Total Spending for May 2018 was $2,685.64

Grocery – $281.53

Household goods/ Repairs/Garden total = $327.17. $250 was for the plumber.

Gifts – was a biggie because of mother’s day and a friend’s birthday, it was $214.06

Utilities – Only got to pay Gas for $91.51

Holiday – So most of the month’s expense was because of the holiday which was $1,154.23


= 2018 GOALS =
Financials-
*Put as much money we possibly can into Investments (at least $45K). - we are around half way mark.

*Save $4K for Holiday money. – So far this year we have spent $1,746 that means we got $2,254 in our holiday spending plan for the year

*Save $5K for future House Repairs/Future Remodel. – We will put money under this once Goal #1 above is done.

Other –
*Read 70 100 books.
48. The Day Trader - Stephen Frey (3 May)
49. Bluebird's Egg and Other Stories - Margaret Atwood (4 May) - Audio
50. Every Single Secret - Emily Carpenter (8 May)
51. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind - Yuval Noah Harari (11 May)
52. The Road Less Travelled - M. Scott Peck (14 May)
53. Into the Water - Paula Hawkins (15 May) - Audio
54. Alias Grace - Margaret Atwood (17 May)
55. The Happiest Refugee - Anh Do (17 May) - Audio
56. The Drunken Botanist - Amy Stewart (18 May) - it took 3 months to read this, I just like picking it up once in a while esp when I'm drinking.
57. 10 Key Steps to Wealth - Paul Clitheroe (18 May) - Audio (very short book)
58. The Break - Marian Keyes (21 May)
59. Lost Temple - Tom Harper (22 May) - Audio
60. Savings and Investment - Paul Clitheroe (23 May) - Audio (short book)
61. The Woman in the Window - A. J. Finn (24 May)
62. My Name is Lucy Barton - Elizabeth Strout (24 May) - Audio
63. How to be Debt-Free - Paul Clitheroe (25 May) - Audio (short book)
64. Work Smarter: Live Better - Cyril Peupion (27 May)
65. Most Dangerous Place - James Grippando (28 May) - Audio
66. Turtle All the Way Down - John Green (29 May)
67. The 10 Pillars of Wealth - Alex Becker (29 May) - Audio
68. 7 Money Rules for Life - Mary Hunt (30 May)

*Learn Spanish.
I missed one day when we went away to Tasmania, I just totally forgot. After 100+ consecutive days, I’m now back to having 20+ consecutive days again.

*Workout 3/4 times a week.
Since we got back from our holiday I have been working out 6 days a week, just having Sundays off. I’m hoping to continue doing this for 100 days in a row.

*Try new recipes every other week.
I tried one new rice dish.

*Blogging once per week.
Done

*Continue Garden/Landscaping.
Put up new clothesline

*Wake-up early (before 7am)
Still getting up early and I have been reading first thing in the morning.

*Continue Decluttering.
DH has been doing most of the decluttering this month, he has been listening to the minimalist podcast and every night has been going through more of our paperwork in the office room. He has done a lot of shredding. A week ago I went through our clothes to get rid of some summer clothes that we won’t need next summer. We are just doing a bit at a time.

There you go another month down.

Almost a month into our workouts (Tapout) and we are still going strong. The best thing I could have done this winter. Last winter I couldn't shake off a cold and I was really lethargic and never got anything done I even quit blogging for months. This winter I got a lot more energy and in so much better mood and have not got a cold (knock on wood), the same goes with DH. My brother got a cold few weeks ago and I was surprise that I didn't get it. I really believe it to do with eating a lot more fruits and vegetables and exercising more.

Last night we did Muay Thai workout for the first time and afterwards I made this.


Grilled pork, qinuoa with apple, beetroot and walnut salad.

Then been having smoothies to fill me up.


The photo made it look quite big but I actually been very good with eating smaller portions. And I've also been good at cutting down on carbs, I try not to have too much of it especially at night. Also on Sunday out rest day of working out I have decided to make it no carb day. And today since we will be doing Yoga not as intense (but I actually find this exercise the hardest - I have no balance what so ever) I will try to make it low carb day.

On Saturday we got through our first week of our exercise program and Sunday was rest day thank goodness. I was a bit sore but not too bad at all after working out for 6 days in a row. So 1 week down another 11 to go. We are actually enjoying it a lot. My midriff area (which is my main problem) have shrunk already, the love handles have gone down probably about 30%. DH is starting to get a 6-pack. To go with these exercises we are doing we have been eating a lot more fruits and vegetables. I think right now I'm spending extra $10-15 a week on it. The smoothies have been great at eating more vegs and fruits. I'm actually eating 2 breakfasts, and having extra snacks but everything in small portions. I really don't want to loss weight but I need to eat more to have the energy to exercise. So far so good. I'm getting in to a good routine at the moment.

On our rest day DH and I went to the movies. We went and watch X-men. The movie was free, we got a free ticket that we really needed to used because it was expiring next month. And for my birthday last month a friend gave me a gift card to the movies. The gift card still got $60.50 left but it won't expire for another 2 years, I think. DH did get popcorn and coke, he could have used the gift card but we didn't think about it until after he got them, next time. The popcorn is not too bad but coke is a big no no but I only really have them now when we eat out.

The rest of the weekend were as per usual, grocery shopping and doing the washing. We also bought some exercise mats and DH replaced the sliding door lock.

These are our goals for 2013.

Goal 1: Pay extra $30K into the mortgage principal.
Action Plan: Must put in $2,500 extra on average per month.

Goal 2: Save $3000 into the Holiday Fund.
Action Plan: To be done by March (at least $1,000 p/m)

Goal 3: Add $6000 into the Household Fund (There is a long list to do/get).
Action Plan: Will put any extra money to this from Mar to Aug (avg $1000 p/m)

Goal 4: Save $2000 into the Xmas/Anniversary Fund.
Action Plan: To be fully funded by Dec.

Goal 5: Add $2000 into the Car Fund.
Action Plan: Put any extra money towards this goal.

============================

1 Jan - Run for 40 mins (once around the track)
The other day I ran it for 35 mins, my best time so far. I guess yesterday I wasn't feeling 100%, was still recovering from the last run and was also tired from NYE activities, we played badminton at the picnic.

After our run we went straight to my mum's for lunch. Then in the afternoon we went to the local pool. Just a light session to help me recover. Then last night we watch a 3d movie at home. So that's how we spent our new year day.

I've spent a bit of time this afternoon setting up my 2013 personal finance excel. I pretty much just copied the 2012 set up. I have worked out our master plan for the whole year. It has the monthly budget from Jan to Dec and also the estimated income (based on the 2012 numbers). It pretty much tells me where every cent should go every month. It is also set up to ensure our financial goals next year will be achieve by having an action plan.

Today I came up with another goal (non-financial) to be able to run around the track that we normally run at twice by the end of next year. I came up with it while running. Right now it take me about 40-45mins to go around it (once). I can't even imagine running around it twice yet. Half of the time I spend my time walking instead of running/jogging. I think if I can do it non-stop I can get my time down to around 30mins.

I had problem reading the blogs yesterday, it was weird.

I was meant to post this last night but was out for out anniversary.

Steps per day:
20 Sept – 10,111
21 Sept – 10,588
22 Sept – 11,714
23 Sept – 8,840 *FAIL* (Was up until 3:30am the night before, just couldn’t make it the next day)
24 Sept – 10,543
25 Sept – 11,559
26 Sept – 10,518
27 Sept – 10,141
28 Sept – 10,215
29 Sept – 10,297
30 Sept – 10,543

I think overall it was a success and I’m pretty happy to do it for charity.

Grocery - $309.70 (over $99.70) *Hmmm I’m not happy with this one.
Utilities - $360.64 (over $210.64) *I forgot the water bill, thought it will be due next month.
Rates - $141.54 (under $3.46)
Home Phone - $14.95 (under $10.05)
Mobile - $10.00 (under $10.00)
Internet - $49.95 (under $0.05)
Fuel & Fare - $193.24 (under $6.76)
Health Insurance -$249.21 (under $0.79)
Entertainment -$120.45 (over $10.45)
Gifts -$55.08 (over $5.08)
Personal/Medical - $186.87 (over $86.87) *we stocked up on some vitamins and meds there was a nice sale. This purchase should last for months, well into next year.
DH Allowance -$100.00 (even)
DW Allowance - $60.00 (even)
Miscellaneous - $32.95 (over $2.95)

TOTAL = $1,884.58 (OVER $384.58)


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Also got to put some money into various funds:
Holiday fund - $500
Household fund - $500
Xmas/Anniversary Fund - $652
(Anniversary weekend away - $100)
(Exercise Challenge - $52)
(Xmas Saving to be sent to family - $500)

Had 10 NSD for the month of September, so another $100 in my Sunny Day Saving

Also I will be sending $25 donation to the Cerebral Palsy Foundation for the Steptember challenge.

I want one of this:

http://www.news.com.au/technology/love-to-ride-your-bicycle-try-this-paper-giant/story-e6frfrnr-1226473443447


Today should make it 3 NSDs in a row.


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18 Sept: 10,884 steps
19 Sept: 11,226 steps (DH did the last 500, he decided to put the pedometer on while I was in the shower).

Last Friday night when we went out for drinks with some of DH’s co-workers we got talking about mobile phones. One of them was complaining that her phone is a lot slower now because she has too many apps in it, she have tried to delete some of it but was finding it hard to pick which ones. The talk eventually turned to DH’s mobile phone, apparently there has been some friendly banter between them and DH about how old his mobile phone is. They keep asking when he will ever join the 21st century. Then DH would jokingly brag how he only has to plug in his mobile phone once a week whenever someone complain how the battery never last.

Anyway, on Friday I showed everyone my old Nokia 1100 and we all just laughed. DH by the way has the old Nokia 1110. I think we both got them in 2006, so it is now 6 years old. I laugh how it still works even though we have both dropped them many times already. Although in the last few months my alarm clock has not been working but since I don’t really need it these days, it’s not such a big deal. Maybe one day I will upgrade to one of those newer flip phone .

So far this year we’ve only spent $70 on both phones!

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17 Sept: 10,065 steps - I did not do too well yesterday, I guess painting doesn’t require much walking. I had to do a bit of walking around the couch to get to 10K. Today I made sure to do a bit of jogging on the spot before I started painting again.

I just got an email from DH telling me that his contract renewal has been approved, for another 2 years. That’s a relief to know. Now we can continue with our plans/goals. To celebrate, I am going to put $2,000 into the mortgage right now. DH deposited his cheque on Monday so this is where part of it is going. I will get mine done on Friday, I got a bit busy here at home to go.

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Steptember Update

10 Sept: 10,038 steps
11 Sept: 10,272 steps

8 Sept:11,075 steps

9 Sept: 12,884 steps

We went for a run yesterday morning so that helped a lot yesterday. Although today my legs are a bit sore so I don't know how well I'm going to do today, I will try to push myself.

By the way, I have been putting $2 into the christmas fund for every 10,000 steps.

Only spending yesterday was for a couple of KFC burgers after our run. I got some craving for burgers afer our run. It will come out of my allowance money since I suggested it ($10.20). Now I kind of regretted that purchase.

Late last night my friend contacted me and told me that she was not feeling well so her housewarming get together will have to be cancelled. She was hoping to do it on Sunday instead. Then this morning she text again saying that she was feeling better and that the party was on again today. We decided to have a sleep in this morning so when I got her text at 9:30 this morning we were still in bed. She lives over an hour away no way we could make it for lunch.

After breakfast, as we planned we went to our bank. Well, unfortunately they don’t open on Saturday anymore. We went to another branch the same story. So now I will have to go to the city during the week to deposit my cheque, DH can get his one done on Monday there is one just across his office. I will go when the weather gets a bit better. In the last two days we’ve had what we call ‘typical’ Melbourne weather, which is having four seasons in one day. Actually today it was more like four seasons in an hour. The sun would shine and it would be nice and warm but then all of the sudden it would start raining and be icy cold.

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7 Sept: 10,032 steps (had to do a bit of pacing up and down to get to 10K lastnight)

I’m already over 10,000 today have been walking a bit. When we went to the second branch we decided to also go to the Asian shop across the road too to get some groceries. Instead of parking close by, where it is crazy especially on Saturdays, we decided to park 2 blocks away and just walk the rest. We also went to Costco this afternoon and did a bit of walking around then too.

Near Costco there is a store called Royal Doulton, they were having a sale up to 80% off. I got this for $2.95, down from $10.


Well since I bought this I guess I don't have enough now...

I'm having tea with it right now

6 Sept: 10,133 steps

I am making sure not to fail at least in the first week of this challenge. I’m finding that I am getting a lot of spring cleaning done because of this challenge. Yesterday I was moving a lot of stuff around the house. I tidied up and move furniture around in one of the spare bedroom. I’m trying to turn this room into crafts/storage room.

Yesterday was NSD.

We are waiting at the moment for our tax refund it should come this month. Also still waiting for DH’s contract renewal, apparently the papers are now with the ‘final’ guy to look through it. Hopefully they will be finalising it next week. DH’s contract ends next week.

We haven’t bought many stocks this year until now. The stock market here is starting to look a bit better again. DH had bought some the other day in his superannuation (retirement fund) and we have also agreed to put in some buy orders in our margin loan account. We are looking at buying up to $20,000 worth but we will probably only get $10,000 this time around. I’m hoping this trend will continue and if does we will probably get some more again at the end of the year.

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Steptember Challenge:

I just made it to 10K yesterday.

5 Sept: 10,051 steps

It was a bit of a struggle. I had to keep reminding myself to get up and move around. I had no idea how long it take to do 10,000 steps. I’ve realise now that on normal days I probably only do 5000-6000 steps in one day and on lazy days probably only get up to 4000 steps. It will need a bit of effort to get to 10K. Last night we went to Aldi, normally I would just get DH to stop by after work but last night I got him to pick me up at home first so I could come and walk around the shopping centre.

----------------------
Salad lastnight was just simple baby rockets (i like the peppery taste of it), mushrooms, tomatoes (got some lastnight)and olives with just balsamic vinegar and olive oil for dressing. Still loving salads right now.

Regular monthly mortgage payment:
Paid = $1218.00
Interest =$653.60
Principal = $564.40
Current Balance = $124,690.85 (Yes we are now below $125K)

--------------------------

I did pretty well yesterday with my 10,000 steps challenge (Steptember).
4 Sept: 11,257 steps
I did a bit of walking around the city yesterday so it was not hard to get to 10K. However, I think it will be hard to do when I’m just at home I have to make sure I keep moving around. I woke up an hour earlier today, so hopefully that will help a bit.

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Lastnight I made couscous and chickpea salad. I put in some kalamata olives, mint, parsley and lemon juice. It went well with the beef casserole. DH is not big on couscous but he still eat it. We have a lot of mint, parsley and coriander in the garden at the moment, so I've been putting those in everything at the moment.

I wish I found out about this a couple of weeks ago.

steptember.org.au/about-steptember/overview/

It’s too late now to organise a group together. It needs a group of 4 people to register for $25 each (donated to Cerebral Palsy). It starts tomorrow so I’m a bit late but I’m thinking of still doing it by myself and in the end of the month I will donate $25 to the cerebral palsy alliance. I’m going to aim to do 10,000 steps per day. All I need is a pedometer which I already got and I think I can use the Wii Fit to make it a bit more interesting. I guess I’m all set for tomorrow, I just have to remember to wear the pedometer.

So we went running again yesterday, the same place that we went to 2 weeks ago. I did better this time around, there was no side stitch (I did more side stretches this time around) and I definitely did more running than walking. I managed to keep up with DH, although to be fair he was going slow because his leg was a bit sore and he stopped a bit to stretch. I felt good right after running but I got a headache and was nauseous on the drive home. My legs are tight and sore today but it is not as bad as last time. Last time it took me 4 days to recover. I’m trying to stretch my legs today.

Afterwards we went to a nearby café for lunch. DH got a 20% coupon from his friend for this place. It still ends up being a bit pricey but it is one of our favourite places to go. We could have really skipped the lunch out and just brought our lunch with us just like last time.

I put a bit more money into the exercise challenge

Today was a great day. We slept in. The weather was pretty good so we decided to go for a jog. On the way to jogging we stop by at a store to buy a new iron. Our 15 year old iron (which was handed down to us 11 years ago by MIL) has not been working that well in the last couple of months, so it was time to get a new one. We looked at 2 stores and second one was slightly cheaper and was giving us a further $5 dollars off. We went for another Philips, I was looking at two models one was the cheap one for $50 and the one that we got was for $95 (this was more powerful and had an auto shut off). After we decided to get the more expensive one we found out that there is $20 cash back for this model (but none for the cheaper one). So it will end up being only $75. The sales person was of course trying to sell us the $300-400 once. Those ones claim to cut your ironing in half. Well if it cost 4 times as much I expect it to cut my ironing time to a quarter. I used the iron tonight and it was fantastic, I might actually start to like ironing - Not!

We went jogging for an hour along the river, and afterwards had little picnic. We brought sandwiches with us. We did well considering we went jogging pass one of our favourite café who make really yummy cakes. For 1 hour of jogging I put in $6 worth in the exercise challenge (xmas fund).

Afterward we came home and planted the kaffir lime, passion fruit and the strawberries that I got yesterday. I’m not too sure how the strawberries will go planting it in autumn. I hope it will survive the winter. I planted in a big bag so that I can move it around. It is an experiment; if it works I’ll be enjoying some strawberries in spring.


The bag only cost $2 and the seedlings was $2.95 and probably used about $5 worth of soil/manure/sugar cane.

I have been keeping up with this and have now deposited $54 into our Christmas Fund. I will deposit money into the christmas fund every payday.

Just paid both the car insurance and home and content insurance for the year. One is due today and the other is due tomorrow.

I'm glad these are out of the way for another year but because of it we are already way behind in our budget in terms of time versus spending for the year. Will try to reel it back in the next few months.

------------
I only managed to deposit $1 into the exercise challenge, I didn't get to do the exercise bike. I got too busy with helping DH to make tacos for dinner. I don't know why but after dinner I had a shower, totally forgot that I was meant to get on the bike. I didn't wanted to get all sweaty after that. DH haven't done any exercises in the last few days, so the contribution to the challenge have slowed down a bit.

Nothing much going on here.
The only spending this week so far was for gas, $77.33 and the voip phone for $4.45

I have been keeping up with the exercise challange so far.
Tuesday I added $2 for 100 sit-ups and 30min bike.
Yesterday I added $1 for 50 sit-ups, 50 push ups and some lunges and squat exercises. I also did a bit of stretching, which what I really need to do more of. Also DH put in $1 yesterday for a session on the exersice bike.

That add up to $7 so far this week.

I've decided to do the exercise challenge too. I know there are few people that are doing it, I think this was started by Mary Ann.

I also got DH to go along with it. When he got home last night I told him that we have to exercise for christmas. He agreed that it could be a fun way to exercise, good motivator.

So last night:

$1 = for 50 sit ups
$1 = for half an hour on the exercise bike.
$1 = DH did 40mins on the exercise bike.

We don't have pennies here, our smallest coin is 5cent. I don't have much of those so I think I will keep note here how much we have every payday and start over again.