Good Morning!

.. I probs spent way too much this year .. @Former-Member ..stuff happens . being able to earn more would help ..

You're telling me @TAB! I had to take out a Gov't loan as part of the Victorian Energy Initiative plus a Plenti loan to pay for my Solar power. Electricity is going to go up next year. Waiting with bated breath for my next electricity bill at the end of the month. Hoping some of it gets fed back into the grid and I get some extra money for doing so. Cost of my fridge will be paid for by Paypal "Pay 1 in 4" which spreads the amount. By the next week would have paid for half of it lol! I had savings in my credit union accounts. All gone now!

yeah I'm tapping super again @Former-Member cannot live on dole, rent or now rent. my id got refused, have to get docs certified. just been doing my English course not in the mood for chasing docs atm ha ha lol will leave it for now. before end of week anyway.

I don't know how I survive but I do. Dole is even less than DSP, such tough requirements now to get DSP. I'm glad I'm on it for what I went through with my mental health and everything after that @TAB Yeah maybe leave document certification for another day. Do you need to see a justice of the peace or get someone at a chemist to certify your documents? When you're in the right frame of mind you can get it all done. I'm thinking of doing irregular loan repayments with Plenti to pay it off quicker as the government wants houses to switch from gas to electricity. Need new cooktop plus electrical hot water systems are required!!! Its just getting too hard

DSP $300 a fortnight more than I get @Former-Member and i get extra $50 for being over 60 lol

i dont get rent relief thats $150 now

..post office prob best bet re getting docs certified here @Former-Member

Gee yup I hear you. $300 extra/fortnight would make a huge difference. Accessing super is a good idea. I wish there was something I could say but living on restricted income is the pits @TAB

As you know, I'm a dedicated Frugalist, @Former-Member, but life was just getting to be too much hassle without a car. Besides, I'm just getting too many years under my belt. I have been so frugal that, at the moment, I am indulging myself a little in various ways. I've more than earned it. If I bought a television, a vacuum cleaner or the like, I would tie them on to my shopper and take a train or bus home, or walk. It was a little embarrassing but I'm not shopping around for the best deal to waste my savings on delivery! A washing machine would be another matter, of course. So, after long consideration, I made the plunge. Now for some refresher driving lessons; it's been 11 years. I guess I've saved more than the price of a small car in that time by not having one. It's going to be a long six weeks so I'll have to keep myself very busy. I'm not excited, but I am eager to change my life.

That sounds delicious, @Former-Member. You must have tried everything on the supermarket shelves!! Always trying something new. Good for you.

I really admire you for sticking to your budget and not allowing for any kind of added expenses @Historylover sometimes budgeting can lead to so much privation however so enjoy your new little car when it arrives. Refresher driving lessons are a good idea, you will be zipping around in no time.

As for finances when I was a uni student it was worse on Austudy than where I am now. Next year is an 8 year numerologically so its a focus on money. I intend to pay off my Plenti loan for my solar power quicker than spreading it over several years. Houses are going to require more modifications in future with environmental targets.

So next year will get a new cooktop overlaid over the gas one and get rid of gas hot water. The government wants everything to go electric within a short space of time. Don't know when the timeline ends.

I know how frugal you are but just be careful as the cost of living is set to get worse with inflation so rents are likely to go up more. You may need the cash you probably know that but the dollar is going to be worth less. Just keep budgeting is all I can say as you have done so all your life. You know the drill, history lover