Tracking my grocery and incidentals budget with ease

My budget is pretty detailed, across categories within ANZ MoneyManager, but I was still having trouble in managing spending in my bucket for groceries and incidentals on a weekly basis. It seemed to be the area I bled from. 

My budget is $345 p.w., with a notional budget as follows: 

$345.00 Week

$220.00 Week budget groceries

$125.00 Week budget incidentals

$28.85 Gifts

$4.62 Home maintenance

$40.00 Kids

$11.54 Clothing

$2.77 Entertainment

$2.31 Electronics

$15.00 Education

$11.54 Restaurants/dining

$2.31 Service charges

$2.77 General merchandise

$124.46 Total

On a weekly basis they look like small numbers, but across a year they add up. 

ASIC's TrackMySpend to the rescue! I have it as an app on both my iPhone and iPad plus website access. Over the past 7 weeks, I have a better picture on how this bucket has overs and unders each week, and I keep a running total in my budget cash flow spreadsheet. I only use it to track the $345 budget so it doesn't get over complicated. I also use it at the point of spending, not when cleared as a credit card transaction, so I know each day where I'm up to.

At this point it looks like $345 a week is unrealistic, but I've just come through an expensive month with two significant birthdays, so I'll see how it pans out over the next two months before I adjust it. 

My style of personal finance podcasts to motivate

Over the past 2 months I have found new inspiration in creating new financial goals from the following podcasts/vodcasts:

- The Barefoot Investor on MTR1377 - Australian Scott Pape with excellent advice to callers, and educational on saving and investment strategies

- The Barefoot Investor season 1

- The Barefoot Investor season 2

- The Dave Ramsey Show - when you need a smack to the back the head, consistent advice to callers to the show

- Stacking Benjamins - lots of interviews with other experts

- MoneyPlan SOS

- The Suze Orman Show - podcast of her TV show, easy to listen to without video, I've read her books before too

- The Clark Howard Show - the nicest, most genuine guy you'll ever listen to, 27 yrs of radio experience, everyday personal finance scenarios, info on scams as well - he doesn't judge you if you still use a credit card

- Listen, Money Matters - 2 30 something yr old guys sharing what they know and what they do with the rest of us 

I found these on the Apple Store, and they meet my need for relatively conservative advice focussing on getting out of debt, owning your own home, having an emergency fund and saving for retirement and those things that matter. The last six are US based (rather than Aussie), but still have relevance in most episodes. They are all backed up with informative websites and Twitter handles to keep up to date. 

Loyalty rewards ARE worth it - a great day shopping today!

I'll preface this with some overarching statements:
- I only shop for things I need, and at
- shops that have sales, or
- good quality generic brands, and after
- checking for comparison prices online, and the
- shops handout rewards/loyalty cards for free.

So, on a day when I had just over $100 left on my credit card and some serious needs, for the princely sum of $39.98 and reward/loyalty card point redemption, I have bought $143.32 worth of items.

1. Teenage son's black shorts for school. He was told at school on Friday he can't wear his black jeans, and needed black shorts by Monday. We shopped around at a few stores and bought a pair of black cargo shorts in a style he feels most comfortable in from Jeans West, valued at $49.99, on 30% sale for $34.99, paid for on ANZ Frequent Flyer credit card and earned points on store loyalty card too for a future 10-15% saving.
Saving - $15

2. Went to Autograph to buy a summer top for work. Normal price $49.99, on sale for $14.99 on the clearance rack, paid for by $10 redemption of loyalty points, and $4.99 on ANZ Frequent Flyer credit card.
Saving - $45

3. Went to Coles for top-up shop of things I ran out of. Most items were on sale (even cheaper than Aldi, my normal haunt), and a couple of the smaller volume items were cheaper on sale than the bulky items, so I didn't need to over-buy. These sale items included dog food, lactos free milk, bread, snacks for school lunches and facial cleanser. I also bought cheaper products at everyday prices, including shampoo/conditioner and soy milk. The full price was $43.34 (according to docket, I really think it was meant to be higher than this), sales price $37.73, recorded saving of $5.61. Purchased completely with Fly Buys Cash. This was from $50 redeemed from points earned from a much needed tyre purchase at Kmart Tyres in Nov. 2012 when they had the Eco tyres I had already selected on sale (best price around) and earned 10,000 bonus Fly Buys points.
Saving - $43.34

So, my savings for the day were $103.34.

Add to that my son's friendly negotiation skills. He scored a $50 gift certificate at Games Workshop for $30, and spent the full amount on exactly what he wanted.
Saving - $20

Wish we had more days like this. The focused effort and thinking of all of the options was completely worth it.

My first time....buying shares

It has only taken 22 yrs, but after two share gifts courtesy of floating Tower and IAG, I finally purchased my first shares, using an Online broker. There was so much choice, so after lots of reading and careful consideration, I ended up with a listed investment company that invested in S&P/ASX 200, so it closely follows the market. It is so exciting following it's progress or otherwise - it's a long term investment, and I'm regularly investing in more of their shares, so if it goes down, I still win getting it on sale.

Inviting parents into the classroom over the web

A fantastic way for parents to see their children's presentations in the classroom, provide encouragement and be a part of it all. How many have I missed in my working life? A great many. How many have I even been invited too? Not many considering the logisitics of hosting 60 parents in a classroom for 30 students. Bring it on!

Using Adobe Connect to connect to a real audience

Mike Matas: A next-generation digital book | Video on TED.com

Check this out, showing a truly interactive e-book for iPad/iPhone. Tapping the potential of personal electronic devices in our kids learning.

As shown at a recent ACT Schools' ICT Network Meeting

Mike Matas: A next-generation digital book | Video on TED.com

We live in a filter bubble

How did you find me? Are you a follower, a friend, or appeared in your Google search results? Why am I relevant to you right now? Am I more important to you now than whatever is headlining the latest new bulletin? Apparently we are being presented information on the Internet based on what your previous online behaviour has been, where you are, what browser you use, and without you even knowing about it, the information you may want to access is being filtered.

You may have experienced this phenomena in person, and wondered why...

Eli Pariser: Beware online "filter bubbles" | Video on TED.com