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Covid 19 and other things

May 4th, 2021 at 12:19 am

I have had my first AZ jab and 2nd one on June 29.

Everyone here over 50 is getting AZ covid 19 jab. If you don't want that one you will get another one at the end year after all the 18 - 49 have got theirs, I think that what will happen.

I have been in hospital for TIA  (mini stroke) for a week at end of March, we were in lockdown then for few days.  One of hospital near here had Covid19 in its ward twice.  The hospital that I was at was a private one and no covid19 there but everyone was wearing masks.  No visitors at all for anyone but the dying and carers. 

I have now sold my car and will go by taxi or bus from now on.  I needed to buy a new car and I'm likely to lose my yearly medical cerf. for driver's licence that I need here for over 75's. 

When i bought this car I said when I not replace it, it time. 

One way of s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g dollars further than before.

December 10th, 2020 at 10:04 pm

Paying bills advance and getting discounts for doing so!

Far, I have paid my Chiro for the next 12 visits with a saving 10% off per year than paying it monthly as well as getting a pensioner discount of 10% and I also get my medical fund rebate on top of that amount.    Normal price is around $66.00 per visit.   With all discounts and doing this way I’m only paying $20.50 per visit in the end around 30% of each visit.  I average 13 visits per year.

Just paid for another 10 visits for Diabetic Exercise Group Classes at $135.00, they have just increased their prices by $15.00 for 2021. But as I have bought it this year that will go into next years as well for at least 6 classes.  My medical fund rebate is $12.00 per class for 25 classes per year.   Plus, I get 8 free Diabetic classes per year as well from Medicare that’s sign off by my doctor.  Which means I will just pay price of $15.00 per class for only around 7 classes per year. As I do other things on some class days that I can’t make too!

Next major bill is medical fund which is in the thousands but will get my 35% loading back this year as I just finished my 10 years of paying extra because I am over 30 years when I joined the hospital fund (Gov. rule, it’s their tax rebate).  Which will mean a saving around $1826 for the year in 2021

With interest in the banks at the moment at a record low just above zero, it does pay to find ways of stretching your dollars where you can.

Strategy - Don’t spend your forward and refunds bill money on trivia, it’s being put aside for a purpose, it also makes next year’s bills easier to find and keeps you stress free.

Still Living Lean on a Pension

November 29th, 2020 at 07:05 am

2021 will be Living Lean year as I can and being on age pension.  My goal and challenge are Living Lean on a Pension.

I have no other extra income other than my pension, so I have to be as crafty as possible to make it my dollars s-t-r-e-t-c-h further than before. 

I do have a little amount put aside for rainy day. Which I use when I need to and pay this rainy day account back out of my saving I can find in my frugal living challenge and any saving I can make on getting low bills which of late are increasing instead.

I will try cut back on my food, entertainment areas and personal allowance.   I do better with challenges by focusing on certain areas than trying to do it over all challenge in all areas at once.

I will try to reduce my spending on what spend in the supermarket and on treats in personal allowance areas to start with.

Supermarket Spend Challenge - Try to spend less than half over the next few months. Review at end of March 2021

Normal amount allowed = $560.00 - Target $280 over 16 weeks starting on Friday next week. 

Note all my budgeting periods are 28 days in length.

Personal Allowance and Entertainment will try cut by 30% for now and go lower if I can do so.

.

So my motto will stand for another year or two.

Its real hard to come up with $1000 but it’s easy to find 1000 ways to save a dollar or two!

So let’s go and find those 1000 ways to save a dollar challenge and see what’s amount is at the end of 12 months.

Just replaced my stove again!

November 29th, 2020 at 07:00 am

I had to buy a new stand alone Stove this week, not because it was not working, just because the clock was not working and could not be fix for less than half the price of new stove and installed. I already had an electrician to check it out at $160 fee just to come out. It was 14 years old.  I will never buy a digital clock one again. Manual from now on.

I used it last night and cooked a roast chicken and roast vegetables.  Now for some baking soon!

Update

July 13th, 2016 at 10:33 am

Hi everyone
Just quick drop in again.
On the computer front that one I bought in February was a Lemon and was replaced when it ATE the DVD disk and end up in the back of the computer it was too risky to leave there for the warranty to run out. And it was just 3 months old.

It was replaced at no cost with a better one which turns out is a touch screen and double Gigabyte etc. But costed money to download all the programs as there was only Widow 10 on it with the amount data that was download that month. I only can have Mobile Broadband which is expensive here. Now I have a better deal with IP. So in the end I did win for now!

Strategy - Know what you are in title too!

3rd Monthly Financial Summery for 2015

April 18th, 2015 at 09:21 am

Here is my third period summery for March.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last month; I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

Review for March budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$37.15
Groceries===$125=== =$41.30
Non-Food===$15=====$2.00
Clothes ====$35
Grooming===$20
Gas======$20
HH items===$40======$7.10
Fares== ====$15 ======$20.00
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15
Gifts & Donations ==$35====$5.80
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$273.85
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$36.19

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 15 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $423.39 under by $126.61 on general spending.
This saving went into medical bills over this period.
Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $29.00 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $83.70 this period.
Strategy - Track your daily spending down to the cent by writing it down daily.

2nd Monthly Financial Summery for 2015

March 25th, 2015 at 10:31 pm

2nd Monthly Financial Summery for 2015
Here is my second period summery for February .

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last few months I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

Review for February budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$29.20
Groceries===$125=== =$45.36
Non-Food===$15
Clothes ====$35
Grooming===$20 =====$24.00
Gas======$20=======$13.15
HH items===$40======$6.60
Fares== ====$15 ======$20.00
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15
Gifts & Donations ==$35
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$42.70
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$63.45

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 16 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $224.46 under by $347.41 on general spending.
This saving went into some of my huge bills over this period.
Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $825 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $79.64 this period.

Strategy - Try to buy brand name groceries on special when you can at 40% off or better.

1st Monthly Financial Summery for 2015

March 13th, 2015 at 08:34 pm

Here is my first Summery for January period.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last few months I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

Review for January budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$31.00
Groceries===$125=== =$58.72
Non-Food===$15
Clothes ====$35
Grooming===$20
Gas======$20
HH items===$40======$12.80
Fares== ====$15 ======$20.00
Entrainments== $15 ====$20.00
Garden =====$15 ======$86.60
Gifts & Donations ==$35 ===$25.50
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$18.20
Misc ======$10=========$4.00
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$70.59

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 13 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $347.41 under by $202.59 on general spending.
This saving went into some of my huge bills over this period.
Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $390 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $66.28 this period.

Strategy - Don't believe all the advertising you see on TV or in the mail you didn't know you wanted it 15 minutes before you saw that advertisement.

This and That

February 15th, 2015 at 08:27 am

You will hear about if the opposition wins that for sure! They only hold 9 seats but not many are happy with the present one!

Guess what they won, we have a new state government after all this time it has been decided that opposition have won and can form government.

Tell the voters you are going to sell or lease the state assets and you will lose government that's the message everyone has got I hope this time. The premier was voted out of his sit, his party lost 37 sits in an 89 sit parliament now that tell them off. It finished off with 44 to 42 with 3 independents one which sided with the opposition to give them right to govern.

A No Spend Day here

S-t-r-e-t-c-h those Dollars even more

February 5th, 2015 at 11:06 pm

We had major hail storm in my area late last year; I am down for a new roof and a few other things that need to be replaced. The insurance company will pay up but only if I have some maintenance done on one part of the roof first. I have tried to get someone to do this work so that other jobs can be done. Out of the three companies that contacted only one came up with a quote and call here. I will go with this company now. It's over month now since I was told about the maintenance to be done and all were called that day. Now if there was no work then the quote most likely cheaper but with two major storms within two weeks and over million widows broken and over 50 suburbs in trouble from the hailstorm alone. Some houses still have boards over windows and will not be look at before end of March, as for getting a tradespersons that can do insurance work you are lucky if one is around before middle of 2016 for any other jobs.

The quote is under my maximum price but a bit on high side. I am looking at a bill for $3800. It's lucky I have my suppuration rainy account to fall back on but I must top it up again so I will be stretching those dollars a little bit more.

I am only keeping this house liveable but not at resale standard. So only maintenance jobs that I have to do will get done.

It's lucky that my car was not Hail damaged it was in the garage as all of them are being written off.

This and That

January 30th, 2015 at 10:28 am


Budget updated
A No Spend Day here

I do track my spending and no spending daily.

We are voting tomorrow for new State Government.

You will hear about if the opposition wins that for sure! They only hold 9 seats but not many are happy with the present one!
.
Strategy - Track your daily spending down to the cent by writing it down daily.

Living Lean on a Pension

January 27th, 2015 at 08:58 am

2015 will be Living Lean year as I can and being on age pension. My goal and challenge is Living Lean on a Pension.

I have no other extra income other than my pension, so I have to be as crafty as possible to make it my dollars s-t-r-e-t- c -h further than before.

I do have a little amount put aside for rainy day. Which I use when I need to and pay this rainy day account back out of my saving I can find in my frugal living challenge and any saving I can make on getting low bills which of late are increasing instead.

I will try cut back on my food, entertainment areas and personal allowance. I do better with challenges by focusing on certain areas than trying to do it over all challenge in all areas at once.

I will try to reduce my spending on what spend in the supermarket and on treats in personal allowance areas to start with.

I still wish to go on holidays this year, that about 4 months way. I will try to keep expenses down to minimum as I will be staying most nights with family.

Supermarket Spend Challenge - Try to spend less than half over the next 15 weeks.

Normal amount allowed = $472.00 - Target $230 over 15 weeks starting on Friday when my next monthly period starts. Note all my budgeting periods are 28 days in length.

Personal allowance and entertainment will try cut by 30% for now and go lower if I can do so.
.
So my motto will stand for another year or two.

It's real hard to come up with $1000 but it's easy to find 1000 ways to save a dollar or two!
So let's go and find those 1000 ways to save a dollar challenge and see what's amount is at the end of 12 months.

Annual Budget Report for 2014

January 26th, 2015 at 05:00 am

Annual Summary Daily Living Allowance parts of my budget for 2014

Here are my final totals for last year.

Eating out- $455---------- $393.65---------under target by $61.35
Groceries -$1625-----------$1213.41 ------under target by $411.59
Non-Food -$195------------ $59.42 ---------under target by $135.58
Clothes -$455---------------$401.96 --------under target by $53.04
Grooming -$260-------------$171.37-------under target by $23.63
Gas -$260------------------- $233.46------- -under target by $26.54
HH items -$520-------------- $558.10 ----- over target by $38.10 > Ninja + Curtains
Fares -$195-------------------$84.00 ------- under target by $111.00
Entrainment -$195-----------$368.95-------- over target by $176.95 > Camera
Garden-$195------------------$152.11-----------under target by $42.89
Gift & Donations -$455-------$250.34 ---------under target by $171.15
Medical & Diabetic-$910------$1755.84 -------over target by $845.84 > Dental + Medical
Misc. -$130----------------------$1.00 -----------under target by $129.00
Personal Allowance-$1170----$956.94 --------under target by $213.06

Daily Living Allowance allotted amount for 2014 was $7150 and I spent total $6697.04 under target by $452.96.
I will review some categories for 2015.

Even with being over in three categories, I still manage to come under my budget allotment for 2014.
This included new camera and major dental work excess plus updating my wardrobe this year.

This does give me the idea that I am subconsciously set myself amount to spend then holding back on some things if I think that I have to cut on my spending because I spent a lot more in one area that was needed like the medical with a lot of pocket expense or having major renovations done have to be a lean year with another lean year in 2015.

One thing this summery proves that averaging out over whole year is better than worry if you go over month as you can try to cut on other months.

Ok this Daily Living Allowance is the area that I will be working on to stretch and find any extra money I can. I also am looking at cutting back other on bills where I can.

So I will just track out of pocket medical, medicine and vitamins, glasses and diabetic section in this section of Daily Living Allowance. Allowing around extra $1500 for these items in next year tallies.
I do have major house maintenance to be done here for 2015 so I am looking at out of pocket bill of $5000. I will need to replace in capital deposit account over next year or so.

No Spending Days 163 of 365 days

So 2015 Challenge will be 'Living Lean on a Pension ?'

Strategy - Review your bills every six months that you are still saving money with your changes that you made since renewed or changed bill companies. Change your habits if you can't change the company.

13th Monthly Financial Summery for 2014

January 25th, 2015 at 09:55 am


Here is my Financial Summery for November period.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last month I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

My review for December /Early January budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$33.50
Groceries===$125=== =$68.57
Non-Food===$15
Clothes ====$35=====$121.49
Grooming===$20=====$51.49
Gas======$20=======$31.61
HH items===$40======$37.60
Fares== ====$15
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15
Gifts & Donations ==$35 ===$20.49
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$482.50
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$171.85

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 13 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $1019.05 over by $469.05 on general spending.

If you took my dental bill excess out of above, I would have been under by $13.48.

This period covered some season gifts and food buying and I had a few huge bills this period.

I took advantage of Summer Clothing Sales and bought 10 new pieces for my wardrobe.

Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $29.94 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $56.44 this period.

Strategy - Try to buy brand name groceries on special when you can at 40% off or better.

12th Monthly Financial Summery for 2014

January 23rd, 2015 at 07:00 pm


Here is my Financial Summery for November/Early December period.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last month I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

Here is my review for November/December budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$25.70
Groceries===$125=== =$80.34
Non-Food===$15=====$8.48
Clothes ====$35
Grooming===$20=====$2.50
Gas======$20=======$33.11
HH items===$40======$7.40
Fares== ====$15
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15 =====$27.46
Gifts & Donations ==$35 ===$89.14
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$12.00
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$75.79

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 12 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $362.02 under by $187.98 on general spending.
This period covered some season gift and food buying

Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $1815.15 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $44.66 this period.

Strategy - If store or generic brands are cheaper than and just as good as brand name ones then buy them.

11th Monthly Financial Summery for 2014

January 23rd, 2015 at 05:36 am

Here is my Financial Summery for November period.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last month I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

This is my review for November budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$22.22
Groceries===$125=== =$45.88
Non-Food===$15
Clothes ====$35======$5.00
Grooming===$20=====$5.25
Gas======$20
HH items===$40======$3.00
Fares== ====$15 =====$20.00
Entrainments== $15 ====$329.95
Garden =====$15 =====$40.00
Gifts & Donations ==$35 ===$18.20
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$156.59
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$28.97

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 13 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $675.04 over by $125.00 on general spending.
I bought a new camera as my best camera was broken and it my treat for the year as I am having dental work done for my birthday gift this time.

Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $354.00 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $79.12 this period.

Strategy - Don't believe all the advertising you see on TV or in the mail you didn't know you wanted it 15 minutes before you saw that advertisement.

9th Monthly Financial Summery for 2014

November 18th, 2014 at 09:21 pm


Here is my Financial Summery for October period.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last month I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

This is my review for October budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$27.45
Groceries===$125=== =$122.68
Non-Food===$15=====$2.59
Clothes ====$35=====$37.68
Grooming===$20
Gas======$20======$16.35
HH items===$40======$16.95
Fares== ====$15
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15
Gifts & Donations ==$35
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$216.70
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$74.80

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 13 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $530.15 under by $19.65 on general spending.
Out of pocket medical expenses were again high this period.
Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $104.00 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $2.32 this period.
Strategy - Put in writing what you are worried about and see the figures then work out an action plan.

8th Monthly Financial Summery for 2014

November 15th, 2014 at 06:58 pm

I will catch up one day here.
Here is my Financial Summery for September period.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last month I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

This is my review for September budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$53.30
Groceries===$125=== =$92.45
Non-Food===$15=====$4.87
Clothes ====$35=====$49.00
Grooming===$20====$24.00
Gas======$20
HH items===$40======$129.20
Fares== ====$15 ======$20.00
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15
Gifts & Donations ==$35 =====$49.00
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$495.55
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$100.86

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 8 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $1020.23 over by $470.23 on general spending.
Out of pocket medical expenses were very high this period.

Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $65.00 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $32.55 this period.

Strategy - Do remember what you have stored before you go and buy more of the same.

6th Monthly Financial Summery for 2014

September 3rd, 2014 at 09:21 am

Here is my Financial Summery for - June period.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last month I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.
Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

This is my review for June budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$24.30
Groceries===$125=== =$173.50
Non-Food===$15======$13.68
Clothes ====$35=======$2.00
Grooming===$20=======$9.13
Gas======$20======$24.48
HH items===$40======$4.00
Fares== ====$15 ======$20.00
Entrainments== $15 ====$50.00
Garden =====$15
Gifts & Donations ==$35 =====$35.00
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$6.00
Misc ======$10=========$1.00
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$101.80

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 11 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $463.89 under by $86.11 on general spending.

Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $240.00 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was over by $48.50 this period.

Strategy - Track your daily spending down to the cent by writing it down daily.

5th Monthly Financial Summery for 2014

August 29th, 2014 at 10:02 am


Here is my Financial Summery for - May period.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last month I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

This is my review for May budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$42.20
Groceries===$125=== =$94.00
Non-Food===$15===== $7.00
Clothes ====$35======$37.00
Grooming===$20=====$42.00
Gas======$20
HH items===$40======$37.00
Fares== ====$15
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15 ======$11.60
Gifts & Donations ==$35 =====$0
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$186.30
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$51.47

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 10 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $508.57 under by $41.43 on general spending.

Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $455.00 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $31.00 this period.

Strategy - Don't spend your forward bill money on trivia, it's been put aside for a purpose and keeps you stress free.

4th Monthly Financial Summery for 2014

August 23rd, 2014 at 10:10 am

Here is my Financial Summery for - April period.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last month I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

My review for April budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$12.50
Groceries===$125=== =$121.43
Non-Food===$15===== $1.18
Clothes ====$35
Grooming===$20=====$15.00
Gas======$20======$31.91
HH items===$40======$85.50
Fares== ====$15
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15
Gifts & Donations ==$35 =====$1.00
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$54.95
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$100.09

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 13 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $424.18 under by $125.82 on general spending.

Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $186.00 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $3.57 this period.

Strategy - Do remember what you have stored before you go and buy more of the same.

3rd Monthly Financial Summery for 2014

April 26th, 2014 at 07:32 am

Here is my Financial Summery for - March period.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last month I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

This is my review for last month's budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$35.00
Groceries===$125=== =$87.66
Non-Food===$15
Clothes ====$35
Grooming===$20
Gas======$20======$35.32
HH items===$40======$37.80
Fares== ====$15
Entrainments== $15 ====$10.00
Garden =====$15
Gifts & Donations ==$35
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$48.45
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$60.28

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 14 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $276.71 under by $273.29 on general spending.

Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $240.00 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $37.34 this period.

Strategy - Don't believe all the advertising you see on TV or in the mail you didn't know you wanted it 15 minutes before you saw that advertisement.


13th Monthly Financial Summery for 2013

January 19th, 2014 at 06:50 pm

Here is my Financial Summery for - December period.

I have updated my Excel finally so here are the figures for last month I have been quite busy here.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

This is my review for last month's budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$15.30
Groceries===$125=== =$106.83
Non-Food===$15======$2.50
Clothes ====$35======$34.00
Grooming===$20
Gas======$20
HH items===$40=======$21.46
Fares== ====$15
Entrainments== $15 =====$26.50
Garden =====$15 =======$47.90
Gifts & Donations ==$35 ===$37.48
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$11.90
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$4.00

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 13 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $307.87 under by $242.13 on general spending.

My watches required new batteries that came out of clothes were an out of pocket expense of $34.00 and I never spent much of my personal allowance. Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $245 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $18.17 this period.
I had to watch my spending this period as my outgoing on bills and major projects were over $16000 this period. That they all have been paid for now.

Strategy - Do remember what you have stored before you go and buy more of the same.

12th Monthly Financial Summery for 2013

December 21st, 2013 at 09:54 am

Here is my Financial Summery for November - December period.

I have updated my Excel so here are the figures for last month.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

This is my review for last month's budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$170.35
Groceries===$125=== =$174.87
Non-Food===$15
Clothes ====$35======$5.00
Grooming===$20=====$2.00
Gas======$20
HH items===$40=======$11.08
Fares== ====$15 ======$20.00
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15
Gifts & Donations ==$35 ===$164.00
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$176.90
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$65.70

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 14 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $789.90 over by $239.90 on general spending.

My new glasses was an out of pocket expense of $171.00 and deposit for Christmas lunch $125 at hotel again this year were some of the expenses that took it above budget this period.

Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $400.00 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was over by $49.87 this period.

Strategy - Do remember what you have stored before you go and buy more of the same.

Just the 13 th period still to come after 2 January.

11th Monthly Financial Summery for 2013

December 21st, 2013 at 09:51 am

11th Monthly Financial Summery for 2013
Here is my Financial Summery for November period.

I have updated my Excel so here are the figures for last month.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

This is my review for last month's budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$27.40
Groceries===$125=== =$176.51
Non-Food===$15=====$10.00
Clothes ====$35
Grooming===$20
Gas======$20=======$72.55
HH items===$40=======$8.00
Fares== ====$15 ======$10.00
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15 =====$9.50
Gifts & Donations ==$35 ===$11.50
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$1268.10
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$83.38

Note only one amount is a No Spend

No Spending Days 10 of 28 days

Budgeted for this period $550 spent ($1667.44-$1260) under by $142.56 on general spending.

My dentist bill was an out of pocket expense of $1260 which I had been saving for a while.

Personal allowance covers health drinks, lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month; it was $1685.00 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was over by $51.51 this period .

Strategy - Do remember what you have stored before you go and buy more of the same.

10th Monthly Financial Summery for 2013

December 21st, 2013 at 09:48 am

Here is my Financial Summery for October period.

I have updated my Excel so here are the figures for last month.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

This is my review for last month's budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$37.00
Groceries===$125=== =$66.22
Non-Food===$15
Clothes ====$35=====$8.00
Grooming===$20
Gas======$20
HH items===$40=======$35.00
Fares== ====$15 ======$10.00
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15 =====$9.50
Gifts & Donations ==$35 ===$24.20
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$5.90
Misc ======$10===========$2.00
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$118.70

Note only one amount is a No Spend

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $316.52 under by $290.41

No Spending Days 11 of 28 days

Personal allowance covers health drinks , lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

** 3 year subscription to Diabetic living $87.00 - 39%off @ $4.83 per copy (RRP $7.95 x 18 copies)

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month, it was $2053.00 this period.

Grocery allotment $125 for each period it was under by $58.78 this period.

You can see that I am saving for something! A dentist bill that is will show up in period 11.

Strategy - Do remember what you have stored before you go and buy more of the same.

Ninth Monthly Financial Summery for 2013

October 21st, 2013 at 09:55 am

Here is my Financial Summery for August-Sept period.

I have updated my Excel so here are the figures for last month.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

This is my review for last month's budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$36.30
Groceries===$125=== =$86.37
Non-Food===$15====$19.95
Clothes ====$35
Grooming===$20
Gas======$20
HH items===$40=======$59.30
Fares== ====$15
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15 =====$2.00
Gifts & Donations ==$35 ===$5.50
Medical & Diabetes Expenses ===$70====$42.34
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$38.65

Note only one amount is a No Spend

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $290.41 under by $259.59

No Spending Days 14 of 28 days

Personal allowance covers health drinks , lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month, it was $85.00 this period.
Grocery allotment $125 for each period under by $38.63 this period
You can see that I am saving for something! A dentist bill that is will show up in period 11.
Strategy - Do remember what you have stored before you go and buy more of the same.

Use It or Bin It Exercise

June 3rd, 2013 at 08:54 am

I am trying to use up some of the items that I have in my pantry that I have bought over the years.
Sago and tapioca are some of these items that I have to use up they are way past their use by dates by a number of years.

Its use it or bin it exercise. I am not putting on weight when eating this recipe so that is why I still have them in the pantry as other recipes I used cause a weight gain in the past.

Lemon Sago
Serves 4
2oz sago
1 1/2 cups water
Soak for 2 hours
Add pinch salt and boil.
Add the rind of half lemon and juice of whole lemon
Then add 1 tablespoon golden syrup and 1 tablespoon brown sugar (white sugar will do if you have no brown sugar).
Dissolve and mix this in the boiling sago mixture and pour mixture into basin to set.
I eat this cold when set with poached whole pears or stewed apples.

Do you have items in your pantry or kitchen cupboard that needs to use up?

Four days of no spending here.

Fourth Monthly Financial Summery for 2013

May 22nd, 2013 at 09:20 am

Here is my Financial Summery for April - May period.

I have updated my Excel so here are the figures for last month.

This for period of 28 days each as I work on 28 day cycles, my dates may be out to calendar months so here are the figures that will bring it up to date as its very near the end of next 28 day cycle.

Reviewing my monthly daily living allowance

This is my first review for last month’s budget.
These are the categories for this challenge.

Items === Approx. Budget===Spent

Eating out===$35=====$36.10
Groceries===$125=== =$44.86
Non-Food===$15=======$10.88
Clothes ====$35
Grooming===$20=======$4.98
Gas======$20=========$5.65
HH items===$40=======$70.00
Fares== ====$15 =====$10.00
Entrainments== $15
Garden =====$15
Gifts & Donations ==$35 ===$3.00
Medical & Diabetes Expenses =$70
Misc ======$10
Personal Allowance =$90 ===$20.27

Note only one amount is a No Spend

Budgeted for this period $550 spent $205.74 under by $344.26

No Spending Days 15 of 28 days

Personal allowance covers health drinks , lotto, books, stamps, craft and hobby supplies.

Eating out including meals out with family and friends, we all go Dutch.

My credit cards are still paid in full each month, it was $590.00

[i]Strategy - Do remember what you have stored before you go and buy more of the same.

Medical Expenses and more tests

March 15th, 2013 at 08:43 am

I did pay my annual Chiro bill the other day and it was the same as last year $540.00 for 12 visits. The normal pensioner/ student price per visit is $50.00 so I'm saving $5.00 per visit now as I get a refund $19.40 from health fund whether I pay $50 or $45.00 per visit. That’s a saving of $60 per year or 10% off which no bank interest can match anywhere. So save money by paying early.

I had my heart value check again this year had to pay for specialist visit, ECG and Echo test. Total came to $337.00 of which Medicare (GOV) refund came to $252.90 and out of pocket cost $84.50. As there was no change in heart value and the doctor thinks I could have been born with this defect or have had it for a very long time. So I will need to budget for these tests each year to see if there is any change. So same time next year appointments have been made. More tests in a few weeks for something my mother died from. It's a test that I don't like having. Plus I have to see my eye specialist this year too! So more money to the medical sector is in the pipeline.

It's lucky that I can afford to do these tests but then I will pay kept myself healthy as I possibly can. Some pensioners here can't afford do them and are playing the price in pain and stress and years of waiting for free tests and operations.

Strategy - Ask about any discounts and don’t worry if you forgot to ask about it, worse they can say is NO if you go back and ask.


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