I"m with you on your "I'm not sure where our money goes" sentiment. I've got a real "thing" at the moment about wanting to spend our money on what we want to spend it on, and not all the invisible expenses! I hate the money leakage - like the electricity that gets used because you didn't turn the thing off at the powerpoint, or the stupid phone plan that doesn't match your actual usage, or the rego on the car that's not being driven ().

Arte, those petrol prices are crazy! We're paying anything from $1.28 to $1.52 here. That is so sad your mum doesn't appreciate your gorgeous kids. She is missing out. I've never really had family support with the kids (except for briefly when my sister was here, ah I miss her so much). DD1 is going to spend a couple of days with the grandies on the weekend for the first time ever (she's nearly 13 ).

Cass *sigh* I want pretty things and never had them in my 20s either, but try to focus on the fact that by doing all this now you will be streets ahead of the game financially by the time you hit your 40s. Building wealth as early as you can in life really pays off later on.

Trill you guys have had it tough for so long, I do hope the turn in fortunes is more permanent. To have to work to support the farm instead of the other way around is crazy.

We don't have mo-pokes but we do have Boobooks. That's my girl guide name, btw. Boobook. hehehe.