the fifo wife

I have just spent the morning enrolling,  paying membership fees, coaching fees and working out strategies to get my peoples, i.e. kids where they need to be after school {and on weekends} for their extracurricular activities.

My kids seriously cant be more different when it comes to their ‘extracurricular activities’. B1 is swimming, and art {he also does private tuition and loves it so much it could be considered an extra activity}. B2 is tennis and basketball. B3 is dancing and acting. {scratch the acting he didn’t get into the troupe due to an intake overload- we are now swimming}

All different and all on different days. Bless them.

When they were little, I would determine who did what. I enrolled them in what I thought they showed talent in and I ultimately made it easy for me because I was tired and cranky most of the time. However, now the boys are older and have expressed definite interest or ability in what they like I cant determine things for them any more; despite still being tired and cranky. To decide for them now is not fair and so here I sit strategically planning routes, dinners, budgets and equipment.

There are rules however involved in our extracurricular activities first is they really have to want to do it or show an intrest in it and it has to fit for me – to a point. Whilst I know how that sounds I am reasonable for example B3 wanted to do soccer this year. He has never shown and interest in soccer- never- and soccer around these parts has a crazy schedule of training twice a week with a game every weekend both here and away. Which means when the husband is at work I would or will be stretched to the limit. That white coat and I would be checking ourselves for measurements; so I ask them to really think about what makes them happy. For b3 he has thought about it and so its dancing and swimming and so I’m cool with that. I also give them the option of two and no more.

The next rule is they have to appreciate it. I don’t mind all the running around paying the fees etc., but they have to understand the time, the effort and the cost. The minute that starts to waiver or the thanks mum all of it stops, they don’t get it next season and the remainder of the season is without a smile. Then there is the novelty factor if they decide that they want to do it they have to see it through for the whole season if the novelty wears off after three weeks it’s a matter of suck it up buttercup, money doesn’t grow on trees.

Finally, they have to organise themselves. They have to be accountable for their stuff. I don’t mind the washing and then putting it into the car, but they have to have it ready in the correct bags. We also have a bit of giving and take on attending events. If I cant find someone to help pick up and drop off, then we will go in order of both turns and need, meaning if B1 attended his meet over B2’s game then it’s his turn to give a little and still be supportive of his brothers despite missing out. The lessons in this life are endless I tell you. 

Oh and what about dinners I hear you ask. Meal plan sort of and use the slower cooker, my friends. Worlds best inventions I swear. If you don’t have one, get one, now. Forget the Thermomix as an investment get yourself a slow cooker.

With that being said I’m off to do some mash potatoes as its an early one tonight with just some tutoring on the cards. But how does the ‘activity stuff’ work in your house?

xxDeb

 

 

 

It’s still the semi-new year and I’m sure on everyone’s list of things to resolve is money; make more spend less etc. Or perhaps you have a dream this year you need to save up for? Mine is still the same- travel. Travel, travel, travel.

I love finding ways to save money and to stretch it further, it’s almost like a game for me.

Now I have found several ways that you may not have thought of to keep more of your hard-earned dollars in your pocket rather than someone else’s, some take just a phone call; so easy that it is almost money for nothing.

Payless for medical bills. 

Whilst bulk billing surgeries are becoming as rare as hen’s teeth and searching for cheaper health cover is like a needle in a haystack register for the Medicare Safety Net. Individuals need not register the government already has you recorded however families and couples must do to be ‘seen’. Once you spend over the threshold you may be eligible for more rebates. Best part it is not means tested. Here for more information and to register.

ATM fees.

If you withdraw money from another bank’s atm on average of twice a week your spending approximately $260.00 which may not sound like much, however, that’s a return airfare to Bali with one of those cheaper airline carriers. Simply stop using non-bank atm or better still join up with the many online accounts that are fee free. They are everywhere now, Ing, Ubank and Me bank just to name a few. Bam. And because its a post about making money without trying I’m going to get cheeky here quote this code AUM641 on opening an ING direct account – and I get $100.00 for the first four peeps. Which is probably the number of people who will unsubscribe because I got cheeky 😉 thanks for coming.

Negotiate with the big guns.

I’m talking about your lenders and insurance companies. The truth is it’s easier to keep a customer with a rate cut then look for a new customer. So you will be surprised when you tell them you are considering leaving them how easy a rate cut; no matter how small might be. Try online offerings such as Youii {I use and love. Two claims in and they just gave me a 15% discount} or ING for comparing the market. Also, consider upping your excess from $500 to a little more such as $750.00 and making sure you are not over or underinsured.

Consider if you really need health insurance.

Australia has one of the best health systems in the world and unless tax-wise it works out cheaper you to have private health cover talk to your family if you really need it.

 

Get social.

If you have a social account with a decent number of ‘followers’, then consider submitting your images for promotional campaigns. After all, if you have discovered that you love a new product and are raving about it anyway then consider hooking up with a marketing company who will pay you for the shout out. Now it’s tricky than it looks I have tried numerous times, and am yet to sell an image yet -but if you don’t try you won’t know. Contact Tribe for more information.

Check your super.

Did you know that of the course of your super lifetime you can pay up to 80k in fees depending on who it’s with? That’s a whole lot of money that could be in your pocket help you live the life when it’s your turn to sit back and watch the young ones take their turn. So check your super fees {both investment and administration} and if they are too high consider making the switch. For more information on super fees head here.

PPS. I am not a financial adviser please seek professional knowledge before taking on any advice. I am also not affiliated The Tribe guy’s or Ing but I do use both of these with no financial gain from you reading this.

xxDeb

It’s week three of swing. Husband was due home next week, but his swing has been extended by another week, so its five weeks. I am okay with the extension and seemingly so are the boys; its what we do.

Its the nature of the industry but this extension will mean he is only home a matter of days before another contract starts with a new company. We are hoping however that in doing what we are doing now, it will pay off for job security for this year at least. Some will call that being money hungry, that we are horrible people..we call that adulting and making sure our family comes first in the long run.

I will, however, admit I’m finished with adulting and parenting {not a great combination} right now well at least for today. Parenting is a massive emotional head spin. Massive. *insert massive snot sob here*

It is, however, week three which is always a bit ordinary but lack of sleep due to a brain that wouldn’t stop means perspective and silver linings the only things seeing me through right now. If you can remember that someone else without a doubt has it worse off than you do and that your life if you think about it, is a gift, it’s not so bad. If you can see the funny side even better.

And the reality is no sleep does make you crazy and miserable company.

Regardless of watch this though it is so funny I have watched more than once.

Have a great weekend.

Deb

We came home from town and my legs where aching. It wasn’t a strenuous trip to town, but it was harnessed on to the back of what was a busy month. Husband was on swing and it was full swing end of the term. We packed away the shopping, and I said to the boys my body is aching, and I’m getting a migraine I just need to sit if that’s okay.

Why I asked their permission I don’t know; more to let them know my intention I think and given I never just sit they left me alone.

Most times I feel guilty this time I did not. Not even after a family member made a sweetly toned remark that I had a big day on the couch.

If I learnt anything last year it was to listen to my body. Coupled along with my new found knowledge that one of the first signs of exhaustion is a heaviness in the body and having been a drooling mess before I did as my body said too and so I sat.

And while I didn’t mean too I sat for 8 hours straight, and after that, I felt like I had slept for hours or had been given a fresh vitamin b shot despite the fact I was still sleep deprived from the previous {read that as many} sleepless nights. I felt good.

So while I sat on the couch, I watched tv. Tv I say sadly has become my time out these days, and that afternoon I  watched some good ones and so thought I would share in case you find yourself heavy-legged in need of some couch therapy.

Mind Hunter. It’s out on Netflix. I am a bit of a serial killer fan especially the hows and whys. This is cast in the late 1970s. Two FBI agents expand criminal science by delving into the psychology of murder and getting uneasily close to all-too-real monsters. Starring: Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, Anna Torv.

 

The Handmaidens Tale. Is out on SBS Demand free to air which is fantastic. Originally a book written by Margaret Attwood back in the mid 80’s {which I’m yet to read} and the adapted TV series is fantastic. The plot follows a dystopian future following a Second American Civil War where women, called “Handmaids,” are forced into sexual and child-bearing servitude. Stars Elisabeth Moss, Joseph Fiennes and Yvonne Strahovski.

 

Good Behaviour. Is out on Stan, and its just wrapped up season two. The main character is Letty Raines. A thief and con artist whose life is always one wrong turn, one bad decision, from implosion. Which is just how she likes it. Fresh out of prison, she’s attempting to stay afloat. But when she overhears a hitman being hired to kill a man’s wife, she sets out to derail the job, sending her on a wild collision course with the charming killer, and entangling them in a dangerous, seductive relationship. Stars Michelle Dockery and Juan Diego Botto.

 

Outlander. It is available on Netflix and SBS Demand. I’m a massive Outlander lover both of the TV series and the books. I also may or may not have watched and rewatched each series as well as the books {and be a stalker of young Sam the fellow that plays Jamie Fraser}. Anyway..the story follows Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743, where she is immediately thrown into an unknown world in which her life is threatened. When she is forced to marry Jamie Fraser, a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, a passionate relationship is ignited that tears Claire’s heart between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

 

Godless. Out on Netflix. This is another with Michelle Dockery she is becoming a fav of mine but its a good one about strong women taking control and getting things done- I like that as you can imagine. The story is around Frank Griffin, an outlaw terrorizing the 1880s American West. He is hunting down Roy Goode; his partner turned enemy. Roy hides out at a ranch as Frank’s chase leads him to La Belle, New Mexico – a town mysteriously made up almost entirely of women. Stars Michelle Dockery and Jack O” Connell.

Happy binging. Love to hear what you have watched lately.

xxDeb

Today was a big day for us. B1 started high school. He was nervous. I was terrified, and in honesty, I have spent the last two days all melancholy-like. So much so B1 took me by the shoulders yesterday afternoon and said whats up mum. You look so sad, what is going on?

Given he is now bigger than me, I looked up and said to him tears rolling down my face which at this point I decided not even to attempt to hold back the ugly cry and said I’m so scared I wasted time with you.

Time is a huge commodity in our house. It’s no accident that my kids have all been the first in the class to understand time both past and present; I know this because every teacher has told me. We know how precious time is. We know you cant get more of it and that it cant be brought. We understand the difference between quality and quantity. When we are together, we are together. We squeeze the best out of every minute happy and sad that we can; because the next minute, regardless of who is where cant be guaranteed, and you cant get it back. The point is spend it wisely.

So we get that time is more valuable than gold {and if you don’t understand this learn it- quickly} and so he knew what I meant about ‘wasting time’; there was no need to explain it to him.

He smiled and said to me I don’t know about before mum I cant remember that stuff, so it is not as important to me as it is to you and my heart dropped a little as my possible fears where tossed around and the tears became heavier the nose redder.

But he said you and dad have always given me your best that I know but what I want now is more time with you both of you.

You want more time I said slowly repeating the words. Completely stoked and slightly confused that my tween wanted more time with his ‘parents’.

I will be gone soon so I want more time now, as much as you can give me he said.

He turned and walked back inside like what he said was nothing important but for me its everything.

It confirmed for me what I have always thought while they need us when they are young when they need us most is these tricky years the ones coming. For us, it’s the ones now.

And so like always we will do our best to give it.

xx Deb