14thMarch..LIVING ON A FIXED INCOME

SAVE $$$$ ROBBIN'S WAY

Living on a fixed income in retirement is relatively easy for me as I acquired
sound financial habits while running my own business.Even when I was
married,I remained financially independent.
Now,I own my home and car,so I only have to meet basic expenses.

Here's what I do..

* l keep all my receipts
*I use direct debit for monthly essentials e.g insurances,health fund.
* I write all monthly expenses in a notebook and balance them against
my income.
*I spend anything left over as a reward for being so thrifty or I save for a
  holiday,Christmas presents etc.

PHONE AND IPAD
*I do not have a land line.I use a mobile,buying a $20.00 voucher each month.
*I am on a very economical plan for my ipad.

FOOD AND ALCOHOL
*I don't eat as much,now I'm retired.
*I eat less meat but better quality.I eat more eggs and salmon or tuna.
*I shop locally and don't chase specials all over the place.
*I will have coffee and cake at a cafe instead of a more expensive lunch.
*Champagne with friends is preferable to cheap booze alone.

ENTERTAINMENT
*I don't gamble or smoke.
*I ask for seniors' discount at the movies or theatre.
*I belong to the library for books,cds and dvds.
*I have lovely friends and we visit each other regularly,sharing food and drink.

FITNESS AND HEALTH
*Walking is free
*I download free fitness apps to my ipad and workout at home.
*I don't take any medication,so fewer doctor's visits and no chemist bills.

CAR EXPENSES
* My car is very economical to run.
*My car is cared for by a trusted,local mechanic.

CREDIT CARDS
*My credit card is used for emergencies only.

                   I don't feel that I miss out on anything;I feel very much in control
                    of  my life,rather than having debts hanging over my head.

13th MARCH SUNDAY CHORES

TOO HOT,TOO HOT!

I am up early this Sunday morning to beat the heat of our endless,Indian Summer.
While a load of washing's on,I do a light, yoga session,courtesy of an app.that I
downloaded to my ipad.Gee,I love the techno era,when I can figure it out.
Before the heat takes over,I mow the lawn and trim the edges in my little garden.
By now I am dripping in perspiration;not a good look.

ME TIME.

My home has outside sun blinds,and a ceiling fan in my spacious living room,so
I am comfortable on a hot day.I can also retreat to my shady courtyard,which
always has a cool breeze.I love to read,usually mysteries or psycho-dramas,and
although I could use ebooks,I like the feel of a real book,turning pages to find out
what's next.I never thought that I would describe myself as lazy.But on this hot
Sunday afternoon that's what I am ...lazy.
                          (www.greatlakes.nsw.gov.au/library)

A BLESSING IN DISGUISE

JACK OF ALL TRADES

The other day I got a flat tyre,a fact pointed out to me by many tooting motorists.
And I thought it was my new haircut!Anyway,I limped over a busy intersection,
unloaded my yoga gear,and looked for the spare tyre and tools,none of which I'd
ever seen,let alone used.
Well,along came Jack,who expertly changed the tyre,barely breaking a sweat,
and off I went home.

THE FORSTER HOLIDAY VILLAGE

Today,I thanked Jack for his good deed with a nice bottle of red wine that turned
out to be his favourite.Jack and his wife,Viv, are the managers of the Forster
Holiday Village,which is located in the heart of Forster,close to the waterfront,
shops,cafes,pubs and clubs.A short drive takes you to the main,patrolled,surf
beach.I had the grand tour of one of the spacious,family units and the well- tended
grounds,noting the tennis court,pool and generous sized barbeque area for guests.

JACK AND VIV.

After meeting Jack and Viv,I now know of accomodation in Forster that I can
recommend to any friends and family who want to visit me while holidaying in
Forster/Tuncurry.
That flat tyre was a blessing in disguise.

(www.fosterholidayvillage.com.au)

11thMarch.FRIDAY LUNCH

LADY LUNCHALOT

It was the perfect day for lunch at my favourite seafood cafe overlooking the lazy
waters of Wallis Lake in Foster.
(www.paradisemarina.com.au/waterfront-cafe-foster)
Lightly battered prawns,a glass or two of Margaret River sav blanc and good
friends; a truly lovely few hours.

Thurs,10 March.ROBBIE'S HOBBIES

ART

I love the Creative Arts.If it's a blank page,I write on it,a blank canvas,I put paint on it,
I see an empty stage,I want actors or dancers on it.Recently,I set myself an Art
challenge.After splashing about with acrylics for years,I wanted to learn to paint
with oils.So,I joined a class with Mary at the Great Lakes Art Gallery
(http://.glas.org.au) and,together we explored the basics of oil painting.Ever the
Arty Smarty,I soon tired of my clumsy clouds and wishy- washy water views,and
suggested that I try portraiture.I figured that, after staring at faces for most of my
adult life as a hairstylist,I would know where to put a nose.

PORTRAIT OF A SOLDIER

My art teacher suggested that I find a photograph,have it blown up,sketch it,
then paint it.I thought that if I was going to all this effort,then I would want the
portrait to be good enough to hang in a Gallery exhibition.It was.

THANKS DAD.

I love this photo of my father as a young soldier from Australia (sunlight on gum leaves),
going off to War in the dark jungles of New Guinea.
There had often been tension between Dad and me,his rebellious,free- spirited.
daughter.However as I drew his likeness and painted the fear in his eyes,I came to
understand that, perhaps, my father's darker side came from the awful experiences
of war.

HATS

FASHIONISTA SISTA

Today,I went to Trisha's very stylish home to play dress-ups,trying on these fabulous
hats from her impressive collection.
As Cyndi Lauper sings," Girls Just Wanna Have Fun".

SHOPPING BUDDIES

Trisha is my go-to girl for brousing the boutiques of Foster, the having coffee or
lunch afterwards.As the weather cools,Trisha and I will show you the looks that
we love for Autumn/ Winter on the North Coast.

International Womens Day

MY BRILLIANT CAREER

I trained as a Hairdresser/Beautician in Melbourne and became a salon manager
at age19.Bitten by the travel bug in the early 70s,I joined the Merchant Navy,touring
the Pacific Islands and the Far East as manager of a Beauty Salon on the cruise
liner,Marco Polo.

MY FIRST BUSINESS VENTURE

After moving to Port Maquarie,NSW,I opened my first hairdressing business,which
proved to be very successful.I was 24 years old.Throughout my career,I backed my
own ability and relied on the help of my bank manager,my accountant and my
solicitor for guidance.

SELF- EMPLOYMENT.

I heartily recommend self- employment,as it freed me from the constraints of
gender bias in the workplace for myself and my staff.From time to time, I
I employed both men and women,paying them equally and taking into
consideration the demands of family life,both theirs and mine.

FRINGE BENEFITS

Running a business meant that I was a positive role model to my sons.It sure
helped that I employed very cool trainees.
Now,living my independent lifestyle as a solo retiree is a direct result of being
self employed.
For the record,I liked being married........occasionally!