Massive debts

gargrave50

chevalier wrote: »

I am so glad that the show reaffirmed your desire to emigrate. I hate to be a doom and gloom merchant however, but please be really sure about your costings. To be honest we weren't, and we really struggle, though we are in NZ not Aus.

It didn't really strike us until we had been over here 6 months, that we could keep working things out in pounds and thinking how cheap that is. My OH has a really good paying job here in IT, but is only about half what he was earning in the UK. But our costs, even cut to the bone, are a much higher proportion of his salary. So most months we barely break even, and if we hadn't had savings behind us, we would be severely in debt by now....

Thanks for your advice Chevalier, we thought we were fairly confident on our costs, but had the added bonus was that the show did a full breakdown of our UK income and outgoings and the equivalent in Australia.:money:

The outcome showed we had just over $4k a month leftover after all our bills, rent, kids activities, groceries, broadband, cable tv everything so even if that's a little conservative and they have assured us its not (we were a little conservative with the costs associated with me being in London we thought - so the margin may even be a little more:D), we should be winning. Plus a new way of life and a debt free start. Lessons have been learned.:money:

Plus the income they based us on for the UK was based on me doing tons of overtime as I have done for the last 3 years, and my income in Oz is based on my basic 3 or 4 shifts a week contracted hours:D. Hopefully time to enjoy the spice of life again:T.

gargrave50

Well, my "To Do" list is now 2 pages of A4 long:eek:. To be completely honest, half of it is stuff my hubby has to do but won't do unless its on my list to nag him on a regular basis to do it.

Trying to organise Cole's Communion and the remaining emigration paperwork whilst working 90 hours a week, and I'm looking forward to Australia why?!:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

On the plus side (I'm clearly twisted:p), I've managed to get another 2 nights bank, so if I can get a day shift next Tuesday and a night next Wednesday I'm fully booked until I go home.

My to do list isn't really filled with much in the way of money saving things, mostly Australian things of no interest to you lot. As far as I know, all my outstanding debts the ball is in their court with F&F etc so I'm pretty much in control - or so I think:cool:.

gargrave50

Mother in Law's birthday before we leave in August, managed to get a Wowcher (Groupon style thingy) with a free £5 credit leaving only £3.49 to pay for an A2 canvas of a photo of her beloved grandson. Should have been £44.99 .

chevalier

Oh ok if they have done you costings then that is different. And I know from the amount of New Zealanders emigrating to Australia, that the wages over there are MUCH better. Indeed the difference is so great, that some Australian companies are thinking of relocating to New Zealand, to save on wage costs....
chev

gargrave50

The cost comparison they did was very in depth - I literally had to tell them how many grams of chicken I buy a week and they compared exact like for like!

Anyway, never mind - hopefully all fairly accurate. And if all else fails, we seem to have enough of a cushion to soak up some extras!:p

gargrave50

Ok so I've [EMAIL="bugg@red"]bugg@red[/EMAIL] my back trying to get some child out, which was quite frankly stuck.:mad:

So some medicine up my bottom and a hot pack later, I'm still rather sore:o. Time to fill you lot in on my plans for money saving.

1. Car boot sale planned for 19th May - hoping to net ~ £150
2. Will bag up clothes not good enough to ebay and books for the cash for clothes shop - hoping for ~ £20
3. Hubby still to cash in the scrap metal he has ~ £120
4. Waiting on £600 deposit back from last London rental property - better be £600!!:o
5. Waiting on new bank account details then will set up another eBay account seeing as they have been turds and suspended me for no reason except they "don't like my selling practices" - all positive feedback except one person who tried to cancel a purchase cos it wouldn't fit and then refused to sign for it:mad:! They opened a case against me I referred it to ebay with my proof of posting etc and they found in my favour! Grrr eBay. Then will have a thousand items to list!
6. Book any day shift for Tuesday and hopefully a night for Wednesday - I have a study day Wednesday 8-4pm but I'm hardcore and can sleep a couple of hours then do a nightshift;).
7. Use whats in the freezer and cupboard to concoct some healthy meals for work for at least the next week.

On top of all this, starting a running programme in the morning (if my back sorts itself out).

Was supposed to be going for a cheap dinner on Friday with the girls but have been robbed by the Taxman this month - so going to make my excuses and defrost my half price PizzaExpress pizza and garlic bread and make do with some half price wine instead:D.

Going to Tesco tomorrow hopefully to buy 6 bottles of the McGuigan sauvignon which is half price at the mo at £3.99 a bottle, then a further 25% off when you buy any 6 bottles at Mr T:T.

That and some tuna, some philly light and some spinach should be enough to pull a few tricks out of the freezer.:A

gargrave50

Oh and have made a list of all the furniture etc we are selling when we move out and passed it round the neighbours. It's absolutely true I have NO SHAME.:p

I already have a buyer for the gas BBQ @ £100, and a pair of lamps @ £25. Get me!:money:

gargrave50

Just having a quick think about the eBay items I still have to sell once I organise re-registering.

- G Star Jeans of my hubby's - hoping for £20
- Navy blue Lacoste jacket of my hubby's - hoping for £20
- Portable DVD player - hoping for £15-20
- iPod Touch 16Gb with small crack on screen - had a look going for approx £60 with damage
- Dell netbook - hoping for £80-100
- Ralph Lauren beach bag - £14 would be nice
- Fenn Wright Manson cardigan - happy with £10ish
- Couple of French Connection dresses - should be £30-35 each based on what I've seen going just now.
- Kurt Geiger shoes and matching bag - would like £40+
- Nintendo DSi and a zillion games! - happy with £50+
- Solid oak kids cabin bed with storage and a guest bed pull out underneath - hopefully £50
- Philips Surround Sound System inc DVD player - hopefully £50ish
- Next Overmantel Victoria Style Silver Antique Mirror - hopefully £30+
- Lots of little Zara and Next tops and 2 pair of River Island Jeans

So much more - lots of clothing mainly River Island and Zara. Reckon I could net at least £150 just from the clothes I have waiting in a bag to sell. However, because I have to re-register I'll be limited to 10 items a month. This could take a long time:mad:. eBay are @rseholes.

Skint_but_Optimistic

True. Hope your backs better! Back pain is dreadful.

Good call on the wine. I love a bargain bottle. x

gargrave50

Well, well, well I'm such an idiot:o.

Hubby has been paid off working his weeks notice this week.

And of course, I was coerced into going out for that cheap dinner which in the end cost £40!!:mad: It also resulted in a massive hangover yesterday whilst dragging my backside through a long day at work. Thank crunchie for good students:cool:.