Being careful with the $$ does pay off

This week was the last week of school and we are now on school holidays!

One of my favourite places to have a coffee

 I'm really looking forward to the break from our busy routine and doing so much running around.

We are a bit understaffed at work at the moment so I worked this Saturday and I will be next Saturday.  I have one off and then work the following one.

I don't mind because it is pretty good money and I can put it away for Christmas or off the mortgage.

It was also two years since the awful experience I had with a workplace where I was very unfairly forced from my job of many, many years.  I won't go into all the terrible details but I will say that it was very unfair, very corrupt and very vindictive.

However, those involved received their Karma (and continue to do so).

It really does come around.

In hindsight, I am so happy to say that they actually did me a really big favour and I have never been happier with both my life and my working life.

Lucky me.

But that brings me to the point of this writing.

At the time of the "awful experience", I had plans and goals financially.

All this went completely out the window because I no longer had that job.

AND

that was completely and utterly UNEXPECTED.

I NEVER thought I would ever lose my job.

(hmm, I have learn't my lesson)

Fun on a bushwalk

Fun on a bushwalk

Even more fun on a bushwalk (and it's FREE!)

Now, I was really lucky because I got another job virtually straight away.

L.U.C.K.Y

Don't I know it!

But even if I hadn't gotten another job straight away, we still would have been okay.

Because in the good times, we paid off a mega amount off the mortgage and we were really careful with our money.

I/we could have done better - paid more/saved more etc, but overall we were always thrifty and always paid a LOT off the mortgage.

It really is all about the little things - YUM!

I can't tell you how glad I was that I had done that.  

Really, crazily glad I had been so vigilant.

Because every now and again I would get a little wee bit envious of other people buying new cars, going on overseas holidays, eating out at dinners, buying new furniture, new clothes and so on.............

And I would think - I want that too.  But then I would look at my mortgage and know in my heart that I was better to put the $$ on that.

Blueberries growing!

Lavendar

All the raspberries going CRAZY!

My heart was so right.

So, if you're ever feeling a bit envious or sick of the slog (whilst watching everyone else on FB seemingly living the DREAM) remember:

* You NEVER know what is around the corner

* Small steps/things equal BIG THINGS in the end

We will have less than $100K on our mortgage at the end of the year, which is all due to hard work and being thrifty (taking lunch to work everyday, home cooked meals, eating leftovers, shopping for specials etc)

We have done quite a few things to the place such as playroom, new kitchen, two cars and a motorbike plus have three kids and 5 job moves in the time!  

I think we are doing okay :-)

Have a great week!

More Lavendar

Down looking at the chook pen