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*

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

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

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

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

Do you know where your money goes? 

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES?

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

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

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

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

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

Tripping through Tuesday

No ~ I didn't fall over...

I'd like to say there was no spending today but it is more realistic to say there was no unnecessary spending. Anything purchased was necessary. Petrol was an urgent requirement ~ $10 in the tank to ensure we get SmallBoy to and from school for the week. It's a 20km trip each way and unfortunately not connected to any bus route. Ce la vie ~ it is how it is.

With the start of the new school term there have been some expenses which needed to be finalised today. The biggest one was for the required NetBook ~ $130. Egad is the second word that came to mind - the first is not fit to print *grins*  As much as we had hoped to stall this payment, SmallBoy needs to using his NetBook from tomorrow and this cannot occur without payment. That ol' rock and hard place ~ so we 'borrowed' from the rates money and will replace it from the family payment on Friday. Also required was $55 for the Grade Six bomber jacket. If we had not ordered it last year, this would not be due. However, obviously as it was ordered it needs to be paid. Boy am I glad we got the rest of his uniform for under $40 at the car boot sale last year ~ saved over $180 getting everything for summer and winter, aside from the winter jacket. Hence the need for the Bomber Jacket.


Cheap Eats  

Tonight's dinner was scheduled to be baked potatoes but we've only got enough spuds for two meals. I've been a little 'creative' and using frozen sweet potato wedges - a free packet from McCains. On top I've used one serve of spaghetti bolognese and added kidney beans, cumin, a little chilli and made chilli con carne. A dollop of sour cream and its a yummy scratch dinner with left overs for toasted/Breville sandwiches tomorrow. Sadly, we are out of sour cream but delicious regardless.

SmallBoy is not one for new tastes, so with eyes closed Husband asked him to take a bite of the McCain's Sweet Potato Chips and guess what it was. First guess was carrot ~ said with a wrinkled up nose (because he doesn't like cooked carrot) ~ and when told no, he took another bite. This guess was pumpkin ~ another dislike. He was surprised it was not pumpkin either and said he did actually like the chips. So we said it was sweet potato and eating the chilli con carne with sweet potato chips was no struggle at all. Ahh McCains ~ you've done it again!!

The chilli con corne was easy to make ~ and uses a basic mince used for spaghetti bolognese or savoury mince.  Once every month or two Husband or I make up a big bulk mince using 1.5-2kg of mine, 2 onions, 4 cloves garlic, 800g tin of tin tomatoes, two scoops of tomato paste, beef stock, 6+ bay leaves, a heap of herbs and, once cooked, this divides into three or four portions for the same number of meals for 3-4 people.

1 portion basic mince
1 tin of kidney beans (drained)
1 tsp cumin powder

1-2 tsp fresh chilli (jar or two fresh chilli pieces)

I like to add a few spoonfuls of hot salsa to get the extra chilli kick, but while we acclimatise SmallBoy to the joy of hot, spicy foods, this version is mild enough for SmallBoy. This mix is yum over potatoes, leaving enough over to have on toast for lunch.

Other bits 

There's been heaps of night-crawlie activity with the up and down weather. It seems the rain, then heat, more rain and warm humid conditions has created a perfect environment for all sorts of bugs. I've no problem being inundated by crickets, bright green flying bugs, even the daddy-long-legs haven't sent this arachnophobic into a tizz. But the mosquitos are giving me the irates!!

With all the mozzie repellents on the market you'd think there was something on the shelf to allow a good night sleep and deter the buzzing torpedoes from falling from the ceiling to hoe into our poor tender flesh...  No so far!  We've used Rid, Avon and good ol' Areoguard and still we wake up eaten. Poor SmallBoy seems to be the mozzies favourite fare.

Simple Savings - my source of all things cheap, effective and less impacting on the environment - has suggested items like the Dettol Anticeptic no-water hand wash to deter the biting bandits. But at $6 a bottle on special, I looked at the ingredients and have made up a solution which really works a treat for half the cost. 

Using an old deodorant pump bottle, mix 50ml of sweet almond oil or another light nut oil, 10ml of dettol type antiseptic, 10ml of eucalyptus oil and the same amount of citronella oil and shake well. It doesn't stain clothes or the bed linen, is light on your skin and has kept bugs away for the entire night. Brilliant!!

Give it a go and if you find it a success, a little donation into the Spare Change Jar would be a wonderful thank you *grins* Oh we chip, chip and sweet potato chip away at debt bit by bit!!

Holy Guacamole

Hubby could not believe the increase in 24hrs...

And Barney Banana...

The flow on effect * pardon the pun* of the QLD floods and tropical cyclones has already impacted the price of fruit and vegetables ~ and I don't think it is going to get any better. In the space of a day, bananas have gone from $1.99pkg to $5.95pkg! I heard that bananas were going to be limited, held back from the shelves but these were the same bananas which were on the shelf the day before, just a little less green. Should have bought more during the week like I usually do, especially if they are green. I was reading the Liberal's blog ~ no idea why but I was ~ and it said fruit will be rising by 14% and vegetables by 21% this year. If only!! I see the current rise as about 200% and would assume this is going to effect capsicums, eggplant, mangos, sugar and other produce as well. No brainer really...

No Shopping for a Fortnight
Down to the last of the cereal ~ SmallBoy has enough WeetBix to have tomorrow and then we will use porridge for breakfast. I love porridge! Nothing better in the morning than oats with a milk moat and some brown sugar sprinkled on top. We've got two bags of no-name oats to use so there is no need to worry about ducking to the shops to spend. I've got muesli, but the menfolk aren't that keen unless it can be put into yoghurt and eaten like a crunchy mix. No yoghurt so that's off the menu at the moment.

The roast was delicious. The gravy it made was scrumptious so tonight's pie is going to be a treat. I'll use the last of the fresh veggies (because they all look a little sad and wilted but you don't see that in a pie). It's going to be yum. No spending is going well ~ nothing has been bought since Thursday, and most of that was for the cats.

Left over lamb roast pie

Left over lamb roast
1 cup left over gravy
1 cup Broccoli and cauli
1/4 packet of frozen veg
2 sheets of frozen puff pastry
Wholemeal plain flour
25g butter
* Note that all amounts are approximate

Chop the fresh veg into teeny pieces, not floret size - smaller
Boil the kettle and put the fresh veg into a microwaveable container with about a cup of boiling water. Do not discard the water. Cook the veggies for about 2mins on high.
Remove container and add frozen veg into the container to defrost (and add flavour to the veggie water)
Cut the cooked lamb roast into little pieces, 1cm or smaller, and put into a pot on the stove.
Drain the water into a large cup and add veggies to the pot
Add butter to the pot and turn the heat on med-high to melt
Cover vegetables and meat with wholemeal flour, mix to combine
Put some hot vegetable water in with the left over gravy, mix through and add to the pot
Add the remaining vegetable water (half first) until the mix is thickened
Defrost the pastry and line a pie dish with one sheet
Fill with pie mix and cover with the second sheet of pastry
Cook in the oven, around 200C until pastry is golden

I try to use the minimal amount of dishes and utensils because I hate washing up. This uses a pot, a microwave container, a pie dish and a mug. Oh, and a knife and mixing spoon. You can grind the meat in a food processor if cutting it up is too fiddly. Cutting the veggies up really small means every slice will contain lots of everything - if you use large chunks be prepared to cut them when eating. The water used to par-cook the vegetables is full of flavour. You've got it - use it. A little mint sauce or seed mustard goes well in a lamb roast pie. There is no need to add salt and pepper if you use left over gravy which is seasoned enough - especially if you made it using the roast meat the night before. If you brush milk or water over the pastry before baking it makes it extra golden and crisp.

A few fresh strawberries from the garden for dessert will go down a treat ~ the bush is going nuts due to the rain and heat, so many rosy red berries and they are so sweet. With a scoop of Weiss berry ice-cream and that's a divine finish.

Dishes in the washer and that's it for the evening ~ SmallBoy is in bed, grumbling because its still light out ~ its time to sit with a Baileys and rustle up some chocolate. There must be something chocolate in the pantry ~ there is always some in there, somewhere...

Bill and 'his' budget

Sunday ~ the day of rest...

Hardly! Not when Monday brings a multitude of payments. How is it that so many bills fall due on the same dates? I've noticed the 7th and 15th are very popular days in the way of accounting or computer billing cycles!

Tonight and tomorrow the internet payment ($49), the gas and electricity instalment ($50), Husband's mobile payment ($59), the personal loan ($336) and the house insurance ($62) automatically whiz off to their respective 'owners' to maintain connectivity. Ooo-rah!  As noted yesterday ~ all funds are eagerly awaiting their journey. To have it all available is an achievement on our part as it totals my fortnightly income entirely. Thank goodness for 'Bill's Budget in a Box'.

When Our Mission commenced, I decided keeping our budget under control was a huge struggle so I pretended the whole lot belonged to a bloke called "Bill" and any spare money was our 'pay' and put on the debt. Huge success when you see we usually come in under budget living on $600 a week.  "Bill" has a mortgage, phones and internet expenses, a personal loan and a credit card ~ just like we do!! Funny that *grins* "Bill" budgets about $100-$150 a week on food, groceries and other bits for himself, his wife, the kids and a menagerie of animals ~ just like us!!

If you haven't twigged - "Bill" is really us. 

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to help another person get their budget, their schedule and their life together but how difficult it is to do for yourself sometimes? This is why we invented 'Bill' and how we have paid down so much over the past six months. Staying on top of our obligations has been a huge success ~ bringing down the debt has been mammoth. All of "Bill's" accounts go into a box ~ the information is listed on forms I made up to show a period of four weeks with the cash flowing in and expenses due to go out. It shows weeks which might have less outgoing but a need to not spend much because the next week less comes in while more is going out on payments. Quite simple really.

Shopping Under $100 a week for Four

My menu for this next fortnight for dinners has been written to use only items on hand so we can spend less than $50 over this fortnight on items - I hope to do two $21 Challenge weeks picking up only milk and some vegetables late in the week or next week if possible.  Wish me luck - anything we spend will be listed. How low can we go?!!

We used to have a weekly shopping budget of $300 a week ~ this including all food, toiletries, animal needs, personal needs and cleaning products. If it could be bought at the stoopermarket - it was in this budget. Now we spend about $100 and make it a game to come under the total. 

One essential action to achieve this is to check what is in your fridge, freezer and pantry before shopping day, make a menu plan around what you have in the house already and only buy items to replenish those which are low or finished and those to complete the menu for the week/fortnight.

I also set limits ~ no meat purchased can be over $10pkg. No vegetables can be over $6pkg and fruit is around the same. Wherever possible, buy the marked down items and make sure you need it. Using tonights Honey Soy Marinaded Lamb Roast as an example ~ this was priced at $15.95pk at a cost of $22. However it was marked down to $14, making it under $10pk and was put in the freezer for 'Ron - later 'on. We will have it for dinner with roast potatoes and carrots and steamed broccoli and cauliflower about to cark it, then leftovers will be had in a pie for dinner tomorrow. More will be kept aside to be used for lunches ~ put into sandwiches, toasties or roll-ups during the week. Two dinners for 4, a few days lunches for 4 ~ it should work out to about $1 per head per meal. Sweet!!

In short: 

1.  Review your pantry, freezer, fridge (stock take)
2.  List items low or empty on shopping list (shopping list)
3.  Plan meals around what you have on hand (menu plan)
4.  Substitute ingredients where possible (menu plan)
5.  Add any additional items required to shopping list (shopping list)
6.  Set limits on how much you are prepared to pay (costings)
7.  Use left overs for lunch or another dinner (creative)

The week ahead

And its the start of the first full week of school ~ SmallBoy is so happy to be back at school. It think it was just starting to get boring being at home. Personally, given we were not able to do the usual movies, adventure park or holiday away, this holiday break would have to have been the most active, entertaining and adventurous holiday period in years!  Seriously ~ SmallBoy and Husband went riding on their bikes together, lots of friends came for sleep overs, we had some great movie nights and visited more friends than we ever had. We've made yummy desserts, muesli creations, pies and had popcorn many times. *grins* Popcorn with butter and icing sugar is really yummy and a great change from the salty variety. SmallBoy has decided the reason bought popcorn and chips are so salty is to make you buy the expensive drinks ~ I think he is very smart and quite correct!

Husband has his second last dental appointment and he is looking forward to the last one. I've got several appointments and will be volunteering at the kids refuge and hoping to get to be one of the volunteers at the food co-op about to be started up nearby. Its all home grown or home made produce and I would love to be involved. Might learn some great tips about what grows well in the region. We've really got to pull our proverbial fingers out and get this garden happening.

SCORPIO (07 February NZ/Australia) 
That the Moon should divide his time between a very playful part of your chart and a very work focused part of your chart today is symbolic of where you're at just now, bringing home both the need and the ability you have to create a balance between work and play. Just before leaving your romantic and creative sector the Moon aligns with Uranus, but just after moving into your work sector he aligns with Jupiter, with your intuition picking up on the importance of both.

Looking forward to some romance ~ 

One Day at a Time

Watching the sun rise in the morning

Clearing your head as the new day's dawning

Notice the colours

Aren't they divine

Setting things going for the new day ahead

Wishing you really could climb back in bed

Hearing the birds

Singing their rhyme

To finish this journey I must start off alone

Removing the poison stopping my groans

Hoping you're near

Watching the time

Once it's removed my head will be clear

I hope to be free of the dependence I fear

Out from the dark

And starting to shine

Just a personal note: 

Finally, after 4 years, spinal and related surgeries, this week marks the withdrawal from narcotic pain medication via a fortnight 'wean' then nothing. Today's poem is how I am feeling ~ onward and upward!!

A Tissue, A Tissue...

And we all fall down...

About the only thing staying on track at the moment is the budget ~ although its barely scraping through. Seriously the cost of one tomato was almost $1 and I've heard lettuce being up around the $4 mark. I am truly grateful to have a freezer full of meat, a pantry full of fruits, veg, flour, rice (and other things nice) and a refrigerator with enough to make dinner for this week and into the next.

The yard sale was the flop of the century but I've got over that (now) and we are going to try again to get this up, delaying it a little because I've been in such a negative slothy self defeating kinda mode and needed to chill out, will advertise in the local paper for the last weekend in February and get everything out of the house. Husband is really helping get this going because my mojo walked out and left over the weekend, in protest no doubt. I hope it comes back...

But the only way is up

It's been hard not having cash for frivolities ~ we would usually have gone away for at least a week or two to the Mornington Peninsula during summer holiday time, but its really not been a consideration at all this year. I'm not talking luxury resort escapes - just staying at the old family beach house, it's usually one hundred dollars or so a week (family rate!!) plus food and entertainment but not even possible this year.

So we escaped and aimed for the beach ~ off down to Torquay for a day, to wash away the glumps and soak up some joy. We packed ham and cheese sandwiches, a big bottle of water and another of cordial, a packet of supermarket brand corn chips ($1.79, a bigger bag than the labels and I'm tipping its from the Dorito line!) and set off for a drive. Sat in the sun, splashed in the water and rambled over the rocks!

Point Danger ~ sat and ate here ~ it was beautiful

Of course the car decided over-heating was in order. Grrr ~ all that mechanical work and it is still not running well. Might have to see if anyone on FreeCycle has a car to give away (ha!) ~ unsurprisingly, I won't hold my breath...

Finances

Give us a big cheer because we have repaid the NIVA balance and can drop that down to $1000. This adds $2000 back into the LOC ~ woo hoo!! The mortgage payment is due mid week, we've got more than half ready but with the rates also due, it's going to be a juggling act ~ hopefully nothing 'falls' down.

The other expense has been with SmallBoy needing new school shoes ~ usually we'd just buy something from BigW or the local cheap-o store however it has been come obvious he needs orthodontics which are $300 a pair. As this is not in the budget we've taken a less expensive route with some good leather school shoes and a set of inserts which may be enough to help. This will hopefully allow us to pay for SmallBoy's NetBook ~ $155 so he can use an item supplied by the school as a must. He must have this and unless we pay he can't use it. Yeah for the computers in schools programme (not).

Knowing between now and pension day we will have the rates $1108, the NetBook $155, the power payment $50, the mortgage payment $592, the personal loan payment $336, Home Insurance $63, the mobile phones $100 all due before the 18th and $1836 to draw on ~ there's no shopping for groceries for a week or two and it's all about making do. So we've reviewed the pantry, fridge and freezer contents to come up with the following menu plan for the fortnight.

Sunday - roast beef and veggies; Monday - pie with leftovers; Tuesday - Omelettes; Wednesday - Roast Potatoes with Chilli Beef; Thursday - Pasta; Friday - Veggie Burgers; Saturday - Veal; Sunday - Roasted Lamb Shanks; Monday - Pasta; Tuesday - Leftover Pie; Wednesday - Chicken Curry; Thursday - Vegetable Pasties; Friday - Egg and chips; Saturday - Turkey and Barley casserole; Sunday - Fish Curry.

School lunches are relatively fine - I'll need to go to the Salvos for some bread, maybe some vegetables if they have any available. There's 3litres of milk and I will make up powdered milk for cooking. There's a packet of Anzac biscuits in the pantry and SmallBoy can take tinned fruit once the fresh stuff has run out. I've got enough stuff to make muesli bars, brownies, fruit pastries and other yummy snacks or desserts as needed and wanted even!

The only item which may need to be delayed is SmallBoy's NetBook - but hopefully only for a fortnight if school is unwilling to provide some leeway on the rules being put into place for the first time. Failing that, it will only be the fortnight, he'll have it before the month is out.

Ending with some more self indulgence ~ yes its a poem, but this could be a song. I wonder if it is worth investigating how one submits pieces for musicians or bands to review. Wouldn't that be awesome to have words added to music and become lyrics for a hit song?!  Ahhh ~ always dreaming...

~ A Lovers' Tale ~ by Mands!

Always the one to see the sun

When the rain is falling down

Never so glum or bereft is the one

That can smile instead of frown

Nothing's as harsh as the whip of the bark

And a person who says they're a friend

Really it shows when the loneliness grows

Everything comes out true in the end

Listen my dear for the words are quite clear

Little voices are telling the truth

Everyone knew except me and you

And the angels were giving you proof

Never to late to accept your fate

Doesn't matter if you can't forget

Just another sublime in the midst of a rhyme

And not acting will cause you regret

So look back on the past with a message that lasts

Over time all wounds are healed

Never expect that your friends had left

True friendships and love have been sealed

For the message within only now can begin

You know you can only change you

It is time to move on with a whistle and song

Lovers quarrels can bring love anew

It's not Sunday ~ silly...

Sometimes I wish I was a cat... 

Oh a public holiday mid-week just throws me out of whack...

Today I went grocery shopping ~ I had planned to spend only $50 from the usual budget but there were a few things that were just too good to pass by. Veal steaks (make wonderful schnitzels) marked down to $3.54 for four good size steaks ~ at 66% off that was my score!

There was a dodgy looking half a pineapple on the shelf - just a wee bruise down the side so I said the chap if he marked it to 50c I'd take it. Saved $2.49 (bloody expensive half a pineapple) and it is now chopped up, in the freezer and ready to throw into a fruit slushy concoction with banana and mango and kiwi fruit ~ only the kiwi is fresh and ripe, the rest are in the freezer. Considering we are expecting high 30 degrees over the next few days ~ its going to be perfect *yummo*

Anyway ~ spent $115 on groceries. Oh the price you pay for not making a 'proper' shopping list ~ it was ad-hoc with the SmallBoy and me deciding we needed milk, bread and salad stuff for dinner. Sure, there is no cereal in the house and you know I am so fussy when it comes to my morning menu. But 'my' muesli was on special - 2 for $9 which saved over $2 a box. Then there was the cat food ~ it's not been on special for a while but was again on one of the bulk buy specials - 4 tins for $5, which is less than the usual $1.59 - and we were down to the last 3 tins from the early December mega-on-special-spend when it was half price. Plus one tomato cost 98c - rip off - but none of ours are red yet so one it was. Lots of fruit and salad items, a few dairy delights (feta, ricotta, bacon)  Toilet paper ($8 for 18 rolls) and the Iron Supplement ($23) were the expensive additions - not being usual buys from the stoopidmarket these were a little higher but both were needed . . . hopefully that wasn't too much information *laughs* 

More than enough to last through until the end of next week, and nothing was bought last week because I just kept putting of the shop and we made do with what was here so can't complain when its taken as a big picture.

sorting

Yard sale stuff.

Alright ~ I am so embarrassed about the amount of clothing I have hoarded for so many decades. Yet it is killing me to put price tags on them of less than $5. Some things are missing a button, others are in need of a wash, an iron or a dry-clean and having received a reader comment to open some of the Country Road items on eBay I've made a decision. Tomorrows Yard Sale is not going to have many of the high end items available ~ these will be up on eBay. Husband has had an offer for 10hours work setting up Sessions for Tupperware so he is not home this weekend (sitting in air-conditioned comfort, lucky boy) and it's going to be a mammoth job for me to be setting up so those items which are ready (and there are quite a lot - let me tell you!) will be dragged out and up for grabs tomorrow during the day.

The shoes can go - school uniforms - shoes (oh Emelda!!) - three boxes of womens clothing - one box of mens - two boxes of small children and baby things, including the cutest little shoes, and we'll see how we go. *grins*  Seriously, even $100 will be a start and I am hopeful of getting at least three times that with the stuff only half going.

some ready 

That will be put aside in readiness for the rates which are due mid February and we've only got half the money ready. We'd have it all only that is the same week the mortgage payment is due and some how I think the bank will take that first. All back to normal - if I can do another shop in a fortnight for only fruit and veg and milk, then do the same again a fortnight later - we'll be right for all payments.

Well, I should be in bed asleep ~ so I can be up bright and early to drag these boxes out. Half are in the hall, ones at the front door and the rest are still in the spare room. There are just not enough hours in the day some times! It's going to be a stinker of a day ~ I'm only planning to be out from 8am to 3pm then collapse under a cold shower. Wish me well ~ SmallBoy is quite excited about having a Yard Sale - I don't think he knows what to expect. Then again, neither do I!!

~ A Jar of Time ~

Beams of sunlight through the trees

Filtered light, a cooling breeze

Often it is days like these

We feel most contentment

Living, loving, working hard

Calm time for self we disregard

If we could capture in a jar

Spare time for pure refreshment

Take a little time for you

It stops the heart from feeling blue

You've got me as your friend, its true

I give you that commitment

ॐ. ☂✶ ॐ.

oo .-.

.\\(@)_

..'~~~'..  time to take it slow...

This week I will . . .

Experience a miracle to do with money...

And with that in mind, let the miracle begin. While I believe in the law of attraction, I think this will have a lot to do with the de-cluttering from the house of all superfluous items of clothing, shoes and other such wear-ables. Seriously, does any woman really NEED 14 different winter coats?

Well, I've selected the three I like the most and the rest are up for grabs (and $5) at the lawn sale we are having this weekend. I've selected five work type blazers and the rest are going, that's another 18 items for sale. I'm keeping four pairs of trousers (which either partner the blazers or can be worn with them) and have too many to count in the box.

As for skirts and dresses ~ we'll say there are 50 to choose from and I'm keeping about a dozen. In my defence, I did work for Country Road and I have been employed in the corporate side of business and administration for over 25 years, however I don't really need to retain those suits, shirts and outfits I've had since joining the work force. *blushes* But I am keeping the first suit I ever bought when I started in advertising because it is a classic and it still fits.

There are items of the male variety ~ even being ruthless the mens, boys and baby stuff is barely half as much as what I've collected. I've now the dilemma of sorting into sizes and types.  It's a dilemma because my hoardings range in size from US4 to AU28. Nuts really ~ I've never been bigger than a 14 even when pregnant. I don't even think there are maternity items in the mix, although some of the bigger clothes would have be used then and while I was trying to disguise the skinny bony me.

Waxing the Lyrical

If you didn't know, I like to write. I also like to create prose and poems, songs and lyrics. With Our Mission, my old Meanderings have fallen a little by the by ~ so please indulge me every so often when I feel the need to include something that has popped into my head and must be written and shared. Such as now:

~ Calling On Old Friends ~

Oh my

I see you falling, from way up high

If only you had heard my cry

This day was coming but you made your choice

You chose to listen and not use your voice

Now the lies are being pinned on you

What can this old friend do

Oh I

Know the reasons you took this path

It was love that you thought could last

We tried to tell you there was half a truth

And you know because you hid the proof

Now the blame is falling back on you

What can a good friend do

Listen as you work it out

Hold your hand as you shout

Sometimes sisters arent a friend

Even when

You to mend

The broken heart of love

In time

You will work out who to forgive

Remembering its your life you need to live

Only you can let her take control

Tell you how she in her world revolves

I have been in your shoes too

You always knew

What to do

Didn't you

I have heard you work it out

Held you hand when there was doubt

Sometimes family's not a friend

You can't depend

The twisted end

She breaks your heart again

Hear me calling

In your mind

How to fix things

You might find

Living lonely

Left behind

She never wanted

Us to bind

My sister

Resist her

The Twister

Is gone

Sometimes when I've written pieces in the past, family or friends (and the odd bod from 'out there') has thought the story is theirs. If a piece of writing can be taken to heart and claimed as ones own, I think it means there is something special in the words. Those who have read my pieces before know the inspiration comes from the back realms of my brain and, once started, flow out quickly, simply and in its entirety. 

Truly, I rarely write about people or instances directly ~ the odd one or two for sure ~ but I once said to my sister it's a bit like the Cheap Trick song where the lyrics imply his parents were taking drugs and having sex on the couch and he walked in a caught them. Somehow I doubt this actually happened and I guess I am saying this to ensure this is not something about my family, any friends or any acquaintance who might feel this is about them. These are simply words that, if I could write the melody, would be a song an artist might record. Let me hum you a few bars and you'll see how it should go . . . *grins*

Well, I've got to get back to sorting those boxes into type, gender sets and sizes. It's going to be a big few days getting that done ~ if it all goes and sells the way I hope ~ there will be several hundred dollars to remove from the debt tally, an empty room in our house and the ability to put the spare bed and sewing machine, hiding somewhere in the garage, up and to good use. Somewhere to put visitors that's a bit more civilised than a mattress on the floor. It's getting exciting.

As always ~ hoping you will help us beat the debt and add a single dollar into the Treasure Chest up there on the left hand side of the blog page. If you don't have PayPal, there is a bank account listed on the Q+A page for bank transfers ~ always happy to receive any financial support and know it goes only on the debt. No doubt there will be more for eBay after this round of clutter removal ~ and I've got one piece left to send from the last listings!! Cleaning the mess from the recent rains has interfered with that.

Have a wonderful Australia Day everyone ~ somehow I think there might be a few fireworks going off around Lake Wendouree tomorrow night. Catching up with really good friends and seeing people we know up on the stage later in the day! It's going to be a fun day and night!! May yours be just as enjoyable :D

A Summary of Successes

Waiting for the train ~ by Husband 

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

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

The new highway across the Nullarbor 

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

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

Sometimes you stop, wait and look first

Our Mission Moves On

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

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

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

Two good, working units 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

$3046.98 - Personal Loan

$5628.77 - VISA 

$21420.21 - Line of Credit

$32,052,74 : TOTAL DEBT

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

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

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

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

Working together 

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

Get's things fixed 

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

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


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

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

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...