Mumof2's Personal Finance Blog

So I have decided to start our $20,000 challenge and use some of our accounts we have a daily acct and bill account that changes all the time so won't use those and also our car account will go down as we plan on buying a car this year (second hand) so it is as follows

Ice $250.03
Car $800.01
house $96.41

Total $1,146.45

I had a couple of scratchies the other day...won $100 on one of them so thats a bonus...just got a call they have now made an appt for my hubbys biopsy...we have his preadmin appt tomorrow and his biospsy on he 24th...which just happens to be my b-day so we won't be doing anything for my b-day but thats okay I would rather get the biospy done...so maybe another day...I don't do much anyways but was going to have a bbq as its my 50th...but we will see how he feels...he is my priority right now

I am one of those people that keep all receipts...you never know when someone is going to come calling and say that you owe money that you know you have paid...and this happened to us around 6 years ago...lucky for me I had the receipt to prove it and they backed off...however it took me so much time and energy to find the receipt and we had so many boxes of receipts...so I decided to get a book ledger (yes i am old school) and write them all down in the book, it has the date, bill, receipt number, how we paid and the amount we paid...it sits in the drawer with my budget and comes out each payday and filled out...I no longer hasve much paper except for that years bills (insurance/car rego etc) that we keep...and yes I keep it in a written book as computer can be hacked or mess up and you lose everything, it is a 5 min job when i pay bills and it gives me peace of mind....I also pay my moms bills from her account and do the same thing for her...she no longer has any hassles...she is in her 80's an people like to prey on the elderly and make them pay several times...they don't with her anymore...
So I am just wondering does anyone else keep a book like this?

My daughter wanted to go to the store yesterday..20 minutes before they closed...I didn't want to but went with her anyways...bought the couple things she wanted cost $6.60 and on way out I found $50 on the ground...so that is sitting in my tin now...glad I went now...extra money always helps

Bit the bullet and paid off the CC today so next week when the payment goes through we will be debt free again...finally...has been a few months...now we will concentrate on getting our ice acct up to $2000 and adding to the car and house accounts...we hoping we don't have to many unexpected expenses this year...if not should be a much better year than last year.

Onwards and upwards...can't wait to see the accounts grow each month!!

Another payday today...it usually covers groceries and gas with $300 left to either put on the CC or ice account...not sure which yet..but will decide tomorrow...to sick today to do much...although it was over 100 here today we have a cool change suppose to be in tomorrow...can't open the house though all the smoke that is in the air..and my hubby and daughter being asthmatics...they can't breathe...its from the KI fires..

Other than that my daughter and I went and did the grocery shopping today...so much easier when we menu plan which I have started again this month...

Hubby has his MRI tomorrow thankfully it is free...but he hates small spaces and takes 45 mins so we will see if he can stay in there for that time...they tried to set up his biospy but he needs to go to the bigger hospital as he has trouble with anastesia (sp) so they have to rebook to another time...then hopefully we will get some answers!!

As you know we have many bushfires in Australia...well we live in the hills and thankfully have no fires near us...but with the weather we have had many limbs that have fallen and we need to get rid of them...it can expensive trying to get rid of big limbs...but after some research...we found out that we can get some takens from council and get rid of them for free...so that is great...the trees here are huge and we always have so many leaves and branches....it is frustrating but we need them gone since it is bushfire season so glad that it wont cost us anything....heres hoping that we don't get any bushfires near us!!..fingers and toes crossed

Well the budget is looking good and set for the year...and I was looking for a document for taxes..it wasn't where it was suppose to be..so I started looking in the end i had cleaned out the file cabinet, several drawers and a box of papers that we had in the shed...ended up with 2 huge bags of papers to be shredded and recycled...then found the paper on my hubbys desk...should have looked their first...but he said he did....but it was meant to be...a bit of decluttering....going to see what else needs to be decluttered...thinking everything this year may need to be lookd and and cleaned out and tidied...did a lot when we moved but didn't get to everything and still have some stuff to sell....only have 1 debt to get rid of and that is the CC...not much to be paid off on that!!

First payday of the year and I was able to put $838 onto the CC and put money into our ice/car & house accounts...went to the store and didn't even look at anything...I have a budget and I'm sticking to it..feeling good about this budget...here's hoping we all have success in reaching our goals!!

I have seen a couple people on here doing a 52 week challenge..not the coin one but actual savings one so I have decided to do the same this year....I'm not sure if I should do all savings for all accounts or just the house account...what do others do or think??

Tomorrow is new years day and we are ready...I currently have just over $500 to add to the CC but since it is pay week I decided to wait and put more on it on payday in 1 payment instead of 2...I am looking forward to this years budget and hopefully this year we can reach our goals unlike 2019...but I am excited and because our income relies the exchange rate it can fluctuate so we may make some extra this year as I try to keep lower than what we think as it does flucuate a bit during the year...who else is excited for a new year...new budget...a clean slate??

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE HERES TO A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS YEAR FOR US ALL

I hate the american tax system...for almost 2.5 years I have been trying to get a new itin number they keep saying I need...I have sent paperwork in 5 times...can't send registered with a signature as they say they won't sign for them...won't send crtified as it is over $122 from australia...then they don't deposit like they are suppose to so they send a check and the bank then has to send back and we wait for a month or so for it to clear....i refuse to end anymore paperwork it has so many personal details and if they have misplaced it 5 times then someone has my identity over there or their offices are a complete shambles..so no doubt taxes again for this year are going to be a pain in the butt and people say why don't you get someone to do it...because if we did what we would get back may just cover the person doing it..over $250..so not worth it...biggest pain in the butt ever...and we can't do it online overseas...it is the worst system ever!!

Well 2019 is coming to a close...christmas was great we didn't host this year so cost us barely nothing in food, has a nice kinda quiet day...everyone got what they wanted for christmas and some money (I always give the kids money)...went to the boxing day sales and bought a dress...really didn't find anything we wanted or needed but a new dress sounded nice...so I splurged. I was going to do the 52 week challenge but decided that money would be better in the bank earning interest so will get that put in the new year...have around $138 which I have saved in last 3 weeks...

we have no more pays this year but we are excited to start our new budget and try to stick to it as much as possible...obviously if my hubby has cancer then there will be unexpected bills but we just don't know yet...only time will tell...so we will deal with that as it comes up...he starts scans nd tests in january

Does anyone else get excited for a new year a new begining for everything...I don't do new years resolutions but I do set myself goals each year both big and small to work towards.

Heres hoping everyone has a happy prosperous and safe new years

Our kids still live with us..they are 26 & 28..the 28 year old has chronic illness so will probably live at home for her entire life and we are fine with that..she is such an easy person to live with. Our other daughter is still studying so she will live with us till she finishes next year and get a full time job and she works as well.
We were talking to friends of our and they thought we were wrong to be charging our kids to live at home..they help py the rent/gas/elec/water...they pay their own insurances/car rego/phone etc...but we think they are old enough (have been doing this a few years now) to learn how to budget and be resposible while living at home for when they move out...or if our eldest stay living with us...she can help pay for the household...we don't charge them for food unless they buy something they want themselves.
Do others do this or what do you think about this?
We started when they were like 5 and got pocket money that we had a system where they had to figure out their pocket money with us..they were taxed 10%, they had to save 10%, pay 5% sick pay and then the rest was theirs to do what they wanted...if they were sick and couldn't do chores then they still got the pocket money for that week as they had paid a sickness benefit...it was a good way to teach them about money and they loved it...and yes all the money we deducted got put into their bank account..so we think we have instilled pretty good budgeting skills with our girls...others think we are mean parents and that the kids should be having fun and worrying about their own money not paying bills...I disagree..so would like others opinions!!

Well I have next years budget all written out..yes I like a hard copy I don't trust computers...technology tends to repel me...and it looks like we might finally be able to start saving...

2019 has been a bust..financially so we are starting over...and hopefully nothing to major pops up and we can have some decent savings...

So like bankergurl I'm going to set myself the $20k challenge as well as the 52 week challenge for 2020..I will tweak the budget during the year depending on actual amounts due but we always add 10% so many fall less then we put away..so are covered..elec and gas are a bit different..its a much bigger house but it has better heating/air con and we are not use to payments yet and we just went through a week of 110 plus a day for 5 days...so sure it will be up more than usual...but we will be able to cover it!

hoping to put another payment towards the CC before end of year won't pay it off but will get it down further and should have paid off in jan/feb 2020

I am EXCITED for the new year!!

For the last 5 days it has been over 100 degrees...today will be arround 112...I have plenty of water out for the wild animals but it is so hard to see them so heat stressed...we have had all sorts of animals...last night we had a possum and today a kookaburra...its just so hot for them....so glad for tomorrow when it is so much cooler...not much we can do for them...except make sure enough water is out and if they look dire then get them to a fauna rescue or vet...lucky it hasn't come to that yet...but doesn't make it any easier...wish we could just bring them inside for the day.

The family photos came out great..we had fun doing them its the first ones we have had done in years...so after christmas when it dies down at the stores we will get some printed and framed to put up...They will motivate me to lose weight..I'm the heaviest I have ever been and I hate it...but my hubby just says that with my illnesses and being bed ridden for 18 months its what happens..so now that I can start doing a little more now I can work on it...but he doesn't care how I look he loves me no matter what...but we are pretty sure he has cancer so I need to get back into shape so I can take the best care of him!!

I'm looking at our budget to see if i can get as much paid off the CC by the end of the year...would at least like it under $1000...thats my goal...can't believe it is a week till xmas and 2 weeks till the new year...i am looking forward to next years budget...should be good all going well and nothing major pops up...which usually happens for us!!

Had family photos done yesterday..haven't had them done in years so thought why not and it was on our anniversary so made the day even more special...can't wait to get them back.

Not doing much the next few days it is summer here and for next 3-4 days its around 110 so better to stay indoors as much as possible, we do have plenty of water out for the wild animals...just so they have some...will top up each night.

Not much else happening here...have done next years budget and it is looking good no doubt it will change depending on hubbys cancer results but we will deal with that as it comes up...so today will be about chilling, waiting for the plumber and just pottering around the house.

Also started the 52 week challenge last week just for something different to do and added another $34 to that...christmas is completely done and paid for and although we don't have much money in the bank all bills are paid, the pantry/freezer and fridge are stocked and I am feeling blessed!!

Made another $500 to the CC today was feeling depressed the other day so used it to buy stuff I shouldn't have but I did so it is still at over $1200 but can make another payment by end of year...will pay off in jan!! and I have put it away now not carrying it with me!!

I had my money jar just sitting there instead of putting it in the bank (not much in it as I rarely have cash) I decided to start my 52 week challenge...so today I have the first 8 weeks done and I will continue to do this until it is done then bank the money and start again...just a fun thing to try keep things interesting...

I saved $500 on our insurance yesterday so I am updating our budget. I have a few goals i need to write up ready for next year, these are:

1.get $2000 back into our ice acct ASAP then add a small amount each month to get it growing
2. to save $15000 for a newer car as ours is getting old and needs replacing
3. start saving a house deposit!

So with everyone out today for at least a few hours it will time for me to use the quiet time to work on these goals in our budget...wish me luck!!

Well we didn't get our goals achieved for this year but we ended up financially better off than last year even with all unexpected moving, health issues/expenses etc so we are happy for that.
The only debt we have is the CC which we are hoping to pay off by end of year but if we don't we will be real close so can do in jan 2020...we had it down to just over $1300 but had to use it as the internet was down at the mall and I forgot to transfer money into the everyday account...I have the money to put on it but we have a payday tomorrow and want to put some of that money on there as well so will wait and just do 1 transfer then should be under $1000

All bills for the year are paid, cupboards, freezer etc have plenty of food, cars are all gassed up...still have money for things like fruit/vegies/milk/bread etc...christmas shopping is all done and paid for so don't have that stress and we are going to a family members house for xmas lunch so don't have to worry about that...

So although we didn't hit our financial goals we are ending the year more positive than we started and next year will better....financially anyways.

Find out friday if my hubby has cancer or not and if so what the next steps are if he does...fingers crossed nothig serious...but only time will tell

Made another $400 payment to the CC today...getting it there slowly...only $1361.33 left to pay off...will be done by jan 2020 then to start saving for a house and get our ice acct back up to where it was

Was able to make a CC payment today...$3200 so feel good about that...hoping to make 2 smaller payments during the month. Yah getting there

had our thanksgiving today it turned out really well...had quite a few people..mostly family and a few of our daughters friends...it was nice to catch up with everyone.

Its payday next week, most bills are paid and christmas is all paid for and done so we are hoping to put a big chunk on the dreaded CC...Other than not much else happening here...first day of summer tomorrow and it is cold and wet here...pretty typical

Christmas shopping is done and finished WOOHOO, next week is pay week so can pay bills and then put the rest on the CC so can get some paid off before end of year.

My hubby has to have some tests in the next few weeks, they are thinking cancer but will have to wait and see..so not stressing till we get results...fingers crossed its not but if so will have to change our budget etc...its always something popping up in life...wish murphy would bug someone else for a change...especially on the health front

Other than that not much happening we are having thanksgiving on sat here...(not an aussie holiday so people work) and just like over there it is cold and wet LOL..should be a fun day!

Well I am over this year...I really wanted to start 2020 with no debt but we will still have half the CC to pay off next year...which means I have to rewrite my budget...so I have decided to write the rest of this year off...no more tracking my budget...will pay what we can on the CC and just be happy with that...

I'm not going to give up we will still stick to what we normally would on the budget bill wise...I have my christmas shopping done just have money to get out...but just a bit disappointed that I won't have it paid off!!

Well yesterday was a scorcher 110 degrees and today is 70...such a difference had a few fires in our state but not near us but we had all the animal and our go bags ready...so glad we didn't need them.

Has been hectic time with so much family drama...we don't have drama but the rest of the family does. I have been helping my step son with papers for court for his divorce...his wife is greedy and his teen daughter has been having a hard time as her mother hadn't seen her in 11 weeks and then said she wanted her for the weekend but when she got there found out it was only cause she needed help baby sitting...she was so angry..she is such a sweet kid...and her mom just doesn't get what she is doing with her...finally getting her the counselling she needs to help her through this time...her mom makes me so angry, and they have no court orders so she doesn't have to see her.

Then I have been helping my mom with doing their passports...her great grandson has lived with her since birth (hes now 14) but there are no court orders and his mom is a druggie she has signed all the papers and such she doesn't mind doing that but you have to drag her to places and she lives 5 hours away so has been a real hassle...but getting there.

Then on top of that my nieces son was not returned by his dad on sunday...which breaks their court orders so she has been trying to get him back...but it is taking its toll on her....and taking to much time to get him back...

Other than that I have finished my christmas shopping. just need to put some money in my envelopes and I'm done...So ben a busy eventful week...this weekend we have a pride march and next weekend we have thankgiving...our version anyways..yes we do it on a saturday as its not a holiday over here..

We are expecting our first 100 degree day tomorrow...have made lots of salads, ice, have put out water in the yards for all the animals that may need it...so heres hoping for no fires...Australia is on fire already don't need any near us...I think its going to be a real hot summer

I have so many friends putting up their christmas trees all around the world...what I find sad is that in our state it never really feels like christmas...electricity is so high here that even businesses don't really get into the spirit as they just can't afford it...everyday people even less...its really sad...hardly anyone puts decorations in their yard as people steal or break them (unless they have a huge fence..even that doesnt deter them at times)...I would love to go to the US and see a "real" christmas...although not snow...we are use to 100 degree days at christmas so snow would kill me...but just to see all the decorations and how it feels like christmas...seriously if people came to our state at christmas they would be disappointed...I know most here are....so I will put our tree up a week before christmas...and just enjoy the decorations in our home like we always do....I also have a big family but miss having all the little kids running around at christmas all excited as we don't have any of them near us..to me that is what christmas is about little kids running around playing and being excited...to much food and being with family

Do you help with other peoples budgets? I have helped a few family members get their money back under control...most do okay..some do okay for a bit then when they start to get ahead they get off track again.

But I do my moms budget for her, I write up her budget, I pay her bills (she is almost 81 and has no idea with computers) she has a 14 yr old that lives with her (has since birth), she was getting into so much dire straits with her money and stressing herself out I told her I would get her back on track...it took us 18 months and she was doing great...now don't think is much of a spender as she isn't but things in her house got old and started not working so she had to replace it, a boy in school and all his activities and she is on a limited budget..she rarely ate out unless a special occassion...this year has been so much better for her, she has been able to buy a few things she has wanted and not needed...she asks my permission to buy things, as i have certain accounts for certain things..and I rarely say no..as she deserves it and doesnt really do much for herself...her bills are paid and she isn't stressing over them...she is much more relaxed and happy...now she is saving for the 2 of them to go over to the US next year to visit friends...Ii am so glad that we were able to take this journey with each other and she is so much better off...I pay all her bills online and I have a book I write receipts numbers in so hers are in the back so if anyone calls about a bill (some do a couple years later) we have the info...she is free and happy to live out her years stress free...or at least as stress as you can with a teen LOL...

I have taught our daughters the same thing, we were never really taught about money, so it was trial and error for us...but we do okay now...I just hope that the smarter people get about money and the more they teach each other about it maybe the world would be a much better place with less debt...hers hoping