Barrybran - New Thread

[Barrybran]

Yeah it's pretty insane. I worked out that I was buying one per day at about $3.50 per bottle... and then I was drinking more when I was working in remote areas. I actually want to be able to include a couple per week guilt free into the budget. Right now, every dollar I spend has guilt attached lol. Once I figure how to reduce the variable spending and maybe lower some of the fixed costs I'll be right.

[Ggrass]

I would invite you to join my electricity provider, but can't In a public space. They give a rebate when you join and if friends and family join you get a gift card. Worth $50 they also give an on time discount.

I'm sure if you google you can compare deals. For everything from health and car Insurance to electricity. Look for deals, buy cheap or free. I belong to buy swap and sell pages in my area in fb. Just think cheap skate, then things will come your way as you will be more open to things coming your way. .

[Barrybran]

I had a look at one comparison site to see if I could get a quote for my car and health insurance. So far, I've received ten calls in two days and no quote. Fun times

I bought a device to measure power going to my various appliances to see if I can use them more efficiently. For example, I have DVD players plugged in and never used. Apparently, my Playstation chews through power on standby mode too.

On the plus side, I got a pay increase today. Only 49c/hour but it's more money in the pocket so I'll take it. I feel good about life in general though I have felt very tested lately. It's nice to have something go my way.

[Ggrass]

Ponders if your on the same award as me, we are supposed to be getting one soon.

As for power just turn every thing off. It's helps. There are health comparison sites. Just google. I've not had cold calls via those sites.

[Barrybran]

I have no idea how our pays work yet. I've only been in the job three months. I'm still trying to get my head around how the boss calculates the pays. I'm supposed to be taking over the store from her and every time I do the timesheets, she changes them. She has ten years experience though so I just roll with what she does.

I only bought the power measuring device so I can see what the really bad things are. I plan to turn off the bad things and not stress about the negligible/necessary things. Unfortunately, wasted power is going to happen anyway with three kids who turn lights on all the time.

I had a crack at moving money around in my budget to build actual savings as well as save for the trip next February. I've only allowed for myself and my kids though my wife is planning to come along too at the moment. If she does, it'll only cost an extra airfare (which she can pay for) and I'll save money with her pitching in for the kids' costs. It's too far away to worry about it seriously though. I've just thrown it in the budget so I know I'll be covered.

[Ggrass]

Try looking for a sale air fare. Web jet are good. There a couple of others as well.
Air lines have specials posted on their pages too, I went to qld and took back pack and saved quite a bit on last weekends fairs. Although if I had book a week earlier I would have flown for less than $300

[Ggrass]

No luggage checked in will save a bit. If you travel light with only hand luggage you could save hundreds.

[Barrybran]

I'll have three kids with me. Hand luggage only is not an option I'm planning on saving enough to fly all the way which will give me the freedom to drive a portion of the trip and save some money if I choose. The kids are pretty good travelers. Heading west is easy. Heading east is a nightmare with time differences.

[Ggrass]

I traveled os for 2 or so weeks with one child, quite young our total kg going was less than 15. Back was different.

How much you need depends b how long. My child's os bag was Hand luggage sized. He was in charge of carrying it. Otherwise as a single parent travelling its too hard unless kids can manage their own bag. It helps to ma them pack lighter. 7kg counts as hand luggage in au. The smaller bags on wheels count. Your allowed one per person. Be creative. If you save $50 that 2x hours of wages.

You need to think In terms of how long it takes to earn as to how to save.
Mind you, these days I pack 3meals when I Do long days and refuse to buy coffee ever. It means I can work 30 hours and still make house payments. It's tight but I can do it.

[Barrybran]

I love the "how long it takes to earn" view. I worked in mining for several years (spent it...) and I'd do something on my time off seeing it as "that just cost me Monday" or "that cost me Friday and Saturday". I loved it. Now, I can look at things the same way. Is that pair of jeans really worth Monday and part of Tuesday? I'm not going to be super frugal. There are some things I want though and I need to do some restructuring.