My hubby left his bank card in the atm over the weekend while trying to help an elderly lady next to him..he just forgot to get it from the machine...the bank called today and someone handed it in so he can just take his id and go pick it up....so happy I was hoping this would happen but you never know these days....still so many good honest people in the world...so that is one less thing to worry about.

We are going to look at a rental today and tomorrow...thinking we are all going to like both but tomorrows house has a big shed and my hubby and daughter like to build things...but it is 2 story and my hubby doesn't have a lot of energy since his cancer treatment so we will see...if not will keep looking...just want to be moved and settle...hoping the move doesn't cost to much...we can't do it ourselves with our lack of energy...we can't lift the furniture or we would.

We have been using what is in our pantry/fridge and freezer and have cut our food budget in half for now..which is great...when we move we will top up everything and then try to bring the food budget down more...food here is expensive but I know we can do better with it than we do!!

Its my birthday in a few weeks...probably won't do much but may have a bbq to use up some of the freezer stock 

Januarys bills are already paid and we are now putting everything into savings except that grocery and gas money that comes out fortnightly out of one of our pays...also decided to take out the birthday money this month as well...although we don't need till april and july...but its how I do it..Everything else is going good do have so many medical appoints this month which will cost out of pocket but hopefully will have that covered...as some are new I don't have exact figures to work with...so will just tweak as we go along

Day 2 od 2021 and hubby was doing the banking...was helping and elderly lady who was trying to use an atm...but they were both down...he told her she needed to go to another bank as she was almost in tears...and he forgot his card in his machine and now its gone...I transferred all money from that account to another one...no-one has tried to use it so we will go into the bank on monday and see if anyone has handed it in if not will cancel it and order a new one....we can use mine if we need to..other than that we have already paid our bills for the month...feeling good about our finances this year!!

News years eve here today...going to be low key...hubby is down sick had to call medics out last night...he is doing better today and is going to see his doc but still not great....think it was something he ate.

Our state isn't doing fireworks this year...just to keep the social distancing happening and we are fine with that...also windy so less chance of bushfires...had enough of those last year.

Hope everyone goes into the new year full of hope..happiness and lets hope 2021 is a much better year then 2020 was...happy new year...may you all be blessed with good luck and happiness

Well this is probably my last post for 2020...roll on 2021

So much to do already for the start of 2021...we already have 15 appointments for jan...and some for feb/march/april...

we are moving in feb...yes they are not renewing our lease...and that is fine...just need to find a house to move to and we have just over 50 days...so starting to slowly pack what we aren't using and what we will donate to charity etc...that way I can spread out my energy as much as possible...or lack there of energy!!

Also got my new planner in which has everything I need in it including a menu planner, shopping list, gift list..savings etc...literally everything you need in it!!

Going to be on a strict budget next year unless it is an emergency..if its not in my budget then we are not doing it...simple!!! need to save as much as possible for a house deposit...my goal is $50,000 (pretty unrealistic) but if we get $35,000 I will be thrilled...just like to challenge myself a bit all year.

I have financial goals set up for the next couple of years...2021 will be saving for a house deposit and keeping my $2,000 ice acct. 2022 will be saving $10,000 in my ice account and 6 months worth of bills into an account...once that is done it will be paying off our morg (hopefully we will have one by then) we plan on when we buy to pay the payment and interest each month so it comes down quicker...at least this is the plan!

My number one goal is to get a diagnoses of what is wrong with me (haven't got one in 7 years) and to get healthier...

We are ending this year with no debt, $2,000 in our ice account and some money in the bank...not much but some....so feeling confident going into 2021...hope everyone has a great new years, stay safe....and we will talk again in 2021!!

Well christmas is a couple of days away my sister and her hubby will be staying with us for a couple of nights since my other sisters house burnt down and she is staying at my moms...so that will be interesting...but nice to catch up with them. We have almost everything we need for christmas...just a couple things food wise to pick up christmas eve...and then to make salads.

We do have a lot that we need to do in the next couple days...we are trying to sort out our shed and put stuff into our storage shed we are renting...what a job...but hopefully we will get it done in time..other than that we are set.

Our accounts are looking a bit sad right now...actually a lot like 2020 has been...but we are ending the year with no debt...a newer car and a brighter future...so we are happy with that.

Our goal 2021 financially is to try and save $50,000 for a house deposit...that is a stretch and I won't be upset if we don't make it..but I like to challenge myself...so we will see how close we get...will be nice to start looking for a new place of our own...although we will be moving in feb to a new rental if we can find one...fingers crossed.

I have been spending a little to much lately on christmas..its been a crap year for some so just want to end it on a happy note..but next year it will be tight to reach my goal...

I have been taking cbd oil for the last couple weeks it has been really helping me out so hopefully we are going to keep going forward healthwise...although it is really expensive it is worth it...everyone has seen a positive change in my health...that is another one of my goals it to get healthier next year...and I might be able to do that with this oil!!

I have aready done my mothers budget for next year, it barely changes as her bills are usually the same each month.

I have done ours...as I am always tweaking it I have done it on the computer now...I have done the basics but I need to get my new doctors and medication into my budget...then it will be done...hopefully tomorrow as we don't have any appointments that we need to attend...hopefully we can get some decent savings up next year for our house deposit...we are looking at saving at least $30,000 but hoping to save more...so fingers crossed.

Food over here has gone up and we knew it would this year due to the bushfires we had at the end of 2019/early 2020...just got over that and covid hit...but we are still not using all our food budget money so we are kind of saving there...will revise every few months next year and see if we can lower it a bit...its hard when you have such a lack of energy that cooking becomes real hard...but heres hoping.

Also need to add in the budget our moving expenses in feb...other than that not much is changing in our budget...

All we have left to do for christmas this year is buy the christmas food and we will be done...should be fine to come out of our regular food budget...hope everyone else is ready for christmas 

Australia has had no community covid cases for a week now...I know its only a week but that means the whole of australia has no covid cases in the community at all...hopefully will stay that way....we do have some in the quarantine hotels but they aren't in the community...so happy all the lockdowns and protocols we have been doing are working!!

I hope the US adopts some of these and your cases drop and you can start having your numbers drop...unfortunately I can't see this happening because unless each state does the same thing or you shut down your state it will continue to spread

My daughter started a new job a couple weeks ago they had trouble with the system so she didn't get paid and wont till the next pay cycle (2 weeks) so we have had to lend her money for her bills/food/gas...she will pay it back when she gets paid but it is a pain for us...she also won't get paid till 2 days before christmas...hopefully after that things will be fine...my mom was over yesterday and said how much my budgeting has not only helped her financially but the way she views money and what she buys!!

Went and saw an intergrated doctor today...they listened...they need to get my records from my other doc that I see regularly so I don't have to have unnecessary tests..it was suppose to cost $300 for the consult but I got a discount so it costs $240 then I got a rebate of around $215 but the meds he gave me cost around $239...so it cost me a lot less than I thought it would...next year it will cost me more until we hit our threshhold...but i am hoping to get some answers. They have put me on CBD oil to see how I go..so I'm hoping it works.

On a better note was walking the dog in the park near us and saw our usual koala...swaying in the tree (it was windy) and then we saw a younger one a bit further down..it was nice to see as you only usually see one at a time...my daughter loves taking photos so went to take some of them...and found a 3rd one...so it looks like a family is there together...I love living where we are because of the wildlife here but I do miss the beach so hopefully heading back that way in feb...!!

Hope everyone is getting ready for christmas...not long to go now

So starting to go through things ready to move in feb 2021 and have managed to sell a few things so in total an extra $300 to put into our home account

All bills are paid for the year...only gas and food left to get...and christmas food....everything else is done!!

What kinds of things do you do for gifts? I have a set limit that I spend on each person and yes for my hubby and girls it can be a fair bit....I get them to choose some of their gifts so they get what they want...it can be hard since they are adults and can buy what they want/need throughout the year...so we do a mixture of gifts that they want and things like ambulance cover/raa (covers car breakdowns/keys locked in car etc)...things that we can do every year that are good for them to have that they need but might not want to pay for....it works for us....we still buy for the vet tree (gives donations to a rescue place) and to backpacks forsa kids (make backpacks for foster children and gives them gifts at xmas) as well as our regular chocolates/cookies for people at the chemist (drugstore), vets, doctors office....so how does everyone else do it..pick things randomly for their family?, get them what they want?...just curious

Is it sad that I am looking forward to next year so much...I have about given up on this year...although it has been a tough year in some areas...I know it has been a lot tougher for others...but I am ready for a new year.

I am going to sit sown this week and tweak my budget, I have a few more medical expenses coming up that I hadn't put in the budget (didn't have them at the time) and I have a savings goal that i want to reach next year in order to buy our house so I need to know how much we need each month to achieve that...

The stores here are getting crazy for christmas there was a 2 hour line up just to get into kmart yesterday...my daughter just walked out..she couldn't be bothered...lucky we have done most of our shopping only have food to go...but that is easy.

Then I need to start thinking about next years goals...we don't do resolutions...more goals that we want to achieve throughout the year...mine will be mostly focused on saving for a house and my health...

Hope everyone else is doing good and getting ready for christmas.!!

We have just noticed that we have an extra$100 coming out of our income...I know you ask how did we not realise this...well honestly it is easy we are paid in US dollars..once converted to Aust $'s it is different and the exchange rates change all the time so we just set a certain amount and stick to that....its not something we keep a close eye on...our bank acct yes but not the work paperwork...maybe because of all the new tax stuff that was happening in march...I'm not sure....so hopefully it will help us come tax time...although I will get a family member over there to do it for next year as we still haven't heard back on this year taxes and they were sent in april....guess we will find out...as long as we don't owe...we only pay federal taxes not state!

other than food/rent/phone/gas bills which are monthly bills everything else is paid for for the year...so doing ok in that area...will start doing christmas food shopping soon...not much to get....and we have a cold lunch here considering it is summer...its 104 degrees today...so staying indoors..keeping an eye of the bushfire alerts...and do hourly check of the yard for stressed animals...we have a lot of wildlife here...we have lots of water out but it does get hot and they do get stressed...

not much else happening...stay safe...only 28 days till x-mas

Well only 29 days till christmas...can you believe it...this year has gone by so fast but also at a snails pace...for some...I can say I am ready for a new year, new budget and a new start to everything...a restart...but I am ready for chistmas other than food and ready fro a new year.

Summer is starting here..its 104 here tomorrow...not looking forward to summer but also sick of the cold weather....should be spring all year LOL!

I am hoping to get into an integrated medical clinic here and talk to their doctors..probably won't be till next year as they are busy..but it is expensive...$300 for an intial visit before any tests...so we will see what happens..but maybe we can get some answers..

Hope everyone has a great thanksgiving...whether you are staying alone or with family stay safe 

Well our lockdown lasted 2 days and it was over, one of the guys lied to the tracers about what had happened so it wasn't as bad as they thought...but the pizza store he was working at is being investigated for paying in cash and drug trading...so guessing someone is going to be in trouble when all this is over..we currently have 38 cases but they are all quarantined in the hotel so none in the community...but most still wear masks etc..it sucks as we had no covid in the community since april  and one idiot doesn't follow protocol and this happens!!

Still having issues with our landlord, we have been asking for the water filter to be changed for over a month and we still haven't heard about the holes in the roof being fixed...so have emailed again saying if they don't respond to us we will go to tribunal...we pay good money we shouldn't have to live like this..we only have 88 days till we have to move..hopefully they will let us move early..but won't hold my breath.

Financially it has been hard as we paid for a storage unit for a year ($1900) and have been helping out our daughter who hasn't been working the last month...she starts her new job next week and will start paying us back after she has a couple paychecks...as well as the money for surgery...but we will start getting ours savings back up..it is really dismal right now...but we still have some so that is ok...all bills are paid...plenty of food so all is good.

Our oldest who still lives with us and will for the rest of her life due to a chronic illness has decided to have a baby next year so she is organising that..she is doing it by herself so is doing IUI...she is so happy and been waiting a while so we are happy for her...be great to have a baby around again...so we will support her through it all....financially she is all set and has everything she needs for the baby and the procedure..

I have found an integrated doctors surgery not far from us..that my new shrink told me about so hoping that they can start giving me some answers to my issues..it is expensive..and we will get some money back but I just need some answers...my gut tells me it is something simple that people are overlooking..but right now I will try anything to feel healthy...not sure if I will get in this year..but hopefully early next year....my psychologist who also does yoga...said my case she has never seen before...as has every doctor I have ever seen...but hopefully with seeing all the specialists that I am seeing some answers will come up...it is  expensive seeing them all but being unhealthy is just as expensive and at least this way I am trying to figure out what is wrong and can hopefully get healthy enough to work....I miss working so much!!

Happy thanksgiving everyone...although we won't be celebrating this year..hope everyone has  great day

So forget yesterdays post about people panic buying...today was much worse the lines were over 100 metres long today...so we went home and will try again tonight. 

So our state now has I think 34 cases and 17 of them are in the community (mainly 1 family) because of this and we want to stop the spread of covid our state as of midnight is in complete lockdown...only essential people are allowed to work, schools closed, childcare/schools are open but only for essential workers..can't even take a walk and only 1 person is allowed to go grocery shopping and masks are mandatory again if you are out...so hopefully we will have it back under control in no time...after 6 days they will see what is happening and then will either stay in lockdown or start easing things again...

So frustrating apparently an overseas visitor left their mandatory lockdown to go get a pizza and thats what started this in the community...only took 1 idiot

Ok I have to laugh at this and I'm sorry if it offends anyone but I can't help it.

Our state has had no communiy covid cases for months..one of the workers obviously didn't do the right thing when it came to protocols and now we have covid in the community..17 cases in the last 2 days...most with the same family..they have shut down I supermarket and 2 schools to clean them..should be reopened within 24 hours...but people here have started panic buying especially toiet paper...don't know why toilet paper isn't even part of the disease...but really 17 people and and they are panic buying things...I find this funny...shows you how easy we have had it for so long!!!

All our bills except our phones/groceries/gas are paid up till the end of the year....our christmas shopping is pretty much done..just a few small things to get and its all done...we do need to buy christmas food but that usually doesn't cost that much and we haven't been spending all our grocery budget so we should have enough to cover it all...we are hoping to get a storage container in the next month or so so we can store some stuff till we buy a house....it will cost us but that is life...hard to get a house with a shed anymore...

So pretty much any extra money we get between now and the new year will go into savings...for our house and our move in febthen hopefully within 12-18 months we can buy our own house.

Our youngest has had her surgery and recoverying nicely...she has had 3 job offers and starts her new job on 30 nov so she will start to pay us back after that...we will give her a couple pays to get some savings again then she will pay us back...so looks like everything is going smoothly right now...financially things are doing well...hope it stays that way

I have been looking at our grocery budget and the prices of things have gone up in a lot of areas...I knew they would at the beginning of the year because of last years bushfires here in Australia...but then covid hit and they increased again due to people panic buying....well the shelves have been full for months now but prices really haven't dropped...is that the same around the globe? although it hasn't really cost us anymore from what we budget...I am still keeping an eye on prices and sales...and we have never been big on take away so that really hasn't changed...how are others going when it comes to their food budget?

Christmas is in 45 days are you ready??

Just wondering how different christmas will be for you guys this year...i know our country has very few restrictions...no covid cases in the community (haven't for months except in 2 states which are now clear) only cases we have are in quarantine so we won't be any stipulations on where we can go or what we can do with how many people....just wondering if you guys have restrictions over there that will affect your christmas...such as travelling to see family or have them visit you, sending things through the mail...rather than visiting? or will you just play it safe and stay closer to home so you are safer from covid...I know you guys still have a lot of covid cases but we really don't hear much else on how it is affecting you all...if it is affecting your daily life...I hope whatever you are doing for christmas or whoever you are spending it with that you have an amazing day full of love, fun and happiness...we can all use lots of that!!

With our weather here it looks like its going to be a hot one here for christmas....hopefully not to hot!! 

It's payweek this week..who doesn't love payweek..the only thing we need to use the money for is grocery and gas...the rest will go into savings.

Gas here for the last week has been 96c a litre (which is equal to 3.7 litres per gallon), don't know if that is cheap for you guys but it is for us...it has been around $1.47pl a majority of time so it has been nice...we still take out the same amount of gas money but we have about half left from the last pay...but being warmer we will probably use more gas going to the beach more

Grocery money has also been doing good...we haven't really been spending much..we have been tired so had takeaway a couple times...but we are also not buying specials since we are moving early next year...less to move so will save and restock the cupboards when we move

I have finished all the big presents for christmas...just need some stocking fillers and we are done...so glad to be done with that...the stores get crazy around christmas time...I hope everyone has a joyous christmas...it has been a hard year for everyone...just need lots of peace/love and joy in the world...can't believe christmas is in 45 days....😧...I feel this year has gone fast...but I am also ready for a new year

So we are moving in february next year...so I have decided to start decluttering and going through things so we can donate/sell/throw away...I am a big organizer and want things done...I'm kind of excited to be going through things and packing things up...just need to find another rental...but thats another issue!

Hopefully will make a few dollars selling a few things off...fingers crossed will be doing it I go through things over the next few months

Just wondering how people think their current financial situations will change with whoever becomes President? i don't know all that they are proposing in their election promises and I don't understand all your IRS/Roth accts etc...but just wondering if any of you will find it more financially difficult or better off under either one? just curious..don't care who voted for who...or who gets in but how it will affect people financially if at all.

Australia had 2 days where we didn't have any new cases of covid...all the cases we have now are all travellers that are coming into the country from overseas...usually australians that have stayed or been stuck in other countries...we were only permitting 4000 pw into our country so it has been taking awhile....its weird to see as when people come back to our country they are escorted to a hotel where they are quarantined for 14 days...if they test negative they can go home..if they test positive they stay till they test negative....it has been this way for awhile...our state has been back to normal for months, everyone back at work, kids in school, the elderly doing fine...no community transfers for months...we still social distance, still sanitize everything...we don't wear masks...we hardly had any flu cases...due to covid measures....so when I see other countries struggling so hard and the numbers of people dying are stagerring to me...we have had 4 deaths (all elderly) in the beginning...but thats it...one of our states was really struggling but they are finally on top of it and hopefully will stay that way....borders to other states are starting to slowly open...

I hope you country gets a grip on it soon, I know you have so many more millions of people than we do...but I hope that life will be back to normal for you soon....unti then stay safe my friends!!  

Wow this year is flying by fast..christmas is only 53 days away....🙄

Our accounts are starting to look normal again...our ice account is back to $2000...will leave it there for a bit...I know I should add to it but with us having to move in 3.5 months and saving for a house I would rather add the extra to the house account right now.

We have a couple of warm days here...so nice but hope it doesn't get to warm to quick since our aircon has been turned off as it was leaking into the roof...and now we have holes in the roof from the plumber...but still no word from anyone....it takes the owners forever to do anything here...one reason we want our own house again...I really want a home not a house...just hard over here.

I do think this year has been good though..we have updated our car (paid in cash), we have no debt..and we are saving so that is a good year for me and hopefully will be able to add to it each month...and in 12 months or more we can buy a house... we will need between $30-50,000 for a deposit depending on the house we buy...and that is only around 5% deposit...its sad!!...most of it is fees 🤬 but we will get there.

Our christmas shopping is almost done so can mark that off the list...going to be a quiet one this year....with us..his sons family, my mom and my sister and her hubby...have already done their gifts...just a few more to get for my hubby and me...and some stocking stuffers and the dog...then we are done except for food...

Hope everyone else is travelling along well...know you are all busy with the election..thanksgiving and then christmas....stay safe

Well on tuesday our roof came up with a leak..what was better was we had house inspection so she saw it for herself...she said she would get someone on it...someone came out thursday..and it was a bigger wetter spot on the roof (around 60 plus cm) they came out and said it was the air con leaking..so turned the water off and poked 2 holes in the roof to let it drain...and then left...haven't heard anything since...so who knows what is happening...hopefully we will hear something this week.

My daughter has surgery monday...it is day surgery and she wouldn't stay here..she wanted her own bed so her sister will spend the night with her to keep an eye on her just to make sure she is ok...then she starts her new job. 

Its pay week for us..most bills are paid, almost all my christmas shopping is done, even stocking stuffers so most will go into our house deposit account which is looking a little sad right now.

We did find a house we really like but it is out of our price range but would have been perfect for us...but we will figure it out!!

So I wrote 3 blogs all which didn't show up so will try to do a catch up in as short version as I can!

So our savings for our house deposit was going great until my daughter stareted getting sick (she is never sick) so she went to see the doc and she needs surgery...we don't want her to wait or get sicker so we are paying for it (almost 9000) but she will be paying us back, and I have a contract drawn up and signed already...she didn't have a job the last couple months due to cutbacks at work and her roommate moved out..which is a whole new saga and she didn't pay her rent..so my daughter had to...so my daughter has her house back to herself, she has surgery on the 2nd nov...and she was just called today that she starts a new job 2 days after surgery...so she is happy!

We had house inspection today...first one in a year because of covid...whie she was here we noticed a big wet spot in the roof...it wasn't there last night...not sure what it is...we have had no rain..we haven't used the air con...so not sure...the woner will not be happy in last couple months she has had to redo the stove, just replaced the hot water system...and now this...hoping it isn't to bad...we are due to move in 4 months anyways as we don't think they will renew our lease...so we have that expense...but not sure what will happen with the roof issue now...only time will tell!! We are also waiting for them to change our water filter..we paid for the last one so they need to and they don't want to...if you can't afford to have rentals and the upkeep then don't..its that smple we pay so much money for this house and all she does is complain.

I am reading a new book about health...and it is spot on for what I have been wanting to work on and it is simple and easy to read...I have trouble reading a lot due to my dizziness it has affected my eyes..so will be working on that for next 12 months.

Have done around 94% of our christmas shopping so don't really have much to worry about there..can't wait to be done and knock that off my list...until next blog!!

Financially we are doing ok..have all yearly bills paid for the year..its payweek this week...since we will be moving in a few months will try to use the stocks in our freezer/fridge/pantry etc..so that will hopefully save some money.