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)

So we have been wanting to get out and about more especially walking...I love to walk and we support 2 charities here all year this is something we do each year although this years walk is different as we can't gather in big groups right now so people are doing their progress online via app. Hutt st here provides services for the homeless here, they provide meals, storage, clothes, washers/dryers (including mobile ones), showers etc...each year they do a walk a mile and it is in winter and you walk a mile at 7am so you can kinda see what they go through on a daily basis..this year has changed so starting today my daughter need to walk 3 miles a day for 72 days to reach her goal to walk 217.5 miles (or 350km)..so if anyone is interested in donating or tracking her progress here is the link...I am going to try walking with her daily so I can get my fitness back up

https://www.walkamile.org.au/fundraisers/jackitaylor/walk-a-mile-challenge

Also we are going to look at a couple houses this weekend to see if 1 house can accomodate our needs as a 2 family living in the same space...wish us luck

I sit here in our state and life is pretty normal now, most businesses are opening, hardly anyone wearing masks, still social distancing, disinfecting all hands/carts etc when you go into a store, still restricting how many people go into a store etc...but our state has 22 days no new cases...our borders open up in july to some states not all as some states are still having active cases, we had a BLM protest here over 5000 people attended, it was a peaceful protest and no-one got sick from the virus..I feel pretty lucky that our state is doing what is needed.

I do hope the US gets their numbers under control, it is so disheartening to see the riots/protests etc going on with this pandemic...like their isn't enough sick people there with the covid19 so rampant...I just hope that people realise how dangerous it can be maybe not for them but for those around them...or maybe they just don't care...but my thought and prayers are with everyone over there that the protests/riots cease and that you get the covid19 virus under control soon...its hard to watch so much devastation...I don't even watch the news anymore..never anything good...might be called burying my head in tha sand but for my mental health its what I must do...especially when it doesn't directly affect me...sounds selfish...I know...but I hope that things settle down for you all real soon....although apparently china is having a second flare up of the virus

Finally was able to contact the irs today my itin number was reinstated end of feb they sent a letter early march but we haven't got it yet...also called the irs office they said that they have only gone back to work 2 weeks ago and have so many to process so wait 6 weeks and call back if we haven't heard anything...so we are hoping they have received it...mail has been slow but didn't think it would take this long to receive letters...here is hoping that it is done and done soon so can move on...before long it will be time to do them again!

Well we updated our car last month and after a week I heard a weird noise, now the car was checked over and everything and everything seemed fine...so we called the company and said that it was making a noise and I wasn't happy as we just got it from them...he had us take it to their mechanic...and he said it needs a new transmission...so they are doing that next week...they need to order in and postage is slow here considering the borders are closed and no flights...but they are repacing for free so happy that we caught it early and hopefully no more hassles with the car.

Looked on the irs website it doesn't say that they have received our taxes yet, we sent them in april...can't do them online from over here...and there is no-one there to answer our calls I know they extended the deadline but don't know what to do since we can't contact anyone and we have no idea if they even received them yet...so that is frustrating..just wish it would be processed so we can get it done and finished!

We have been waiting since april about a package that was sent to us but was broken when we got it and it had obviously been run over by something, we hadn't heard back and I was annoyed but thought with the carona virus and all the disruption to mail and with hubby going through treatment it just wasn't a priority...so over the last month I have tried emailing them and heard nothing so I wrote to the ombudsmen (postal one) and they called and asked for some detail which I sent him and he gave them 10 days to pay us and finalise the account...so hubby went and picked up the money today it is only $54 but still going to fight companies who don't do the right thing and get what is ours and we haven't been able to replace things as only cargo ships are bringing things into our country which take forever!!

Other than that we are not spending money unless we have to..trying to save for that house deposit...so far so good

Hubby has finished treatment we have 2 months before we get any results but the doc is very optomistic about the cancer being gone as hubby was a champ during the whole treatment process and tolerated it well so we will live a normal life till we are told any different.

Yesterday we got a lease renewal but only for 6 months..I guess they are sick of us asking for things to be fixed...so we decided to sign (would have like a year) but now we have to try and save and see what we can do in the next 6 months in order to buy a house...not sure if it is possible, but we will try...it is putting us 6 months ahead of where we need to be and don't want to move and then 6 months later move again into our own home it is such a waste of money...so going to start looking into that...it is hard as my daughter has a chronic illness so will always live at home but wants her own place to live in now we have less time to save and find a place and need to find out all the regulations before we even start looking...but it does gives us a good amunt of time to pack up and declutter as well so going to think of this as a positive move and do what needs to be done to get where we want to be!!

hubby has his last treatment tomorrow..should have been today but a couple weeks ago a machine broke so they had to reschedule..so tomorrow is the final one...yah...won't get results for a couple months but at least no more hospital visits...for treatment

Tomorrow is payday so the plan is to get grocery/gas money out and put the rest into our home deposit account...all bills are paid for the month except groceries/gas which we take each payday..

our menu starts again tomorrow so will go do our grocery shopping for the next couple weeks and then should be done for the next couple weeks except for fresh fruit/vege/milk and bread

It's funny we watch the news and life in our state is pretty normal and has been for few weeks, hardly anyone wears masks, you can shop regularly nothing is hard to get in stores, more places are opening and life as people knew it is getting back to normal...as for us..its funny people asked us if it has stressed us out not living life as we normally would and my response...living life during a pandemic is how we live our life all the time...when you have a chronic illness it hits you and you have no choice but to deal with it..you don't have energy to visit people or places so you don't...so nothing much changed for us...it's like life was normal...the only difference was for a few weeks some things were harder to get at the stores..but other than that nothing changed..we will still social distance as we always do in winter due to hubby having copd and the flu goes around...but we do this every year anyways...

Financially things haven't really changed much either if we did more driving than usual as hubby had his treatments mon-friday but gas was cheaper than normal so we still saved some money...and that was paying for our daughters gas as well as she has been doing a lot of our grocery shopping etc.

Hubby only has 3 treatments left this week and he is done...then have to wait 2 months to find out results...not looking forward to that..but glad to be done....and we menu planned today so that will also help the food budget a bit...have been really slack on that this year...but trying to get back on track..still waiting for our car ins refund to hit the bank...but it is a public holiday so I'm guessing not till tomorrow..