OHbaby! Forums : money challenge 2009 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Fri, 26 Jun 2026 22:16:06 +0000 Sat, 03 Jan 2009 17:01:54 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.05 360 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=23373 <![CDATA[OHbaby! Forums]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/ <![CDATA[money challenge 2009 : Just wanted to add that if you...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=577377&title=money-challenge-2009#577377 Author: Emily281
Subject: 23373
Posted: 03 January 2009 at 5:01pm

Just wanted to add that if you want some budgeting software you don't need to buy MS Money. There are plenty of free ones out there. I'm using one called SimpleD. It allows me to enter our income for the month and create a budget. The budget has different categories (eg. House, entertainment, groceries) and you can add your own categories. You set a budget for each category and it shows you what percentage of your income that it. You then go in and enter what you have actually spent and it will show you graphs of budget vs actual expenditure. You can also carry any left overs into the next month.

It's great for my needs - but if you want it to help you track bank accounts you might want something else as this isn't like some of the other programs where you can enter in all your bank accounts.]]> Sat, 03 Jan 2009 17:01:54 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=577377&title=money-challenge-2009#577377 <![CDATA[money challenge 2009 : All the best with the money saving Here...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=577277&title=money-challenge-2009#577277 Author: Glow
Subject: 23373
Posted: 03 January 2009 at 1:19pm

All the best with the money saving

Here are some saving tips from AMP - small changes can make big money ]]> Sat, 03 Jan 2009 13:19:08 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=577277&title=money-challenge-2009#577277 <![CDATA[money challenge 2009 : Ooooh! Becks! I just noticed your...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575947&title=money-challenge-2009#575947 Author: ginger
Subject: 23373
Posted: 31 December 2008 at 6:58pm

Ooooh! Becks! I just noticed your ticker!! GOOD LUCK!!!!! (and if you transfer your smoking savings to another account, I bet that adds up quicker than your bottles of coke! Hopefully it'll be extra motivation to stick it out too. Just be careful of the lollie trap - it's incredible how many ex-smokers start powering back lollies! )]]> Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:58:10 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575947&title=money-challenge-2009#575947 <![CDATA[money challenge 2009 : We have just started that smooth...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575852&title=money-challenge-2009#575852 Author: mummy_becks
Subject: 23373
Posted: 31 December 2008 at 3:54pm

We have just started that smooth pay with Contact. I am keeping an eye on the bill and the payments we are making and will change it next month if it is out a lot.

]]> Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:54:34 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575852&title=money-challenge-2009#575852 <![CDATA[money challenge 2009 : We need to do that, we went into...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575845&title=money-challenge-2009#575845 Author: caliandjack
Subject: 23373
Posted: 31 December 2008 at 3:45pm

We need to do that, we went into winter with a $200 credit cause we paid regular $50 each week, they wouldn't let us continue with the credit and reduced our payments back to $50 a fortnight, now we have a $1000 bill to get down over the summer. Can't see that happening. ]]> Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:45:42 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575845&title=money-challenge-2009#575845 <![CDATA[money challenge 2009 : for those people who are with...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575825&title=money-challenge-2009#575825 Author: lizzle
Subject: 23373
Posted: 31 December 2008 at 3:22pm

for those people who are with contact energy - if you do their direct debit thing you automaticaly get the prompt payment discount. we are paying $50 a week (basically cause we were screwed over by their reassessments). If you assess yourself and change your own payments, rather than relying on them - can work out quite well.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:22:28 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575825&title=money-challenge-2009#575825 <![CDATA[money challenge 2009 : i am a shocking shocking spender...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575712&title=money-challenge-2009#575712 Author: kathyandbub
Subject: 23373
Posted: 31 December 2008 at 12:36pm

i am a shocking shocking spender but as i am buying my own house at the moment and going to study next year that all has to change! i will have to be on such a strict budget as it will only be me living there and paying off the house, but in the long run i no its going to benifit noah.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:36:44 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575712&title=money-challenge-2009#575712 <![CDATA[money challenge 2009 : We are the same here. We are moving...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575682&title=money-challenge-2009#575682 Author: MissCandice
Subject: 23373
Posted: 31 December 2008 at 11:27am

We are the same here.
We are moving this month (fingers crossed for the house we are looking at this afternoon)
We have decided as of 1st Jan, which will be tomorrow we are on a strict budget, no extra spending as we are moving to Australia in Feb 10. So one whole year of saving and no spending.
We are cutting sky, the internet and the phone and just sticking to my cellphone, maybe internet too actually as i get that free.
We are going to have a vege garden (Hopefully) and try to budget heaps. Also pay things in advance so we get the prompt pay discounts etc.

Is going to be REAL hard, but we are determind.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:27:28 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575682&title=money-challenge-2009#575682 <![CDATA[money challenge 2009 : Same here Fleur - I just added...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575676&title=money-challenge-2009#575676 Author: minik8e
Subject: 23373
Posted: 31 December 2008 at 11:18am

Same here Fleur - I just added up what I spend on coffees in a month, and it's shocking!!! It is my "treat" to myself, but I may just transfer that money to savings instead of getting a coffee - it will really add up.

I think I'm going to try and get MS Money on my home pc. We've kind of muddled along through 2008, what with buying the house, adjusting to paying a mortgage and rates etc as well as saving for the wedding, but we really need to knuckle down instead. We still spend too much money on just junk, and we want to start the renovations next year after the wedding.

We don't have debt as such - DF's credit card with a $500 limit and his car loan to his grandma, and that's it. We just have a lot of outgoings it seems!!!

ETA: There's also the amount of time I will be off work if we finally get a sticky BFP....I need to add that into the equation

Edited by minik8e]]> Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:18:23 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575676&title=money-challenge-2009#575676 <![CDATA[money challenge 2009 : My big thing is cutting back on...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575669&title=money-challenge-2009#575669 Author: mummy_becks
Subject: 23373
Posted: 31 December 2008 at 11:11am

My big thing is cutting back on my 1 or 2 600ml bottles of coke a day at work , just as bad as a coffee a day.

]]> Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:11:52 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575669&title=money-challenge-2009#575669 <![CDATA[money challenge 2009 : I always feel guilty when I get...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575651&title=money-challenge-2009#575651 Author: caliandjack
Subject: 23373
Posted: 31 December 2008 at 10:45am

I always feel guilty when I get my free coffee, cause it usually means I've spent $40 to get there. ]]> Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:45:59 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575651&title=money-challenge-2009#575651 <![CDATA[money challenge 2009 : Bobbie wrote:I think I could...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575626&title=money-challenge-2009#575626 Author: ginger
Subject: 23373
Posted: 31 December 2008 at 10:07am

Originally posted by Bobbie Bobbie wrote:

I think I could probably do without a few things (such as coffees every alternate day) if I figured out how much it would save us.


Hehe - I sat down with my latest credit card bill yesterday and just added up the cost of my cafe trips for the month ... It's a bit of a surprise when you see them all added up! Funny how we seem to be spending less money with me at home too ... and I've only been home less than a week Mind you, I'm super paranoid about money now too! That helps!!]]> Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:07:34 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575626&title=money-challenge-2009#575626 <![CDATA[money challenge 2009 : We consolidated our credit card...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575622&title=money-challenge-2009#575622 Author: caliandjack
Subject: 23373
Posted: 31 December 2008 at 10:05am

We consolidated our credit card and hp debt onto the mortgage. cheapest interest rate, and sits as a seperate loan in our account. Its good that there is only 1 amount to be paid.

Our money goals are to clear that debt so we can start our family.

With interest rates coming down, it will be good to reduce the mortgage payments.

I got made redundant 3 months ago, been in a new job for 1 month, it was quite scary being without two full incomes. ]]> Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:05:16 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575622&title=money-challenge-2009#575622 <![CDATA[money challenge 2009 : I like the idea of taping a picture...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575494&title=money-challenge-2009#575494 Author: Bobbie
Subject: 23373
Posted: 30 December 2008 at 10:17pm

I like the idea of taping a picture of your goal to your cashflow cards!

We are debt free (if you don't count my student loan) but we have virtually no savings as a result and are down to one income.

I think I could probably do without a few things (such as coffees every alternate day) if I figured out how much it would save us.

Microsoft money sounds interesting....]]> Tue, 30 Dec 2008 22:17:52 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575494&title=money-challenge-2009#575494 <![CDATA[money challenge 2009 : we are needing to do the same...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575423&title=money-challenge-2009#575423 Author: mum2paris
Subject: 23373
Posted: 30 December 2008 at 8:27pm

we are needing to do the same thing this year.

I am very very sure we can become nearly debt-free by the end of 2009, or possibly mid-way if we knuckle down. we get very complacent in the middle of the year when money is good and near the end we think "oh crap".

Our bills are always paid, we have a no-fee account with all our bills set up to go out by auto payment fortnightly, a standard amount that usually more then covers each, and we have our budget set up so we know what our total expenditure each fornight will be taking into account money we need to save for the few monthly bills that we have. We also try to pay things like the wheely bin/car rego etc in a years lump sum so we don't have to worry as much about them popping up when we can't afford them.

We have a list of things we NEED this year, and the rest is going towards bills.

*Me to get my licence
*A new fridge as the seals on our current one are going kaput and it's no longer big enough for a family of 4 that like their fruit and veges. i know as part of our staff discount plan through the hospital that there are a few places around palmy that i can get pretty good deals
*A new bed for paris as hers is my old double bed from when i lived at home, and before then it was my older sisters, so is at least 15 yrs old - not great for her asthma i bet!

We are starting to pay off the card(s) once mike is back at study, starting with the one with the highest interest rate and going from there. I want to be able to save and get a house by the time he's been in the workforce a year or so, so we have 2 study years left to get in a good place to do that and my money should increase with another year of work under my belt too.

Edited by mum2paris]]> Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:27:01 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575423&title=money-challenge-2009#575423 <![CDATA[money challenge 2009 : Good luck with your savings!...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575383&title=money-challenge-2009#575383 Author: monkey33
Subject: 23373
Posted: 30 December 2008 at 7:31pm

Good luck with your savings! We too are getting tough with our savings - I have done really well this whole year - DH not so much! We have different spending/savings accounts and one joint bills account. DH has been given the word though and needs to get moving on his savings

Will be interesting when we move to one income!]]> Tue, 30 Dec 2008 19:31:59 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575383&title=money-challenge-2009#575383 <![CDATA[money challenge 2009 : oooh, I like the idea of a money...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575354&title=money-challenge-2009#575354 Author: mummyofprinces
Subject: 23373
Posted: 30 December 2008 at 6:56pm

oooh, I like the idea of a money journal!

I have a spreadsheet with future pays etc too.

All bills are "paid" fortnightly. I put away a set amount for every bill into a higher interest savings account. I even account for doctors bills, birthday/chrissy presents, vet bills... everything! The fortnightly amount is more than we would actually need to pay so we always have enough.

We have been a bit slack at the moment though and have bought some things for the house that have come out of our savings instead of the reno fund.. will need to pay that back before bubs comes along.]]> Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:56:37 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575354&title=money-challenge-2009#575354 <![CDATA[money challenge 2009 : Microsoft Money is a brilliant...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575338&title=money-challenge-2009#575338 Author: AuntieSarah
Subject: 23373
Posted: 30 December 2008 at 6:41pm

Microsoft Money is a brilliant programme to use to keep track of all your finances, I don't know how we'd get by without it! We have all our bills entered in there and never look at our bank account balance to find out how much money we have to spend, instead we look at our cashflow forecast in Money - which takes into account which bills are going to come out etc. Can't recommend it enough! ]]> Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:41:33 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575338&title=money-challenge-2009#575338 <![CDATA[money challenge 2009 : We won&#039;t be getting rid of...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575328&title=money-challenge-2009#575328 Author: MrsMojo
Subject: 23373
Posted: 30 December 2008 at 6:23pm

We won't be getting rid of sky either but we might try to alter our package so we're not paying for channels we never watch.

]]> Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:23:28 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575328&title=money-challenge-2009#575328 <![CDATA[money challenge 2009 : We found this website really helpful...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575322&title=money-challenge-2009#575322 Author: sunnyhoney
Subject: 23373
Posted: 30 December 2008 at 6:13pm

We found this website really helpful www.simplesavings.co.nz

It has lots of ideas on ways to save money, some really good. We've been members since we went down to one income.]]> Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:13:39 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575322&title=money-challenge-2009#575322 <![CDATA[money challenge 2009 : Yep I started on the big savings...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575311&title=money-challenge-2009#575311 Author: lilfatty
Subject: 23373
Posted: 30 December 2008 at 5:19pm

Yep I started on the big savings plan when we found out I was pg as we will be going down to no income.

First of all I worked out all our expenses for the month and then multiplied it by the number of months I wont be working.

Ive got a spreadsheet that has all the future pays and the amounts I have allocated to each item ..

(expenses, maternity leave savings, isabelle's savings account)

Then each payday I sit down and put all the money into the delegated bank account.

Its quite fun to move all my millions around and Im always chuffed when Ive overbudged .. like I might not need as much gas in the fortnight as usual and that money gets to go into the savings pile.

Watch out .. it gets addictive!

Oh and I could have been way more ruthless .. but I "need" sky ]]> Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:19:28 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575311&title=money-challenge-2009#575311 <![CDATA[money challenge 2009 : Ditto over here - this year is...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575310&title=money-challenge-2009#575310 Author: ginger
Subject: 23373
Posted: 30 December 2008 at 5:14pm

Ditto over here - this year is going to be quite tough and certain things during the year have put a spanner in the works for us financially a bit. Where we thought we'd be in a certain position by the end of the year, and budgeted and planned for it for some time, it hasn't worked out like that, so there's going to be lots of budgeting, no shopping, making changes to the way we make some decisions ... pretty much what everyone else is doing I imagine!

I've been really surprised too at how expensive it's turned out to be setting up for kiddly! We've been careful about what we've bought and more expensive purchases have been reeeeally thought through and many things crossed off the list, but it's incredible how things add up.   ]]> Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:14:15 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575310&title=money-challenge-2009#575310 <![CDATA[money challenge 2009 : Yup we&#039;ll be doing the same...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575295&title=money-challenge-2009#575295 Author: Paws
Subject: 23373
Posted: 30 December 2008 at 4:41pm

Yup we'll be doing the same now that I work part time only. It's going to be a challenge but should be worth it.]]> Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:41:24 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575295&title=money-challenge-2009#575295 <![CDATA[money challenge 2009 : Yep we are the same. I am taking...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575255&title=money-challenge-2009#575255 Author: mummy_becks
Subject: 23373
Posted: 30 December 2008 at 3:41pm

Yep we are the same. I am taking the boys and Nigel to Oz from Xmas so the flights will be expensive. I want to take at least $3K to spend over there too.

I am hoping that with the pay rises Nigel is getting we will be able to do it.

Our way is that I don't have access to the money and I get an allowance each week. It has worked so far we have jsut come back from Palmy with a new dryer and new car stereo paid with cash.

]]> Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:41:31 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575255&title=money-challenge-2009#575255 <![CDATA[money challenge 2009 : we are doing this too! The time...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575253&title=money-challenge-2009#575253 Author: LJsmum
Subject: 23373
Posted: 30 December 2008 at 3:33pm

we are doing this too! The time has come to be smarter and wiser and not spend because we have a few dollars but actually save it for anything we may need later.

We are thinking of getting rid of sky too it is so expensive!
Also a money book to write down EVERYTHING we buy.
Good luck to everyone trying to save and get ahead. ]]> Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:33:45 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575253&title=money-challenge-2009#575253 <![CDATA[money challenge 2009 : Good luck! We&#039;re in the...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575237&title=money-challenge-2009#575237 Author: MrsMojo
Subject: 23373
Posted: 30 December 2008 at 3:02pm

Good luck!

We're in the same boat.  DH and I are going to need to be smarter with our money this year.  We pay all our bills on time too but we have some loans that need to be repaid.  Had we actually stuck to the budget and paid extra on our loans like we'd planned to we'd have all our debts paid off before I finish work but unfortunately we kept on putting things off until after Christmas and now we only have 5 months left before we go down to one income so we need to make some changes to make it workable.  It will be workable, but we won't be able to live as extravegently on one income as I would have liked *sigh*.

We're discussing it in the weekend, thanks for your ideas!



Edited by MrsMojo]]> Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:02:29 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575237&title=money-challenge-2009#575237 <![CDATA[money challenge 2009 : So next year is going to be quite...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575234&title=money-challenge-2009#575234 Author: lizzle
Subject: 23373
Posted: 30 December 2008 at 2:53pm

So next year is going to be quite a lean year for us. the family is planning on returning to the Cook Islands for my FIL's 60th so we have figured out we need to save approximately $6K to do that - by December next year. So we are cutting back significantly. We worked out it is actually a huge mindset change for us. I see $7 in my bank and think "I have seven more dollars to spend" and that needs to change.

We are lucky in that we ALWAYS pay our bills, we have paid off a significant amount of debt so it's not like we aren't doing well, but we certinaly need to change in order to save thisd money.

So here are the things we are doing:
debt consolidation loan (will save us about $2000 in interest and bank fees - and get us completely out of debt in 2 years)
keeping a money journal - basically every cent that is spent we will have to justify to each other - not saying we can't buy stuff, just hoping it will be an incentive NOT to spend
A picture of Raro cellotaped to our cash cards
Go through our shopping list and see what we can make ourselves (e.g muesli - home made is great and doesn't take that long)
cancel sky - the only ones who watch it are the kids and we have a ton of dvds
a garage sale - let other people buy my crap

It's a bit overwhelming and I know it will be hard, but will be good practice for one day when we have saved enough to buy a house (when I'm about 78)]]> Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:53:58 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23373&PID=575234&title=money-challenge-2009#575234