DH and I did our taxes a week and a half ago, and less than a week later received our tax refunds. We take out income protection insurance so can claim this back on our taxes and normally get a refund back due to this expense. 

I went back to my old rule that I was taught from very young to save half of any extra money you receive and paid this down against our mortgage. I like this rule because honestly if you are not needing the money you won’t miss half and it can be used for long term benefits (saving money, reducing debt) rather than being spent on something that will probably be forgotten about in 1-2 years time. 

With the other half I plan on buying a set of side tables for our front lounge room, which will leave about $400 to spend. DH got a larger tax refund but he is doing up a project bike and believes that this money will allow him to finish the bike so he can use the money received for this as it will be less to come out of our pockets. 

Changing the budget timing back in July was really helpful as it simplified things a lot. Knowing that we have an extra $85 to spend each week helped us to stop overspending and we are living within our means better. We finished up August with $22 left over and did not ever really feel like we have missed out on anything. We have saved money in various places, been out occasionally and have bought groceries and takeaway food as needed but have not really watched what we spend too hard.   I do like to stock up on grocery specials each week and have found that to be very helpful. If I see certain items down to pre-pandemic prices I always make sure to buy 1 or more of these items and just put them aside. 

So all is well currently, and we are in the first week of spring and it is a beautiful spring day. Life is good!