Happy new Financial Year everyone! I can hear a collaborative sigh of relief from many and, from others, silent screams only dogs can hear as you realise you will actually have to pay tax this year instead of getting a return. I thought it timely that I share a few strategies that I do throughout the year to help relieve the crisis of having to find money to pay the taxman come next July.

A little while ago I was introduced to a fab new technological product. It’s colourful, intelligent, interactive, educational, mind puzzling and for kids. Everything enticing in one little package. At the time I was completely smitten with it for my little girl. I had visions of her starting school with some super intelligence and pictured me gladly spruiking this to other Mums and telling them they really should get one for their child.

It’s every parents’ nightmare. Your child goes out and never returns. The angst. The anguish. The anxiety. The heartache. The hope. The sleepless nights. This harsh reality is what Bruce and Denise Morcombe went through when their 13-year-old son was abducted and murdered in 2003. For years they relentlessly campaigned through media channels (such as on Australian Story), by foot, via flyers, posters, you name it, for any sign of their beloved son.

I come from the era of the Apple IIC and the 3.5 inch black floppy disk. The computer screen was black and the text was lime green. The screen was maybe 30cm wide and the keyboard had that real hollow clicking sound – the same sound that you hear on Dora the Explorer (some of you will know the one).

It’s not often that we can get away, but I’m excited to say that we’ve just returned from a well-earned 5 day trip away with some relatives at Port Macquarie on the NSW North Coast. Like always I did my research and tried as best as possible to find things to do and places to stay within our budget.

I’m pretty anal when it comes to trying to save money on our electricity bill. Some of the things I do are: Switch unnecessary lights off, use alternative light sources (like the Nintendo DS, candles, Aldi LED booklights, etc). My husband would be happy just cooking and eating in the dark, but I have to draw the line somewhere.

The air was very crisp as the car tyres crunched on the cement and vacant parking spots began to fill up very quickly. The line was probably 30 people long and we stood there eagerly awaiting in anticipation of the bargains in store for us. Some had their husbands with them ready to help (I think mine was washing his hair this morning and couldn’t come!)