Have a budget that works.

Many people ask me how is it you save when yo earn next to nothing. 

In fact when I use to earn $1000 a week I found myself spending more but having nothing to show for it. Where did that money go? On reflection I was wasteful, fast food, smokes wanting to party and live the life. But when it came Christmas time or a birthday or even car registration I would be scratching around for money and really struggling. Why? Because that $8 a day I would waste on lunch would have equated to money in my pocket, I could have made my lunch. So I was spending $40 a week on lunch. In the big picture $40 a week would have equated to $2000 a year. 

People today put to much emphasis on what we want not what we need. Do you really need that new iPhone? What's wrong with your old one? Nothing so why do you need a new one? 

There is nothing wrong with wanting the best, but do you need it?

When I suggest people save I always say what are you spending money on that you really don't need to? Like McDonalds 3 times a week maybe? Learn to cook your own burgers. It's often because people are lazy they would rather buy then enjoy the taste of a home cooked meal. 

Eating out should be a treat a reward not something you do because its easy.

When shopping do you buy things that end up being thrown out? People walk every isle when this can tempt you in to purchasing that special only to see it sit in the fridge or cupboard for months. To expire then be thrown away.

Everyone can save. It's about looking at your bills and rent and making that and food your number one priority, what you have left in your hand say it is $100 a week and you have a family, you have rego. What are you doing with that $100 left over! 

If you put $20 of that in to a separate savings account get the bank to shift it the day you get paid, by the end of the year that's $1000.

That's your rego and some Christmas gifts covered. 

People find it easier to be in debt live in credit as its easy to pay things back rather than save money.

Do you own a money box? Buy yourself a coin money box and make a habit of putting all of your loose change into it. 

Consider this have you ever purchased something with cash? Have you ever walked in and paid a big bill off and felt the relief? You can feel this all the time if you budget wisely. And you need to be realistic when your doing this. Write a list of things you have purchased over the last 12 months, how many things did you really need? Where would that money be better spent right now?

I will give an example a single income say $700 a week

Rent $250

Food $120

Phone - Internet $25

Fuel - $80

Loan- $200

I would suggest you put money on a power bill but its up to you, if you are saving you will be able the cover the bills , like rego and electricity bills, birthdays and Christmas, even when your fridge blows up you won't need shop credit because you will have cash. And cash talks people.

Leaves you with $120

What are you spending this on? Is it worth it's? Do you NEED IT?

If you use a credit card first thing in the morning cut it up and concentrate on paying it off or combine it in your personal loan and the monthly repayment put it on your new loan.this will free you up. From $120 for me I would concentrate in saving $50 a week,if you smoke cigarettes try things like rollies, this will help you A cut down because you will find yourself not wanting to roll them B save money because it will be cheaper.

Because of stress many people have habits like smoking and drinking, try and find the cheapest way to do so. And be sure people don't miss out on things because if this habit especially you! 

Rent that's a lot why wouldn't you buy your own home? Rent should never be half of your pay if you are using 50 percent of your wage to pay your rent, you need to look to buy a home. You could purchase a cheap home and the repayments would be less than your rent. 

It's nice to have cash in your wallet but its even nicer to look at a bank balance of $5000 in your savings when you have nothing.

Some people say no live or today. But what happens tomorrow if your whole life changes you can't work? 

Important things to do for low income earners. 

Shop at Aldi, or where you can get a bargain 

Buy bulk it's better to buy a full rump or scorch fillet at IGA and butcher it yourself. For $23 you will find yourself with 25 steaks.

Have a money box and make an habit to put loose change in it.

Put money into your super, contribute the first hours on monday work by salary scarific, salary sacrifice everything you can its a great return for you at tax time.

The government also contributes dollar for dollar, it's a good way to save moneywithout  noticing it.

Also on your super check you have things like permanent disablement and death insurance on your policy, often it is worth running these via your super because its cheaper than some of the life insurance and workers insurance.

Overtime use overtime money as either a larger payment in a debt or save it, pretend you never received the extra cash.

Do not lend money to others, be stingy often people take forever to pay back a debt, your not a bank so you don't have the power to demand payment from friend as a bank or company can demand a payment.

Always have a number or a target, 

Start off small, reaching a goal like $500 will give you freedom, reaching $1000 will give you more, and so on. 

Remember you are a money making machine, you are potentially worth $100s thousand of dollars you need to look at where you are purchasing out of sadness or buying things you really don't need. Everyone has that jumper you brought that's never been warn? Sell that shit off. Many people hold on to things that add nothing to their lives if its not sentimental it's shit. 

Impulse buying seeing something that grabs your eye, often marketing people use tactics to make people buy "crap" they don't need. When you see something like this walk around the shops or come back later.

Buy things that are good quality, if you are one of them people on buy and sell sites buying everyone else's shit that you don't need unlike these pages unless you sell yourself do not go buying other people's trash.

Saving is about dedication it's about writing a number down and going for that target, the more money you see in your account the more greedy you will be, in a great way this will allow you to pay bills your rego, if you have to drop everything and travel across the country you don't need to be using your weeks pay to do it and leave yourself short for weeks if not months to come.

Working people

I challenge you all to save $5000 50weeks .thats one year 

In the first 10 weeks I want to see a balance ina secret savings account.

If you can show me this time next year that yo have a zero balance today and by the end of the year you have $5000 you will get two free face to face readings

Pensioners 

As its harder for you to save I manage $40 a fortnight 

So that is $2000 at the end of the year.

If you to can save $2000 by the end of the year and show me proof you will also win two free face to face readings.

Conditions are only thing you can take from the account is money for registration and one power bill . The rest has to be solely savings.

So by the end of the year pensioners should have $1500

And you working folk $4300

Starts as of today 22/11/2013

And this is all in numerology power numbers 

11

22

2+1=3

33

So lets see who can save...

I may alter this as its not a fully finished blog but I will be adding more in as we go along.

Good luck 

Gina 

The love you make me feel

Have you ever had that person in your life that makes it all complete? This person keeps things together. When your off balance she will help you find your feet? Have you wondered how anyone can accept you just the way you are? 

You do you take my strides as they are you love my laughter my complaining your not changing gears quick enough in the car.

I gave you my heart and you have treated it with care taking it everywhere. I watch you grow and not fear who you are, I admire your work and I feel so proud of you, words would never say the gold star you are.

In my life I had given up on love, and love had to many expectations, when its hard work all the way, we take our time and we climb mountains and we get what we need.

I love you because you give me everything I need. When I need a hug your the one I grab hold of. When I need help to put my pants on your the one I call.

When I feel weak I know you will be strong. What I can't do you can visa versa and that's what makes is belong together. 

There are many plans for us to for fill in this life day by day it will take time, it will be my hand that holds yours through this time.

My heart skips a beat. You sweep me off my feet. For everyday it's you I long to greet.

The dogs don't understand when you go away. Every return is rewarded with 3 happy dogs tails wagging tongues flapping, getting under your feet. 

Home just wouldn't be home if we weren't together, things wouldn't feel nor be the same.

Sometimes we are not perfect, something's are hard, it makes us stronger and makes me love you longer. I don't need to always talk it just having you here that makes it complete, the part where you put pressure on my back with your stinky boot feet. 

Nothing matters, not much else exists as family to me but you. You are my family my love my life and if the laws could be different you could be my wife.

A piece of paper, no jewellery nor gift would prove our love. We do not need a reward or something to prove what we have, and that is each other,

To see you be a mother to see you hold our child is something I hope to treasure for the rest of our lives, a gift we could never thank enough for a gift only a special person could give. They will be this child's god parents, but we will teach it everything we can about love and life. How to be compassionate to their fellow humans how to love animals an nature, they don't have to be smart or pretty, they just have to be themselves unique and able to be confident in life and love and with all we shall teach this child they will have everything they need to survive this world, 

Take my heart forever my love as it belongs to you, for you are all I have ever wanted in life and ill take it you will do. You fit me just fine. Together we make one. 

I wish I could carry the earth for you and provide you with what every butch should but I am weak an ill version of what I should be. 

I give you all I have and you will never get rid of me as death will be all that will part our ways. 

Today you are my lover tomorrow your will be my lover and next year you will be my lover. Till I die I will love you, until my heart stops you are mine :) ..

I love you Ammie more than you will ever know, like seasons they will come and go and together we shall grow. Our family will get bigger and the farm will grow. Together we are one and I would be a fool to let that go when you know this is real and true it's sticking like glue. I stick to you. 

Real depression

Real depression.

My story of how I beat depression and I don't mean the over used word these days for sadness, but depression that you hide so deep it kills your soul.

This started when I was very young a felling of not belonging, having siblings older than I relying on my imaginary friend, because it was the only friend I had.

I never forget my first day of kindergarten, most kids love going to school for me it was leaving my mum, I suffered separation anxiety. I understand what my dogs go through if I happen to leave.

It was hard being little, my brother Todd was angry I understand why but he will never have the chance to deal with it whilst his wife keeps him from his siblings who know what happened to him. It was one night at nana and pops where our uncle lived. Our grand parents had this fold over lounge it was red in colour and you could feel the springs and bounce in this lounge, my sister would sleep head to toe with me, I could heat him weeping " what's wrongs?" I remember taking my 11 year old brothers hand and saying "you sleep with us". The anger started not long after that my parents brought a house that backed on to the school, my father made a gate that opened on to the school so scared little me didn't have to walk a around the street. 

We had a Vulcan electric wall heater every winters day. Angry would wake and scream you "fucken little slut" kick me.. "Move you cunt" I fatten wonder if all the pain I suffer today was because of this. 

My mother not knowing what to do would ignore it but my sister wouldn't or couldn't. She would retaliate bashing him up. 

I was 7 when my sister left home and she left behind my first dog a black cocker spaniel named Muffin. She was something I learnt to speak to. I never forget one day after Todd had hit me I smack muffin outside for nothing. Why did I do that to the one thing that loved me the most? I still hurt from the thought of this. 

I thought growing up would be different, I was this hockey star in mys sisters eyes and I guess if my parents had of kissed more arses my career would have taken me places. Instead I needed to be popular. I had to hang around the cool people, I think now back on this how I was their puppet and slave to the canteen. 

Whilst they had all the boys swooning over them I was dealing with having crushes on people. My best friends sometimes I wouldn't miss a day of school because I didn't want to miss seeing them. 

If I only knew what the hell I was back then would I have acted differently?

Every day of high school was a nightmare a new day meant more name calling, more taunts all I could think of was how my sister was like my friends loved by the boys.

Funny thing is she lost her virginity to a skipping rope handle, because she didn't want to be a bragging tool for boys at school.

Here I was some ugly duckling, a lesbian hanging around people who really didn't be it.

I didn't feel a connection to my parents I felt, different like I angered them, I was friends with people who believe they are above me these days. Yet we shared the same shit.

I decided at 24 I would foster teenagers, not young kids everyone seems to think young kids will be easier, but the satisfaction I got from teenagers was much better you could talk to them, not always answer their questions but I knew this was probably the only conversation these kids would have with an adult.

It was during my training I finally understood what we lacked in our childhood it was these simple three words "I love you". We didn't have hugs or emotional conversations they were not apart of who we were allowed to be.

As I felt so alone and separate from everything in life, I found love my first lesbian love which was hidden as the town was small, she ran a small business. It was deep, we were great friends and lovers. She had children who had a chance to explore as I did in the same mountains. When that ended the way it did I lost a lot my heart. I couldn't comprehend how someone her age could be so indecisive, especially since I have been that age myself. And know exactly what I am. We had a house we repaired from being a shell to our home, blood sweat and tears and our love put that place back together.

The way it ended her father died and she wasn't gay anymore, he could see us from heaven and she jumped into the arms of a man who she married quickly. I guess it was a way of making people question what our relationship was? 

Once again I felt alone, work was hard as my boss had found out second hand that I was gay. And would make comments, it was hard enough fighting my own feelings and thoughts, having to deal with negative comments about gays and lesbians everywhere on the news in the local pub. 

This world wasn't for me where did I fit, no one knew this pain my diaries are full of notes and words I wanted read at my funeral. I would cry myself to sleep and numb the pain of loneliness through a bottle of Jim beam and pain killers. 

One evening the day before the GST was introduced I had enough it was a Friday night, I had struggled with a Friend with benefit doing my head in, I had work calling me a pedophile because that's what us gay people do is pray on kids, my boss had seen the Mardi Gras us gays are perverted. Aids spreaders.

I had come out to my mum, her first words were " don't tell your father". There were no gay people where I lived. 

I wasn't every lesbians cup of tea they seemed to date people who didn't look like me.

What was wrong with me? My head was spinning every thought was just getting out of this life just going away. That evening at 10-45pm after tears I become numb, a feeling where I just was thinking of me not anyone else, not who I would leave behind or how they would feel, it was just me.

I looked at myself in the mirror and with the emptiness inside of me I reached for a bottle of sheaf stout and muscle relaxants. I would pour hand fully of pils into my palm and just swallow. 

After about 65 tablets I remember dozing it was cold and I was meant to play hockey at 1pm the next day. 

I woke up in a daze and vomited on my sheets, all I wanted to do was go to the toilet but I had no comprehension of time, I was calling out to my mother, yet I hadn't lived at home for over 7 years. I can't go to school. I would come in and out of it. I tried to walk to the toilet but my legs had no control. For 2 hours this went on until Smity came home he opened the door I fell into the lounge and broke the door. He kept screaming wha did I take what did I take. 

He told me he had called an ambulance and in my head I'm saying no I don't have cover yet so confused I was in and out of losing site of life. All I wanted to do was wee. The ambulance came as did my friend from hockey. This was not like me I would do anything for the team, and what was going on with me couldn't be seen.

I didn't say I'm depressed or I wanted to kill myself to anyone outbloud, and the times I did it wasn't for attention it was because I knew my mind and its capabilities.

Not one person knew I had this illness, not like today when it's an over used words when people are often just sad.

People often judge me and think I am ignorant to depression, this is not the case at all, I know real depression isn't something one talks about, you won't even open yourself up to professional help. You believe you are destined to die and it will be at your own hands.

Depression today is and for those who really have this illness still suffer in silence, when one takes their life at their own hands who knows about this? No one could stop this because nobody knew!

Until you have suffered this depression where it's a focus on yourself and ending it all for yourself, where no one else counts but you. Don't use the word Im depressed. 

Sadness is something we all suffer and it's what you do with the sadness you feel that will he,p you grow, we all come into this world alone, our thoughts vary from person to person our opinions and emotions are real. Our feelings are what allows us to be compassionate and to love others.

Do I want to kill myself today? No even though today my life is filled with chronic pain, constant exhaustion, I see every day is a new day. Where I may meet new friends and learn a new start from someone else. Do I get depressed? No

Do I get sad? Yes I'm human and I have learnt that much of the pain we feel hurts like it should, heart becomes one if you feel the pain, nothing is easy, life and death being almost as quick as the other. I believe we are all here to make a mark on the world.

I may not achieve everything that I may want to in this life but I won't allow negatives t hold me back.

I shall make my angels proud, I shall love myself and my partner as we both deserve. I shall love the pets whom have taught me unconditional love. I shall meet people who will come and go, as I may heal, I may never get the thank you I may wish for, respect and love we all deserve.

I will learn from my lessons and allow myself to be angry when people do the wrong thing.for I will do only to others as they do to me, as in life and in death I shall be free..

So if your depressed you know what I mean for those of you whom write it all the time. You are making those whom have a serious illness look like fools to doctors and drugs get prescribed that often hinder do not help. So next time you go to write your depressed, thin of those out there whom really are a mess...

G.L.N