I know how you feel! My DH is full time army too but he's the lowest pay band, so I wouldn't say his wage is decent but its enough for us to survive on. We got posted to Townsville and its just been impossible for me to find a job, and now with the twins on the way there's no point in me really starting to work, so I've been lying awake at night wondering how we are going to manage when they arrive. Having to get a bigger car hasn't helped, but we get by somehow.

I know its probably easier said than done if you're in Melb, but have you thought of growing a few basic veggies? We've just started growing salad basics and its saved us $20 out of the grocery budget. Its not much but every little bit counts. I also bake a lot of things, like instead of buying DH little morning tea snacks and stuff I make cupcakes, or brownies or scones for him to take because in the long run buying staples like flour in bulk every now and then (if you have the storage, I keep it in the freezer) works out cheaper than buying cake mixes every week. Plus, it gives you something to do with DS! I'd love to get chickens too so we could save money on eggs but we don't have the space for them here. Also buying meat in bulk if you can (once again if you have the freezer space) cuts down on those regular costs - especially since meat at the supermarket seems to have gotten incredibly expensive in the last few years. My dad used to do it when we were kids, he would go once every about...4-6 months I guess and buy a buttload, and it would last. If we ran out of something, we ran out of it, tough tits, it was no longer on the menu.

Another thing my sister raves over is those Christco hamper things? I've never got one but that could be an option when you look at budgeting in your Christmas like Peanutter said - at least then you would have a regular amount you could put into that budget thats set and you know you will get everything you need at christmas for that amount each week/fn.

Also, since DH is army, remember to keep ALL your receipts because the amount of things they can claim on tax is phenomenal - we've claimed everything from new sneakers, to Black Ops (games in a modern warfare setting are classed as training aids so can be claimed back on his tax return, so I always get him something like that for his birthday and then we get the money back for it anyway!). Plus, then you also have a record of all of your spending regardless. You can also use the gym on base if you have an ID card (free to get for spouses) and its not within working hours, so if you do have your own gym membership, thats something that you might be able to give the flick altogether. Lavarack barracks has a childcare centre, I don't know if thats something all bases have or not, but I've heard its cheaper than in the real world - and probably more convenient since the serving member can pick up the child(ren) on their way out.

The Defence community organisation in Melbourne should also be able to provide you with financial advice and help you make the best of the benefits you are entitled to when you have a serving member in your family, so maybe check them out too? And always remember if you are feeling stressed, you have just as much a right to talk to DH's unit padre as he does - even if you're not religious, they respect that and are happy to help if you need, even if its just to vent, they will listen and do their best for you.