Expensive!

Moving into your first house is expensive!

Yesterday we went to Bunnings which is a gigantic hardware store here in Australia that sells everything under the sun. $240 later, we walked out. I got a stepladder, washing baskets, light globes, cleaning supplies (indoor and outdoor), roach bombs, and about a gazillion other things! All needed to make the home liveable.

Then last night we went to Kmart, a big department store sort of like Walmart I think. $180 later we walked out. Here I bought pillows, cutlery, washing stuff, blankets and many more things.

More shopping is on the agenda for today. It's expensive!

Home Owner

I am writing this post from the kitchen bench of my new house :) Settlement was yesterday and I began moving all my stuff in last night.

Currently I am cleaning (has been sitting vacant for a few months). I'm so excited to be here :)

Also awaiting deliveries. They told me they'd be here between nine o'clock and two o'clock. Thanks for narrowing it down guys!

Finally

The contracts were FINALLY exchanged today.

This is getting exciting sports fans!

A Huge Spend Day

Today (Saturday) was a massive spend day for me, but it was all planned.

Scanpan starter Saucepan Pack - $349.50 (reduced from $699)

3 shirts for my cousin's 6th birthday - $32.98

Card and Gift-wrap - $2.50

Running pants - $13.99

Bed Ensemble - $1130

The track-pants were a necessity so that I continue my exercise routine (6am starts) during these chilly winter months!

The bed ensemble, I am very excited about. I bought a queen bed, queen mattress and two matching bedside tables. I really like it and it was heavily discounted, the mattress alone was reduced by $400! So I think I did very well.

But boy, did the accounts take a hit!

Update

Today (Friday), I spent a total of $1.00 for a can of soft drink at work. I added a bit too much sweet-chilli sauce to my lunch and my mouth was on fire so I splurged. Usually I bring soft drink from home a couple of days a week to negate the cost, so this really was a one off.

We are hopefully exchanging contracts on Monday. I am excited and nervous, hoping everything will pan out. So far, so good. Fingers crossed!

I am starting to have a lot of second thoughts, but I think it's just nerves. I had a good talk to my mum today who told me that people raise families on what I earn (whilst paying a mortgage), so I as a single woman should definitely be able to manage. I have no doubt I'll be able to manage, I just won't have as much as a cushion as I would like. But by doing the hard yards now, I think it will be worth it in the long run.

This weekend I am going to check out a couple of second hand furniture stores as I am looking for a bed. I am also going to buy my saucepans. My grandma gave me an early house warming gift of $200 and said I have to spend it on saucepans! So that's what I'm going to do!

I'm Back!

My meeting with the solicitors went well, as did the building and pest inspection. There is nothing that came up in the report, but as an aside, he suggested I re-grout the main shower. Sounds like a job for my handy grandfather! So that was all very good news.

After coming home and doing some last minute chores, I headed to the airport and flew to Melbourne. I spent the weekend with my friend J, who I went to uni with. She is one of my best friends but, since we graduated, I hadn't seen her. So it was fantastic to catch up! I also caught up with my friend M, my closest friend from high school. I hadn't seen her in almost three years so thoroughly enjoyed that!

I did probably over-do it with the spending, but not by too much. I had budgeted for the hotel and eating out, but I also did a little bit of shopping. No big deal, but it will be the last shopping I do for a while. Definitely need to tighten the belt!

I know I said I'd do a daily spending report on here but didn't really keep track over the weekend so I'll start that again tomorrow.

Does anyone have any advice for tightening the belt? Would love to hear your suggestions!

I'm Sick

I was sent home at nine o'clock this morning because I'm sick with a very bad cold. I came home and went to bed. Four hours later I woke up and felt a lot better. I went to the doctor yesterday so I have a lot of drugs that I've been taking. I'm hoping to beat it by the weekend!

I am going to Melbourne for the weekend. It's a long weekend, so will be there Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. This was all booked and paid for months ago, before the house was on the cards. If I'd already been buying the house, I probably wouldn't have done it but I'm super excited! I am going with one of my best friends from university who I haven't seen for six months as we both work in separate places now. So I can't wait!

Yesterday, Tuesday, was another no spend day! Today though, I spent $5 on pizza. I just did not have the energy to cook, so I ordered a pizza. And it was totally worth it!

Tomorrow I have my first meeting with the solicitors to go over the contract. Then on Friday, is the building and pest inspection, which I'll be present for. Then I'll go straight to the airport and head to Melbourne!