We have a sneaky frozen Coke and an ice cream cone from McDonalds (because that’s where you meet the driving school car!) $6 and home to cook dinner of homemade pizzas and Greek salad.
Daily total: $115.
Wednesday – Day Four
No walk this morning, I just drop daughter at school and head around to see my parents.
One of the other perks of living in the country if that everyone has a cup of tea on hand (Free! Thanks Mum!) and head to the chemist, supermarket and post office for the things I forgot last time.
My mum has asked me to pick up a night time pillow she’s ordered from the Post Office for $30 – total gimmick but good marketing because I need one now too.
Head to the market for fresh veggies and fruit ($35), bakery for bread ($10), and the butchers for steak for dinner – Scotch fillet – only the best will do and in the country, we do it well ($60).
Steak, potatoes and salad for dinner. My eldest son picking up daughter from homework club – so I don’t have to head back to town again today – YAY! Rural living means a lot of driving.
Daily total: $135. I got the pillow too…
Thursday – Day Five
I’m in the office by 7.30am then have a walk and by 11am. I need a smoothie from a nearby adorable caravan café ($12).
Head out to the local golfer’s resort to chat to business bestie Jules, the owner, about my Women in Business Retreat and Women in Business Monthly Mastermind. Planning this stuff takes time and I love it – but COVID really put a dint in some plans. I shout Jules lunch as a bribe for getting my dates right! ($42).
I head back to town in time for school pick up – head to Yarrawonga to pick out a summer dress for hubby’s 50th on the weekend. Quick marketing strategy call with a client to finish the day.
Dinner is family Scraps night – it’s whatever you can find – usually cheese toasties, leftovers and anything from a packet.
Daily total: $57.
Friday – Day Six
Usual morning routine of office, walk, breakfast at my favourite cafe ($17), green tea with clients for a quick catch up meeting ($4.50) and then to the supermarket for the weekend shop ($110). Does anyone want three teenagers?
Back in the office, accountability call with client and then Friday virtual lunches with clients.
The kitchen guys arrives to plan out our new kitchen (no idea how much that’s going to cost!), followed by more meetings.
Wine on the verandah with amazing cheese and listen to a Mamamia Podcast – most likely my fave Mamamia Out Loud.
Bath, bed. Big day tomorrow!
Daily total: $131.50.
Saturday – Day Seven
I drop my daughter at work for Saturday morning, then head to a lingerie store to buy new bras ($50). I then head out to the golf course to pick up my husband’s new golf sticks ($2,500) for his 50th tonight and then go to pick up balloons for the party.
House cleaning and Grey’s Anatomy (I got hooked in at the start of the pandemic. I’m up to season five. Do not tell me what happens) whilst I fold the washing all afternoon!
Out for dinner with 10 of our best friends to celebrate my husband’s 50th. We shout, it’s his birthday after all. ($350.)
Daily total: $2,900 (but you only turn 50 once right?!?).
Reflection
Total: $3,813.50 – but take hubby’s present out – that’s not too bad right?!
There’s so much I could cut out and I spent so much money on fuel and time in the car – picking up kids, taking kids to school etc – but I know when number three gets her licence in only a few months, I’ll miss having to drive her around!
Living out on the farm has so many advantages, and yet, some weeks you feel like all you do is travel to town and back. But, for now, I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Jenn Donovan is a rural Australian advocate and Founder of Spend With Us Buy From a Bush Business Marketplace and Co-Founder of Spend With Us Marketplace. She is a podcast host, speaker and the CEO of Small Business Made Simple.
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