whitestripe

We haven't seen a live band, concert or festival since January 2009 (for us, that's a reaaaally long time).
I just found out that a band we really like, Tame Impala, are playing in the city next month. Tickets are $42.30 each and we are thinking of going. Actually 99% sure we are going.

They are an Australian Band that have just come back from touring in the UK. Sounds like The Beatles & Jefferson Airplane rolled into one - they call themselves 'psychadelic mellow rock'.

Anyway, kind of excited! The night shouldn't cost more than $150 in total. We will either drive there and back on the day, or stay at a friends place in the city, depending on whether we can get them to go as well.

I have completed a few things on my Weekend To-Do List, but have a lot more to do. Always the way!

I got one of the biggest jobs out of the way though. I enrolled! I have picked the first two classes I will be studying as well, starting 15th November through til February, and have finalised all of my funding and HECS-HELP loan. So I think all I have to do now is wait for my course materials to arrive in the mail. Exciting!

It took me ages to figure out how everything works with the courses and prerequisite courses, but I think it will all work out. And it's possible I may finish WAY earlier than in 6 years time if I can handle the workload - but also found out that I have 9 years to complete the course if something arises.

So, feeling a lot better about having all that sorted out.

I also completed and sent off both of our tax returns. YAY! $2900 coming our way in the next two weeks. New TV and the rest is going to savings.

And now this is everything else I want to accomplish this weekend:

- 2 x loads laundry, fold & put away. X
- Wash Dogs bedding. X
- Give Dogs their monthly flea products. X
- Wash Dogs.
- Sweep our deck & tidy, remove clutter.
- Tidy my desk.
- File all loose paperwork.
- Vaccuum & mop entire house. X
- Water outdoor plants. X
- Tidy lounge & dining areas. X
- Clean Walls & Windows. X
- Fruit & Vegetable Shopping @ Markets tomorrow.
- Meet a friend for coffee.


My plan is to get as MUCH AS POSSIBLE done today so I don't have to do anything tomorrow except market shopping & coffee with a friend.

So, I just bought home 4kg of fresh kangaroo meat for our dogs. I diced it up (took about an hour - eugh) and packed it into daily portions and put it in the freezer.

Then as I was throwing the packaging in the bin, I noticed on the pack it said it contained Preservative 221. Having heard something from a co-worker about something like that, I Googled it.

And have now freaked myself out, and am about to throw it all in the bin.

I looked at a few sites and articles just to make sure this wasn't a one off thing, but basically this explains it all:

http://kb.rspca.org.au/Are-preservatives-in-pet-food-products-a-concern_312.html

Sulphur Dioxide is coded as 220-228, and seems to strip the food/body of Thiamine.

I talked to DF and read him the above article. DF said $23.80 isn't a big deal and to throw it out if I am at all worried, which I am.

But I hate waste too.

But our dogs health is more important than wasting $23. I guess I am disappointed that I was, first off, excited that I would be saving money (they never mentioned it had the preservative to me, but apparently they don't have to) and secondly, that it was going to be good for them. HA!

I'm not going to ask for a refund, because I should have read the packaging first. And I've already chopped it all up. A refund is out of the question.

The choice I need to make is feed it to them this one time, and hope it doesn't hurt, or throw it all out and find another supplier who doesn't use this, or find another source of human-consumption-grade meat that is approx the same price.

Really I think I am just going to throw it out. I mean ...If someone gave you a steak and said 'You can eat this, but it could do X, X and X to you', would you eat it? I think not. What gives me the right to do that to my pets???

What do you think?
Am I over-reacting?

Last night I recieved in email form, an offer for a place in the course I applied for. Yay! I'm officially becoming a uni student as of November! I have already responded and accepted the offer, obviously.

Things To Do Now:
- Pick my courses after 5pm tonight.
- Organise a HECS-HELP loan.
- Tidy my desk
- Send off our tax (nothing to do with uni, but thought I would put it in anyway)
- Buy some funky stationery just because.

Was just checking our credit card bill for the month and came across a $129.95 charge that neither of us authorised. It was for a virus protection subscription renewal for DF's computer. I called them to ask why we had been charged and it turns out DF had not unchecked the automatic renewal box when registering last time. Because only last year we discovered that one license actually protects 3 computers, we decided to let DF's expire and then use mine (which has another 126 days left), then of course only renew mine after that - at a discounted on-line rate of $89.95 (which I see you don't get if you tick the automatic renewal box!!! Sneaky!).

The customer service guy was very helpful and breezy, and refunded the amount for me. Whew! Thought I was going to have to fight for it - technically it was our fault for not reading the fine print, but no, everything was fine. I guess maybe because he could see that my subscription was still valid, so we would be returning customers no matter what. Better to have one subscription for life, than double charging and refusing to budge - then losing that customer after the next years expiry! Smart company... I'm not complaining.

It's my birthday this week. We're not doing anything exciting and probably won't even end up going out to dinner (can't be bothered organising it, to be honest). But, I have asked DF if I could have some Fitflops. I have wanted a pair for a while. I like the concept - and while they're undeniably ugly, I think I could pull them off. It is getting to Summer, after all.

Of course, what attracted me to them in the first place is the idea that they tone your calves and thighs. Who wouldn't like that idea?

But, the seller for me is actually the OTHER aspects. That they mimic barefoot walking and improve posture etc etc. Kind of sound like a good idea, and I think after a year and a half of wanting them, now is as good a time as any to get them right? It is, after all, my birthday

I am about to embark on our first week of trialling fresh kangaroo meat for our dogs. I have found a supplier (a pet store near my work) who gets their deliveries on Fridays. You can buy it frozen in 1kg lots, or fresh if you order it before Wednesdays (to be picked up on Friday).
I will be buying the fresh product, because they generally eat a little over a kilogram in a WEEK, so I will have to separate it into daily portions (which is what I do with their regular meat).

Why roo meat, you ask?

Two reasons:

Firstly, it's cheaper than what I can get at the supermarket. I can normally get some type of chuck, Y bone or rump steak for between $8-$10 a kilogram in bulk packs. Let me quickly say that our dogs do not eat a LOT of meat, but I believe a little fresh meat is beneficial. They only get a small handful for dinner each, it is all they need. I can't imagine how much pet food would add up if you owned a large breed dog. That takes commitment!

Fresh or frozen roo meat, from this particular pet store, is $5.95 a kilogram. So the savings WILL add up quickly.

The second reason is that roo meat is actually very healthy - for animals and humans. It is very lean - has NO fat, and loads of iron. TBH, I have never eaten it, though I hear it has a distinctive taste... maybe one day when I'm pregnant, low on iron and if craving meat I might give it a shot...
Anyway. So those two reasons are good enough for me. I am excited about the savings and am pretty sure the dogs will like it also.

I don't post these often enough, but will try to get back into the habit. Like we usually do, I did all of our fresh fruit and vegetable shopping yesterday morning at the market. Spent a little more than normal because I bought some nice organic freshly ground coffee, 250g for $10.50. More expensive than what we normally pay for our regular brand, but it's nice to have a change now and then. Also bought two turkish savoury pastries for DF and I for breakfast, $6.50. It's become a bit of a habit, not sure it's one I want to break though! It's kind of our Saturday treat. DF takes the dogs for a walk and I do the market shopping, then we have coffee and the pastries for breakfast. YUM. Too bad it's now Sunday and we can't have another!

Anyway. Back to it. Our menu plan for the week:

- Spaghetti Bolognaise for DF/ Toasted avocado cheese and tomato sandwich for me
- Dum Aloo (Indian Potato & Spinach Curry).
- Pumpkin & Fetta tarts & Salad
- Miso Soup with vegetables & crispy tofu
- Ginger Vegetable Stirfry with brown rice.
- Homemade Pizzas


It's my birthday next week. I haven't planned anything with friends and I'm not sure I want to really. I'm turning 23 so it's not really a big deal. I'd rather go out to dinner with DF and see a movie or something, than have to plan something, organise food and a meeting place etc.

The weekend is here yet again. My friend is having a thing (we call it a thing, because it's not a bbq and it's not a party lol) this afternoon with workmates, to celebrate her finishing her apprenticeship. She is supplying food, and DF and I are buying her a bottle of Midori as a present. (It's what she drinks - like a fish). Expense ~$30.
After the 'do' I am staying on at her place and we are having a movie night. We have completely opposite taste in movies so we each pick one and force the other to watch it. It's fantastic. Last time I made her watch Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. And the time before was Deathproof. (Her picks were I Am Sam, and My Sisters Keeper).
This time I think she's making me watch Notorious Big and I was thinking of either 8mm, the Machinist or Shutter Island. Hmm...
We're having pizza, so dinner expense will be around $10. DF is going out with friends. No idea how much he will spend, though I *know* it will be more than $30! LOL. I am thinking hopefully under $100.

Some time this week I have to send my dads Fathers Day present so that he gets it in time. I am known for always being late with presents in the mail It's something I have to work on. We bought him the book The Art & Life of Angelique Houtkamp. ~$35.

I call it a spending plan because we're not really ones for 'keeping to a budget' like some. I admire those who do it (including the whole thing of not buying XXXX for two days because it will put this weeks budget out, etc etc) but it really doesn't suit us. But, we do have a 'spending plan' which I try my best to keep track of. Up until recently I tracked every cent, but the past two months I have laxed. I was thinking our spending plan is probably outdated a bit, and I think a re-doing of the plan and our weekly expenses was in order. Having an up-to-date plan might spur on my interest in keeping track again. Well, fingers crossed anyway.

So, this is what I have come up with:

Mortgage Payments: $480
Extra Mortgage Payments: $20
Savings: $180
Bills: $200
Groceries: $150
Misc: $100
Fun: $80
Petrol: $70
Personal Loan: $37
Total: $1317.00

This accounts for an average income per week on the lower side with a bit of a surplus after the above expenses. More often than not, our weekly income is higher, but I'm keeping it lower so we don't get our heads stuck in the clouds.

Now, for some explanations. Looking at the expenses, I'm sure you're probably wondering 'where's this expense?' 'Where's that?' etc. I have put everything into very general categories this time. For example:

Bills include the following: Mobile Phone, Internet, House & Contents Insurance, Car Insurance, Life Insurance, Car Registration, Car Repairs, RACQ Membership, Gas, Property Rates, Water, Electricity and Pet Expenses.

Misc covers a variety of expenses that don't occur regularly, such as health & grooming, gifts, bank fees, charity donations, clothing, stationery, electronics and house purchases etc.

I have upped our grocery limit to $150, from $120. Generally it is ~$130, so any surplus we have will flow through to other areas. I just don't want to feel bad or stressed out by constantly going over the 'grocery limit' each week. While to some people's standards our grocery expenditure is outrageous, I don't really care. We cook from scratch, use wholegrain products, buy organic and locally grown produce, and use cleaning & body products that don't hurt the planet or our health and wellbeing. And we're alright with that. It's taken me a while to realise that this is something I truly don't mind spending money on. If I can find the items I normally use, cheaper, then ok. If not, oh well. Life goes on.

Personal Loan: is actually going to be paid off shortly, I just keep forgetting to transfer the remaining money. So this $37 a week expense won't be up there for much longer. We will probably add this amount to our EF savings, and have in mind that we will probably look at buying a new (to us) car in the near future.

Savings: Our total amount per week in savings is actually divided into four categories:
- EF (Goal 1: $5000, Goal 2: $7500, Goal 3: $10000)
- Baby (Goal: $30 000)
- House Renovations
- Short-term
The total amount saved per week goes into ONE account, which I keep track of on a spreadsheet. (It is actually our mortgage account, to reduce interest. No, we don't get charged for withdrawals or deposits).

Most of the savings are self explanatory, except Short-term. Basically Short-term covers all sorts of higher priced entertainment and consumer-ey expenses like seeing a band, gallery exhibitions, ink, higher-priced book purchases, art purchases, electronics, screenprinting supplies, furniture etc.

Fun has been reduced by $60 (Used to be $60 for me, $80 for DF.) Now that we are earning roughly the same amount, I figured now was the best time to reduce it to LESS than 10% of our take home and equal it out. DF's weekly spending has reduced anyway, since he is home-brewing. Basically our fun money covers any frivolous purchases we don't feel like explaining or the odd take-out or movie night.

Petrol is generally less than $70 a week, but better to plan for more than less right?

Mortgage Payments & Extra Payments: Technically, our normal mortgage payment pays off extra AS WELL. But I figured it is better to schedule an extra $20 to go in as well. Can't hurt.

The one thing I have not put in there is university costs, because I have no idea what they are. But, our EF should take care of this if our 'Misc' doesn't as I don't think it will really be all that much to get started.

So, that's it. Feeling very motivated with our new spending plan and can't wait to talk it over with DF and get it into action. What does everyone think?

I have been patiently waiting for the new iPhone 4 to come out - not for me to buy, but so that the 16gb iPhone 3 can drop down to the $49/m plan that I am on. I am now due for a free phone upgrade at no extra cost - our network sent me a letter AND an email alerting me to this fact. They had a heap of other phones available for free, but no iPhone. And when I looked online, it appears that they don't even have ANY other iPhones available except the new iPhone 4's. (This is with my network - I'm not up for changing networks at the moment.)

What gives?

I thought they'd be throwing the old ones at people, trying to get rid of them while simultaneously marketing the hell out of the 4's. (Actually, they are, and just about everyone I know is getting them, waiting for them, or about to get them.)

I don't get it. Maybe I just have to wait longer while they sort it out or something. *sigh* Of course I want a new phone, but I also want to give my old one to my little sister. Her 'teenage ways' are scaring my mother and it would be nice to be able to contact her and know where she is at times!

There's been lots of talk about the state of our parliament at the moment. The election results have not been finalised and it is soooo close that they have to wait for all the postal votes to come through. For such a boring campaign trail on both parties counts, the final results are proving to be the most interesting that I've seen in my (rather short, I might add) political life & awareness.

It seems the Greens and the independent parties might actually hold the power this time, which I am sure no one was really expecting, if it turns out to be a hung parliament. It's all extremely interesting.

In other news, we had quite a full weekend. My little sister stayed over on Friday night. We helped her screenprint a shirt she wanted to do; a Misfits band tee. Cost at the local record store: $30. Cost of making it at home: $5.85 for a no-name blank shirt. And several hours of my sisters time

We had DF's BIL and our niece stay over on Saturday night, and then more friends over on Sunday.

Also got some books from a friend (the one that works at the bookstore). Haven't yet paid him for them though, as we're not sure how much they cost. I am thinking it's around $170. Could be cheaper but not sure.

And yes, it's Monday afternoon now. Already another week has started! Seems to fly by so quickly. Only 10 days until the first offer round...

It's the weekend again. This year seems to be slipping by SO fast. I slept in and it was lovely - I normally wouldn't on a Saturday with loads of things to do, but I seem to be having a patch of bad sleeping nights. Slept for 10 hours last night, but before then hadn't slept in three days. Ahhh. Nice. (Funnily though, with the election campaigns drawing to a close, have heard so much about Tony Abbott 'not sleeping for 36 hours' in the final election day.' Ohhhh. Poor thing!) LOL.

Voting day today. Just found out we can vote at the bottom of our street! Which is great, we can walk and not have to try and find a park. Will do it later today, once the crowds have gone.

Plans for this weekend:
- a screen print.
- laundry
- finally send our tax
- tidying.
- markets


I have to make our place slightly baby proof in the next hour or so. We are having our neice and DF's BIL over for the night. DF's sister is having a girls night with friends. For dinner we're having roast veges, sausages (for the meat eaters) and salad.

Just paid our rates yesterday. $739.42 - cheaper this time because our water bill was separate for the first time. (Water bill was $494).
It's about a hundred dollars more, and everyone is saying not to pay the water bill because apparently Unity Water (the people who have taken over the water distribution for our area) do not read the meters, they just guess. Most of the time. Or so I'm told. But ours is fairly close - they say we use 366 litres a day. Previously it was around 247. A jump, yes, but not as much as some peoples. I put it down to DF's home brewing, and the fact that it is winter and we have longer showers. But, I don't know. Bill is due on 13th September, so we will see how that goes...


So yes, back to voting day. Going to be a very interesting out come I think. Either we have our first (elected by the people) female Prime Minister, or a man who is extremely religious and conservative. Might do well in other countries, but everyone I talk to seems to think that he is not suited. But, I don't know. I think our society is made up of pretty equal parts, so will be interesting to see how this turns out. Eh. I don't really discuss my political views with people other than family... I find that everyone thinks they are right, and a lot of the time if they DONT agree with your choice, they try to change the way you think. Or put you down because you don't take their side. Eh. So yes, I will have adiscussion about politics, but won't disclose my voting preferences. I learnt the first time!

It's halfway through August and I haven't tracked a single cent of our spending. What's going on?
I know we're not spending any more than usual, and we hold back, as always, on purchasing frivolous things or dining out more than necessary. But it's the not knowing that is freaking me out.

I could probably recall all of my expenditure - but DF is a different story. He remembers probably up to two days. And I used to ask every afternoon, so he would get into the habit of remembering to tell me as well. And now, I don't ask, so he doesn't even remember to remember!

I MUST get back on track with this. I can see how we could live without it, but it is my freakishly controlled organisational nature that won't allow it. I know just by looking at our accounts that we are doing fine, plodding along, but it's not good enough. I need to know details!

Summer is coming. Or Spring, I should say. Though we don't really have Spring. Or Autumn, for that matter. Basically we get about three months of cold mornings and fair temperatures through the day, that we like to call 'Winter'. Then the rest of the year ranges wildly from tropical thunderstorms to out of control humidity & heat, back to the thunderstorms. And that's just in one day. It's lovely. If you're a mango tree. Or just a plain weirdo like my best friend, who spends about 90% of her time at the beach, slathered in coconut oil and pretending the ads on television about skin cancer don't exist. (Sometimes you might see me sitting next to her... with a long sleeved swimming vest, polarised sunglasses, sunscreen and an umbrella.)

I am getting prepared (mentally, that is) for the heat. The humidity. The afternoons where, even though I never drink normally, an icy cold beer is the only thing appetising on the menu. I am looking forward to more weightloss. Winter plateaus for me. I haven't put anything, hooray for that. But after my inital 6 kilogram weightloss as the end of 2009/start of 2010, it just stopped. Can't say I really tried that hard. Too cold to get out of bed earlier than neccessary. Yoga is hard because our house is cold and it's difficult to do the balances and stretches in anything other than shorts. Tea and bikkies are more comforting than a bowl of fruit for dessert. And hot chocolate...

I guess Summer is good for the longer days. Apparently people say they get more done. I'd love to meet them, and see how true that is. When I get home from work all I want to do is sleep. The heat wears me down. Eugh.

I am trying to look at the positives of Summer. Well, my personal positives. Because according to some, I'm a hermit and better suited to somewhere like the North Pole. Or London. (Truth be told, I'd love to live in England. It sounds like my ideal climate.)

Positives of Summer:
- Eating more salads for dinner.
- Weightloss.
- Home-made icy poles.
- Mangoes & other summery fruits...
- Fruit Salad.
- Swimming at the river.
- It's too hot to eat anything from work.
- I can finally reap the benefits of DF's home brewing.
- Our birthdays are coming up.
- Christmas.
- Staff bonus/presents.
- Summer thunderstorms, lightning, cool changes.
- Earlier mornings.
- New clothes are out in stores. I might actually find a skirt that I LIKE.



What do you look forward to in the changing of seasons?

Today is Sunday, the last day of the weekend
I have a big week coming up. It is not really 'big' but there are things I have to organise in order for it to run smoothly. Today I was going to have coffee with a friend, but might not end up doing that. It depends on if I get everything else done.

Plans for today (if I write it down, they'll get done!):

- Clean stove, wash dishes.
- 3 x loads of laundry, fold & put away.
- Vaccuum & Mop.
- Bake Anzac biscuits.
- General tidying.

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

In other news, it is only two and a half weeks until the first offer round is sent out. I really have no idea what my next step is if I *don't* get in. I am trying to prepare myself for that possibility.

Last night I made a delicious (but not very healthy) creamy spinach pasta dish with oven roasted tomatoes. I guess the only unhealthy part was the cream... but still not something we are used to eating. Very nice - but only a once-in-a-while dish, I think .

My rationale with food is if we eat healthily for breakfast, lunch & dinner, then the couple of biscuits with a cup of tea after dinner doesn't hurt anyone. We also generally have a 'rich' dessert on the weekends, but not during the week. If we could, we'd have chocolate puddings and fruit crumbles every night for dessert, I think!


Currently Listening To: Odessa - Caribou

This morning I went to the famers market and DF took the dogs for a walk. I got home just as he was running up the hill with them. I realised how funny both of us must look when walking the dogs - as they walk ahead of us on their leads, practically touching each other (Banjo has a habit of leaning into Jed while walking) and trotting along, mouths open and tongues hanging out. Almost looks like they're grinning - they LOVE their walks.

Spent ~$35 at the market. $29 on fruit and vegetables for the week and $6 on some freshly made turkish pastries for breakfast. Oh so good.

Then DF and I went into town and did a morning of op-shop touring. I bought 2 novels for $6, an Abercrombie & Fitch skirt for $1, a Motley Crue tee for $6.50 and a Groove Armada tee for $3.50.
DF bought two hats for 50c each, a pair of shorts for $4.50, some woodworking magazines (11 of them) for $2.

Amazing how the prices differ from store to store. I always find great things at one particular op shop but just refuse to buy some of the stuff because it's so overpriced. $8.50 for a plastic plate with a retro sailing ship picture on it! I would have bought it for maybe $4...

My tooth (or lack of, I should say) is healing. Still kind of hard to eat though, but I am getting there.

We stopped at Bunnings (a huge, chain, discount hardware store) and bought some fancy brackets for the spice shelves and some new bins. Never thought I'd get excited about buying bins, but I am. They're sleek stainless steel ones with a foot-pedal - we got one for the kitchen and one smaller one for the bathroom.

I have some things planned to do before the day ends - it is nearly 4pm now. Washing, tidying, watering plants etc. Well, I guess I better stop procrastinating!



Currently Listening To: The Clash

This morning I got the biopsy done (for those that were wondering: it did not hurt at all). I spent $8.10 on a coffee and savoury muffin, because even though I had planned to eat breakfast at home, I spent ten minutes looking for my referral papers because I could not find them - so didn't get time for a coffee and bowl of fruit.

Just got back to work after having my tooth extracted. I have a little bit of decay that needs to be cleaned up on the tooth next to the one she removed. Quoted price was ~$280. Todays visit was $226.90. The numbness hasn't worn off yet - not totally looking forward to when it does

I don't think I will eat anything tonight for dinner. I know you can eat after an extraction, but I can't be bothered. I'm still full from lunch so I think I will be fine. Maybe will have some yoghurt and banana.

On the plus side, I think I am feeling up to the Aldi shop this afternoon. It's very rainy/windy weather out there though. Not really good for driving. But I'll give it a go.

Now all I have to do is a follow up appointment with my doctor - and I won't have to go back for atleast a year!

Next on the list is DF's health and dentistry check ups. Eeeek. I remember the last time DF went to the dentist, the guy mentioned that he might want to consider a GE Loan & payment plan for the dentistry work he requires. But, I think even just a little is better than nothing, so we will set a budget for dentistry each year and try to get one or two things done, just to slowly chip away at it. That is better than getting into debt over it, right? (Apparently DF's dental work could cost over $10k all up)

Just got word from my dad that there is another stack of cd's and dvd's in the mail for us. LOVE my dads job perks.

Work was busy today. Always busy on a Monday, but a bit busier than usual. Not really complaining though; when there's a lot for me to do, it goes fast. Not to mention I LOVE my Mondays - I work ALONE and that suits me perfectly. I don't mind working with people, either, but they tend to get in my way. I like to have the entire bakery to myself (I mean, apart from the counter staff girls) I can have custard tarts setting over here, choux pastry mixing over there, apple turnovers in the top oven, cupcakes in the middle oven, my radio station playing and only my own dishes to wash. Kind of makes up for the fact that I have to get up at 4am.

I just found out that some of my tattoos are getting published in a book that is being released in October this year. Uber-exciting!
... Except now I'll have to buy the book *sigh* aaah well...

Speaking of books, a friend of ours (who works in a bookshop) finally got the books we ordered in stock, the first and second volumes of Angelique Houtkamp's work. I am giving one to my dad but haven't decided which one yet. We got them slightly cheaper than retail prices too, so all up I am guessing they cost around $60 for both.

Tomorrow is my Aldi shopping day, but I just realised I am getting my tooth extracted at midday, in my lunchbreak. I am not sure if I will feel up for a monthly shopping trip, I am going to try. Hopefully by the time I finish work at ~3.30pm, the anaesthetic will have worn off and I will be able to talk & control my facial movements and not be a slobbering mess Otherwise, I will try and go on Wednesday. I don't think I can leave it for another week (I have already postponed the trip a week) because DF is starting to complain that we have run out of peanut butter, or vegemite, or mineral water etc etc. If I go and buy them at the normal supermarket, it would cancel out the whole point of shopping at Aldi in the first place. So, we'll see.

What we were able to achieve this weekend:

- Got up relatively early (for a Sunday) at 6.30am, had a coffee and went to the local markets for our fruit and vegetables. Spent ~$30 for the week (all no spray, locally grown organic produce). It is nicer to go earlier, as there aren't as many people.
- Had breakfast at an organic, artsy cafe we love. Spent $32. Was unplanned, but nice anyway.
- Stopped at the hardware store to buy spraypaint, a curtain rod & hooks. Spent $43.
- Did most of our weeks worth of washing, tidied the house and vaccuumed and mopped the floor.
- Hung our new curtains. I love them. This is a picture to show the pattern:

The photo does not really show the shades that well, it is actually a charcoal grey and black velvet-feel pattern.

- DF spray-painted my spice shelves. Hopefully by the end of the week they will be installed in the kitchen and I can get rid of the yucky green vegetable stackers that currently store all the jars of spices and herbs we own.
- I candied ginger for the first time. It went well, and I am pleased with the results!
- Made banana, honey & cinnamon muffins.
- Also made lemon and almond biscotti, which are currently cooling. Yum!
- DF is fiddling with his car. Always a good sign - the more he fiddles, the closer he gets to actually being able to drive one of them

Today I met a friend for breakfast and then we decided to go to a local market. There was a guy doing palm and tarot readings at a nearby hall for $10 and my friend talked me into it. Actually she asked if I wanted to, and I shrugged and said sure, why not? Could be fun. And then she danced around like a crazy person for about half an hour because I said yes. LOL. I'm not really into any of that kind of stuff, and she is A LOT. We're best friends but pretty much polar opposites. It's funny and sometimes weird. She has asked me a hundred times to go to psychic expos with her and 'read this fantastic self help/affirmation etc book, it's fabulous.' Errrmmm. No thanks?!

Anyway, so the guy let us both sit and listen to each others. It was scarily accurate, but I guess the individual will selectively read into and listen to the parts they want to hear anyway. And I'd say some small part of what is said is taken just from your body language and what you look like as well. But nonetheless, it's interesting to watch someone at work this way. For instance, the same could be said for profilers, therapists, behavioural anaylists etc. It's a very similar thing, used for a different purposes.

Of note in mine:
I have atleast two if not three 'child' lines. The marriage line is defined. Apparently I'm creative, very much into the art and music scene, and like 'nice' things. Money came up a lot on the cards. My first card signified worry, the second card was to do with partnership & marriage. (Interesting fact: Last night, DF and I were talking about possibly skipping a wedding altogether, and getting hitched without telling anyone...) Apparently a decision must be made, and I need to be more confident and put myself out there. He said something about a house, and family lending assistance to do with it. (Interesting fact #2: DF's mum gave us $4000 for part of our deposit. And DF's dad constantly helps with renovations.)

Anyway, it was all very interesting and fun and makes you think about things! I guess that is why lots of people find these types of things helpful: having someone talk about something, even if they don't know how it correlates to your personal matters, just puts a different spin on things. Have you ever had a tarot or palm reading? Was there any accuracy?

I finally booked in a time to get that pesky tooth extracted (isn't that a nice way of saying 'ripped out'???). I am also getting my biopsy done on the same day. Next Tuesday. Just seeing how much pain I can put my body through in one day lol.

But seriously, I am actually looking forward to getting this tooth taken out - when I got it filled for the last time about a year and a half ago, I got home, bit into something (I think it was an apple) and got a shot of pain to the nerve and remember thinking 'well... what a waste of money THAT was...'

Expected expense ~$200.00

I impulse bought some curtains today. Technically they were not impulse buys, because I planned to buy them. But when I got there, they had others on special, and I could not find the ones I really wanted. So I had resigned myself to buying ones I wasn't in love with, for half the price. Then I found the ones I loved, but they were literally the ONLY ones not on special. LOL. Always the way. So I rang DF to check and he said yes, so I bought them. I had to buy 2 @ $69.95 each to fit the screen door where they are going.

To make them would have cost only a little less with the same material and all the other items that go with it (I checked - because the place I bought them from also sells material and craft items to DIY). Anyway, we are going to set them up over the weekend, and get rid of the drab ones we have. So exciting!

Yes, that's right. I picked it up yesterday afternoon and other than a few things (the something bearing had come loose and something something, which was why it was making a noise, and the something had to be changed because there was oil leaking over the something something).

Total cost $257, after a couple of non-ordinary things were replaced. (average service is about $150-$180)

On a slightly related note, because I'm rather nosy and interested in people's personal affairs:

I think my mechanic LIVES at his work. Which might be normal for some... but this place is a shed in an industrial area, right next to an airport. (read: not a very desireable place to live). How did I come to this conclusion? Well, there was a caravan next to his work shed. Sure, maybe he might want a nap sometimes, but there were sheets and tarps hung over the awning part to screen off a private area, and (because it was windy) I could see a CLOTHESLINE with clothes on it, in that area. How interesting.

Which leads me to thinking that either he's not doing that well financially (which would be a surprise, because even though he's quite young, he's been established in that area for yonks), or he's broken up with his girlfriend (I know he had a girlfriend, because apparently she has the same car as me), or both. Or, maybe he just likes the convenience of being able to stumble out of bed and immediately be at work? In the middle of winter, when it's about 5 degrees C in the morning, somehow I think that's unlikely. But hey *shrugs* each to their own.

Makes me wonder what other types of odd living situations there are out there? Have you ever come across something that you've just thought 'Well now, that's a bit strange. Not really my cup of tea, but okay then...'???

This morning I dropped my car off at the mechanic for the usual service. Fingers crossed there is nothing wrong with it, although I did tell him it sounded 'odd'. But, I dropped it off at 8.30 this morning and it is now 12.30, so I think if there was anything big, he would have called me by now.

On Sunday I was naughty and bought a book. Cupcakes, Cheesecakes and Cookies. It has beautiful pictures and great recipes. I am going to try my hand at some pink macaroons later this week. (If it is successful, I might post a picture).

Last night a made a delicious Indian curry - Dum Aloo (potatoes and spinach). I also added orange sweet potato to mix it up a bit, and add an extra vegetable variety. (For some reason, I can't stand cooking a dish that has only one or two vegetables in it, it just doesn't seem healthy. Maybe once in a while at a restaurant, but at home - the more vegetables the better!)

Still have not made that appointment for the dentist. I am thinking when I pick up my car, I will swing by and get a time to go in. It HAS to be done, and the expense is only $100-$200. Versus the pain I'm in, and also versus how much it COULD cost if I let it go any longer. *sigh*

The election campaigns are heating up. Have to say, it's all been rather boring. The media have nothing to target because both of the main parties have been careful to not step on toes, so instead they have been making fun of Tony Abbot and Julia Gillards ears. Ears, for gods sake.

DF and I do not watch much tv, anyway. But it seems every time we turn it on, there's some election thing. Can't wait for it to be over.

At the moment, the only shows that we watch are Good News Week, Lie To Me & an australian police drama called Rush, that I got sucked into in it's first season last year. It's nice not having to be tied to the tube, I can tell you. Though we do watch a lot of series on dvds.

TBH though, at the moment we're running low again, it seems. Finished Deadwood a while ago, and got started on series 2 of True Blood. Finished that, and are now on Series 3 of Supernatural. I am hoping my friend gives me back series 1 of In Treatment, so I can sell it on eBay and buy some others.

What are you liking/watching at the moment?

I did our tax on the weekend. Funny that I do this stuff every week for work, but our own tax I can't bear to look at. Watching Proactiv info-mercials would be a thousand times more exciting.

I think the reason is probably because both DF and I have a habit of throwing our reciepts in the general direction of our office, not actually putting them in the designated place (which is a basket on my desk). So 'doing our tax' was actually comprised of these separate tasks:

- finding all of our work-related deductible reciepts
- sorting them in piles of his and hers
- adding up my log book
- finding out my engine capacity, because I've forgotten what it is from last year
- finding our group certificates
- finding a previous notice of assessment for the sequence number (which allows you to do your tax online)
- finding out how much interest we had earnt on all our accounts.
- filling in the e-tax program and clicking 'send'.

Looking at these tasks, you would think the average person would take an hour, maybe two. Well, somehow I found it extremely neccesary to wash, hang out and fold six loads of laundry, make a cup of tea, play with the dogs several times, make a sandwich, watch an episode of Robot Chicken, bake a batch of cookies, call a friend about what to wear to dinner that night, call DF to see if he was coming to dinner, call another friend to tell her she needed to adjust the seat booking because DF wasn't coming, make a coffee and rearrange my desk. So a job that was meant to take an hour actually took about five.

All worked out in the end though, we are getting around $3000.00 back!

Hmmm, I am thinking that is a good amount to use as a starter for our 'fence fund'. We are thinking of fencing the entire property, instead of just our flat yard bit. If we did the whole property, the dogs would have TONNES of space to run around in and explore...

As some of you are probably aware, DF and I are big music fans. Up until we bought our house, one of our biggest expenses were music festivals, the second probably being buying actual music. Without doing any calculations, I'd say we easily spent $2k a year each attending festivals (four or more a year). Accomodation, transportation, tickets, drinks, food and an overpriced tshirt sure add up!

So obviously that expense was cut when we decided to jump headfirst into the joy that is 'the mortgage'. We have not been to one since the Big Day Out 2009.

But, buying music is still something that we occasionally shell out on. My dad works in the music industry and we are regularly blessed with packages of 20 or so discs of music that he knows we like. Always a good day when I find one of those on the doorstep! (This also explains why I don't download music, if anyone is wondering - my dad would probably disown me. I don't mind loading it from a friends copy if it has been bought, but I won't support illegal downloading).

DF and I have very similar tastes in music, there are some that one likes and the other doesn't care for, but for the most part we like the same stuff.

However, it becomes hard to buy something when the other doesn't like it. Neither of us see the point in buying a cd if the other doesn't like it. Odd I know, as a normal couple would probably think the opposite way: the person who didn't like it wouldn't want the other to buy it. *shrugs*

Being the weird child I am, I have a love for death metal, especially when I'm working. (I'm sure people could read into this in some psychological way, and I'm also sure some people probably think it is in some way related to the devil - like some people also believe the world is flat... *cough*) Anyway, DF doesn't like it at all and I've never bothered to buy any because of this, and my dad doesn't work in that genre (and doesn't have any desire to aquire any for me ), so I usually just listen to it, streamed from youtube or some other source, because I'm too cheap to buy it just yet, if only one of us is going to enjoy listening to it. (I'm working on it though. "Listen to that guitar, dammit! There's some skill right there, I sure as heck couldn't play like that... if I could play a guitar at all..." Eh! Can't say I didn't try...)

So I just discovered that my little brother (little, being 16) has pretty much all that I could ever ask for. He happily put it all on my iTunes (I think this was the moment he discovered that his OLD sister may, in some extremely minute way, be just a tiny bit cool), and I didn't have to spend a cent, and DF doesn't have to listen to it in some justification of the money spent on it. Thanks lil bro!

*sigh* seriously, some people annoy me. I don't understand how they can justify some things that they do, and then act shocked when someone points out how silly they are being.

A friend of a friend & her partner are in serious financial doo-doo. They owe more on their house than it's worth (it's not like it is in America - in our area that's kind of a hard thing to pull off, but somehow they managed). Even better, they don't owe that money to a bank, they owe it a business partner. They pay $750 a WEEK on their 'mortgage' (in comparison, DF and I pay $460 a week for a bigger house and land twice the size, and could probably get an equal, if not more, amount as them if we were to sell right now, even though they are closer to the beach which is typically more valuable).

Not only do they owe a huge amount to some random guy, they also borrowed the inital deposit of 30k from the partners father, and then decided to get a 40k loan from the bank to buy two new cars.

Then they decided it wasn't working, and split up. They rent the house out for $350 a week (which is all they could get, and personally I wouldn't pay that much to rent it), and the partner lives on friends couches while the woman and their two young boys now live back with her mother.

It's 'sale' time now at the shops, being the end of the financial year, and also the end of winter. Out of some stroke of 'luck', the woman gets a $4000 payment from government assistance (which she doesn't actually check to see if she is supposed to get it, or if it were a mistake). She goes and spends ALL the money on clothes, jewellery, toys for the kids and christmas presents. Yep, totally what I would do as well. Not.

I also found out the other day (via facebook, gotta love it) that she has a CLEANER. I might be ok with it if she actually WORKED, but she doesn't. She does uni part time and she lives with her mother (read: full time babysitter on hand).

She was amazed that DF and I don't owe any money other than our mortgage. It was like it was a concept that has never occurred to her. "Not even on your credit card?". Before I could think, I blurted out that I thought it was stupid to rack up credit card debt on frivolous items. 'If I want something, I'd rather pay for it with money that I have. If I don't have the money, then I obviously don't need it and that would be a stupid financial decision'. Well, that earned me some REALLY sour looks!
And when I was talking about how we were wanting to buy a new TV, she didn't understand why, when I found a good deal, why I didn't just buy it then. (Um, because we already agreed that, seeing as the one we have decided to buy is more expensive than what we previously planned, we will wait a month or two so that our 'buffer' creeps up, instead of raiding all of our saved money.) We have a small tv that works, it's not that big of a deal. Sheesh!

I just get so annoyed at people like this. And then she has the gall to whinge about being in debt. Oh, just shutup!

TBH though, I think that we really approach things in a different way, in every aspect of our lives, so I can't really say I'm surprised about her financial decisions. Parenting, shopping, food, exercise & diet, even with relationships. I'm a 'Let it Be' type of gal. DF and I are very cruisy and always have been, we don't get in each others way and don't try to control each other, and neither of us are 'over-thinkers'. We talk and are frank with each other, whereas this girl constantly has bitching sessions about her partner (while they were together, when they were thinking about getting back together, and now that they aren't together). Sometimes I would point out 'um... hate to point out the obvious here, but why don't you tell HIM that/talk to HIM about it/ask HIM that question???'. To which I am greeted by a very very vacant stare and am then waved away with a flick of her hand. Aaaah well. We're all different I guess! :S

I have put in the final figures for July - though I am sure there will be a few dregs to catch up on, cash expenses here and there of DFs etc etc and a few grocery purchases. However, it seems we are ahead this month by around $300, and that includes paying for the dogs vet visit, which was over $600. So technically speaking, we are ahead by $900, because I have that money aside in our bills account.

I'm going to put $400 into our mortgage account, and another $200 into savings. The rest will serve to top up our 'buffer'.

Next month might be a bit spendy, I am planning on getting new curtains, and also have a booking that will cost ~$350. DF wants to buy some new work shoes, and I need some too. I get the cheapest ones I can find, because I need to replace them every couple of months, so I get the cheapest I can find which are about $12. DF's don't get covered in flour regularly so he can spend a bit more on his and they will last him a couple of years. I am thinking they will be about $100.

Also, I have a car service booked for next Tuesday (but that will come out of our Bills account), our bi-annual rates are due ($739) and I want to get a tooth removed (~$200). EEEP! Next month is going to be a whole lot of sitting at home watching TV and brainstorming ways to make extra money

Speaking of extra money, has anyone on here heard of threadless.com? It's a great site, I buy a t-shirt here and there from them because I love that real people actually design them, and some of them are excellent! I was thinking of designing one to see how it goes, I have a couple of ideas.

Basically people vote on your shirt idea, and if you win, it gets printed. Was wondering if it would be in bad taste if I linked to it from here when I finally get around to it? Are you actually allowed to do that, or is it against SA rules?

I haven't been posting my meal plans lately. But I have been keeping to them mostly, which is good. Sometimes going out or getting takeaway is unavoidable though, but we have been keeping it to a minimum. Also trying to keep the meals to their healthiest, it's so easy to eat badly when it's winter! Lasagne, Pasta, Toasted Sanwiches, Pizza, Nachos etc etc. Homemade still, and good in moderation... NOT for every dinner meal of the week! *sigh* LOL

This weeks meal plan:

- Minestroni Soup & Toasted Sourdough
- Roast Balsamic Vegetables & Salad
- Chili Ginger Vegetable Stirfry & Brown Rice
- Lamb Steak/Tofu Burgers with baked potato wedges.
- Dum Aloo Indian Curry & Naan Bread
- Dinner Out (Friends Birthday)
- Roast Pumpkin & Spinach Risotto


I made some banana & choc chip muffins on the weekend, which have all gone, and also some dark chocolate and ginger biscotti.

Well, time for a weekend update. It was going to be a busy weekend but ended up being not quite so. Friday night we said goodbye to DF's grandparents who were staying at his dads. That was kind of a late one, got home around 11pm.

Saturday I went to the markets in the morning (spent around $25) and DF went op shopping. I think he spent around $10. Then we were going to be having DF's sister, BIL & neice staying but they ended up not coming because they were all sick. So instead we were going to invite other friends over for dinner, but they weren't available either! We gave up and watched movies together instead, somehow the day just disappeared. Did a late night run to the corner store for an icecream each ($7.50) and it ended up a late night, we went to bed at around 1am after watching two movies and then watching the end of Oceans 11 on television.

This morning was my little sisters birthday so we went to my mums and had mudcake for breakfast then coffee and english mufffins. Cost was zero, except for the materials for the cake, which I will pay for at work next week. LOVE being able to make my own cakes in a commercial kitchen... so much easier! Also spent ~$15 on my little sisters present, a plain black hessian messenger bag, some cool buttons, patches and badges that she can decorate herself. We have a badge maker and at the last minute DF made her one with her favourite saying 'Loose Lips Sink Ships' (an old sailor saying).

DF and I went to a friends place and picked up a bookshelf they were holding for us. DF drove it home and I stayed for an hour or so, then went to town and bought a pair of shorts I'd been meaning to buy for AGES. It must have been my day, because they were marked down from $89.95 to $49, and only in my size Super awesome! (As a side note, I know $49 is expensive for a pair of shorts, but I only had one pair of shorts, and I find the ones I spend a little more money on, last waaaaaay longer.)

Just got home and we have some friends that have dropped over. One seems to think he is staying the night! So it's dinner for an extra person. Here's hoping he likes tofu, because I was planning on making a tofu curry. Too bad if not, I think we have some two minute noodles somewhere in the pantry...

Not financially related, but thought I'd share a photograph I took on Tuesday afternoon. This is the view we get from our back deck.