Be a damn sight more sensible with my money

So I’m setting myself a few goals, short and long term.
Once Hayley goes home, I’ll stop spending so much, as there will be less big days out.
I can also focus on either getting a second job to help with my current income or maybe getting a full time job.

Short term goals (3 month goals)
1. Pay off loans back in the UK – student loans excepted!
Currently owing approximately £300 ($500)
Pay off by end of July 2012
2. Reduce overdraft – get back into interest free zone
Current goal of £200 (plus interest accrued) – approx $350
Paid off by end of July 2012.
3. Save up for university.
Aim for at least 1/3 of fees in savings account.
Approx $2000 by end of August 2012.
4. Have enough money in account to cover transport costs and monthly phone/internet bills.
Transport – $50 weekly.
Phone – $40 monthly.
Internet – $30 monthly.
Make this a habit by the end of August 2012.
5. Always have at least $100 in account to last the week.
Make this a habit by the end of August 2012.
Long term goals (Beyond August 2012, until mid 2014 – overdraft due date)
1. Pay off overdraft – total amount due to be paid off by mid 2014
Reduced to £1000 by mid 2013 (£700/$1200 to be paid)
Paid off entirely by mid 2014 (£1000/$1600 to be paid)
2. Save up enough money for university.
$6000 approximately per year.
First year’s $6000 to be saved up by end of 2012.
Contact university to find out how long course will take, with prior learning accounted for, then work year to year.
3. Have money in all savings accounts:
University/tuition fees.
Travel.
NYFA course (Paris 2014).
Future home.

The long term goals are a bit shaky at the moment. These depend entirely on job situations, university plans and everything else.
The definites in that category are university and overdraft payments.

Well, my brother has thrown me a bit of a curveball. He’s not going to Melbourne University anymore. It’s a financial thing for him; he’d rather not give up a job here (a job he’s yet to find but I know where he’s coming from!) and go pay for accommodation elsewhere. He’s going to Queensland Uni back in Brisbane instead.
I can see where he’s coming from, I guess. I considered it; maybe we’ll see how the saving goes and see how they stack up against each other. I’ve been rethinking Melbourne anyway, just because ANU in Canberra ranks higher for humanities subjects, but I’ll probably stick with Melbs. Still got the tertiary education fair thing in a few weeks to help me make up my mind.

I am worried I won’t be able to get the money together; I’ll need to save around $1000 a month from now until the start of next year to even manage it and I’m not sure how many hours I’m going to get at this place. If it’s not looking too good on that front, I can always look for something else to either supplement or replace it.
We’ll see how we go.

Well, I have a job again. Just a few hours each week but, with a lot less of a social life, the lack of funds doesn’t bother me as much.

Actually, I do have a question for the 43 Things world. I was wondering if you guys preferred to have small financial goals to aim for, with several on the go at once, or just one big one to focus on?
My original plan was to divide my wages but, looking at the way it’s breaking down, I think I might just aim to pay off my loan first, then my overdraft and then worry about saving for university.
Just wondering what everyone prefers!

Got about $500 to go back to pay off the last of the UK loan by the end of June, then my overdraft is at a MASSIVE $3000(ish) so I want that gone by December at the latest. I need about $5000 for one year at university, which I want to pay up front in January and at least a couple of month’s rent as well as a deposit (depending on what me and my brother go for – we’re looking at unilodge at the minute, as they’re decent value for just the two of us sharing) for when we get to Melbourne, so we’re paid up while I look for work.

This is the year I’m going to nail this goal.

Still jobless, still with a loan looming.
Something has to come through for me soon. It has to.
Send me some positive vibes, guys, yeah?

All the optimism went to waste. I’m back in Brisbane, with a massive phone bill, a loan to pay off and nothing in my savings.
The job hunt is already going better here – had more calls back in a week than in the entire time I was in Perth at least!

I think I am being more sensible. I just think I don’t have ANY to be sensible with.

Just been paid for the last of the work I did in Perth. It’s not a lot but it covers that loan back in the UK and my phone bill so it’s all good on that front. Should have enough left over for a catchup with a few Brisbane friends and a few trips into town to hand out CVs too.

When to call this done?
Maybe when I have money in each of the savings accounts I have set up. Like a substantial amount, not just $50 and $130 there.
Yeah, that sounds sensible.

So guys, I finally have that elusive job. Well, sort of. I still have a bar trial tonight so if I can get decent hours from there I might sack off the other one, or I could work one around the other which would be amazing. I would certainly be in the money that way!
Things finally seem to be going my way.

Still jobless here in Perth – I work Friday nights at the races, which is cool, but after my funds ran out, I’m relying on weekly bundles from my mum to cover my rent.
I’m keeping track of everything she’s lent me so I can start paying her back weekly once I have a full time job. She’s seeing it as a savings plan for her – if I have it, she can’t spend it on useless things!

I have three savings accounts set up and, using the new savings goal trackers, I have goals on all of them. Two are high interest ones for my long term goals and they reward you with better rates the longer you leave the money untouched. I have one for university next year and one for travelling when I’ve finished uni. My short term savings are, at the moment, set to my UK overdraft.

Hopefully I’ll get full time hours from somewhere (anywhere!) soon.

So I got a little silly when my new passport arrived, nights out and whatnot.
Saving every wee penny between now and the middle of January so I’m ready for the move to Perth (because, by the way, I’m moving to Perth).
Already on the job hunt there!

Paid off all my loans, just need to send a little back to the UK here and there to pay off my overdraft by the end of July.
1700 quid or thereabouts. Shocker! Going to aim to send about 200 a month over as a minimum, which should cover me nicely!
I’m also going to use all my reclaimed tax to cover that too!

Here’s to Perth!

That’s the two loans all but paid off, I’m nearly at a level where I can pay off my old phone contract in one go.
I have two savings accounts – one for travelling next year (Bali is already almost booked!) and one solely for university in 2013.
I still shop and I still want new tattoos but I’m finally realising that I can have all these things, I just don’t need them all at once or at the expense of something more important in the long run (ie. my degree!)

I’m getting taxed too much at work, which I need to sort, but I look at it as money further saved – I can’t claim it back until June (I think), so that’s adding up, well away from my grubby little paws!

:]

Saving at least $100 per week.
Nice and simple.
Investing in a new laptop; my stepdad’s found me an awesome one and I’ll pay him weekly for it.

First few repayments done and dusted.
Overdraft reduced by £50.
It’s a start!