New Lifestyle

I have decided to start a bit of a lifestyle re-vamp. I'm careful not to call it a diet because I want it to be something I stick to for the long term. As a result, I went grocery shopping last night and bought a lot of things I don't usually buy.

I bought a lot of fresh produce and it was surprisingly cheap. I spent around $50 all up, which I've easily spent in a week before on who knows what!

I honestly thought it would be more expensive for me to buy healthier food but in much larger quantities. But alas, it is not!

Super Update

Well it has certainly been a little while since I've posted. We're down to about 40 days until graduation, and it's a tremendous feeling. I'm just preparing for exams as best I can, don't want any nasty surprises preventing me from graduation.

I am still doing my best to save and not spend too frivolously, but also trying to enjoy myself, at least a little.

I got my superannuation (like 401k, just Australia's version of retirement savings) summary yesterday. I have $28 000 in there. Not heaps I know but I have only been working full time for three years and don't have a particularly high salary. I contribute the maximum 10% that is allowed. Maybe in ten years or so I will open a private account in order to contribute more, but that's not something I'm focusing on right now.

Sore

I am very sore today from a fairly intense gym workout yesterday. I plan to go for a swim this afternoon to stretch out the muscles.

I don't have much personal finance news to report. I'm still plodding along. Trying to save money where I can but also trying not to be too strict with myself. I have a ball to go to on Saturday night but am wearing my high school formal dress (stoked it still fits!) so that was a cheap alternative!

Have a good week!

Small Splurge

Today, I spent $26 to get my car washed and vacuumed. I think it made the news overseas, but for those who don't know, Australia recently had some very severe dust storms. In that, Sydney was red! No exaggeration, you should Google it, the pictures are amazing.

Anyway, due to these dust storms (there were at least four), my car was filthy. So I decided to splurge a little and get it washed and vacuumed. Sure, I could have saved money, and done it myself. But given the sheer filth, I thought it was worth the spend!

Slow ING

I had some leftover money the other day so I transferred it into ING. I then received an unexpected bill, so needed that money back. However, despite it being a week since I transferred the original sum into ING, it still hasn't shown up in there, which means I can't transfer it back out to pay my bill.

I have never had an issue with ING before and this isn't a major one, however, I am a little frustrated it has taken so long.

Travelling Disaster

You always hear horror stories about people who have had to spend all day in an airport due to delayed or cancelled flight. I thought that was all they were, horror stories. Not so.

I arrived at my local airport at 10:45am on Monday morning. I did not arrive in my city (a two hour flight) until 11pm that night. I spent over nine hours in an airport and another hour in a taxi to a different airport.

Though it wasn't really anyone's fault, I was still immensely frustrated and not very impressed with how this unnamed airline handled things. I have never had any issue with them (or any other airline) before, but it seems on Monday, everything that could go wrong did go wrong. They didn't keep any of us informed which was incredibly frustrating.

I did arrive home safe though so I suppose that is the main thing. If I can avoid it, I won't be travelling with this airline anytime soon, preferring to stick to my favourite but sometimes more expensive airline, Qantas. Sometimes I think the extra money is worth it.

Back to the Daily Grind

Tomorrow, I fly home after spending ten days at my parent's house on holiday. I was blessed with amazingly warm weather and thoroughly enjoyed the first break I've had from uni and work since mid-January.

I could definitely stay another ten days, which hasn't always been the case. I remember the first few times I came back after moving out of home, I wanted nothing more than to get out of here. I had set up my new, independent life and I liked it. I had my own routines and I really didn't have to think about anyone but myself. But when I would come to visit my family, there were now four more people in the house who I had to care about. Yes, other people live in my dorm, but it's not the same as being with family. I felt crowded and as though my independence had been snatched.

But this time, I had a really good time. I still did my own thing but there just seemed to be a better balance and we all got along great. I didn't really do anything exciting, a lot of the time I just bummed around the house. But I got to do it with people I don't get to see very often and that made all the difference.

From a financial point of view, I didn't spend too much money which is always a positive. I haven't worked out the exact figures but I think I would have only spent about $150 all up which is great!

I'm off to bed before I have to get on that plane. I really don't want to go back!

Savings and a New Blog

After I account for general living expenses, pay my mortgage, pay my car loan and set $100 aside for future car rego, insurance and repairs, I have around $250 left to save a fortnight. I did some tinkering yesterday and have decided to put $50 toward my travel fund and $200 toward my down payment fund.

I desperately want to pay off my car, but just can't get motivated to do it. I feel that I took on the loan comfortable with the $3000 interest I would have to pay. If I was channeling all of my money into my car, I wouldn't be able to save for a house or to go on a holiday. I know that once the car is paid off, I can save so much more toward a house and a holiday, but at this stage, I think I'd rather be saving for a down payment.

Does anyone think this is a completely ridiculous idea? Should I be trying to pay off my car instead?

In the meantime, I have discovered Madame X at My Open Wallet. This will probably occupy me for the rest of my afternoon :)

If Only Dreaming Made It So...

Last night I had the strangest dream. I dreamt that I could see everyone who accessed my blog, as in it gave me a detailed list. And on said list were all of my favourite bloggers! Trent from Simple Dollar, Meg from World of Wealth, SavingDiva, Money Maus, my fellow Aussie FruGal, Crystal at Brunette on a Budget, Kristen at The Frugal Girl and finally, My Pretty Pennies.

Oh, if only.