Good News

I went to the bank on Friday and got some good news. After another six months of me saving, they will lend me a little under $300 000. I was only looking to spend around $275 000 so this is great news to me!

I think it'll be good for me to spend the next six months scrimping and saving, exploring the area and doing my research. I can't wait to have a home to live in!

Please Sir, Can I Have a Loan?

Tomorrow morning I am going to the bank to see how much they would be willing to lend me to buy a house. I don't have high hopes. All of the online calculators I have done have come up lacking. Oh well, until I hear it from them, I will try to stay positive. Fingers crossed!

New Job

Tomorrow I start my first full time job! I'm a mixture of excitement and nervousness. Here's hoping I'm not completely useless!

What To Do?

Completely out of the blue, I have been approached by my sister's boyfriend (who I trust and like a lot) about investing in property with him. At this stage, he cannot afford to buy a property on his own, probably not even halves. But he knows I am thinking of buying again and wanted to get in on the action.

I don't know if this is a wise move and I certainly don't want to take advantage of him. Would it be fair to go in with him and then for me to live in the property? How does that all work?

I'm not too sure what to do, but I'm excited about his interest in it all. I love converting people!

Back to the Drawing Board

I was all set to find an apartment to rent with my brother. Unfortunately, yesterday he changed his mind. He is being deployed with the Navy in March so doesn't think there is enough time to get it all done, as he will be at sea training a lot over the next two months. I'm pretty disappointed as I wanted to get out of communal living.

So, it's back to the drawing board. The amount of rent I would need to pay to live alone in a decent place is a bit too high for my liking. However, if I were paying that or even more than that off a mortgage, I would be happy to do it. So, I'm thinking of buying. But I need to figure out if I can afford it, so it's back to the drawing board!

Wish me luck!

All Grown Up

Tomorrow is my last day at home. On Tuesday, I will drive down to my new city and begin apartment hunting. I have a place to stay for as long as I need (company accommodation), but it is communal, dorm style so I don't want to stay there. Yes, it's a great way to save money, but I have been doing it for four years and need a break!

I will then start work on January, 11. I am a little nervous, this is my first, full-time job after spending my time at uni. I'm sure I'll be fine, but there are definitely nerves there.

I am hoping my pay rise will come in this week and I can begin to pay off my car in earnest!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!

I ended 2009 on a bit of a sour note, one that will effect my financial standing a little bit. Yesterday I was reversing my car, looking over my right shoulder at a power pole, making sure I didn't hit it. As I was looking over my right shoulder, I didn't see the tree behind me and alas, hit it. The damage is pretty bad and it looks like I will have to get my entire boot replaced. An unpainted boot costs $759 and then I have to get it painted and installed. Needless to say, my emergency fund will soon be depleted.

I am not particularly happy about it. I had big plans and they'll now have to be put on hold in order for me to scrimp and save for the money to get it fixed. But from now on, I won't reverse my car without taking extra special care.