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\u2019s how.<\/p>\n
Today: A registered nurse on $45,225 travels around Western Australia while trying to keep her daily steps up.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
This week on Money Diaries, a registered nurse on $45,225 travels around Western Australia while trying to keep her daily steps up.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Refinery29 Australia<\/cite><\/p>\n Editor\u2019s note<\/strong>: This is a follow-up diary. Before reading this diary, we recommend you read this popular Money Diary from last year.<\/em><\/p>\n Occupation:<\/strong> Registered nurse Mortgage: <\/strong>$2000 In mid-March, my husband, H, and I left Brisbane to road-trip around the continent. We volunteered on people\u2019s 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\u2019ve followed the coast to Western Australia.<\/p>\n The biggest thing that\u2019s changed is we\u2019re 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\u2019ll need to look for other work options, which is a bit unnerving in terms of financial security.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve 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\u2019ve realised we don\u2019t need as much stuff, and it\u2019s more of a want than a need. Experiences rather than items or things have more value for us.<\/p>\n 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\u2019t been paid regularly for months. I\u2019m also not sure if I\u2019ll have a job when I get back from our trip. If you\u2019re casual, you\u2019re meant to work once every three months, and we have six months left of the trip as of when I changed status in September.<\/p>\n I\u2019d worked with my employer for 10 years, and I had five months\u2019 leave, three months of which was long service leave. When I inquired about taking extended leave, I was told I couldn\u2019t take leave at half pay or leave without pay. With the state of the health industry, I don\u2019t understand why they don\u2019t want to retain experienced nurses. My boss answered my question of, \u201cwhy should I stay here another ten years?\u201d with \u201cyou should know the reasons\u201d. The union said fighting it probably wouldn\u2019t change anything as they could use the pandemic as an excuse. It\u2019s really disappointing but there will be heaps of jobs for me \u2014 it\u2019s just a matter of finding one that suits me best.<\/p>\n The irony is, my husband\u2019s workplace was super supportive and he has a guarantee that he can come back to his job, although he\u2019s using a lot of leave without pay. He\u2019s not in healthcare and has less leave. Our renter also unexpectedly bought a place and is moving out.<\/p>\n 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\u2019t 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\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n 7.30am:<\/strong> H\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 8.30am:<\/strong> 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\u2019s the first time we\u2019ve done this in five months, so it\u2019s not bad. We have breakfast \u2014 I have muesli with my antidepressants. I\u2019ve been on the medication for five years and I\u2019m 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\u2019d 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.<\/p>\n 9.48am:<\/strong> 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\u2019s Point on a bad dirt road, but the view is worth it. \u2014 $141<\/strong><\/p>\n 11.18am:<\/strong> 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\u2019s no toilet paper and we should be close to the WA border. We\u2019ve been listening to our favourite podcast, Cautionary Tales<\/em>, but swap to The Motley Fool<\/em>: What you\u2019ve done to create financial freedom.<\/em><\/p>\n 12.15pm:<\/strong> We cross the border, and H takes a customary photo of someone\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 12pm WA time (1\u00bd <\/b>hours behind NT):<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n 12.30pm:<\/strong> We walk around a bit, enjoying the stunning lake view and free internet.<\/p>\n 1.30pm:<\/strong> 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\u2019t so hard\u2026<\/p>\n The infinity pool at Lake Argyle Resort.<\/span><\/p>\n 3pm:<\/strong> We head to the infinity pool after lounging in the shade.<\/p>\n 3.40pm:<\/strong> 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\u2019m not even halfway.<\/p>\n 4.20pm:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n 5pm:<\/strong> Back at camp with 10,643 steps. Yay!<\/p>\n 6pm:<\/strong> After a shower (good pressure and temperature, although it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 7.17pm:<\/strong> 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\u2019ve started leaving a \u201cwindow\u201d open to deal with the warmer nights.<\/p>\n Daily total: $141<\/strong><\/p>\n 1.18am:<\/strong> I wake up to the worst thing about camping \u2014 getting up to pee. I make the most of it and enjoy the stars.<\/p>\n 6.20am:<\/strong> I\u2019m awake properly.<\/p>\n 7.47am:<\/strong> I finally get up out of bed, seeing as H already went to get stuff for breakfast. The usual muesli.<\/p>\n 8.03am:<\/strong> The couple behind us accidentally sets off their car alarm, so if you weren\u2019t up, you are now! H says we\u2019ve graduated as our neighbour drives off \u2014 we gave advice instead of acquiring it.<\/p>\n 9am:<\/strong> 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\u2019s hard to tell as a crow is chasing it off.<\/p>\n 10.35am:<\/strong> 9260 steps! We\u2019ve detoured to Jessie\u2019s Trail for a swim in the lake. It\u2019s 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\u2019re fairly shy and shouldn\u2019t 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\u2019t have the jaws to swallow big prey anyhow.<\/p>\n 11.25am:<\/strong> We\u2019ve been joined by others, so I pluck up my courage to swim around the drum buoy in the middle. I hate not seeing what\u2019s under me in the water, so that\u2019s enough exposure therapy.<\/p>\n 11.50am:<\/strong> 10,148 steps! We have sweet potato wraps with canned tuna or chicken and carrot and cheese.<\/p>\n 12.30pm:<\/strong> We call my in-laws. We have a lead on possible renters, so we talk things through.<\/p>\n 1.30pm:<\/strong> We head over to check out the Argyle Homestead Museum, which costs $5 per person. We\u2019re 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. \u2014 $10<\/strong><\/p>\n 2.45pm:<\/strong> 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 3.30pm:<\/strong> H drives to the water tank lookout as he hasn\u2019t made it up here.<\/p>\n 3.45pm:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n 5.20pm:<\/strong> H sets off for a swim while I pull myself out of the air-conditioned reception for a shower.<\/p>\n 5.55pm:<\/strong> I\u2019m sooo hungry. We have mi goreng noodles with carrots and a boiled and fried egg each. The mozzies are really biting even though it\u2019s just getting dark as we pack up.<\/p>\n 6pm:<\/strong> H wants an early night as the wind kept him up late last night.<\/p>\n 7.50 pm:<\/strong> We\u2019ve just been scrolling on our phones seeing as we actually have WiFi. We must be grumpy old people as we\u2019re annoyed at the Frenchman having a conversation on his phone next door.<\/p>\n 9.20pm:<\/strong> Sleep time.<\/p>\n Daily total: $10<\/strong><\/p>\n 5.50am:<\/strong> We gradually wake up from the noises of our fellow campers. It also sounds like a drone is overhead although they\u2019re meant to be banned as they do helicopter flights here.<\/p>\n 6.15am:<\/strong> The toilets consist of a shower ensuite as well, but they\u2019re all full! I impatiently wait.<\/p>\n 7.15am:<\/strong> We get up and start to pack down. Then, I start pancakes, and do my neck exercises for an old injury and 10 squats \u2019cause 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\u2019s just about to go when all systems stop. It starts up again, backfiring in the process though.<\/p>\n 9.20am:<\/strong> On the road again, this time to Kununurra. It felt like a larger pack for some reason \u2014 you can just see out the rearview mirror.<\/p>\n 10.10am:<\/strong> 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\u2019re going to be in the state for 2\u00bd months, so it works out better than $60 per month. \u2014 $120<\/strong><\/p>\n 11.05am:<\/strong> 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\u2019re not buying, allowing us to browse freely. On our trip thus far, the most expensive artwork we\u2019ve come across was $70,000 by a deceased artist. Meanwhile, pink diamonds will only get more valuable as they\u2019re no longer mined.<\/p>\n Pink diamonds are no longer being mined.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Erin Jonasson<\/cite><\/p>\n 12.20pm:<\/strong> I\u2019m 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\u2019s monitored and some others are swimming. I dip my feet and spy several fish.<\/p>\n 1pm:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n 1.53 pm:<\/strong> 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, 1\u00bd kilograms of potatoes, a dozen eggs, bananas, broccoli, apples and a wholegrain loaf of bread. \u2014$157.63<\/strong><\/p>\n 3pm:<\/strong> 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\u2019t be stuffed going back to use coins, so I pay a surcharge with my card ($5.30). My step count is 9023. \u2014 $434.30<\/strong><\/p>\n Hidden Valley in Mirima National Park.<\/span><\/p>\n 3.50pm:<\/strong> 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. \u2014 $4.30<\/strong><\/p>\n
Industry:<\/strong> Healthcare
Age:<\/strong> 30
Location:<\/strong> I\u2019m currently on a year-long road trip around Western Australia and the Northern Territory with my husband, H.
Salary:<\/strong> $45,225
Net worth:<\/strong> $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:<\/strong> $309,000 ($219,000 mortgage and $90,000 cash from a parent).
Paycheck amount (monthly)<\/strong>: My husband and I are no longer getting paid.
Pronouns:<\/strong> She\/her<\/p>\nMonthly expenses<\/h3>\n
Body corporate fees<\/strong>: $50
Fuel:<\/strong> $240
Phone bill: <\/strong>$95 (combined)
Water bill<\/strong>: $100
Life and income insurances<\/strong>: $300
Contents insurance: <\/strong>$83
Netflix: <\/strong>$19
Child sponsorship: <\/strong>$19
Extra superannuation contributions: <\/strong>$130<\/p>\nWhat have you been up to since we last spoke?<\/h3>\n
How have your finances changed in the last year, particularly since you\u2019re now living on the road?<\/h3>\n
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?<\/h3>\n
Do you worry about money now?<\/h3>\n
Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income since your last diary? If yes, please explain.<\/h3>\n
Day 1<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n
Day 2<\/h3>\n
Day 3<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n