This year, for the first time since teaming up with my husband almost 19 years ago (and I know I’m about to throw myself into the deep end with this statement), I have a budget. It’s a rather tight budget too because we are trying to save very hard for a renovation and a trip to Europe with the kids in December. First-world budget.
Remember how Max – our future marine biologist – chose Fiji for his ’10th birthday special’ last year? Well, Cappers has declared that she wants a white Christmas for her 10th birthday this year and we are going to do our very best to get her one. Isn’t it grand how my first two have birthday’s one year after the other? And how far-sighted we were when we declared our kids could do ‘anything, anywhere in the world for your 10th birthday’? Just graaaaand.
So, the pennies are being pinched like a mean school girl this year. I know it’s (very) early days, but I am actually enjoying being more fiscally responsible. It’s quite a nice challenge being choosy and ‘things’ are already beginning to feel a lot more special. When you can buy most things, nothing ever feels particularly special.
In 2011 (way before it was fashionable), my sister Coo spent an entire year buying nothing new and she found the experience revolutionary. As a matter of fact, anything I want to know about saving money and living frugally, I can find in the archives of Coo’s blog. My sister really is outstandingly good with money. I hope it’s a genetic quality. Regardless, saving for an experience is so much more motivating than saving for a thing, don’t you think?
Other things that had me this week:
Reading – Life after Life by Kate Atkinson which I am LOVING (no surprise there). I have already borrowed Human Crochet, ready to go (I hear it’s hard work).
Writing – nothing particularly useful I’m afraid.
Making – tacos for the beach. Yes, tacos.
Wishing – I was better at breaking bad habits. Reading this made me realise that I fear being fundamentally changed, which seems very big.
Loving – everything about this article on making money blogging by Amy Lynn Andrews (if you don’t subscribe to her Useletter, do!)
Wondering– whether I’m in stage 5 or really just stuck in stage 2.
Do pop over and visit our guest host for the week: the delightfully colourful, wonderfully outspoken, always kind Kim-Marie at Kimba Likes.
Happy reading.
x
PS – Just a little shout out to my friend Lila at Lila Wolff who has recently relaunched her blog with typical style and grace.
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THANK YOU for joining the Weekend Rewind list, hosted by Maxabella loves, Life, Love and Hiccups, Sonia Styling, Kelly Exeter and Kimba Likes. To join in simply link up your favourite post and visit a few other bloggers for a read and a chat. A link back here on your post is appreciated.
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages says
Yes, a first world problem, but what a problem to have! Saving for an experience is so much easier, you will do it and be so happy that you did.
Maxabella says
I agree – our motivation is high! x
Druime@SnippetsandSpirits says
Wow nothing like giving your kids an experience they will never forget for their 10th Birthday’s Lucky kids. I studied marine science it is so interesting and I could not imagine doing anything else. So I hope your son follows his childhood dream. Definitely inspired to be more frugal. There is so much waste that goes on in this house lately. Enjoy Bron x
Maxabella says
I have really had my eyes opened to just how much money I waste, Druime. It’s very heartbreaking to think of how much we could have saved if only I had made better choices.
That’s so interesting that you are a marine scientist. Max and you would have plenty to talk about. x
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile says
Sheesh I want to come and live with you (and turn 10 again lol!). Sounds like a pretty darn good reason to save!!! I’ve always thought a white Christmas would be amazing – your little one has style and taste!
Maxabella says
I am SO HAPPY that this is her choice, Lucy. It’s a dream of mine too and one I can make come true for her at 10 years old when I will have mine come true at 44 years old. x
Jane @Almost Jane says
We are really bad at saving Monday. We can budget for all the necessities each week, and then kind of just go ‘bugger it’ and spend the rest, when we really should pop it away for a rainy day. I think that’s lovely your kids get something so special for their tenth birthday 🙂 I’ve got 6 years to get my finances in order to do the same for my daughter… doable 😉
Maxabella says
Absolutely doable. It’s all the ‘bugger’ money that we are saving and it’s eye opening how quickly our savings pile is growing. x
Lydia C Lee says
That sounds like a fabulous Xmas for everyone! Scrimp and save away!!
Maxabella says
I am so motivated to make it happen. Keeping our eye on the big prize should see us through. Like they say about changing ANY habit – you’ve got to want it enough and boy do we want it enough!! x
Nicole - Champagne and Chips says
I really enjoy saving for something. My parents started us saving when we were very young; we would save our pocket money for an entire school term (no sweets at the tuck shop) so we could buy what we wanted in the holidays. It is a great habit.
Last year I saved for a camera. It felt like such an enormous achievement when I was able to buy the exact one I wanted when it went on sale in September.
Your kids’ 10th birthday extravaganzas sound amazing. Just as well Badoo is a few years away:)
Maxabella says
Saving is such an important skill (and I am learning more and more that it is indeed a skill!). I hope I can get the kids motivated to save now too, as your clever parents taught you. Enjoy that camera! And I can see now that you really will enjoy it more because you have waited for it so patiently. x
Helen K says
Wonderful idea! Seems like the time for 10 year old celebrations – we are currently listening out for Sam’s closest friends to go to sleep – he decided to celebrate his 10th birthday at the beach house and after a day kayaking and stand up paddling, plus rock exploring and never ending cricket, they are finally winding down. But as for your daughter’s idea, that’s fantastic! Our month in Europe in August last year was one of the best things we’ve done as a family – you will love it! Xx
Maxabella says
As you can imagine, we cannot wait!! Happy double-digits birthday to your Sam. x
Vicki @ Boiled Eggs & Soldiers says
What a lovely idea to have a special 10th birthday trip. I’m rubbish at saving but I think if I had a goal like that the motivation would also be high – we’ve got 2 years until our eldest turns 10 so best make a plan I think!
Maxabella says
I am hoping that the deliciousness of the destination will make the journey bearable! x
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen says
It’s so motivating to have something exciting to save for Bron. And a white Christmas is fabulous! Your babies are making beautiful memories.
PS. I love Lila’s fresh space too! xx
Maxabella says
I’m very grateful that Arabella has such taste! x
Trudie says
Oh how exciting. Good luck with the savings plan, I’m sure you’ll do just fine because it means so much. X
Maxabella says
So far, so good, Trudes. It actually feels very grown up?! x
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid says
How about you pretend I’m your offspring and I pretend to be nearly ten?! Your kids are totes lucky! A white Christmas sounds just the ticket- and being on a budget seems much more manageable when you’re saving for something so good! I’m not a super saver but am totally going to make my purse strings a bit tighter because the more we can save, the more we can travel!
Maxabella says
I’d love to be your mumma, Sammie. You would make me very proud. x
tash says
can I please be a kid in your house? Please, please, with a cherry on top?
Seriously now, all the best with the penny pinching. I am useless at it and I need to get better. I’m off to read your sister’s blog now!
Have an awesome weekend Bron!
x
Maxabella says
Perhaps we need a newbie savers Facebook group, Tash? x
Jodi Gibson (JF Gibson Writer) says
Oh how very exciting. I would love to experience a white Christmas! It’s on our ‘do list’ for about three years’ time, probably to NYC. Good luck with the budgeting, I’m sure you’ll nail it!
Maxabella says
We thought about NYC, but the burning desire to get the kids to Europe won us all over. x
Julie @ Off to the park says
What a lovely idea in letting your kids decide where they’d like to go for their birthday. Good luck with the saving Bron. xx
Maxabella says
Thanks Julie. The budget is so tight, I will definitely need help! x
Bec @ The Plumbette says
A White Christmas sounds magical! And putting away money for renovations is a very good thing. I think it’s easier to save money when you have a specific goal like this as opposed to saving for the sake of it.
Maxabella says
Agree, Bec. It’s gard to make the necessary big changes for a ‘maybe’… x
Lila says
Oh you! You’re too kind, but you forgot the bit at the end that says “and now she should stop doing that!”
We are penny pinchers, things were super tight when we got together and since we’ve kept doing it to pour the money into our home (one day that will show I hope), and of course now after getting cheap tickets to Japan we’re scraping together the money to make that happen. Sometimes it’s a little disheartening but then I remember experience is greater than things and I get back on it again. Can’t wait to read your sister’s blog anything that helps me be more frugal is welcome!
Maxabella says
And now she really should stop doing that! x
Sasha @ From the Left Field says
That feeling of saving hard and achieving your goal? Best feeling! What a beautiful thing you guys have done for your cherubs, I love that idea. Ha ha, I also love how kids will hold you to anything you propose with such precision. Anywhere in the world you say? I’m on it. 🙂 It’ll be a spectacular year, frugal saving and all. x
Maxabella says
Thanks Sasha – it’s already so exciting as we start to plan the trip. It’s amazing how when the kids ask for something a quiet “remember what we’re saving for” quickly quiets them. Already they understand that an experience like that is worth more than things. x
Kelly Exeter says
We too are embarking on a first-world budgeting experience this year. My darling husband thinks I will struggle. I of course am determined that he will be proven wrong
Maxabella says
We definitely need a Facebook group! x
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
I love the places your kids are wanting to travel to for their birthdays, a white Christmas would be amazing. My two are also a year apart (seriously what were we thinking?!?!) and I really love the idea of letting them choose a trip for their birthdays – must speak to the husband about this!
Good luck with your savings plan this year. We have embarked on something similar, with a focus of trying to pay our home off in the next five years – eek! When we were in the planning stages, I wrote down everything we spent over the course of a month which was both an eye opening and confronting experience. Good luck xx
Maxabella says
OMG, we couldn’t even earn the money to pay off our home in 5 years, let alone spend it all on the mortgage. That is definitely something worth saving for, Lauren. Freeeeedom! x
Pinky Poinker says
I’ll be saving like a mad woman this year too in anticipation of our big move. We have to fix up our house before we attempt to sell it in August. New carpets, lawn, painting etc; nothing as much fun as saving for a white winter though. I think it’s lovely you’re sticking to your promise. They are memories that will last forever x
Maxabella says
We figure that ploughing the lot into BIG family experiences means their childhoods might just stick? x
Mother Down Under says
I am terrible with money…and sticking to a budget.
Interestingly, my post from this week was a wrap of not buying any new clothes last year.
Admittedly I did have to buy a few things towards the end of my pregnancy but overall I am proud of my efforts.
And heartbroken to think of all the money I have spent over the years on clothes that spent more time hanging in my closet than on my person…such a waste.
Funnily even though I didn’t buy any new clothes, I am none the richer…I guess I splurged in other areas…like prenatal care!
Maxabella says
I am making my peace with the clothes thing, Caitlin. I think your post will be very helpful for me! Off to read it now. x
Natalie @ OurParallelConnection says
I loved loved loved Life after Life. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be my kind of book but it had me hooked. I am currently reading Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty and loving it.
Maxabella says
I thought Little Big Lies could have been about our school. I think we will all feel like that,which is why the book is so good!! x
Sonia Life Love Hiccups says
I need to return that to you – I LOVED it and devoured it in no time at all xx
look see. by naomi fenton says
Oh, I hope your daughter gets her white Christmas! I was lucky enough to experience one when living in London five years ago, it really is something else! 🙂
Maxabella says
We missed a London one by one year, Naomi, but Christmas in London is special no matter what. x
Kate @ From Katie to Kate says
Oh Cappers, wonderful choice! I think there is nothing more magical than a white Christmas. Everything just seems, right. The lights, the food … we just have it all wrong here in the Southern Hemisphere. Can I add ‘Christmas Markets’! Make sure you go early enough to see some Christmas Markets. Magical.
Maxabella says
Great reminder, Kate! What a treat a Christmas market will be. x
Tessa - Down that Little Lane says
I have always been a budget buster when it comes to food and clothes. I don’t spend money easily unless I have a lot of it floating around and that only happened between the ages of 16 and 20 🙂
Maxabella says
I shall take advice from you this year then, Tessa!! x
Ally says
Good luck saving!!!
We never totalled the cost of our big adventure because it felt too scary!!!!
Love Kate Atkinson so much…I’m re reading as many of hers as I can find at the library (which is a great money saver for book loving me) x
Maxabella says
I’m with you, Ally – whatever it costs to do it right! x
Kristy @ Loulou Zoo says
Wow Bron – the links in this post just sent me on a lovely little (big) journey – thank you!
I think most of us are guilty of “wasting” money…I certainly know on reflection I am. I never used to think I was but as I’ve been having a clean up I realised how often I just buy something if it’s on the cheap side, instead of looking at what I have and seeing if I can make do. So this year I’m working on that! x
Maxabella says
It’s an eye opener alright! I’m trying not to be so disappointed in ‘bad budget Bron’, fretting about all the money I’ve wasted over the years, and focus on getting it right from now on. x
Damien says
My first time here Maxabella. Thanks for the linky. Good luck with your savings this year.
Damo
Maxabella says
Hello and welcome! It’s so nice to see a fella. I rather miss the men around the blogs, Damo. x
Sonia Life Love Hiccups says
I totally love the challenge of a budget and saving money.. until there is something I really want and I know I cant have it. You will rock this chick, you just will. More beach play dates are the best money saver ever so put more of them on your list… and call me 😉 xx
Maxabella says
Definitely! The second best thing you can do for free… x
Vicki @ Knocked Up and Abroad says
I have never been great with budgets but if I had the inspiration you’ve got I just might be. Especially with a coach on my sidelines like your sister.
I love the idea of allowing your kids to choose where they want to be in the world for their 10th birthday! What fun parents are you?!?!
Maxabella says
Fun, or just mad? Both, I hope! x
di @ lime&soda says
What a lucky girl. A white Christmas is definitely worth saving for. I have a ‘frugal’ brother. But unfortunately its not a genetic quality in our family! I fail miserably at sticking to a budget. Sounds like you are onto a good start Bron.
Maxabella says
I hope so, but I am beginning to suspect that frugality is not a genetic marker after all… sigh. x
Tash @ Gift Grapevine says
What a wonderful idea and fantastic experience for your family – one that the kids will remember and look back on fondly. Good luck with the penny pinching! I look forward to reading all your budgeting tips this year and will make notes – there’s always something special to save for!
Maxabella says
I didn’t know I was doing tips…
Maxabella says
I just lost half my comment?! Gist of it was ‘thank you’. x
Julie says
Good luck with the budgeting. I opted to not buy anything new back in 2011 as well. You will find the less you spend the less you want or need things.
Way back when I was a single Mum in the early 90s. I had a break down one day about how I was a single Mum and had never traveled anywhere. An elderly lady gave me the best advise. She asked can I save $20 a week? Over the course of two and a half years if you save $2O you can travel anywhere as this 20bucks adds up to $2600. I would also add any birthday/christmas money and trow in a little extra when ever I could. As a single Mum only working part-time and being a full time student, Tamika and I traveled to 16 countries by the time she was 16.
Bit too late to start for the 10th birthday. But if you do it now you can travel anywhere for their next big birthday.
Maxabella says
That’s a hugely inspiring story, Julie. And what a lucky duck Tamika is! x
Sonia from Sonia Styling says
We’ve just put ourselves in a very similar predicament – we booked flights to Spain on Friday night! We leave at the end of September. And you know what? It was exactly the crazy, spontaneous decision we needed to get ourselves over there and to reign in the Christmas/holiday spending that was lingering a little too long. We can do it, Bron! x
Maxabella says
Travel is so endlessly motivating! Spain will be wonderful, Son. Barcelona is one of my favourite cities in the world. x
Robyn says
This is my first year doing a ‘proper’ budget too. Although we are going on a big trip to South Africa in April. Ah-hem but apart from that we really really really want to buy our own house soon so I have to really really really try my best to do this budget thing!! x
Maxabella says
Best of luck (and careful spending), Robyn. I have found that tracking my purchases using ASIC’s Money Smart app is really helpful! x
Shannon@ my2morrows says
Tacos at the beach! So doing it! Just need summer to return to sydney.
And you are so right re saving for experiences being much more rewarding than saving for things!
Xx