tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post1657596485246490500..comments2024-03-29T21:11:37.724+10:00Comments on down to earth: Organising your money Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-85901737140914481082018-03-22T09:20:20.477+10:002018-03-22T09:20:20.477+10:00I agree with going to the shops less. We have move...I agree with going to the shops less. We have moved to a single income family, as I have returned to study- it's been a huge adjustment financially. But we worked out a budget, and, on paper we have enough money to get by - it's just resisting the impulse buys and like Rhonda wrote, reminding yourself that your aren't missing out. <br />I have just started using Coles Click'n'collect. I do the shopping online and pick it up at the back dock- stops me entering the store and spending extra. <br />Gabbinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-35403766829702311222018-03-15T04:54:46.378+10:002018-03-15T04:54:46.378+10:00Judi 1944, my favorite financial book is Your Mone...Judi 1944, my favorite financial book is Your Money or Your Life, by Joe Dominguez and Vickie Robin. It changed my thought process, therefore I spent less money. You can get a copy at your local library. Their concept of spending less is simple, yet effective.Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14842687744957795132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-91300530144291937502018-03-06T01:46:12.304+10:002018-03-06T01:46:12.304+10:00Thank you for one more informative and helpful pos...Thank you for one more informative and helpful post, Rhonda. I am lucky that I've never felt the need to "keep up", and at the grand old age of 46 I've never owned (or driven - although I do have a license) a car, and I'm proud that I turn up at my job as PA to directors of a multinational company in mostly thrifted or handmade clothes. However, I am very vulnerable to acquiring new books and craft materials, so one of the goals this year is monitoring and reigning in those expenses and only getting what I’m actually going to use (and increasing trips to the library!)<br />Regarding our mortgage, lamentably here you're not encouraged to make extra payments, which actually bear a penalty of 0.5%, so we've only done that once with a larger sum that had been squirreled away (in a savings account) over a few years; I'm thinking of doing the same next year when more savings become available. The difficult bit these days is finding a solution that will actually pay some significant interest while you’re setting aside the money, which is almost impossible!<br />As for direct debit, I actually avoid it because overcharging or wrong billing have happened in the past, and I’ve found that complaining before you pay is usually much more effective than attempting to get your money back once the bill is settled; we only have a DD for the mortgage. However, I do get all bills by email and pay them online as soon as I receive them; I also send in monthly meter readings to all utility companies, which are very useful to avoid being charged estimates, especially now that there’s just 2 of us in the house instead of 3 and we’re using less of everything.<br />Similarly to many others, I sometimes move available money from one category to the other according to where it’s needed more each month - I keep budget “rows” adding up each category over the months, so I can check whether I’m within the budget overall. I also tend to be quite flexible with certain categories, e.g. clothing – if I want to buy quality garments, I know I’ll go over budget that month, but I also know it’s a very occasional expense that can be spread over several months. Spreading also works for quarterly or yearly expenses (e.g. taxes, insurance policies, schoolbooks), which are budgeted monthly and held in a savings account until needed. Part of my monthly pay goes directly into savings, including a pension plan offered by my employers and a fund for my daughter’s education.<br />Something the comments here have inspired me to do is look for a credit card (mine is currently only used for online payments) with cashback or other advantages, as well as someone offering better savings accounts!Paolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04499771891602831164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-59971543268325014122018-03-01T03:36:57.106+10:002018-03-01T03:36:57.106+10:00Sorry to read about your loss. Very good info to k...Sorry to read about your loss. Very good info to keep in mind. Thank you for sharing. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04802781228063625195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-37361583988929693132018-02-28T12:07:24.441+10:002018-02-28T12:07:24.441+10:00Thanks for all the great tips and stories. I have ...Thanks for all the great tips and stories. I have a system that works quite well for me but its great to read others and see things from different perspectives.<br />I have calculated how much I need to put away for our bills that are paid quarterly and yearly like school fees and insurances from our weekly pay. It automatically transfers to an ING account where it accumulates and I never see it in our everyday account. We'd be lost if we didn't do this.<br />I have started using pocketbook and am loving it. Thanks for the suggestion and link Rhonda<br />kate Rapunzels Wild Gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04273047547787107088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-70198318652110150382018-02-28T04:26:48.793+10:002018-02-28T04:26:48.793+10:00I am sorry for you and your family on your loss. T...I am sorry for you and your family on your loss. Take care.Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14842687744957795132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-7622993660497303602018-02-27T23:31:38.770+10:002018-02-27T23:31:38.770+10:00'When you see your friends in a new car, or ch...'When you see your friends in a new car, or changing with the fashions, you’ll most likely want to remind yourself that your life provides plenty of satisfaction and that even though you like the new things your friends have, you don’t want them; the cost is too high, no matter what it is. Your debt is reducing, not going up, and I hope that will give you a measure of accomplishment and joy that no amount of new clothes or travel will give.'<br /><br />This one I like the most Rhonda! Seeing all other people buying and buying and buying even more, I feel so satisfied with my little things at home and the feeling it is all good enough! No need to go with the buying-flow gives me the best feeling ever.Crafts 'n' Skillshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04627513810584088023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-11055456409856714842018-02-27T13:02:19.648+10:002018-02-27T13:02:19.648+10:00Another excellent post on my favorite topic on you...Another excellent post on my favorite topic on your blog: money. When I first found your blog I was struggling, financially. Now, I am happy to say, I am debt free and able to save money at the end of each month. It's true that we need fulfilling work at all ages. My dad is 87, and he told me that he is envious of the people who are at retirement age and above and are still working. It does really affect your self esteem. TheAwakenedSoulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11636961399581011120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-72602998130190203922018-02-27T09:26:34.413+10:002018-02-27T09:26:34.413+10:00Let me take the opportunity to welcome you to the ...Let me take the opportunity to welcome you to the comments and to Australia, Magda. Good luck settling in.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-27044474320439451882018-02-27T08:38:03.839+10:002018-02-27T08:38:03.839+10:00I have finally managed to work out how to comment....I have finally managed to work out how to comment. A simple mistake I kept making luckily DH was in the office and set me right. I have followed your blog from the beginning and love it, actually I am re-reading from the beginning at the moment. We have moved from NZ to Australia at the end of last year and I have taken this opportunity to overhaul our budget and spending habits. As we have just moved into our home we haven't had all our bills yet i.e electricity but will keep adding to my budget book.Magdanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-78378730708417181232018-02-27T07:54:56.491+10:002018-02-27T07:54:56.491+10:00A long while ago l found the best way to save was ...A long while ago l found the best way to save was to have an amount of money automatically going out of my current account on pay day and into a savings account. That way, l didn't think of my salary as £800 a month (or whatever), but as £650 a month and that's what l lived off. Seeing how quickly the savings accumulated was a great incentive to carry on and save even more so l could get to the next £1000. I earn less now but could still save the money from the extra days l work each month - l just need to set up the regular transfer. Leah in England.<br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-30948690651471204372018-02-27T07:10:43.883+10:002018-02-27T07:10:43.883+10:00I am very sorry to hear of your loss. Take care of...I am very sorry to hear of your loss. Take care of yourself at this difficult time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-76206420045441285802018-02-27T06:12:26.766+10:002018-02-27T06:12:26.766+10:00Hi Rhonda, Knowing when enough is enough, learning...Hi Rhonda, Knowing when enough is enough, learning new skills, repairing and taking care of what we have is great advice. I am content to walk my own path. What others have and do no longer interests or influences me. Tracking spending, using cash, budgeting and a simple life suit me fine. We "down to earthers" are all singing from the same song sheet and the different perspectives shared are very interesting. Thank you for all your posts and the practical support and encouragement you so generously give. Cheers jomorronoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-35464398391176147252018-02-27T05:36:56.263+10:002018-02-27T05:36:56.263+10:00It's SO interesting and helpful reading about ...It's SO interesting and helpful reading about how everyone manages their money. At the moment all my spare money is being used to make extra payments on the mortgage and to pay off the credit card. I feel as excited as a kid at Christmas when I think about having the credit card paid off (not long now!) because it will mean having more money to do up the house and put into savings. A frugal few months while paying it off hasn't been much of a sacrifice and has really made me focus on making food from scratch and making my own clothes. The frugal life suits me!smallquietpretty.wordpress.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08167900482126813343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-36961900627573741882018-02-27T05:29:50.204+10:002018-02-27T05:29:50.204+10:00This is such a great quote! I'm going to print...This is such a great quote! I'm going to print it out and stick it on the fridge. Dickens was a wise man!smallquietpretty.wordpress.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08167900482126813343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-33592935442946234692018-02-27T05:29:07.517+10:002018-02-27T05:29:07.517+10:00Thank you Rhonda for always giving us food for tho...Thank you Rhonda for always giving us food for thought, My husband and I have separate checking accounts, Mine is used to pay the bills. His is used for his small gun smithing business that supports his hobby of buying repairing and reselling antique farm tractors. He buys many of his parts online and he gets paid for work with PayPal. By having 2 accounts it keeps our house money safe, <br />All of our cars and RV are 15 to 40 years old. My husband does a good job keeping them maintain and running good. Most everything we buy is good second hand. I keep a list of things I’m looking for, once a month we take a fun day and go around to the second hand shops in the area looking for finds. We sometimes go months without buying anything. We keep our buying to just what we are looking for, it’s just a fun day out window shopping and spending the day out. Good second hand stuff most of the time is better than new things I can buy in the store at a fraction of the cost. It’s a great feeling when I find something that’s been on my list for months. It’s like finding that special treasure you have been searching for. <br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04802781228063625195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-28839773228195653582018-02-27T03:31:33.975+10:002018-02-27T03:31:33.975+10:00Good Morning Rhonda: I love reading your blog and ...Good Morning Rhonda: I love reading your blog and the comments everyone submits are always very insightful. I wanted to make a quick suggestion with sort of belongs with the money month. We had a loss in our family this last week. My mother died suddenly. I would like to recommend to your readers two things... firstly make sure all of your paperwork is in place and up to date. Wills, powers of attorney and living wills (final health wishes). It was so much easier to be of assistance to my 80 year old father because this paperwork was current. Secondly I recommend reviewing your funeral wishes please make it known either in writing or to family in conversation what your wishes are, better yet if it is affordable preplan and prepay for the funeral/services you want. In Canada where I live you can prepay for the funeral/services you want that money is put in trust or in a type of insurance policy and your family is then saved the possible hardship of trying to find the funds to pay for a funeral. Even our very simple visitation and cremation service for my mum was over $9,000 so please consider this a favour to your family and plan/budget for it. It will be much appreciated by those left behind and you get your wishes followed. I hope that people aren't offended by the subject but I thought it relevant to the last two months topics.Heikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-87249382132298508772018-02-26T21:06:21.268+10:002018-02-26T21:06:21.268+10:00I pay for most things including bills with my cred...I pay for most things including bills with my credit card. This way I accrue enough points at the end of the year to either buy something I need or purchase Christmas presents with the points. As soon as I use my credit card I pay it off straight away using internet banking or my envelope system. I have a set amount put away for household bills, mortgage and extras such as haircuts and clothing etc. I save all my $5.00 notes to pay my car registration. Any coins go in a money box and when full is paid off the mortgage. This includes coins in pockets and left laying around the house. I am paid fortnightly and every second fortnight I live extra frugally and can usually come up with a few extra hundred dollars to also pay off the mortgage. I would like to do this every fortnight but it's just not possible. I work part time ( not by choice) am single so there is no second income but am managing fine, so far. Love reading how every one else manages their money. Thanks Rhonda for your insightful advice. Lisa W. TasmaniaLisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02859010161960431695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-52864327492171389482018-02-26T20:45:58.983+10:002018-02-26T20:45:58.983+10:00"Use cash instead of cards" is a great a..."Use cash instead of cards" is a great advise. We budget fuel as a regular bill, based on the average kilometers we drive, because it's card paying only at most gas-stations. This way we put aside money for fuel monthly. When there is money left from the fuel-budget we put it into our savings. <br /><br />We made the choice for a second car because we live rural. But we chose a low-cost car in monthly costs and paid for it by cash. Because we have a budget for fuel it works for us this way. <br /><br />Using cash definitely helps us to keep on track with our spending on groceries.Eigenwijzehuisjehttp://eigenwijzehuisje.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-90401608900340893222018-02-26T20:29:48.195+10:002018-02-26T20:29:48.195+10:00I cut my credit card into little pieces about 5 we...I cut my credit card into little pieces about 5 weeks ago and since then have almost paid a quarter of the debt off, already the amount of interest I pay has gone down and when I have paid it off , well I am not sure I will get another one. Mine had a $4000 limit and at first I paid it off each month but the spending bug got me till it reached its limit and I was paying $60 a month interest, I am now looking forward to having a zero balance and all that extra money in my pocket not the banks. I know I will also have to start saving some emergency money but it is not getting as much attention as getting rid of the debt, how do other people cope do they have any cost cutting ideas? I need to reduce my spending as low as I can and would love to hear how other people do this please from Judi 1944Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-14690721977137701462018-02-26T17:14:26.038+10:002018-02-26T17:14:26.038+10:00Hi Claire. I agree wholeheartedly there's no n...Hi Claire. I agree wholeheartedly there's no need for a brand new car! We have an older car and a really old ute. Both well maintained and running well, doing the job of getting hubby to work and son to school. Next year, we hope to go to just one car because we won't be travelling in opposite directions! I can't wait for the savings that will bring in registration, maintenance, insurance, and fuel. Meg:)Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11573371198907761962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-11282789325441112782018-02-26T15:21:09.927+10:002018-02-26T15:21:09.927+10:00i bank with one bank (who have my home loan) &...i bank with one bank (who have my home loan) & i have several accounts for; car rego & repairs; Rates (land & water); vets; visa debit card (for all my online purchases) saver account; Centrelink (gov benefits) take my power & phone out of my pay before i get it; i find this is much easier for me to do as i put monies in each account every fortnight (when i get paid) i also have an extra account for birthday monies for the kids. along with my home loan which takes money every fortnight as well; this works for me. i divide what's left for the fortnight shopping, fuel, etc; i save up the amounts needed over their period & always have more than enough to pay each bill; this Rate period (it's every six months) i have extra as we have had water restrictions & my bill is over $200 cheaper; the difference i will be popping into my home loan; as i don't get to put any extra in that very often. <br />finances mostly do my head in as i'm not very good with them but this system of multiple accounts works very well for me.<br />great post Rhonda :))<br />hope you & Hanno are well (& Gracie!)<br />thanx for sharing <br />selina from kilkivan qld<br />selinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10173172460099566314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-66092258637294411722018-02-26T15:13:07.925+10:002018-02-26T15:13:07.925+10:00It does take time to change your mindset to money ...It does take time to change your mindset to money and what you do with it. Once you do you find yourself wondering why you used to be like you were. Today I was in Big W and whilst there were lots of good sales I didnt need anything other than the spatula that I went in for. In my past life I would have gone in for a spatula and come out with a trolley load of uneccessary items.Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06964345893499561504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-74174928009907983292018-02-26T14:40:43.982+10:002018-02-26T14:40:43.982+10:00Jean, sounds like you have everything working well...Jean, sounds like you have everything working well. I can't understand your rates being $1000 a month though. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07214592232318527856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-56266857727864874352018-02-26T14:40:33.185+10:002018-02-26T14:40:33.185+10:00Good solid advice as usual Rhonda. One area where ...Good solid advice as usual Rhonda. One area where I would always like to spend money is on my beloved garden, but with our tight budget there is not even a gardening section.. :( I started doing online surveys in my free time, and when that amount is enough I cash it in for a 20.00 or 50.00 bunnings card. Free gardening supplies!!! africanaussiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.com