Challenges and budgets

Today I read a wonderful, Rhonda's, her wise words and helpful hints really helps me with my desire to be more self-sufficent. This is why I have decided to really stick to a budget as well as challenging myself with saving more money. Rhonda's blog, Down to Earth can be found here: http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com.au

Brad and I have decided to save his wage and live off mine. OK, he does earn over double what I earn however being a contractor he could be out of a job tomorrow. If we can live off my wage, I know that we would be ok.

With my fortnightly pay, I have decided to have $200 to be transferred to another bank account as savings. I am hoping that eventually I can increase this savings but at the moment I am erring on the side of caution. Also, we need to learn to live on one wage.

http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2011/03/14/1226021/379598-pay-packet.jpg

I have decided to challenge myself by only giving me $50 for lunches.

http://currencyguide.eu/aud-en/aud50front.jpg

Yes, I know that is $10 per working day and it seems a lot but sometimes I go for lunch with friends and it can cost me $20. Sometimes I go out two or three times a week. I am starting to take lunch with me on a regular basis and will save what I have left over at the end of the week. Hopefully I will be able to save more money this way.

Have a great day and please have a look at Rhonda's blog, it is an amazing blog.

xxx

Fires

Hoping everyone is safe where there are fires. Thinking of you.

The wind is very strong here and we have small fires which were quickly put out.

Take care.

xxx

2013

Take two (or three)

Happy New Year everyone. I have tried at least three times to post this post but something has happened to my computer.

I hope you all had a great Christmas and are enjoying the new year.

My Christmas was very quiet, friends came to visit on Christmas eve with some of their boys. Christmas day was good, I had to wake the three boys to open their presents. Breakfast was the usual affair, then lunch and then went to other friends home for Christmas afternoon. Was very nice.

New year eve was also very quiet, DS1 went out (being 19 he went to a friend's house to bring in the New Year). The rest of us spent it at home, DS2 in his bedroom, DH playing a video game and me just watching TV. We did watch the fireworks together.

I had a few extra days off over the Christmas/New Year period, only went back to work today. I did go to Jervis Bay to visits some amazing people. Really enjoyed it.

That is enough for today. Will come back to write about what my plans are for this year.

Friends

How lucky I am to have such a wonderful friend who sends me flowers when I had to go in to have an small operation. Just sending flowers and telling me she loves me makes me feel I am important and ok.

How beautiful are these flowers. Thank you my amazing friend you really made my day. I love you heaps.

Operation Day

Well today was operation day. I had a gastroscopy, they found a hernia and they did a biopsy and I will get the results in about 10 days. Feeling ok, just very tired. Can't wait to get started into the garden.

Last weekend I plant seeds into old strawberry packets and I also planted potatoes. I can't wait to get back into the garden. Hopefully this week end I can. I have so many ideas.

Have a great night.

xxx

Birthday Husband

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband. Today he turns 47. I wish him a great day. My husband is going away for a boy's week-end to Griffith (NSW). He is riding his old motorbike as the one he recently bought is still with the mechanics (Not happy). He got sold a dud but being the person he is he doesn't want to complain to the people who sold it to him instead he wants to pay even more money to get it fixed.

Yesterday I made the comment to him about how cold it is and how funny it would be if it snowed especially on the day of the ride. Well it did snow yesterday but now the sun is shining. I hope the weather is not too bad for them.

So I have the week-end to do things. What are my plans?

• housework 
• gardening
• cooking
• exercising
• shopping
• cleaning out the hallway cupboard
• painting the door in the laundry
• making some cards etc

Boy, I do have a long list to do. I better get started.

Have a great week-end.

xxx

Life at the moment

Lots of things have been happening in my life lately.

Today was my first day at the Jane Austen Book Club. We discussed "Emma". I was a bit naughty and didn't get a chance to read all of the book. Next time I will read the book, Sense and Sensibility. I will bring my opinion next time.

I have been very unwell with indigestion. I have had indigestion for a very long time. I went to the doctor's to get some medication for my sinuses as I was in so much pain. I mention (again) how I was in pain when I eat and how I get so much indigestion. I was sent for an ultrasound. I rang the doctor's office to discuss the results however I was only told by the nurse that I had a small benign lump in my gall bladder. I asked if I should go and see the doctor's only to be told, that she didn't know.

I went to see the doctor a few days later only to discover that I should have been called back and now have to see a specialist. I am hoping to get into the specialist as soon as possible. Not too sure what is happening but only time will tell. I am not too worried.

I have been told not to eat things like processed food, sugar, spicy food and no alcohol. So this has really made me think I should really try and become more self-sufficient. I made the most yummiest sweet potato and carrot soup for lunch today and I have left overs for lunch tomorrow. Can't wait. Had a small piece of steak and vegetables for dinner. I just have to learn to eat small and more meals than the standard three meals a day.

I went to the craft show this week-end with one of my favourite people in the world, Nic. I just love her so much. I hope everyone has a great friend like her. She always makes me feel happy and I always leave her with the biggest smile on my face. Anyway, I spent way too much but I am happy with what I got. I should take photos of what I got. Maybe later.

Have a great Sunday night.

xxx