Our Frugal Lifestyle

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Passionate about eco-frugality. I used to party hard, clubbing my way from pay-packet to pay-packet. Never getting ahead, just getting by. Then came our much wanted baby with no savings in the bank - only an old car. Changes were made to our lifestyle and we didn't turn back. In the past 6yrs we purchased a flat, found employment, lived below our means, built an emergency fund, purchased a reliable car and saw the financial benefits of our frugal lifestyle. Our only debt is our mortgage. Our aim is to manage our cash flow wisely, pay off our home quickly and eventually work for pleasure, not necessity. Join us on our journey, share insights, tips and tricks to help us and others to get ahead while having a good time.

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Budgeting, Planning, Decluttering.

Hi Frugal Gals and Guys,

I've been slowly working on my new 2013 budget and a updated 5 year plan. It's been a hard slog as it's hot here in the tropics and Australia in general. I've been lazy and procrastinating but it needs to be done NOW if I'm to get ahead and off the rat race merry go round.

The decluttering has also been a slow and painful process as I see use for everything however another bag left our home today and tonight I am busy listing Dolly's out grown clothes and other items on Gumtree and FB to bring in some extra pennies.

How are you doing with pinching extra money so far in 2013? Cutting back on anything? Selling anything? Working an extra job?

Would love to hear what you are up to.


Stephanie @ Frugal Down Under.

16 comments:

  1. I keep going through my budget,trying to find ways of reducing it.Just been offered a great seal on my house insurance about half of what im paying now so i think it will be worth paying the £45 cancellation charge
    x

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    1. That's great NTO!
      We don't have home insurance. The general building does on a whole as we are in a block of 6 flats, but we don't have a personal one for our inside. Sometimes I wonder if we should or since everything we own is mostly free or thrifted "stuff" it's not worth that much anyway so really isn't worth us spending insurance on it.

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  2. This weekend I have been busy too. I am working on our 2013 budget both for our Business & personal. I usually do this late June early July in keeping with our Australian financial year but 2012 being what it was for me I didn't do it & things got way out of hand (Gulps!)

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    1. My goodness 2 budgets would tip me over the edge LOL... Good luck!

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  3. I have a bit of mystery shopping I do and an online interview. Both are on hold because of computer problems where I cannot get through to my sites!

    Decluttering happens every day as I can physically manage it.

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    1. Some days are harder then others. On some days I could throw it all out on others I want to keep it all. But I realise the more space I have the less suffocated I feel and the less time I waste looking for stuff.

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  4. Hi Stephanie,

    This year I am working on getting rid of heaps of unwanted junk from around the house, listing on Gumtree and Ebay.

    We have also cut back on expensive and unhealthy foods of all kinds. This will also help us to lose weight ( I hope!). I have developed a very "miserly mindset" and I am loving it!!
    I'm getting a real kick out of saving money in so many ways. We are working towards a goal by the end of next year so that we can go overseas to live. Its a wonderful motivator!!

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    1. I love the comment "I have developed a very "miserly mindset" and I am loving it!!" - I think its the challenge and game like quality that is fun. Trying to outdo oneself each time to squeeze an extra cent out of the groceries. As they say look after the pennies and the dollars will look after themselves.... and then will come that travel :)

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  5. Hi, so far so good regarding our budget. However I do think hubby is going to struggle with buying coffees. But if even only I cut out mine we would save money. I am cooking tomorrow nights dinner tonight so that there is no temptation to buy a BBQ chook cause its too hot or we are too tired to cook!! being organised will be my biggest money saver I think.

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    1. My partner is a little bit more relaxed with the budgeting - but we split all our home costs, future works and daughters cost 50%. So any money we each have left over is for ourselves. We both save pretty well what is left over but I think he eats more bought lunches than I. Tonight I have placed a freshly caught fish carcass in the pot to make broth while I have a little bit of energy as the rain cooled down the day and has made the kitchen a bit more bearable.

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  6. Good luck with the decluttering!

    We've got financial goals and keep to a monthly table to check our ins and outs.

    Paying off the mortgage will cover my pension increase in April.


    Sft x

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    1. I keep trying the exact ins and outs and just can't keep up. So general budget money lots is best for me. I do want to make more detailed envelopes from the envelope system. But sometimes I think this might be over the top and make me cranky...

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  7. Our budget isn't the issue, it's just our spending. We live very comfortably but when we looked at what we wanted to do in the next two years we realized it added up to almost $90,000! So I wouldn't say I'm trying to learn to bugdet, but trying to learn to want less.

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    1. If it's all items that make you deeply happy, are well made, better your life considerably or amazing experiences then that is what we are all frugal and budgeting for. It's not to take it all to the grave - it's to be able to live comfortably and not be in debt. That is the main thing NOT BE IN DEBT.

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  8. I too am trying to make money this year. I'm using *bay and Gumtree. And I've also joined the frugalodm money making challenge with a new Etsy shop. Have yet to stock my shelves though!!

    Good luck Frugal down Under :)

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  9. Looking forward to seeing you creations or finds in Etsy... I haven't had much success so far this year with either Ebay, Gumtree of selling off my FB. But then again I have not put in 100% of effort. Good luck :)

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Thanks for commenting - I love getting feedback, sharing experiences and learning from you.