Day: September 5, 2018

August Financial Report

By NataashaSeptember 5, 2018February 10, 2019

About Me

I’m Tasha, a 20-something millennial from the sunny state of Queensland, Australia. I was a shopaholic for many years and got myself into more than $16k of consumer debt.

In 2017, I embarked on my debt free journey and thought I would share it all with you along the way.

Instagram

Along with living a debt free live and trying to spend less money I've also been trying to do things to create less waste. These are just some of the things I do. Yes I could do better but it's a start. 🌿 Pic 1: • I compost my food scraps in a council compost bin. If you don't have room to compost try @sharewaste which connects you with people who have a compost bin. • Save lemons to try and make my own cleaner🌿 Pic 2: • Use stainless steel straws instead of plastic. • Use tea towels instead of paper towel. • Use a silicone baking mat instead of baking paper. This is a @wiltshireau one. • I use wettex wipes which are made with cotton & cellulose (both natural) and are compostable. I also wash them in the washing machine like a towel to get longer use out of them. • Multix reusable zip lock bags over plastic ones. These are dishwasher/microwave and food safe and BPA free. • Multix compostable bin liners made with plant fibres (not pictured). 🌿 Pic 3: • Bar shampoo and conditioner over plastic bottles. I'm yet to use these so will keep you updated. Currently working my way through my old stuff. I have both @bar.none.co and @ethiqueworld ones. • Bar soap (with no plastic packaging). • @whogivesacraptp recycled toilet paper ($10 discount code in my bio) • Cloth pads instead of traditional disposable pads. Mostly bought on Etsy. • Natural deodorant (yet to try) instead of chemical ones. 🌿 Pic 4: Buying glass items for the kitchen. These are cordial, the jar my coffee comes in (@thehouseofroberttimmsau) and sauces. Glass is at least more recyclable and reusable than a plastic container.

My workplace's twice yearly performance review cycle happened recently. Due to the fact I hadn't been there for a year yet I couldn't get a rise at the last one in the end of the financial year. Today I was told that in my review that I am going to receive a 5.6% rise effective from January. Yay!!

Uum what? Where did the year go?

November side earnings totalled $286.31- not the best month but still better than nothing!

This was me for many hours this morning and then tonight, working on copywriting projects and earning that #sidehustle money! Managed to have a no spend day because I didn't leave the house, #wehavefoodathome.

1 year as an investor! I've put just over $15k into investments. Some of this money came from my savings and others directly from my monthly pay. The return has been pretty good at 12.79% in 1 year. For those wondering what I invest in, it's Australian ETFs. I also sold off one of the ETFs because it was constantly declining, which is why the light purple line goes back to zero. I then put that money into the better returning one (the pink line).

Lunch at work. Easy roast vegies, frozen peas/corn/carrot, some pan seared chicken breast and gravy. I brought lunch for 3/4 days this week. I didn't work Wednesday.

Updated savings calendar. I had to update every month because some months I'd end up spending parts of it for whatever reason. Still glad I hit $20k though. One more monthly pay to go.

Another failed cycle.Another dream gone. I feel like I'm being punished for anything bad I've ever done. I've started to debate if I'm even meant to have children, when for the last 10 years all I've wanted to do is be a mum. I never wanted a career. I just wanted to be with my child. I choose to stay at my job because I won't get maternity leave for another year (aside the government paid leave) if I change jobs. Then again, it's been 2 years on and off of trying now. Do I see a specialist next year or do I change jobs and give up for a bit? Yes I'm only 29, but I wanted kids young. I wanted to get it done before 30. Everyday I head to work and question what I'm doing and remind myself that it's temporary until I have a baby, but what if that doesn't happen. I feel very lost... EDITED TO ADD: I have had tests on my hormones etc and they came back normal and I had ultrasounds to check for cysts or PCOS and there was no indication of that either. My GP said the only issue is my weight because I am overweight.

Savings Goals

Savings

$17,878 / $80,000

3 Month Emergency Fund

$12,000 / $12,000

Investments

$16,954 / $20,000

updated 15/10/19

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