“If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call ‘failure’ is not the falling down, but the staying down.” Mary Pickford

The last time I wrote I spoke about credit card debt. I looked into a few different ways that I could reduce this debt. I want to start 2010 with greater knowledge and control over our debt and expenses.

One of the things I looked at was a Balance Transfer Credit Card. There are a lot of different ones out there and some great websites that can help you to compare what is available.  You can find a range of cards that offer you a 0% interest rate for a period of time usually ranging from four months to 6 months. There are also low interest rates which once again are offered for a period of time. You can do a search on the internet or check out some of these sites:

http://www.creditcardfinder.com.au/best-balance-transfer-rates-0-interest-credit-cards.html

http://www.creditcardoffers.com.au/low-balance-transfer.html

http://www.creditcardcompare.com.au/balance-transfer-credit-cards.php

Now before you go and decide where you might consider transferring your current debt to, there are a few things I would suggest you do and look at first.

1. Make sure you have done your budget, try and work out the maximum you can afford to put towards paying your credit card off once you have transferred it over. The Balance Transfer Credit cards work on a time limit that you get the 0% interest rate for and you need to know if you can actually pay that debt off in the allocated time.
2. Make sure that you read the fine print!! Make sure you know what the retail rate is for the credit card you are transferring to, know all the fees and charges and know what rate is charged if you don’t pay the credit card off in the allocated time.
3. Please don’t keep using the credit card where the debt has come from. Do yourself a favour and cut up the card!  Use cash as much as you can to pay for things or use direct payment rather than paying for things back on a credit card
4. If you’re not sure about any details in the fine print, ring the bank and ask them even if it seems a silly question. Far better to ask a silly question than to find out that that asking it would have saved you money or extra heart ache.

Once I worked out the figures and looked at what we could afford to pay off the credit card once I transferred it to a Balance Transfer Credit Card I knew that I would never pay the card off before the 0% period ran out. I did consider the possibility that I could then transfer the balance of that credit card to another Balance Transfer Credit Card but I decided that instead we would meet with a mortgage broker and see what we could do about having the credit card debt consolidated with our mortgage.

So I will share the details of that meeting with you in my next post. Thanks for reading for now.

Take care

Korrine

“A budget is just a method of worrying before you spend money, as well as afterward.”

“A budget is just a method of worrying before you spend money, as well as afterward.” I think this probably describes pretty much the way I have viewed budgets in the past. My prefered method was to just pretend that I knew exactly where all of our money was being spent and that we weren’t splurging on things so we should be fine!

Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees!

No money doesn’t grow on trees; gosh wouldn’t that just be wonderful!! But money does grow with knowledge and understanding of how to manage it. Managing money is something that I have never really been great at. I always lived by the motto that money can never buy you happiness, and it can’t! But I have come to a point where I understand and realise that it can allow my family to be debt free, financially secure and a hell of a lot less stressed!!

The thing is though that you have to then have an understanding  of how to manage it, you have to know where your money is coming from, where it’s going, what your costs are and how you deal with it in challenging times, otherwise you might as well waste your time trying to grow the world’s first money tree! The first thing I have always done when things were going bad with money was to stick my head in the sand and just pretend like it just wasn’t there anymore. I would tell myself that I was no good at maths, therefore no good with managing money. I would tell myself not to worry something would turn up that would solve our problem or to look at letting someone else managing my money for me. Problem being is if you don’t have a good relationship with money then it will always be a problem for you, you’ll never like “money” (even though we want it) and basically you’ll never have it.

Now let me make something very clear before we go on. I am certainly no money expert; in fact my debt is significant. My husband will love me for sharing our personal financial status but the thing is that not only do I want to encourage others in the same situation as me to really look at their debt and find solutions, but I also really need a way of keeping myself on tracking and trying to do this and I guess there is no better motivation than to know everyone is watching lol.

So here is it, our current credit card debt is $21, 885.21 at an interest rate of 19.99% and I owe a wonderful family member who has helped us out $5,000. So in total we owe $26, 885.21. Sound good, ah no! So how do I change it? Well this is what this is all about, learning how to change this, learning how to take control!

So the first thing I have done is to work out how I got this debt. For us a lot of this debt is due to the Autism early intervention costs for our two boys. $10,000 of it is from purchasing a replacement car on our credit card (details here) and the rest? Well I would have to honestly say it is a mixture of bills, not being careful with our money and not having a budget. The crazy thing is that we do not live beyond our means in the sense that we go on shopping sprees, buy lots of clothes, go on holidays, go out for dinner, pamper days etc, we do none of that. A portion of this debt is just from everyday living, groceries, bills and essentials but it all adds up and if you don’t know where you are spending then you don’t know where you can save.

So find out where your money is going. Sit down and think about where you are spending money but the most efficient way to do this is to know for sure where your money is going. So you can do this in one of two ways:

1. Keep a note book of everything you spend over a three month period or if you are desperate to get going quickly do it for at least a month
2. If you are like me and tend to keep all of your receipts for everything then get them out and either create an excel spread sheet or a create columns in a note book with a range of expense headings. One way to work out what headings to have is to look at what budget planner you might want to use, it will then make it easier to work out your budget once you know what you are spending in each of these areas.

Where do you get a good budget planner from?

There are lots around on the internet so it really does depend on how you prefer to set things out. A great website is Understanding Money ( http://www.understandingmoney.gov.au/). I am currently using their budget planner which you can download as an excel spread sheet. There is also Money at Ninemsn ( http://money.ninemsn.com.au/) which also has a great range of money tools and there are heaps of others around if you do a quick search on the net. Find one that you like and start dividing up your cost headings to your budget plan.

TIPS: 

1. For your utility bills its best to look at what their totals have been over a 12 month period so that you can budget for an average cost.
2. Make sure you know what your car insurance, home insurance, private health insurance, car registration etc cost you as you and you will need to facture all of these into your budget even though you pay them just once a year in most cases. Include any other annual bills or memberships you may have.
3. Know what your credit card balance is; look at what you are paying in interest each month and any other costs that you may be hit with to do with your credit card.

It is scary looking at what your expenses really are or what fees your being hit with, especially if you’re like me and you can see areas where money is literally being wasted, like with the interest on my credit card but you know what, unless you know it is there and you know what it is, you can’t do anything about it so it will never change. Don’t see this as a depressing or negative activity see it as one that can change your life, one that can empower you and can help to take you one step closer to your dreams!!

 

One Foot In Front of the Other

“Taking one foot and putting it in front of the other, that is the only way to travel forward…If however you take steps forward whilst looking backward; well -then you will fall over because you end up tripping over something you would easily have seen if looking where you were going in the first place. So, when looking back just stay still for a moment, allow yourself to reflect, but then you must at some point turn around and just keep moving – or you will stagnant on the spot which means going nowhere at all.” Jacquelene Close Moore

Wow what a couple of months it has been! From 2 little boys with chicken pox to me ending up with Glandular Fever, hubby working long hours and things just going crazy. The most amazing thing I always find occurs from situations like these……  little lessons for life that I am reminded of.

Being unwell and for a few weeks there not being able to get up and move around gave me time to think and revaluate things. I think one of the reasons I got so sick is because my body decided “you know what, you need so slow down….. not going to do it??….. fine how about this then!” Like a lot of women I know, there are so many things that I want from life. Quality time with my boys and my husband, the perfect organised how, a successful business/career/contribution made, to feel finacially secure, have great friendships, to look thin, fit and terrfic, family holidays and ability to be super woman Can you relate?

In my life it I add to the list above parenting two gorgeous little boys with Autism and co-ordinating/undertaking their therapies, being a part of the Autism Advisory and Support Service and running my own business. I always believed that my purpose in life, my career would be being a wife and a mother, full stop! If ayone had told me that I would be doing everything that I am then I would have told them they were completely insane….. and yet here I am!

So is it insane to be doing all of these things? Yes. Can it be all done and done well without running myself into the ground? I believe so and I am on a mission to be successful in all areas of my life that I am so passionate about. Stick around and see.  I’ll share the changes I’m about to make… what I do and how I do it.

Perhaps Dreams Are Made of Lots of Hard Work!

We are slowly getting there, both boys came down with Chicken Pox! My youngest Jesse hadn’t actually had his injections yet for Chicken Pox but Bailey had. Funny enough, Bay was actually much sicker than Jesse, with a few days back and forth from the hospital with high fevers. But they are back to keeping me on my toes and being cheeky so I am gathering they are feeling better.

Anyway I thought I would share this with you, it helps me sometimes to refocus on my dreams and goals. Its by Sergio Bambaren:

Perhaps dreams are made of lots of hard work

Perhaps dreams are made of lots of hard work

Perhaps if we try to cut corners we lose track of

the reason we started dreaming

And at the end we find that

the dream no longer belongs to us

Perhaps if we just follow the

wisdom from our heart, the time

will make sure we meet our destiny

Remember:

When you are just about to give up

When you fell that life has been

too hard on you

Remember who you are

Remember your dream!

Teacher: “You don’t have chicken pox do you?” Child: “No, I have itchy pox.”

I hope to be back to blogging really soon, unfortunately I have one very spotty little man who has come down with the chicken pox and the other is pending I think as he has a fever and isn’t very happy. But I am getting lots of cuddles :0)

Was trying to look for some funny quotes about Chicken Pox but I guess they aren’t a laughing matter as it was really hard to find any. I did find this which was out of Friends when Phoebe had the Chicken Pox:

Phoebe: You have to stay back, ’cause, I have the pox.
Ryan: Chicken or small?
Phoebe: Chicken. Which is so ironic, considering that I’m a vegetarian.

Shanghainese Dumpling – Happy 1st Father’s Day

One of our fantastic customers decided to blog about the personalised photo gifts that she ordered from me for her husband’s 1st Father’s Day. Her blog is really interesting and she has a competition currently running till the 10th of October so make sure you check it out!!        Happy 1st Father’s Day http://www.shanghainesedumpling.com/?p=3107

If you too have a blog and order a personalised photo keepsake or gift from Forever Impressed, make sure you let us know about it so we can share the pictures and your blog :0)

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“Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can – there will always come a time when you will be grateful you did – Sarah Caldwell

I had a wonderful opportunity in March this year to go through such an amazing learning experience with Bizness Babes (http://www.biznessbabes.com.au).  A dynamic program that provides free business training to mothers who want to start their own business or already have their own business. Some friends of mine had graduated from the program and just couldn’t rave enough about it.

When I started my business I can honestly say I didn’t really do much research about running a business, I just started and thought I would work it out as I went. After all I had been a Preschool Director and had run the office so I thought I knew something about business. But I realised its very different when you run your own, starting from scratch and juggle a family too.

I wish I had known about Bizness Babes when I was starting out, what an incredible difference I think it would have made. The program includes expert advice and guidance on business planning, finance, design, marketing, product launches, time management and just as importantly provides you with encouragement, support and an incredibly positive environment.

You are guided through the program by an amazing team of women who have such a wealth of information. They have a beautiful balance of approachability but also of reality which I think is needed in the world of business. And the mothers you have the opportunity to meet are just awe-inspiring. Their achievements, attitudes and shared experiences make them a group of women who I feel very honoured to be able to say “I know them”.

If you are a mum who wants to start your own business or even if you are already in business, I highly recommend you find out about business babes. The program is run in Sydney, the Sunshine Coast, Melbourne in Mulgrave and Werribee. The program is run in a way that it’s very achievable to attend (if I was able to make it anyone can!). Child care is provided and the hours the program is run in still allows for drop off and pickups if you have school aged children. All you need to bring is your passion, enthusiasm and commitment and you are on a wonderful path of learning. See the website for more details, I promise you it will be an experience of a lifetime.

During the graduation ceremony on June 1^st this year I was lucky enough to be surprised by the Domestic Blitz crew and was whisked away for some time out with my family while Domestic Blitz made over our home. The episode airs this Sunday 6^th of September 2009, 6:30pm Channel 9. It was an experience of a lifetime and the whole cast and crew were just amazing. Truly a very caring, and genuine group of people who have a passion for what they do.

I feel so incredibly privileged to have been able to experience such an amazing gift and really without the nomination from my mum and having the greatest pleasure of being involved in the Autism Advisory and Support Service I would have never had received this wonderful gift. Grace (president of AASS) Fiona, Tracey and Bassema, you are amazing women who inspire me every day. Thank you so much for everything you all do in working with families who lives are impacted by Autism. I feel very honoured to be one of you.

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Bedroom Makeover

Lounge Room Makeover

Lounge Room Makeover

Lounge Room Makeover

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet, only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired and success achieved” – Helen Keller

Trial is something I have definitely experienced, life has been a bit of a roller coaster since the day I entered the world. The ride has changed a little over the years but the ups and downs have been fairly consistent. But as quoted from Helen Keller “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet, only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired and success achieved”.

The challenges have shaped my character, strengthened my soul, allowed me to be inspired and be determined to achieve success. My past serves me well today, I am able to be faced with a challenge and know that there is always a way through even if it doesn’t seem so at the time. I think in some ways I am lucky because its made me feel that nothing is ever really impossible. Just well as everyday life is still a little on the challenging side today.

I am a wife and a mother of two beautiful boys who are 2 and 3, which can be a challenge all on its own, but Bailey has Autism, severe language delay, ADHD and mild dyspraxia. Jesse has Autism, a severe language delay and complications chewing foods. Both boys only sleep 4-5 hours a night (on a good night). Both of my boys are just gorgeous and have been the best teachers I have ever had in my life.

I am a business owner. I started my own business Forever Impressed (http://www.foreverimpressed.com.au) in July 2007 with a desire to work for myself, be able to be there for my boys and to be passionate about the work I choose to do. My long term goal for Forever Impressed is to be able to employ parents of children with special needs.

And lastly I am one of 5  mum’s who makes up the Autism Advisory and Support Service (http://www.aass.org.au), a not-for-profit charity that helps to support, advocate, education and empower children, teenagers and adults with Autism and their families. This year we reached the amazing goal of opening the first community Autism house in Liverpool, NSW.

For me, these 3 areas of my life are really entwined and really I don’t think I would have it any other way. Each have given me skills and knowledge that  supports the other areas of my life and I’m so passionate about what I do as a mother, business owner and community member that I am determined to be successful in all three. I have a dream and a vision for my life that I know I may not achieve overnight but I know with perseverance, hard work and passion I will get there.

This year has been amazing, full of opportunities, new beginnings and rewards that I never ever dreamed of. I had the privilege of being accepted into  Bizness Babes (http://www.biznessbabes.com.au) course (sponsored by The Wise Foundation and supported by The Body Shop) in March this year, which I will share more information about in my next blog. And in June this year  I was given the amazing gift of a backyard make over by Domestic Blitz (http://www.ninemsn.com.au/domesticblitz),  due to air the 6th of September 2009 (will also share more about this in the next blog).

Both of these experiences taught me something new: dream and it can come true, live the best way you can, treat people well and try to make a difference where you can even if its in the smallest way. Every experience is a learning experience and really it just comes down to how we choose to deal with what each day puts towards us. Some of things that will happen to us in life we will have control over and some of the things we won’t, there is only one thing we can always control….. and that is how we face our challenges and how we come through them.

I hope to share with you my journey, to give you an insight into my dreams and my reality but more than anything to hopefully help to inspire you a little to follow your dreams. All of us face challenges, they are just different to each other but the one thing we all have in common is the desire to have a  happy soul.