tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post4738836876773714265..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: Budget - good newsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-33131555575018611682008-05-20T23:10:00.000+10:002008-05-20T23:10:00.000+10:00Thank you Rhonda for reminding us that each small ...Thank you Rhonda for reminding us that each small step can make a difference in being debt free and happier for it.Gypsy Quilterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18192303145122990677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-36605881354893341192008-05-20T04:32:00.000+10:002008-05-20T04:32:00.000+10:00Hi RhondaI missed your first two posts, being away...Hi Rhonda<BR/><BR/>I missed your first two posts, being away from the computer, so you had made your happy discovery by the time I caught up. One way I keep track of my finances is by using an old Microsoft Money program - I think it came with one of the computers years ago - and also a personal spreadsheet I have made on Excel. A works spreadsheet would probably suffice. The equations in the spreadsheet are very basic but it means that if there is a sudden increase in the cost of one or more important expenses I can see straight away whether/where I can make adjustments to compensate. Last year's present buying got rather out of hand, for example. The Money program keeps track of everything to the last penny and I pay all the bills I can by Direct Debit. Sometimes in the UK it is cheaper to pay that way. With petrol now almost £5 a gallon (10.22 AU$), using the car is rationed and I really appreciate the privilege. Our food tastes better because I no longer buy ready made. Though we have less consumer goods, what we do have mean so much more.<BR/>CharisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-15135635170038194982008-05-20T00:12:00.001+10:002008-05-20T00:12:00.001+10:00Great to see the figures working out for you and H...Great to see the figures working out for you and Hanno. Best wishes with your plans for making money doing things you love. xxBelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15269898358066713252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-38916697050999346192008-05-20T00:12:00.000+10:002008-05-20T00:12:00.000+10:00Yay! You are an inspiration Rhonda.Yay! You are an inspiration Rhonda.Eilleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10234465657790552289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-23646107054502721922008-05-19T22:58:00.000+10:002008-05-19T22:58:00.000+10:00good for you! throughout these several last posts ...good for you! throughout these several last posts I've been thinking a lot about you and how frugal you live and how at peace you are with possible changes-again, an inspiration. with me at home doing the mom thing, we are essentially on one fixed income too so you are a model for me to do those little things that add up! i just wish i had your dignity :)kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02797043775747612012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-85440009722376616482008-05-19T22:41:00.000+10:002008-05-19T22:41:00.000+10:00Now that's good news! (&very inspiring!)Now that's good news! (&very inspiring!)Nikihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05943301163903634325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-85324047275346939542008-05-19T20:11:00.000+10:002008-05-19T20:11:00.000+10:00Oh Rhonda, that is just wonderful! You both must f...Oh Rhonda, that is just wonderful! You both must feel so proud and relieved that it turns out you're doing better than you thought. <BR/>I'm also impressed with your budget and how it's set up. Looks good! Although we live within our means, we don't really have a clear budget like you have. The only thing we have is a 60 euro limit for the supermarket every week (for 4 people), but it's more of a guideline really, in reality we don't manage that every week.<BR/>I agree with Annikka, owning a car here in the NL is very expensive, not just the gas. I think it costs us in total about 150 euros a month (I'm sorry, I don't know how many AUS $ that is) that's write-off (is that even a word? I mean devaluation by using and aging) for the car, gas, insurance and parking. <BR/><BR/>Christine from the NLChristinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11078340690256967729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-13177382831994079012008-05-19T18:31:00.000+10:002008-05-19T18:31:00.000+10:00Glad things are better than you first thought!I am...Glad things are better than you first thought!<BR/>I am looking at our outgoings and trying to prune some more as food, fuel and petrol costs have risen so dramatically recently. We are paying £1.19 per litre for diesel for the car now and butter has gone up from 56p to 87p. I have really valued all the advice you give and the encouragement too, thanks.French Knotshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14151593113968041304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-42821014157737780382008-05-19T16:57:00.000+10:002008-05-19T16:57:00.000+10:00Great news!But i still think you can write a bests...Great news!<BR/>But i still think you can write a bestseller book with all your ideas which you write down on your blog.<BR/>You have really low costs. But i can see a difference in taxes between Australia and Holland. For example the petrol is expensive for our car, but we also have to pay 85 euro's tax a month for only having a car.<BR/>And on our bill for gas and electricity we pay tax for the environment and tax overall the bill.<BR/>I'm also perhaps a bit nosy about the vitamins. I agree with people here who say, you perhaps don't need so much vitamins. If you want i can give you some advice about it. I have a food-education.<BR/><BR/>Annikka<BR/>(this is my email: Annikka66@gmail.com)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-43866806711895383382008-05-19T13:19:00.000+10:002008-05-19T13:19:00.000+10:00That's great news! What a relief.I, also, would lo...That's great news! What a relief.<BR/><BR/>I, also, would love to purchase Rhonda made products! :)Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08491179635635486800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-13102821736850128842008-05-19T12:50:00.000+10:002008-05-19T12:50:00.000+10:00I'm so glad things are looking up. But I have to a...I'm so glad things are looking up. But I have to agree with anonymous...when reading your budget I wondered why two people who are eating in SUCH a healthy manner, with whole foods and lots of grains, need vitamins? Eighty dollars is a lot of money. If I'm being too nosy I apologize. But that would sure free up a huge chunk of your budget.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-22827420494801237192008-05-19T12:06:00.000+10:002008-05-19T12:06:00.000+10:00Rhonda, I was away for a week and missed you very ...Rhonda, I was away for a week and missed you very much! I am having fun catching up on all these posts at once, and not having to live in suspense as to whether or not you are going to "make it!" Well done.MoeyMichelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17188003226227123506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-60279669499032452142008-05-19T11:28:00.000+10:002008-05-19T11:28:00.000+10:00YAY - glad it has worked out better than you thoug...YAY - glad it has worked out better than you thought and maybe you have a few ideas for the future if ever needed.<BR/><BR/>Great news!!!<BR/>RachaelxxxRachael @ Rachael's Happy Life!https://www.blogger.com/profile/16272283703654492588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-90552241911100844802008-05-19T10:50:00.000+10:002008-05-19T10:50:00.000+10:00Rhonda,It is so wonderful that you keep everything...Rhonda,<BR/><BR/>It is so wonderful that you keep everything tracked with your budget. You always amaze me! <BR/><BR/>I was wondering with your grocery budget do you buy the same things each week? Do you have a master menu that you pick from each week? We always spend too much at the grocery I suppose that is our weakness. We get out once a week to get everything we need.(that keeps us from making several trips which is too expensive)I am going to try your envelope system:)So you spend 250.00 a week or was that a month?<BR/><BR/>Thank you again!!!<BR/><BR/>Renee<BR/><BR/>P.s. I think am also going to try to put a few things on Esty:)Knitters Notebookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11828971476334676496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-25051422424692594842008-05-19T10:43:00.000+10:002008-05-19T10:43:00.000+10:00That's wonderful news! Much like finding an extra...That's wonderful news! Much like finding an extra $50 in a pair of jeans you haven't had on for over a year! hahahaha I still can't wait for the Etsy shop.<BR/>You are definitely as wise I thought you to be. :-)<BR/>BTW, I had to chuckle out loud at <B><I>razor family farms</B></I> comment about "house-poor" being better "junk-poor"! lol How very true.:-)<BR/>Congrats from the U.S.,<BR/>ChristieChristie Grothhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15884314946318649337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-74366997795484760822008-05-19T10:40:00.000+10:002008-05-19T10:40:00.000+10:00If you like taking vitamins maybe you could look i...If you like taking vitamins maybe you could look into USANA a direct marketing company who sells vitamins.<BR/><BR/>I have a friend who does this & their profit pays for their vitamins they personally take.<BR/><BR/>Personally I'm not into direct marketing or vitamins but thought it could be an avenue that interests you - and if you can get your vitamins cost down it will help the budget.<BR/>Leanne NZAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-72037692955711218902008-05-19T10:32:00.000+10:002008-05-19T10:32:00.000+10:00Congratulations!!! I'm so happy for you. It is goo...Congratulations!!! I'm so happy for you. It is good to know that the small things add up! Cherriewillywagtailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04161501326916060091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-62283405603952322382008-05-19T10:23:00.000+10:002008-05-19T10:23:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda Jean :) What a wonderful discovery! I am...Hi Rhonda Jean :) What a wonderful discovery! I am so proud for you and Hanno, and I thank you again and again for the encouragement your sharing provides. Love, QQuinnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14446233534591572279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-41558388705846867552008-05-19T08:56:00.000+10:002008-05-19T08:56:00.000+10:00I would drop the vitamins - the manufacturers are ...I would drop the vitamins - the manufacturers are marketing them to us and in the west we are extremely well nourished. If you are unsure whether your diet is adequate eat a serving of Total cereal every day. The richest source of some vitamins is middle class pee !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-19266671523557883432008-05-19T08:17:00.000+10:002008-05-19T08:17:00.000+10:00Great to hear that you have things sorted, its goo...Great to hear that you have things sorted, its good to see how all those small things add up to make a big difference :)RosieBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08854580933210191702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-86587813012891659242008-05-19T07:54:00.000+10:002008-05-19T07:54:00.000+10:00glad to hear everything worked out well :)glad to hear everything worked out well :)Dirkeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420823812790173292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-20689183064395332542008-05-19T07:36:00.000+10:002008-05-19T07:36:00.000+10:00Oh I am so pleased you have worked it out. I knew ...Oh I am so pleased you have worked it out. I knew if anyone could do it it would be you and Hanno. <BR/><BR/>Have a happy day.<BR/><BR/>PippaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-2158885213024254032008-05-19T07:32:00.000+10:002008-05-19T07:32:00.000+10:00Well done Rhonda. What a pleasant surprise that mu...Well done Rhonda. What a pleasant surprise that must have been. Just goes to show how rewarding diligence is.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-90325591045236374762008-05-19T07:01:00.000+10:002008-05-19T07:01:00.000+10:00Your last post about finances had me really worrie...Your last post about finances had me really worried and am still worried. It really made me think 'really think ' about our future, how we save for it, how we manage for it. It is O.K. us growing a few vegetables and being frugal but to make ends meet in this Peak Oil Crisis. It makes the 60's look great, did the Baby boomers really have it all, use it all ??? <BR/><BR/>I worry about how my children will cope as I am sure all parents do.<BR/><BR/>Rhonda, I would buy your soap, to support 'you'. I cannot buy the ingredients here so I cannot make my own but is it 'green' shipping it all the way from Australia to Switzerland ? One thing you have is time, time to make things which full time workers don't so I would think along those lines. Supply and demand and all that.<BR/><BR/>Greeting, Karen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-24113451927574815282008-05-19T06:46:00.000+10:002008-05-19T06:46:00.000+10:00This is good news for you Rhonda, what a welcome s...This is good news for you Rhonda, what a welcome surprise...and just shows how being mindful with the little things all adds up to make a big difference. Re tithing - as I understand it the tithe has to be in money, it is not the same if one gives one's time and skills. I don't for a moment mean that giving your time and volunteering doesn't have a value, quite the opposite, it's just not 'valid' from a tithing perspective. Hope that makes sense. I have known people who tithe - they give 10 per cent of their income to someone who has truly inspired and helped them...so this is not necessarily giving to charitable causes, though it could be.....and even when they've only had pence in the bank, they've still tithed...and always always money has come back to them when needed. Maybe there are other versions of tithing I don't know about? Anyway, best wishes, and have a wonderful week. Diana xwalter and mehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.com