Okay.
So I have a bit to say in this update! But first some responses to the kind comments and questions.
@ Did. Completely agree with the idea of relocating. I think for us it will be Australia but somewhere outside of Sydney! For now its great because we are close to family and able to access well paid work.
@steveo73. Great to get your perspective. I jumped over a read some of your journal (completely agree about the internal reporting in big companies sometimes!), $40k is great for expenses is Sydney I think. I couldn't see a breakdown of your expenses though. Is this something that you have available or could share with me?? I think ex Mortgage our expenses would be up around $60k. We do only have one car and my husband is a great shopper in terms of getting things at a good price. In terms of investing I think we will be pursuing an investment property and probably also index share as you suggest. With the Super expenses what would you classify as a "good deal"? Keep positive thanks and look forward to more input from you.
@Forskaren. Completely agree I was getting really regular and on top of this and the computer died. Couldn't believe it. That is a task for this week to fix. I need to work out a solution that work for my and my DH as he does a lot of our buying.
Okay so my update.
I couldn't sleep a few nights ago. not because I had something on my mind or my daughter was keeping me awake but because I had an excruciating pain in my chest. It was really up there in the discomfort stakes (and I've had two natural births relatively recently). I did everything to calm it down, Panadol, warm bath, icing it etc. Just to clarify I knew it wasn't to do with my heart because I've had this pain in the past, spend a bunch of time and money tracking down the root cause which is that my pelvis shifts in two axis, putting pressure down my left side (apparently this is common about 1 in 3 women experience this). The next morning I woke up and though - that's it. I've been given exercises to help fix the problem that helped a lot in the past and since that evening I've done them everyday. So I thought rather than just having money goals on here I wanted to bulk out my aims to be a bit more holistic. I also want to update my actions but in a way that isn't insanely long for people reading. I might put a table somewhere else or something and just add commentary to this thread - Has anyone done something like this and has any suggestions?
Update on previous actions:
Completed Actions
- Transfer $9 credit from old credit card to our bank account.
- Making baby food. This is a huge saving we already bank.
- Energy audit. We used an energy meter on our mains power at already have identified that the outside AC unit (which I can justify later
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif)
) Uses approx. $150 of power per year by being "ready" so I've turned off that switch. $150 / yr saving banked.
In Progress
- Energy. We identified the standby power on our microwave uses a similar amount, so DH has bought a switch so we can independently switch this off when not using. Identified saving of $150 / yr
- Growing veges on the balcony.
- Investigate DIY for dishwasher tablets, dishwashing powder, handwash and body wash. My husband buys these at a great price so it will depend on the numbers. (Got some soap in water to try a first pass at making handwash as I type)
- Close my personal mobile and get a work phone. Potential saving of $360/yr .(Picking up the new phone soon)
- Sell stuff we don't use or need anymore. Cash injection that can go against the mortgage. (Got some pictures taken need to post items)
- Reduce out eating out budget to $50 per week. This is a saving of around $5,200 / yr. I appreciate I might be inviting some friendly critics here. Make lunches and snacks the night before, have drinks to take out for our daughters, make sure we use leftovers etc.
To be done
- Switch energy suppliers? My Dad seems to be getting a better deal on his power then us through a new supplier. To investigate
- Going to check out bulk rate on toilet paper and tissues.
- Cheaper internets and home phone deal possible?
- Ride to work. Not really a massive saving but good from a fitness perspective.
- Access financial planning money through work. Need to consider the value add here.
- Make homemade jam, some saving and also skill development, potential to make gifts or sell in the future??
- Go to the wholesale fruit and veg market.
New Ideas
- thinking about making a lounge for our home. It would be a big project, but I'd love something newer and was thinking making it would be awesome - just need to find the time...
- Property investing. Might be some action in this space shortly!
- Share Trading - I've done a bunch of research about this area. I just need to pull the trigger and start practicing and finalising my sell triggers.
- Find out what I can do in the tax efficiency space.
- Focus on supporting my husband to find a job that he enjoys. He is re-entering the workforce after taking a bit of a break to look after our young children, and I need to be 100% supportive.
- Check super expenses, need to consider what I'm looking for here.
- Set up trust funds for our children. Got a great book "How to Give your kids $1 Million Each! and it won't cost you a cent... Ashley Ormond
- Resurrect budget and track expenses at a detailed for one month.
For my more holistic goals. I've borrowed from Chapter 4 of the ERE book to start getting some ideas in order.
Physiological.
- Do daily stretching and exercising to keep my known alignment issues in check.
- Do another triathlon by March 2017, with my husband this time.
- Exercise once a week with my husband.
Intellectual
- Do a minimum of one hour of study each week towards the Diploma I am currently doing.
- Do some more research on models and organisational learning and how people learn, which will also help my work.
Economic
- These are mostly covered in previous ideas and actions.
Emotional
- Work on my people skills and developing more in all my professional and personal roles.
- Focus on supporting key people in my life
- Form and build new friendships
- Be a stronger supporter of my husband as his aspirations. Also stop hassling him about drinking coffee.
Social
- With limited time I am going to link this to Emotional goals above for the time being
Technical
- Honestly no ideas on this one at the moment.
Ecological
- Keep growing our balcony garden. Its looking great and its something really fun to do with my daughter.
Note on a renaissance education - I'm seriously considering the merits of home schooling my children - Recently read "Dumbing Us Down - The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling" John Taylor Gatto. Very interesting and engaging book.
Sorry for the insane length of this post I felt like I had a lot to say... If you've read this far thank you.