On Tuesday BF and I saw the new Harry Potter movie. I have never watched any of the HP movies so it was a first for me. I found the movie to be fairly good but as a newbie there were a few things that went over my head. It went by fast though so I must have enjoyed it.
Bf however was not thrilled saying that all they did was set it up for a really amazing 2nd part which we will also have to see in theater. He felt that he could have watched part one from home on DVD and saved his money for the 2nd part to see in theater.
The good news is that we got a great deal on the tickets. Movies are so expensive in Oz! It would have cost us $18 to see the movie at regular price. Each! Good thing Dolly remembered Tuesday is cheap day, bought the tickets in advance and paid only $11 each. Yeehaw. We saved more than enough to pay for my soda and popcorn. Mmm theater popcorn! :)
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
30 B4 30
So I am still working on my 30 goals. I am half way into picking them out. It's more challenging then I thought. I am making sure to add some fun stuff in there to!
I have gotten quite a few comments on the suggestion of doing this so I'm inviting those who are interested to join me.
I plan to post my goals when I get back on the 11th of December to Sydney. If you would like to participate please post your goals before then as well and I will link your blog to my post that day. Then I will do updates on the 30th of each month with congratulations for all the goals we reach each month towards our final goal of 30.
All you have to do to participate is leave a comment here with a link to your post of 30 B4 30 and I will set up some link love and get the ball rolling once I'm back on the 11th.
I will also be including in my post the date of my 30th birthday so that people know how long I have to complete my goals.
So who's with me??? :)
I have gotten quite a few comments on the suggestion of doing this so I'm inviting those who are interested to join me.
I plan to post my goals when I get back on the 11th of December to Sydney. If you would like to participate please post your goals before then as well and I will link your blog to my post that day. Then I will do updates on the 30th of each month with congratulations for all the goals we reach each month towards our final goal of 30.
All you have to do to participate is leave a comment here with a link to your post of 30 B4 30 and I will set up some link love and get the ball rolling once I'm back on the 11th.
I will also be including in my post the date of my 30th birthday so that people know how long I have to complete my goals.
So who's with me??? :)
I'm Flying On A Jet Plane
Tonight BF and I are headed from Sydney to South Island New Zealand. We are so excited for this next part of our trip. We will be there for 2 weeks. Then we fly to Melbourne for a few days, then back to Sydney for a day or two before heading to Hong Kong. I'm not sure how much internet access I will have over the next little bit so please bare with me.
:) So Excited!!!!
:) So Excited!!!!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Kreutzer Vs Kreutzer
The performance we watched today, Kruetzer vs Kreutzer, at the Sydney Opera House was so fabulous. I'm really glad BF insisted on us seeing a show there. It was in the large concert hall which was absolutely beautiful. I was surprised how entranced I was watching the instruments being played. Totally lost in the music.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Under 30 Discount
Today I went with BF to purchase tickets to see a performance tomorrow at the Sydney Opera house. BF really wanted to see a show in the concert hall before we leave Australia.
While looking online at shows that are happening in our small time frame left we found one that looked really good and gave a discount for people under 30. We got out tickets for only $35 each (plus one $5 processing fee) which was even cheaper than the seniors rate.
Sweet pickles! We just made it under. Bf just turned 29 and I just turned 28. Yay for twentysomethings!
While looking online at shows that are happening in our small time frame left we found one that looked really good and gave a discount for people under 30. We got out tickets for only $35 each (plus one $5 processing fee) which was even cheaper than the seniors rate.
Sweet pickles! We just made it under. Bf just turned 29 and I just turned 28. Yay for twentysomethings!
Super Annuation
During my time in Australia I've been able to admire a lot more than just the scenery. For example the wonderful thing that is the super annuation fund. Think RRSP my Canadian and American friends but... with a big twist.
I have had two jobs in Australia. One picking apples and one doing siphon irrigation work on a chia farm. With my working holiday visa if I work at least 3 months in the harvest industry I qualify for a 2nd year visa. I definitely wanted to do that just in case I decided one year was not enough.
At my first job the supervisor asked us if we had worked before and if we had a super annuation fund already set up. We were clueless as to what this was and said no. On the bottom of each pay stub was a spot for super annuation and a nice little dollar figure next to it. I looked into it and guess what! In Australia employers are required to pay into a retirement account for their employees. A minimum of 9% of their wage. This is ON TOP of what you already make.
Say what? Yes, people its true. Even as backpackers we are paid super annuation on top of wages. This money goes into a our own retirement account that the employer set up.
When we started our second job and they asked for our super annuation details I was ready this time. I gave them the info and marveled at the accruing dollar amount at the bottom of my pay stubs. I thought to myself.. how amazing is this ?!?! I asked my boss about it and they said it was mandatory for them to do and they felt it was a great system to ensure all working individuals a healthy retirement. Wow!
What happens when I leave Australia? Once I leave the country I can claim all that money back and they will send me a cheque or deposit it into my Australian bank account. How sweet is that?
I earned it so I get to keep it. Yahoo!
I did look up the account it's in online once. I noticed the account seems to have a lot of fees but I'm not really worried about it. It feels like a bonus to me to even get the money. If I was staying longer or moving here I would see if I could get this changed but for now I am ok with it.
Pretty impressive if you ask me. It made me think about what other awesome benefits Aussies might be getting....
Any Australians out there like to clarify any of what I've written or add some bragalicious comments?
I have had two jobs in Australia. One picking apples and one doing siphon irrigation work on a chia farm. With my working holiday visa if I work at least 3 months in the harvest industry I qualify for a 2nd year visa. I definitely wanted to do that just in case I decided one year was not enough.
At my first job the supervisor asked us if we had worked before and if we had a super annuation fund already set up. We were clueless as to what this was and said no. On the bottom of each pay stub was a spot for super annuation and a nice little dollar figure next to it. I looked into it and guess what! In Australia employers are required to pay into a retirement account for their employees. A minimum of 9% of their wage. This is ON TOP of what you already make.
Say what? Yes, people its true. Even as backpackers we are paid super annuation on top of wages. This money goes into a our own retirement account that the employer set up.
When we started our second job and they asked for our super annuation details I was ready this time. I gave them the info and marveled at the accruing dollar amount at the bottom of my pay stubs. I thought to myself.. how amazing is this ?!?! I asked my boss about it and they said it was mandatory for them to do and they felt it was a great system to ensure all working individuals a healthy retirement. Wow!
What happens when I leave Australia? Once I leave the country I can claim all that money back and they will send me a cheque or deposit it into my Australian bank account. How sweet is that?
I earned it so I get to keep it. Yahoo!
I did look up the account it's in online once. I noticed the account seems to have a lot of fees but I'm not really worried about it. It feels like a bonus to me to even get the money. If I was staying longer or moving here I would see if I could get this changed but for now I am ok with it.
Pretty impressive if you ask me. It made me think about what other awesome benefits Aussies might be getting....
Any Australians out there like to clarify any of what I've written or add some bragalicious comments?
Tales Of Oz
Am I going to share some stories and pictures of Oz? You betcha! I have a lot of financial observations to share as well. All in due time my friends!
Jazzbit - Sing Sing Sing (Yolanda Be Cool & DCup Radio Mix) [Video]
I'm loving this song so much right now!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Just Ignore My Tally Bars - Hehe
Oops! My tally bars are not very relevant anymore are they? Please bare with me until I am finished traveling and have my money situation a little better figured out. I will have a whole new set of financial goals! For now I don't have exact numbers on anything so I'll just put in some temporary ideas. Thanks!
;0)
;0)
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Thinking of Goals
I remember graduating from highschool so vividly. Standing around laughing about how cool it would be to see eachother at the 10 year reunion. It seemed like so far away back then. I had a lot of visions about where I would be in 10 years but none of them match the reality of where I am today.
This year, 2010, my reunion was celebrated. Sadly I was not there to see everyone. Instead I was here, in Australia, with no regrets. With Facebook its very easy to keep in touch and see what everyone is up to on a daily basis. I realized that those ten years flew by so quickly that it won't be long until the next one.
The next big marker for me will be my 30th birthday. I turned 28 in October. It was a very special birthday. The date was 10.20.2010. Pretty awesome I think. I was far from home but I made the best of it and even bought myself a few small gifts to mark the occasion.
Wow! Turning 30 is going to sneak up on me I just know it. I've decided to make a list of goals to complete before the big day comes. I'm going to call it 30 B4 30.
Any twenty somethings want to join me?
Post to come soon!
This year, 2010, my reunion was celebrated. Sadly I was not there to see everyone. Instead I was here, in Australia, with no regrets. With Facebook its very easy to keep in touch and see what everyone is up to on a daily basis. I realized that those ten years flew by so quickly that it won't be long until the next one.
The next big marker for me will be my 30th birthday. I turned 28 in October. It was a very special birthday. The date was 10.20.2010. Pretty awesome I think. I was far from home but I made the best of it and even bought myself a few small gifts to mark the occasion.
Wow! Turning 30 is going to sneak up on me I just know it. I've decided to make a list of goals to complete before the big day comes. I'm going to call it 30 B4 30.
Any twenty somethings want to join me?
Post to come soon!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Making a Comeback
Hey there kittens!
For anyone wondering where I went, its very simple.... Aussi baby! I left February 4th 2010 for the trip of a lifetime. I am proud to announce that in that time I have made it all the way around this big, beautiful country.
Next destination will be New Zealand for two weeks. Just the south island though. Then back here to Sydney to start the next leg of my year long trip away from home. 7 days in Hong Kong. 45 days in and around Thailand before heading back to Canada. I return the first week of Feb and then leave again at the end of the month for a wedding in Mexico for one week.
Life is good. I could have never made this trip without being debt free and saving as much money as I did before the trip. In short it was well worth the effort.
In the next few months I hope to recreate my blog here. Better header, new goals, and lots of fun posts. I hope you'll rejoin me!
Remember I am still traveling so it may be slow going and sporatic but I am back and really missed my fellow PF bloggers.
Love Dolly
For anyone wondering where I went, its very simple.... Aussi baby! I left February 4th 2010 for the trip of a lifetime. I am proud to announce that in that time I have made it all the way around this big, beautiful country.
Next destination will be New Zealand for two weeks. Just the south island though. Then back here to Sydney to start the next leg of my year long trip away from home. 7 days in Hong Kong. 45 days in and around Thailand before heading back to Canada. I return the first week of Feb and then leave again at the end of the month for a wedding in Mexico for one week.
Life is good. I could have never made this trip without being debt free and saving as much money as I did before the trip. In short it was well worth the effort.
In the next few months I hope to recreate my blog here. Better header, new goals, and lots of fun posts. I hope you'll rejoin me!
Remember I am still traveling so it may be slow going and sporatic but I am back and really missed my fellow PF bloggers.
Love Dolly
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