Parks entry and Twisties: What a nurse on $43,000 spends in a week while travelling in WA
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This article originally appeared in Refinery29 Australia.
Welcome to Money Diaries, where we ask real people how they spend and save their money during a seven-day period, tracking every last dollar. Anyone can write a Money Diary! Want to see yours here? Here’s how.
Today: A registered nurse on $45,225 travels around Western Australia while trying to keep her daily steps up.
This week on Money Diaries, a registered nurse on $45,225 travels around Western Australia while trying to keep her daily steps up.Credit: Refinery29 Australia
Editor’s note: This is a follow-up diary. Before reading this diary, we recommend you read this popular Money Diary from last year.
Occupation: Registered nurse
Industry: Healthcare
Age: 30
Location: I’m currently on a year-long road trip around Western Australia and the Northern Territory with my husband, H.
Salary: $45,225
Net worth: $467,000 (including $121,000 in savings, $15,000 in investing app, $315,000 in combined superannuation, $280,000 in estimated equity, and an overseas fund containing $45,000). Everything is shared, aside from a small allowance of $20 a week for each of us.
Debt: $309,000 ($219,000 mortgage and $90,000 cash from a parent).
Paycheck amount (monthly): My husband and I are no longer getting paid.
Pronouns: She/her
Monthly expenses
Mortgage: $2000
Body corporate fees: $50
Fuel: $240
Phone bill: $95 (combined)
Water bill: $100
Life and income insurances: $300
Contents insurance: $83
Netflix: $19
Child sponsorship: $19
Extra superannuation contributions: $130
What have you been up to since we last spoke?
In mid-March, my husband, H, and I left Brisbane to road-trip around the continent. We volunteered on people’s properties for food and board through the Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) organisation on our way to Melbourne. From there, we flew to the United States for six weeks to visit with some of my family before returning and driving through Coober Pedy and Alice Springs before the weather got too hot. Since then, we’ve followed the coast to Western Australia.
How have your finances changed in the last year, particularly since you’re now living on the road?
The biggest thing that’s changed is we’re not making money. I had five months of leave while my husband had three, so we are not getting paid for the remainder of this trip. I was told I could not take leave without pay or half-pay, so I may or may not be able to return to my job casually. H, on the other hand, has a very supportive workplace and secure role. When we get home, I’ll need to look for other work options, which is a bit unnerving in terms of financial security.
In your last diary, you mentioned that you worry about having enough money to achieve life goals, such as travelling, buying a house and seeing your family overseas. Is this still the case?
I’ve met two of those goals since my last diary (seeing family and travelling), which has been very fulfilling. In terms of buying a house, we’ve realised we don’t need as much stuff, and it’s more of a want than a need. Experiences rather than items or things have more value for us.
Do you worry about money now?
Somewhat, as my employment status is questionable. I was on paid leave until mid-September and I have been in a casual role since, which means I haven’t been paid regularly for months. I’m also not sure if I’ll have a job when I get back from our trip. If you’re casual, you’re meant to work once every three months, and we have six months left of the trip as of when I changed status in September.
I’d worked with my employer for 10 years, and I had five months’ leave, three months of which was long service leave. When I inquired about taking extended leave, I was told I couldn’t take leave at half pay or leave without pay. With the state of the health industry, I don’t understand why they don’t want to retain experienced nurses. My boss answered my question of, “why should I stay here another ten years?” with “you should know the reasons”. The union said fighting it probably wouldn’t change anything as they could use the pandemic as an excuse. It’s really disappointing but there will be heaps of jobs for me — it’s just a matter of finding one that suits me best.
The irony is, my husband’s workplace was super supportive and he has a guarantee that he can come back to his job, although he’s using a lot of leave without pay. He’s not in healthcare and has less leave. Our renter also unexpectedly bought a place and is moving out.
Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income since your last diary? If yes, please explain.
My parents loaned us $60,000 to sit in our offset account and to help with this trip (they also gave us $30,000 earlier). We don’t need the financial help but it makes managing the mortgage and meeting saving/investing goals easier. We intend to pay back $40,000 immediately when we get back home. I just found out I’ll receive a seventh of the proceeds from property my aunt left behind. I already inherited US$10,000 at her passing, and my husband and I received $5000 from his grandfather when we got married.
Day 1
7.30am: H’s alarm goes off, but we lie in bed scrolling on our phones for a while. So much for my prepaid Telstra data just being used for essentials.
8.30am: We finally get up. It was nice to have a lie-in in a real bed and with air-con. We were planning to camp at Timber Creek, but an infestation of fruit bats meant we splurged on accommodation. It’s the first time we’ve done this in five months, so it’s not bad. We have breakfast — I have muesli with my antidepressants. I’ve been on the medication for five years and I’m weaning off them, with the help of my doctor, as this is the least stressful my life is likely to ever be. Plus, if we want kids, I’d have to at least swap antidepressants. I was emotional at the start of the process, and have experienced interrupted sleep and gut issues, which I believe are from coming off them.
9.48am: We finally leave after filling up on petrol ($57). I had cleaned the bird poop off the car and returned the key, while H booked our Ballarat accommodation for on the way home ($84 for two nights on a powered site) as we like to plan in advance, particularly with school holidays. We stop by Policeman’s Point on a bad dirt road, but the view is worth it. — $141
11.18am: We stop to swap drivers. I like to drive first as I tend to fade in the afternoon. I give the drop loo a miss, as there’s no toilet paper and we should be close to the WA border. We’ve been listening to our favourite podcast, Cautionary Tales, but swap to The Motley Fool: What you’ve done to create financial freedom.
12.15pm: We cross the border, and H takes a customary photo of someone’s dumped spinach, tomatoes and half an onion by the toilets. All we needed to get rid of before were some old mango boxes we used to store things. All fruit and most veggies are not allowed, along with honey and plant material. The land is rocky and ranges frame the plains, filled with well-spaced trees and splashes of yellow kapok flowers.
12pm WA time (1½ hours behind NT): Our campsite at Lake Argyle has a sprinkler running on it, so we decide to let it dry while we eat lunch. We have cheese, the last of the ham, salami and bread with mayo.
12.30pm: We walk around a bit, enjoying the stunning lake view and free internet.
1.30pm: We set up the camp. We have got the routine pretty down pat at this point: inner mesh tent, self-inflate mattresses, outer waterproof tent layer, and gazebo with table and chairs. If only the ground wasn’t so hard…
The infinity pool at Lake Argyle Resort.
3pm: We head to the infinity pool after lounging in the shade.
3.40pm: I have a snack of a leftover meat patty and cheese. The time difference has my tummy out of whack. We decide to set off for the two-kilometre Ord River Gorge walk. I need to get my 10,000 steps in for the day, and I’m not even halfway.
4.20pm: The view is majestic. The orange cliffs contrast with the blue water, and the erratic wild green hills are cut by the dark river. H leaves me to go on his run, and I amble to the water tower lookout. On the way, I spot kites nesting in the radio tower.
5pm: Back at camp with 10,643 steps. Yay!
6pm: After a shower (good pressure and temperature, although it’s a bit unnerving that someone tried the door multiple times), I start on dinner. We make omelettes while fending off the bugs attracted to the light.
7.17pm: I can hardly keep my eyes open after cleaning up. It actually takes me a while to fall asleep with the bass in the background, but H and I cuddle and enjoy the stars now that we’ve started leaving a “window” open to deal with the warmer nights.
Daily total: $141
Day 2
1.18am: I wake up to the worst thing about camping — getting up to pee. I make the most of it and enjoy the stars.
6.20am: I’m awake properly.
7.47am: I finally get up out of bed, seeing as H already went to get stuff for breakfast. The usual muesli.
8.03am: The couple behind us accidentally sets off their car alarm, so if you weren’t up, you are now! H says we’ve graduated as our neighbour drives off — we gave advice instead of acquiring it.
9am: We leave for the Bluff Lookout. The warmth of the sun is offset by the breeze coming off the water. The spinifex stings as it brushes against our bare legs. We see some double-barred finches, long-tailed finches and perhaps a sea eagle. It’s hard to tell as a crow is chasing it off.
10.35am: 9260 steps! We’ve detoured to Jessie’s Trail for a swim in the lake. It’s cold at first but refreshing when you finally submerge yourself. We have this part of the lake all to ourselves. There are meant to be freshwater crocodiles, but they’re fairly shy and shouldn’t bother you if you leave them alone. At our last croc feeding, the feeder had to really agitate the water for the freshies to deem it worth coming out for. They don’t have the jaws to swallow big prey anyhow.
11.25am: We’ve been joined by others, so I pluck up my courage to swim around the drum buoy in the middle. I hate not seeing what’s under me in the water, so that’s enough exposure therapy.
11.50am: 10,148 steps! We have sweet potato wraps with canned tuna or chicken and carrot and cheese.
12.30pm: We call my in-laws. We have a lead on possible renters, so we talk things through.
1.30pm: We head over to check out the Argyle Homestead Museum, which costs $5 per person. We’re greeted by the resident bowerbird, Patsy. The whole homestead was moved when they damned the river to form the lake (to provide water for irrigation) as the Durack family developed the area so much. In the late 1800s, they took 2050 cattle from Queensland to the Kimberley, which took over two years, and they lost over half the cattle and some men. — $10
2.45pm: We head out again for Dead Horse Springs and Spillway Creek. The spillway is a bust. Perhaps in a 4WD, you can make the most of the swimming holes associated with the creek system as per the campsite map, but there’s a faded DANGER NO SWIMMING IN SPILLAGE sign. We walk the road to Dead Horse Springs as it is not suitable for a 2WD to pass a body of water before we decide to turn around. A plover is all we see for our effort at this possible birdwatching site.
3.30pm: H drives to the water tank lookout as he hasn’t made it up here.
3.45pm: We walk to the reception shop, and I persuade H that we might as well wait a day before buying anything. Pancakes for breakfast tomorrow cut out the need for milk, and the fruit is not in prime condition.
5.20pm: H sets off for a swim while I pull myself out of the air-conditioned reception for a shower.
5.55pm: I’m sooo hungry. We have mi goreng noodles with carrots and a boiled and fried egg each. The mozzies are really biting even though it’s just getting dark as we pack up.
6pm: H wants an early night as the wind kept him up late last night.
7.50 pm: We’ve just been scrolling on our phones seeing as we actually have WiFi. We must be grumpy old people as we’re annoyed at the Frenchman having a conversation on his phone next door.
9.20pm: Sleep time.
Daily total: $10
Day 3
5.50am: We gradually wake up from the noises of our fellow campers. It also sounds like a drone is overhead although they’re meant to be banned as they do helicopter flights here.
6.15am: The toilets consist of a shower ensuite as well, but they’re all full! I impatiently wait.
7.15am: We get up and start to pack down. Then, I start pancakes, and do my neck exercises for an old injury and 10 squats ’cause it all counts, right? The helicopter pad is right behind us and a crowd gathers to watch the first take-off of the day. We think it’s just about to go when all systems stop. It starts up again, backfiring in the process though.
9.20am: On the road again, this time to Kununurra. It felt like a larger pack for some reason — you can just see out the rearview mirror.
10.10am: We make it to Kununurra, find the info centre, browse and reconvene. We then go to the Parks and Wildlife Office to buy our yearly parks pass for $120. We’re going to be in the state for 2½ months, so it works out better than $60 per month. — $120
11.05am: We decide to stick to town before lunch as walking in the heat is not fun. We pop into Artopia, Artlandish and Kimberley Fine Diamonds. Artopia takes one look at our camping outfits and rightfully assumes we’re not buying, allowing us to browse freely. On our trip thus far, the most expensive artwork we’ve come across was $70,000 by a deceased artist. Meanwhile, pink diamonds will only get more valuable as they’re no longer mined.
Pink diamonds are no longer being mined.Credit: Erin Jonasson
12.20pm: I’m knackered. We pop over to Swim Walk for a lunch of wraps and canned chicken or fish with cheese. There is a possibility of salty crocs in the area, but it’s monitored and some others are swimming. I dip my feet and spy several fish.
1pm: We check out a few galleries. At the Waringarri Art Centre, we spot a bowerbird proudly displaying his purple ruff behind his head and bower of white treasures. Five bowerbirds and two peewees end up playing under the water sprinkler.
1.53 pm: Hello Coles and fruit and veggies! For $157.63, we buy muesli, two litres of UHT milk, a six-pack of small UHT milk, two litres of normal milk, multigrain bread, two kilograms of rice, cheese, cherry tomatoes, strawberry yoghurt, sunscreen, oil, strawberry jam, honey, lamb, some garlic bulbs, mushrooms, two salad kits, two sliced meats, margarine, wraps, chicken schnitzels, 1½ kilograms of potatoes, a dozen eggs, bananas, broccoli, apples and a wholegrain loaf of bread. —$157.63
3pm: We did it! We manage to pay, check into our motel and bring everything in without causing a fight. They upgraded us to a queen from a twin as we had booked in January. We pay $429. After far too many trips to the car, I get the laundry started and can’t be stuffed going back to use coins, so I pay a surcharge with my card ($5.30). My step count is 9023. — $434.30
Hidden Valley in Mirima National Park.
3.50pm: We pay $4.30 for the dryer, but when I go to wash our lunch dishes, I notice a drying line out the back. Oh well, I snag a bag of Twisties from the free food shelf on my way out. — $4.30
4.40pm: The dryer hasn’t done the trick, so we hang stuff out and set off for Mirima National Park. We figure we ought to see the mini-Bungle Bungles before we see the real deal. It’s stunning. Magical at golden hour. The orange rock changes as the sun slides ever downwards contrasting with the black stripes. The layer upon layer of rock towers over the landscape.
6.30pm: After a shower, we head to the kitchen to cook our chicken schnitzels.
7.30pm: I’m starving by the time our food is ready. I gobble down the chicken with cheese and salad and I’m ready for bed.
9pm: Actually stop messing with my phone to sleep.
Daily total: $716.23
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