The Nest's Personal Finance Blog

It's more than half a year and I'm very much behind my goals. In the last three months we have spent nearly $ 20000 towards renovation and other legal expenses for our inherited property.

Also DH's dream job has been withhold due to restructure of the division. It's a relaxing job and DH would enjoy it. But the University HR has advised that position will be re-advertised once the restructure is completed. Fingers crossed!

So far we have made $ 8000 mortgage extra payment and 2500 in savings. Paid off car loan.

Next month is going to be a big spend month as we will be receiving the winter electricity bill. I guess it will around $ 1000. I know that a big bill for 3 months, but Canberra winter months are too cold and reaches -8 in the nights.

On the positive note, our inherited property has been valued at $ 120,000.

Sorry for not posting in the last months! I'm so frustrated about all the spending and didn't have the motivation to write the blog!

My Savings plan is not working in the last two months because of my overseas trip.

February - $ 685 extra mortgage payment
March - $ 1980 extra mortgage payment

I have spent a lot of money in those two months. I know it sucks...... I need to compensate in the coming months.

$ 2000 - Extra mortgage payment
$ 415 - savings

However I withdrew $ 2400 for the airtickets. Yes, we (DS and me) are going overseas in March to visit my parents and in-laws and to attend my sister's wedding.
So that's an unexpected expense. But still they all want to meet DS, as they haven't seen in the last 3 years.

Sorry guys! I had been so lazy these days! No blogging but visiting all your blogs whenever I get time. Now I am on annual leave until 5 Jan 2011 and no school either ; I will blog regularly in 2011 ; I promise!

My Goals
Finance:

( ) Find a well paid permanent job - Got a well paid but not permanent

() Pay atleast $ 10000 extra payment towards mortgage by end of 2010 - Done!

Extra payment made = $ 19,126


) 10% gross salary towards superannuation : Nil

( ) Increase the EF from $ 5000 to 10000 - Done !

EF fund saved in 2010 = 12000

( ) Buy an investment property ; save for the deposit

- Not yet. But planning to renovate our inherited property in early 2011. May be we will take $ 15000 out of our EF for the renovations which will bring in some rental income from mid 2011. Wish me luck!

Others :

( ) Finish studies - Not yet! May happen in mid 2011.

( ) Spend more study time with DS - Not as much as I planned. But spending extra time during weekends and holidays.

( ) Attend seminars/training for career enhancement - Half done! My employer has sponsored me for a Management online course which will cost around $ 7000. I'm so happy with that! Will be spending around 8 hours per month until July 2011.

I wish the following goals happen in 2011

Pay Extra Mortgage - $ 35000

Start a Holiday Fund - atleast $ 4000

EF fund savings - $ 10000


Happy Christmas everybody!

Extra payment towards mortgage on payday 19/8:

$1500

Hi Guys

As the title says, the reason for my absence is I started working (part-time) last month ; It's good finance job and pays well with generous 15.4% super; But life is getting busy and hardly have time to blog.

August expenses :

Mortgage extra payment : $ 840
Books and other school exp : $ 510
Hair cut and colour : $ 50
Hair accessories : $ 12
Op - shop : $ 13


DS skin condition is not getting any better. Our GP has recommended a dermatologist. Fingers crossed;

School holidays starts next week. Just to keep my DS busy, I bought some stationaries, some colouring books, colour pencils, erasers, half a dozen pens, etc., total spent $ 40

5 pairs of socks for DS - $ 12
2 packets of biscuits - $ 5
Cup cake - 2.90
Baklava (for me) - $ 2.90
Kids multi - $ 22.50

Grand total - 85.30

Yesterday we (me and DS) went to see the doctor. DS has got itchy skin in his legs and the skin is getting darker day by day. The doctor said either it could be dermatitis or some other fungal infection. Anyway we will get the results early next week. He has prescribed a cream, which we have it already, and kids under 16 are bulk billed by our GP. Therefore no expenses, but hangon we did spend some money. We bought a snack box chicken (KFC )and a cup cake totalling $ 6.45. Then I bought some groceries.

Yoghurt
Dip
Chicken nuggets - 2 packets
Total $ 22

Again today I went to MYER to use my gift voucher which is going to expire soon. But I found nothing for $ 40, well nothing upto my expectations. So I went to Target to buy a coin purse for DS and spent about $ 23. (Ok, I agree it is an impulse buy)

Coin Purse
Nice grey colour scarf
Glove for DS


Then at BIGW
Drinking chocolate was on sale , bought one and saved $1.00

Mini Spinach and feta roll - $ 1.80

I don't know why I am spending without any income. I must control myself

Asian groceries - $ 30
Fruit and vegies - $ 23
Woolies - $ 49

Total = $ 102

Am I having $ 21 challenge? My grocery bill is way too low than normal. May be because I am at home and planning the meals wisely.....

Finance:

( ) Find a well paid permanent job.

() Pay atleast $ 10000 extra payment towards mortgage by end of 2010


( ) 10% gross salary towards superannuation

( ) Increase the EF from $ 5000 to 10000

( ) Buy an investment property ; save for the deposit

Others :

( ) Finish studies

( ) Spend more study time with DS

( ) Attend seminars/training for career enhancement.

Priceline

Night cream - $ 14
Hair colour - $ 14
-----------------
Eyebrow waxing - $ 12
-------------------
Kmart - $ 5 ( DS TShirt; with 40% off)
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Bus ticket - $ 24.50
---------------------
Woolies - $ 11.40
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DS has asked us several times to take him to Snowy mountains, a ski resort in our area. We are planning for this long weekend.

Last week expenses

Groceries (Woolworths) - $ 67.00
Asian groceries - $ 56.00
Electricity - $ 298 (for 3 months)
( I expect electricity exp will go up next quarter as winter has started. Yesterday it was freezing -2)
Water & Sewerage - $ 198 (for 3 months)
Childcare - $ 310

I paid all these with my last salary.... I feel a bit sad that I will not see any more money coming in my account......

My husband went overseas a couple of weeks ago taking his new iphone. He spoke with me last week,after his coversation I checked the usage and it was just $ 16.36.
When he called again I was stupid and said it's ok to talk longer and the roaming charges are cheap than I thought. But unfortunately the phone company's website updates once in 2 days and now the charges are $ 710. Our call credit is only $ 350. Of course he called me several times and we (Me & DS) spoke for long hours. I can't imagine my husband's reaction when he gets home......

Home phone and internet bills for the last six months :
Jan - $ 93 - bad
Feb - $ 83 - not bad
Mar - $ 80 - ok
Apr - $ 73 - good! This is what I had budgeted
May - $ 96 - too bad
Jun - $ 82 - Hmmmm...Ok

My goal = $ 75

Hi there

After reading all your blogs for nearly two years I got inspired and started my own. Until 21 May I was working full time and studying part- time, struggling with my work and life balance. I took a very bold decision to quit my job and complete my qualification in finance. I strongly believe I will get a well paid job once I complete my studies. My husband works full time (academic) and we don't have any debts except the mortgage.

My favorite blogs:
Whitestripes
Monkey Mama