It really is a learning curve, isn't it! I think the worst part is thinking back to what you had, how much money you had and what you did with it, and knowing you probably wouldn't spend have spent it like that if you knew then what you know now.

One of the biggest helps we've found is adding up the bills you know about in advance - utilities, rego, rates, that kind of thing - and working out how much to save from every payment and then keeping it aside. That way you don't get hit with huge bills (hopefully!)

Is there a delivery service you can use, so you don't need to go out with the girls? I can only imagine how exhausting that must be

With meals, I always add the cheap frozen veg to pasta/rice dishes, to make it go further.

WRT Foxtel, do you actually get to watch it? Think about how often you use it, it may not even be worth the expense.

Telstra & Vodafone - I don't understand this, if it's their stuff up, why do you hafta pay it?

Icecream for the girls - Macca's soft serve cones are 30c each now, you could all go out for less than a dollar - assuming you have one close by

On a personal note, we were quite poor when I was growing up, and my sisters and I never really noticed. In fact, I didn't notice how little we had until I met Professor, and learned about the things he had growing up, with his Dad on a $100k annual wage. Kids don't notice these things, so don't have that particular thought in your head