Love the smell of rain...

So it rains more frequently in Queensland...

I get that. At around 2pm, maybe 230pm, you can almost guarantee it is absolutely pouring with rain, school pick up time is impending and no matter where you live, if it is going to rain today it will always be around school pick up time. Sarcastistically more so often than if you have washing on the line, get it off before 230pm and it will be dry - before it rains. The kids and collectors will still get wet.

Nah - that's not a real statistic but it is probably true. Today was a picture of that scenario, and SmallBoy's raincoat was staring me in the face as it hung on the bedroom door ~ and not in the schoolbag where it is supposed to be stored. Be assured, in true saving style, I wasn't rushing off to pick him up from school in the car and save him the saturation of a 15minute walk home. Be damned if good petrol be used because an item was not returned to its appropriate 'home' and would mean a good soaking for its wearer. Let him get drenched and perhaps remember where things are supposed to go. Or not ~ as it was, the rain stopped for the entire walk home and started about 5minutes after SmallBoy walked in the door. No lesson learned - today...

Still, one lesson which has been 'learned' is that by doing all known 'tasks' such as change out of uniform, do homework, handwriting, put dishes away, feed the cats and then ask if you can <please> play on the computer one is more likely to get a positive response. Still, Friday has always been a bit of a screen night as there were usually school mates over from school for a night of movies, popcorn in front of the fire back in Ballarat around now. 

No spending here today. 

But some money transferring was undertaken ~ $700 from Emergency Savings Fund (ESF) and put on to the credit card to lower the debt. Every week $15 goes into the savings, $15 onto the mortgage as 'extra' payments, $50 into the LOC (plus a little more while tenant deposits & mortgage repayment dates align). All regular bill payments are up to date, food sort of on budget.

Got friends coming up the first week of holidays for a few days here then we all escape to the Gold Coast for a few days, then return home - collecting DMIL & DS20 but 21 the following day.  GC accomm is paid - just looking at best theme park ticket bundle. *sighs* Might also get QLD plates ($800ish, from ESF, but will deposit VIC rego refund back in) and transfer RACV to RACQ. Then get to do all the insurance details again *yippee?*

Spent $110 on groceries & sundries Thursday ~ this included coathangers (desperately needed), bulk staples, kitty litter, some garden 'stuff'. Still got $40 for the markets on Sunday so pleased with that. The weekend will see us washing the car, getting in the garden and going to the festival on Sunday (Blooms or something Spring-time related). Oh - and putting away clothes...

Obviously we have $40 for the markets at sparrow's fart tomorrow. It's really time to hit the hay and get ready to get some fresh produce then go to another "Blooming" Bundaberg festival. Actually this one has a parade at 230pm so we are going down with friends. Should be fun. 

*yawns* Just enjoyed a lovely dinner up at the Sims family ~ truly. Last time Hubby was doing the 'house maintenance check' in Ballarat so only SmallBoy and I went - this time her hubby was away. This evening we had a great time - a simple meal of roast chicken and chips which the kids enjoyed watching 'Despicable Me' while we talked, had wine, organised coming over to our place for a BBQ. 

All the lemons we got from Rosscoe are juiced and I have a hankering for lemon meringue pie so much so I might have to make one. Chicken cooked in the camp oven, with salad from the garden and the markets, and lemon meringue for dessert. Mmmmm ~ no wonder I've gone over 62kg for the first time in 11 years. All this decadent food and dessert I've been making and partaking is adding the kilos to my meager frame - must up the ante on physical activity and bulk up the vegetables over the meat. And cut back to one dessert portion ~ this regime must also include dear Hubby who looks about 6months along at the moment... 

On that note, I'd best scoot. It's market day - early start with an afternoon jaunt. Might make pie for another night and enjoy it with a light meal. *yawns* OK ~ night y'all. Been great... 

Been linking up to some of the blog connect groups ~ this includes:

Poshonabudget - Friday-friend-connect ~ I know it is now Saturday (if not Sunday) - just doddling the last few days...

Put the cash back in your wallet

Objects are closer than they appear... 

We actually have some savings...

And I am wondering if it is better to put an extra $1000 onto the VISA or keep the $1200 as 'emergency money' and keep putting on an extra $100 per week to all the interest accumulating accounts. Ahhh - the dilemma.

As things have been SO stretched finanically in the past, the security conscious part of me would rather keep the savings in the online account, continue adding $15 each week and leave it be. The money conscious part of me says if the VISA is reduced by $1000, the limit can also be reduced thus lowering the interest. The flippy-floppy part of me says keep half, put half on the VISA - or maybe its better on the personal loan - or perhaps the line of credit - or put a bit on each...

I posed this question on the Mands On A Mission facebook page and got a great response from the author of 365 Ways to Make Money and 26 Ingredients, Kylie Ofiu. Before stating her opinion, Kylie mentioned the choice depends on other information ~ are the bills being paid, has there been any discussions or arrangements made with the financial institutions involved and was more than then minimum repayments now required? 

Once I clarified that all the regular expenses are covered, our debts/loans are getting a little more than the minimums each month (some more than others) and we are looking at getting the VISA onto a lower rate or zero rate card ~ but with nothing as back up if (say) car repairs were required its VISA (which we want to avoid) if we put our savings on to the debts.  Kylie offered the following opinion:

"If you are covering everything, keep the $1,000 aside for emergencies (like car repairs, insurance excess, health problems). It will stop the need for the Visa and will be easier to pay off that debt..."

She also suggested putting half on to one of the debts and keeping $500 as an emergency fund to avoid additional credit card debt.  Kylie also recommended looking for ways to make extra money and it might be time to get moving on setting up selling Tupperware again. I do so love the product and will be quite happy to potter through a party or three each week ~ must think seriously about that.

Of course, Hubby is about to look for work ~ even part time to start but we need to hear what the therapist says about my requirements and what abilities I should be strengthening. Especially as my neck now appears to be next on the chopping block (and I don't mean off ~ just need to have surgery to remove spurs and stop the nerve compression).

Our Little Mantras

This past week, we have set up some really fantastic habits and - while still new and practising - its not only lowering our spending, it is increasing our debt reductions as we issue 'penance' when temptation almost wins with a sneaky purchase or totally unnecessary spend.

Everyday he's "shuffling" 

On Thursday, I needed to get milk and onions which I did . . . and picked up two magazines . . . and put them back, thus "saving" $14.90. As penance, I put $10 onto the VISA and only $2.89 was spent on the required items. 

On Wednesday, I saw the nicest skirt ~ $15 ~ and even went so far as to browsed online to see if I could get it cheaper. Then moved away from the computer... Didn't buy anything and put $10 onto the LOC as 'penance' for evil thoughts *grins*  I figure if I felt like I had the funds for such 'extravagances' then I have the funds to pay a little extra onto our debt. 

So we have made some little mantra's and tips to help us not to spend just because... I have enough clothes, food, shoes, cleaning items to last a month and can spend that time looking for food, cleaners and REQUIRED purchases as they come on special. There is nothing I need urgently tomorrow.

I'd rather save for a "___ house/car/holiday ___" than buy another new shirt / skirt / jumper

$20 is better put onto the credit card than taken off.

If you 'want it' ~ put it back. If you decide you 'need it' come back tomorrow and think about it some more.

Other Reminders

Take a pic of your wardrobe, dresser drawers or shoe pile (your weakness) ~ keep it in your wallet IN FRONT of the card or cash ~ Look at the item you really don't need, look at the picture, look at the price and put it back... Even at the op shop. I carry around a picture of all the boxes of clothes we had at the garage sale and it reminds me I never EVER want to get to that amount again!

Aluminium Beanies and Credit Card Covers

Have you discovered Pay-Wave and Fast-Pay?

And have you thought that waiting an additional 30 seconds to pay cash or sign an approval slip might just be better than waving your 'drastic fantastic plastic' past a machine which deducts money without confirmation or receipts required??

As of the weekend - all transactions using Visa, Mastercard and America Express under $35 no longer need you to sign or enter a pin. Some businesses have this operating to accept purchases up to $100. Apparently this makes for quicker service, but I am not sure I like this new policy. Seriously, how long does entering a pin or adding a signature take. Does it mean if you lost your Pay-Wave enabled credit card, it would be so easy for the finder to rack up lots of purchases less than $35 before you had even realised it had gone.

Coles do it, KMart does it ~ even McDonalds do it. I think what annoys me most is the shifting of responsibilty. I pay fees (sometimes) and interest to have a credit card and now it is my responsibility to ensure it is in my possession at all times and that nobody can swipe it to charge a zillion $34.95 purchaser. What happened to businesses ensuring it is me using my card (PIN or signature).

Fair enough if an individual was to choose to participate (which is what I thought the other pay pass thingo was all about - the one for under $100 purchases) but for Coles to have made a unilateral decision that staff are not going to ask me if I wanted to use a pin for a purchase anymore ~ well I am a little annoyed about this 'advancement'! 

National Australia Bank (NAB), do not allow its customers to opt out of having payWave-enabled Visa cards. Apparently it is the same for Mastercard's contact-less payment systems.  Customers who are unhappy with the way payWave permits transactions without the requirement for either PIN or signature have been advised to refrain from having a Visa card attached to their account. And that works how?

Personally, even the advertisement on television showing the frustration caused by a person inconveniencing others by paying cash instead of just flashing the card past the machine to pay for lunch seems to be more a human intervention into a robotic environment. I don't like it and don't wish to participate. Why is life becoming more frantic, fast and fan-dangled. Not all advancements seem to allow us time to relax.

Be it right or wrong, I have scratched through my chip so I can only swipe my card to use it through eftpos systems and will need to sign on all occasions. As I have not opted into the PIN aspect of my credit card this does not phase me.

I apologise in advance for the poor sods who will be standing behind me at the checkout for an additional minute or so while the check out operator must print out a receipt for me to then sign. I promise to have a working black ink pen with me at all times to speed up the process by a few seconds. 

At least I know I wont be required to purchase a new credit card holder to ensure my card won't be swiped when these new NFC (Near Field Communication) enabled iphones hit the market. That will mean you can read your RFID card code into your phone, and the new wave of electronic pickpocketers won't be able to get my credit card information.

Now to get Husband on board and scratching his chip...

Moving Madness

Well ~ just had our first 'blow out'. As the car has done around 300,000kms we decided getting new suspension as we will be towing a campervan for a good 3000km. $2600 and it has totally wiped us out. We are so travelling on the smell of an oily rag - and we need it to be petrol!

It's been a real achievement to ensure our shopping has remained under $25 each week for the past six weeks. We have all the amenities bill up to date or in credit - so we can at least get some dollars back when we get into QLD. 

Still need to organise car and van insurance ~ get the landlord insurance activated ~ transfer the VOIP phone and internet transferred and cancel all the power, phone and other such standards. Oh boy its going to be a full on last week!  Thankfully we have two to go :D

Chat soon friends ~ hopefully I'll be able to be back in the next day or so.

Monday's Money Matters

We escaped this weekend...

Husband has been down helping his mum get her home ready to be put on the market. As the computer was playing up, SmallBoy and I had the chooks locked in with a well stocked run, the cats fed  and left with a full dry food dispenser, hung out washing, packed an over-night bag and drove down to have dinner, stay the night with 'Nanny' and enjoy a Sunday afternoon BBQ birthday party with a friend's 4yo twins. It's been almost a 20year friendship, one which has got stronger over time and distance. 

I'd got the girls' gifts months ago, when the $18 pendants were marked down to $2.99 at clearance time. I needed two and $6 is much more budgetable than almost $40 ~ its not being cheap, its planning ahead and getting a bargain. I take huge pride and get a sense of achievement knowing I am giving someone (say) a $20 dollar gift value which I may have bought for 50% or less - its almost a game to see if I can get an item for 70% or less by waiting. I've already got some of the token gifts for Christmas, knowing I paid 90% less than the original rrp because I got it after Christmas - retail might call it 'old stock' or 'out of season' but Christmas is Christmas and that season comes around every year with the same ol, same old. I just got it 'earlier' for less...

Any way - this weekend, we bought a bottle of bubbles, a few beers and bottle of juice - and it felt so so naughty to spend money on drinks! However, we had reason enough to 'deserve' a few drinks and enjoy time with friends ~ six months into Our Mission to bring down our debt and we have  a 'dent' in the Line of Credit, a dent in the Credit Card, a paid in full NI-Visa Account, the next two payments for the mortgage are in redraw waiting to be 'swiped', own the hired refrigerator, cleared one of the power bills, in credit on the water bill, land line account, up to date with the mobiles, Internet and VOIP phone. 

Plus the fridge is full of dairy, fruit and vegetables; the freezers are choked with steak, snags, mince, chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, frozen veg, chippies, home made frozen yoghurt and icecream; the pantry is stocked with all basics, some marinades, tuna, cous cous and more ~ we won't be starving!

Knowing we are not merely surviving on $600 a week but actually managing both current obligations and those in arrears is surely a champagne and beer celebratory moment. Sharing it with friends and halving the costs makes it even more appropriate. My GF had another two bottles of bubbles we shared, there were pizzas made and enjoyed with the least fuss and eventually a good of little girls and SmallBoy were in bed for the night as we nattered on into the late evening. Being over a period of 10-12hours, we all woke fine, a little more tired than when in our 20s, 30s even, but without the 'thump' of the morning after in our 20s, 30s even *grins*

And the Winner Is:...

Congratulations Dali for your barking comment to our comp - your owner Joni L mentioned she's not only following, she reads the Coles Magazine as well!! But it was the ticket with your name Dali which was drawn out of the box by SmallBoy! 

Hey Dali ~ Can you get your owner Joni to drop me a line via the blog?  Please send me a note with your address details and Coles' Marketing Team will have the Coles "We Love Pets" pack on its way to your house. These contact details will not be made public and will not be retained by me ~ just aint gonna happen *cheers*

Fast, Frugal and Figures

Briefly, we have $279 surplus 'cash' for this week, which will cover a lot of the expenses budgeted through until Friday 18th ~ but will be needed for two therapy appointments for me and a dental appointment for Husband. Other than those two 'expenses' I anticipate $10 last this week for milk, fruit and/or veg, perhaps the same mid next week. Any amount available Thursday night will be transferred over onto the credit card debt. 

Tonight's dinner works out to about $8 for five serves of Beef Stroganoff ~ because there are only three eating tonight, the left over serve will give Husband and I lunch on toast tomorrow. I used two eye fillet steak ($13.90) I got for $5.01; 500g of slice fresh mushrooms ($3.98) marked to .99c; a scoop of sour cream, a handful of the sliced onion ($3.98) marked to .79c; some plain flour, stock, butter and a handful of frozen peas and beans, half a packet of pasta spirals to serve - I'm calling that under $2 per head. Seriously as good as, if not better, than it looks!

The week's menu plan is as follows:

Monday ~ Beef Stroganoff with spiral pasta

Tuesday ~ Marinade Steak ($2.31 was $6.99) with fried onion (.50c) and steamed broccoli ($1) 

Wednesday ~ Roast chicken pie (using 1/3 of roast chook, $2.50) and frozen veg (.50c)

Thursday ~ left over roast chicken and veg pie filling on pasta (.69c), extra sour cream and cheese added

Friday ~ Hot lamb turkish rolls with salad and tahztiki 

Saturday ~ Eating out ~ card night at friends

Sunday ~ Roast lamb shanks ($6) with vegetables

Feeling very proud of the fact our mortgage is at $166k, considering we should be at $171k with the 'stay' we had on our mortgage payments. The arrangement allowed us to not pay the mortgage without risking default while we got our budget back in control and provided some financial relief. We kept up with the minimum payments in a very haphazard way knowing we didn't need to have X amount in by Y date and miss a payment. We've actually ended up ahead and not accrued a higher repayment figure to 'catch up'. I hope that makes sense...

On top of that we have taken $1022 from the VISA debt bringing us into the $5000 range - just *chuckles*; we've brought the Line of Credit down by $2500 and back from being maxed out. There is no arrears on the electricity, the water bill is in credit, the fridge is ours outright, the electricity is coming down (and our power usage has reduced), the petrol tank is full and the NI-Visa is paid in full. Oh, the living breathing financial plan is working! 

Here's to a wonderful week ~ hoping you are enjoying the journey of Our Mission ~ its definitely working well for us and we appreciate all your comments. So - is there anything you'd like to know? Feel free to leave your questions and we will start explaining how we manage to cope on $600pw.

Money Moanagement

  

Sometimes it is a little hard. 

I'm a little sick of being 'broke'. I know we are managing and keeping up with payments, but I am tired of having to struggle with the meals, bills, petrol and subsequent lack of ability to go to the movies with friends, not being able to enjoy the theatre unless it is free and, being regional, the lack of quality events accessible via public transport. The markets and entertainment occur out of public transport hours for a return trip or off the route and it makes me a little bitter at times. 

On the upside, I really do like that challenge to see how low our spending can be ~ whether it is the supermarket, the necessary items and the (few and far between) unnecessary and frivolous spends. I love to see just how low I can haggle an interest rate with the bank, negotiate on a bulk purchase from a 'major' outlet, barter a price from an independent seller. Bartering is one of my favourites because I will recommend others use the same person, business or supplier which helps Australian businesses grow and local produce stay local. 

Today I haggled with the bank to bring my credit card rate lower than 9.8% ~ a good rate but none the less, others are offering lower rates. Using the same techniques as previous, I spoke to Tony at the NAB and could not get the VISA lower as it is a 'platinum' card, already discounted and set with no annual fee for the life of the card. Bummer ~ so I asked, how can NAB retain my business without me heading over to ANotherZ bank offering 2.9%? Asking that question provided the information the NAB has a low fee credit card with a nominal annual fee and a current rate of 3.99% ~ that wasn't hard to find out. By changing the type of card we currently hold to the new low fee card has saved $65 in interest payments per month! Too easy ~ and the new card will arrive in 10-14 days. 

 

Having a little lamb roast for dinner tonight and the leftover meat will be used to make pasties for dinner tomorrow. The roast was $6.09, down from $9.20 ~ add a few potatoes, carrots, some peas and beans means its about $7 all up, perhaps $9 when the pastry and extra veggies for the pasties are counted ~ so that's two dinners for about $1 per head! I used a little BBQ sauce to marinade the lamb so no gravy is needed tonight. 

Facts and Figures

Mortgage comes out next week, as does the loan repayment, Husband's mobile phone account, the dentist, the gas and electricity. It's the expensive fortnight but we also have the pension and carer payment come in. School camp is coming up but those payments have been broken into manageable amounts and they will be paid by mid semester. With no rates due for another 12months, the refrigerator now owned outright  and the credit card under a sort of control, we might get a little ahead by the end of May. Not out of the pooh ~ but not sitting behind the eight-ball as badly as this time last year. 

Money in: 

Friday 25 February ~ $309.50

Money out:

Debt Repayment - Council home care ~ $2

Debt Repayment - VISA ~ $50

MicroSoft ~ $10.95

Internode ~ $60.94

Life Insurance ~ $52.18

Myopathy ~ $50.00

Petrol ~ $60.00

Train Fare ~ $10.20

Groceries ~ $13.16

TOTAL: $309.43

Oh well, at least it is not a deficit. Cashed in FlyBuys points for a $150 payment on the VISA plus  two mystery-shops next week will enable a $20 shop to be done ~ I'll be scouting out for some bakery, meat and dairy items again. Hopefully I can get yoghurt, cream and the rest will be fresh fruit and veg. Plus, and this is the bonus, I am doing a product trial that gives me a $50 Coles Myer voucher, a $50 Rebel Sports voucher and the promise of beautiful skin.

So its time for bed ~ Husband is off to help his mum get her place ready for sale. The Coles "We Love Pets" pack is up for grabs. I've got to say the cats are loving the Optimum dry food and drooling through the Purr Tuna whitemeat wet food. Boy they are feeling spoilt!! Hope you and your friends can enter before Sunday :D

Laughing at Motherhood

I have seen the most hysterical musical...

Well it has been a great few days of no-spending, but I had a wee splurge and for the cost of a train ticket to Melbourne, I was fortunate to see a 'spit the dummy' preview of Motherhood the Musical. A 'spit the dummy' session is very much like a cry-baby session at the movies where babies, toddlers and tears are more than welcome. From the mob who brought Menopause the Musical to the stage, this is a cack of a show so many can enjoy. Whether you're a mother, a grandmother or have a mother ~ there are classic lines we've all heard come out of our mothers' mouths - if not our own!!

It was 90 minutes of laughing over swelling ankles, leaking lady bits (and the way lovely, luscious ladies can't laugh, cough, sneeze or dance without a little wee coming out if those pelvic floor exercises aren't maintained - for life) and the joyous moment when the children are finally asleep! Even if it does mean stepping on deadly pieces of Lego or horny dinosaurs in the dark - although with the invention of luminous dinosaurs this is a lessening occurrence!!

The audience had a smattering of babies and toddlers ~ some were almost 'trained' to cry at the most appropriate moments! Word of warning ~ if you do have a wee one adverse to loud noises, it may pay to have earmuffs at hand because there is some mighty fine re-enactments of the noise of labour, the dulcet tone of the average mother screaming organising the kids into the car. Thank goodness I'm good with those aforementioned pelvic floor exercises ~ otherwise I think there would have been a little puddle left on my chair!! 

I must say a big BIG thank you to Dannie who had the free tickets to Motherhood the Musical ~ and also a HUGE thank you for my first store bought cafe latte in almost six months! Oh my - if getting out for a social outing wasn't thrill enough ~ that glorious sip of a freshly brewed glass of roasted bean bliss made the morning just so so special!! Such a simple pleasure some think nothing about enjoying many times during the day. It might sound silly to some but that $4 cuppa was the creamy froth on top!! Who needs cherries?!

One Clever Save

It's easy to understand the benefits of checking what food supplies are at hand, menu planning around those supplies and shop accordingly. By sticking to a shopping list consisting only of required items is a sure way to keep costs down. Doing the same can apply to the way you use the car. Too often appointments are scheduled at different times on different days or in a way which ends up using the car unnecessarily many times a day. 

We've started making appointments to fit around the run to school or can flow into the school pick up. It's helped save on petrol and maintenance ~ as well as saving time, stress and the environment by planning our trips carefully. Combining appointments or working out a route which allows for several things to be done along the way makes for petrol saves. We share the school runs with another family a few times a week ~ we pick up their boys in the morning or drop them home and their folks do the same. Both of us have benefited with savings. Instead of needing to fill the car twice a week, we've been managing on one tank a week to get to and from school each day (about 20km per day), several therapy sessions each week, helping MudGuts with appointments and volunteering. Sometimes it lasts longer than a week which is fantastic!

Carpooling not only saves on the petrol, wear and tear ~ it also helps saves sanity with the increased social interactions. One of the greatest benefits I've gained is the ability to renew friendships of old, left on the sidelines while recovering and the new friendships being built. Not just my friendships but those of SmallBoy and for Husband who has spent most of our regional life working and interacting with workmates in Melbourne. It's been a major strain on his social life not having met many blokes unless it has involved the pub or dinners with other couples.

Another few items sold on eBay has taken $18 off the VISA debt this week ~ very pleased to see that chestnut reducing. Plus it makes a little more space and less clutter with every item sold.


Lunching with love
SmallBoy has been craving a lunch order from the canteen. While $5 for a pie, donut and chocolate milk isn't a great deal ~ its not in the budget. However, in order to become a little more creative than the same old sandwich day after day, I've sent him to school with pikelets, date scones and an extremely popular addition - celery with peanut butter down the centre groove. Tonight I've made the savoury impossible pie (or cheats quiche) and SmallBoy is taking a slice for lunch. Fingers crossed it goes down the same way as the zucchini slice.

Impossible Quiche 

1 cup grated tasty cheese
1 chopped onion
1/2 cup SR flour
4 eggs
3-4 chopped bacon rashers
1 1/2 cups milk
Salt, pepper and herbs to season 

powdered parmesan cheese (optional)

Mix all together well and pour into grease tin

Top with a sprinkling of powdered parmesan and bake 35min at 180c 

Other fillings to add
1 Tuna, chives, parsley

2 Ham, peas, corn
3 Leftover veg, broccoli, cauliflower
4 Bacon, tomato, garlic
5 Asparagus, ham

Monday's Money Matters

Oh it has been a glorious day today!

The sun's shining, there's just a hint of a breeze and today marks 20 years in remission for a very good friend of ours. As an added bonus ~ we have been out and had a celebratory (free) feed to mark this momentous occasion. It's even more special as Mrs Jonahs was not expected to see her 20th birthday let alone celebrate two decades later. It really does help put things into perspective.

Now The Jonahs is not their real name ~ its a carry over from a name which stuck back in 2007. For the past 4-5 years we have had their help and support with SmallBoy while Husband worked in Melbourne and I recovered from surgery. Every few weekends they would whisk him away to play with their children and every so often we'd have their little guy over to stay for the weekend. We've loved watching Joe grow up over the years, seen the changes when autism was confirmed and enjoyed observing the friendship between the two boys get stronger each year. Only recently we became aware that we are the only people he will stay over night with ~ even going away with us for a while. He is witty, highly intelligent and a great kid to have around. SmallBoy wishes for a brother like Joe.

No Spend / Low Spend

This past few weeks have been the most successful for no spending or low spending on necessities (if you discount all the back to school requirements). Those things we did need to purchase were either second hand or haggled in price. SmallBoy's school uniform items had a fare share of haggle power. After picking up, almost brand new, polo tops - 2 each in long and short sleeve, 2 pair of Stubby shorts,  2 pair of Stubby trousers and a zip up motif jumper for less than the price of a new jumper - the Grade 6 bomber jacket at $55 was one expense non negotiable in price. His school shoes (at $110) were also non negotiable and less than the $300+ for orthopaedics but we got the orthopaedic insert for half price and a 50% off voucher for our next purchase. 

Husband's dental requirements need additional work done. The first 'quote' was over $500! I asked if that could be reduced or bettered and you would have thought I had grown an additional eye in the middle of my forehead. We had been advised the 'scheduled' fee for this work was $159 and, seriously, that's closer to what I was prepared to pay. The 'best' that could be offered was $400 - paid in two instalments if that would assist our budgeting. So I rang two other dentists - explained what work was required, what I understood the scheduled fee was and asked for a quote to do the work. The dental hospital could do it for $20, but it would be about a year until an appointment would be available. One clinic said it could do the work for $280, but would not provide a written quote. The other clinic would not offer a written quote either, but did say if the original dentist wished to confirm the quote of $180 it would do so. Regardless ~ the first dentist would still go no lower than $250 so you can guess which dental clinic got the business. People think that dentists are not open to negotiation ~ have you ever tried. One reason I haggled over the dental fees was because my brother was told he had to pay over $2000 for dental work ~ and he got it down to under $800. Therefore I've never ever gone with the first quote!!

This past week there has been no shopping budget ~ the rates ensured that. However the pantry and fridge are sufficiently stocked, I ducked up the back roads and picked five apples for SmallBoy's lunch box, grabbed a loaf of bread from the Salvos and scored a voucher for Bulla Split Icy-poles which will cover dessert for him for a fortnight. I also sold two dozen eggs at a friend's office and should be getting an order for a few more ~ there are six dozen eggs in the fridge at the moment and that's $24 dollars to go onto something like the VISA. Speaking of the drastic plastic ~ its almost under $6k and as soon as it does, the limit gets to go down again. I am so glad I didn't take the PIN option ~ it's been so long since I used it I would have forgotten it by now. I can't remember the NIVA card PIN and its not been used since October! At the end of the month, the NIVA is reducing to $1000 available and this will roll $2000 onto the Line of Credit or the Mortgage ~ I can't remember which the bank suggested as a preference but we are to get a phone call next Monday to sign off on this one.

I've kept the 3L milk bought last week exclusively for the breakfast cereal and used powdered milk in cooking and my morning cuppa. It's not too bad, if nice and chilled you wouldn't know the difference. I'm going to see if I can sneak some into the milk carton to stretch it through to Friday - otherwise I'll be making pikelets for breakfast because there will be no milk for the porridge or cereal. Mmmmm - porridge. I had a 'pay it back' experience from a girlfriend I've helped in the past ~ having used my pantry to feed her family for a week two years ago, she popped past with Weetbix,  biscuits and some dishwasher tabs. That was so timely as SmallBoy has eaten the last of the cereal - hence the porridge *grins*

With the previous shop - at end of January - only $115 of the budgeted $120 was spent. We spent $10 on milk and cat food the week later but not the original $21 planned because petrol was needed - we ended up getting $2.40 off with a docket. The mystery shop $10 paid for milk, water and onions on Thursday and, until our pension comes on Friday, we don't have anything spare for shopping. It's going to be a scrape through by the short and curlies to have enough for the personal loan - so long as no unexpected fees or charges or a withdrawal goes through a day or two early, we are going to be fine. 

The Current Debt Total :  $32,052.74  

@ 25th January

Our Money : $27.90

Your Money : $54.20

'Coffee' dates : $7.00

eBay Sales : $42.50

The Total Paid onto the Debt : $ 132.60

New Debt Amount : $ 31,920.14

Our contribution in detail

$   5.00 - grocery savings
$   2.40 - Petrol savings
$ 13.50 - 50% off shoe insert
$   7.00 - cash discount for acupuncture
$   8.00 - egg sales

I do apologise for those waiting for eBay goodies to be added for selling ~ had a few friends suggesting different ways to go, putting clothes in bundles vs individual items and it is a little hard to get my head around the best way. I've set up a weekly schedule to help get the housework, de-cluttering, gardening, medical and online activities operating in a more organised fashion. This should help while the brain fuzzies escalate during medication withdrawal. Husband is being a brilliant carer and supporter ~ he's even gone so far as walking in for one item at the shop and exiting with that single item. He's also been helping get the fantastic pictures together so there is always something from the day to post and checking the information is accurate.

A Coupla Things to Flog

In trying to build a little momentum for contributions, donations and support for Our Mission, I've decided it is time to get this Blog a few more followers. Linking in with some other Mummy Bloggers has been part of this drive. None of these are paid advertisers, although if you let them know you heard about them here it might get a few dollars tossed into the spare change jar *cheeky*

Some have competitions, some have awesome products to sell, a few are just random wafflings about the 'joys' of chillins and all are pretty darn interesting as far as I am concerned. Here's hoping you'll check out one or two...

ProBlogger.net ~ I am using this wonderful chappy's eBook to help build Mands On A Mission's readership as part of a 31 day to build a better blog.

SoloMum ~ She's got a gorgeous necklace for readers to win. She's also offering the Zen Habits book on "Less" I've been eyeing off for a while now ~ let her know you heard how lovely, fantastic and brilliant she is through Mands On A Mission and fingers crossed I can win it *please*

PlaySand ~ It amazes me how creative people can be! I'm not sure of prices but if you are in WA you can have a hosted creative party ~ otherwise there are party packs or 'Im bored' kits available to do at home yourself.

Australian Made, Australian Owned ~ now more than ever is the time to consciously buy locally made and grown products

Cadbury 'Catch Up' ~ Mostly because I love Cadbury chocolate - and the new ads are really clever. Do you know how hard it is to see Cadbury Creme Eggs in the supermarket and leave them on the shelf?? Happy to provide an address to anyone wanted to sent chocolate!

Don't forget to have a look back at recent entries for other Flogged Stuff ~ I will try to mention a few each week.  Oh ~ I didn't win the Harley Davidson, so you won't be seeing that up for sale on eBay any time soon but I did win a bottle of perfume called "Outspoken" worth $50 and will be popping that online sometime soon.

OK ~ had a few wines, enjoyed the Duck a l'orange dinner and Tiramisu dessert - time for bed.
Hope to catch you all tomorrow - after my morning of volunteering at the children's respite centre!! I hope my working with children paperwork has been authorised so I can move around the building.

Onward and upward
*cheers*

Toddling on...

New day ~ took it slow and admired my surroundings.

Having been on Centrelink payments exclusively for the past six months, I am  amazed anyone can have a positive, fulfilling life or lifestyle for a long period of time. Perhaps 12-24 months as a stop-gap necessity due to loss of employment or illness, and in the beginning with my loss of income we had savings at hand to draw from. When Husband's hours were reduced as part of the financial crisis we could still manage comfortably and continue some additional payments on the mortgage and additional expense repayments. On benefit payments alone it is a struggle *understatement*

So Less Is Best ~ we can attest to this statement! Not just on the expenditure side of life, but also the clutter. Oh it is starting to look a little more respectable and you can see the floor - and its vacuum'd!! It will never ever be featured in Better Homes and Gardens but gee it might just be welcoming...


Lessons Learnt So Far

I guess the biggest lesson learned was to have income protection or some form of insurance on both income earners salaries ~ even if one is 'just doing admin'. Especially if you have just taken out a mortgage and not finished paying off a $25k credit card and started a personal loan for $15k.

It's wrong to say we've been without $250k salary income over the past five years ~ but using the 'if' statement of "if this hadn't happened" that's four years of my income and one year (pro-rata) of Husband's that we've not had.

Weather any storm with planning

~Mands Top Ten tips to get your finances in order

1. Don't ignore the problem

2. List and prioritise your debts

3. Design a personal budget

4. Live within your personal budget

5. Stop using a credit card ~ If you must use a credit card, avoid luxury/impulse items

6. Learn to negotiate ~ 9% interest on the credit card is better than 21%

7. If you can't pay the bill or lower the debt in (2), contact your provider - ask for a payment plan

8. Learn to save ~ $10 a week is $520 saved annually

9. Check if you are eligible for government advice, assistance or payments

10. If you are threatened with legal action, get advice

Whatever you do ~ number one is up the top for a reason. If there a problem and you ignore it, let it continue to build up or pretend it isn't important, the end result is an even bigger problem with less negotiating ability at your end. Over the years I've asked for (and received) extra time to pay an account, an interest freeze on the credit card for six months, a payment plan to suit my budget (not their preferences) and removal of fees and charges to enable the original amount to be paid. I have read it costs a telephone company $100-$200 to solicit a new customer so removing a $5-$50 late fee or penalty  and to keep you as a customer is beneficial for the company as much as it is for you.

At the start of November last year, I provided the spiel I use to talk to our credit card provider when requesting a rate reduction.  You can check out the Financial Challenge dialogue and try it for yourself. I know one reader let me know she had success ~ would love to know if anyone else does.

I noticed the BareFoot Investor had something similar this week to help people get fees or late charges reversed ~ I let Scott know I haggle on everything possible. I wonder if he is following Our Mission?  Hey Scottie, Dude *chuckles, inside joke* if you do ~ please throw a few dollars into the Treasure Chest! You can use one of my saving tips in return. Greatly appreciated!! 

And a quick note ~ the stormy photo above was taken by me this morning looking out over the back paddock. Apparently this dark, stormy, humid weather is an effect of both Cyclones Anthony and Yasi moving inland. Yasi has been large enough to run its 'tail' into Victoria and I've taken some sensational photos as the weather has been moving through. Just a wee brag because I think my storm pics are better than my floral, fauna and foodie pictures. *blushes*

As Prince Dastan ~ brilliant

Must go ~ bed time. And having spent the last 111 mins watching Jake Gyllenhaal in the Disney movie 'Prince of Persia: Sands of Time' I am hoping for some very sweet dreams. If you've not seen it - do yourself the proverbial favour and get it out from the video store and watch it. Sure, Jake is well worth the look but the movie is visually stunning, the performances are brilliant and, having never seen or played the video game it is based on, such an exciting and adventurous movie. Twists and turns and acrobatics that will stun and amaze!

Got some cheap, easy and healthy recipes to share this weekend ~ I hope you will join our journey as we reduce our debt slowly but steadily and get back to saving some money!!  And remember ~ any spare change you can donate to help will be gratefully accepted - just pop it in the Spare Change Jar or use the bank account listed on the Q+A page.

Night everyone ~ thanks again for reading, liking and sending your messages through *cheers*