Mumof2's Personal Finance Blog

I know that most people need to stay at home except for essential services...but what are some of the positives and do you think that you will continue them when life gets "back to normal"

Things like takeaway, are you saving money by not eating out,I know gas is a hard one you are saving by not driving but that will change when you go back to work etc...more family time...just things like that

Since we have chronic illnesses our life really hasn't changed that much, we barely have takeaway, we are together a lot anyways...so it is really normal for us...so just wondering if the things that have changed will you continue doing them??

Found another $200 to put into our ice account so happy with how things are looking financially right now..fingers crossed it stays that way

Youngest daughter started her full time job today...its only training but she is happy

Was able to find some thin masks but they were so expensive...it cost me $54 for 20 of them and they are the thin ones like you see in the hosital...so we have enough to get him through his treatment when he goes to the hospital...but hubby is making us some better ones for when we have to go out...yes he is a great cook..a great sewer..he can do most things he was in the military...and it has given him something to focus on as he is house bound and bored...it cost us us around $120 for materials but we will have 3 each one to wear, one in the wash and a spare. so worth it.

I hav managed to get the CC paid off, get $1050 in my ice account, $1000 in the car account and $1000 in the house account...things are finally doing good...

bought a few things from the store today and yes we actually got tp today first time in a month...didn't really need it but since it took us 4 weeks to get this pack of 10 we thought why not...

Weather here is cold and wet which is nice to get some rain but I hate the cold...really hate it...

hope everyone else is staying safe

This month is looking good...We did have an added expense of a new mattress (spare) for $249...but other than that have only spent on gas and food...gas is down to .88c a litre here (which is .26 gallon) which is super cheap for us. we have plenty of food so other than fresh things we really don't need to go out. We rarely eat takeout so that hasn't really affected us.

Money wise our budget looks good, the CC will be paid off (again) then we won't be using it and I am hoping this month to get $1000 back into our ice acct, car acct and house acct...we have been wiped out several times in the last 12 months due to a lot of unforseen circumstances but it looks like we may have turned the corner and can start getting back on track with our savings...fingers crossed!!

I know so many people are so worried about the covid-19 virus and what it is doing for people...I think we are lucky we have a bit of a stockpile, our income hasn't changed which means we can still pay our billsand we are doing everything we can to stay healthy...so we are feeling relaxed rather than stressed...is this normal??

On the upside its pay week so I can update accounts later in the week and my sidebar...people here are starting to get stimulus payments...so good luck to them all...if we get any we won't spend it we will get to pay medical and put into our savings we think...ony time will tell...

Hope everyone is doing okay...I know it is a stressful time for some...stay safe

Well with all the doom and gloom happening around the world I thought I would post a couple of wins..my daughter is a student but also a casual worker who hours have been dramatically cut so she has been applying for jobs...she got a new fulltime job and starts monday...she will start work from home then go to a call centre when they can go back to the offices...

we are apparently getting stimulus payments this month..if so we will use it to pay my hubbys medical expenses and put the rest into our ice acct.

And with the dollar being down we will actually make a few dollars with the exchange rate which will boost our ice acct

I think this virus has made aussies stupid and greedy!

Our govt is doing what it can to help people out many people have lost their jobs and will go on support incomes..they don't have time limits over here but for the next 6 months they will get double which is $1100pf plus rent assistance to help them until they get employment etc...they have said that they can't be evicted if they can't pay rent, they can have 6 months of no rent if they can't afford to pay rent...but the people who own the houses the banks are apparently stopping their payments for 6 months but they will still have to pay interest etc..

my issue is if you are getting paid $1100 pf why can't you pay your rent...you should be able to..I know we pay more over here but you should be able to pay something...and the rent after 6 months still has to be paid...you still have to catch it up...I can understand reduced rent maybe but no rent...I think people are becoming greedy and selfish and it annoys me....pay what rent you can help the owners out...etc...we need to all do our bit and work together...but it seems like that is not happening here anymore...everyone is out for themselves...frustrating....hope they all settle down

I can't believe it is april tomorrow here..this year is flying by fast...looking into april we should be able to make some headway into getting our ice acct up again..it is pretty dismal right now with all the added expenses...but everything has been paid on time, we have plenty of food so all good.

This week is pay week, can't wait to get the bills paid and start stashing money away in our accounts!!

Hubby has his scan tomorrow then starts his roadiotherapy in the next couple weeks....can't wait it has taken far to long...not sure if I will go with him yet...depends on what the rules are at the hospital...

Can't say we have been productive this month but we got all the important things done...

Our youngest daughter moved back home today...her hours have been cut way back and she didn't really liked where she was living the person wasn't really a clean person and they had animals and my daughter couldn't stand it and got sick of asking them to clean up so now she has had enough and moved back home which means she will actually save more as well and she wants to move out into her own place in october...

Everything else is going well staying home playing games as a family..doing puzzles etc...hope everyone else is doing well with the isolation..or those who are working stay safe

Hubby has day surgery today...we will drop him off at the door and pick him up from the same door when he is done...the hospital is keeping all non medical patients from the hospital which we understand...although I hate that my hubby has to be there alone we get it...they will call when he is done and we go pick him up call when we get there and they will bring him down...its to protect the doc/nurses & patients...they have screenings etc to go through so feel confident he should be fine....he has pretty much confined to the house the last few weeks...it is almost flu season here so will have that on top of the carona virus...I think it is going to be a hard winter for us...especially with cancer treatment as well...have to be real vigilant...

Not much else going on just chilling at home and hoping to get a few more groceries that we need/want

I have been watching the news and reading online and they are saying that this virus could be around till the end of the year!!

What do others think? I think if people do what they are suppose to then it shouldn't last that long...but everything I hear and read contradicts itself...and that is to be expected as it is a new into the community and no-one has an immunity to it...but I hope that it doesn't...in saying that an asian lady over here that has tested positive for the virus was in the store spitting on fruit...she was arrested...she should have been in seclusion...but she didn't...so angry with idiots like this...hope she is fined..they are talking fines of $20,000 if you don't go into seclusion...so hopefully she will get fined that

So many people have lost jobs over here due to this virus...the govt is doing what it can to make sure people have money coming in to feed themselves etc...but their website and phone lines keep crashing so its going to be a long week...everyone keeps going to the offices which they were told not to do due to social distancing but I guess when you need to feed your family you do what you can...hope things improve

I'm glad that our govt has stepped up and is trying to help out individuals, sole traders and small businesses..they are giving people on welfare extra money, no time limits for those that have lost jobs or that are casuals, they get payments straight away...giving businesses money to keep people employed...I know it probably won't do exactly what they want but if we all work together then we could save some of the small businesses...we do our bit anyway by buying from local butchers etc...so we are hoping that everyone does their bit and keep supporting the smaller businesses.

I have been feeling under the weather...don't worry its not the carona virus its my sinuses...the weather is getting colder which plays my sinuses up bad...but then my dizziness kicks in and since I have had to do so much more since my hubby can't leave the house..so its taking its toll on me...so trying to chill and take and take it easy when i can...don't want my dizziness back it limits me so much and i don't really have time to go back to my neurophysio

Nothing exciting happening here...picked up a couple things from the store yesterday for us and my mom who couldn't get it in her area...so glad she has some of what she needed...we are pretty stocked here...we eat a lot of fresh vegies/fruit and the stores ahve a good supply of those right now so we are doing ok.

I have been pushing myself to get everything done since my hubby can't leave the house as he is at high risk and I have been stuck in bed as I pushed to hard and my body pushed back...I knew it would but I have to do what I have to do...so spending a coule days trying to recover enough to go with my hubby to his day surgery on wed...then the following week he start his radiotherapy hate that he has to go to the hospital everyday with this virus around...but has no choice!!

Other than that just staying at home chilling and trying to stay healthy....hope everyone is doing the same.

On the upside we realised that with the US$ dropping when we bring over hubbys US money we will get extra as the $is lower which we can boost up our ice acct quicker!

WOOHOO I paid off the CC today which means we are now debt free again...so starting next pay we are starting to get the ice acct updated again...

Well hubby has seen the doc and he know has his day surgery organised, a ct scan and then he will start treatment...he just wants it started and then over with..so glad our hospital is still doing surgeries etc..he is going a bit stir crazy in the house as he is a pretty social person but he is coping.

My daughter and I got our flu shots today and did some extra shopping so we don't have to go out to much just enough to keep us in fresh food and doc appts.

Shopping here was okay except tp/tissues & sanitizer..lucky we buy 2 24 packs of toilet paper each month so we have plenty...also have 6 boxes of tissues as we keep a few in the cupboard...and we couldn't get anymore sanitizer...so I ordered 1 online which was 5 litres...so that should give us enough...people have been going a bit nuts the last few days so they have decided that the major stores at least will have a limited on how many of the products you can have and each day between 7-8am only the elderly and people on disability can shop then everyone can from 8am onwards it is also because they are more vulnerable so will hopefully be less risk and they can get what they need before everyone else takes what they need...I like this idea...

Also our govt is giving a one off bonus to help stimulate the economy...so the elderly, disability those on lower incomes etc will get a $750 payment which is not taxable...people on aged or disability etc where both have a pension will both get a payment so $1500...so that will be nice for a lot of people.

So far the stores I have been in have not had empty shelves except for the usual tp/sanitizer and tissues..so plenty of food

we have about 20 cases in our state (which has 1.3 million people) and 18 of them were diagnosed after coming back from overseas...and another one from visiting someone in another state who had it..so not to bad and everyone we see are taking the precautions, stores have people walking around steralizing things as people use them etc...so feeling okay about it, the govt also has put money into a service so the elderly (over 70) dont have to attend their appointments they can do it by telephone and they will do scripts etc for them..

Hope everyone else is doing okay and staying safe...for all those that work in the medical fields and public service I hope people remain polite and safe in this time!!

Hubby had his appointment yeaterday he ned to have some gold ball things fitted through day surgery (hopefully they won't wait to long) and then he can start his radiotherapy...he should have around 40 treatments...they can't believe it has taken so long to get to this point and are hoping we don't have to wait to much longer to get this procedure done but hospitals are stressed to the max right now so who knows...on the upside we only had to pay $750 for the whole treatment but we will still have scans etc afterwards...we just want to get started and be over and done with it all.

food wise our stores are good here but the toilet paper and tissues and hand sanitizer are scarce..they can't keep enough on the shelves..but for the last week you are only allowed 1 bag toilet rolls and 2 boxes tissues when you go shopping..to stop people hoarding it...we will see I'm sure people will go out to the car drop it off get some more and go through a different checkout...I just don't get it with the TP..australia makes its own and the carona virus don't give you diarreah so I just don't get it...does anyone else know??

Apparently our govt is going to hand out $750 to low income earners/pensioners/elderly & disabled so we can spend and boost the economy...we would fall into that category but I told my hubby that we will bank that to cover what we will pay the doc...so we won't be boosting the economy...with it...but we will see if it eventuates...it's not like we need anything or want anything anyways!!

Spending this week was on some baby clothes for a friend in the US around $40...postage will be higher but thats life..limited what we can buy since you have opposite seasons to us and it is becoming colder here and summer there...well time to update my sidebar have a great weekend

I have decided to move the money we had in our ice to our CC to me it made more sense it is still available to us if needed..and we save interest on the CC when it is completely paid off next month we will get the ice acct back up again...it just sounds better to me right now and I like to save money when we can

We are trying to do everything we can from abroad to get our taxes done..we have trying to update my itin for 3 years..we finally after sending them information (6 times now) everything they have asked for...signed by people they want to sign it and sent it off in dec/jan...well we called today to find out what the progress of it was so we can do taxes and they have nothing in their records..they say it is a busy time of year for them...I get this but now they are saying that we can't do our taxes without the itin number, which may not be done until may..so now we have to get an extension put in and hope it gets there before 15 april when the cut off is...so frustrating being overseas and trying to deal with this..we have time differences, we can't just drop in and do what we need to do and everyone we talk to gives us a different answer...this year has been real frustrating to deal with this..on top of everything else...all departments are frustrating even SS we can't do anything over the fone or online as we don't have a US address so everything is taking extra long...sorry for the rant but it is affecting our budget cause we don't know if we owe, will get a refund or hit with late fees etc..and it is hard to get the information that we require

Do people actually use gyms?

We are lucky that we live in the hills and they are beautiful so I use these to get a lot of exercise (when I can) the hills are like a treadmill going to different levels and we see so much wildlife...at home I have a dvd and a pedal bike thing that we use on our arms and legs...I think that covers a lot of exercises that you can get at a gym..and its free..so money saving, get great fresh air..I'm just wondering if people use gyms anymore?

I haven't been able to work for a few years now due to illness and I am so sick of not being able to work..I hate that there are no jobs that I can do from home...I just wish there was something I could do to feel more productive!!

But I have to look on the bright side we have enough to pay our bills and keep a roof over our heads and feed ourselves so that is much better than some have it!!

This carona virus has been causing havoac over here for us...my hubby has cancer and it is the beginning of the flu season for us so trying to get him masks and hand sanitizer has been impossible...we had to order them online but it means he can't really go out until they come in...these idiots that are out stockpiling things who really do nothing when it is the flu season which kills many more people just don't think of anyone but themselves..some people really need these things not because of a virus you will most likely not get but because it could stop germs that would otherwise kill them..I'm so frustrated of the impact these morons are having on our life because of their paranoia...so rant over...its also frustrating as it is pushing the price of thigs up as well when their is no need to

As of 5 march 2020
Ice $3,978.64
Car $344.74
house $222.74

Total $4,546.12

Well all the extra we got and put into our ice account we had to put it on a fine it was $545..we were in an area that had loads of construction and an area that we never go to and we must have gone through an orange light that turned red while we were driving through it...we never do that but we did it so have to pay it...so it sucks but thats life...also payday today so was able to put another 300 into our ice acct...so close to our $4000 mark...next month we will reach the $5000 mark..yah

My hubbys son owed us $620 from when we helped him and his daughter after him and his wife split a couple years ago...he was injured and unable to work and his wife is just horrible the way she treated them...and still does..she makes my blood boil especially when it comes to her daughter...so frustrating..but they are finally divorced and everything was settled yesterday so he sent the money to us...we didn't expect it so it went into our ice acct which means we are now over $4200 so happy and we should be putting another couple hundred on tomorrow...we will be so close to our $5000 mark by end of month which puts us about a month ahead of where we thought we would be!!

It was pay week this week and we ended up buying a new comforter for my hubby as it is getting cold here now...his mattress is also a lot harder than we thought and is not real comfortable so we went and talked to them and are swapping it for a softer one..

Everything is paid pretty much for the month except food and gas which we take out every 2 weeks so nothing we have to do...was ale to pay $450 on the CC and have been able to get the ice acct to $3700 should be $4000 this month and $5000 next month and then will work on putting money into the other accounts.

So far so good financially this month lets hope we have no unexpected bills come up

also paid our yearly car insurance so that is done!!

We have a storm coming in today lots of thunder and lightening and maybe rain...can already smell it..but we are all down sick...not sure what is going on with us but none of us feel good...not looking for another change in weather...it has been crazy here

Still need to try figure out taxes before hubby starts his treatment and also need to finish up banking but that can wait a day or 2 no hurry everything is paid so will update later when I have done it.

Its officially autumn here now can't believe it is already march..this year is going fast

Well we got hubby test results today its stage 3 just in the lymph nodes but nowhere else so he things we have a good chance of being able to go into remission down the road, so only time will tell...hubby gets his first shot next wed (has every 3 months) and we are waiting to hear from the oncology radition team for treatment dates etc..should be 5 days a week for 8 weeks them maybe chemo..they arent sure yet...but the appointment was free, the parking was free will have to pay for the shot next week but not the doc appt so not to much expense yet..

It is becoming colder here so we went to buy some masks for hubby...apparently people seem to be worried about the carona virus because masks are selling out...I never really worried about it...but I guess others are.

Its payday this weekend/early next week so that will be nice to get things paid and done with for the month..also have car insurance to pay