Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Home Made Life - budgeting


I wanted to do a little life updates of sorts, which is probably going to verge on the edge of being too hippy but now that I've put the disclaimer out there it's your own fault if you read on :p

So a month ago I quit my job, I actually liked my job I had lovely disabled people to look after in my support worker role but my supervisor was giving me grief. I won't go into all the details but after 4.5 years in my position I felt horrible undervalued - so I quit, no back up plan just a desire to want to live my life in a happier way. I feel like my outlook on life has changed and how I want to take more control of it. My goal in life is just to be happy but how I'm able to do that has been changing in little ways. Okay here is where is probably starts to get a bit too hippy...

Since I now have a massively small income from my creative endeavours, I've had to get real smart about how I spend money with most of it going to rent and food. Rent is out of my hands but food you can work on reducing costs. I've learned to appreciate our garden and supplement it by going to the fruit markets just as they're closing and ready to give away food!


I can take zero credit for the garden btw which is run by my other housemates but if I was on my own I would definitely start my own.

Fresh herbs - amazing.

We also get eggs from our chickens and I've started making my own bread from this recipe here


It is seriously the easiest bread ever - it's name is 'the no knead bread' which should be a giveaway on it's simplicity. I picked up an oven safe pot from the thrift store for a few dollars; I mix the bread mixture up the night before, let it rise and I have fresh bread the next afternoon - so simple :) I've also started making my own naans too and just can't believe I didn't make them before.

My room mate has taught me how to make kombucha - might save that for another post but it's a great and cheap way to have a refreshing drink available on a super tight budget.

My eating has definitely become a lot more simplified and I'm really grateful for that. I make my own bliss balls, which are essentially just ground up dates, nuts, honey, and cacao powder but they are super yummy!


Actually my hunt for non dairy delicious alternative came from a forced necessity - again probably too much info for this post - but it's been challenging and eye opening. 


I've had to say goodbye to milkshakes (that's Ben's on the left and my smoothie on the right) and hello to watermelon sorbet! Okay so maybe going out and drinking smoothies and eating sorbet isn't on the budget friendly list but life would be a little sad if you didn't have splurges! treat yo self people!

I was going to fill this entry with all the other little changes I've been doing but it's going to be way too much writing, so I'll save those thoughts for another week. I want to inspire or at least show people stuck in heavy work loads that maybe you don't need to be (I know people have very different lifestyles and money commitments than me) but maybe just a few changes could lead to a different way of living if you want it to or currently feel stuck where you are. I'll eventually pick up a few shifts myself to supplement my income - going on holidays or having money for emergencies is always essential but for now I'm really enjoying being creative, in charge of my own destiny and not being controlled or devalued :) (told you I was going to get hippy on you!)


17 comments:

  1. i have learned a lot about not having money and a 'safe' job since i quit mine in December. it is good to share your feelings about this subjects and maybe leave somebody else there in the world wondering 'what if' :)

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    1. :) :) I know it's not for everyone - there is a price to pay for both sides - but I'm currently liking this side - so thought it was worth sharing. Hope your journey is going okay Sara!

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  2. Lots of love to you fee <3

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  3. These pictures make everything look SO appealing! I am running this awesome Chanel spring make-up collection giveaway that is worth over $158. I think you'll love it!

    Come by soon!

    xx

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  4. Hey it's very brave of you to quit and I must say good on you for choosing happiness! Love the ways in which you're changing your life for budgeting's sake but it seems to me to be a good change. Simplicity rocks!

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    1. Thanks Trishie, they've been super nice changes and it's kind of funny that lack of money made me make them but hopefully when I am back in with the money peeps I'll still be implementing them :)

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  5. Hello lovely, I popped over from your post at Always With Yoo and I am so glad I did, your blog is beautiful. I really admire all the changes you are making and look forward to reading all about your new life and adventures.

    Emma | Fluff and Fripperies

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    1. Aww thanks Emma, that's super sweet :)

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  6. i love this post so much. i've been trying to articulate why i left my job last july and how we've been juggling life with one income and where i am about going back {or not} to the career path i've built and what the future holds for me. I'm definitely happier and i don't regret quitting at all. but lately i've been super paranoid about my future and wonder if I should go back or not. your post made me feel at ease and now want to tackle my thoughts on this whole topic! thanks for getting the ball rolling for me.

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    1. Thanks Jane :) It's definitely a complex thing - I feel the World is set us for us to be quite dependent on earning a decent income - we're kind of drummed into that way - I still don't have all the answers myself but it's been a fun adventure so far and not nearly as scary as I initially thought! Look forward to your own words on the topic!

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  7. Thanks Fee for bringing this topic to all of us to think about, love your boldness in your decision choosing happiness. A big big congrats! it is so so interesting how do you explain all the food alternatives we all really have to cut down expenses. Please keep us updated with more! :) I have lately been thinking a lot about this, I (except that I could add Dani as well here) have been working like crazy for the couple months, driving us quite mad (not in a good way & feeling exhausted), so a lot of how to deal with this feeling have been occupying my mind. Our blog is a huge happy shelter for us, a place to forget about this, so we have been using it unashamedly as our scape, also checking other people's blogs (like yours! :P) are giving us that much needed portion of happiness. I guess it not only depends on seizing that (rather sadly unfrequent) "us" moments but right now I'm too a scaredy cat to have a bigger change.

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    1. Ahh this was nice to read Damaris!

      On the flipside to my thoughts I think sometimes having a very stable job can be a whole lot less stressful too - you know you're getting this amount in and there is a lot of comfort in that. I probably would be where I was if hadn't felt that extreme level of being devalued and I'd be happy but it's nice to know you can still be okay if your circumstances change :) I have definitely always blogged as a happy outlet too - keep on blogging (I super love reading your blog!!!)

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  8. my boyfriend and I also have a budget for food, we mostly buy the bulk of food so it is cheaper in the long run. your tips are great, I'd love to bake my own bread one day - have bookmarked this recipe! I also have a garden in my new place so I'd probably start growing basic vegs or herbs. if you have any pointers on these, let me know!

    Katrina Sophia Blog

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    1. It definitely helps just to be aware of where your money is going hey :) Ahh vegies, I should probably spend more time in the garden when my room mates are putting in the hard work so I can learn some tips. They have a pretty good set up with sprinklers running throughout so it makes watering easy but there is a far bit of upkeep and knowing what to plant when and next to what! Sorry I'm not more clued on and full on tips!

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  9. Hi there. I dont think that this post is TMI at all. It's honest and real. I love it! Looking forward to your next post dearie..

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