more important in that respect. I just paid DF and my vehicle registration for the year, and it occurred to me that if we didn't have a nice balance in our account, the $1058 I had just forked over would worry me a bit. A year ago it would have not worried me, because I used to put a weekly amount into a bills account. Now we do not, as I wanted to have all the money in one account. But alas, I have realised I am not 'that' type of person. *sigh* I need to have atleast some things split up so I can relax a little in terms of money and accounts. It just makes me nervous to have all of our money together.

So, I endured the painful process of estimating our bills for a year:

House & Contents Insurance 69.56 monthly
Life Insurance 53.67 monthly
Phone & Internet 79 monthly
Mobile Phone 55 monthly
Electricity 240 3 monthly
Gas 100 6 monthly
Car Registration 1058 yearly
Car Insurance 478 yearly
RACQ Membership 62 yearly
Car Repairs 1000 yearly
Property Rates 1900 yearly
Bank Package Fee 395 yearly

I cannot think of any other bills at the moment. Is there anything missing???

At the moment, with the current amounts, that would mean that we spend approximately $9139.76 on bills per year. So if I were to put that away weekly, it would equal $175.76 per week. So if I rounded it up to $180 per week, that should cover everything.

First of all I am seeking some advice:
My dad has put $60 into my account every fortnight for... ever. When I was younger it was $20 a month, but it increased a few years ago.
I don't ask him for anything else ever - this probably stems from when I was young my mum would force me to ask my dad for anything I needed or wanted - so as soon as I started earning my own money I was fiercely independant.
Anyway, back to it. I appreciate the money I get from my dad, but I know I would be alright without it. He and his wife have a 12 year old daughter and they are still paying off a mortgage. I am closing the bank account where he puts the money - so my dilemma is: how do I word this?
I was thinking of writing an email (which is how we normally communicate) and saying, that I am closing the bank account, and that while I appreciate the allowance he gives me, and every time I see it deposited in my bank I do think of him, but that now is a time where I would be happy if he would like to use this money for my little sister (this is not the one that was sent to the grandparents - this is the complete other side of the family), or for their mortgage (they are good with money - the only thing I berate them with is that they don't pay extra! argh! and they only bought their house for $87k 10 years ago!). But that I would be happy to give him my bank details anyway for emergencies. And then I would ask how he felt about this.

So I was wondering how that sounded? I know there are LOTS of parents on here, and I thought I could get your input.

I have been thinking about it for ages. As I have said, I appreciate the money. And I also think it's crass to say 'dad, my new bank details are...'. And I also realise that I will be alright without the money. And I would prefer, in my heart, that they use it for themselves as well. I still get money for my birthday and christmas. They even give us money for DF's birthday!

So, any advice is welcome. Thankyou for taking the time to read!

Onto other updates:

I checked my old bank account today and the $900 stimulus has gone in (insert happy dance here).

The only thing I want to buy this week is a new pair of black heels. I do HAVE a pair, I just don't know where they are... and I need them by Saturday. Also, my feet go numb in them. Which is a good thing, considering otherwise they could be quite painful (I wouldn't know!) but I can't help thinking of the long term effects...

Not to say the new pair will be any different. I have accepted the fact that I do LOVE the look of gorgeous heels, but I that am much more of a ballet flat girl. But I have been reading lately that they are just as bad. *sigh* what am I supposed to do? wear joggers all the time? crocs? puh-lease!

I think I may wait a little while before I spend any more of it. No doubt everyone would have jacked up the prices because of it (or... won't have any good specials on). Also, DF just bought a new engine for his car, at the tune of $1920! But hopefully he and his BIL can just put it in, in one day, and DF will actually have a car of his own again.

I am also getting my car serviced today. It's car stuff all around. I am getting the brake pads and rotors done, I am guessing it will be around $500-$600 including the normal service as well. But I am praying that there is nothing else that needs to be done either. The mechanic is quite good, I have always gone there by myself and he has never tried to say 'oh, I had to do this' as all the horror stories go. With the brakes, he just did my normal service and said 'If I were you I would do these soon'. So I am very happy with him.

So there is a lot of money going OUT of the account at the moment, and not a great deal coming in (DF hasn't had a lot of work this week, and I have been sick a day and had two days off from public holidays). So the stimulus money ($900 for me and $900 for DF) will help keep it up at a normal level for a little while until we start earning a bit more again.

Come to think of it, I have been the main earner since we moved in to our new house. DF worked one day last week, so he only earnt $200. And consistently, the whole time we've been paying the mortgage, I have earnt more than him. However, that is only because Feb & March are typically slower months for tradesmen, and being a small business DF's dad can't afford to pay for hours that aren't worked. My mum asked me, when I mentioned DF only earnt $200 this week, "oh, how is that going to be for you guys though...?" I replied, "we don't spend more than we have, if it's not there, it's not there."
But, there will be weeks where DF will work 60 hours and rake in $1500 a week - which I could never do at my job. *sigh*
Of course, having the surplus $10k is making it easier but my aim is to have that, and more, in there at all times.

I went grocery shopping this morning in preparation for DF's sisters engagement party tomorrow (I am making my famous pesto pasta salad) and my brothers family arriving today.

I hate to admit this, but I shopped cheaply, as in, I was being 'cheap'. Frugal, yes, but cheap too. I kind of feel bad about it, but oh well.
It's probably not such a big deal to a lot of you. For example:
Instead of buying roma tomatoes I bought the normal hydro ones.
Instead of buying butter lettuce & cos lettuce, I bought ice berg.
Instead of buying chicken breasts, I bought chicken drumsticks.
Instead of buying normal fruit I would have bought if it was just DF and I, I bought bananas and apples.
Instead of buying 4-packs of decadent icecream desserts, I bought a tub of vanilla icecream.
Also, I have 'placed' our cheese and expensive snacks away from view.

ok, ok, so it's not THAT bad. It's just that, well, my brother eats a LOT. And sometimes he is wasteful by eating food when he doesnt need to, or serving up way too much for himself and then wasting it.

I just want to minimise the cost to us, seeing as very soon we are probably going to be very broke (and will probably be eating iceberg lettuce all the time!).
Oh, and I have nothing personal against iceberg lettuce, except that I don't really like it.

Tonight I have planned to make Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks, Baked potato and salad. I will have grilled tofu.

For lunch, when they arrive (in about two hours) I was going to make a platter of salad stuff to have open sandwhiches.

DF is already worried that my brother will drink all his beer (DF has lived with my brother before - he has legitimate worries!).

I have to somehow work into conversation 'please pay for yourselves and don't eat all our food because we are broke and just bought a house'. (though they are paying off a mortgage and have a baby...but their mortgage is about one quarter of ours).

OH! and don't break anything that we own! (another lovely trait of my brothers).

Anyway. ARGH!
I must repeat to myself "it's only til wednesday, it's only til wednesday, it's only til wednesday"...

Another thing I would like to add:
It WOULD HAVE been only until Monday, however my parents have decided to act like freaking children and have told me that my brother and his family aren't welcome in their house. Why? because my brother didnt bring his son and wife to visit my parents when my parents were visiting my granparents in the same state that my brother lives. My brother visited, but oh, apparently that wasn't good enough. The best part? My parents haven't TALKED to my brother about this, so my brother has no idea they are mad at him. And because I've had several arguments with my parents about this issue, which have all resulted in me calling them pathetic and them telling me its got nothing to do with me, I can't repeat any of this to my brother, so I have to nicely work into a conversation that 'it would be a good idea for them to stay at our house' but I can't actually tell them why.

I mean for gods sake, can you GET any more immature?

Anyway. Sorry for my long-winded rant. Family, huh?

I am overly ecstatic about an event that occurred yesterday:

DF went to a friends' childs birthday party yesterday (I declined the invitation - i wanted to start packing). I asked him to pick up some milk and sugar on the way home, as we were running low.

When he arrived home, he came in with his purchases:

MILK and SUGAR!

Ok, you are thinking. What's the big deal? It's what you asked for!

Let me explain a truthful example of ALL previous shopping expeditions where DF has been allowed to roam free:

shopping list:
an onion, tinned tomato, dishwashing liquid

actual purchases:
1kg of onions, tinned tomato, dishwashing liquid, potting mix (what the?), 2 blocks of cadbury chocolate, 2 litres of icecream, pack of cheezels, pack of potato crisps, some fancy deli cheese, two boxes of cereal, milk, icecream topping, hazelnut spread...

Anyway, you get the idea.

So NOW you must understand how unbelievably excited I am! I actually JUMPED up and down like a bunny rabbit on cocaine and hugged and kissed him.

But really, it IS exciting. ALL the other things he's been doing lately, like talking to his friends about his allowance (yes really!), about budgets, trying to remember his personal spending each day, trying to remember the costs of different items he buys, and the total of dockets too, keeping his reciepts, saying no to movies, not even LOOKING at the V Festival lineup (oh my god!)...
anyway, all the things he's been doing lately just make me feel very reassured that we're in this together and he's 100% on board with all our savings goals and plans.


OH! and he has been researching ruby rings too. The cost, designs, metals, jewellers etc.

I just redeemed my points for a $50 voucher. I am going to try and close the account over the next month, seeing as we now have our free ones with our new bank.
Also I just recieved my $20 voucher from www.valuedopinions.com
I have about $5 of credit in my account with them as well, for next time. They seem to send out surveys in waves. I will get a ton of them (ok, like 5 of them) and my balance will be at something like $19 (minimum you can cash out is $20). Then I will have to wait a month before getting another one so I can cash out.

Anyway, I'm not complaining. Technically it's free money!

Also, checked my emails and I have a $25 voucher to spend at Wallacec Bishop Jewellers before Feb 14th. AND they are having a sale! Last time I spent a voucher there I got a butterfly necklace pendant and a chain, so this time I can just get another pendant. The good thing about these jewellers is when they have sales, they actually HAVE SALES. I won't have to spend any more than my $25 voucher there, either.

To undo all of my good work, I bought a dress yesterday for $49.95. I had tried it on 3 times in the past two weeks - so I can't say it was an impulse purcahse. I am planning on wearing it to DF's sisters engagement.
Hmmm. Anyway that's probably going to be the LAST piece of clothing I buy for a very long while.

My plan for the next few weeks is to sock away enough money for the end of month credit card bill. It's at $900 and it's only in the first week of the cycle! $500 of it was for the solicitors fees, but DF has already given me his half. I think between that and the $1000 deposit to the real estate, it has really eaten up all our spare money. I am not sure if we are allowed to transfer any money from our savings for the house deposit - that would make it a hell of a lot easier.
See we had saved and budgetted enough to pay for lawyers fees and all that, but that's in our deposit (which is in our savings accounts). And while finance is still in limbo - I am not sure if I am meant to be taking any money out or not. So technically $1500 that was meant to come out of our savings has come out of our OWN money instead, leaving us both a bit short. (so that's $750 of the $900 CC balance - whew! I can breathe now!) Plus I am about to organise a pest inspection for next week too. That will probably be another hundred or so.

Realisically, the purchase price is $320k. Our deposit, of 5%, is $16k. And we have about $18.5k in our savings. PLUS, on the date of settlement, we will be getting $14k for the First Home Owners Grant. I'm not relying on that, obviously, for anything except the solicitors fees, which will be between $500-$1000. (Actual amount between $1000-$1500, but we've already paid $500).
On top of that, we've already paid a $1k deposit to the real estate, so really we owe $319k. Am I confusing you yet? I'm confusing myself!
All I'm trying to work out is... I don't know...!
I guess I am trying to work out if it's alright to withdraw $750 from my deposit to pay for solicitors fees and real estate deposit. Not to mention we should be withdrawing $5k midweek for our finance deposit. I am sure THAT is ok to do.

But really, I don't NEED to withdraw anything, because the CC is not due until MARCH. (unfortunately, it will be due about four days before settlement - another reason not to rely on the home owners grant, not that I would do that anyway. The grant is for home stuff, not a credit card bill! even if the credit card bill is mostly for home stuff...)
I am just one of those weird people that like to see the money there for something, so I can calm down.

Still don't know about finance. They give us credit cards before we even find out if we have GOT the loan! Weird.

This week is going to be a big week for us. Well. I am freaking out over all the things we have to do:

-organise a pest inspection (we've been slack - initially we weren't going to do it as there isn't that much chance of termites seeing as it is a high set home that is over 30 years old - termites dont like dry wood. Anyway but then DF started talking about doing a pest inspection, so now we are looking into it).
-organise a time with the real estate for the pest inspection and so we can get a ladder and look in the roof.
-transfer $2500 each out of our savings accounts.
-organise getting a check for $5k for deposit on Friday.
-get a $75 voucher for Df's sister for their engagement party
-figure out something to cook for their engagement party!
-pack some boxes
-baby proof the house for when my brother and his family stay
-organise the spare rooms so they can sleep there.
-plus then there's the money issue. like gamecock blogging about having all this money sitting there and not being able to use it! I feel the same way. AND haveing guests over is going to stretch it a bit.

*sigh*

***EDIT***
LOL. I just checked my bank account and realised I had forgotten that I had put $600 away already for the CC. God I'm an idiot sometimes...

sorry about the long winded rambling post.

I am just tinkering with our new budget. I don't know if I have missed a number or something... it doesn't seem right to have that much money 'left' for savings and extra mortgage payments. Does anyone see anything that I might be missing? Or is it just that I under-estimated our abilities? All amounts are calculated weekly.

Income:
Me: $611
DF: $803

Total: $1414

Expenses:
Mortgage: $443
Groceries: $120
Petrol: $40
Loan Payment: $37
Mobile Phone: $11.50
Personal DF: $80.30
Personal Me: $61.10
Bills: $145 *

Total: $937.90

*cost per year divided by 52 and saved per week for the following: rates, car rego x2, car insurance, gas, phone & internet, racq, electricity, car repairs, home & contents insurance.

Income: $1414
Less expenses: $937.90
Left Over: $476.10 (savings)

Savings:
EF: $300
Mortgage: $175
Change Jar: $1.10

(for the first few months I really want to concentrate on having a solid EF. I am thinking $4000 for our first goal. Once we reach that amount we will talk about flipping the amounts and adding $250 a week into the mortgage, $150 into the EF and the $76.10 will divide up into our smaller savings accounts for household items on the want list. We are also going to talk about setting up a 'home repairs' account too - for the time being the EF will double as that. Final EF goal is three months of expenses: $12200. Neither of us have EVER been without work for that long - actually we have never been without work, so we think we will be pretty safe. My job is stable and guaranteed, and DF's trade is in demand.)

I am hoping I added everything up right. Does it all seem right with you guys?

Oh, and to answer the ever-recurring question before it is asked: NO we don't have, and will never get, cable!

Well, here we go. Last month of the year!

Income: ($2976.40)
Job #1: $880.00
Job #2: $1564.60
Other: $153.30
Taken From Savings: $378.50 (gift fund)

Savings: $430.00

Expenses: ($2574.60)
Rent: $506.68
Groceries: $180.81
Petrol: $87.97
Loan Payments: $148.00
Extra Loan Payments: $20.00
Skin Care: $29.95
Health, Beauty & Grooming: $100.15
Gifts: $106.50
Bank Fees: $20.95 (ARGH)
(Bills)
Phone & Internet: $28.00
Car Insurance: $474.86
Electricity: $96.58
Mobile Phone: $96.58 (1st bill)
(Fun)
Alcohol: $54.09
Takeaway Beverages: $86.00
Takeaway Food/Dining Out: $137.80
Magazines/Books: $22.20
Clothes & Shoes: $115.54
Entertainment: $59.57
Staff Lotto: $8.00
House/Appliance/Tech: $16.87
Accomodation: $152.50 (for 2 nights in Jan)


I am not exactly sure how I should be working this. Any suggestions are welcome:
I automatically transfer $65 per week into a bills account, and then I pay all my bills on CC then transfer the money over at the end of each cycle. I don't keep a running tally of my bills account though because I buy EVERYTHING on CC and transfer that amount each day into the bills account. So I have two totals in my bills account: CC balance and yearly bills. Ideally I should have enough money at any given time in my Bills Ac, as well as whatever I charge on my CC, for car repairs, car insurance, rego, racq, electricity, phone & internet etc etc etc.

Does that make any sense? So I am thinking I should be keeping a running tally of how much is there for bills as well. Hmm... I might start a few new spreadsheets and tinker around with tracking systems so I have a new system for 2009. Exciting, but dreary at the same time...

Ok, so an analysis of my December spending leads me to the realisation that I hate bank fees. And no, before you suggest, I am not changing banks to a fee free account. It's a bit too tricky to do that right now.

Petrol: Good. Under budget.
Groceries: Good. Under budget.
Bills: well, all bills were higher than expected. car insurance went up $80 because I no longer get the discount my friend organised for me. SHUCKS! (I got it a year longer than I meant to get it though so I am happy!)
Made some small, extra payments on my loan which I am happy about. I don't want to do anything drastic because, even though I'll get people breathing down my neck about it here, it's not my main priority at the moment.
Savings I am quite happy about.
Grooming, well, not thrilled about that. $74 for a haircut? bah.
Fun categories: *sigh* Not too bad but not great either. Somehow spent $54 on alcohol even though I hardly ever DRINK! bah.

Anyway.
There's my totals for December!

January Goal:
-No alcohol expenses.
-No makeup expenses.
-No magazine or book purchases.
-Limit takeaway food/dining out to $150.
-Clothes and shoes... oooh... can I do it??? goal: under $80 for January.

BF was away last week for a job. Two of the workers called in sick, so it was just BF, his dad and my little brother (he is nearly 15). They decided to just pull long days, so BF worked 64 hours last week and earnt $1920.00. $450 went on tax, but on the good side he didn't have to pay for his food/petrol/accomodation.
He still has the last three weeks of pay in his bank as well, so he is transferring $950 to me (owes me for some concert tickets and car rego) then transferring about $3k into his savings account. YAY! Then he will live off whatever he has left until next week.

I am so proud of him, he has come a long way. :-)

----------------------------------------
I tried shopping at a fruit and vegetable store that I haven't been to since I was a little girl shopping with mum. It's known for being a bargain. I have to say I was impressed. For $39.95 I bought:
1 lettuce, 1kg bananas, 750g tomatoes, 1 punnet of cherry tomatoes, 500g carrots, 1 lemon, 3 capsicum, 6 avocados, 1kg nectarines, 1 cucumber, 2kg potatoes, 3 grapefruit, a six pack of freshly baked wholemeal pita breads, 1kg zucchini, 1kg sweet potato, 1 kg broccoli, 500g beans, 1 head of australian garlic and one large pumpkin.

Normally I spend about $20-$25 at the markets, but I get less. So I am thinking that the markets and this vege store are around the same, cost wise. I don't normally buy this much stuff, buteverything comes in 1kg/2kg/500g bags. There isn't much that is loosely packed. So normally I would buy one head of brocolli, but they only come in bags of four (1kg). Or I would buy about 4 potatoes, but they only come in bags of 2kg.

So this has made me VERY determined to not waste a single piece of fruit or vegetable. As a consequence my spending at the supermarket this week has only been $10. I will need to pick up a couple of things, but this week I think we will be mostly eating veges, veges and more veges. Menu Plan to follow shortly!

I have been thinking about my 2009 goals lately, and reading everyone else's on here too. Everyone has done such a good job. The one problem with me is that I set too many. I'm SUCH a list-freak that I have to itemise every. single. detail. And then I get to February and I forget half the stuff I need to do. So this is what I have come up with. I plan to live next year by commonsense. There. That is my goal. Because when you think about it, alot of us set goals to motivate us to do something we really should be doing anyway.

And, because I'm a list freak, I get to itemise my 'common sense' rules anyway. (mwahahaha...!)


Health & Body
- goal weight loss 1: 3kg
- goal weight loss 2: 6kg
- goal weight loss 3: 8kg
- final goal: 10kg
- continue to eat vegetarian, withe the exception of occasional fish meals.
- buy organic as much as possible
- incorporate natural cleaning products into the household
- walk/run/cycle 4 days a week for 30 min or more.
- some muscle definition work each day (10 min atleast!)
- swim atleast once per week (goal 3 times)
- limit sugar/white flour intake
- 1-2 L water every day
- regular (3 monthly) haircuts
- bi yearly dentist appointment
- yearly doctors visit
- visit a naturopath
- 1 hour each week body care (nails, eyebrows, body brush, foot soak, pamper etc)
- use sunscreen!

Money:
- $1000 EF
- $500 Gift Fund
- $1000 Holiday Fund.
- Begin making extra payments again on loan
- Save as much as I can for house deposit.
- Cut down expenses in areas of: dining out, takeaway beverages, entertainment, groceries, clothes.
- Spend a set amount for 2009 on clothes and shoes.
- Plan weekly meals and eat smaller portions.
- Maintain a freezer stock of meals for lazy nights.

Relationship:
- keep things going the way they are!
- try to have one date night a month
- maybe once every three months have a weekend away or a massage together
- begin to plan our future (combining incomes, declaring partnership, house, children)

House:
- use environmental cleaning products
- sort out my filing and paperwork neatly (and stick to the system!)
- Sort through old boxes and establish a ‘sell pile’
- Have a garage sale?
- Begin to actively watch the property market
- research the steps of buying a house

Friends:
- Take a good hard look at those I count as my ‘friends’.
- Shed the friendships that have a negative impact on my life or that do not contribute to my happiness.
- Pursue friendships that are fulfilling.
- Make an effort to get out more with those I want to spend time with.

Spiritual/Education
- Read a book once a month.
- Make myself speak up more often when something annoys me.
- Try to be more outgoing and approachable.
- Try to not watch a lot of television.

Car:
- Try to drive less and walk more.
- Get regular services for my car.
- Fix the dent that someone made running into my car with a trolley!
- Fix the broken Taillight.
- Fix the chip in the windscreen.
- Regularly vaccuum and wash my car.
- Maintain the logbook for work trips.

Well, it's that time again. Let's see how I went!

Income: ($616.53 p/w)
Job 1: $748.00
Job 2: $1598.15
Other: $120.00
Total Earned: $2466.15

Savings: $675.00 ($168.75 p/w)

Expenses: ($440.19 p/w)
Rent: $506.58 ($126.67 p/w)
Groceries: $200.94 ($50.24 p/w)
Petrol: $94.77 ($23.69 p/w)
Phone & Internet: $25.95 ($6.49 p/w)
Loan Payments: $148.00 ($37.00 p/w)
Skin Care: $39.90
Misc: $9.95
Health & Beauty: $23.87
Gifts: $68.95
Bank Fees: $4.00
Insurance: $4.75
Charity: $4.00
Work Expenses: $28.00
Fun: $601.01
((Alcohol: $59.00
Takeaway Beverages: $87.40
Takeaway Food/Dining Out: $190.25
Magazines/Books: $13.99
Clothes & Shoes: $188.94
Entertainment: $30.95
Staff Lotto: $8.00
Melbourne Cup Betting: $10.00
House/Appliances/Tech: $12.48
Total Spent: $1760.77))

So basically:
Earnt: $2466.15
Saved: $675.00
Spent: $1760.77
Left over: $30.38

I am very happy with that. My clothes and alcohol purchases were very high but that was due to a costume/cocktail party (actually, two cocktail parties...) Entertainment was very reasonable I thought. I am able to take the 'gifts' purchases amount out of my gifts fund and reimburse my everyday account, but I don't need to, so I will just leave it there for now, or maybe I should transfer it to my EF? Hmmm...
Very happy with petrol and groceries this month, $50 per week for groceries is exactly where I want it to be.

I just upped my automatic payments into my EF and HGF to $25 per week. I want to try and just get it up to the levels I want them at, so then I can start putting everything into my HD fund.

I've been thinking about going on a mobile phone plan for quite some time now. I've been using my mobile phone a lot more since our landline is more expensive. BF, his sister, my mum, BF's dad and one of my best friends is with the same phone company that I am currently with, so I will get free/cheap calls to them. The plan I am thinking of going on is $49 a month with $300 free calls. I currently spend about $30 in a bit less than a month, which has around the same or less value (so basically it ends up being pretty even). I also spend money using our landline. While I won't neccesarily be reducing my bills, I'll have more call time available. So I guess I'm tossing up these options. I won't do anything just yet, but I'm researching the plans and the handsets available on the plans.

I thought I should update my savings and debt totals, seeing as it is a new month and all:

Debt: $3678.51 (personal loan @ 14.74%)
CC1: $0
CC2: $590.00

Savings:
Home Loan Deposit Account: $2281.76
Holiday Account: $206.46
Emergency Fund: $338.93

Bills Account: $1041.10 (less $590 for CC2)
Everyday Account: $231.07

I have $220 coming in tomorrow, and $126.67 in rent coming out. Seeing as I have $231.07 left over (technically) from last pay week, I will be transferring $150 into my Home Loan Deposit Account.

I have to do a small spot of shopping this afternoon, which should get us through until next week. I will be transferring that amount to my Bills Account (to then go to my CC when due).

I just realised it's the 5th of November and I haven't put up my October stats yet!!!So here they are. I am actually really happy with my results for last month.

Income: (TOTAL: $3246.00)
Job #1: $1038
Job #2: $2088
Other: $120
(649.20 p/w)


Savings: $675.00 ($135.00 p/w)

Expenditure: (TOTAL: $2121.62)
Rent: $633.35 ($126.67 p/w)
Groceries: $233.33 ($46.67 p/w)
Petrol: $160.62 ($32.12 p/w)
Phone & Internet: $29.23 ($5.85 p/w)
Loan Payments: $185 ($37 p/w)
Mobile Phone: $30 ($6 p/w)
Misc: $11.60
Gifts: $6.00
Health & Beauty: $2
Skin Care: $13
Bank Fees: $12
Alcohol: $37
Magazines & Books: $34.40
Takeaway Beverages: $125.39 ($25.08 p/w)
Takeaway Food/Dining Out: 180.60 (36.12 p/w)
Clothes & Shoes: $276.73 ($55.35 p/w)
Entertainment: $108.82 ($21.76 p/w)
Lotto: $15 ($3 p/w)
House/Appliances: $27.55 ($5.51 p/w)

Surplus: $449.38

Before anyone comments on the clothes expenditure, you should read my previous entries on it. I have allowed myself $500 to spend on clothes up to february. Mainly because I don't have a lot of summer clothes.

Areas I will attempt to improve this month:
*Takeaway Beverages and Food
*Entertainment
*Bank Fees

I am extremely happy with the groceries expenditure. When I had a budget to compare to, my goal amount per week was $50-$70. So if I am under that, it makes me very happy!

I am not bothering with a budget. I only use them as a guide anyway. I understand it works for lots of people, but I am not one of those people that will go 'oh, I have spent my budget for this week, so I am going to stay home all week now'.
I mean, sometimes I do that, but not often, and in the end, it's my money that I earnt, so I will do whatever I want with it. The only thing I DO NOT condone is spending on credit cards, when you know you don't have the money to pay for it. That isn't spending YOUR money.

Anywho. I am very pleased with my savings as well. :-D

I don't know if any of you recall me previously talking about a married couple that we are good friends with that may possibly want to move in with us once flatmate moves out?
In light of their recent troubles (the wife's mother has terminal cancer and has only weeks to live, and the husbands parents are divorcing due to his father having an affair - add on to that the wife is 6 months pregnant and the husband working in a bookshop!) we had told them that we don't mind what they do - they are welcome to move in but to not feel any pressure either way. Well the husband came over for a barbecued lunch on sunday and he told us that they were very well leaning toward moving in with us, they have been talking about it a lot, he has started selling a lot of his possessions (a fresh start and a lighter move, I think is what is in his mind, as well as saving money for when the baby arrives.)

It's funny, I have told a few people at work, and the only thing they seem to comment on is the fact that we will be living with a newborn baby.

Why should that even factor into the equasion?

A woman at work smirked at me when I said it didn't bother us. 'oh yeah, keep telling yourself that', she said. Of COURSE i understand that the baby will cry, our friends will be tired, and we will be woken up as well and possibly have to help them out a bit.

But they are our friends - they are helping us and in turn we are helping them. And to be honest, I think that this is such a gift to be able to be a part of our friends first childs life at such a young age. How many people honestly get to experience that? We aren't party hard people. We'll stay out of their way when they need it. This house is large enough that we don't have to see each other if we need space.

Anyway. I am very happy at the prospect of sharing with them.

Just wanted to post a very big milestone reached today:

I just reached Goal # 2 for my home loan deposit account!!!

Current Balance: $2098.64

$2000 always seems to be the biggest hurdle for me. So here's hoping that my HD fund starts attracting money like a magnet from now on!

This is what I bought yesterday for $63.
Every single vegetable and fruit that I bought was fresh and 100% organic. (yessss... certified by NASAA for anyone who's interested) I just get annoyed sometimes when people use 'healthy food is expensive' as an excuse to eat rubbish. This will feed my boyfriend and I for a week, maybe needing to get some milk along the way.

Market expenditure: $30
1/2 pumpkin, kent
4 potatoes
1 large sweet potato
2 pears
10 bananas
2 mangoes
1 large grapefruit
1 punnet strawberries
4 apples
6 medium onions
6 medium carrots
500g green beans
4 medium tomatoes
1 bag mixed leaf lettuce
1 large coral lettuce
1 large cucumber
1 bunch english spinach
4 zucchini
2 beetroot
6 avocado
1 large red capsicum
1 large head of broccoli

Supermarket Expenditure: $33
2 800ml diced organic tinned tomatoes
2 800ml organic tomato passata
500g organic pasta spirals
250g packet rice noodle
1kg green lentils
1 tin organic coconut milk
12 free range eggs
1L organic milk
300ml organic butter
200g australian fetta
1 packet filo pastry
2 jars organic sundried tomato pesto
1 tinned pineapple
6 tins yellowfin tuna in olive oil
2 tins organic kidney beans
2 tins organic canellini beans
1kg blade steak (for the dog)


Not everything I can get in organic at our supermarket, but a lot of it I can, and I try my best. It really has only added a couple of extra dollars to the weekly supermarket bill. I usually spend between $50 and $70 a week - So far I have spent $31.50 of my share (the $63 is divided by two). This week I splurged with the 2 jars of pesto - I could make them myself, but they were discounted to $1.99 and I've had it before - it's delicious.

I already have meat in the freezer for BF. He probably spends about $10 a week on meat, and eats about 4 or 5 meals a week with meat.

For breakfast I alternate between muesli or an egg on toast, and BF generally just has an egg on toast.
For lunch BF and I usually both have a salad.
Dinners this week will be:
Roast vegetables (pumpkin, beetroot, zucchini, capsicum) & green beans & spinach, stirred through sundried tomato pesto & pasta.
Lentil Dal (with sweet potato, green beans, pumpkin, potato, carrot).
Tikka tomato bake with mixed vegetables and rice.
Homemade pizza
Spinach, fetta, brocolli, capsicum & onion filo pie with salad
Vegetable Korma with rice noodles and green beans.

Last night we had bean tacos with diced cucumber, capsicum, avo and tomato and grated cheese and yoghurt (instead of sour cream).

BF and I had a think and a chat about what we are going to do when our lease runs out in January - and when flatmate (FM) leaves in November-December.

What we've decided is that we'll be happy to pay the extra once FM moves out (but she has to move EVERYTHING out!), and when it comes time to renew the lease, we will sign a 6 month contract if they offer it to us. Which I think they will.

At this stage we are unsure if a couple, who are good friends of ours, will move in with us. They are expecting a baby, and their families live close to us, but currently the couple live an hours drive away in the city. The husband has a job in the city, and once they move here (if they do) the wife won't be able to work.
They said they will let us know, and we have said that, we would love them to move in with us, but to not feel any pressure (they have enough stress at the moment - and it's not just the arrival of a baby). We've told them we'll be staying no matter if they say yes or no, so they can take their time to think about it. BF and I have both agreed we don't mind living with a newborn - she is due in March, and our lease will expire in July next year (when we hope to buy). So it will only be a couple of months, and a big saving of money.

So either way we'll be happy.
It will be good in terms of saving money to live with the couple and their baby. Everything will be split 4 ways. Rent will be just under $100 each, internet and electricity will be split 4 ways as well.
In terms of living just with BF, I don't mind the added cost if it was just both of us living together. We have actually never lived by ourselves together, only a week here and there when FM goes away. So while everything will be split two ways, it's probable that electricity will be less (as we work typically the same hours and won't need two fridges). BF has already said he will pay extra rent because of the two cars, and because he earns more than me. So it won't be a struggle, but it will just mean that we spend more. We'll still be saving like crazy though!

Just thought I would post my new savings balances - just because I am a little excited about them! I feel like I am actually getting somewhere!

Savings
Cash: $100.00 (in purse)
Everyday Account: $257.45
Bills Account: $1023.83*
Emergency Fund: $277.15
Holiday/Gifts Account: $160.63
Home Loan Deposit Account: $1858.64

Debt
CC1: $0
CC2: $625.39*
Personal Loan: $3741.82

*Amount owed on CC's is deposited into Bills Account as soon as purchase is made to earn interest.

All that I have to pay out of my everyday account is $20 for my home loan savings automatic deposit, and any groceries we might need. I withdrew $100 yesterday for the weekend - I am hoping that should be enough. We are only really going out for dinner and maybe breakfast.

I am hoping to transfer the remaining money next week into my home loan deposit account. This will be when my pay goes through for job # 1 on Tuesday. I will aim for atleast $100. I am hoping to have enough to deposit to make it up to my Goal #2 of $2000. Wish me luck!

Today I got to look at the roster for end of october (it's always the same for me, unless I am working in a different area like out the front, and if people are on holidays). I'm excited because three staff members are going away, so i have been given five shorter (6 hours) shifts for the last week of october, instead of my usual 3 x 8 hour shifts. So I am doing 8 hours extra. That's nearly an extra $160! I still have Saturday and Sunday off, and I will have to do my office work in the afternoons during the week.

Today I had a bit of a spendy day:
Drinks: $6.70
Food: $3.65
Groceries: $12.99
Clothes: $73.11

I bought underwear today. Elle MacPherson Bras were on special for $19.95 - usually they are between $40-$70. It's gorgeous and mostly made out of silk!

Today I transfered $50 to my home loan deposit account. Closer and closer to 2k! It has just been so hard to crack that $2000 mark. You know how sometimes after you reach an initial amount it just seems so easy after that, like money is attracting other money??? Well here's hoping 2k is that initial amount!

BF just transferred another $1500 into his home loan deposit account. Now he has $6k in there.

Sometimes I just kick myself wishing we would have started earlier. Although it's always been at the back of our minds, we've been concentrating on other things.

I guess my pay now has made it easier to save more - just the past month I have noticed I am able to save much much more compared with six months ago.
It is the same with BF, once he finished his apprenticeship and started earning more per week, he is more motivated to save because he can actually see it climbing, and quickly! ($6k in two months aint bad!!!)

Also I have to admit, I have a car, a laptop etc. I have been to see quite a few bands play. I wouldn't trade any of that for anything. Life is experience. If I had a house now, instead of experiencing all that I have, it would be a very different story. Would I even be ready to own a house? Having not gone through all those things? I doubt it.

Anywhoo. Now I just can't wait for the next pay day, and the next, just so I can put more money away!!!

I'm still around, but just haven't been posting this week. Haven't really got a lot to write about at the moment. I went on a little shopping spree on saturday and bought:
three pairs of shorts
two nice shirts
a tshirt
five pairs of undies

and i only spent $93! I think I did well. That means there is $407 remaining for clothes expenses.

I have decided to get:
-a nice black, waist or longer legnth coat
-new blue jeans (probably skinnies)
-a couple of summery skirts
-a pair of beach pants (linen or cheesecloth material, wide-leg style)
-a pair of boots
-a couple of nice bras
-another sports bra

We will see how that goes. I am pretty sure I don't need anything else, so I should be right until at LEAST the end of summer, if not all the way til next summer. (If I get the jeans, coat and boots, it should take me through winter up to this time next year again for summer!)

I am nearly at Goal #2 for my house fund. I managed to whack another $100 in last week extra. This week I should be able to do the same. Yay!

Just thought I'd share some updates for you guys - I've been lurking but haven't had the chance to post a decent entry for a few days.

-------------------------

The festival was great - like I mentioned in my previous post, we spent a lot on drinks (water for me). I didn't actually spend much else though that weekend:
Breakfast (BF & I) $10.78
Tolls: $5.80
Water: $35
Bus: $5.80
Lunch: $9.35

BF's friend paid for our breakfast which was nice of him (actually - we forgot to give him the money - we will next time!) and another girl paid for my cab fare home and was gone in the morning so I couldn't give her any $$. It would have been $6.

Unfortunately they blocked off the stage that Diplo and Goldfrapp were playing at, so we didn't get to see them. Dizzee Rascal was dangerously packed and we got squashed, then pushed to the back so we left (and this was OUTSIDE, in a botanic garden area!)
Peaches was great fun. She can be a bit... forward... sometimes... just not the way I would be myself (even though of course I believe in female empowerment and all that), but I think she's great for what she does anyway.

Everyone else was great too, too many to mention!

----------------------------

We have a house inspection next Tuesday. Everything should be fine, but I am a little annoyed because flatmate is going away today, and also on the weekend, so she won't be around to help - although she is unemployed so will be home on Monday and the day of the inspection, Tuesday - so she should be able to do some cleaning then. It worries me at the moment because she is moving in a few months to her BF's property that he owns. I hope that she doesn't not put in effort because she knows she won't have to deal with real estates for (the foreseeable) future. That would really suck, because what if BF and I did decide to stay on here? I don't want her to **** up our plans just because she's lazy and doesn't give a crap.

*sorry - venting*

--------------------------------

I have noticed lately (actually, for months) that even though I eat muesli or, in winter, porridge for breakfast, as well as a piece of fruit and a coffee, I am nearly starving in two-three hours. What does that mean? I thought porridge and muesli were low gi, shouldn't they be keeping me fuller for longer?
It's not too bad now because it's the beginning of summer and it's starting to heat up, so instead of feeling hungry, I am just too hot and sweaty to be thinking about eating anything other than ice-cold water. (working in a bakery does that to you). But I just wonder, why does that seem to happen to me? My metabolism isn't THAT great, well, I don't think. I'm not overweight, but I have a couple of extra kilos I'd like to shift (doesn't most?). It's not like I'm skin and bones, lol.

--------------------------------

I just checked my home deposit account, and I earnt $9.73 in interest last month, on $1668.00!!! yay!

I also just transferred $500 from my bills account to my loan account, to save a couple of bucks in interest fees. I also checked my interest on that account, and I earnt $1.95. I think I will probably be saving about that much on my loan too. I guess every little bit helps, huh?

In two days I will transfer the $500 back into my bills account.

------------------------------------

I have approx $90 left over from last payday this week (I get paid tomorrow, then again on thursday). Once my pay goes in tomorrow I will transfer $50 into my home loan deposit account, and an extra $40 into my Holidays account, to save up for some clothes I would like to buy soon.

-------------------------------------

This week I am going to make myself phone the doctors to make an appointment for a checkup. I haven't been eating meat now for nearly 5 months, and I was told that your iron levels start depleting around 2-3 months, so if I haven't been eating healthily, they should be nicely depleted by now (or if I am as healthy as I think I am - they should be good, which is what I'm aiming for of course!).

---------------------------------

Well that's all my updates for now!

Income: ($2416.15)
Job 1: $750
Job 2: $1505.15
Other: $161.00

Savings: $420

Expenses: ($1755.77)
Rent: $506.68
Groceries: $288.56
Petrol: $138.07
(Bills)
Phone & Internet: $44.45
Electricity: $89.47 (for three months)
Loan Repayments: $148.00
Mobile Phone: $30
Misc: $17.52
Health & Beauty: $13.42
Gifts: $10
Bank Fees: $12.13
Work/Business: $10

Fun: ($447.47)
Alcohol: $7
Takeaway Beverages: $79.70
Takeaway/Dining Out: $90.89
Magazines/Books: $47.25
Clothes & Shoes: $99.24
Entertainment: $103.40
Staff Lotto: $8
House/Appliances: $11.99

I have to say, I think I did REALLY well in September. Considering I had my 21st birthday party (and paid for most of the stuff myself - food for 20 people, my costume etc). So that would explain why there's been more spent than usual on groceries, and why clothes and shoes expenses are a little high. (I also bought new shoes for work).

Well, I am trying to keep my expenses to a minimum because I know that this weekend's spending will be quite high.
Yesterday, however, I spent $8.50 on lunch with a friend plus $3 on a drink at work. (usually my drinks at work cost 50c as we get cheap cans of coke for the staff - but we had run out! so i bought a can of mother for $3)
I used my free coffee card for a coffee, even though my friend was very adamant that she wanted to pay (I snuck in before her though). Normally I would let people pay if they insisted - but she is very generous, and unfortunately I know how much she earns and I feel really bad when she wants to pay for me. She is an apprentice, earning a third of what I do (for the same job!). Would anyone else feel this way? The reason I know how much she earns is because I have helped her with her budget. Am I being a bad person by not letting her pay for me?

Last week I transferred another $100 into my savings - so for the month of September I saved $200 more (in my home loan account) than my 'normal' automatic deductions.

Today I have to get petrol and a couple of grocery items. I need: chickpeas, coriander, yoghurt, cheese and some kind of dessert for BF.

Tonight for dinner we are having a chickpea and cauliflower curry I found in a recipe book.

And I haven't forgotten that Homebody asked for the recipe for the lentil dal I made last week - I will post it soon!