How do you budget to live on one wage of $850 per week with a $475 per week mortgage to pay off. How do you save money for bills and extra expenses like car services, prescriptions etc and shopping for 2 adults and a toddler still in nappies? Would love some tips on what you do to save. Thanks IMs
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When my kids were little, I wasn't working and we had a massive mortgage. We cut back to necessities ONLY. We didn't eat out, smoke or drink. We had to to keep our head above water. I used old school coth nappies for my baby. I would use a disposable only at night. I bought all our clothes from the second hand shop and still do. I check the local FB sell pages for the kids school clothes and also the second hand shop. I would make meal plans and keep them cheap meals. When at the shops if anything came on special l used, I would buy 2 or more if I could afford it. I buy my meat at the butchers and again buy the specials and plan my meals around them if need be. If I can afford to buy in bulk and I do same with my meat. Bring home and bag into meal portions and freeze. To keep power bills down, I rung up when cold and strip off when hot. We try not to use heater or aircons. I turn off everything at the power points. I never leave lights on if not needed. We keep our phone bills to a minimum as well. I ring and compare prices on our insurances. I walk to the shops, school and appointments rather then drive the car (Great Fitness - No gym membership needed). I also do up a budget and work out what what bills we had. I set up another account so I could transfer money on pay day. This was for bills coming in and emergencies... HTH
I buy as much name brand stuff as I can. I don't buy cleaning products I use vinegar and bicarb, so much cheaper. Also I grow as much veg and herbs as I can. You don't need much space to grow in I even used to grow on a narrow balcony.
Easy, the other person needs to get a job!
I actually already have a job and they have now cut my hours and will not give my shifts back. Hence I am not elegible for extra daycare assistance from Centrelink because I will not be working the minimum required hours. I drive 45 minutes to work and 45 minutes home. The money I make is not worth it compared to the fuel I use and the daycare fees I pay. So I am looking for a new job but for the meantime I need to be able to budget properly. But thanks for the advice...