Well we saw the urologist today not great news it is a 9 which means he has an aggressive cancer we are booked in later in the month for a cat scan to see if it has spread then see him a eek later for treatment options...so we will see what happens, we are staying optomistic and hoping for the best but we will deal with what is dealt to us...so by end of month we will have a plan on treatment...the scan will cost us $200 but we were not waiting the 8 weeks to get it for free!!

his bed should be in the next 2 weeks so hopefully no delays there...been good at not spending money this week other than groceries and gas.

My first goal was to get our ice account back to $2000, I have achieved this month already next step is to pay off the dredded credit card which we can hopefully do by march!!

I love pay weeks, have managed to pay just about all our bills for the month, other than groceries and gas which we take out every fortnight in cash the first which will be this thursday

So far this month we have managed to put money into our
ice account 1799 (should reach the $2000 by end of month)
Car $170
house $107

Our goal is to work on the ice acct to $2000 then the car to $15000 then a house deposit...

we are thinking about moving in august when this lease is up back closer to where we were it is much cheaper and with only 3 of us living here we don't need such a big house and the yard upkeep around here is horrendous...we will just see what is available when the time comes and then decide.

So far this years budget is going well but we find out thursday what treatment my hubby will need then we will work on any costs involved with the budget

I do all of my moms online banking and her budget each year...it works well for her as it takes the stress out of her going out to pay bills etc and it is easy for me. She is currently living with 2 of her grandaughters and their kids (they have 1 each) one moved in with her a year ago and her finances were horrible I got her on track and set it up with her paying all her bills and getting rid of debt...she stuck with it until a few months ago when she stopped doing her budget and now doesnt have her bills paid off like she should have. Well my other neices finance so I found out yesterday is a shambles..a complete shambles, she has no idea what she is doing, so she is my next project and she is willing to learn and do what I need her to so after I write up my moms budget then we will be writing up hers and i have her gathering information now...this is going to take some time and not what I need on top of what is going on with my hubby but its family and you help them right...especially if they ask for your help and are willing to do what you need them to..wish me luck

Wow can you believe it is feb already...time flies.

The weather here has been crazy drought, week over 110 and busgfires now it is cold and wet which is a nice relief but messing with my health.

Payday this week so have paid what bills are due and done the budget so far things look good..but its only the 2nd so we will see what happens. busy week with docs and tests this week, my doc has ordered some blood tests and scans...we also see the urologist and see where we go from here.

Only extra bills we had this month were the sheets for my hubbys bed and a log book for me to track my diet and sleep etc..

Jan was a bit of a bust getting any money saved because of the bed but we knew that so hopefully feb will be better...time to update my sidebar amounts.

Well did the budget over the weekend...and we decided that we would cover the rent and our daughter will pay 1/3 of the gas/water/elec and we pay the rest...but we pay a lot of rent each month so we also did the figures if we moved back to the area we use to live in or at least closer as everyone we use is still in that area. So in july we are thinking of moving back there depending on what is available and if we can find something to suit us...it would save us alone over $5000 a year in rent which could go towards our home deposit rather than someone elses morg or lifestyle...the owner of this house likes to travel overseas a lot...so hopefully we can find something.

We have ordered the bed and paid for it on the CC but it should be paid off by march so not a big deal could have paid it off sooner but want to get our ice acct back up as it is really low right now.

Groceries have been fairly cheap, we have a few over 100 degree days coming so its mainly salads and meat so no real cooking etc.

Hubby has his urologist appt on 6th feb so we should know the results of his biopsy and what treatment he will be doing...heres hoping its not to bad.

Well hubby had his doc appoint with his regular doctor on thursday and he said from the mri he definatly had cancer but it looks like it hasnt migrated from the area...but they might do a bone scan to see just to make sure so hopefully he is right...he also had his biopsy done on friday and is doing great...so in next 2-3 weeks we will see the urologist and I guess see what the treatment plan is and what grade the cancer is...so will just deal with things as we find out more...not really to fussed about it right now.

On thursday my youngest daughter decided to move out..so we helped her move friday as well...she had work..she is moving in with her cousin...she is happy and thats what counts...she is still working 2 jobs and studying but she says she is fine and she has some savings...instead of paying money into our ice acct like we planned I paid for a bunch of groceries which i had promised to do for her. Both our girls have bought plenty of things on sale over the last couple of years for when they moved so she is covered in that area as well

So this weekend I will be redoing our budget as she was paying rent here so we will cover that now...our oldest said she would goes halves in her sisters share of the rent but she has chronic illnesses and on disability so not sure if we want her to do that...she already pays her way here

Hubby has also got bad reflux for a long while now, he has been sleeping in a recliner as he likes to watch tv when he sleeps as he has to sleep sitting half way up so we have decided it is time for him to get a bed...its around $2400 but want him to be comfortable...so lots to do this weekend...

So we are looking at our US taxes that we need to do every year which can be a hassle...for 2.4 years I have been trying to get my itin number uppdated...finally we think we have sent them what they have asked for again..so hopefully gets processed need it for me to be on the taxes.
We don't pay state taxes obviously but we do federal taxes (hubby ex military) but with the changes they have made with SS from what we have read they count the entire amount now which means we will end up owing $3000 plus...I hope we have read this wrong...I really don't want to owe a country that much when we get nothing in return or use any services over there...lets hope we are wrong...if we are reading it wrong then let me know please

Our gas heater for hot water went out yesterday...our landlord said they would call someone and try to get it fixed...not happy...something is always wrong with this house..they jetset around the world but won't maintain this house...was going to stay here a couple years till we had enough deposit for a house...$30,000 is such a lot to save when you also pay a high rent...but we will get there...but may not stay here longer than august (lease renewal) depends what is around and what is happening with my hubby.

We decided last year that we would save for a newer car ($15000)..ours is okay (getting old) but is fairly big and we want a smaller one for now...my daughter wants one a bit bigger than hers so we have decided to buy hers from her in may/june when she get a newer one...so will pay her $8500 and bank the rest.

Once that is done we are going to save a house deposit we are buying with our daughter as she has a chronic illness and can't work so will probably always live at home...she is easy to live with and really good with her money...so hopefully we can save and find something we like.

Hubby has his biopsy on friday (which just happens to be my b-day) so hopefully we will have some answers if it is cancer or not...and what next steps need to be taken.

Its also pay week so putting any extra into our ice account and get that back up...other than that not much else happening...

Not a financial update but it has been raining here all day...might not sound like much but with the fires over here it is really helping out....and hopefully will we wet the ground enough that new fires wont start...

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!!

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

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!!

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

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