A Simple Kind of Beautiful: March 2013

Tuesday, 26 March 2013

Simplifying Home Finances...

In what seems like another lifetime I worked in the financial planning industry (in fact it was only 6 months ago) but after many experiences over the 8 or so years that I worked in the industry I was left with a sick feeling in my stomach and swore I would never EVER go back...

I wasn't (nor am I now) the type of personal who would make a successful "financial planner" as I am not a ruthless salesperson looking to fill my pockets full of $$ whilst flogging of expensive products to clueless clients...ahem...did I just say that?!?

I have completed an Advanced Diploma in Financial Services (Financial Planning) and worked as a "paraplanner" which is pretty much the person who sits quietly in the back office and develops peoples' financial plans using notes the financial planner makes during client meetings and outlining the nuts and bolts of strategies that can be put in place. A thankless job really but I do appreciate the knowledge it has given me to be able to apply to my own situation.

I fully believe that financial planning mostly consists of common sense...that together with patience, goal setting and determination and of course knowledge of a few facts and figures come in handy!! There is certainly no "quick fix" financial solution that's for sure!

Now that I've been away from the industry for a while I finally feel like I can think about it again and think it is really time to get my own home finances in order... I am LOVING being a stay at home Mum and now that we are living on one income it is more important than ever to ensure our financial future is on track. Being organised has never been a strong suit of mine but I'm going to go through the stash of paperwork in the cupboard (mainly because I need to move Ivy's clothes into that cupboard before the baby comes!) and hopefully share a few tips, tricks and strategies I come up with along the way...

Step 1... Organising
Step 2... Budgeting
Step 3... What's in your pots?
Step 4... Determine your goals
Step 5... Work it!!

As I'm trying to live a "Simple Kind of Beautiful" Life I'll endeavour to make each step as Simple and Beautiful as I can and maybe even try to include a few charts and tables along the way... Hope you enjoy and I would love to hear any feedback you may have!!

Please note that anything written by me on this blog is not a form of financial advice and that it is only general information. You should consider seeing a reputable financial planner should you wish to receive advice in relation to your own financial situation.

Saturday, 23 March 2013

My Grandparents' House...

When I was a child I remember my grandparents' house being a grand home with a large well manicured lawn and an abundance of flowers in the garden. It was a holiday haven where I would spend hours playing hide and seek and other games with my brothers and cousins. It was alway kept immaculate by my grandparents who were retired farmers and there were always fresh baked biscuits in the tin, rolled oats and freshly squeezed orange juice for breakfast and red cordial in the pantry for hot days when we'd come inside after a good game of tennis.

I was browsing realestate.com.au this morning and there it was...for sale! My grandparents sold it nearly 10 years ago when they were in their 70's and no longer needed or were able to care for the large yard and home.

Now, the home is a bit of a shadow of its former grand self which is a bit sad...boy do I wish I had the money to buy it and give it some love!!

Sadly at $580k it is very much out of our price range...

Oh the many games of tennis that were played on this court!!

Kitchen is still as I remembered it with the exception of the bright blue wall...

Sunroom (used to be the TV room) has had the old cream lino removed and floor boards polished and the walls painted yellow rather than the old neutral cream.

Formal dining room...used to be carpeted but original wallpaper still remains

Formal lounge opening onto a front street facing balcony

Backyard looking back up to the house...My grandfather "Gundy" had a beautiful large vegie garden which is now just grass.

Back of house...

Main bedroom...eek!! Not a fan of the wall colour!!

Mum's old room...these people really weren't afraid of bold colour!!

Sue's old room...again...the colour...really?!?

Bathroom...Pink skirting....say WHAAAT?!?

Toilet / vanity...oh now I see where they're going with the pink...that doesn't mean I like it!

Other than the pink, bathroom area is still the original.

My grandma's old sewing room...now office.

Back deck with clothes line.

Downstairs games room...

The setting for many a family get together...Christmas and Easter Lunches and hours spent learning to play pool.

Might go buy a lotto ticket...

Friday, 22 March 2013

I have discovered Urban Outfitters...

Was browsing some of my favourite interior design blogs the other day and one thing led to another and I discovered URBAN OUTFITTERS...

So if the interior fairy could just bring me one of these I'd be delighted...

Zig sag rug 5 x 7 ft $89

My dear hubby may be getting a few extra nice back massages over the weekend to see if I can sweeten him up and get me one!!

Wish me luck :-)

Thursday, 21 March 2013

Kitchen/Living Room Progress...ready for the lights to go in and new Ikea TV unit

Last time I wrote about our kitchen I think it was "Kitchen Eve" which you can read more about here.

Well the kitchen has gone in and we are really happy with it but have been at a bit of a standstill waiting for the lights to be put in before we can paint or do anything else.

Goodbye kitchen fluro light...

Farewell ugly cream vertical blind...I will not miss you!!

Hello new Ikea TV Unit, you will look so much more at home once the walls are painted and you are nicely dressed!!

Our electrician is coming tomorrow so it will be all systems go once he has the lights in...
VERY EXCITED!!

Monday, 18 March 2013

Pregnancy photo catchup...

Wow time is now flying and there is only 8 more weeks until I will hold my little baby in my arms... We are all getting very excited around here...

My lovely friend Sarah has been helping me document the baby growing journey and here are some pictures taken at 18 and 28 weeks!!

18 WEEKS

28 WEEKS

Due for my 32 week shots this week and after seeing these I can't wait...so great to have some pictures this time around! Thanks Sarah!!

Monday, 4 March 2013

If I could go to Ikea...

We are in the (very long) process of renovating our kitchen / living room on a (very) tight budget...this has really been put on the back burner since my hubby had a stroke (at 29 years of age!!) about a month ago.... BUT it has now hit me that there's only 10 weeks till bub #2 arrives and ideally we would like to have this area completed or at least useable before our next little one arrives!

So here is my current wish list...