Welcome to Steph's Blog
Hi I'm Steph.
I'm 32 and live with my husband, Matt and our wee boy Caleb who's 3-months old and counting. I’m a trained physio but I stopped work at the start of the year to have number one son.
My parental leave has just run out – and somehow I've ended up with the job of working out how we can survive on Matt’s salary with our delightful $211,000 mortgage!!!!
Over the next couple of months I'll be open to suggestions to help us work through our options. Financial expert Martin Hawes is also going to be lending us a hand. I have a funny feeling we’re going to have a few teething problems but I look forward to seeing what everyone thinks we should do…
posted by sortme @ 9:19 AM
203 comments
203 Comments:
hello
I applaud you trying to get out of financial difficulty but do you think you could do it without your picture in a giant orange box on the trade me message boards!!!!!
good luck but it can be done!!!
you could run an auction to have your great stupid pic and fluoro orange box removed from Trade Me as its annoying everyone. I would pay you a couple of bucks for that!!!
Please get rid of that stupid ad on trade me and for gods sake why orange. I don't want to see that everyday yuck.
please do your advertising of your poor life elsewhere, we dont care. Hope your money worries only get worse!
I think you should sell your house and move somewhere cheaper so not so much stress on you to go back to work with a young baby :-)
get over it trademe get paid to have it there duh
Ah Styph, just ignore those too ignorant to install a browser that blocks ads they don't want to see.
Go back to work - I'm going to have to after six months. It's unfair to put pressure on your man to have to provide on one wage if you have debt.
please remove yourself from TM, your not wanted there....
get rid of the stupid ad taking up room on the message boards - its the opposite of advertising because now I am boycotting sorted.org. BYE BYE
BOYCOTT SORTED.ORG OR WHATEVER ITS CALLED UNTIL STEPH DIES A QUICK AND PAINLESS DEATH AWAY FROM THE TM MESSAGE BOARDS!
BOYCOTT SORTED.ORG OR WHATEVER ITS CALLED UNTIL STEPH DIES A QUICK AND PAINLESS DEATH AWAY FROM THE TM MESSAGE BOARDS WHERE SHE IS TAKING UP VALUABLE SPACE!
Sell your kid for medical experiments,divorce your hubby and take him for all you can get.Then go away.
yes, i think you have over extended yourself - (financially that is!:-). Shamelessly advertising yourself on Trademe is just not on! Why not employ the services of a trained budgeter and then you can leave us Trademe peeps alone. ok? Lots of Love B
pleasssseeee hop off trademe and maybe do something productive..just not there,,huh?? huh??...:( pleasssseeeeee..with cherries on top:)
LOOK AT ALL THE STUPID WHINING TRADEME PEEPS WHO CANT BLOCK ADS HAHAHAHAHA
Hi
Thanks for your comments, good and bad, but especially for the ones that actually comment on my situation. I'll take all comments, except anything that really crosses the line with language or abuse.
I thought my pic and ad was quite nice, but everyone has their own taste I guess. Sorry you don't like orange, I'll have a word to the designer : )
Thanks, Steph.
Everyone knows solo mums will do anything for money. Go work at The Pelican Club a couple of days a week. Or become a stripper at Mermaids ...
I know phsios get good money.what does your hubby do? surely you saved hard b4 having the child? and if you didnt maybe you shouyld have thought about it? also get tyhat orange thing out my face its annoying
Steph just wondering how you are able to reply if, as the blurb say, you and you family are fictitious??? I think that perhaps you are not steph at all but merely a sorted employee!!
go away
Probably not the best idea to raise money by putting your box on trade em!
This add, It's a pain on TM. how rude can you be. Get a life.
Hi Steph,
I really don't see how you cant sort yourself out financially. I do not like internet 'begging', in fact I think it's pathetic. As an educated 'adult' which I assume you are, or are supposed to be, why do you need others to decide what you should do in life? Are you going to start an advert as to whether you should shower today or not? Part of growing up is taking responsibility for your own actions and doing what you can to better yourself, surely you can do this on your own or are you that weak? Why don't you go back to work if things are that bad? More than likely you probably smoke, drink, buy lots of things your baby doesn't really need, have sky etc etc.
This add is a Pain in the Butt. How rude to put this on TM. What are you trading
what is your fictional husbands fictional income? What ages are you fictional children and do they do fictional extracurricular activities? perhaps you could get a fictional lotto ticket and hope you win
Good Luck In your Future decisions Steph! BTW...May I suggest Hot Pink for the colour just to annoy those who complained! LOL
This is great, i will look forward to reading the blog!
This is a really, REALLY bad marketing research exercise.
If you do need to conduct some sort of experimental research design, try not to do it in such a way that it gets peoples backs up like this, as with all the angry attitudes your research objecves will ultimately not be addressed,
Good idea, great randomised selection techniques and im sure that many T.M memers fit your target market but your execution of research? Very Very poor
Hi, Good Luck sorting your finances out. I just wonder, when you took out your mortgage did you assess whether the payments would be sustainable once you started a family and have your bank worked with you to reduce your payments?
This is a really, REALLY bad marketing research exercise.
If you do need to conduct some sort of experimental research design, try not to do it in such a way that it gets peoples backs up like this, as with all the angry attitudes your research objecves will ultimately not be addressed,
Good idea, great randomised selection techniques and im sure that many T.M memers fit your target market but your execution of research? Very Very poor
Badly Marketing Resaerch thats all this is
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Hi
We're not making money from the Trade Me ad :) and we're not asking for money from you either - there's no 'Donate Now' button haha.
Sorry if you don't like what I'm doing, just trying to get a handle on the family finances. I figure if I share what the problems are, see what people reckon and get some input from a financial expert maybe everyone will come out with a better idea on how to get more 'money' from their money.
Thx, Steph.
why have a child if you can't afford it?
i am sure that you will have teething probs as no doubt they have all been made up to factitiously challenge your fictitious budgeting skills
Hi again Steph,
I'm sorry but you didn't answer me. Do you smoke? drink? have sky tv? are you buying your baby lots of things he doesn't need? Like I said, as an adult I think you should be able to sort yourself out without the help of the public, a budget advisor yes, but I don't see why you have to be so public about it. MANY of us have had to adjust to one income because we've started a family.
Even on two incomes, what you should NEVER EVER DO is rely on both! Your situation is of your own doing. I do hope your child isn't decked out in all the latest and greatest brands and outfits, that goes with yourself and your partner as well.
Surely your husband doesn't earn THAT little that you can't afford to survive on the basics and on a budget? If he did earn that little, there is always family assistance, I assume you've looked at that option?
Also, is there not the option of returning back to full time work or at least part time work while your husband watches the baby.
Look forward to your response
Christ I have my own money problems. I don't need that damn ad in my face reminding me about it every time I visit trade me.
What a joke... This is pathetic
Hi Steph
Thanx 4 a stimulating start to April Fools day 2006. I hope 2 continue being part of your dilemma/solutions plan over the next 8 weeks. No doubt the bright orange advert in our face will keep everyone in the picture and the voting may be a hoot 2. TM/Fairfax & Sorted have scored an A++++ hit with this method of helping us all. C over the top & fun-luvn reaction to advertisement last night. Cheers
Hi Steph
Maybe you can find some work you can do for home, living in Grey Lynn you are in a great position to access Auckland City businesses, so many of them need to source outside contracts for things like typing, stuffing envelopes, etc, kind of boring tasks, but if you get paid for it then why not?
the other thing i can suggest, is look at your weekly food bill, we cut ours in half almost by buying fruit and vege from the fruit and vege shop, meat from the butchery, nappies from bulk nappy stores like diapers express and making meal plans in advance so we knew exactly what to buy to have enough food to last the week.
Good luck :) i will be keeping an eye on you!
Sell your laptop and buy a cheap PC Yeah y0!!
Hi
I'll try an answer the questions as they come in.
Matt (husband) is a graphic designer (I'll talk to him about the orange ad okay?) and is now on $68k a year.
That's more than he's ever earned before and we thought it would be heaps. We did plan to have Caleb, and saved for it etc.
We can talk to the bank and work out what to do with the mortgage - we have to refix our finance soon anyway.
We don't smoke, aren't down the pub every night and since Caleb is only 3 months latest brands isn't really the issue.
I will (do?) consider going back to work an option. If anyone has got some experience on that lmk, having a little baby has totally changed everything for us. So I'm not sure what to think now.
Thx, Steph.
Hi Steph
Congrats on your baby,I think it is more wanting to maintain a life financially that you had before the baby.There maybe ways to cut back and if not there are options ie porse,kidstart which mean still there for baby,part time work at nights when hubby is at home.I feel you feeling this at No1 child try having 3 and we still manage to give them what they need
Thanks for supplying that info steph.
68k a year?? that IS heaps! I can't understand how you are unable to cope on that. My partner earns 20k less than that, I also have a young child but we actually live VERY comfortably on that. We also live in Auckland.
Why is it that you struggle to make 'ends meat'?
Um, "Steph" I can't believe you are trying to reply to these. Everyone knows you're not a real person. I'd just give up if I was you.
Stopping at No1 will stop these problems for you and then you can go back to life you were used to or is it that having a baby seemed fun and now reality has set in
This isn't even a real family this whole thing is a fake and this ad is only found on trade me (read the top in orange) why don't you go and annoy someone else and leave us alone.
Hey Carla
Thanks for the ideas. I have to do a proper budget and see what we spend on food.
When we were both working it was easy to just grab something for dinner every night, and we probably spent heaps doing that. Now I guess I should plan to do a proper shop for meals! :) There are 3 supermarkets within walking distance of home, so I should make the most of that seeing as we're living central.
I hadn't thought so much about part time work either, just whether to go back fulltime or not. I'll see what's out there and talk it over with Matt.
Thanks again, Steph.
Should I not try and answer these? If people are going to make an effort to get involved, I'm going to answer as much as I can - although I can't be here every minute!
Steph.
PS. I'm not Trish, and I'm not the Devil.
Hi Stephanie,
What are you financial obligations? What are your weekly(?) mortgage repayments and what other debts do you have? I would kill to have an income of 68k to be honest, I'd be swimming in money if my partner earnt that much!
What kind of bills do you have? Do you have a meter read from your power provider every month? How much is on your phone bill? How much is your internet bill? How much do you spend weekly on groceries?
I also buy nappies online, in fact I bought around 140 nappies at babyonline.co.nz for $45 or there abouts. Thats basically a months worth or more of nappies!
April Fool!!!!!!
Hi
I know $68k is pretty good. Its not that we 'can't cope', and we didn't think having a kid would be easy or want to live like we did when we were 25 or anything.
Its just that everything seems more serious now, Matt is working like a dog to earn the $68k and I've got to sort everything out at home and with the money. And if I make a mistake or we do get into trouble with the mortgage or whatever, then there's no easy way out - I can't just get a job at the drop of a hat now, or I could I suppose if I put Caleb into daycare or whatever, but that costs money and I don't want to do it just because I didn't think about what I was doing.
That make sense?
Thanks for your comments and thoughts. Steph.
Yeah "Steph" we know you are not real. I can't believe you are continuing this on with all your replies! It has created publicity for sorted.org but nobody is going to bother checking out more info. Sorry mate.
Hi Stephanie,
We can't comment on your financial situation unless we know the specific 'ins and outs' and what your expenses are.
*Do you get paid weekly or fortnightly?
*Are you recieving any family assistance?
*What is your monthly power bill?
*What is your monthly phone bill?
*How much do you spend on groceries per week (including baby goods)
*Do you have any extra curricular activities that are costing you money?
Hi Steph,
If you're interested maybe you could look at childcare through PORSE or something similar - that way you could make a little bit of money looking after a baby maybe a similar age to your wee one so he has a playmate AND you would be able to stay at home. :)
Good luck!
what about saving your self an average of $3000 a year and use cloth nappies, and have you got a spare room you can maybe rent out??
hi there steph, this is just an idea but seeing as you are a trained physio.
have u looked into doing that at home when baby is asleep just to earn a bit of extra money on the side.
ignore those silly ppl, i personally think you are doign a good thing, stay home and be with your baby, it is worth it, espically when he does all his first things.
hugs to you and your family and good luck
wow, arent people just so rude!
Hi again Steph, i understand how hard it is to leave your bub, hes only 3 months old and the first year of bubs life is so important, for many years you and your husband have been living it up on 2 incomes, only to drop pretty quickly down to one, even though it is a substantial income its still a bit of a shock and living within your new means is a learned behaviour, good on you for getting a budget drawn up, always a great first step, but dont forget also to put a little money away each week "just in case" its very important to do that, unexpected car repairs, rates, water bills etc cost a tonne and if you havent taken them into consideration they can really bite you in the bum!
Hi there
I am glad you are trying to get out of your financial situation, and i am sure there are 3million other who are just like you.
I live day to day with a very sick partner, can't afford my own house, have 2 girls to raise, one in which is getting married this month (and can't even afford a decent dress to attend her wedding)
I don't know why your mortgage is so high, but maybe you should sell and get a cheaper mortgage.
There are more people worse off than you. I wish you luck in what ever you decided to do. I am trying to set up my own business( as i am sick of being on the benefit) (website) you could try this. I am doing it all myself and it isn't costing me a thing (just my time)oops as long as you have computing skils you should be right.
Cheers
Hahaha $3000 on nappies a year? DON'T OVEREXAGGERATE MATE! If you bought the dryups nappies online for $45, each box lasts a year so that's only $500-$600 a year on nappies so don't be silly you idiot saying $3k on nappies a year!
Good luck Steph... I cant believe how negative people are...
Well, it's now confirmed that Trade Me is full of uneducated, simple people with no lives and who can't read. Obviously don't understand what "fictitious life" means.....it's a make-believe situation people! *sigh* And furthermore if they had brains they'd understand what advertising was and why your lovely face adorns the messageboard pages.
Hi Steph,
Why don't you invest in some cloth nappies? You would save so much money. Sure, the outlay can be expensive, but once you have them that's it. Plus if you are plannning on having more babies you won't need to spend any money on nappies. Just a thought.
Hi Everyone
I'll get together some more detailed info and try and show you how our budget is coming together.
You are right in that we need to look at the "specific ins and outs", and see where the money is actually going. I think getting the bills and bank statements together is a good practical first step. So I'll do that and maybe things will feel more under control.
There are some really helpful ideas coming through, thanks heaps, I'll be back when I've got my head around everything.
Thanks, Steph.
hello steph - I love the orange BTW - gosh what a bunch of whingers they are aye?.....good on U for trying to make ends meet ....what ever U do dont sell your house!!!! get rid of all other debt IE:cars ...things U dont need ...thats sucking all the money up....sell things on trade me?......can U make any thing?.....
is your morgage over 30 yrs? - if not extend it out to the max while your at home?
hope this helps ....IF i think of any thing else I will post - baylee12 [trademe member name]
Hi....68k is a lot of money, we are a family of 6, two adults and 4 kiddies, 2 are in nappies and we survive on $35k and a morg of $200K, so whats your problem????
goodluck,can be done
Hi. What sort of cars do you have? If you have two sflash cars you will save heeps by selling boath and buying a corrola or something. and by not haveing a second car you will save upwards of 5k a year. and you will get fit to.
Steph or whoever this is lol
I know this is a joke but obviously everyone else in here is taking this orange image too serious.
Did you put this on tm to start these arguments??? or are you just bored.
Sorry just had to say that.
I know its a joke but no one else seems to think it is. Not funny anymore now steph as you can see some of the remarks that have been given to you.
happy April 1st.Now can we get rid of this crap.
Firstly, I can't believe just how rude people are, who do you think you are, sitting comfortably in your home choosing to put people down, when they are out there trying to do something for themselves! All I can say is "Don't throw stones when you live in glass houses", we could all learn from "Steph" and her family, I myself am in a similar situation, luckily not in Auckland, but hubby is on a similar wage and we have a wee girl of 10months. I find it interesting to see how she manages. For those who are commenting on the cost of nappies, I think the $3000 was an estimate of childhood to toddlerhood, but we use modern cloth nappies (www.snazzipants.co.nz) which are the best. I think disposables are a waste of money and especially for mums who aren't working, cloth are a great alternative. I look forward to following Stephs blog and gleaning from it many ideas to use day to day. Well done ?Steph.
People are SO mean, GO STEPH!!!!!
happy April 1st YAAAAAWN
get rid of the stupid thing on trade me!
I don’t even care what this person is doing or trying to do what irks me is the comments made from the very same trademe people that spend all there time on the message board whining & carrying on like there is no light at the end of there roads. They all ask pathetic questions, no one has any common sense so it seems on the forums at all with all the stupid questions. What’s so different about what this lady is doing? nothing other than she’s smart & has got everyone’s attention with the way she has gone about it. Trademe Forum Users why don’t you take a look at yourselves before judging others your all a bunch of sad feeble people who cry when something happens to your kids because you were too busy posting on a forum. Get yourselves off the chair, turn the computer off & be the parents you should all be for those that don’t have kids but pick on the one’s that do you are just as pathetic; or the one’s starting topics of (help me I’m broke) or (Help me get the operation for my child) all a load of crap that others fall for & end up shelving out dollars to those with a sad story. Hell the list is bad you only have to skim through the forums to see what garbage is being posted & it’s all about attention. Gee people get off the computers & get a life, have you no friends, no shame, nothing in your lives other than bitching & judging others. What’s the matter someone jealous because this chick had the brains to do something that you all already do just on a higher scale. Ohhh god what a waste of breath & energy typing to you all. GET LIVES FOR GOD SAKES!!
do you think you could ask your boss to have someone spell "mortgage" correctly on the link at the top of the page. thanks.
Hey Steff! What does your husband look like? Are you guys into SWINGING? Would you like to hook up with me and my man for some fun nights together *wink*?
well good on ya for sorting it out..but why does it have to take up all the room on our message board? ..also you get 68k a year? ..try 25-30k 3 adults 3 kids.and we get by..just but we do..you just have to adjust your lifestyle
I have a question lol
What is this create a link at the bottom of all the messages please?
It's about time that a lot of you grew up. How pathetic are you to take the micky out of this woman and her family! They are people, and have their own feelings.
I think she is doing what all couples should be doing, that is being at home with their new baby!
How many of you have worked with children the same age that are in child care centres from 7am to 6pm?
No routines, unsettled, sick etc.
The young ones are hard work, and they need to be at home with their mum, and breast milk.
Steph or whoever you are, good luck in your quest.
By what your baby needs to be comfortable and work or stay at home, as you feel comfortable, just make sure your man also has some respect.
You can easily cut costs, such as bulk buying items when on special, paying bills annually if you can afford, buying fruit and vege at fruit and vege shops not supermarket, reusing paper, plastics etc, buying nappies in bulk, or using cloth (moderns are easy to use), sharing your work load with other mothers, ie you look after joe bloggs child one day and she yours the next.
walk to local shops at bubs sleep time, (bubs in pram) do a small shop, bake foods and put into freezer, buy toys in school holiday school sales, buy on HP only when int free terms, or use layby and pay minimums in time frame given.
just a few ideas, and ingore the Trademe Nanas, there are some on there who ask for $$ or say how hard up they are, and they are on the message boards, all day long, so obviously not working.
Finally, Remember your lifestyle and child are as expensive as you let it. :o)
What a stupid idea this is. Place an advert on the trade me website that pisses off everyone and then allow everyone to abuse you on this website and anonymously too.
What is it with you people, get over yourselves and quit being so god damn mean, TRADEME stuck her there if you have a problem with it take it up with them..man some people have nothing better to do then be arseW((pes.
To be really honest we make 70k a year and we have 3 kids we are what we would call well off we dont want for anything our kids have way more than what they should yes we have bills so I cant understand why you would be worried about money at all dont mean to be rude but this advise that is being given by the people here should really be going to a family of several kids with an income of under 40k someone who really needs help because from what I have read you dont need any at all
GET OVER YOURSELVES tm users ffs get a life, some of you are so mean, you moan and gripe about your sucky lives daily on the message boards yet you come here and dog her...shame on you lot...get a life.
With a smile like your's you could make a fortune and work from home. Sex sell as they say. Now bugger off and stop cluttering up our message board.
With a smile like your's you could make a fortune and work from home. Sex sell as they say. Now bugger off and stop cluttering up our message board.
Hi Steph
What are your Home loan repayments per week/fortnight/month etc? It is hard to offer advice when no figures are given, Also wandering why Get Sorted would use someone in their hypothetical blog that earns ABOVE the average wage in New Zealand, I would have felt better helping someone on half your income with 4 kids, you know someone who is "REAL" and could actually benefit from the advice. Therefore I think this whole excercise is a waste of time. I can think of 10 families off hand in my area alone who would have a "REAL" need for advice. This whole thing makes me sad :(
Sex sells. With a smile like your's you could make a fortune and work from home at the same time. Now bugger off and stop cluttering up our message board.
So you say this is a ficticious family. So basically you are pretending to be someone your not. Unfortunately this is against blogspots terms of services and I urge everyone to make a complaint with Blogspot about this. The terms clearly state: (you must not) (c) impersonate any person or entity, including, but not limited to, a Pyra official, forum leader, guide or host, or falsely state or otherwise misrepresent your affiliation with a person or entity;
My goodness - hello people - this is "fictitious" - think the Sorted people have done a great marketing promo. Only gripe I have is that the income is very high ... I'm a single parent of 2 living on less than 30K and doing very well thankyou, as I have been for 10 years - not "struggling" at all. I think perhaps the marketing team need to "get real" and come up with someone who is really struggling ... personally I have no sympathy at all for "Steph" .. sorry.
Wow, it makes you realise how hard some families are doing it! It would be a shock if you were on a double income well over 100K and then had to go down to 68,000 I suppose, because you would get used to the luxuries. I would do the budget on this website (hypothetically) and see where you could cut back. Work would be out the question for a while, the child is still very young. Are we going to get the details of a budget, bills etc in the coming weeks? Interesting experiment...
Since you are a fictitious family living a hypothetical life (re-read the orange box at the top of this page), I think Monopoly money should see you buying a few more properties and getting out of jail free.
SortMe? Are you the developer of the SortMe software that I use to manage TM auctions.
If you weren't hypothetical, I'd say good on you! You can afford to be at home with your child, and that's so much fun, and so good for everyone. As long as you can afford to eat and pay the bills, and you are prepared to go without the frills (overseas trips, a new SUV) you'll look back and be really glad you did this.
hello
Well it seem that steph is not only fictional, but the people giving her advice ma also be fictional too. Sorted, its plainly dumb to ask people to help a fictional character, especially one that appears as well off sas"Steph" I think many trademe users are trying to make ends meet on much less than this fictional family, which actually makes the whole scenario quite offensive
Why target the Trade Me message board posters for this campaign, is it because it is full of winners or losers?. I'm off to Zillion now.
Ummm, duh... why didn't you figure out how you were going to pay the mortgage on one income before you gave up your job to have number one son???
hello,hello,
good luck Steph.
Hey there Steph :) I think your a bit of a babe! Are you bi-curious at all? I am and would really love to have my first girl on girl experience with you! Your hubby can watch of course ;) Look forward to your reply. BTW - to **LetsSwing** Im interested in the swinging thing :) Maybe me and steph could come over? LOLOLOL
Why dont you ANONYMOUS peepholes put a name to your post? Some of you ANONYMOUS peepholes are p!$$ing me off and i want to tell you so, but how the hell are we supposed to tell you to shut ya face, when your name is ANONYMOUS like the other 80! Geezzz.. stop hiding and get your dum names out on the boards or SHUDDUP!
Once upon a time..... but really, is Matt going to have a nervous breakdown at having to take on the family's financial burden on his own, drink too much, take drugs, have a breakdown and walk out??? I think this will be a happily ever after scenario for the scriptwriters. Lame idea guys!
Silly you for having a $200k loan and then leaving work ,,, down grade to a caravan park or shift back home to the inlaws garage ..
Is Caleb breastfed? If so, that will save you a ton of money! He's young enough that if not, you can probably relactate. I hope you don't spend $3000 a year on nappies, only a hypothetical person would do that ;-)
Hi Steph,
Was just wondering if you shave under your arms ???
Cheers Pete
You are more annoying than the Briscoes lady...............if you insist on being on Trade Me, why don't you sell your junk like the rest of us and make money. Better still - sell the baby.
Sorted, I congratulate you on trying to educate the masses but a lot of posters on here can't fathom that this is a hypothetical situation...
It's the same people that think actors are the same as their characters.
I would suggest that the $68,000 income figure is too high for people that struggle to relate to - so who exactly are you targeting?
People that really need the advice would be on something like $38,000.
Good luck with your campaign!
Maybe if you hadn't paid to stick your ad in the TM message boards you wouldn't be in such debt?
If you're really a person, Steph, hold an auction on TradeMe to get rid of that awful banner ad.
You'd be SORTED for life then.
Yep, on an income like that I would have bought two houses by now. Hypothetically, not smoking, drinking, and putting babies in gold plated nappies would be a good place to start! I can't fathom how someone can be struggling on an income that high, with one child. I guess a lot of people have real trouble seperating 'neccessities' from 'luxuries'.
and the point of this whole steph-thing is??????
In this fictitious situation...
Fix your mortgage
(which is a relatively small mortgage for Auckland) of $211,000 for 5 years at approx 8%pa, with monthly repayments of $1549pm (assuming a 30 year term).
If your fictitious husband gets paid fortnightly, set up an auto payment to pay your mortgage fortnightly also (this will cut approx 5 years off your mortgage over a 30 year term!).
So... hubby gets approx $1600 in the hand (after tax of 39%?) a fortnight, mortgage $775), leaving $825 to pay bills, insurance etc & live.
Write out ALL of your expenses:
RATES, INSURANCES, REGO/S, TELEPHONE, GAS, POWER, WATER etc.
Work out the annual figure then work out the fortnight or monthly figure. Aim to put that amount away each fortnight/month into an 'expense' account. So when the bills come in, there should be sufficient funds to pay it in full & ontime. Alternatively, you can set up an auto payment to pay most of these on a fortnightly or monthly basis. Rembembering that extra fees may be incurred if you pay month by month.
Meal plan
Like a previous poster suggested, again do on a month or fortnight basis, depending on fictitious hubbys pay cycle. Do ONE grocery shop at the beginning of the period and get all you need. And stick to a strict food budget. This will stop you spending another $50 each visit, when you only need to spend $10 for something forgotten. If you need more milk & bread get it from the dairy or service station, OR go without your plastic cards, and with only sufficient cash to pay for those goods needed!
This will also make mealtime a breeze, and you'll feel super organised!
or you could invest in a bigger freezer and freeze your milk & bread! Forget buying luxuries, such as fizzy, chips or chocolate!
Grow your own produce
If you have a back yard, plant a vege patch & reap the rewards of having super fresh veges at a fraction of the cost!
Cars cost heaps...
Petrol costs are rising, could hubby utilise public transport or could he cycle to work? Consider selling a car, if you have two. Minimise using the car unnecessarily.
Cut back on luxuries...
What lifestyle you were use to before, probably can't be maintained now... so no doubt you'll have to cut back on those impromptu dinners out & nice bottles of wine.
Yup! Use modern cloth nappies!!
Other than being environmentally friendly, a small outlay of between $300-$800 should see you right for nappies, until bub is toilet trained. And then you can sell them once they're no longer needed! Line dry them, to avoid cranking up the power bill! Invest in 15 cheap face cloths, to use as wipes!
Work from home...
Perhaps you could be a party host and sell modern nappies, tupperware, lingerie, cosmetics, childrens books... etc etc
Ask your bank
If they will waive your account fees, seeing you have your mortgage with them!? This might save you a few $ a month!
So... whatever is left over after paying for the mortgage and bills, is what you can afford to spend on food, petrol & miscellaneous items. If possible,you could even try & put away $50 or so a fortnight into savings!
But to throw a spanner in the works, does fictitious husband have to contribute a % of his salary into a super fund? If so, this could make things really tight!?
Become more conscious of your power bill, turn off lights, ovens, microwaves, computers etc when not in use. Those little LCD screens and lights suck up power, even when not in use. Switch to night store heating (?), so that your hotwater cylinder isn't in use 24hrs sucking power... invest in some energy efficient light bulbs.
If you have SKY or BROADBAND, these will have to go...
Good luck fictitious family, and hopefully some of these pointers might assist someone else out there?!
I wish I had your problems and you can have mine.
We live on $18,000 p.a., rent a HNZ house, have no car, and although things are tight we make it through.
There are 2 teenagers and 1 adult in our house.
We grow veg, shop at the op shop, use public transport, and yet we still have enough to have a PS2 and the internet.
If you can't manage on $68,000 then your expectations and lifestyle need alteration. Downsize the house, or did you buy for the social buzz you would get from owning an expensive house.
The trouble with people generally is that they want it all and they want it now. I think you should only consider part time work when your child is a bit older.
Why have babies and let other people raise them.
Why buy expensive houses and then moan about the cost of the mortgage.
Use cloth nappies, save money in the long run and save the environment at the same time.
Grow some tomatoes, lettuce, and other easy to grow veges and save on the grocery bill - it's also great exercise looking after a garden and you get a sense of achievement, and it teaches kids the value of their labours when they help out as well.
Most of all, stop trying to make me feel sorry for you, there are lots of others worse off than you. You say you are well educated and yet you have to come to "us" for advice. Makes me wonder.
What a shame that something like this has to bring out the immaturity of New Zealanders. Steph - good luck with what you are doing. And as you most probably know the Big Orange Box is doing exactly what is was put there to do - they are clicking on it.
Why don't you go on the benefit evry1 else seems to if you don't wanna stoop that low Physio's get a good hrly rate more than the average Jo go back to work part time.
Bingle!
oh good grief, Steph im sorry you're being subjected to some of the childish crap on here. Truly truly sad that people feel that their beloved messageboard is such a safe special place they cant stand any intrusion *sigh*. If anything, your efforts have sadly shown some of the tossers we have to share our beautiful country with... Good luck with your family and your quest, if i may judge on your picture and what you're doing, you seem like a friendly, approachable, everyday kiwi
Cheekylilmonkey here~ ok all you silly billys from the MB, i think you are taking it to far from saying the nasty things on here,, But Anyway steph:) The biggest Mistake alot of couples do when they have a baby and one leaves work, is, The Income goes down but the lifestyle spending stays the same so think about that,, ..lol, or wow $60k+ a year, thats pretty good, so i dont think you will be eating out of catbowls soon, Only Buy the Nessities Not wants/impulses~ sell stuff on tm, good way:) open up a high interest account~?buy a half a beast to stock your frezza for meat,ect, saves 500+ a year..cloth nappies at home, dispos when going out?... cheap brands,(get the cheap toilet paper,not the one with the pretty pics, lol)... and save, seriously, sit down write down all your weekly incomings and outgoings, and then with what ever is left SAVESAVESAVE!!budgetbudgetbudget:)~goodluck:)
Hypothetically, you should really have practiced living on one wage for 6mths to a year before having the hypothetical child. (It amazes me still that people have to have a licence to drive a car or own a dog but can bring a child into the world with no restrictions and little planning). My advice? Do your homework! The WWW has a wealth of information about how to manage a household on one wage. If you can afford a computer and are home all day you can still use your time profitably by researching good ideas and preparing an information file. Here is just one site http://www.miserlymoms.com/MOMtips3.htm
FOR ALL THE IDIOTS WHO POSTED IN HERE: The add is orange becuz thats the color SORTED.co.nz uses. Steph, i feel really sorry for you having to read all this abuse and bullcrap... most of these ppl just dont have a life, dont take it to heart.
I think you should go check out www.sorted.org.nz
Heaps of info and more help than some of the posts!!
PEOPLE!, stop being so gosh darn mean!!! STOP it, you are just being idiots.
OMG, does that mean the Briscoe's lady isn't real, either?
Hey **PETE88**...why do you wanna know if Steph shaves her armpits? Have you got a bit of a KINK for hairy parts huh? hahahahhaha ~ altho, i would be interested to know if she does or not too now..coz she could make a saving there buy not buying razors or waxs etc! She can be a hairy stay at home MOFO MUM like the rest of us hairy mums! hahahahhahha
why dont you become a hooker,money problems solved
Just read a few of the comments. Although It is annoying to have the big advertisement on Trade Me, do you pillocks not realise that Steph doesn't exist! Steph is a fictious character. DOH.
Sell the baby, you can always have another one.
1. Sit down and do a detailed weekly, monthly and annual budget so you know where the money is going and what the shortfall is. Then you know what the goal is, eg reduce spending by $200 a week.
2. Look at the big ticket items first - increasing income, reducing tax, mortgage, car, hire purchase. Think hard about each of these to see if you can use any to chip away at your goal.
3. Increasing income - extra hours, higher rates, work smarter not harder, sell unneeded items. Babysitting is an underrated way of making a few dollars which normally don't need to be declared for tax. Two or three evenings a month is not too onerous and can contribute quite significantly to the shortfall.
4. Reduce tax - some good NZ books readily available on this topic. Drop a hint for a birthday present. Or try the library.
5. Mortgage - talk to a broker. Even a small interest reduction can make a big difference. If you are refinancing and have HP see if you can add the HP onto the mortgage to save interest.
6. Car - do you have one or two? If two, can you go back to one, even if only for a while. Might be cheaper to get a monthly bus pass, or even to take taxis.
7. Look at smaller ticket items next. There are some great frugal websites and newsletters around. Try www.dollarstretcher.com for a good start.
8. Lastly have fun. Treat reaching your $$$ goal as a game. Engage the whole family in it.
PS I started out as a solo mum with less than zero (had debts) after my marriage ended. I'm now out of debt and heading fast for $2m net worth. It took me 20 years. If I hadn't taken my finances in hand back then, it would still be 20 years later and I would probably still be poor.
Gosh you guys are pathetic. Cheers steph your gorgeous
What a lot of mean spirited people out there. No doubt in financial strife themselves, but are too lazy to do anything about it.
Well, 68k isn't a lot but it ought to be enough with one kid. We have three and find it tight on 110k but at least I don't have to worry about whether I can pay the bills - it's just what's left over. Not a lot. No, we don't have debt, buy brand clothes, etc. Kids are just so darn hungry. So I can kind of understand where you are coming from. I'll be looking at the advice you receive with interest.
Steph,
I think TM is the wrong place to be advertising, especially the messageboards! Orange is hideous, and I especially don't like looking at YOU all the time! Get off the TM messageboards for starters!
Yay, Ezytrade.co.nz is a big 'orange steph ad' free zone.
Good Luck Steph trying to get more money.
Go back to work..there are ways to accomodate your lifestyle you know! Find a part time job that will fit around your partners job, so that someone is always home with the baby.
I have 2 young children both my husband and I work full time jobs, have a mortgage, 2 cars .. and we don't go looking for help or peoples advice! Its common knowledge, hardwork but pays off!
Are you waiting for some rich person to come along feel sorry for you and give you a hand out?
Go to Winz and get accommodation supplement. Definitely go and see them with all your money details, they can be quite helpful sometimes. They usually won't tell you what you are entitled to, so do research on what you may be able to get from them first.
Plus there is Family Assistance who will help out also if you earn under a certain amount.
And yay there is still no big 'orange steph ad' at Ezytrade.co.nz.
Luck to ya.
Dear Steph, I would suggest that you look at selling your house in Auckland and moving to a cheaper city. Even though Matt is earning $68K you are comitting 23% of his total gross income to debt servicing prior to principle repayments. i.e your working for the bank. You both have very good tranportable skills, Matt can work as a graphic designer say in Hamilton or Tauranga and you could work part-time anywhere. You are very dependant on further capital gain in your house in Auckland - we have just had the property boom - will you get further growth? maybe, but it may take a while. Moved to a cheaper city, purchase a cheaper house, make reasonable prinicple repayments and use the left over morgage money to purchase a further property to rent out. Your money is in fact working for you - not you working for your money. Just a thought, this is what we would do and we have made a few million over the years.
I find it interesting to use the mortgage calculator, and find that on $45000 income, I could never pay off a $200,000 mortgage. I know lots of people who pay that kind of mortgage and live on a lower income. Maybe Steph needs to get a new mortgage company?
Heya Steph :o) Something that really helps for us is whenever a good meat special or something comes up at the supermarket I buy an extra few kilos and make up some freezer meals in advance. For example in the old days if mince was cheap I would buy a whole heap and make meatballs and freeflow them. That way when I don't feel like cooking I can just grab a meal out and nuke it. People that say you can't buy healthy food because it is so expensive just don't try hard enough. I bake and do a menu plan every week. We don't eat mince or sausages or overly processed foods nowadays but because I am choosing fruit and vege over junk food for some weird reason our grocery bill is the lowest its ever been. $115perw for 2 adults and 2 children who eat like nothing else lol Also I have a no fees savings account that I use to put $10 a week into...it doesnt sound like much but it soon adds up. It's very handy if we have an unplanned trip to the docs or something. I have now managed to get it to $50 a week through clever budgetting.
This site will be very helpful if the TMMB peeps can ever get serious.
hmmm, seems ur hubbies earning a fair wack,& $211,000 mort isn't really that much for Grey lynn! I suspect that Matt has a 'P' problem.You prob. wouldn't notice as meth users are very clever at hiding their habit,he'll never admit it to you,he would rather die first! sommit dodgy is going on here,does he frequent girly bars? or do you play the pokies?
Now i could be wrong,as i have been once or twice in the past,but i reckon your pad in grey lynn must be worth atleast$400-$500,000, if you sold up you could pay of all your debts & afford to rent for the nxt 2 years without dipping into matts income,then you could take a nice holiday(& get of the TM MB) & Matt would be able to afford his 'p'habit.BTW you've been wearing the same top for nearly 2 days(yuck!!),also stop staring at me,your giving me the heebies.
1. Sell the kid - children are overrated anyway
2. Prostitution is legal now, pays well and anyone can do it.
3. Get a sugar daddy. If your husband can't provide for his family why stay married?
4. Get off tm - you're nothing but an eyesore and I'd rather read vixens pathetic posts than yours. (and thats saying something considering her posts are full of cr@p to)
I agree with everyone else who has said to get that big stupid orange add off the message boards, its annoying me!!... and everyone else by the sounds of it!
68K??
OMG I would dream for that wage and you are on here needing sorting??
So......
Live
Like
The
Rest
Of
Us
And
Get
~~~~OVER~~~~
It!!
Survive
Like
Us
Why don't you change those clothes of yours. I'm sure you're starting to pong. Anyway back to your dilemma, turn your damn internet subscription off, get a life, and divorce your obviously sad excuse of a husband. When they can't afford to supply even the basics like the odd bottle of Dom Perignon they need to be thrown overboard and classed as dead weight. As for your child, did you know you can get up to $150,000 each on the black market? (Blond hair, blue eyesonly darker children get less due to white people wanting children that resemble themselves).Worth looking into I would think.
Why don't you tm people just leave her alone there's nothing wrong with her face all over the tm board you are heartless people that give negative comments she would like help not rude comments get over it ohh and good luck with your money worries
This might work if it was REAL but who the heck cares about a fictitious mother and blog. nice try sorted but you could do with help on your marketing, and martin hawes (yawn) who cares what he thinks?
This might work if it was REAL but who the heck cares about a FICTITIOUS mother and blog. nice try sorted but you could do with help on your marketing, and martin hawes (yawn) who cares what he thinks? Hey maybe you'd like to contact me... I actually KNOW something about marketing. Well I know you won't contact me as you have some high priced consultant coming up with these harebrained ideas so will stick with the anonymous button. PS sorted is funded by the retirement commission which is funded by my tax dollars so maybe you would like to contact me after all? this is a gross waste of my tax money
Hello Steph,
Firstly, I cannot believe how rude some people are. Not all Trade Me'rs are like this. If they do not like the ad then all they need to do is change their screen resolution. I only see the ad if I scroll.
Secondly, there are plenty of things you can do to cope, however, it usually means a big change. Check out the working for families package - you may be eligible for more financial support. Start grocery shopping at a cheaper store. Sort out your needs and wants, and pay for your needs first. Give yourself and especially your husband an allowance - it stops them getting grumpy.
Finally, relish being at home with your child. The preschool years are the most important in order to help your child develop to their full potential.
Regards
Some of you TM people and your stupid comments really suck - you guys know the rules, if you don't like the thread then don't go into it.As for steph and her finance problem - what about getting a hold of Sophie Gray's cookbooks "The Destitute Cook" and get some ideas off there.Change the mortgage plan or move to a more affordable place. You could mind kids at home for extra cash but you might rather go back to work than do that.Could you go back to work part-time and get someone to mind your baby? - I'll be watching to see how you get on, and this site may help others in need of ideas , once we find out what you did to improve yours :-)
wow would love to be in your positing.. Im a single working mum with four kids and paying more a week in rent than I would be if I were paying off your mortgage! if I can survive on my own with four kids and higher rent than mortgage then your family can survive! Id love a mortgage but the banks dont just take into account rent paid each week, but also everything else and on paper they say I cant service a loan.. I hope this person is actually fictious cause I cant believe someone would be claiming they "cant survive"!
what the hell is this crap. no one gives a shit about this ficticous rubbish. if you hadnt noticed, no one cares about this advert that was made for publicity.
Trust TM MB to ruin anything.
At Saturday, April 01, 2006 11:50:01 AM, Anonymous said...
Hi Steph
Thanx 4 a stimulating start to April Fools day 2006. I hope 2 continue being part of your dilemma/solutions plan over the next 8 weeks. No doubt the bright orange advert in our face will keep everyone in the picture and the voting may be a hoot 2. TM/Fairfax & Sorted have scored an A++++ hit with this method of helping us all. C over the top & fun-luvn reaction to advertisement last night. Cheers
PS I support the plan outlined by JB
Typical unzudders, bitching and pissing and moaning. You are worse than Poms.
Ideas:
Sponsor yourself for a Dollar A Day
Park yourself and baby outside the railway station in a supermarket trundler with a sign saying "Please help".
Sign up for WFF. Auntie Helen loves all bludgers.
Get reproducing. Auntie Helen pays good money for babies.
OMG??YOU TMMB ARE SO PATHETIC AND MEAN I DIDNT EVEN NOTICE THE ORANGE BOX GROW UP AND GET LIVES!!
I agree with earlier comments about P/T work at massage parlour. Good cash for little hours. It's all legal now ........
Hi Steph,
I think what you are doing is really great. :-) I found it quite sad that some people managed to find the time to ask ridiculous questions and post inane and sometimes rude comments. They obviously are jealous that someone like you and your family are getting out and getting things done. Well done and keep it up - don't worry about all those mutts! :-) Go You!
Don't you guys get it? THis 'family' is FICTIONAL!!!
That means they don't exist...zilch. Sorted, go somewhere else and leave your disgusting orange adverts off TradeMe, we're getting absolutely sick of them.
If you were a 'real life' family then I wouldn't be saying this, infact I would be helping you..but as your a company doing stupid marketing surveys I'm not supporting you at all...
Ah, I see you have enabled comment moderation...bet your not going to let thios be published, shame on you if this is the case.
Hi Anonymous
The only comments moderated so far has been a double entry where someone said the same thing twice and I took that off *after* it was published. I've since left those alone.
Thanks for getting involved, Steph.
PS. I'll get back to everyone who had something to contribute very shortly!
Get a life. This is just a government funded website paying heaps for advertising. Do something useful. If people want to buy stuff on HP they know the risks. Sort your own stuff out, Steph!!!!!
Dear Steph,
I wrote to you on Sunday about selling your home in Auckland and moving to a more affordable district to enable you to make your money work for you. I note with interest that most people on this message board have come up with very narrow-minded approaches to saving money. PEOPLE saving money on a few groceries items per week it not going to make you wealthy. I wouldn't be wrong to say that these people are willing to accept mediocrity in there lives. If you are smart with your money now in a few years you will have the freedom that financial riches can bring. This is basic common sense. I grew up in a very poor family with parents who had the philosophy of you need to scrimp and save during your life. By viewing those around me who have been successful in their lives I have been able to build a net worth around the $5m mark and I'm only 37 years of age. It can be done. Listen to Martin Hawes he will guide you in the right direction, look at those around you who are successful and ignore all the stupid comments on here. By the way my name is Steph to, so were not all losers.
If the majority of us voted you become a prostitute which is now a legal profession, would you do it? Or is that not an option? Being a fictional character you couldn't exactly claim some higher moral ground now could you.
Soooooo typical of Trademe users. The posts in here reek of jealousy. What most of these people seem to struggle with is the concept of disposable income. Yes, out of the major cities where the cost of living is not very expensive, it is quite feasible for a family to survive on $18k a year. Living in a big city such as Auckland means that cost of living is greater. Of course comparibly, incomes are greater. So while $68k may sound a lot to some of our rural dwellers, it is actually very easily spent in Auckland.
Here is a very rough example:
A family with two children in Waikato town earns $38,000. Tax leaves them with $30590. Their rent is $140 a week which costs them $7280 per year. They also qualify for family assistance of approx $100 a week which gives them about $5200. They have approx $28510 after rent to live off.
A family in Auckland earns $68,000. After tax they have $50210. Their rent is $350 a week which costs them $18200. They do not qualify for family assistance . They have approx $32,010 after rent to live off.
So, next question. Why live in Auckland. Well I guess you would have to ask each family that. Personally though my reasons are, the job opportunities, the education and the capital gains on housing.
While on the surface it may appear that $68,000 is a lot of money, when one takes into consideration the actual disposable income of a family (something I am very surprised the somewhat egalitarian Labour party hasn't allowed for) then as very roughly demonstrated above, Stephs family is in fact living a very average lifestyle.
My question to you posters who seem to believe that mediocrity is what we should strive for, would pass the same judgement on your children? Or do you only hope for as well as you personally have done. Why don't we celebrate each others successes? Instead of begrudging others who try to take a step forward.
I am astounded at the ignorance that prevails, but am not shocked at the authors.
Sad sacks.
And I do agree with the post that was done at 2.02pm. Don't look at how to save money, look at how to generate wealth. I'm under thirty, a mother and am well on my way to becoming a millionaire. How d'ya like them apples!
Reading lots of the comments on your blog have brought tears to my eyes. It's just shocking to see so many people are so narrow-minded and cruel. I guess people weren't taught as children that if you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all. I can only imagine that they also lead very sad, tortured lives.
I think this is a great idea. What a better way to get people involved in active problem solving their own financial situations than to create one for others to try to maintain. It's blatantly obvious many people need a lesson in budgeting ... so now here's their chance (should they decide to take it rather than complain)!
hi there,....wjile i dont really have much advice what i do know, works for me,...we are a young family of 5, and living on about half of what you are earning, the money problems sometimes keep my awake worrying at night and its drives me nuts,...i wish there was an easy fix but there isnt, one thing that works really well is taking a pen and paper to the supermarket, and add it all up as you go,..this way if it starts getting too much, you can cross off and subtract the expensive, or not so needed items, (like the second bar of soap, they can wait till next week,...also dont get sucked in,...cloth nappies are not cheaper, i htought they were, but once you buy, grow out of and resell then buy the next size, you may as well have the conveniance, get rid of the sangenic nappy wrapper if you have one, you dont need it.
Walk everywhere you can, your son will love it, better exercise and no petrol costs, your enviroment will thank you, Also grow a vege garden,....it doesnt save you much, but kids love the experiance, and my three love to eat what they grow (meaning you are wasting $$ in food they decide they dont like) Also i like your picture, you look wonderful for a new mum of 3 months,....Good luck,..i will keep an eye on this.
Sell your children for scientific research, and tell your bludger husband to get a job since he got you pregnant. Move out of Auckland to somewhere better and cheaper (which is just about anywhere)where you won't get cancer from stress and motor neuron disease from spraying painted apple moth.
ditch the loser on 68k and find yourself a rich man!
60 plus k per year and you're worried? Try raising two school aged children on 25k per year - works out around $480 per week. Take away rent of $290 leaving phone, power, food, school expenses, clothing, medical (one child is 3 monthly visits) - list goes on really. Oh and lets not forget the price of petrol here, so bus and walk where and when we can. This is very real!! Try and put your self in my shoes for a week or more and then I want to see you complaing about being worried about survival.
First of all, I think you should remove your Ad from TradeMe and go with a site that is not full of nasty, immature and abusive consumers. I am embrassed that these comments are on your site and even moreso that I am a member of TM affiliated with these degenrates. Trade Me need to refund you the money you paid to advertise. Its just not on and they have a responsibility to curb this behaviour, especially as you are a paying customer.
ppssttttt..poster above..stephs not real huh..you know that huh??
wtg on the white decor too..so much nicer than the orange..:)
goin good steph rev it up latte!
Grey Lynn is a great place to live
So the blog is not live as comments need to be approved/ censored
Get a night job ... you could earn $100hr a couple nights a week if money was that tight. Or cut your Sky, Internet, gym membership. Sell your Wine cellar, Audi, house, 50" Plasma and home entertainment system, kidney. In fact sell both cars and catch the bus or buy a bike. Buy your clothes from a second hand shop and only buy clothes once a year, not every month .... Life doesn't seem that bad now does it ... oh yes, you will cope now won't you
I agree with the last post, there's tons you can do!
Remember people, this character is FICTIONAL! (not real).
Noticed 'Steph' hasn't posted for awhile?
Go here and get some real help from people who are not paid so don't have ulterior motives to help you.
http://www.familybudgeting.org.nz/
How can I remove you and this totally boring advertisement from my trademe page?
So this is why we won't get a pension? What a sad waste of money. If a family of three can't live on a wage like that, there is something seriously wrong.
68 grand a year ,, I beg you please let be be in your place... I have two kids , a mortgage, sky, broadband, with that wage i could send the kids to school, pay all ma bills on time, buy myself a present each week, save a small fortune for xmas gifts, C'mon give us a break and make it more realistic like 34 grand!!!
Dear Ficticous Steph,
Its nice to see Martin Hawes leaving his thoughts with us and I agree he does have some very good points. What I would like to know is what is the current market value of your house and your current weekly morgage repayments? I would also like to know what you would be able to pay as an extra amount to reduce this $211k debt quicker. Revolving credit facilities are good but you have to be very disciplined not to use them as just another form of income. Banks are very competitive at the moment but the lower rates they are advertising are generally locked in for a specific term. Remember the banks are there to make money off you - they're not your friend. Thanks
personally I would LOVE to be in their position with an income of $68,000 a year.. I get less than that and support a family of five! and I would also LOVE their piddly little mortgage.. oh AND yes, I also live in auckland! if you cant figure out how to survive comfortably on that (and we survive comfortable on alot less) then I have to wonder where your money goes, or what the husband is up to behind her back!
LOL! Maybe above poster should have thought about birth control. Then they probably would be in a better financial position instead of bleating to the world how hard done by they are. :op
Get rid of the advert on trade me as this is obviously costing you heaps and pissing off a lot of people. Maybe that way you could keep spending heaps on food and having sky tv.
OMG!!!!
You and your Family are SOOOOOOO Un greatful~ I cant beleive i stuck up for you tossers in the first place,its very sad to see people wasting their money, when a couple with 2-3kids are on half what you are being paid,living a good comfortable hassle free life, We have a 2door car for the last 16months, since my son was born, and its been fine, i had a stuffed back, but i managed,,, I think you need to give bubz to your mum and get backto work!!!! ungreatfull, this isnt true, so who really is the blogger????aka steph?
ah I see you have attracted the message board nasties lol... was always going to happen Im afraid, people who log in to the board each day just to be as nasty as possible to somene presumably so they can go back to their sad lives feeling powerful! And yes, I see the theme is the same as it is on the mb too.... poor husband, bad wife lol... its all your fault steph, because you are female!
ah I see you have attracted the message board nasties lol... was always going to happen Im afraid, people who log in to the board each day just to be as nasty as possible to somene presumably so they can go back to their sad lives feeling powerful! And yes, I see the theme is the same as it is on the mb too.... poor husband, bad wife lol... its all your fault steph, because you are female!
omg, I can't believe a family of 3 can't live off that income. We are a family of 5 (including 2 teengers) and we have less than that coming in - way less. We needed a new car also but we certainly didn't go for any thing you are planning on getting - to me that's just greedy and prooves you are too materlistic. Get what you can afford. You can get a great cheap car from the auctions now - and yes you can get a mecanic and AA report to make sure it's going to last the years. Have you tried cutting down on other things? Or are you buying $300 worth of grocerys a week for only 3 people? Do you use cloth nappies? Do you walk as much as you can to save petrol? Or do you tak your car to the shop which is 5 minutes away? Do you have carpet or some sort of insulation round your cylinder to help with your hot water? Do you have a coffee machine running all day just for that morning cup of coffee? Do you hang your washing out? Or do you just bung it in the dryer? I kow this is not a real family, but come on - sorted could have at least come up with a realistic family that most nz'ers can identify with. If you have one income of over $60.000 then you are doing really well and not in the norm with over 3/4 of nz'ers. MOst nz'ers earn less than that and still manage to survive and some even save. Tell you what, why don't you just get a massive loan, buy what ever you want, then claim poverty and ask for help. After all, it's not far from what you are doing now. "oh poor me, I can't be bothered a 2 door car so lets get a $10.000 one. We can't afford it but who cares. If only every one could do this!
get a big dog - that's what I say
I agree with Carla "(At Thursday, April 13, 2006 11:04:45 AM, Carla said)" ... Kill/heavily restrict the budget first, THEN go sort a better morgage deal. Part of the morgage deal will involve looking at your ENTIRE current budget & they won't be wanting to muck around working out what you can afford, when you don't really have any idea yourself. Can't work out the basic's, when there are NO basic's to work on
Hi there Steph,
With regards to this weeks question - I want to be really honest. Not only is a budget about comprimise, so is a relationship. I do not know why only one of you have got to miss out on their luxery - how about you BOTH cut something out. Yep I think Matt should start packing his lunch as $8 a day soon adds up to a few packets of nappies a week! But in saying that, you too should drop something. Maybe the gym membership (if you pay as you go and there are no costs involved in stopping) as at least with pay tv you and Matt can sit down together to watch it. If there are other costs in stopping ur membership them maybe pay tv is the thing to go. It is completly up to you two whether you both want to drop something or not and wheather you want to drop something you can both use together or drop the things only one of you reap the benefits for.
P.S You can keep just as fit by going for walks and using cans from the cupboards as weigts!! (trust me, I have been in ur situation and I got that desperate ahha)
Stace.
I think that you should cut both of them. there are cheaper/no cost ways to keep fit and you can have a much healthier lunch if you bring your own at a cheaper cost. I also think that the comments on joining the library are good as a good book can do wonders. My hubby and i only earn around th 40k mark and we have 3 kids and we do ok for entertainment and other things.
Steph, have you considered how you'll combine working and breastfeeding? Caleb's still so young.
You assume Steph breastfeeds?
I would not pay it off if you are under the threshold and it isn't accumulating interest at a greater rate than your mortgage. If you were considering paying XX$ off it each fortnight - pay this bit extra off your mortgage instead :)
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