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 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

have done a bunch of my christmas shopping and stocking for our kids...also the people we are giving money to I have a few of those envelopes done so about two thirds done with christmas...still on budget and want to try and pay off CC by end of year...staying on track so far and feeling happy!! How are you all going with your christmas shopping and preparations??

Payday today...have all bills paid and have managed to put $2500 on the CC...half way to paying it off...hopefully by the end of the year!!

My daughter has had a debt for a couple years that she has been paying off...one that we didn't think she owed but being a govt dept it has been an uphill battle...I got sick so we stopped fighting with them and she continued to pay them...yesterday I called them and stated a few facts and said we were going to fight it until we were satisfied...she said she had to make a few phone calls that was at 2pm yesterday...today they have credited her account with $1800 and written off her debt...that is one more hassle we dont have to deal with...my daughter is extremely happy....I am feeling accomplished this week...and it payday this week so more christmas shopping and payments to the credit card

Recieved our payment from the owners of the old house it was only $1000 but better than putting up with what we were...its now been put into savings for our house deposit.

Finally did some christmas shopping yesterday...used the CC but thats fine...it beats trying to go shopping closer to christmas...my illness just cant handle so much stimulation at once so will get done before it gets to busy...not doing a lot this year and the christmas budget just goes back on the CC...so all good.

Not much happening here doing good at neuro..dont need to see her again till the new year..so will save some money there.

The budget has been doing good and the the best thing is we don't have any stores near us (walking distance) so I need somone to drive me if I want to go...I hate asking so I don't...not that I buy much...had to pay for a prescription the other day, I have a bad chest infection and needed the meds but didn't have our card for free meds hubby did and I was with my daughter so just paid it...not worth going home to get.

Today I went to get our daughters dog his biscuits...he only eats one kind..and its over $30 for a 1.5 kilo bag..we are members and apparently get 15% off for this month...he asked if I wanted to use the discounts I'm like sure anything to save a dollar...it cost me 16cents for the purchase...couldnt believe it...so almost a free bag of dog food....happy with that...

Didnt make my neuro appointment as I was at the docs with my chest infection as I had trouble brathing and I have a biopsy next week on my face to make sure I don't have skin cancer...sun over here is brutal

Well I woke up feeling horrible today..I had a doc appointment and she said since the move I have pushed to to long and my illness is kicking my butt so I need to back off and rest more..and that I look like crap (her words) I love this doc she is to the point will go to the ends to help her patients and fights the system every chance she gets...she is awesome.

Then we had tribunal today for compensation...really wasn't feeling it but wanted to get it over and done with and be done with this company (housing)...the point of this claim was not really about money (although it did cost us a bit) but to get the owner to see who he really has working for him..they lie to him and us..and it was the only way to get his attn as we have no contact details for them...and they really are lovely people (owners)...and I wanted to just inconvenience the company...because they annoyed me so much...they came in and were disorganised, couldnt answer questions on dates and then stated the owner didnt know why we here today and was offering nothing...so the lady said they had wasted everyones time if they couldnt negotiate etc...then they were asked to leave while they spoke to us...if we didn't come to a settlement today then we would have to come back to a magistrate later...and I just want to focus on my health...the outcome was they have to pay us $1000 compensation, so we are happy...the owner isnt but hopefully now he can see what they are like even the company owner wasnt to happy with how disorganised they were....so we have some extra $s and are done with them for good...and they have 14 days to pay!!

Almost the middle of october and I usually have a majority of my christmas shopping done and yet this year I have only have 2 gifts that I bought months ago...with the move and everything I am just not feeling it this year and I find it so hard to buy for the kids now...they are adults and anything they want or need they buy for themselves..so I'm just not feeling it...anyone else feeling it this year or have started their christmas shopping?

Whats the average that people spend at christmas? We only buy for our kids, my mom and her great grandson that she is raising (she has had him since birth) so it doesnt cost a lot although I tend to give our girls a good amount of money for whatever they want to get or do.

When we moved into this house they had a dishwasher...we had one in our last house but sold it as they had one...well i never looked at the house before we moved and my hubby and daughter never looked in the dishwasher...well it doesnt wash well and it has rust marks...so we asked if we could buy one ourselves and replace and just change back when we move...so happy we will finally have a good one and will take so much pressure of my neck and shoulders...not an expense that we wanted but well worth it.

Starting to get some nicer weather here for a few days then back to rain...but getting a lot done so feeling accomplished...even though I am sore as hell...my body is hating on me right now...but will rest over the weekend as I get ready for our housing tribunal

Well it not financial but I just love how this place is coming together...slowly but surely...still have all the outside to do and a bunch of extra stuff the girls are going to sell...but my daughter and I keep saying each week while we live up here in the hills we had better see a koala in the trees...well...

my daughters dog kept barking this arvo...so hubby went to see what the matter was (he barks at most things) and he yells out its a koala...we had one sitting on our fence just looking at us...so I took some photos and a video of it on my fone...he was like 2 metres from us...he then after about 10 mins walked the fence then the clothes line...almost fell a couple times but he managed not to and now he has been asleep in a tree for a couple hours..its my first wild koala that I have seen up close and it was in our yard!!

This week was pay week, got all bills paid, paid my daughter back, and got my ice account back towards it should be...should be back there by end of month...then will chuck extra at the CC to get rid of it.

Had a couple extra payments this week as my hubbys son ended up in hospital with suspected heart attack so we had his daughter for the night...he is home doing better but he also had to put his dog down due to old age and she was going downhill...so we had to pay for that..but other than that everything is on track.

We are finally getting some warmer weather, I love warm weather...love summer and being spring here everything is blooming..love it!

Its payday this week have revised our budget to get our 2 remaining debts paid off and work on getting our ice account back up...so will update after we pay everything later this week.

Still moving stuff from storage, should be done this week hopefully then we can save the $160 a month and put that where it is needed.

Being up in the hills really affects my ears which is making my dizziness worse lately..so still trying to adjust to that...but getting there..have been menu planning and that has been going well...hoping the rest of the year continues being great...feel so much better since we have moved

Well opened up a new account so I can track my savings and also keep the money I have allocated to buying my friends tickets and while she is here doing the things we want to do...I have a budget and want to try to stick with it....can be hard...but I figure I will keep the account when she leaves and just add money into it for when we buy our house for the things we might want to do to the new house...so have a couple of years for that.

Been busy catching up with family since the wedding..so nice a couple of them stuck around for an extra week....and its much nicer weather so we have lots we want to try and get done around here while we can...have a few doc appts this week we need to pay for but will get a few dollars back but we have the money for that...so heres to another week..

It has been a busy couple weeks and this next week isn't any different wih us having to help my hubbys son move...still recovering from helping my mom move...but its family...on the good news he has enough money for the move so he won't have to borrow from us..which is great...

have lots of appointments this week that are going to cost...we have my brothers wedding in a week but don't think we need to buy anything for that...except some money in a card..

I just looked at the CC we hardly use it but used it both jan & feb...hoping to pay it off in march if not definatly april...hate owing money...but it was things like a new washer...which is a dream and so quiet compared to our old one...but being short I almost have to climb into it to get to the bottom of it...LOL

I know I have some expenses coming up as next month we are hoping my bestie will be visiting us still waiting on passport...is taking forever...it sucks...but hopefully next month and she is hoping to stay like 3 months...can't wait so will have some expenses while she is here going and doing things and visiting places

so going to spend the week resting as i can and going through the budget to try get the CC paid of asap

Well today our washer broke..can't complain it is over 14 years old so we had to go and get another one...got a pretty good deal for over here and paid $77 for the delivery, installation and taking the old washer with them...so worth it don't need the hassle right now of trying to get rid of it ourselves.

Also have his son who is moving next week and he wants to borrow money for the move so we will have to discuss that...always something coming up I'm just hoping that next month no unexpected expenses come up so we can get back on track.

I know it's only the first month of the year but it's nice to see all of our accounts have money in them. It's a great to see that our goals are starting off...I know our savings will drop when we bought the tickets for our friend to come over to visit us...but everything else is looking good.

The weather here has been horrendous so have had the aircons and fans on a lot...its 113 here tomorrow...such a hot day its my b-day so just having pizza with a few family members but we are buying it not making it...its a splurge day but way to hot to cook or do anything else...but will hopefully get a good deal.

Ordered 4 blankets for winter...know its summer here but they are so thick and I know it will save us money in winter as we wont need the heaters as much and will last us a few years.

other than that we haven't been spending any money....feeling positive about this month...and the rest of the year

These are what I do try and save money

1. Have a written yearly budget, use what you know your base income is, also allow you to know best times to plan holidays etc

2. put money away in seperate accounts for annual bills, car, bills etc

3. always revise insurances etc before they become due for better deals

4. set an amount for groceries and gas and use cash each week - use only that amount, whatever is left over put in an envelope so you can buy things on sale etc.

5. menu plan and stick to the grocery list, this includes, dinas, breakfast, lunch and snacks.

6. Always turn electronics off at the wall when not in use.

7. if it cost over $100 use the 24hr think and then buy or forget about.

8. keep up with car/equipment maintenance to stay ahead of costly repairs.

9. have madmoney that is not accountable to anyone but yourself...you can spend on anything you like

10. use whatever rewards and coupons you can to save what you can

11. remind people that when you buy something cheap your not saving money unless you put the extra savings in the bank..its just a good deal

In december I paid our water bill to the wrong company...the house we are renting was sold and we got new owners and when we transferred all data from my old computer to the new one the information came with it...so money went to the old company...I called them monday and the lady who does their accounting was rushed to hospital with for surgery but one of the ladies called me and got my bank info and put the money back into our account so that mistake has now been settled and was easy to get done...just a couple phone calls...so that went straight into savings again...so no more mistakes this year like this!!

Been a couple weeks since I blogged, have been really unwell then doing okay, not sure what we have done but I have had no meds in 5 days and feeling around 80% which is great but weird, I am just waiting for the crash to hit me, I even managed to grocery shop with my hubby yesterday....not complaining but trying to work out what happened for the change...but I am going to enjoy it while I can...have done so much last few days and it feels great. I do have 4 specialist/doctor appointments this month and going to stick with them in case I take a turn for the worse again...

November is going to be an expensive month for us with all the specialists and I want to pay off my laptop we got a few weeks ago so we can be debt free again, so savings will be way down but if we have savings at end of month then I will be happy.

On a good note my hubby has sold his boat (to my brother) so that will give him some extra savings for his hobbies, not finalised yet as my brother works out of town but will be done in next few weeks.

I have been working on my moms budget all year as she is almost 80, had some debt doesn't do internet banking etc so I have been doing it for her for last 18 months and she will be debt free in next 2 weeks, we just ordered her a new bed and mattress for her great grandson that lives with her he just turned 13 and is to tall for a single bed....and she paid cash so she is happy...she is coming to visit this month so will finish up her christmas shopping and next year she will start doing her own budget again as I have it all written out...she is really happy right now as with me doing it has taken all the pressure off of her etc.

I have our budget written up for next year so that is ready to go, so i am finishing up my christmas shopping this month and then that will be us done for the year have most done just have a few stocking stuffers to get and some gift vouchers people have asked for but will get closer to christmas.

I can't believe that all the christmas decorations are already up and the stores are filled with christmas everything...I really get sick of christmas before it gets here I really don't think that it should be allowed up until a month before christmas...

I am really looking forward to achieving all my goals this month..big expenses and all