All’s Well that Ends Well…

We’re finally settled in.

(Thank you so much to everyone who sent encouraging emails and so forth)

So much has happened, so I’ll just start back blogging by giving you a summary of what we’ve been up to since the 21st October, when I unplugged and went offline.

The removalists came and went almost three weeks ago, leaving a stack of boxes in the garage with half of their labels facing inwards or upside-down.

Finding a clean towel has never been such fun! ~Not.

WonderHubby drilled nicely-spaced holes and fitted the shelves I had cut at Bunnings for the broom closet, which will now be an extra pantry.

It’s his first handy-man job around the home, and I’m very proud of him, as he’s never had much confidence in his home improvement abilities.

The helpful people at Bunnings remained straight-faced at my inane questions, as I went on a pricing-spree for various items we will need in the future.

The fan-lights in the lounge and kitchen have been repaired after they gave out under warranty.

~Mr Bump made a “Best Fixer in the World” prize-ribbon for the electrician to wear, which he still sported as he drove off to his next job.

The plumber came on Monday and we now have a basic laundry in the back of the garage. - Remember, we only had a little space at the end of the kitchen for a front-loader, while our machine is a top-loader.

Vegie plants are growing in the vegie patch. Plus other precious seedlings are emerging in pots near the back door.

The Cat was quite happy to be transplanted and (I’m pleased to report) behaves very well indoors at night.
However, unexpected events have occurred which I will relate to you at a later date.

Linen press, pantry and appliance cupboards have been filled and we are beginning to remember where we’ve put everything.

Phone and internet are connected and at last I am back in contact with the world.

We have Cooled Off

I tweeted a couple of weeks ago that we’d made a successful offer on a house and signed contracts.

We’ve now gone through the cooling off period and taken the kids to have a look at it.

Well, here are the pictures.

We actually had an appointment on Saturday afternoon, but the agent didn’t turn up and when we called to check she was apologetic but unable to give another time.

People who disappoint excited children deserve a special place in hell.

It was the first time the kids were to see the place, and they had to make do with running around in the front yard for half an hour.

But luckily I maintained my sunny disposition and suggested a walk around to the reserve behind the property, where WonderHubby lifted them each up so that they could see the backyard over the rear fence.

So the kids had a ball anyway.

Anyhoo, we finally went through on Wednesday and the official verdict from Wren & Mr Bump is that they don’t like it.

They love it!

No joking, that’s what Wren said when we asked her. And of course Mr Bump had to echo her response.

I am sooo hanging out to be there now.

Settlement is on the 27th of October, although it all depends upon the vendor moving out. If he moves sooner, we may too.

He’s looking for a place to rent, so cross your fingers that he finds a good one this weekend.

Cutting Down on Weekly Spending

Because we’ve decided to buy a house, there are some changes we need to make to our spending patterns.

While we’ve never been extravagant (we’ve never had much to be extravagant with), I figure there must still be ways in which we can shave our spending down a bit more and make paying off a house easier.

Our first goal is to cut our spending by $280 a week.

There are several ways in which we’ll be doing that:

• Holiday savings go straight into the mortgage ($100pwk)
• Preschool ($93pwk) ~ We’re paid up until the end of the year, as I’ve been paying extra each week.
• Fewer luxury foods ($40pwk)
• Less take-away ($30pwk)
• Clothes shopping at local “op shops” ($20pwk)
• Transfer income protection insurance to WH’s super ($11pwk)
• We likely will no longer have a fireplace ($8pwk)
• Summer means more cold meals & longer daylight hours, saving electricity ($5pwk)
• Reduce car usage ($5pwk)

If you counted carefully, you’ll see we’re actually trying to save $312 on our weekly spending.

That way, if we overspend a little it won’t be the end of life-as-we-know-it.

In case you think I’m cutting out some necessities, this extreme frugality will only be in effect until just after Christmas.

We have a freezer full of meat and cupboards full of food.

I think we can manage to pull in our belts for three or four months.

From January things will be a bit easier, because one of our two remaining debts will be paid off, giving us an extra $200 a month to sock away into the mortgage.

I’ll be going into more detail in the future on how we go with our spending plan.

Believe me, you’ll be sure to hear about both our highs and lows.

And if I do go over budget, I do solemnly vow to confess all publicly.

A Change is as Good as a Holiday

At least, that’s what they say, isn’t it?

Well, we received some news just under a fortnight ago that will really put this adage to the test.

We’ve been evicted, with 90 days notice as of the 21st August.
That gives us until the 21st November to hand over the keys.

We’re not sure why, as the landlord hasn’t given the agent any reason, but we think it’s because he wants to move back in here.

You could say that it kind of threw a spanner in the works.

We had planned to continue renting here for another couple of years, until we’d saved a good deposit for our own home. It was a bit of a shock to the ol’ system.

On looking around at other rental properties in our area, we realised that to live in a similar~quality place we’ll have to pay at least $70 per week more than we do now. There goes a good chunk out of our regular savings plan.

A fortnight went by, with WonderHubby researching details while I alternated between sleeping and throwing up (remember, I’ve been sick?).

After looking at things closely, we’ve decided to go ahead and buy a house of our own, now.

It’s a bit ahead of schedule, and it will mean things will be tight for the first six months, but it’s the best way to go.

Grandma will be minding the kidz a lot over the next few weeks, while WH & I scour the open houses and get all intimate with the local real estate agents.

Since we’ve decided to change the direction of our lives, the stuff here at Kidzarama will reflect that from now on, too.

You can expect a lot more on moving tips, money-saving and home maintenance, because that’s what we’ll be doing here “in real, real life” (as Mr Bump would put it).

If all goes according to plan, we should be in our own home by Christmas!