have you factored in the expenses for trips down here? fuel meals etc

rego?
insurance?
health expenses?
tax?
gst?
credit cards?
clothes and entertainment for you and DP?
outgoings for his gokarts?
clothes for the girls?
water rates and usage?
land rates?
license renewals (both private and business)?

it's great you have surplus in theory but you need to find where it;s going now!



ok, now onto tips

vegie patch if you can - tastes better and heaps cheaper if you can do it (once established)
buy in bulk (non-perishables that can't be frozen)
cook in bulk (slow cooker, then freeze in meal size portions) - we tend to get a heap done in a weekend and then freeze - means, if we have to buy veg, we buy it and there is no waste
use what is in season.
buy from green grocer rather than supermarket
buy from a decent butcher not the super market and buy in bulk - if you get a side of lamb it's cheaper - and then you can use any bits that aren't for you guys (the flap etc) as animal food for your dogs.
most places have discounts for buying more meat - cheaper if you buy 1.5kg or more.
meal plan
make meals at home for work lunches for DP. can't remember what his job is, but can he heat things onsite or in his ute (DH has a great little cooker in his truck)
cap plan for your mobile (or if you're still a text maniac, a plan that gives them cheaper)
can you get naked adsl where you're building? cut out home phone altogether? (i only hve phone line due to incoming and adsl - only use it four times a month for outgoing faxes)
talk to your builder about making sure your house is as energy efficient as you can - solar power, gdouble glazed windows, insulation etc - it might cost a little more now, but will save you money in the long run
take meals with you when you go out shopping and things - yeah, it's not as much fun as eating out - but if you and Ava are out, and you buy a meal for the two of you, you're looking at over $10 each time - if you bring your own, it's heaps cheaper (even a bottle of water - pump water is around the $3 mark in the shops, give or take - i take one with me filled at home - heaps cheaper and that's even AFTER i buy water cos boo town water tastes yukko!)

use cloth nappies for number 2!! exxy outlay but you can use them over and over and over - and they're so easy