Yes Verruca ~ it's the bank's fault...

Don't you just love waking up early ~ to sunshine :D

No spending or bill paying required today. A good thing too ~ poor old NAB is having 'technical issues' and no pension has been paid into the account. Heard a lot of bitching about how terrible it is salaries have not gone in, wages have not transferred out, automatic transactions have not occurred ~ do people with incomes really put themselves that close to the wire without a little 'secret stash' for emergencies??   Just asking...

Now I can hear the swearing and cussing of 'who does she think she is', 'where does she get off' and thinking how can I be making such generalised statements. Believe me when I say, we used to live pay to pay, enjoying dinners out, weekends away, takeaway and such without putting anything away and wondering where it all went week in week out. Pay the rent, buy the groceries, buy CDs, go out every Friday, Saturday, use a taxi and whinge about how little we were paid for the work we did. Been there OK?!

I am a NAB customer whose disability pension did not get paid into the account as scheduled. Am I left stranded? No. Am I going to starve? No. Am I inconvenienced to the point of mayhem, agony and financial crisis? No. Can we manage for a day, or two? Or three even?  Yes we can.  Why?? Because even on a pension with a mortgage, children, hubby on carer payments and (now) $26,000 of debt to pay off, we 'squirrel' an emergency buffer of $10pf - 10% of our income - away for emergencies and unexpected events (like broken talus bones) to ensure we have enough to carry us for about a month.

Each time that buffer becomes a month buffer - one full payment of approximately $600 can be paid into our Line of Credit, or onto our (NAB) VISA card.  It's a habit we had while earning a regular wage and one we have maintained in $5-$10 increments every single week. Sure - panic might set in from time to time because having an 'emergency stash' of $300-$600 can be scary - but no where near as scary as having a $zero emergency fall back. 

As seems to be the case this weekend with so many screaming they are in trouble, inconvenienced with the none receipt of their weekly, fortnightly and monthly pay cheque. Come on grown-up peoples - get your personal finances and butt coverage in order. If only in a small way...

Yes - the NAB's services are substandard - especially as society expects - no, demands an instant fix or 100% timeliness in the banking, telecommunication and insurance industries' business practices.  Yes - I agree business offering a service should provide, especially when charging fees for the privilege of simply using that particular business over any others (sadly I have to include Hellstra's stranglehold on landlines in that statement) but sometimes things go wrong and, regardless of whose fault it may be or what technology failed to perform to ones expectation (including that of the relevant service provider) - cover your own behinds people and pre-empt the unexpected but not totally unavoidable with some sensible saving practices.

Has there problems with banks and technology in the past? Yes. Did people not learn anything when this happened a few months back? Especially those who were customers of NAB and previously affected. Was there nothing that suggested individuals should be a little more prepared for the 'just in case'??  Mind you - when the Commonwealth automatic teller machines went on the Fritz and issued more cash from the whole than requested - heaps took the 'chance' to access extra funds than their entitlements. Sure ~ just about everyone was asked to repay after being tracked down via personal identification numbers entered into the ATMs ~ and the Commonwealth had to do the tracking for weeks of those unwilling to advise the bank of the overpayments.

I didn't plan to break my spine and reduce our two incomes to one within a year of acquiring a mortgage.  We didn't plan on a global financial crisis to reduce that one income by 20%. We didn't plan to fall dependent on benefits for a period of time (be assured, this is not going to be case within the next 6-12months). It was never the plan to spend four years as a single income family with a newly obtained mortgage.

But we did plan to live within our means, have the capacity to fulfil our financial obligations on one income, adjust it to fit that dictated by the GFC and to save 10% of our income(s) when there in whatever capacity. We did plan to be able to cover our obligations on a single income and not rely on two full time wages. This is how we had around $7000 when I first became incapacitated in 2007. This is how we were able to have an additional year paid onto our mortgage without dipping into those savings. 

These savings paid for medications, doctors, surgical appointments, scans, therapies and transportation before disability support payments (and the all important pension card with its medical and pharmacy discount entitlements) were granted. Which all aided our request for a period without mortgage repayments while we adjusted to a weekly drop of 50% on that single income to benefit payments only in August last year. 

So really ~ what are people complaining about a 24 hour delay when we used to have manual payments. We are a society of Verruca Salt's and we "want it now" ~ when we can't we have a tantrum, expect 'Daddy' to fix it or we will grab and scream until we get it, only appeased until the next 'thing' comes along.

Just saying...

Weekly Finance Review

Earth Hour ~ lights out, candles on, board games played.

Friday - was pay day. OK this is poor week so the 'pay' is $309 for the family payments and carer supplement. The mortgage was paid ($596) and next fortnight's payment is sitting waiting ~ add to that repayments on the line of credit - down by $1200. Plus the NIVA has no debt, is fully paid and does not have any stress attached to it. *cheers*

The water bill is paid, the insurances are paid - there's even an extra $200 which has been paid onto the VISA credit card. $150 is the budget for groceries, which we didn't spend thanks to bartering and using only the stuff we have in the house already - $50 is because one of my therapy sessions was cancelled due to the therapist being ill, so I figured that's where the payment was going to make the greatest difference. I would have had to pay it on therapy fees, so I decided it was going to do better on the VISA than in my wallet waiting for the next appointment and running the risk being spent first. 

Finally we have hit the next $1000 drop on the credit card ~ so its back under $5k and should be down to $4000 before mid year.  The gas account is paid up and $50 ahead, the electricity is even with $100 on it so the account never gets out of hand again. Ideally we could put a little more on the personal loan, however as the interest is fixed it makes sense to get the VISA and other interest accruing debts dealt with first of all. 

Being 'poor week', this week's food budget is $50 and we need to get juice because SmallBoy is pining for juice and we don't have a juicer for anything other than oranges, by hand. As there are only a few oranges, its not going to result in much juice. But we are pushing out for one more week of no spending and going to make do with what we have. Its going to be porridge for breakfast and, in a moment of inspiration, Husband decided to make chocolate fudge brownies with walnuts using ingredients in the pantry. Totally delicious!

However, three dozen eggs has got us some more silver beet, pears, apples, zucchini plus we also received two punnet of pea seedlings, mint and sage, button squash, tomatoes, broccoli, two limes, cucumber, spring onions, eggplant and a big bag of popcorn for the chooks to enjoy. The manufacturer of popcorn for cinemas send the small scraps out to stock yards. SmallBoy was a bit excited to see what 40kg of popcorn looks like! He had a few handfuls declaring it delicious but nicer when hot!

It's been a tough few months but we are finally seeing the results ~ it's not massive, but having credit on the Line Of Credit is a big plus - not to use of course although it does ensure the mortgage is paid. We've received notification we have been pre-approved for an increase on our VISA card - do you not find that ridiculous. No wonder debt is so easy to obtain! The bank has said we can have $11500 by simply clicking on a button. That's scary - do banks no longer check to confirm a persons financial situation? How would we be expected to repay another $5000 or more credit card debt??

I've got a bit of a day of cooking set for tomorrow - there are organic tomatoes to make into sauce, pears to stew, a heap of veggies to get into the freezer and I'll need to cook up the eggplant.


Giveaway Reminder
We've had some great entries for The Green Giveaway. Have a look at the comments received and see if you'd like to win one of three Bosisto's packs, tailored just for the readers of Mands On A Mission.

I hope you'll all link up to the FaceBook page and get friends and family following, press those 'like' buttons. The more the merrier - and it helps get great prizes to giveaway on a regular basis. It would be sensational to see 200 faces on FaceBook by the end of the month - can we do it? And please go nuts pressing the 'like' button.

Anything that's going to help fight debt and create a caring, sharing community is worth giving away to everyone! And when its good for the environment - it deserves promotion. Get your entry in - and please pass on the chance to others.

Wanted: One multi-millionaire...

You get to talk, create and share on the train 

I do love travelling on the train...

But jeepers-creepers, I have no idea how people in Melbourne's metropolitan areas can tolerate travelling the train network on a daily basis ~ scheduled trains change platform number and then simply disappear. Now you try racing to a train up and down escalators, with two bags and using a walking stick to balance in its peak hour. If people weren't intolerant enough (and with the stress levels gained while trying to catch a train regularly) they can get down right rude if slowed in any way! Where has patience and care gone?? 

I know - it was probably on the train which disappeared between platforms...

Watching the countryside go by 

Wanted:  One Multi-Millionaire

I read in some trashy online journal (because I am not buying magazines or newspapers this year) a chap in the US posted on a social network he wanted a million dollars ~ and got it. He offered nothing in return, has no idea how he is going to use it and, as far as I could tell, has no intention of repaying the money.

I want what he is having ~ only I know exactly how I would like to use it and it is not all for me! Seriously. I've always said, if I won a million dollars, charity begins at home and the first people to receive benefit from such an amount would be my nuclear family (Husband, MudGuts, SmallBoy and myself), followed by extended family (namely our Mothers) and friends. I'd even do it so most people would not know where the gift had come from and it would be without restrictions or rules on its usage.

Ten-fifteen years ago, one million dollars - or $1,000,000 - would have been more than enough to set up for life. Now-days, I think it is enough to set up the ability to achieve a good quality of life providing one still has an income and a house already. But with property prices increasing, food costs on the rise and basic utilities moving the way of expensive - it seems more sensible to set up a level of self-sustainability which will allow a person to lower their expenses over the long term.

What I would do with $1,000,000

First I would divide the moneys into four equal shares. One quarter would go into savings - preferably for a term to ensure it is not 'piffled' away or offered to others who may be opportunistic and creative enough to scam it away.  Ideally this could be used to move to a warmer state within 2-5years or at least allow us to be better set and less of a burden to society in retirement in 10-15years.

One quarter would be for family and friends. I hail from a very large family, Husband is one of two children. Both our fathers are not in need of any funds ~ one is financially wealthy and asset rich, the other is deceased. We would provide our mothers with $25,000 immediately in the hope both will put it toward retirement. Giving each sibling $10,000 would account for another $70,000 and the remaining $30k would be placed in trust for each niece and nephew to access on their 21st birthday. As most are under 5years old ~ $3000 should be a lot more by the time it can be spent. 

The remaining $100,000 would be for friends and charities ~ given in amounts ranging between $1,000 to $5,000 and accompanied with a 'ransom' styled note indicating it is being issued in recognition of friendship and family, to be spent as they wished. We would 'pretend' we also received one of these 'ransom' rewards and never disclose it was from us. The charities would include Camp Quality, Peter Mac Cancer Research, Royal Institute for the Deaf, Fred Hollow's Foundation, Cottage by the Sea with $10,000 aside for any disaster relief or causes we feel relevant over a two year period. Those with links are ones we have volunteered our time or been supported by in some way.

Half-a-million divvied up.

Another quarter would be used to cover outstanding accounts ($35k), paying down 50% of our current mortgage ($75k), purchasing a reliable car and repairs to ours (up to $25k), getting solar and wind power connected to our house ($12k), establishing a sustainable vegetable garden with water tanks ($10k), purchasing a 2br unit or cottage for MudGuts, who has disabilities himself, and paying 25%-30% deposit for him to repay the balance in a 'rent to own' arrangement ($50k).  SmallBoy's secondary education would be covered for six years and $20,000 would be put in trust until he turns 18 (or 21 if he continues into university education).

At $1mill each, not even a consideration! 

This leaves $250,000 and, ideally, this would cover my potential earnings (say $25,000pa) for 4 years and Husband for the same for 1 year, especially if there is no immediate employment opportunities and to afford him time off while I have additional 'non-urgent' surgeries. It would also pay for these 'non-urgent' surgeries on my back and hip to allow corrective measures to be made on my spine and knees; exploratory and required operations on my hip and neck - none of which are considered urgent within the public health sector but would enable greater movement and a higher quality of life - not just for me but my family as well. This has been 'ball-parked' at $50k-$75k.

We would then have around $50,000 remaining to be our 'emergency fund' ~ somewhat more than we had in reserve back in 2006 when I was made redundant and as we discovered there was a very real problem with my back. Much of this was gone before my operation in late 2007. Doctors, medication, therapy and the loss of income chipped any remainder away.

And there you have it. 

One million dollars ~ donated in kindness by someone who has it available and used by us with responsibility and care.  Even if half a million was forthcoming, much of this could still be fulfilled. Siblings and their spawn may not get as much and friends would probably be out of the financial equation, however the relief from stress, fear and falling further behind would be so highly valued and gratefully accepted.

"Tell 'em they're dreaming"

Yes ~ it was a lovely hour or two spent dreaming of the possibilities, imagining the potential and planning the course of a positive future. Seriously. It can be quite inspiring to pipe-dream - so long as one does not plan such a method to be the only option. It would be wonderful for such a pipe-dream to come to fruition ~ and just imagining it to be so has taken the burdens of debt away, if only for the evening. I'm not stupid ~ I know tomorrow the bills will still be there, the requirements and commitments are going to remain the same as they did before I started thinking about how simply asking the world via social media could actually result in the receipt of one million dollars from a stranger ~ this was simply a way to say should it happen the gift would not be frittered away or used for lavish spending, fast cars and overseas sojourns. *sighs*

Now to find me a multi-millionaire willing to offer the opportunity to fulfil such a dream.

If you know one ~ please ask him to get in touch via Mands on a Mission... *grins*

A handy tip for everyone... 

Spontaneity

May the angels keep you till morning. May they guide you through the night. May they comfort all your sorrows. May they help you win the fight. May they keep watch on your soul. May they show you better ways. May they guard you while you're sleeping. May they see you through your days. May they show you new hopes. May they still your every doubt. May they calm your every fear. May they hear you when you shout. May the angels keep you till morning. More than this I cannot pray. And if the angels ever fail you. Then may God be there that day. ~ my reading from the angels

One of those funny things you try along the way ~ more a note to say we are here and it looks like the outstanding moneys is to be finalised.  Not as expected, but to end the heart-ache and feeling of being used we will accept the offer of 50% ~ it is what one does to move on.

Big day of appointments, meetings and I am going to do some volunteer work to refresh my administrative skills so that over the next 12 months when Husband returns to work I too can undertake paid work with recent experience.  Plus I've always wanted to do work in Child Services so this could be an eye-opener.

No money spend, no savings made ~ but we did have the most delicious meal tonight using 'dead' veggies, 1 chicken breast and rice.  It was almost like a gado gado ~ peanut satay sauce but better.  Mmmmm ~ so no takeaway, no spending, no angst!

Well done to us ~ and we shall chat tomorrow...

One big hurdle

Oh you would think by now we'd have it together

Nah ~ for one, while we have a 'break' from the loan - the NIVA which is considered a 'debt' needs to be repaid before it can be reduced. This seems odd to us as we would have thought the moneys going onto that would have been better deferred to the LOC or the Mortgage.  But no.

Why ~ because that is not what we set up. No kidding! We had been fine with the arrangements until August/September and this is why a reduced NIVA balance was requested. We didn't 'owe' on it as such, but apparantly until the balance (credit) in NIVA is $3000, it can't be reduced to $1000.  Now, there is $1800 there and this needs another $1200 before the limit can be reset. I do not understand...

On the spending, we've been pretty good at spending as little as possible - and only on the essentials - until last week.  Last week was 'bad'.  Not because SmallBoy had a birthday - all presents came in under the $50 mark and were things he 'really wanted' like a penny whistle ($15), the next books in the Shannara series (2 x $7) and a video game ($20) - motivation, enthusiasm and energy up'd and left the house. So there were 2 nights of takeaway dinners - pizza once and hamburgers once.  $60 we can ill-afford - and it didn't really taste as good as was hoped.

Christmas is getting closer and closer and closer - and we have not got a tree up, decorations up or presents bought. We've got a few bits and bobs - which I wont mention in case the recipients are reading *grins* but these are all under $5.

Any how ~ because I don't want the Mission to be a 'chore' or anything like that, we are adding some variety to the FaceBook page with ideas on keeping those outgoings down down down.  Like tonight's quick dinner.  Gotta love nachos ~ while the SmallBoy watered the veggies and the bonsai, Husband changed all the bed sheets and I tidied the kitchen and made Nachos for dinner.  This is one of the more 'expensive' meals, more so if the corn chips are not bought on special. Thankfully - these were :D

Nachos with sour cream and guocamoule

2 pkts plain corn chips

1 jar of spicy salsa (some of the supermarket brands are great!)

100gm of grated cheese (we do a little tasty, a little mozzarella, a little parmesan)

Set the oven to 180

Open one packet of corn chips into an oven proof dish (we use the pyrex casserole or lasagne dish)

Spread half the salsa over the chips

Top with a handful of cheese

Repeat it all again with the second bag of corn chips

Bung it in the over for 15-20mins

While this is toasting, melting and stuff, let's make the guocamoule

1 avocado

Sweet chilli sauce

Lemon or lime juice

* pureed basil is optional and lovely!

Scoop out the avocado into a bowl

Add a splosh of sweet chilli sauce

Squeeze in some lemon or lime juice

*pop in a teaspoon of the basil if you want

With a fork just mooshie it all up until it is sort of smooth but not pureed or creamed - a few lumps of avocado won't be a problem.

The corn chips, salsa and cheese will be ready

Top with a healthy dollop of sour cream

Add that guocamoule and chow on down

Napkins and cutlery optional *grins*

OK - back tomorrow with a weekly update and some more of the changes explained ~ we want your feedback, comments and - if at all possible - your spare change . . . 

Two Months On ~ Debt down $4000 with smart change(s)...

Blooming colour after the rains

Well, we knew changes had to be made - lots of changes. How we worked, shopped, spent and (hope to) saved. We figured changing some of the beliefs, rules and habits we had with 'everything' could only cause a difference and we could make it positive one over a negative one.  Well done family ~ we've made sensation in-roads On Our Mission ~ now to keep up the pace, improve the activity.

Thought we'd make some change in the first few months ~ taking the opportunity to really make some savings, pull in some 'regular' spending habits, incorporate new budget limits and reviewing the effect has been rewarding! With over $35k in debt, there had to be changes made which would allow us to get 'it' together. This debt did not count the mortgage ~ it was not the scary part.

A quick 'then' and 'now' of the key amounts at the start of recording our Mission and its debt reduction journey reveals we've made about $3500 of change to our debt and spending habits.

The VISA - $5836.33 - now $4828
 ~ down : $1008
The Personal Loan - $4057.94 - now $3482
 ~ down : $576
The Line of Credit - $21,764.21 - now $23040
 ~ up : $1276
The NIVA - $3000 - now $1000
 ~ down : $2000
The Refrigerator Rental - $650
Outstanding Accounts Total - $3930.63 - now $2838
 ~ down : $1092
$  870.00 - HomeCare Services - $863
$  106.00 - School fees - $34
$  390.00 - Dental account - $350
$  249.90 - Magazine subs - $49
$  800.00 - Electricity and Gas - $570
$   92.28 - Water arrears - $43
$1421.40 - Collections - $1297


Our debt has been reduced by $4676! Even adding the interest accrued on the Line Of Credit, we brought our debt down a massive $3500 in two months. Some reductions to our monthly outgoing have come about through negotiating or applying discount entitlements. Plus we 'analysed' where our cash went and began stopping 'usual luxuries', finding a cheaper or free alternative, or simply not buying something 'we always did'.  The other part of freeing up money from the budget was to use the items purchased, especially those from a mark-down.

No point getting 3 lettuce for $1 instead of 50c each if you are only going to use one. Six snack tubs of yoghurt will not be eaten by tomorrow, even for $2 instead of $7, but will if its $4 with 3 days to go. However 4 trays of marked down meat will fit in the freezer and be used over a month, even two if used sparingly. *grins* Having the most wonderful steak sandwiches, hamburgers and chips from The Green Parrot once every six weeks instead of every Friday made takeaway 'special' and free'd up over $100 a month - we have put $200 on the VISA. Catching up on news online or reading magazines instead of buying the newspapers, computer or women's magazines has free'd up $10 each week, reduced the rubbish and given us a free activity out. SmallBoy loves the library! We borrow books, not buy from the Opshop, sales, anywhere. The library is free, SmallBoy and I can swap books if we finish ours before the due date. We've put $80 on school fees.
The Readers' Digest survived the cull ~ we all read that on the couch, in bed, at the loo...

We asked the power company to reassess usage against payments, which were due to increase to $240pm. With the changes of the past 2-3 months, we use less than historically, increasing the amount going toward the debt therefore we had the increase removed. Husband and I continue discussing the value of savings with turning off stand-by appliances, lights, washing times ~ one night the lounge won't glow a blue/red hue and either I have succeeded with my convictions, or we've been robbed.

The big one was getting our Credit Card interest reduced over 10% and the no fees on all sorts of things from our other accounts. No monthly fee on any banking account, including the mortgage. Changing the rate meant we did not need to repay at $380odd a month to meet the minimum, it lowered to $170 and extra was coming off the due balance, lowering the amount to calculate interest. Each month an extra $130 is paid by us on the minimum.

Same with the phones and Internet. No $2 for a paper bill to be sent ~ but still getting the paper bill because its the only way you can then say 'hey, I made 8 calls from my mobile costing $30 while my home phone was unusable, cover me please' and provide the 'evidence'. If there is an amount of transactions fee-free, we arranged all usage under a plan arrangement, without the plan. One mobile is not on contract but gets the features of a $69 contract/cap special plan on the $49 plan being paid. Saved $4 being paid, gained higher usage limits, features and access.

There is no longer a set shopping day, but every Sunday we organise a weekly menu plan (plus a few extra or options) based on what is in the house already. If milk is needed tomorrow, that is not a reason to do a $50 shop. Only milk. Making a trip in the car for one or two items made it expensive every time. Always looking for specials and mark downs that could not be stored, thus forming waste not savings. Now, SmallBoy and Husband ride bikes up to the shop to discourage additional spending - and save petrol. The shop cost has reduced significantly, sometimes allowing for treats like chocolate, cola and even a magazine (once) to be purchased. We have found $200 for a fortnight is saving $100 from the usual shopping budget, using $150 in 'rich week' and $50 or a Simple Savings $21 Challenge in 'poor week'.

Any doctor appointments are no longer made and paid as a private patient. Saving $90 a fortnight to get required necessary prescriptions, it's now a three-hour wait in line to see the preferred doctor (not just first available) and this is bulk billed with no gap requirements. As the pain medications are now at the lowest level, a double fill or repeat can be written making only a monthly visit necessary. That's saving $180 required while rehabilitating. This free'd up $250 to put on the VISA.

The eBay de-clutter has been going slowly - but the first $30 went on the VISA debt. More has gone up on eBay this week - it's all Tupperware at the moment, but about to put up some cute little boy and girl items we'd rather get a $1 for than continue to take up space in this cluttered mess we call 'home'.  We hope to sell about 30 items this month, and receive $200 for our stuff.

The Line of Credit increase was interest applied as the funds kept transferring over to the NIVA account. With this now at $1000, removing $2000 from our budget's requirements, moneys going into the LOC actually stay there and not be taken in interest while 'on hold' for the next few months. We put $25 in every fortnight for the water and the bill, plus the new balance, is almost covered. Once paid, we will keep putting in $20 each fortnight.

While we have been making changes the loan and debts like dental, homecare and collections have been getting the regular teeny amounts.

Grown from a 5cm cutting

It's not always about the income...
Another part of the changes have happened at the out going end too ~

$ 522.13 pf ~ Mortgage (min) - this will be going to LOC 1/12
$ 200.00 pf ~ Food, groceries and sundries
$ 117.92 pf ~ Internet, land line, mobiles
$ 100.00 pf ~ Gas + Electricity payment plan
$ 57.07 pf ~ Insurance – House, contents, life
$ 75.00 $52.55 pf ~ Council rates, water rates, registration
$ 90.00 pf ~ Doc Appt; Meds
$ 5.00 pf ~ Microsoft Gold fees – connects XBox, Wii for me, Skype
$ 50.00 $20.00 pf ~ Savings
$ 100.00 $60.00 pf ~ Fuel – petrol, wood (was $400pf)
$1317.12 pf

$1133.67 pf

Our income is $1362 per fortnight, that's $680 per week, and there is more than $100 available in the cash-flow currently being used to pay outstanding money, $5-$10 weekly extra for the mortgage and emergency fund plus any eBay sales and reader gifts move to either the VISA or the Line of Credit as they get the added bonus of lessened interest to consider.

Reader contributions have been more than expected - seriously. A total of $54.50 has been received over the past two months and $50 has been put onto the VISA, because it can only go there from PayPal. All the comments are supportive and encouraging, it's amazing how more accountable we feel knowing people read our entries. We are asking for help from every reader - please ask two others to read, follow, support and 'like' because changes on the stats make it easier to feel 'worth it'. There may be a lesson learnt, tip discovered or incident to chuckle at while shaking your head in disbelief! 

Knowing reporting on some of our Mission has made others enforce their own change is just so encouraging ~ some of our declutter adventures have helped others, a few did call and ask for lower interest rates on their credit cards - the success of that challenge was awesome there.  

Original Debt Amount was : $ 35,369.49

We've reduced this by : $ 4,676

Unfortunately interest applied adds: $ 1,275

Current Debt Amount is : $ 31,967

Join us, help up, encourage us as we move onward and upward (or downward as the case may be :D)

  

So the bank ate your pay ~ a glass half full of cents and sensibility

Storms ~ so many fronts ~ and we are ahead on all bar Mother Nature

Over the past few days, one of the 'big four' banks has been advising issues with delays to pay distributions likely and people's payments were transferred but not actually in accounts for access. The big impacting factor was this had captured many Centrelink pensions and allowances ~ leaving a considerable amount of those living the 'pay to pay' cycle in a pickle.

Sure - Allowances and refunds of fees will be made, banks were opened with arrangements to provide cash against payment slips and things were a little manual ~ however the 'fall out' also caused problems to international banks such as HSBC, VISA transfers and now it is rippling through to the other three 'big banks' on different levels, including the depletion of cash from ATMs. As some accounts waive ATM fees if the transaction is over $200, but when all the poor machine has left available is $20 that is all you get - plus a $2 account fee. We will be claiming it back from NAB even though its services were not directly involved.

We, like so many others, have funds caught up in the National Australia Bank 'glitch' or payment debacle ~ almost 40% of our fortnightly income actually, and in the week most payments go out as we receive about 75% of our income this fortnight. The debits scheduled for bills, transfers and other such payments are going out as normal, 'glitch' or not. 

In the newspapers, on Simple Savings and across the television is discussion about the inconvenience and the disruption to so many people reliant on social security payments who are being impacted, so many more living on a pay day-to-pay day cash flow. Are you coping during this Australian 'Pay Day Financial Crisis'? Or are you one who relies on the specified amount being in your account on the specified day. 

Did you know nationally, employee weekly cash wages average at $958 - $1180 non-managerial fulltime? And low incomes scales fall between $410-$690 weekly per adult person? Well now you do ~ and you can find out more at the RBA Statistics page. When receiving $310 per adult per week, a delay in available funds can result in $60-$100 in late fees on transactions which are still being processed whether funds are there or not. One third of the budget gone. Hence the Financial Redress class action! If every bank went down tomorrow, you could get cash from the counter at branch level, could you be sure all transactions are covered and the deduction of a 'fee' isn't going to ruin the budget?

SO ~ COULD YOU??  

Having previously lived from pay to pay - literally and completely - not receiving any of your pay as scheduled has you 'screwed' for the weekend at least. We know that. How often are you getting 'caught short' for a day or two, vowing to have at least a few days cashed stashed somewhere safe, like in the bank in one of those high interest online accounts ~ next pay tho' because you'll be behind from this one, as it never rains it always pours.  

It is wonderful to know it doesn't really matter if the bank takes until Tuesday or Wednesday to get everything back on track and up to date. Not that we have the 'as suggested by Suze Orman on Oprah' three month income in some secret (high interest online) account to fall back on, we do have sufficient for a week or two of transfers, debits and a little cash if that long. We can still access funds already in there; scheduled debits will no doubt go ahead as normal; MudGuts will be seeking his transfer of 'pay' on Monday; every thing needing to happen can. 

If you went to the automatic teller machine to withdraw the weeks' cash from your bank account without checking the balance first, could you? Most likely you could and would be able to do that.

What if today is pay-day and, due to a 'glitch' in accounts, all pay transfers are delayed over the weekend, guaranteed in on Monday morning - is there balance enough and could you still take out all of this weeks' cash as well as cover your automatic transfers?

If You Could...

So then, would you take out less of the week's cash budget, say enough for the weekend until you know your pay is actually there? Tipping many would - just to be safe. You know there will be accessible cash but you don't want to risk missing any electronic bills & transfers if its any longer than the 'guaranteed' Monday. If you do have a secret stash, when to use it or under-what criteria, guidelines and circumstances have you decided upon? Some people have (say) $500 on hand, but will 'hang on until Monday or Tuesday' to see what happens.  There are scheduled payments going out during this time, without access to funds. Why fix up fees incurred when you can omit them completely and replace funds use upon the fixing of the 'glitch'?

What if the problem meant today's pay, electronically 'in transfer' but not in your account, isn't going to be until the same time as your next pay-day - next week, fortnight, month... Any current balance is available, even if only by a teller to get cash - because, of course, the bank is going to waive the counter service fee for anyone affected by this 'glitch' upon verifying you meet the criteria - could you still get this week's cash from the bank and leave enough for all the bills during the week, or weeks, until your pay does land into your account, available and accessible? Or would you be getting a bit stressed and anxious?

Could You? 

Knowing the 'stuck' and next payment will eventually deposit together, we would still have sufficient account balance to cover electronic bill payments, direct debits and payment plan. It might mean withdrawing from the teller/counter as a manual transaction for the cash, but we could. Do you have enough available and accessible through to your next pay day at least?

We could ~ for at least a fortnight, maybe three weeks. Currently we are budgeting to extend this to four weeks over the next three months; six weeks if our Hardship application is approved. 

Here's How You Can... 

Last nights' craving for takeaway food for dinner is one way we have been able to find 'spare' money ~ nothing spent on 'a quick shop' or take-away, despite the desire to do either, maybe both *laughs* 

The 'plan' was make Tuna Mornay and rice. The desire was to ring up for take-away from the local Fish 'n' Chip shop. The reality was we were stuffed tired and broke. We had bacon, eggs, mushrooms and casserole gravy on toasted grain bread. SmallBoy had bacon, eggs and sausage rolls and all under $2 a head using items here. No need to factor $30-$40 on take away ~ be it fish & chips, McChucks, pizza or Indian ~ it's not bought when there is something on par here at home. Now we've found a spare $40 in the budget. Can you see how we did it??

OH ~ And it was delicious, easy and a real home-made 'junk food' dinner!

This has been followed by almost the opposite opportunity tonight. SmallBoy has gone on a sleep-over, we were going to prepare a roast or three 'from scratch' but the rain just has not eased up at all. The desire to slaughter and pluck the roosters was thoroughly washed away by the need to keep the water away from the door ~ plus we had to vote. 

Sometimes (often) in SmallBoy's absence, Husband and I attempt quality memory creations and dine at a 'new' or never tried restaurant. We try to lower the bill with BYO but sometimes its the 'splurge' on a cocktail and entrees that take the night out bill over $100 so easily. Knowing our Coles had marked down (needed) dry cat food, oil and dishwasher tabs, we perused the meat section to 'find something nice' for an at-home dinner for two. 

Then for something REALLY Special 

Grabbed a pack of two King Island steaks; over 280g a steak, marinaded at home in a mix of hoi-sin, oyster and teriaki sauces from our fridge; marked down by $9 to $12 (plus a huge $1 lambsfry for dinner tomorrow) knowing there we have a fridge full of salad items. Picked up a tub of Violet Crumble icecream, some marked down Lindt 70% with almonds. Bottle of red from the limited home wine rack ~ crackling fire on this rainy ol' night. *sighs*  It was just the right balance of minimal effort and restaurant/dinner out delight to frugality ratio ~ know what I mean? 

And it means we didn't need $100, didn't miss the opportunity to have a top meal with good conversation and comfortable surroundings ~ no worries here about not being able to get out our usual cash budget ~ yet. *grins*

We did spend, that mentioned above formed about $20 of a $45 shop - plus chook grain bought earlier in the day.  If the weather is dry we'll try again to put an 'Eggs 4 Sale' sign out. Today's effort was rained out! If we sell all the full cartons, for $4-$5 a box, that will cover 2 bags of grain. We're getting extra eggs while 'baby-sitting' friend's chooks as well as our own - almost a dozen a day - not even the neighbours are getting through them quick enough at the moment!! 

Pondering and Pontificating

Did I share this with you:

Care not for another mans' dirt. Laugh and be charged with the knowledge exposed when the mud slinger must bury lies & half truths of their own dug up. 

I made that up ~ along with these ones:

What other people say about me is not really my business or concern. What is said, asked or sought directly to me ~ that's when I get to comment or provide detail. I am grateful to know what is (or is not) my problem... :D

"Truly great friends, those ones you don't talk to for 2, 5, 8years and pick up at and in the conversations of now ~ I am grateful to have friends such as these, true diamonds in the stone-works of friendship..." 

If you like those, please credit Mands On A Mission ~ gratuity via the Spare Change Jar welcome up the top there on the left, appreciated and desperately needed! 

Waffled enough on a topic probably not sufficiently qualified to discuss or pass comment, only remind this is what we do and how ~ and hopefully it has provided food for thought on ways to apply this to your own life. Rather helpful and very important teachings there indeed!

So ends today lesson...

Rich week ~ for a moment

Just the cutest little billie-goat you ever did see! 

For just a brief moment ~ the bank account looked so healthy...

Then all the bills were withdrawn and we looked more 'normal' again *grins*  Being pro-active this week on the fees, charges and added costs from our financial 'institutions' and have saved ourselves quite a bit in the long run.

Our savings account has a $5 monthly charge ~ we asked if this could be waived as we only use online banking.  Not only was the fee removed - it was back-dated to the start of the financial year.  $15 was put back into the savings account. Brilliant!

Our VISA interest rate was up over 20% ~ we asked if this could be brought back under 10% and had the rate changed to 9.2% plus no annual fee for the life of the card ($90).  Awesome!

Our Line Of Credit has an interest rate of 7.9% ~ we asked if this could be held for a few months while we get ahead and were granted 3months no interest (providing we can put $500 in each of those months or it will revert back). It's a start!!


Then there's the freebies:
In two months it will be Christmas and it is not going to be the console, DVD, games orientated Christmas of 'norm'. SmallBoy will receive a new kit for school and, being his last year in primary, we will get his Year6 Bomber Jacket for a present, as well as his school NetBook.
Got a really awesome dog lead from Paws Club to give to one of the Mum's for their dog;
Got some Dr LeWinn men's facial care products for the brother(s-in-law);
Got two teen packs of Dr LeWinn's skin care/acne care products for MudGuts and the half-bro;

We will be making up pamper packs for most for Christmas ~ and we'll be making those in the last few weeks, tailored to each brother, sister, niece or nephew as appropriate.


Plus a few bonuses:
For those who have used Chrisco, HamperCo, Castle Hampers or any of those type of set ups to pay for Christmas in advance, while they can be 'convenient', have you ever thought just how (un)economical this option can really be??
In 2006, 2007 and 2008 each weekly/fortnightly shop we would by a $10 store voucher (or more if we were under the shopping budget) and kept them together for the  mid December shop.  With around $500 to spend, we'd have all the food, booze, decorations and more to carry through to Australia Day - almost two months without shopping for anything other than basics. It meant we could take drinks to every party, snacks to munch while on summer holiday AND save our shopping money for December and January ~ well, we'd put it in the mortgage!
Sadly this year we've not done this as effectively and those vouchers saved have been used to buy groceries over these lean months.  You do what you have to do!!


Hoping those last few eBay items are paid for soon ~ really need to get more items up ~ been a little tired and sore so it's a-plodding along...

Plus if anyone has a spare lawnmower or car ~ happy to take them off your hands *grins*
Two chances right??  Buckley's and none...

Simply the rest

No spending again today.
Friday's were notoriously our take-away night - along with McD Thursdays for after swimming - and the odd pop in to Bakers Delight for scones, whoever made a decent coffee could get a visit, or two, each day *blushes* We've really been good and only eating what we've made at home.  It's Spaghetti Bog for tea, from the big batch made up at the start of the month.

Since we started our Mission a month ago - actually less than a month ago - we have had one bought coffee, and it was agreed to be the last.  SmallBoy has been quite agreeable to the no canteen/no lunch order ruling because he is enjoying the home made delights. Plus if we make up some little pies, the canteen will heat them and send them into the classroom with the other orders. Bonus.

So a day of mundane ~ and it's now raining so tomorrow will be all about decluttering, rearranging and might even conquer that stock-take we've been meaning to get stuck into.

We know we are nowhere near destitute, homeless or wondering how we are going to pay for our next meal, bills, heating. Well, actually we have no idea how we are going to pay for firewood AND get the car serviced. Hopefully this warm weather will return and we won't need any more firewood this year and we can get the car serviced.

Mostly likely need milk before the weekend is over, perhaps petrol and there is a doctors appointment in the morning which will require prescriptions. - all going well, that will be our only expense because we've really not got the money for anything else. The credit card is frozen in the freezer so we cant use it, only pay it down. Maybe it is that 'security' to know it is there because it would be better to just cut it up.

Alright - that's about it.
Nothing spent
Nothing sold
Nothing but friendships and conversations ~ at least we are rich with those *grins*

This Life ~ and left-overs pie...

The second weekend of our Mission and we made sure a night out at Powderfinger did not blow the budget by lowering our costs – Hi, my name is Mands and I am hoping you can help get me and my family out of a bind with debt. Yes, we are asking total strangers for the gift of few dollars, even a few cents to help pay off our debt, stop the interest accruing, building and getting further out of control.

This debt did not come about due to lavish spending, over-indulging or financial mismanagement. Most was incurred due to medical expenses, assisted living charges, travel costs while I waited for and now rehabilitating from spinal surgery at the same time the single incoming wage under went restructure, reductions due to the financial crisis' impact on Husband's employer.

We are not asking for you to pay it for us ~ rather help contribute to pay it down with us.

*smiles*

Please... 

What a brilliant night! 

At the start of the year, when Husband was working still, we bought 8 Powderfinger tickets for the (then) final show on the Sunset Tour. Those who were coming with Husband, SmallBoy and I didn't pay for their tickets, paid by us via the drastic plastic - gotta love a best friend 'break-up'. My sister, a close old friend and her hubby came up and we sold the last two tickets to a couple up from Geelong - this cash will be paid on to the card using money in the savings account and we shall keep the cash for firewood and the groceries this week.

Yes we had a wee spend on drinks at the concert, however at $10 a pop - there was only one round! Is that the norm for concerts now? Been a while since our last gig, and that was at the MotoGP where one can be 'trapped' for days track-side. More about that in the Daily Report and in the FaceBook Notes. Loving the 'likes' - keep them coming! You need to know that helps us pick up our pace! 

Sold another item on eBay ~ mandsmission ~ this time the water filter cooler contraption. Another $10 into bringing down the debt. More to upload onto eBay tonight. Clothes, Tupperware and Avon items. Easy - get ready to help our Mission to remove debt.


Drum Roll please...
Our first coffee memory! We don't know if it's okay to publicly say who but we are most grateful and chuffed you guys see as an inspiration. Thank you; thank you; thank you! This will be recorded as a 'first' day for sure! 

We've had a day with some tidying, some photographing and SmallBoy has had a great afternoon learning and playing netball as part of the free out of school hours activities programme. As swimming lessons are just unable to be included in the budget ($110) for this term, we'll rely on the school's intensive swimming programme and one of the VicSwim two week programmes at the start of summer.

The next week to 10days definitely requiring NO SPENDING at all ~ we've had to get grain for the chookies and it is easier to buy in bulk but not having a spare $80, we have picked up a $30 bag for the month.  We have decided to place an ad on Ballarat Buy Swap and Sell for some eggs but people will need to bring their own egg carton! Cash is at hand for the wood, petrol tank is full. Let's hope to hear no news on any money out until next week ~ please *pleads*

So let's make Pie of Left Over Chicken (POLOC).

Left over roast chicken (a hearty one person serve)
Left over salad
Water (keep) to steam hard salad pieces (carrot, cauli, peas eg)
1/2 cup milk (or extra stock)
Knob of butter
1/3-1/2 cup flour
Mustard, salt, pepper, herbs etc
Pastry - 2-3 sheets

  

SmallBoy is an excellent help when it comes to cooking. He chopped up chicken - probably a breast and part of the thigh.  Reasonably small because when in the pot it does break up to spread through the filling. From the salad we grabbed snow peas, salad onion (no point using a brown one, when this is semi cut and ready), feta, basil, carrot, capsicum, cauliflower.

We fried up the onion, added the chicken and basil and snowpeas. The Cauli, carrot, plus a few frozen peas and corn were steamed for a few minutes (had to use a Rock n Serve), drained keeping the veggie water aside, and added to the mix.

A nice blob of butter is next, mixed through to coat the ingredients. A sprinkling of plain flour all over and we mix this through the buttered ingredients.  Using the vegetable water, we began the sauce. Because we were adding cheese and mustard, milk was added to make a creamier sauce. Otherwise, more water and maybe chicken stock or gravy mix might be added. 

While recovering, pastry sheets have been a life saver. Who ever brought this on to the market - thank you. We use about 2-3 sheets per pie, keeping the half over for the next. All the little cut offs fill up the gaps and, face it, the pastry is the best bit so layered can be better!! MMmm

The easy bit is putting the mixture in, putting on the final sheet, using any left over milk or water to wash the top and into the oven at 190c - 220c for about 40mins. You're really only cooking the pastry because the filling is ready so you can go higher for less time if you want. We like to use the time to get the table set, pjs on for SmallBoy, lock the chooks - that sort of pottering.

When MudGuts is not in for a feed, the left over piece is either Husband and my lunch, or put in the freezer and three random slices come out as a surprise re-run. There has been cause to swap when the spicy Indian was given to SmallBoy so it best to make sure every one sits and eats together when playing 'random' dinner! *grins* A night off cooking and home-made just the same!


Lucky for Skippy, our rooster, he is too old for even the pot now. After his behaviour toward Husband 'rescuing' SmallBoy from the chookshed, Skippy has proved yet again why we do not need a watch dog.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25O8U9by5s8

Can't wait until we do the weekly update tomorrow and see how we have done! Adding up the eBay sales, moneys found, our special Coffee Memory and savings made. Fingers crossed we have extra to go on the debt.

~ Welcome to the Front Page ~

Hi there – my name is Mands and I am hoping you can help get me and my family out of a bind with debt.  Yes, we are asking total strangers for the gift of few dollars, even a few cents to help pay off our debt, stop the interest accruing, building and getting further out of control.

This debt did not come about due to lavish spending, over-indulging or financial mismanagement. Most was incurred due to medical expenses, assisted living charges, travel costs while I waited for and now rehabilitating from spinal surgery at the same time the single incoming wage under went restructure, reductions due to the financial crisis' impact on Husband's employer.

We are not asking for you to pay it for us ~ rather help contribute to pay it down with us.

*smiles*

Please... 

Back in 1997, after my first and only attempt at aerobic fitness, I was in this almighty car accident – another driver decided to cut across a six lane highway and collected me along the way (and a few poles, signage, a fence and a letterbox).  Watching the world through the windows of a spinning car is quite surreal ~ more so when the darn thing catches on fire while rain buckets down.  Luckily, I didn’t seem to be too badly injured.

A knight in a long brown dri-as-a-bone coat stopped, donned his akubra hat to keep his head dry before taking his trusty fire extinguisher from the back of his Jeep, kicking up the bonnet of my still running vehicle and slather it with white foam.   Sure did the trick on the fire, although the motor kept running without keys in the ignition.  She was a fighter to the end.

My BushMan knight hero hung his extinguisher back on his Jeep, tipped his hat to the small gathering of sopping, shaken survivors, jumped in his vehicle and drove off into the torrential storm, leaving me with a smouldering car and an excellent tale to tell.  There's more about this in Meanderings here.

The next day at work, my poor body went into shock and spasm thus starting the long journey to find for a decade I'd got about with spinal fractures.  I'd soldiered on to the point of no more with pain and leg numbness ~ 2007 started with a series of events heading a down hill slope.  More on that, starting with reference to 'that' MRI is here in Meanderings.

Unable to sit, barely able to walk and not remembering what it was like to stand up straight – that was the end of work for me.  An operation in September 2008 had the surgeon declare it was a ‘real dog’s breakfast’ in there but pins, screws, plates and all things gory were inserted for the slow road to recovery to begin.   The surgeon wasn’t wrong when he said to expect nothing for the first year, some improvement in the second year but plan on taking the next 5 years off.  You can read a little about the op here, I'll see if I've got some 'back' shots for those who just must have evidence this is real

Three months ago, my husband ceased paid employment to be my full time carer, reducing our income by $550 a week.  It ends 25years in a single industry with business relationships as strong at the end as the start. The gaining the time previously spent away from home working, we have productive home time, reliable help and physical changes for the better - physically, mentally and aesthetically.  No longer feeling we were doing it alone, now we enjoy a simple(!!) life on $628 a week from government payments.  Why no compensation you ask?  Because the other driver’s husband was a solicitor and the knight in dri-as-a-bone drove off into the night. The court awarded 50/50 no fault; TAC covered 13wks income in 1997, blah blah, legal stuff and that was that - all over red rover.  Darn it!!  Life goes on...

Today, October 6 2010, I sat down 
Actually I lay down - with the budget ~ and worked out what we have, what we owe and boy, we are on such a tight deal. Our mortgage is $276pw and we've not missed a payment.  This is not going to help clear our current debt if we still plan to eat, stay warm, put petrol in the car to get SmallBoy to school (not that he would be complaining). The repayment rates increase with the interest rate rises, the interest accrues ~ oh why can't we put all the interest/revenue raising/life expense increases on hold for a year or so and let us catch up, get things back to zero!?!?!

So, thinking outside the square and hoping to make this as entertaining as it is rewarding.  Be warned from the on-set : I tend to waffle, change thought mid-way, discuss our options 'aloud' to see how it looks. I will try to keep that process on ~Mands Meanderings. It's my personal blog, started while waiting for surgery. Please forgive me in advance for over-flow...

On a Mission to Find Change      

Aside from the mortgage, which is not part of the mounting debt we want to clear, we owe the following:

The VISA credit card (drastic plastic) ~ $5,836.33  (was $18k in 2005)

Outstanding Bills ~ $3,930.63 so far – sadly there may be more

Personal Loan (Wyndham) ~ $4,057.94 (was $11k in 2008)

Line of Credit (attached to the mortgage ~ $21,764.21 (was $16k with $7k available end 2008)

Frighteningly Scary GRAND TOTAL : $ 35,369.49

Hold on a tick ~ just need to scoop my stomach up off the floor and put my poor heart back in place.

I guess that's $1 from 35,370 people with $1 to gift to us ~ if you can't make the dollar, perhaps the 49cents then??

We've included where accounts were at the maximums and looking at the reductions already made - we think we have done a terrific job bringing that down on the reduced single income (plus ridiculous transport costs due to distance) Husband earned.  The personal loan is less than 2years old and we'd almost got that cleared. With some outstanding monies paid and Husband's tax sorted, this could be gone – completely – finalised. Or perhaps it is best in the LOC to keep interest down while keeping the mortgage paid with our benefits. While we are no longer using the drastic plastic VISA credit card ~ we reduce the limit each time we get $2000 down and plan to have it with a $3000 limit within 18mths with your help... 

Some of our debt has already had no interest applied, or been reduced down and bill repayment amounts are arranged or in the process of being so.  Our home line was averaging $45 per month, most in line rental fees – we had this lowered to $20 and use the mobile phone on contract for out-going calls, or email, or text. I'm about to find out if the home line be reduced if we make it an incoming only line. My mobile is incoming and will go onto recharge and not account now the contract is up. Husband is locked in for another 12 months.  Internet is under $50 and with more family and friends doing the Skype thing, we'll look at getting into that perhaps.

Had we not had income low enough to meet the threshold to receive government payments for the next 6-12 months, this shout-out probably would never have come to fruition.  I don't think we would have thought to ask for help through the kindness of strangers, especially when others might see as a crass grab for cash ~ but be assured the intention is not to have kind people pay all our debt for us.  Not at all ~ you can help by throwing your spare change our way; purchasing from the eBay shop or 'treating us' to a cafe latte  ~ and feel good knowing you have helped the Mission maintain momentum!!

We are hoping to achieve a few things while on our Mission:

• Clear the clutter we have gathered over the past 10 years 
• Provide new homes for items by selling on eBay 
• Stop wasteful spending on chemical cleaners, fancy footwear and pre-package pantry delights - - this might have to include chocolate *sobs*
• Simplify life so it is not such a stressful, unstable roller-coaster ride
• Show and explain what we do to reduce debt, make-do, become less wasteful, lower financial stresses, find happiness *blissful sigh* We can make something wonderful happen! 
• Encourage others to organise themselves so they never become 'that poor family you heard about who...' personally! 
• Become frugal with money and aim for our goal of semi self-sufficiency and environmentally friendly living

And primarily; reduce the debt to zero and maintain a lifestyle fitting within our means.

Thus ~ the journey begins.