I just wanted to say having read books, followed blogs and talked with other eco-frugalistas in the past 2 years has really inspired me and taught me a great deal about money and how to save it. We have all arrived here from different directions and we share many common goals. I for one have been on my journey to become more eco sensible and aware, while saving a dollar to get off the full time work treadmill earlier then the general 65 years of age. Having done so also means I was able to cut back on my work hours so I can spend time with my daughter after school each day, instead of placing her in costly after school care.
Another great bonus to the living below our wage level has been the fact that my partner and I have paid off years in advance on our mortgage and saved up enough money to get by on a year of rainy days if need be. We never expected that storm to head our way. However in our state in Australia the government recently changed and with that change came huge slashes in government spending which included job cuts. I was on rocky grounds but luckily found out a week ago that I still have my position however to my shock my partner has lost his position. A position I never thought would be slashed as it is quite specialised and needed in his workplace.
I have refused to sit silently and have found the power inside me to fight for my partner and the institution he works for. I believe my voice and those of our 300 friends that I contacted have made a difference, as the media has picked up on the story and Minister has been asked to respond. Meanwhile we wait to know when his position ends exactly and what next. It makes us angry and of course he grieves for the loss of a job he loved so much. However much people say to not take it personally it is our lives and it is personal but we are lucky... because we (unlike so many others), saved for this exact rainy day even though we never imagined it would happen to us. And it is eco, frugal and simple living blogs that have brought people into my online life from distant places; full of wisdom, encouragement, know how and solidarity that has allowed me to build up that rainy day coffer with cheerfulness and a sense of joyful challenge. Thank you to all of you - because of you, we are able to buy time as we work out our family's next step in the game of life. There are many around us that did not have that rainy day buffer and are sadly packing their bags and leaving as they are unable to find work and pay the bills.
As an end note - not only have positions been slashed but power & water is going up by 35%, car registration by about $100 per year, housing up due to big IMPEX business and services putting up their prices due to the higher overheads. Its a vicious circle and it's hitting us all at once. I highly encourage you to also prepare for that rainy day you never expect to reach you. I'm so glad I did...
Once again thank you all for the knowledge you have shared over these years and the sense of community you bring to my life.
Stephanie at Frugal Down Under.
Blogland is wonderful for learning useful skills and picking up tips.Sorry to hear about the job situation but so glad that you can weather the storm.On a positive note you are equipping Dolly with all the skills she will need to deal with her own rainy days in the future by watching how you live today.
ReplyDeleteHere in the UK we are deep in recession, cuts in services everyhere, price increases across the board and more energy price increases to come soon.For those on low/fixed incomes it is very worrying.
Thankfully you have not had to learn to be frugal while in a crunch mode. I do hope he gets his job back.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that all the blogs have helped ;) Still remember talking about them at the markets! You will be fine, good things only happen to good people. I sms'ed the radio station, hopefully they will change their minds. fingers crossed...
ReplyDeleteHere in he US, a person cannot pay ahead on a mortgage and free herself of the mortgage for a period of time. If you make six mortgage payments one month, you owe a payment the next month. You can only shorten the length of the mortgage. By refinancing, you can owe less but for the original or a newly negotiated term length. Does it work differently in AU?
ReplyDeleteI do hope that things get sorted for you. We were in the same position two years ago. We have made great strides ourselves but we too need to start a rainy day a/c like yours beacuse you never know what is around the corner. Wishing you all the best xx
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