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Musings

March 16th, 2016 at 11:21 am

52 Week challenge opening balance: $2,648.40
Plus Weekly Deposit to EF: $71.02
52 Week challenge closing balance: $2,719.42

Today was B's first day at his new job (aka first job for 9 years!). He came home with a massive headache - will probably take time to get used to, I think. New jobs are like that anyway - with mine it took a full three months before I was no longer stressed from learning/remembering all the little things about my work.

Last week I put the flight on my credit card and hopefully get the 55 days interest free. That was $1773. Then on Sunday we were looking at my bike wheel and B couldn't fix it so we went to the bike shop. It turns out I would need a whole new wheel plus cogs (?) plus chain, which would work out to $150-160. A new bike was $330. So we ended up going with the new bike (aka my early birthday present). The cost of that went on the credit card too, so it's sitting at around $1585 (I put $518 from the holiday fund onto it). The bike cost will be repaid back when B gets paid next. The airfares I transferred $500 over to tonight, so $1773-518-500 = $755 remaining to be repaid.

I am so used to having that card super low it's stressing me out owing that even though I know it won't be charged interest yet. It's just been low for so long, I'm used to it. But seeing that it is getting knocked down a bit makes me feel better.

***

I worked out a rough holiday budget. I know I can rustle up $2200 spending money, or $105 per day that I'm there. I'll also have the card down to $0 by the time I step onto that plane, so if I need to rely on it, I can. $2200 spending money may be too low, but we'll see how we go.

***

We're going to have a completely different budget next month, as the business officially shut down on Saturday. I gave B the banking details for his pay to be put into our bills account, the same as mine.

I would normally separate our pay due to the his having a business and needing to pay business expenses, but that's all gone now.

It will just be a much more streamlined budget. The budget we use now is an excel spreadsheet I created which goes B's business income less business expenses = net business income + my pay less house/personal expenses less spending money = pay left over.

Now it will simply be B's pay + my pay less house/personal expenses less spending money. House/personal expenses have all house bills there, savings are in this category also and all personal loans.

I don't know what we will allocate to savings or anything like that, but I did say to B that we will pay all the interest charged on the mortgage so it is purely a principal payment. I'm happy to spend a bit more disposable income now that he is earning extra but we must do something worthwhile also with the extra money.

Anyway must go to bed, hope you're all well!

7 Responses to “Musings”

  1. CB in the City Says:
    1458139216

    B is probably taking everything very seriously! Reassure him he doesn't have to remember everything they tell him the first day!

  2. scottish girl Says:
    1458163672

    I've never been to London or Manchester but I think $105/day or what £200 is more than enough. You're staying with family aren't you? Am I right?

  3. VS_ozgirl Says:
    1458164672

    Thanks CB Smile

    SG unfortunately $105 AUD will get me around £50 per day! So it might be kinda tight with what it looks like the costs are.. But I've been told that our family friend doesn't eat out much so that's helpful and she was suggesting lots of local places to visit as well as a trip to London and a trip to Wales.. I don't know but I'm guessing I'll be scraping by and possibly relying on the credit card for some things

  4. bluesfemme Says:
    1458224272

    Sign up for scoopons/groupons for your travel areas. Anything you can cashflow now helps for then. Sign up to Martin lewis' weekly newsletter (includes 2-4-1 dining options, train fares etc). Research, research, research promo codes, discount offers for activities/outings. London accom is expensive, but there are some pretty good hostels. So much fun planning :-)

  5. VS_ozgirl Says:
    1458282972

    Thanks so much for your awesome tips Blues Femme! You are a gem :-)

  6. scottish girl Says:
    1458324110

    http://www.moneysavingexpert.com

  7. VS_ozgirl Says:
    1458356288

    Thanks SG!

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