Mumof2's Personal Finance Blog

This weekend is all about getting back on track in every aspect of my life..especially health and finance

My first goal is to save enough to have a deposit on a house..it is hard paying rent and saving the fees that go along with the deposit (around $20,000) plus the deposit...but that is our goal and we are working towards it..I am hoping when we buy we can pay the house off in 7 years...(2nd goal) after that it will just be trying to put away as much money as possible for retirement...(goal 3)

I am hoping that my health improve to where I can at least work part time...I hate not working but constant dizziness etc I just can't which affects all areas of my life...so writing up a goals board for the finances and a monthly board for my health and we will see what happens.

Around nov/dec will start talking to people about our options when it comes to buying as we will have 3 adults in the house and our daughter wants kids in a couple years..so wants her own space as well and just need to know what options we have...and will find out our borrowing power and what deposit we will need

Went to the TIA clinic and they said that it looks like I had a TIA...so now I am on aspirin everyday for the rest of my life..I hate medicine but need to do what the docs say...had my regular doc straight after (an hour later) by the time I got to that appointment she had already called and discussed everything with my regular doc...I do have to a carotid ultrasound as soon as they organise it..I also have a sinus infection but because of its symptoms I had to have a covid test which was right next door...doc is positive that I don't have it but has to make sure...should find out results tomorrow...

Bought a couple things today and it cost $14 but came out of my mad money and bought a couple dvds..also with my mad money...other than that no spending

was going to buy gas but it has gone back up to 146 per litre so will wait till it goes down again

Had the neuro physio yesterday..cost $105 out of pocket but should get back around $50 in a few days which will go back into our ice acct...was nice to see her again and I have some new exercises to do daily which will hopefully help...other than that no expenses...I have the TIA clinic tomorrow which should be free and then I see my regular doc tomorrow and she is free...but will need to get a few things while we are out and about running errands but shouldn't cost to much...the weather here has been so cold and wet so the heater has been on so much but thats ok we have budgeted for it

My oldest daughter had a tooth extracted today..she is doing ok..she pays for it herself and it needed to be done...found out she only has 1 and a half wisdom teeth on top no bottom ones...they aren't bothering her so she will just leave them..we were just curious as she has never got them and she is late 20's...so good to know.

budget is doing well and sticking to the grocery and gas budget actually the last month we have left half the gas money in the account as we haven't needed it.

On a sad note we now have 8 cases of covid in our state...we had none for awhile and they have all been from people coming in from other countries & states...so frustrating...one of our states is doing so bad and the people living there are just not listening so nothing is improving they have been on level 4 restrictions and they are still braeking the rules

We hit the next mark for our house deposit...although its not a lot we are getting there hoping to up it at least $1000 each month and we have done that plus already this month and we still have a payday to go this moth...so happy and thanks for all the inspiration you guys have given me!!

First off the great news...hubby is CANCER FREE we got the results from his doc today...he still has the specialist appt next week but all our tests go through his doctor so we are stoked...on the bad side I ended up in hospital this arvo for a few hours (6) as the left side of my body went numb had a cat scan and one with dye and things started to settle down..so they sent me home and will get me an appt with the tia clinic at the hosp..so we will see what they say.

took our coins for the month in and we had $89 so put that into our home acct...will update that tomorrow after our pay goes through and I have added to it.

did some grocery shopping today...before we ended up at the hospital..but other than that its all good and things are on track

it is only the 3rd of the month and we have paid all our bills for the month...it feels weird...we only have groceries and gas money to take our which we do every 2 weeks (which will be this thurs) but both our jars still have money in them for last time..we are getting a bit sort on supplies like toilet paper/tissues/paper towel as i haven't bought for months...but everything else looks good..lots in the freezer/pantry...will look out for bargains on things that we use but nothing we need really.

Daughter had a dental appointment...she has to have a tooth removed so she has to decide what to do when they have it removed..she is doing all the research now that they gave her...she has always had weak teeth as she has low enamel on her teeth all her life...should be interesting...she hates the dentist...I got her to ask about her wisdom teeth as she never got them (she just turned 29) and she has 1 up top and maybe a partial one on the other side but no bottom ones and they aren't bothering her at all, they are just sitting there..not coming through or anything...so they will leave them for now...

Will be able to add more money to the house account, the side bar is wrong we used about $1000 of that money but have replaced it but need to wait for the money to go into the account hopefully later today then can update the side bar

Was paid this weekend, hve already paid our bills for the month..or have the money set aside for things like rent that comes out on a regular basis but I out it in the account once a month...but it looks like we will be able to put more than $1000 this month into our house account...also have extra expenses as I am going back to my neuro physio this month (haven't been since nov 2019) but looking forward to it...

today was a nice day so we ventured out to a little german town that we love thats not far from us...we spent around $70 but had a great day and so needed so we don't care it came from our mad money

financially we are doing well..hope everyone else is

Well end of July already...can't you believe it...honestly with 2019-20 I am ready for this year to be over and start a better year next year!!

I will be going over the budget today to see where I can cut some spending, I have bought a few things..more wants than needs but I don't do it often...will go through our pantry/freezer etc and see what we need to replenish and see what is on sale or wait till it goes on sale...that is my goal for today...I just want to save as much as we can for our house deposit...that is another goal now I am starting to get better I can reschedule the appointments to start looking at loan options...and update our board for august appointments

Just wondering what the cut off date for taxes being in is? I called them at beginning of month and they said that the texas office had only been to work for 2 weeks so if it was there they had to work through them..we sent them mid april...we have checked online and they still say that they haven't received them...don't know wether to give them another call, or resend them..it says not to do both on the irs page..but then do we get in trouble if they haven't reached the office..its been 3.5 months since we sent them..its been frustrating...same with my itin number they said it wasn't done..when I spoke to the tax people last time they said it had been done in feb...letter sent in march and we have no letters...I am just frustrated with this whole process...its not cheap to call across the world on a cell fone and try to sort it out..thoughts?

Had a rough couple days feeling like crap...walk outside today and find that our koala is back...I love that we can walk into our backyard and find wildlife like that...it brightened up my day...

OMG went and looked at a house yesterday...it said it needed some work done to it, was near the beach where we want to move back to, it was reasonably priced..so we went and had a look...so many people there ro see it..it still had a lot of stuff that need to be removed from the house...it was a mess needed some big upgrades..had water damage inside and out...the yard was so overgrown you couldn't even get to it...the house was so gross, rust everywhere etc...but the smell was so bad...even with every door and window open...I say to my daughter..this smell would be so hard to get out..I wonder what it is....smelled like a dead animal..the guy behind me says..my mate lived here he was in the house a week afer he died...that was enough for me...it was to much work for what we would have to do especially for the price and I don't want to live in a house where a person laid dead for a week before anyone noticed...so the search continues..hopefully will be well enough to start seeing companies about loans and options

Feeling more human today...hubby is over at his sons for a few hours so I managed to clean house..even washed the floors..feeling much better than yesterday but still not great..even though it is cold today it is sunny so I opened uo the house to air it out..to much illness and coldness so we haven't been able to get to much fresh air...so it is nice to air it out...managed to get all bedding changed and washed today...do it weekly but we have been sick so wanted to get it done

Need to pick up a few things from the store today other than that no spending

I am trying to make changes in all aspects of my life...financially, physically, emotionally, mentally..each are intertwined so trying to work on them all...I am just so exhausted all the time (I have chronic fatigue & fibro & cervicogenic dizziness to start with) so it has been hard to work on things...but I am trying..I think the best area for us right now is financially we are doing good...and that relives a lot of pressure knowing that we have bills paid and savings in the bank...although we just got a gas bill in $880 =0 never had a bill that high but our heater is on all the time as its winter and this house is cold and since hubby has had his treatment he feels the cold more...but its all good we have the money to pay it..

Hubby is sick with bronchitis again..he just can't seem to kick it...and to top it off I am exhausted and sick as well...hes on his 3rd set of meds...hopefully they work...and on the upside we have bought so many meds that we are now on free meds for the rest of the year that are on the PBS scheme...so that is nice!!

I helped my daughter build flat packs today..took 6 hrs and I shouldn't have done it I am sick and probably needed to rest up but I said I would do it so I did..but ended up having takeaway for dinner which I hate spending money on..

I had a call from one of the companies that we are looking at using for our home loan...but had to cancel the call as hubby was just to sick and he was my first priority so now he is starting to sound a little better I will try and call them and set up another call or meeting with them..fingers crossed!

On a positive note our state is the only state that has no cases of covid 19...and flu season hasn' been to bad but my doc said wait and see in the next month and see what happens...I know my hubby will be staying home and we will only be going out when necessary to stop all of us getting sick

So we have decided to start looking at the best options when we buy a house...wether or not we go with a big or smaller bank or another company (has been around for years)..some offer package deals some don't..wether or not we even want to look at that..ther eis a lot of information out there so now is the time to start looking and seeing what the options are so we are ready to go when we want to buy...its a lot to research...but worth it

I hate winter it makes me miserable and I tend to spend more money. Yesterday I bought myself a new blanket the one on my bed was getting old, the dog sleeps on it, has scratched on it and it had a couple small holes and it was so thick you couldnt wash it...so bought a new one that is so warm and soft and can be washed easily..and yes I do have 2 other blankets on the bed for the dog...I bought DD1 new warm sheets..this house gets cold...bought DD2 a new cover for her bed again it is warm and goes nicely with her new bed...these were wants and not needs but I don't do it often...both my hubby and DD1 asked if I was ok as I never buy myself anything and I bought myself a new blanket and a new rug...also biught stuff for a baby shower and house warming gift to send to the US (that cost $99) postage is so expensive...so I think I am done shopping now!

bills here are paid I think I might pay a couple early for next month since we have the money and we have a few busy weeks next month...house savings is doing ok and we are adding to it slowly...had a couple sunny days here which has been nice

Well went to the hospital appt today...didn't cost anything out of pocket, it was just a 6 month check on a previous appt...but the fog was weird we don't usually see fog and you couldn't see a lot around you..not that it was to bad...but bad for us as we don't get it much.

This week we are getting a second stimulus payment from the govt so for 2 of us $1500 which we will put into the ice acct as I need to get that back up..

Nothing else has been happening still trying not to go out to much as it is lu season here so still need to be careful...hope everyone is staying warm...it is so cold here

Got a text in today about an appt I have tomorrow I didn't even know about it, lucky it is at the hospital and only about 15 mins from where we live...hopefully it won't cost to much..or hopefully anything!

Not much going on here financially not spending much, my daughter had a birthday party at her unit and she didn't want to clean it so she paid me $100 to clean it..only took an hour so bonus for me and that is in the bank..I have finally got a neurophysio appt next month haven't seen them since nov...was to hard with everything hubby was doing with his cancer stuff so now I can go back and see them again..it is costly though even though we get some back.

Oldest daughter sold her small car so she has banked that money..she is happy she is such a good budgeter..

Have some extra money this month which has really boosted our home deposit account (see side bar) so happy we are reaching our goal...a little each month..but this is a big jump for us..

Other than groceries/gas..I also bought a gift for a baby shower and a house warming gift...although I need to send that to the US so will cost a bit but that will come out of my mad money.

Was our youngest b-day today..she didn't want to do much so we just had cake and then she left to go home..

Bought a rug today...have wanted one for quite awhile it is so nice and much better than the carpet to lay on..it set me back $350 was on sale and talked them down another $50....but its what we wanted..so all good.

May have found my mom a house but we will see what happens last time it didn't eventuate so hopefully this will be the one...she really needs her own space...apparently the landlord will call me tomorrow so will see what happens.

payday tomorrow so will go do the shopping for the next couple weeks as per the menu..then the rest will go into savings for the house.

Apparently we may be getting another small stimulus payment so if we do (not counting on it) it will go into our ice acct

This week is pay week other than groceries and gas the rest will go into the house account so around another $300..I love to see it climb each month and getting closer to our goal.

Gas prices here have sky rocketed back to $1.47 per litre don't know why but probably cause the kids have 2 weeks off school

Other than that satying home..saving money and trying to stay warm

So we were able to put $500 into our ice acct and another $750 into our house deposit account..total now $3310..not bad for a months savings!

Well its the beginning of the month and all the bills are paid that should be except groceries and gas...which we take out each fn...so a majority of our money will go into our house deposit account...I should try put some into our EF as I always like at least $2000 which is low but once we buy I will work on building that up more..so current balance

$2,610.14

Should be able to add more to it over the month

So we are still looking for houses for my mom and these are the sorts of things they have in their ads...I have honestly never seen stuff like this before but it is so weird to me and wonder how anyone can rent their houses out

Exclusions: Fireplaces, external toilet, large shed and electronic functions on pod shower are not available for tenant use.

No wonder it is so hard to find her a rental...we see stuff like this on half the ads....and who still has an external toilet??

Oh well we will keep looking...and a brighter note it is pay week so can update our accounts this week...YAH!!

We bought a new slow cooker yesterday we have one that works well I just wanted a square one that was a bit bigger and I can make things like lasagna etc in them...it wasn't in our budget but that is fine...something that will get a lot of use especially since it is winter here.

Its payday this week can't wait to add to our savings...also need to menu plan tomorrow ready for the month...updated the monthly planner..and we are ready for July to start...can't believe the year is already half over

Was a bad start to the week, my youngest daughter lost her FT job but she is now on unemployment so that will help her out she decided to go back to college and do social work, she did a transfer from her nursing school and starts late july as a mid year student so things foe her are looking up...but she is still trying to look for a part time job as well while she studies.

Our oldest is doing great with her walking, I decided to do a long walk with her yesterday it was 9.6 km (my part she walked a little further up the street to make it 10km) and I was so tired when I got home but I made it.

hubby got the car back and it is running like a new car..so now he can put in and get a towbar on it..he will call this week and get it booked in..he seems to be doing okay but his energy levels are still pretty low in the afternoon and he sometimes needs to nap...hoping in aug his tests results are good and there is no more cancer..only time will tell.

Will take a look at the budget again this weekend as next week is pay week and see how we are going also have the girls b-days in july..they only get money and a cake..and they are fine with that....and I have had that money put away since the beginning of the year...and will make the cake ourselves...life here is pretty normal but cold...can't wait till spring and it warms up a bit...

Other than that we are just trying to keep saving for a house deposit

So a little off topic here as it doesn't deal with finance but for the last 4 months (and yes we are still looking) I have been helping my mom look for a new rental...it has been frustrating as she is on a fixed income and the rents keep going up here...but the rentals have some weird things attached to them in the last week alone with the houses we have looked at it has stated the tenants of these houses can't use

heating/cooling

garage/shed

patio area

balcony

Seriously why would anyone rent a house that they can't use any of these things...I have not seen this before and find it becoming more popular...I know we will never rent a house like that but it seriously weird...I mean geez you can't even put photos up on the walls without permission here..but I think this is going a bit far!! what are others thoughts?? And yes this is in Australia

Well it has been a long week and its only hump day here...my daughter was made redundant at her job yesterday...over 100 people let go..they want to try and do more online they said...got no notice they had a meeting at 1 and were gone from the offices at 2...so now she is on the hunt for another job as she lives on her own and has to pay bills...I bought her some food today just so I know she enough to get by for now...

Got my hair colored today..that was a great feeling...and an expense I had in my budget!!

Got the car back today and it is running like a dream and it was all free so that was good as well...hubby can start getting the car back together with all his bits and pieces.

My DD is doing so good with her walking...she is doing 5km a day today she had such a busy day but managed to get it done just as it was starting to get dark...she called me about 5 mins out so i can run a nice hot bath for her to warm up...its cold here.....I am so proud of her

Tomorrow is clean the house and rest up day as we are really tired...hopefully the rest of the week is quiet

I bought some kabana yesterday...went to cut it up today and it smelt weird so took it back to the store they gave me 2 new free ones and a refund..so that was good. no other expenses at the moment so that is goodgot a haircut later this week and its pay week all bills are paid so it is just grocery/gas money the rest can go into savings I think...and I will donate to my daughters fundraiser...she walked her 5km today (just over 3 miles) it started pouring rain and she got soaked...so made sure when she got home she had a warm bath waiting and the heater was on..so she could stay warm...she is doing good...only 69 days to go

Well we dropped the car off today should get it back wednesday, hubby and my daughter did that as it is around an hour away...in that time I managed to make the dog food, made choc mousse, made scones (I had extra cream so wanted to use it), changed my bedroom light as it went out last nite and kale chips as well as cleaned the house..just have the laundry to finish up...pretty dizzy today so taking it easy for the rest of the day..happy fathers day for all the US dads (not fathers day till sept here)