Oh Woe ~ No Get Up and Go...

A new day in Queensland dawns bright and warm... 

Too many 5am starts has made Mands a very tired chickie...

Actually, I am a little bit stressed. And I've got a cold. Moving across the continent (well up the continent) was always going to be an exercise and play havoc on my back, but we took it slow, stopped often and tacked a few extra days to keep the actual travelling hours around 4-5hrs each day with two full rest days en-route.

The issue is more the lack of continuity of medical care and therapy referrals. I honestly thought with xrays, doctors' reports and an ongoing 'Care Plan' it would be easy to get things going for some therapy - osteo and pain management at least. But no. The doctor here keeps asking me to find out from Medicare what service codes I've already used and I am getting confused as he says the numbers Medicare provides me with can't be right and check again. Might have to put my foot down, possibly get his nose out of joint and tell him he can do it much more effectively than I.

Teddy has settled in rather well 

And the chiropractor I saw to at least attempt a little relief first told me he could not touch me without current xrays. I thought 'Good, you should be wanting to see where things are at' but then he justified the request by saying it was so he could not be sued if he did something wrong. $90 ~ and being told it was not possible I had both a fusion and a laminectomy.  The second appointment was spent watching a training video on chiropractics and explaining my xrays to me (yes, I do have both a fusion and a laminectomy) but he's never seen a back and neck so bad he feels he can't give me relief or help without putting himself in standing to be sued if he stimulates an injury. Another $75 and no relief.  Is Australia really that far down the 'I am going to sue' trail?

So that was $165 we could not afford to spend with no pain relief or actual work done. I really didn't need a lesson in chiropractics - especially one that didn't result in a certificate or something. No ~ a tax invoice doesn't cut it... *sighs*


New Beginnings In Our New Backyard

While we house-sit here in sunny Queensland, we are able to set up a vegetable garden to help us keep costs down and allow the owners to return to their own veggie patch. Taking up a long term house sit does not suit many people because they want to travel and stay in a region for a short term while holidaying on the cheap.

For us it means our mortgage can be paid with extra payments being made daily, I won't cry through another Ballarat winter as the bones and fusion continue to knit, we can finally achieve our dream wish of living in Queensland (albeit 4yrs after the planned move) and actually save a little money while experiencing a better quality of life. For the home owners it has meant they have reliable people looking after their home, ensuring the insurance requirements are fulfilled and their pets and plants don't die.  For our tenants it means they get a bargain price rental on a half acre block with chickens and an established veggie area to boot. Win-Win-Win

One thing I must learn is the ins and outs of tropical plants. There are so many here I have little experience with and, aside from worrying about over/under watering, I don't really know if there are any particular habits I need to get into to ensure they all stay healthy and flourishing. So far I've met a few giant critters in the garden ~ honestly, the cockroaches don't worry me at all and they are not inside so no drama. The giant grass-hopper took me by surprise but I got some great pictures of it . . . before the bloody cat decided it would make a tasty, crunchy afternoon snack. I have been advised the cane beetles will be a sight to see in the summer.

Not seen a single cane toad, spider or snake as yet ~ so long as the spiders remain in hiding I can cope with the others. Must admit I am not missing the huntsmans or other black crunchies invading the Ballarat bush ~ but I do miss those dear friends left behind in the snow and cold. I try hard not to mention I am sunburnt...


The Week Ahead

I've got the menu planned, plus three mystery shops for the week ~ two involve food and one involves wine which will be a terrible strain! *not*  All things going well, my doctors' and surgeon's reports will come through and I can get some work done on my neck and back. Headaches will kick in very soon - I already feel the niggle. Knowing that could happen, I've done this week's menu and put it on the fridge so Husband can step in at any time without needing to think or get extra ingredients. Oh I am so efficient at the moment. May it last.

Menu

Sunday ~ Roast Lamb & Veg ($2 per head)
Monday ~ Roast Lamb & Veg pie ($2 per head)
Tuesday ~ Spaghetti bolognese & salad ($2 per head)
Wednesday ~ Fritatta ($1 per head)
Thursday ~ Camp Oven Chicken ($1.50 per head)
Friday ~ Tuna Mornay ($1 per head)
Saturday ~ Home made Pizza ($2 per head)
Sunday ~ Roast Chicken ($1.50 per head)

Today Husband & the SmallBoy have been running around, shooting nerf guns, giggling and squealing like two little girls ~ then I hear my husband laugh, deep & full, and remember this is what genuine times we have had enjoying simple things. Love it.

And with that memory I shall hit the doona and go to sleep. Fingers crossed I'll sleep until about 7am because, like I said at the start, these 5am starts are doing my head in!

As always ~ any contributions or offerings to Mands On A Mission are received with many thanks and put toward our debt and nothing else. If you've got something you think could help us achieve our goal please - check out the Spare Change Jar, the Treasure Chest or drop us a message via the blog. All those 10c found at the side of the road and spun our way help in more ways than you can possibly imagine.

Hubby aims - and shoots ~ we are loving the evenings

Moving State on a Non-Existent Budget

 

Could be seen to be quite a silly notion by some...

I am very grateful to not have had the misfortune to not have had the pleasure of discussing our plans with the nay-sayers *grins* All our family, friends and dear loved ones certainly are on our side ~ understanding the why, why now, why not's we know this move will do for us ~ and our dear loved ones know they are going to be mightily missed physically only until the next time we or they visit.

SmallBoy has shown enormous acceptance, resilience and excitement about the adventure in the actualities of a move north ~ even the cull is something he sees as being an opportunity of a simple, clean start supported by strength of family and those very good, loving friends he has cheering him on. Most of the younger cheers come seeking either a place to stay in the warmth, near the sea, to play for a week or so in the holidays, or with that little tinge of 'wish we could do what you're doing'

MudGuts is still processing the information ~ more the fact we won't be around the corner to be ignored any more. We'll be further away and not around the corner should the need of help, care or comfort zone security blanket value be required. He is almost 21 ~ he doesn't realise we have a car waiting for him to be licensed and if he could have this by his 21st, bonus - otherwise it is there for Christmas and a flight for his 21st. 

More appointments with him over the next weeks to help him maintain the positive outcomes, deal with those perceived as negative, address the fears, provide information to him and update specialists, doctors, mental health professionals involved. And MrCentrelink for a heck of a lot of 'stuff' - that's a process hey!? Both Nana's see it as a good, growing move for their oldest grandson. We all go 'gulp' and get ready to hang on...

What are we doing??

And how many ways can you express that sentence to convey so many different messages!!??

'What are we doing' getting rid of absolutely everything? Its been talked about, planned, wished for so many times before so many moves over more than a decade the moment is NOW to actually do what has become a mammoth task. Once done - never need to again... 

The magazines, the jars, the newspapers - all cleaned for all the home made stuff 'gonna' be made before surgery stopped it all, kept because it would happen - out for freecycle, then dumper. If someone comes, takes it - bonus, its still gone. If it is too personal, contains 'numbers' or has memories no longer wanted or carried through to our future ~ we'll burn it.

Ruthless, fearless, release, be free of 'it' forever...

'What are we doing' going where we know no-one to a place we've never been to a house we've not been to owned by people we don't know who are leaving for an unknown guaranteed period of time??!! You know - even reading that I feel the adventure that should come with the "we won't die wondering why we didn't do it" decisions. Says it all really.

No more waiting for 'when we can' or thinking about 'if only'

'What are we doing' for a future? To those staying behind? About work opportunities? For income for all the 'stuff' in life? ~ gee there are a lot of questions but the biggest has been 'How are we doing this' with several messages defined by tone. It's not cheap but we think we've done it the most cost effective way possible.

'What are we doing' about the house? The chooks? The cats? School for SmallBoy? Care for MudGuts? Ideally with having someone we trust with our home - our primary residence and not just 'a house' - the mortgage side of our expenses are covered for at least two years. Not charging much more than our payments and we've managed on pension payments and savings over the years. IF the chickens 'come with the house' or not - we have avenues to give them new homes. The school is sorted and the care stuff is in process as we speak. 

The cats are coming ~ be it immediately or with a wee 'stop' at MILs and flown up if a better option. They are acclimatising to knowing the cupboard with some jumpers of ours as warmth to be their new 'outside bed' and do that whole 'pecking' order of which shelf for which jumper to which cat. This will change with the weather no doubt. It is my almost perfect to know the cats will be fully outside, not this in and out habit it seems to have become ~ in the 'zero' temperatures, its not fair they freeze like cattle...

Keeping a Tally

Only because I think I need to have a really good way to keep on track and accountable. It's not going to be cheap but we've only got about $5000 to do this and no caravan or car capable of towing one at this moment. If our solar panels can be transferred to another residence, even another name then we've got an additional $1000 deposit possibly refunded on thsoe - if not, investment to the solar industry...

The station-wagon has had a 'new / change-over' engine purchased ($650) and replaced, now running over for roadworthy ($550) ~ although there may be a new bits to replace/rectify for registration and the VicRoads inspection. Hopefully to be registered and the job can be done/finished this week and (even better) come in under $2000-$2500 - because we might also need to get some brake system if we get a pop-top or larger van to tow. Still only got a trailer/camper type budget - and there are some decent looking ones around the top end of our budget...

We will have whatever comes at tax time to start up in QLD as payment into the Line Of Credit for a buffer against mortgage payments while our 'tenants' get all their bizzo set up. I know she'll be right, but when someone close is involved you worry about that 'expectation of a little leniency' you know you have in transition over flow. Oh I just want a buffer of a month or two.

There is the option to get an 'advance' payment which is about $1500 all up but deducted incrementally for six months leaving us with about $400pw; but adds an extra month, so there can be that first month hiccup covered if required. And to appease my poor brain, settle my nervous financial nerves. Adding $200 a fortnight with the family payment will keep this ahead if all transacts smoothly. At mental ease having that out there ~ even if it makes no sense to anyone but me it makes sense. 

At this stage, sort of in my head I know the mortgage will have a buffer of a month and a half ($1500), the Line of Credit will be receiving our $200pf as well as $1000pm in. Using the reduced disability and carer income only, we will have about $450 per week from June. This is food, petrol, bills, whatever other fees, expenses of changeover required.

Still hoping a few services can simply transfer across states - like the internode internet/phone package. Hoping the "Helstra" saga of disconnection does not $c?#% this up or make it expensive and difficult. Stuff like finally getting rid of 'MS Games' subs and get back $10pm to the budget. I don't know - each as they come and once organised, on to the next is the way I am getting through it all. Semi prioritised in as best way possible ~ it will all get done as it does...

Solar Savings : $5200

Plus 'carport $1 sale': $170

Now Hello QLD Acct: $5370

Less: 

-$60 : Towing to Recomm 

-$650 : Changeover engine

-$650 : Installation & work to RW

-$299 : Bloody big skip bin

Spend: $1660

Hello QLD Acct : $3700

Needing to keep another $200 on hand for the skip removal and weight charge. All up it is going to be $426.62 ~ so still got $127.60 at least to go. The car rego is up to $450 with appt fees ~ ideally this will give the car an ZYX end rego. We think a trailer or pop up van rego will be $120ish. Plus there is about $1000 *assigned* to getting it passed for rego to go through OK. Over the next few weeks that's $1700 'needed' from the account ~ $2000 for a camp trailer is more the budget at this stage.

We plan to have a garage sale over the weekend ~ this one where we get rid of a fridge (not for $1!!), motorbikes, tables, wardrobes and an unbelievable amount for coins. Not caring about the whole profit money making but ensuring items go on for use, stay out of the skip as rubbish weight and maybe we cover the cost of this Mothers' Day present. Or aim for the higher limit of the engine expenses!

Entered a competition to win ~ (wait for it) ~ a year's supply of Kleenex toilet paper, a month of Bakers Delight yummies and a clever cleaning pack from VIVA.  So if you want to win a Blue Mountain holiday which I am not interested in winning at the moment - its a time constraint thing - go visit Digital Parents Mega Bonanza Giveaway - there is other stuff to win.

Achievement: Welcome to the dumper bin to take the stuff away...

Would never have thought something like this could make me soooo excited *cheers*

Had problems with the Blogger yesterday - so this is the one that didn't post:

Today we welcome the (extremely much more bigger than we thought) dumper bin with the walk in door thing so we don't need to throw over a 'side' ~ oi vie this is definitely a huge 'gift' and the same price as the one we chose so - that's a bonus. All it needed was a big bow on the side and I would have cried with glee!!

The purpose is more than just to clear up for putting all our stuff in storage ~ this whole purge has been coming over the past ten years and interrupted by surgery. Nay ~ delayed by focussing on health for a few years over monetary rewards. 

Ultimately by sacrificing the need for the "materialistic" reward, Husband and I have grown closer together, more united and stronger for each other, the boys, ourselves. More value to be able to accept, deal with and iform stronger connections to continue this journey together than have the 'best job', with the best façade, weakest outcome.

The Frugalista's 23rd Psalm

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not shop.

For yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of goodies

I shall spend no money,

For surely I have enough STUFF to last me all the days of my life!

Amen.

At long last, those final few little Bonds romper-suits up to 21 years of age are going. May they help another and hold as they have for my two boys. Almost every item with a hole, a tear is going. The fire will help destroy some of the more personal papers but all the papers from the past two decades is going. I found a letter advising me I'd not successfully got a job from way back in the 90s. Took a pic - tossed it out. Lots of documents relating to templates, admin business practices, superseded legislation all to go. 

Over the past week - I've had some amazing horoscope predictions ~ each one finding a way to result in something better or more appropriate than the previous. My favourites were:

SCORPIO (29 April NZ/Australia) ~ As much as the Moon may want you to focus on your personal life today Jupiter and Mars, the planets of luck and of passion, drive and ambition have other ideas. Jupiter and Mars begin their first alignment in your work sector since 1975 and it comes just when with one last push you're going to achieve the breakthrough that you have been so close to since this time last month. This time, with one last push you'll be on your way, with nothing holding you back.

SCORPIO (07 May NZ/Australia) ~ When it comes to your financial situation or your money game keep your ear to the ground, listening to your instincts and your intuitive responses, especially when it comes to a better understanding of the past. It’s the Moon’s alignment with the South Node in your financial sector, just 2 weeks before the Sun is due to arrive, that will be giving you a chance to clear the air and get things up to speed before moving on.

But I do like todays offering ~ I read it as still showing we are taking the better option offering a better gain in the future, it's been rather interesting: 

SCORPIO (09 May NZ/Australia) ~ With Mars leaving your work sector in 2 days time and Venus and Mercury in a week from today, there is a new sense of urgency kicking in, especially now any roadblocks are behind you or you at least know what you're dealing with. Continue to work within your capabilities, without playing the superhero, working smarter rather than harder. Look for ways you can accomplish what you need to, with your available resources.

Can you see it follows the softly, slowly My Cheeky Monkey approach we've used over the recovery only this time it has a defined deadline or action date of 30 June/1 July.

And you if you need to take a moment and enjoy a full on belly laugh ~ have a look at the link below. Its a YouTube link but the best animal maaster interaction with the dog's 'voice' exactly as you could imagine a dog talking - laughing still and I've watched it a dozen times :D
http://www.youtube.com/user/klaatu42?blend=6&ob=5#p/c/0/nGeKSiCQkPw

New month, new budget sheet

Oh it's April - 

First important issue is SmallBoy ~ he is doing ok at the moment. He has knocked his broken foot going to the toilet and the pain sent him to tears and raised his temperature quite a bit. A quick call to the hospital and a re-visit to Emergency was required but all seems to be OK. A stronger pain medication dose is now in place and fingers-crossed nothing moved. We are not mentioning anything about operations, likely or not. I forgot to include the required purchase of a new ice pack ($11.95), an additional bandage ($12.50) and the 'hire' of two movies for SmallBoy's entertainment (free - only because the staff felt sorry for hubby when he was advised we had, and paid, $26 in late fees for a movie hired in July last year). 

I popped into school to collect SmallBoy's netbook to enable him to connect into school for work assignments, his 'publishing' book for project notes, his pencil case and a few library books. As mum is a teacher, she had previously suggested a few programmes school may be using. We have now linked into a comprehension programme, the Mathletics website and hope to connect to a few more so he does not fall behind with school work. 

It might sound odd we are doing this ~ however less than two hours before he fell, we had parent/teacher interviews where we leant SmallBoy was top of his class in comprehension and math, doing work at a level assigned to 13/14 year olds and discussed letting teachers know if he was bored or unstimulated by the class work so more challenging lessons could be given. He was on top of the world to hear only his handwriting needed improvement - one thing we have been working for several years with continuous, albeit slow, progress. Knowing that, its obvious he enjoys learning and we certainly don't want his injury to disrupt what seems to be a keen student.

Back to Budgeting...

Friday is 'pay day'. I went to the supermarket. Coles has Whiskas cat food on special for 77c a can - half price - so I bought 30 cans of various flavours to keep the pussy-cats happy for a month! More than half of the final bill ($54.53) was cat food ~ the rest was spent on specials including Turkish rolls and pida breads, some triple choc chip biscuits marked down to .99c - usually around $4 and I cant make them as good as these ones! - yoghurt, corn chips (for nachos), fruit juice, milk and a wee splurge on a bottle of Coke! Should get us through until mid month and, fingers crossed, only milk will be required around then. Regardless, I've allowed $21 for groceries each week for the next three weeks.

Also needed a petrol station stop - filled the car from empty for $49. I had a myotherapy appointment and had my neck, shoulder and back worked on which was another $55. At the moment, these appointments are weekly and do need to be maintained. Considering the past two weeks have been the first in four years I have been able to look over my right shoulder, the therapy is definitely worth it! Forfeiting my acupuncture for the next few months to allow me to attend myotherapy on a weekly basis, sorry Peter - I do miss the appointments.

Husband did a little work for his former employer - only a few days over the past fortnight which brings an extra $200 to the budget this month. Straight onto VISA. Sure, I'd love to use it to get the blackberries dug out by someone other than me! But I'll call it exercise therapy - save another $50 (in my head) and aim to strengthen my right side, stretch my upper body and work on my more muscles. It's time to be more dedicated to health and fitness while still lowering the grocery costs.

According to 'Bill's Budget' - my monthly budget spreadsheet - we've got $2970 in this month and expenses of $2725 leaving about $240 for extra payments on debt accounts. When you compare the outgoings of the past few months, we are getting ahead with steady little amounts. I've budgeted $50 a week for fuel, but suspect this will be lower with SmallyBoy not being able to go to school next week and the school holidays. Plans to go away to the family holiday house are off - can't afford to get sand into a plaster cast - we'll just find fun things to do closer to home. 

Our outgoings this month are the mortgage (2x 596.06), Fuel ($200), Therapy ($220), Personal Loan ($397.86), Insurances ($125.35), Phones/Internet ($173.60), Water ($25), Gas and Elec ($100), VISA interest ($45), Groceries ($120) - oh and the obligatory $2 for the Home Help bill. Plus I've budgeted $50 for Easter as our gift giving here has always involved winter pyjamas and one chocolate bunny or bilby.

Bartering eggs during the week next week ~ hoping to get some corn, pumpkin and maybe some asian greens. We'll have our own potatoes soon and I gave some tomatoes and eggs to the neighbours knowing they are both on pensions themselves and no longer able to keep a vegetable garden growing. It's what you do when you've got neighbours - well, it should be :D

Chat tomorrow...

Whinges, Woes and Wonder

Guys, I am struggling through stage two of opiate/narcotic pain medication withdrawal ~ apologies in advance (and arrears) for gaps and/or scattiness. Not having fun, not wishing to bore you, just needed to get it out there...

These past few days have been difficult - either sleeping for close to 18hrs of the day or surviving on 4hrs or less at other times. As I said to some girlfriends, moving into the next drop/change of pain med withdrawal and, 'scuse the inference, absolutely screwing with me, my brain, energy, family and everything. Some days I don't sleep others I don't wake - I feel I am looking and acting like those depicted in Dogs in Space or Train Spotting ~ and apparently this is kind of to be expected. I want to give up and return to the fog of pain relief because this crap is driving me insane, mad or something in between. 

Dear Husband is an amazing man - he is stepping up to the role of carer, cleaner, cook, husband and father like never before. It's been hard on him too because if I didn't expect to be feeling and acting as I have, he certainly didn't. Our marvellous doctor has been totally reassuring of the experiences, my head lady has been supportive and explains other issues I feel as being totally normal considering the situation and length of medication usage. Who would have thought.

But I hurt ~ I ache, feel stiff and sore. Part is because I've not used many muscles in many years but part is because I've had one side of my 'innards' rearranged or straightened and unhooked from the 45 degree angle, posture and stance in place for almost a decade. So there are parts inside really quite unimpressed with this idea of being straight and upright, the bits of metal enforcing this erection issue (hehehe, erection dysfunction even) and some bits are sick of being their new position and want to go back to the old ways. So its a battle on so many fronts.

Yes I whinge about our financial position ~ but its a little bit like being between a rock and a hard place. I can't work at this stage, but I need to be active. Husband can work, but I need his help - especially at the moment while Mands the Zombie is in da-house. I am dangerous in the car so Husband needs to do the school run - we are not on any public transport route which will get SmallBoy to school and back daily. I can drive, but I get distracted, feel sleepy and disorientated, forget where I am. How scary is that!? And legally I can be out on the roads like this!! 

What more can a poor girl do?

*Thank you Split Enz for the line*

There are programmes and activities I can participate in to help get through this ~ however we don't have the funds to do this. I've got to 'stretch' out my appointments with the psychologist to ensure I don't run out of my 12 'free' appointments this year. I need to be seeing her weekly, not monthly! I cant afford to see the myotherapist and/or acupuncturist more than once a month, however we are forfeiting grocery shops for back appointments at the moment - only fortnightly appointments of one or the other. I should be having an appointment at each at least weekly. The myotherapist had me able to look over my right shoulder for the first time in 9years last session - have you any idea how exciting and amazing that was? Sadly, but as to be expected, that regressed after 3-4 days - imagine if I was having appointments every 3-4 days!

Hydrotherapy is only available twice a week at the rehab centre ~ I am only 'eligible' for one session. However recent upgrades to the regional YMCA has seen a public hydrotherapy pool installed. At $6.60 per entry, this is quite reasonable - but that is milk and bread for a week for us - and I really should be going 2-3 times a week. We do not have $20 spare ~ I can shop for a week with $20 and sometimes don't have that available. How pathetic does that sound? 

I must stress - we are not starving, nor is it likely we will be in such a position in the next three months. If something catastrophic occurred tomorrow and all access to shops and transport were severed, but power, heating and Internet were still available, it would be of little difference to our normal day to day other than providing us with no petrol expenditure requirements in getting SmallBoy to school. Sometimes I think just an extra $50-$100 a week would do the trick...

Any ways - only a little spending last week with milk and petrol, oh and therapy. Hmmm - perhaps $100 spent all up and the rest on mortgage, bills and debt. All going well it will only be milk and therapy next week - I am guessing we will need milk on Wednesday and therapy is on Friday. The menu will be up tomorrow, its a public holiday so nothing will be open to entice us *smiles*  Hoping to find a deadly-treadlie push bike for me to ride and start strengthening up the right side of my body. Getting out in the sun, being active and being away from the house might be as good for the soul as it should be for the body! Anyone got a bike in good working order they could fling my way - even a loaner would do me just fine *grins*

Here's something for nothing

I feel sorry for those who have made it this far down the page ~ a very self centred sad sack misery guts post - so here's something for free you can request online and I have a feeling this product is going to be sensational. I've ordered one for me and one for MudGuts ~ he should enjoy getting this in the mail as much as I will!!

You know I use Bosisto's products in my home made cleaners, check the Blog entry Tripping through Tuesday in Feb 11 for recipes. Try the laundry powder for yourself & say Mands sent you *grins* You can get a free sample from this link:  http://www.fgb.com.au/information/bosistos-eucofresh-laundry-powder-sample ~ if the promotion has run clean (geddit!?!), keep an eye on future blog posts ~ there might be something else come up in the future. I'll let you know :D

Plus, because the mind is actually racing at a zillion miles an hour, I've the gabbling of a song going through my head so here's that in the making. Enjoy your Monday peoples...

Her Mother's Daughter

Hey there sister

Do you feel let down

Oh how you missed her

Now she's nowhere to be found

She's put you in the side lines

You're not a feature in her life

Guess you know you're now the one 

She's left with all the strife

Poor little sister

Hey there good friend

She sure dumped on you

You only tried to help her

Boy how you were screwed

She made it look all your fault

Her jealousy did that

When you went to hug her

She had to push your back

Poor old good friend

It's a lonely bitter lady

Standing in her mother's shoes

Copying the woman

She hates but has to choose

To be the same as

Send the blame at

Be ashamed as

She's her mother's daughter 

Oh dear children

Mother always so mad

If its not her friends or family

It's your brother or your dad

Coz it's never her fault

Ask her - she's blameless

You will learn

That she is shameless

Poor dear children

It's a lonely bitter lady

Standing in her mother's shoes

Copying the woman

She hates but has to choose

To be the same as

Send the blame at

Be ashamed as

She's her mother's daughter 

Why didn't grandpa ever like me

You're the reason I didn't feel free

She made me look a fool

He was such a jerk, a tool

I only lied to twist the facts

I can tell 'cos I studied about that

Why did I have to have a son

I can't be truthful to anyone

I am never ever wrong

Stop talking about me in your songs

She's such a lonely bitter lady

Know's she is like her mum

And pretends she's not that woman

She hates but has become

To be the same as

Send the blame at

Be ashamed as

She's her mother's daughter 

Finding the 'Thrift'

What is happening to the humble Op Shop?

Over the past months there have been numerous discussions on Simple Savings and KidSpot that charity Op Shops are not providing items at a reasonably cheap price and being quite selective in the items being collected into the stores. As a keen op-shopper currently on a very limited budget, I must agree.

In the past, going into the Salvos was akin to a Target shop - only with designer 'labels' to choose from. If I was aiming for the Myer of OpShops, then I would go to the Red Cross or St Vincent de Paul ~ both are usually a little higher in cost. My David Jones type OpShop is LifeLine or Mission op shops. The 'upper market' shops could quickly take my $20 in one or two items. The Salvos OpShop had the price and discount range to allow $20 to cover a few items for me - and SmallBoy - plus something for MudGuts. Maybe even some kitchenware and a book or three.

Now, unless I shop on Concession Card Tuesday for 20% off and buy only from the nominated colour 'on special' ticket, $20 barely covers a pair of jeans. Knowing I can get brand new jeans from Rivers, it makes the choice harder. Sure, Rivers quality is nowhere near as good as it used to be and buying from an op shop provides an environmental 'reuse, recycle' purchase, but its almost worth spending more time trawling the church op shops for the occasional wanted/needed item or sticking to FreeCycle type websites.

There was an interesting article in The West Australian recently about the Salvos becoming a retail outlet, a boutique, as opposed to a charity organisation. Its profit has increased by $10 million to $18 million. That's excellent news for the disadvantaged they support, but it has made the retail stores out of reach of many 'disadvantaged' clientele. The article said staff have to 'up-sell' as retail staff are expected to do. Perhaps the methodology needs to change so those in need, holding a pension or health care card can present it at the counter for a 50% discount - although sadly while typing that it would be another avenue to 'rip off' the system for those who enjoy such adventures. 

The Op Shop was one way I knew we could obtain goods at reasonably cheap prices without the disposable factor of the '$2 shop' ~ now the Op Shop is another KMart or Target without offering new or perhaps just dodging business GST under the guise of charity. People are talking up Savers ~ which is great, so long as you don't think Savers are a charity store. Its not - its a business through and through. Then there was the shop run by two dear ladies on PayTVs "Mary Queen of Shops" who were coerced into a total re-fit and left with a bright funky store, requiring staff and the low cost, no fuss aspect of their community store because a business in need of profit to remain open. Bigger, better, faster doesn't always work does it?

I think one area which is very disappointing is the way so many donated items are now rejected as unsuitable, unwanted or unsaleable ~ and its not just ripped clothing. Electrical items can no longer be sold for fear a faulty item can become a law suit. Hand made toys cannot be sold for fear of 'contaminants' - even if made by the donater personally. Surely there must be a method of 'buyer beware' which can be implemented, where appropriate testing and tagging by the purchaser will enable a goods return, refund or store credit. As for some tales of volunteers simply taking items - no doubt it does happen, however a little discretion about how, why and when might need to be included in staff management training. 

This is by no mean an attack or put down against organisations like the Salvation Army or CentreCare or St Vincent de Paul ~ as charitable and caring groups, these organisations are very very helpful, kind and able to provide for those in need, regardless of the cost of items within a store. I know when MudGuts' mate was caught in a bind, he was given a certificate to allow him to select $50 of apparel and $150 in bedding or furnishings. Those he dealt with were the human face of care and compassion but the encounter at store level did leave a sour taste after such sweet care and assistance for a young boy caught in a very bad situation.

No doubt many people have their own horror experience when finding out volunteers get first 'dibs', or take what they want for free, or stash something away for later. My father was a shocker for it - but I didn't want to know taking a wardrobe for the garage was better than giving it to a client, judged as a 'junkie bum'. I am sure that OpShop Manager would be mortified being called a petty thief ~ however that's how I see it. MudGuts' mate did not select much - a bed, a chest of drawers, a pouf, sheets, a quilt and some clothes. He chose some crockery and cutlery but was told by the manager these weren't permissible items. He selected some pots and utensils but again these were not clothes, bedding or furnishings in her opinion. He had found a pair of boots he had to argue as being apparel - and would not have succeeded if the voucher had said clothes. He could not select the toothpaste, toothbrush, talcum or laundry powder valued at $5 in total. That side was shameful, humiliating for the poor boy who is not a 'junkie bum'. We raided our cupboards here at home for any short falls - including a wardrobe sitting in our garage, and helped fix up his 'space'.

Still too skinny, hey!?

And I am not going to begrudge those volunteers who do find a bargain to keep for themselves. As volunteers I understand they are not being paid, so finding a shirt or table which is suitable for them and taking it with or without payment is not going to deprive anyone - however taking items to provide for personal Christmas shopping for the year or to give to friends or family with no offer of payment is inappropriate in my view. If I was volunteering in an Op Shop, part of me would have no qualm with putting an item or three aside and haggling a lower price for them. I would not expect them for free, nor would I expect there would be 'something in it for me' every time I helped out. That is not offering of oneself, that is using a situation for profit or gain. Some volunteers are perhaps working there to gain valuable work experience, to escape loneliness, to improve their social skills, to contribute to society, to start a new life after escaping an abusive one and, in some instances, to have first pick of what comes in.

Hitting the church op shop is the way to go, or looking out for a community opportunity shop attached to a school, church or hospice - while not as wide in range, it is lower in cost making it affordable. I felt really sad that it seems to be so commercialised and lacking in basic 'good will' from society. Just as there are those who manipulate the system - on both the giving and taking side - there are those who have a genuine needs for accessing such services without judgement or belittling assumptions. To collectively assume all single mothers are 'no hopers' really does make it hard for those escaping a life of battering and abuse ~ same as a young, unkempt lad being assumed to be a 'junkie bum' for spending weeks on the streets and friends couches in the one set of clothes when really it is to avoid another round of punching bag and verbal abhorrence by his parents.

Personally, I don't need any new clothes ever again. I have enough to wardrobe three other females of various sizes. Hence, the desire to get rid of "everything" and I am actually getting to the stage where I could pick out my favourite 100 items to cover all seasons and events and sell, give, rag the rest. At 6'9", MudGuts clothes purchases are hit and miss at the best of times - long, lanky, skinny lad that he is, grounded by elephant feet. But SmallBoy is in that ever changing height and girth of a pre-teen so his needs fluctuate. 

You've probably noticed Husband doesn't get much of a mention ~ he is happy in his tracksuit and t-shirt. He has sufficient in the way of work and good trousers, shirts and jackets - possibly more than is needed so I am trying to coax several Country Road, Pierre Cardin and similar ilk labels out of the wardrobe and into the 'for sale' box. I think I shall get there, its just a slow period of persuasion required. *grins*

*Blushing*

'Scuse the rant on the demise of the Op Shop ~ I miss my favourite shop. I know this isnt my usual tone of post but it;s been a funny few days of which I can say comes down to withdrawing from these darn opiate pain killers - I guess I wanted to be have a good moment in my 'favourite' store where one can normally get things that are needed as well as those wanted ~ I was just disappointed and a little fragile to feel so looked down upon - if not me directly but via MudGuts' and his mate's treatment by those I always felt were more tolerant and accepting..

SmallBoy once said to me that if we won Tattslotto I could get the chance to buy clothes without checking its the 'on sale' colour or maybe even go buy clothes in a 'real shop'. *laughs* At the moment, having $300pw for every expense after the mortgage payment, even the Op Shop has become out of reach for us - its just sad that economics and greed have won over charity and care.  And maybe I've only seen a small snapshot but that judgement and assumption I witnessed it the type which has made it so hard for those in genuine need to seek and receive help without full explanations and disclosure - even if doing so means being called a liar...

The normal, boring stuff
I'll need to put petrol in the car tomorrow ~ its getting a little on the low side. I'll also need to get milk but food wise all else is more than adequate. SmallBoy is taking slices of the cantelope to school for fruit as we are out of apples and bananas. It was a good score getting two melons for $2.50 (was that a week or so ago) which were probably not quite ripe when purchased but certainly are beautiful and ripe now. I've made up a container full of muesli slice and bites again using all the left over cereal and a tin of condensed milk. A girlfriend makes one with tahini - when we are next a little flush I might get a jar because it adds such a nice flavour.

Still aiming to spend no more than $10 this week - milk will be $3 and, if it ends up necessary, no-name wheat biscuits or corn flakes will be about $3 also. I found a tree with apples falling off by the dozen today so will get some of those and we have blackberries to use with the strawberries to replace the empty jar of jam. I'll also make some bread tonight - I'll finally give it a go and maybe even make cheese and Vegemite scrolls, or at least something with herbs and cheese for SmallBoy to take for lunch as we have no sliced bread. "Everyone" says they are so easy to make I may as well give it a go!

Pie tonight - its going to be a corker! Not only have I used the BBQ chicken (about $2.50 worth), its seasoning and vegetables (all up maybe $1) - the last of the crunchy sprouts are in and there is enough over for a pasta sauce! I've decided tomorrow will be burgers using the mince, instead of Friday and we will have pasta on Friday to break up the repetitiveness of the same ingredients on consecutive days.

Until tomorrow...

Journey to financial freedom...

I do so despise crushed muesli and cereal dregs...

And weet-bix. Seeing as these were the only initial options for breakfast, I almost decided to skip it ~ but having had enough problems trying to gain weight over the past decade, this really is not a good habit for me to get back into. While SmallBoy happily hoed into weet-bix and milk, I made myself a breakfast shake. Bit 'made up' but damn fine and filling.

1 egg

1 heaped tsp milk powder

1 heaped tsp Sustegen HS dutch chocolate

1/2 tsp vanilla essence

2 frozen bananas

4 small strawberries

250-300ml iced water

Blended

SmallBoy decided he'd like to take strawberries for his fruit snack at school today so we went out in the morning drizzle and picked about a dozen red berries. A few were a little bruised or 'bugged' - perfect for whizzing up in the shake. If you've ever picked strawberries or tomatoes off the vine, you'll know the smell the ripe fruit leaves on your hands ~ well SmallBoy used that sweet smell as a reason for going to school with dirty hands, bringing his palms up to his nose gave him the greatest pleasure and no-way was he getting rid of the smell.

"A bank is a place which gives you money if you can prove you don't need it"

Thank goodness the RBA decided no rate rises were to happen ~ I know it will be amazing if the same happens in April, but we could not manage even a weeny increase on the mortgage at the moment. Not unless CPI increases came along and matched on a similar amount. Who would have thought those sort of things would sit on my mind all the time. Still - all up we are coping better today than we did six months ago!

But how about those who 'scored free money' from the CBA teller machines last night! As much as I wish I could be 'so lucky', I really do think customer records need to be reviewed and all persons withdrawing from effected machines be ordered to return the excess dollars received in error or risk being questioned about obtaining funds that are not their own. How would customers be treating the issue if, when trying to withdraw $500 the receipt said those funds were issued but you only received $50 from the slot? There would be means to verify if this occurred, so the same can/should happen for the overpayments. It's almost the same as finding a wallet with $500 and keeping the cash when the honest thing to do is hand it into police or authorities so it can be returned to its rightful owner or given to you once ownership cannot be determined or however that works with the police.

Tonight SmallBoy and I enjoyed a delicious dinner which cost .25c a plate. We got some fresh corn on the cob for free because it had manky ends and I got a packet of kangaroo sausages for $1. We had two each, leaving four snags for another time, and I used the last of the zucchini given to us. Seriously yummy and how low cost was that!?! I am more than set food wise for the week and with several mystery shops at the supermarkets for next week, there is going to be almost $30 available for groceries.

Oh ~ here's a tip ~ I've noticed the supermarkets are marking down meat in the afternoon on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I am not sure if it just here in regional Victoria, but it has been great to see a semi regular day to allow for some bargain hunting without needing to walk into shops day after day. This also means double the bargains when mystery shopping as a minimum buy is usually requested or quantity of items required to be purchased. I know I can get 5-6 items for $10 and that's dairy, bakery, meat and veg in most cases. I am almost excited about shopping... 

Having some major computer problems ~ it has been a wonderful laptop for the past five-six years, but it really does seem to be getting confused with itself (if that makes sense when referring to a machine). Currently it can't seem to work out which screen is the one being typed in and subsequently I can't get eBay items loaded and could not even type a post last night. For some reason the cursor works in Twitter but now we are here and able to update *grins*

Not the most interesting post - I know - but please please PLEASE enter the Coles "We Love Pets" pack offer here as the more entries, the more chance further competitions and offers can be made available. I've received no payment for promoting these products and the reported review are my own opinions based on how my animals have reacted - and that truly is with gusto - but receiving items like food, toiletries and such help us redirect cash into our debt.

Remember - we really appreciate any assistance readers can offer. If you want to donate to our Treasure Chest via PayPal, the link is there at the top right or left of the blog page. There are items appearing on eBay ~ although while the laptop is playing up, this is a bit hard. On the Q+A page are other ways you can contribute and if sending supermarket vouchers is a preferred method, please leave a comment and I can contact you directly and won't publish your personal details for all and sundry. *smiles*

Thanks again ~ loving the feedback, the comments and support from everyone. Got my first 'rude spam' but the filter kept it away from the screen (thank goodness) so please keep it nice. We're not here to scam anyone, we've reduced the debt as much as we can without help but any assistance goes toward the debt and any vouchers provided means the same amount in cash goes onto the debt and not a splurge. Oh for chocolate, oh for biscuits, oh for a bottle of wine ~ but its not happening until the debt comes down!

Chat again soon *waves*

Making Good Choices

Because we have options!

The 3 R's come in many forms. When Husband became my carer, it was only ever planned to be a short term options allowing me to focus on recovery, rehabilitation and regaining my balls. The first 3R's. The doctor said it would be great if he could be home for at least 9 months, maybe even a year because I was an emotional mess as well as physically struggling. I love having a doctor who is experienced enough to know what I needed before I fell apart and caring enough to insist upon it.

About 18months after surgery I had a set back. Sadly, trying to help a very good friend, my best friend, when I needed the help and support was part of the down fall - I ignored my own anxiety and depression. It's no-ones fault as such ~ I was trying to be a good friend while not strong enough in myself. Ultimately the friendship of 25years ended and, after many tears and internal self berating conversations, I forgive myself for being human, having emotions and accepting my weaknesses. We all lost on so many levels and we all move on. Reflections, regrets and realisations ~ another 3R's.

I am getting stronger, the brain is there and everything is right on schedule ~ just as my surgeon said. Nothing for a year, some adjustments and recovery in the second, improvement in the third but five years in all. This is the start of the third year and, as he is the Head of Orthopaedics at RMH, my surgeon has the knowledge and experience to know - and be accurate! Too often I have taken on board the expectation of 'non medicos' and those who know what should be happening because they knew someone who had an operation too.  I look forward to getting all this medication out of my system and becoming physically stronger! Rah, rah, rah ~ just another 3R's... *laughs*

Which brings me back to options ~ Husband has applied for some local employment and his former employer wants him to do work to ease some overload on occasion. Naturally the preference is to getting one of the local positions but during the interim, travelling to Melbourne a few times a fortnight is going going to allow him to bring in some much needed income, help me get through this next six months and then, when I can manage in the garden and change the beds without help, he hopes to get full time local work and we can up the debt destruction and save again for our Queensland dream move. No R's there ~ just some hopeful positive goals.

How low can you go?

Pretty darn low compared to others!  Let me tell you ~ I fed four people a 'special' dinner for under $6 tonight including dessert!  We had veal schnitzel, shoestring potato chips and apricot turnovers to finish. Oh it was delicious!!

As often as possible, I try to budget each dinner time meal to be under $3 per head and usually average the weekly dinners to meet this target. My family does tend to like meat of some variety in every meal and I've been known to make a chicken casserole for four using one chicken breast and padding it out with potatoes and vegetables. If Husband happens to take on the cooking duties for a night, which he does for the Sunday roast  he knows I expect enough left to make a pie for the following night - not knowing I usually also make that stretch to lunches and a curry if possible.

Guess the iPhone was upside down 

At the end of January I bought meats which were marked down by 33% - 50% and popped them in the freezer. One lot was 4 pieces of veal schnitzel marked down to $3.84 - at $21pkg this is not an item I'd usually consider - but at $10pkg it made for a 'special' dinner opportunity. To make breadcrumbs, I save the crusts from each loaf of bread especially the seed and grain variety, storing them in a bread bag until there are about a dozen, and whiz them around in the blender until they are crumbs.

A few months back, because we didn't have potatoes in this year, I took the lazy option and got a 5kg caterers bag of frozen shoestring chips from one of those Campbells Cash n Carry type places for $5 - I think you can also get them at CostCo and other wholesale type stores - and used about 500g of these over two dunks in the deep fryer. So that was about $1 worth of chips. We had bought a case of unlabelled, dented tins of pie apricots for $8 from the SPC outlet, 66c a tin. I cut two sheets of frozen puff pastry in half, placing a pile of apricot on each piece, sprinkled a little brown sugar over them for sweetness and folded them over into a big triangle and baked them in the oven until golden brown. Adding a scoop of apricot yoghurt, stored frozen in the freezer - a 1kg tub marked down to $3.30 as it was due to expire - and voila! SmallBoy thought these were the best dessert ever made - so easy to please that boy! Making those again for sure - especially as there's still plenty of yoghurt still in the freezer!!

This week I plan to again spend no more than $21 on groceries ~ and it really can be done. You don't always NEED to spend $200 or more at the supermarket every week - sometimes its just the habit. Don't forget to check what you've got in the pantry before you meal plan - then write the shopping list. I already know every ingredient required for this week's menu is in my cupboards and can substitute an item if necessary.

I really want to get some fresh fruit and veg however I need to get nothing so nothing is what I am aiming to do. There might be a need for milk, possibly some celery and maybe some lettuce ~ but I am also going to see what I can scrounge up, barter and trade - I've definitely got some eggs to negotiate with!! Oh I am a little sick of eggs, but they're here, they're free and they are very very yummy! All going to plan, the menu for this week should go something like this:

Monday: Tuna Mornay on rice

Tuesday: Freezer Surprise Pie - I think its lamb

Wednesday: Chicken curry

Thursday: Chicken stir fry

Friday: Hamburgers on home made rolls

Saturday: Home made pizza

Sunday: Eggs, Hash Browns - we voted for this

Must let you know weaning off medication is not an easy ride. The past few days have been extremely - well weird comes to mind. But its all for the best and hopefully will get easier. It certainly helps to know why 'everything' has been so fuzzy and why its been a few days between posts.

This week...

I am having the first of two competitions with prizes donated from reputable businesses! It's all a bit exciting really. I hope you'll suggest to your friends to start reading and following Our Mission, because the more people you get following the blog the greater the chance you could get a very helpful home item and the opportunity for new giveaways to become available! But you will have to wait a few more days...

Ending with a little piece I wrote not too long ago ~ if you like it, please let me know. I do enjoy feedback and the last post had some positive and helpful comments. I was totally thrilled beyond belief with the support and heaps of little contributions into the Treasure Chest!! Every little bit helps our debt go down and it is even more satisfying to know there was a suggestion or habit mentioned which helped you. Bit waffly - I know - but to know so many thought the pillow slip hint was worth a contribution was such a buzz!

Dancing lightly in the sky

The lonely lovely butterfly

Flutters on the western winds

Soaring up and back again

Colours shimmer in the sun

A butterfly seems to have such fun

I wonder if I'll ever be

Dancing high and totally free

ஜ Gratitude and Love ~ Namaste ஜ

I am not feeling very enthused, inspired or original today. I am struggling to understand how, as the one who is supposed to be caring and supporting me in particular at the moment, Husband does not realise how tight the finances are and how nothing is getting done ~ and I can't get me going without a struggle, let alone give him the directions, the incentives and keep repeating the same things over and over.  It's not like it changes ~ house is a mess, disorganised, cluttered and funds are low, minimal and sparse.

Tonight I started only with the finances, letting him know he must be aware of the amounts we have one hand and the money required to be paid out over this month. Most of this came about because he asked me how much petrol we could put into the car. All I wanted to say was 'nothing' because we have other pressing expenses. There are so many 'things' to pay. Yes, eBay or a sale will provide a few dollars but its not enough. 

Yes, I am tired ~ probably need a few days out by myself somewhere. It might only mean for a few days I can pretend there is nothing wrong to alleviate the negative in my head and come back refreshed ~ but its so not possible. I'd really like to have the chance to do one of those retreats to refresh and revitalise myself so I can return with positivity and direction. Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome people *smiles*

A very wise woman mentioned a quiz to show how well we understand our personal financial situation. I scored 12 ~ husband scored a lot higher. This quiz came from 'The Simple Dollar', one bloke who does know where his money goes and how to spend AND save in a way which doesn't put stress on the family budget. I've jigged it a little to be more Australian.

Do you know where your money goes? 

Are you really aware of every red cent you're spending, or does a lot of it slip right through your fingers, leaving you wondering at the end of the month how you're going to make ends meet? Knowing where every dollar goes is one of the key principles of living cheap. Take this quick quiz to find out how your dollars stack up.


1. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE RECEIPT AFTER LEAVING THE SUPERMARKET, YOU:
A. Feel shocked at the total and express disbelief that you could have spent that much.
B. Feel alarmed at the rising grocery prices, but feel that you made sensible purchases.
C. Smile happily at your tiny total, knowing that you got the food you needed for the week at a minimal cost.

2. WHEN YOU SIT DOWN TO PAY BILLS, YOU:
A. Hope that there will be money in your account to cover the checks.
B. Get through the task as quickly as possible, but don't worry about having enough money to pay the bills.
C. Look for ways to trim a few dollars off every bill you pay.

3. WHEN AN UNEXPECTED BILL COMES IN THE MAIL, YOU:
A. PANIC!
B. Calmly take a little out of savings, a little out of the cheque account and pay the bill - then use the credit card to cover regular expenses for the next week.
C. Fire off that payment without thinking twice thanks to cheap living and an emergency fund.

4. IT'S SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND TIME TO GO GROCERY SHOPPING. YOU:
A. Jump in the car and head straight to the supermarket.
B. Make a shopping list.
C. Use the supermarket specials catalogue to plan your meals for the week and make a list from that meal plan.

5. HOW MUCH MONEY IS IN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT RIGHT NOW (WITHOUT PEEKING!)?
A. I have no idea.
B. I know within a few hundred dollars.
C. I know within a few dollars.

6. HOW MUCH MONEY DID YOU SPEND ON ENTERTAINMENT AND HOBBIES LAST MONTH?
A. I don't know - a lot?
B. I know pretty close to the amount, but it's more than is probably healthy.
C. Ten bucks or so.

7. A FRIEND CALLS UP AND WANTS TO DO SOMETHING FUN. YOU :
A. Go out with your buddy and drop at least $100 - or whatever the evening requires to "have fun".
B. Go out with your buddy, but just spend $20 or so.
C. Suggest twenty or so different things to do - none of which cost much, or anything at all.

8. YOUR KIDS ARE BORED. YOU :
A. Load 'em up and take them to the mall.
B. Load 'em up and take them to the park and then out for icecream.
C. Pull out board games, play catch in the yard, and spend the afternoon together at home.

9. WHEN YOU OPEN UP YOUR MOBILE PHONE BILL, YOU:
A. Grumble loadly about overage charges, extra text message fees, and out-of-plan calls, but pay the bill anyway.
B. See a few small additional costs, but pay the bill without sweating it.
C. Rarely see an extra cost, but if you do, call up the phone company and make sure it doesn't happen again.

10. YOU SEE A NEW TOY/GADGET/CLOTHING ITEM YOU REALLY WANT.YOU :
A. Whip out the plastic and buy it immediately.
B. Don't buy it right then, but go home and plan how you can afford it, then buy it next week.
C. Go home and see if it fits in your budget. If it doesn't, put it off until a later date when you really can afford it - if you still want it then, that is.

SCORING
For every A answer, give yourself 3 points.
For every B answer, give yourself 2 points.
For every C answer, give yourself 1 point.

DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES?

25 TO 30 POINTS: Your money flutters through your fingers and blows away in the wind. Time to buck down and learn how to live cheap.

18 TO 25 POINTS: You know some of the tactics for living a financially sensible lifestyle, but too much of your cash still slips through the cracks. Time for a tactics refresher.

10 TO 17 POINTS: You're a thrift machine who knows how to save money - and knows the usefulness of discovering new ways to save a penny.

Take the test for yourself and see how you fare ~ be honest and not answer as you know you should be answering but what you really do. It's quite interesting to see how different males and females answer the same questions...

Night my friends ~ here's to sunny skies tomorrow :D

A Summary of Successes

Waiting for the train ~ by Husband 

Just watched Baz Luhrmann's "Australia"
Boy its a long movie. And it should make every viewer realise what a sad tale the aboriginal people have been left to tell as part of their story. Watching it made me ashamed of my forefathers and wish to know more of the heritage of this country. From my heart, I too say 'sorry'.

I remember as a child, taking several family trips across the Nullarbor ~ travelling by car from Melbourne to Perth and back over Christmas/Summer holidays. We've stayed in caravan parks along the way and a vivid memory of noticeable change through time was that of the aboriginal along the Nullarbor Plains. I remember in the early 70s, driving along the 'old' highway, seeing native Australian's along side the road dressed as King George (David Gulpilil) standing with their spears ~ hair blowing wildly in the wind ~ in their environmental home and free.

The new highway across the Nullarbor 

On a second journey, 4-5 years later, I remember seeing a similar sight ~ only this time the aborigines were dressed in denim and flannel type shirts or topless. They still carried the spears and their skin was an even glossier black than I recall from the first time. By the third journey across the great Nullarbor Plains, I remember only seeing aborigines close to the road houses, sitting on eskies and drinking beer. I don't think I saw any during my final family holiday to Perth.  Even as a teenager, my thoughts were that my children would never see the sights, sounds and people of those who arrived in Australia first ~ unless through a paid performance or heritage art.

So memories from my youth ~ ones which have stayed with me. Journeys taken with a family the size of mine (six kids, three adults, one station-wagon and a caravan) do tend to stick with you for a long long time. One day I hope SmallBoy will be able to follow his dream to see the outback and learn a native language by taking his own 'walk-about'.

Sometimes you stop, wait and look first

Our Mission Moves On

We are making in-roads and, although the financial page has not been updated as the happenings around our home has taken up a lot of physical time (and break-thru pain relief makes the ol' brain a little loopy), I'd like to share some of the successes we have made of late.

Telstra - hahaha ~ well, we got our money back as a payment into the account and NOT a credit. A $450 credit would have lasted us 21 months - almost two years. What on earth would we want that when the deduction from the credit card was incurring interest and leaving us with no emergency back up. Any way - it is sorted. Actually, we are in credit on the Telstra bill by $148.98 - so no bill payments required for about 7months. There's a small stress reliever!

Electricity ~ woo hoo ~ we have almost paid off the $850 arrears. Only two more fortnightly payments and we have! Plus, thanks to the next success on the list our electricity bill will be dramatically lower as the ol' power-guzzler is gone...

Two good, working units 

Refrigerator Rental ~ woo hoo (again) ~ it is finalised. We have $44 extra in the fortnightly budget ~ going to be spread around other outstanding bills.  Plus we get to keep the fridge! Nice!! Subsequently we have given the old power guzzling fridge/freezer away to another family to use while they save for their own good refrigerator and not need to hire, rent or pay one off using one of the GE Money type arrangements. Win-Win! Lesson learnt ~ never ever hire white-goods...

Council Home Help account ~ chipping away slowly with $2 a month has not made any great dent in this puppy, but it has ensured we are not having the account sent off to the debt collectors. This alone will save us a huge headache and stress melt-down.

The Line of Credit ~ well I am chuffed we've been able to get $800 in there over 8 weeks - especially when we only get $600 in per week and the mortgage takes half of this! I can't wait until February when the NIVA is reduced to $1000 - it will be more like emergency money then.

School Fees ~ $5 more and its all paid. Just in time for the new school year. SmallBoy has a small scholarship which will cover every thing needed for this year, excluding camp.

Dental Fees ~ believe it or not, we overpaid them by $10 so last appointment Husband walked out with a filling AND $10. It was paid onto the Personal Loan

Personal Loan ~ oh this is just not disappearing quickly enough. It's down to $3047 but the loan repayments are a quarter of our monthly income. Ridiculous really ~ but we weren't on government payments when we bought the share of a holiday property - it is worth it in the long run and we've had the chance to use it twice ourselves and twice by friends in the past two years. It's an investment of sorts, costs more than double the $10k we put in, so we really can't complain. We just can't pull out without losing the lot.

The Weekly Shop ~ is now a fortnightly shop with a "MFB" mid-fortnight buy - as well as being the acronym for mid-fortnight buy, it stands for Milk, Fruit and Bread! We've been staying within the fortnightly budget of $200-$250 ~ and fortnights where the shop comes in under $200 (like this past fortnight when we only spent $175) the balance goes off a bill - currently the gas.

The current debt is now :
$    0.00 - Dental account
$    0.00 - Refrigerator rental
$    5.00 - School fees
$   32.28 - Water arrears
$   49.90 - Magazine subs
$   88.00 - Electricity and Gas - payment plan costs set
$ 850.00 - HomeCare Services
$ 923.60 - Collections

$3046.98 - Personal Loan

$5628.77 - VISA 

$21420.21 - Line of Credit

$32,052,74 : TOTAL DEBT

We've gone down!! Reduced by a massive $5207.73!  Oh wow, oh joy.  

At the start of December, the total debt was $37, 563.47.  We were so disappointed when the debt increased in November due to the interest and fees and fines applied to the Line Of Credit and the VISA (more because we were struggling to stay on top of the payments) but talking to the banks and those we had debt with through Collections to renegotiate minimum payment amounts - plus doing community service time in lieu of two outstanding accounts not only reduced the dollar amounts outgoing, its allowed us to redirect available (ha) funds toward other accounts.

What a great way to start the year ~ we are feeling a little more empowered and assured we are still on the right track. So ~ every Monday we will again be updating the Weekly Report. Changing it from Wednesday to Monday makes a little more sense as we do the budget over the weekend when we know what is paid into our bank account on Friday.

Tips Which Have Allowed Us to Free Up Cash for Debt Repayments

Working together 

Don't Buy; Make Do ~ seriously I've not bought any 'new' clothes since we started Our Mission and prior to this is was only the OpShop. If something breaks, we try to repair it. At the moment, our lawnmower is held together with wire and okky-straps. Sure, not ideal, but when you don't have a spare $80 for repairs, it gets the job done! Fixing the brake pads on the car might be quicker at the mechanics, but it is cheaper (and often fun) when done yourself. Same with other basic car repairs.

Get's things fixed 

Less is Best; Make it Stretch ~ why make a home made pizza with lashing of meats, herbs, veggies and cheese. Seriously, just a little goes a long long way on something like a pizza.  Same with pasta and sauces ~ you don't have pasta with your sauce, or pie with your sauce. The sauces and toppings are an addition to the pasta, not the other way around. Plus there is less likely to be wasted left overs and more sauce to put away for another day (just make sure you label the item and the date it is being frozen)

Free is Fun; Find Out First ~ committing to not buying books, magazines or newspapers is a huge saving of cash. Going to the library means we are not missing out and calling ahead to ensure the books you want are in the library saves petrol or fares for travelling. We save the cost of the call by checking online and reserving the books if they are in the library. The local council usually has a 'whats on' section and we've enjoyed picnics listening to musicians and bands playing in the gardens or at the rotunda.


Here's hoping you will continue to support us on our journey ~ stay on our tails to keep us motivated and throw an extra dollar or two into our Spare Change Jar or Treasure Chest to help bring the debt down even more. Yes, it is a lot to ask - but if you and your friends can help with a spare dollar or two it will make an enormous difference to us.

Thanks so much for sticking with Our Mission and here's to providing you all with more success stories and the hints and tips we use to reduce our outgoings, pay more on our debt and get out of this vicious cycle. Your input is gratefully received, every time :D