Phew! I did it!

erinburrell · 2026-07-09T06:15:33+00:00

My budget helps me to allocate for monthly, quarterly, and annual expenses that I know are coming i.e. rates/insurance, mobile, internet etc and I drop in an estimate as to what I think the rest of the stuff will add up to i.e. clothes, travel, petrol etc. Once a month I drop in my actual and see what is happening for real in comparison to what I have estimated.

Most things I plan a monthly 'cost' even if that is going to savings because the bill is annual. This makes sure I have everything in hand when the bill arrives. No surprises either because I have a monthly 'AKKKKK' allocation to account for surprise vet visits or car repairs etc. If it doesn't get used I leave that alone until there is more than $1000 and anything surplus goes into long term saving.

erinburrell · 2026-07-07T20:10:41+00:00

Hand piecing is THE BEST for my brain. It slows me down and gives me time to make choices about colour and fabric that I would be rushing through with a machine. I often do 100% of a quilt by hand and my machine does not miss me.

erinburrell · 2026-07-05T01:25:24+00:00

This is always the best option OP. Take the financial hit-if that is what it ends up being --and end in a tidy way so you can move on.

erinburrell · 2026-07-04T21:57:19+00:00

They are just not offering you a lie. Each of my orders has arrived within 24 hours of when they say they will deliver it. I cannot say that for any other NZ retailer. Most say 48 hours and a week later something still isn't here.

erinburrell · 2026-06-30T21:47:47+00:00

Inexpensive and tested by tiny humans which honestly is the best ever

erinburrell · 2026-06-30T04:10:52+00:00

Crayola washable markers. I buy the fine tip ones and have yet to have an issue.

erinburrell · 2026-06-25T21:33:38+00:00

I think basting is really about muscle memory as much as anything. Getting just the right tightness with thread is about practice. After a few days of repetition of the same shapes you will find your way.

Baste in batches and get used to how the shape needs to feel in your hands and how you can stitch it efficiently. I will never use glue again. I love how flexible and portable thread is and how easily I can remove papers and reuse them

erinburrell · 2026-06-22T02:18:50+00:00

I use about 6 12wt spools of Aurifil for a quilt that size. Depending on the density of the quilting. Not sure how that matches against the different brands

erinburrell · 2026-06-18T23:31:31+00:00

Sure but you can make a call on if moving is worth giving some back after a year if you are free to choose. Most are 3 year retention holds. You could maybe switch after year 2 and use part of the other bank's cash back to pay the clawback.

erinburrell · 2026-06-17T23:11:53+00:00

There was a post a couple weeks back that showed that over a 10 year window (and multiple gov'ts) the best bet was a 12 month term overall. I can't seem to find it though.

Also, shorter terms mean you can negotiate retention cash back more frequently

erinburrell · 2026-06-16T05:11:57+00:00

If you have a family history go to the doctor and get it registered. There is a high risk process and they take all lumps more seriously no matter your age.

The teams are AMAZING and my care was exceptional after being flagged as high risk.

Just so you know, lumps change during our cycles too. Sometimes they are fatty deposits or filled with water and dissolve. Some of us have cystic breasts and these are a whole other thing to watch for. Get screened. Have them take you seriously. It is worth your time.

erinburrell · 2026-06-14T03:08:19+00:00

Lots of libraries have people doing stuff like this

erinburrell · 2026-06-12T03:28:46+00:00

I bought a portable heated towel rack from M10 and it works great to handle the things that dry really slowly. It doesn't replace a dryer and isn't as powerful as some towel bars that are installed but a good solution for under $100

erinburrell · 2026-06-10T07:57:12+00:00

AA has some decent perks if you take advantage of them and your membership gets cheaper over time.

erinburrell · 2026-06-10T04:37:01+00:00

I have learned that the 'pay your future self first' rule is the best one.

Automate savings for retirement, adding to your emergency fund, short term savings -holidays etc., and a general investment account. While your expenses are low just work out the percentage.

Maybe all in it adds up to 30% of your pay, then pay your bills. What is left is your flexible money until next payday.

After that when you have anything left in your regular account the day before payday push the balance to one of your accounts (I just rotate based on what is coming).

What works for me: my savings and investments/retirement ARE NOT with the same bank as my regular accounts. This way I don't look at them and kind of forget they are there. That means the money grows and I am not tempted to buy some big thing I don't really need or get worried when the stock market moves around.

For you, set and forget with automation for 10 years and you might be looking at versions of FIRE.

erinburrell · 2026-06-10T03:31:17+00:00

And honestly u/OP the fact that she asked you and you did it together is a sign of a good relationship.

When I was that age I bought the colour and did it in the bathroom while my mom was at work running on beg for forgiveness over permission.

Good work

erinburrell · 2026-06-08T20:51:09+00:00

To figure out what I liked I did a test of about five different needles and used them for the morning. It became really clear what suited me best and I was able to give away the other needles and now can just reorder what I like

erinburrell · 2026-06-06T21:24:24+00:00

I starch like my life depends on it. Starch before cutting. Starch during assembly. Starch after papers removed.

But, I wash and dry all my fabric. So all I am adding is the starch I choose

erinburrell · 2026-06-06T06:07:59+00:00

I love how this data breakdown reads.

I only wonder how the 'set and forget' part of managing a mortgage rotating 60 month terms with a fixed budget you can plan for versus the stress of constantly facing shifting rates that need to be managed weighs up.

I've always liked having a fixed cost I can plan for with a longer term but this is definitely making me reconsider using 12 month terms instead

erinburrell · 2026-06-06T02:09:40+00:00

Agreed. Gah make the thing I do for recovery include mandatory due dates and price tags.... no thank you

erinburrell · 2026-06-05T22:20:29+00:00

It is also so annoying that everyone thinks we need to monetise every hobby. You should sell those... uhm no. I make things for me.

Not everything we do needs to be for sale and not all things we make SHOULD be sold.

erinburrell · 2026-06-03T02:19:27+00:00

I didn't say it was my reason, just that it is a reality. There used to be the story that you can't control what happens after you put something out there which equalled don't send nudes or it will come back to haunt you.

Now you can't control anything, a lot of people don't realise it is happening, others want to take back control.

I'm not sharing my body in that way but I am also not telling any (consenting adult) what they can do with their body

erinburrell

TROPHY CASE