I am a member of a local gym - Fernwood Fitness. Somebody commented to me that they thought it was expensive. I used to be a couch resident, and my knees had started to buckle under my 140 kilogram weight (over double the recommended weight for my size!!). I responded to her by saying that I made sure I went often, because I worked out the real cost to me in the number of times I went per payment cycle (or something like that). Cost per use - that is the real way to determine whether something you buy will be of good value to you. Last week I went three times, and I believe I got excellent value there.
A lot of gyms will offer you either a voucher for a free visit, or a limited membership option so that you can try before you buy. Joining a gym is a very personal thing - there are a number of different things that are on offer at a gym - such as creches, different opening hours, some offer breakfast. The gym that I am a member of had facilities and classes, and opening hours that suit me very well. It is also nearby.
Being a member of a gym is an investment in the health of my body, like taking the time to eat properly and cook enjoyable meals is.
I also purchased some beautiful boots during winter, and I have got a lot of use out of them.
Something may be more expensive, but if it is good quality, and I am going to get a lot of use out of them, then that it is worthwhile for me.
I am also working out that if I have less things, but better quality, I have less clutter, less things to take care of, and more time to take good care of the quality things that I have. I also realise that my body is worthwhile taking care of - because it is a quality item and it is respectful to take care of it, thus I am happy to pay for a gym membership.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Trimming the fat from the budget
So, I have looked through the book from the Your Family, Your Money website - Save 30000 in 30 days; I have been following the program - the 30 000 is annotised over 12 months.
A couple of the things they suggested was to do things for yourself. This week I was going to send the dog to the groomers (one of the less expensive ones) but I bit the bullet and did it myself yesterday. When I got my dog as a puppy, I took out a book on dog grooming from the library, and equipped myself with a couple of basic tools from the dollar store. I had also been clipping long haired (Old English Sheepdogs and Newfoundlands) from the time I was a young teenager, so I was reasonably confident doing it.
You can get industrial strength clippers from vet supply stores, but my dog is not over big. She is a Lhasa Apso Shih Tzu cross, and has long hair, but I prefer to keep it short. Having a young family makes a clipped dog very ... well ... easy to maintain. It took a while, and she is now used to it, but I socialised her very well from the time she was a young puppy and handled her gently.
Thus I saved myself $30 there.
Whilst tracking all my expenses, I looked at all our fixed expenses and our variable expenses, and I discovered I spent $300 more than what I had to cover my fixed expenses, which is not very good. So a couple of things have had to go from the budget, and I have to consider some lifestyle changes.
I know I will need a new food processor at some stage, so I called up the suppliers, and they gave me the phone number of a repair place. The person told me that it was not worthwhile replacing the motor. It was a very expensive food processor that I purchased on sale. However, I have well and truly got my money's worth out of it. So, understanding that it is now over ten years old (nearly 12) and that many parts are now obsolete - repair is not an option.
I joined a consumer review website, so I now know when I shell out money, I won't be buying a lemon. I can also see a products functions, and whether or not it has passed safety and quality tests.
I have changed in my outlook - my first decision used to be to automatically go out and buy a new thing if something threw it in, and needed looking at. It used to be just sent to the dump pile. My old printer I had tried to fanagle around with it, and that wasn't very successful, so it did end up with the dump, but I did get given one that I am very happy with.
Now, I am using my food processor gently, not using it to grate cheese (the grater will do for the time being), and looking around for a new one that I can both use the functions of well, and that will fit my budget.
I am wondering too, about the suggestion to ditch the second car. While I was pregnant, I had appointments all over the place. Now I am considering that I can arrange myself that I can get around without a car - more environmentally friendly as well.
The second car needs some work. So, I am thinking that we can spend the money to fix it, get it into a good condition, get a safety certificate and then sell it. I am sure we could make the lifestyle adjustments.
I have a beautiful red mountain bike, and there is public transport around here, I can get the groceries delivered. A car really is a luxury item, and having a second one ... do I really need it, can I make the lifestyle adjustments to cut down to one car? I am fairly certain too.
I also cancelled a mobile phone contract that had run its course and regained myself an extra $5 per week. It is all money towards things that I can appreciate more, and less tension over finances between hubby and I.
A couple of the things they suggested was to do things for yourself. This week I was going to send the dog to the groomers (one of the less expensive ones) but I bit the bullet and did it myself yesterday. When I got my dog as a puppy, I took out a book on dog grooming from the library, and equipped myself with a couple of basic tools from the dollar store. I had also been clipping long haired (Old English Sheepdogs and Newfoundlands) from the time I was a young teenager, so I was reasonably confident doing it.
You can get industrial strength clippers from vet supply stores, but my dog is not over big. She is a Lhasa Apso Shih Tzu cross, and has long hair, but I prefer to keep it short. Having a young family makes a clipped dog very ... well ... easy to maintain. It took a while, and she is now used to it, but I socialised her very well from the time she was a young puppy and handled her gently.
Thus I saved myself $30 there.
Whilst tracking all my expenses, I looked at all our fixed expenses and our variable expenses, and I discovered I spent $300 more than what I had to cover my fixed expenses, which is not very good. So a couple of things have had to go from the budget, and I have to consider some lifestyle changes.
I know I will need a new food processor at some stage, so I called up the suppliers, and they gave me the phone number of a repair place. The person told me that it was not worthwhile replacing the motor. It was a very expensive food processor that I purchased on sale. However, I have well and truly got my money's worth out of it. So, understanding that it is now over ten years old (nearly 12) and that many parts are now obsolete - repair is not an option.
I joined a consumer review website, so I now know when I shell out money, I won't be buying a lemon. I can also see a products functions, and whether or not it has passed safety and quality tests.
I have changed in my outlook - my first decision used to be to automatically go out and buy a new thing if something threw it in, and needed looking at. It used to be just sent to the dump pile. My old printer I had tried to fanagle around with it, and that wasn't very successful, so it did end up with the dump, but I did get given one that I am very happy with.
Now, I am using my food processor gently, not using it to grate cheese (the grater will do for the time being), and looking around for a new one that I can both use the functions of well, and that will fit my budget.
I am wondering too, about the suggestion to ditch the second car. While I was pregnant, I had appointments all over the place. Now I am considering that I can arrange myself that I can get around without a car - more environmentally friendly as well.
The second car needs some work. So, I am thinking that we can spend the money to fix it, get it into a good condition, get a safety certificate and then sell it. I am sure we could make the lifestyle adjustments.
I have a beautiful red mountain bike, and there is public transport around here, I can get the groceries delivered. A car really is a luxury item, and having a second one ... do I really need it, can I make the lifestyle adjustments to cut down to one car? I am fairly certain too.
I also cancelled a mobile phone contract that had run its course and regained myself an extra $5 per week. It is all money towards things that I can appreciate more, and less tension over finances between hubby and I.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Dad we need more DVDs ...!!!!!
This morning I was still half asleep after a thunder storm, my daughter had been waken up and was stirring in her cot, and my middle son was going through our collection of movies on DVD. It was around 6:00 am, and I was getting into the mindset of organising myself a good strong cup of joe.
Well, I didn't really need a jolt this morning - what my son said to his father while going through our dvd movie collection gave it to me instead!!!
"Dad, we need more dvds ... we can put them here ..."
I can't remember his father's response, needless to say I called out to him (and I recanted to myself quickly Maslow's hierarchy of needs!!) and I needed to give him an explanation between wants and needs.
"Darling, a movie is not something we need. We need food, clothing and shelter to survive," he looked taken aback as I continued, "we also need love."
My son protested: "but Mum, we need entertainment ..."
"Well, we can create our own entertainment, we can go down to the library and get books and dvds for free, but we don't need those things to survive!"
And thus was my day, an opportunity to reflect upon the things that we need, and the things that we would like to have - or the wants in our life.
I know that I am guilty of it too! The other day I was in the baby store picking up my cousin's change pad (a gift for her baby shower) and a bright pink shiny new pram caught my eye. I walked over to it, and eyed it off. I was delighted by the very much pinkness of it, it was indeed very cute. And so, guilty as charged (LOL) I asked the lady to put it on hold for me.
After a discussion with my husband though (and rather sheepishly going back to the store) I asked the ladies down at the baby store to take it off old. It wasn't fair to them I said to hold off stock off the floor when it wasn't on my affordable list right now.
Well, this week, I had been kind of thrown a couple of whammies in the budget to factor in - the hot water booster has been not working for a couple of weeks (I am so very glad I paid a lot of money for a hot water system that is solar, and very reliable as it heats up above the ambient temperature because it was a top of the line system) as I can still get a warm shower out of it. Admittedly, I burned myself the other week because I had been in the shower with it on very hot, and I had for too many years had super hot showers. So ... consequences. Might as well laugh, but for the time being, we are on hot water restrictions and the showers are very short.
The electrical system will need to be replaced throughout the house also. So thus, I am sorting out what is really needed in our home, and what is just a want.
The boys want this, the boys want that, Dad would like this, and I am definitely one of those who likes the nice new shiny things. But guess what - our income only allows for the things that are really important. We have to get the needs really well catered for in our budget, and have the fun stuff occasionally, or reasonably factored in.
Oh, I forgot to add - we also in my house need to laugh - my little family had a rough start in life, and Mumma likes to laugh these days.
But I want to do so affordably. I am learning that it isn't the stuff that gives the joy, and the real laughter, it is the people with whom you have the experience.
So, I have been tracking my expenses to see where the money has been going, and I want to have a good high class quality of life for my children, but one that focuses on where the real high class stuff is - in good values, in getting quality things that last and are looked after, and where the laughter, love and joy are oh so very real.
Oh, and I will be organising that family meeting, so we can all sit down and discuss the above.
Signing off :D
Well, I didn't really need a jolt this morning - what my son said to his father while going through our dvd movie collection gave it to me instead!!!
"Dad, we need more dvds ... we can put them here ..."
I can't remember his father's response, needless to say I called out to him (and I recanted to myself quickly Maslow's hierarchy of needs!!) and I needed to give him an explanation between wants and needs.
"Darling, a movie is not something we need. We need food, clothing and shelter to survive," he looked taken aback as I continued, "we also need love."
My son protested: "but Mum, we need entertainment ..."
"Well, we can create our own entertainment, we can go down to the library and get books and dvds for free, but we don't need those things to survive!"
And thus was my day, an opportunity to reflect upon the things that we need, and the things that we would like to have - or the wants in our life.
I know that I am guilty of it too! The other day I was in the baby store picking up my cousin's change pad (a gift for her baby shower) and a bright pink shiny new pram caught my eye. I walked over to it, and eyed it off. I was delighted by the very much pinkness of it, it was indeed very cute. And so, guilty as charged (LOL) I asked the lady to put it on hold for me.
After a discussion with my husband though (and rather sheepishly going back to the store) I asked the ladies down at the baby store to take it off old. It wasn't fair to them I said to hold off stock off the floor when it wasn't on my affordable list right now.
Well, this week, I had been kind of thrown a couple of whammies in the budget to factor in - the hot water booster has been not working for a couple of weeks (I am so very glad I paid a lot of money for a hot water system that is solar, and very reliable as it heats up above the ambient temperature because it was a top of the line system) as I can still get a warm shower out of it. Admittedly, I burned myself the other week because I had been in the shower with it on very hot, and I had for too many years had super hot showers. So ... consequences. Might as well laugh, but for the time being, we are on hot water restrictions and the showers are very short.
The electrical system will need to be replaced throughout the house also. So thus, I am sorting out what is really needed in our home, and what is just a want.
The boys want this, the boys want that, Dad would like this, and I am definitely one of those who likes the nice new shiny things. But guess what - our income only allows for the things that are really important. We have to get the needs really well catered for in our budget, and have the fun stuff occasionally, or reasonably factored in.
Oh, I forgot to add - we also in my house need to laugh - my little family had a rough start in life, and Mumma likes to laugh these days.
But I want to do so affordably. I am learning that it isn't the stuff that gives the joy, and the real laughter, it is the people with whom you have the experience.
So, I have been tracking my expenses to see where the money has been going, and I want to have a good high class quality of life for my children, but one that focuses on where the real high class stuff is - in good values, in getting quality things that last and are looked after, and where the laughter, love and joy are oh so very real.
Oh, and I will be organising that family meeting, so we can all sit down and discuss the above.
Signing off :D
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Listening to those with Amazing Talents
I recently went to my cousin's daughter's baby shower. My cousin is a frequent garage sale visitor. I must say I have never really given it a try, I have usually done the retail haunts or the online shopping.
My dilemma is that my daughter is three months old, and I am not in a hurry to go back to work, and I really need to earn x amount of dollars ... or make some lifestyle adjustments.
What kind of stuff do you buy second hand? What kind of stuff is bad to buy second hand? I have bought some reusable nappies second hand, and they have turned out great. However - is it possible that when you buy something second hand it very well will turn out to be a dud??
I have bought an iron before, and it was a total piece of junk.
My cousin, though, she seems to be able to pick up amazing stuff for a real bargain price. It involves time and driving around though - and with a little baby - my goodness. Maybe it is a business idea for somebody?? I could sure learn a thing or two off her though to be able to find some good stuff.
She had some fabulous prizes at her baby shower that she had picked up second hand. Maybe people are just tossing out really good stuff at their garage sales now ... I guess there is only one way to find out.
Maybe it is a good way to pick up a new wardrobe?
My brother too, is amazing, the way he seems to be able to budget.
One of the things he told me was to write down everything I spent. He says it soon will make you think about whether or not you will want something or not.
I have been doing that, and it was an eye opener - last week I spent a lot of money on pain relief related things for my back.
Is it too, also that instead of finding the simpler things in life that are pleasurable, that we go to things, and then have to think we have to work harder! ... do we really need these things to maintain our lifestyle?
I have rethought whether or not I really need a bigger house to fill with more junk.
My mother used to entertain a lot, and we had a big house, and she worked herself to death I am sure. I am quite happy keeping life simple ... it is the time I give my family, not the stuff that makes life high class :)
My dilemma is that my daughter is three months old, and I am not in a hurry to go back to work, and I really need to earn x amount of dollars ... or make some lifestyle adjustments.
What kind of stuff do you buy second hand? What kind of stuff is bad to buy second hand? I have bought some reusable nappies second hand, and they have turned out great. However - is it possible that when you buy something second hand it very well will turn out to be a dud??
I have bought an iron before, and it was a total piece of junk.
My cousin, though, she seems to be able to pick up amazing stuff for a real bargain price. It involves time and driving around though - and with a little baby - my goodness. Maybe it is a business idea for somebody?? I could sure learn a thing or two off her though to be able to find some good stuff.
She had some fabulous prizes at her baby shower that she had picked up second hand. Maybe people are just tossing out really good stuff at their garage sales now ... I guess there is only one way to find out.
Maybe it is a good way to pick up a new wardrobe?
My brother too, is amazing, the way he seems to be able to budget.
One of the things he told me was to write down everything I spent. He says it soon will make you think about whether or not you will want something or not.
I have been doing that, and it was an eye opener - last week I spent a lot of money on pain relief related things for my back.
Is it too, also that instead of finding the simpler things in life that are pleasurable, that we go to things, and then have to think we have to work harder! ... do we really need these things to maintain our lifestyle?
I have rethought whether or not I really need a bigger house to fill with more junk.
My mother used to entertain a lot, and we had a big house, and she worked herself to death I am sure. I am quite happy keeping life simple ... it is the time I give my family, not the stuff that makes life high class :)
Friday, September 23, 2011
Modern Life Doesn't Have to be Rubbish
Lots of things get thrown out on the scrap heap. Too often it's our very selves - we are the most important people on earth that we have a relationship with! (For me I learned that my most important relationship was with God, after reading Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge from Ransomed Heart Ministries). I was in the store the other day buying myself some new clothes, and telling the lady behind the counter that I had to get a whole new wardrobe after losing over 40 kilograms (88 pounds). There was a woman there herself buying some clothes who asked me what I did - in short - I learned to respect myself!!!
Woman wasn't made to be trash. She wasn't made to be second rate - so why should she treat herself that way?
Mental illness - depression, anxiety - all of that really angst ridden yucky stuff - I had to deal with it for years. It has taken me a long time to get over all of that stuff, but as the respect has increased for myself, and the love for myself (in a healthy balanced way) the kilos have dropped away, my house has become tidier, I look after myself better and my enjoyment of life has increased.
I have stopped being so busy, and started really enjoying my every day life.
My blog is about having quality life, quality enjoyment, celebrating being a woman, a mother, a wife, but firstly a person, and finding those things that you really love about yourself, and then it translates across your whole lifestyle.
The Happiness Institute has brought out the Happiness Diet and to me it is so true - as my happiness (or joy) has increased, the excess weight has gone. But I didn't do any "diet." No food is a bad food, I just decide to do things that allow me to be able to say I respect myself, and provision for enjoyment is part of my day to day eating. (But no I haven't done the Happiness Diet per se, or signed up for their program, or making any recommendations) all I am saying is that as you begin to enjoy life regardless of what is going on around you, then generally I have found what followed is that my weight dropped off.
And life has improved for me in leaps and bounds!!!
Woman wasn't made to be trash. She wasn't made to be second rate - so why should she treat herself that way?
Mental illness - depression, anxiety - all of that really angst ridden yucky stuff - I had to deal with it for years. It has taken me a long time to get over all of that stuff, but as the respect has increased for myself, and the love for myself (in a healthy balanced way) the kilos have dropped away, my house has become tidier, I look after myself better and my enjoyment of life has increased.
I have stopped being so busy, and started really enjoying my every day life.
My blog is about having quality life, quality enjoyment, celebrating being a woman, a mother, a wife, but firstly a person, and finding those things that you really love about yourself, and then it translates across your whole lifestyle.
The Happiness Institute has brought out the Happiness Diet and to me it is so true - as my happiness (or joy) has increased, the excess weight has gone. But I didn't do any "diet." No food is a bad food, I just decide to do things that allow me to be able to say I respect myself, and provision for enjoyment is part of my day to day eating. (But no I haven't done the Happiness Diet per se, or signed up for their program, or making any recommendations) all I am saying is that as you begin to enjoy life regardless of what is going on around you, then generally I have found what followed is that my weight dropped off.
And life has improved for me in leaps and bounds!!!
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