GARETH AND AMY ARE THINKING ABOUT MOVING TO ANOTHER COUNTRY...
We came across this great article today on the web. It shows you what $150,000 buys you around the world.
http://matadorlife.com/what-can-150k-buy-in-real-estate-around-the-world/
For some funny reason Manhattan doesn't feature on the list - now i wonder why that is?!?!?!?!?
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Silver Sneakers
GARETH IS WALKING ON SUNSHINE...
I am the proud owner of some new rather fancy sneakers - probably a little bit too fancy for Gareth!!! I'm more of a battered sneakers kind of guy. I wear them until they stink. Talking of stinking sneakers - this guy just won loads of money for having the smelliest trainers in the world.
But enough about his footwear - let's get back to mine.
"My Gareth those are fancy - they must have cost lots of money!"
Over $200 to be exact(ish)!
"Whattttttt you supposed to be saving!!"
But i didn't pay anything for them.
"Sweet - how did you swing that?"
They are unwanted leftovers from a shoot that Amy was working on.
Thankfully the actor had the same size feet as me. Result.
The only down side of the footwear is the people who are pointing and laughing at them. They are a bit space age as you can see from the picture.
PS I impressed myself with my flexibility taking that picture. I think i strained a muscle.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
WE'RE OFF
AMY SAYS...
To see the Wizard, not really we're off to the East Village. We found a sublet for $1875, which is pretty darn cheap for the city!!
We are so excited but also a little tired of moving around.
Gareth has mapped out my bus route to work everyday already - cute!!
I plan on getting a chain for my bike and cycling to and from work, well, on nice days :)
To see the Wizard, not really we're off to the East Village. We found a sublet for $1875, which is pretty darn cheap for the city!!
We are so excited but also a little tired of moving around.
Gareth has mapped out my bus route to work everyday already - cute!!
I plan on getting a chain for my bike and cycling to and from work, well, on nice days :)
Saturday, March 28, 2009
The Longest Days
GARETH SAYS...
The 'Speed of life' is forever changing!
Some times it flies by at 100mph but right now it feels very slow.
It seems to be taking longer and longer for each payday to come around.
It is a weird feeling wishing your life away.
We both are feeling a little stuck in a rut.
Everything is little out of reach.
The saving is going so slowly.
I want to jump forward to having nice kid and stinky home - on second thoughts flip that, reverse it! A stinky kid and a nice home.
Can someone please hand me the remote control for life so i can skip the boring bits.
The 'Speed of life' is forever changing!
Some times it flies by at 100mph but right now it feels very slow.
It seems to be taking longer and longer for each payday to come around.
It is a weird feeling wishing your life away.
We both are feeling a little stuck in a rut.
Everything is little out of reach.
The saving is going so slowly.
I want to jump forward to having nice kid and stinky home - on second thoughts flip that, reverse it! A stinky kid and a nice home.
Can someone please hand me the remote control for life so i can skip the boring bits.
March Madness
GARETH SAYS...
I have spent $5 on the office basketball sweep stake for March Madness.
Last year I came in last.
I'm hoping i do better this year!
If either of my two teams win i'll make about $50!
UPDATE
Both my teams have now been knocked out - pants.
I have spent $5 on the office basketball sweep stake for March Madness.
Last year I came in last.
I'm hoping i do better this year!
If either of my two teams win i'll make about $50!
UPDATE
Both my teams have now been knocked out - pants.
Friday, March 27, 2009
"Can you smell burning?"
GARETH'S BEEN COOKING...
I've been making the most of the bits and pieces we had ying around in the fridge and made two rather tasty dishes.
BREAKFAST HASH
Dice up and fry the following in a tiny bit of oil for delicious breakfast...
2 onions
3 par boiled potatoes
A chunk of pepperoni
An apple
Stir it until all the bits are crisipy and then stir in the following...
Some cherry tomatoes
A handful of parsley
Serve with ketchup and a fried egg.
POTATO AND PUMPKIN SALAD
Boil up some chunks of potato and pumpkin.
Cool them down and mix it with some mayo, lemon juice, parsley, some fried diced onion, salt and pepper.
Both were very very cheap to make and tasted grrrrreat :)
I've been making the most of the bits and pieces we had ying around in the fridge and made two rather tasty dishes.
BREAKFAST HASH
Dice up and fry the following in a tiny bit of oil for delicious breakfast...
2 onions
3 par boiled potatoes
A chunk of pepperoni
An apple
Stir it until all the bits are crisipy and then stir in the following...
Some cherry tomatoes
A handful of parsley
Serve with ketchup and a fried egg.
POTATO AND PUMPKIN SALAD
Boil up some chunks of potato and pumpkin.
Cool them down and mix it with some mayo, lemon juice, parsley, some fried diced onion, salt and pepper.
Both were very very cheap to make and tasted grrrrreat :)
Thursday, March 26, 2009
DEBT OR DEPOSIT?
GARETH SAYS...
It seems that there has never been a better time to get on the property ladder!
"Home price declines are already approaching those in the Great Depression, when they plunged 30% during the 1930s. With prices already down almost 20%, it's not a stretch to think we might exceed that drop this time around."
For the past two months we have put the money we have saved into a savings account rather than pay off the loans - that's why the totaliser on the right seems stuck at $60k. We are watching and waiting. When we have got the nest egg up a bit we are then going to decided what is the best thing to do...
A) Pay off more of the debt
B) Jump into the house market
! It feels great to have options. It is pretty exciting - especially after doing some sums and working out a mortgage is going to be cheaper than renting!
It seems that there has never been a better time to get on the property ladder!
"Home price declines are already approaching those in the Great Depression, when they plunged 30% during the 1930s. With prices already down almost 20%, it's not a stretch to think we might exceed that drop this time around."
For the past two months we have put the money we have saved into a savings account rather than pay off the loans - that's why the totaliser on the right seems stuck at $60k. We are watching and waiting. When we have got the nest egg up a bit we are then going to decided what is the best thing to do...
A) Pay off more of the debt
B) Jump into the house market
! It feels great to have options. It is pretty exciting - especially after doing some sums and working out a mortgage is going to be cheaper than renting!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Fears and Tears
AMY SAYS...
It seems as though both Gareth and I have been working ourselves to death over the past 6 months.
My company officially launched last July and we are very doing well, but I have taken on the following roles:
Creative Director
New Business Director
Art Director
Designer
Copywriter
Film Editor
Film Director
Head Hunter
Talent Management
Human Resources
Account Manager
Financial Advisor
Secretary
Maid
Mama + Papa
YIKES!!!
So I had a 'mini' breakdown and met with my boss...I told him that I was totally overwhelmed and that if I was going to continue to work 14-20 hours a day I need to be compensated. I was terrified, especially since I am lucky to even HAVE a job, but I was at my breaking point... so I went for it!
ANYWAY I GOT A RAISE AND A BONUS - unfortunately, it's contingent upon a client signing a retainer agreement for 2009... but it could be the answer to out debt problems!! Watch this space!!!
It seems as though both Gareth and I have been working ourselves to death over the past 6 months.
My company officially launched last July and we are very doing well, but I have taken on the following roles:
Creative Director
New Business Director
Art Director
Designer
Copywriter
Film Editor
Film Director
Head Hunter
Talent Management
Human Resources
Account Manager
Financial Advisor
Secretary
Maid
Mama + Papa
YIKES!!!
So I had a 'mini' breakdown and met with my boss...I told him that I was totally overwhelmed and that if I was going to continue to work 14-20 hours a day I need to be compensated. I was terrified, especially since I am lucky to even HAVE a job, but I was at my breaking point... so I went for it!
ANYWAY I GOT A RAISE AND A BONUS - unfortunately, it's contingent upon a client signing a retainer agreement for 2009... but it could be the answer to out debt problems!! Watch this space!!!
Official car of Operation Night Brace
GARETH AD AMY ARE THINKING ABOUT IMPORTING....
"India's Tata Motors will launch its extra-cheap 10 feet (3 metres) long Nano car in Mumbai on Monday, selling for 100,000 rupees or $1,979 (£1,366).
It will enable poorer citizens in developing countries to move to four wheels for the first time.
The four-door five-seater car has a 33bhp, 624cc engine at the rear. It has no airbags, air conditioning, radio, or power steering."
this is how we could roll!
"India's Tata Motors will launch its extra-cheap 10 feet (3 metres) long Nano car in Mumbai on Monday, selling for 100,000 rupees or $1,979 (£1,366).
It will enable poorer citizens in developing countries to move to four wheels for the first time.
The four-door five-seater car has a 33bhp, 624cc engine at the rear. It has no airbags, air conditioning, radio, or power steering."
this is how we could roll!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
"Ever feel like you have been had?"
GARETH SAYS...
So the new flat hunting has picked up quite a bit of speed we have realised that we have been had at our current place. We are currently paying $2000 for a one bed place in Brooklyn. It is small and not very nice. We've just been looking around and found some nice one beds ON MANHATTAN for $1800. They are closer to work and cheaper.
We should have done a bit more research before jumping on the first thing that came along back in January. Ahhhhh a valuable life lesson has been learnt. I think we were so keen to get out of Amy's Mum's we jumped on anything.
So the new flat hunting has picked up quite a bit of speed we have realised that we have been had at our current place. We are currently paying $2000 for a one bed place in Brooklyn. It is small and not very nice. We've just been looking around and found some nice one beds ON MANHATTAN for $1800. They are closer to work and cheaper.
We should have done a bit more research before jumping on the first thing that came along back in January. Ahhhhh a valuable life lesson has been learnt. I think we were so keen to get out of Amy's Mum's we jumped on anything.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Operation Nightmare
GARETH SAYS...
A friend last week asked me how 'Operation Nightmare' was going. She genuinely thought that is what we had called it. I guess on paper it might look that way to most people but for us it has really been 'Operation GettingCloserAndSortingOutSomeImportantThingsThatMeanWeWillHaveALongAndHappyLifeTogether'
A friend last week asked me how 'Operation Nightmare' was going. She genuinely thought that is what we had called it. I guess on paper it might look that way to most people but for us it has really been 'Operation GettingCloserAndSortingOutSomeImportantThingsThatMeanWeWillHaveALongAndHappyLifeTogether'
Sunday, March 22, 2009
£5 a day
GARETH SAYS...
Last night we watched a show on Hulu called AMAZING ADVENTURES OF A NOBODY. The blurb below explains it all..
"Amazing Adventures of a Nobody is a documentary/factual entertainment TV series that follows Leon Logothetis, the presenter, on his travels around the U.K. on just 5 pounds a day. The 5 pounds have to cover food, accommodation and travel; the 5 pounds reflecting the average hourly wage, according to the Department of Trade and Industry in the U.K.. Leon had certain cities he had to pass through and was only ever allowed to stay for 24 hours in each city. The 5 pounds could not roll over and had to be spent, with each morning being presented a new five pound note for each new day. The public could buy him things and he could work for goods, but was never allowed to be given money directly"
Perhaps Amy and I could do a couples version. Now that would be fun!
Last night we watched a show on Hulu called AMAZING ADVENTURES OF A NOBODY. The blurb below explains it all..
"Amazing Adventures of a Nobody is a documentary/factual entertainment TV series that follows Leon Logothetis, the presenter, on his travels around the U.K. on just 5 pounds a day. The 5 pounds have to cover food, accommodation and travel; the 5 pounds reflecting the average hourly wage, according to the Department of Trade and Industry in the U.K.. Leon had certain cities he had to pass through and was only ever allowed to stay for 24 hours in each city. The 5 pounds could not roll over and had to be spent, with each morning being presented a new five pound note for each new day. The public could buy him things and he could work for goods, but was never allowed to be given money directly"
Perhaps Amy and I could do a couples version. Now that would be fun!
Friday, March 20, 2009
15,000
AMY SAYS...
Today was a big day.
Today saw the 15,000th visitor to our blog!!!
Blimey :)
Thank you for following our story.
Today was a big day.
Today saw the 15,000th visitor to our blog!!!
Blimey :)
Thank you for following our story.
What now?
GARETH AND AMY ARE HAVING A BIT OF A THINK...
We will soon have to move out of our sublet - April 15th to be precise!
Hmmmmmm what to do?
We could go and rent somewhere for a year back on Manhattan. Prices are dropping on rentals. No-one is wanting to commit at the moment which means landlords are offering crazy deals like...
3 MONTHS FREE RENT
$2000 CASHBACK WHEN YOU SIGN UP FOR A YEAR
The world is our oyster although i'm not looking forward to moving again. I'm a creature of habit and it takes me a while to dcope with change.
Hopefully we will be viewing some places tomorrow. We'll keep you posted.
We will soon have to move out of our sublet - April 15th to be precise!
Hmmmmmm what to do?
We could go and rent somewhere for a year back on Manhattan. Prices are dropping on rentals. No-one is wanting to commit at the moment which means landlords are offering crazy deals like...
3 MONTHS FREE RENT
$2000 CASHBACK WHEN YOU SIGN UP FOR A YEAR
The world is our oyster although i'm not looking forward to moving again. I'm a creature of habit and it takes me a while to dcope with change.
Hopefully we will be viewing some places tomorrow. We'll keep you posted.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Selling sunglasses
GARETH SAYS...
When my parents were young and i was about 1 foot tall money was pretty tight.
My dad had to supplement his work as a teacher to pay the mortgage. He'd get up early at the weekends and go off and sell sunglasses at various markets. Somedays he ended up making more selling sunglasses than he did working for 5 days as a teacher!
I think the story of selling the sunglasses at the weekend have helped inspire me to do ONB. We are almost a year into it. The loans are now a third of what they used to be. We have built up a little bit of a nest egg in case anything happens to us with the wobbly economy. Time flies when you are spending bugger all.
When my parents were young and i was about 1 foot tall money was pretty tight.
My dad had to supplement his work as a teacher to pay the mortgage. He'd get up early at the weekends and go off and sell sunglasses at various markets. Somedays he ended up making more selling sunglasses than he did working for 5 days as a teacher!
I think the story of selling the sunglasses at the weekend have helped inspire me to do ONB. We are almost a year into it. The loans are now a third of what they used to be. We have built up a little bit of a nest egg in case anything happens to us with the wobbly economy. Time flies when you are spending bugger all.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
"While you're away..."
GARETH SAYS...
I'm now back in New York and it feels great.
I got asked a question by Lisa and Sarah yesterday that made both me and Amy laugh.
"While you're away does Amy keep to the $20 a day?"
They thought that Amy might run out and buy Ben and Jerry's as soon as i walk out the door with my suitcase.
They thought that she might go and get her hair and nails done and then go for Brunch at Jean George.
They thought that she might spend her time lying around in a day spa sipping champagne.
Ha ha ha - if only!!!!
I'm now back in New York and it feels great.
I got asked a question by Lisa and Sarah yesterday that made both me and Amy laugh.
"While you're away does Amy keep to the $20 a day?"
They thought that Amy might run out and buy Ben and Jerry's as soon as i walk out the door with my suitcase.
They thought that she might go and get her hair and nails done and then go for Brunch at Jean George.
They thought that she might spend her time lying around in a day spa sipping champagne.
Ha ha ha - if only!!!!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
A new poem
GARETH WROTE...
THE BALLOON HEADED CHILD
No-one knows how it happened. It just did.
A child was born with a balloon for a head.
No nose, no mouth, no eyes not even an ear
Her face was no more than an inflatable sphere
No hair, no flesh, just bright shiny rubber
A child so odd only her parents could love her
The doctors had gathered at the news of the birth
For as far as they knew this was a medical first
Her head was quite empty, zip, zilch, not a thing
Ear to ear air where her brain should have been
Now your career path is limited with a head filled with air
So her parents sold her off to a travelling fair
Folks came in their hundreds to see the never seen
The child with a balloon where her head should have been
It was the most marvellous thing they all did admit
But looking wasn’t enough they wanted to touch it!
With prods and pokes the folks jabbed at her head
Until
“POP”
went the balloon and girl dropped down dead.
THE BALLOON HEADED CHILD
No-one knows how it happened. It just did.
A child was born with a balloon for a head.
No nose, no mouth, no eyes not even an ear
Her face was no more than an inflatable sphere
No hair, no flesh, just bright shiny rubber
A child so odd only her parents could love her
The doctors had gathered at the news of the birth
For as far as they knew this was a medical first
Her head was quite empty, zip, zilch, not a thing
Ear to ear air where her brain should have been
Now your career path is limited with a head filled with air
So her parents sold her off to a travelling fair
Folks came in their hundreds to see the never seen
The child with a balloon where her head should have been
It was the most marvellous thing they all did admit
But looking wasn’t enough they wanted to touch it!
With prods and pokes the folks jabbed at her head
Until
“POP”
went the balloon and girl dropped down dead.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
A metaphor for life???
GARETH PONDERS…
While waiting for my luggage to arrive I was hypnotises by two cases going round and round on a conveyor belt.
The one in front was all bright and shiny.
The one behind was all old and battered.
Round and round they went.
Never getting closer.
I thought to myself: “Perhaps this is what life is like. Perhaps I’m the battered case. And no matter what happens I’ll never become the nice one. It is always out of reach”
Hmmmmmm deep. Feels like some inspiration for a new Cure song.
Perhaps I’ve been spending too much time on planes.
(FYI I’ll have spent just under 40 hours on planes by the time this trip is over)
While waiting for my luggage to arrive I was hypnotises by two cases going round and round on a conveyor belt.
The one in front was all bright and shiny.
The one behind was all old and battered.
Round and round they went.
Never getting closer.
I thought to myself: “Perhaps this is what life is like. Perhaps I’m the battered case. And no matter what happens I’ll never become the nice one. It is always out of reach”
Hmmmmmm deep. Feels like some inspiration for a new Cure song.
Perhaps I’ve been spending too much time on planes.
(FYI I’ll have spent just under 40 hours on planes by the time this trip is over)
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The best bit about business travel
GARETH LOVES…
The fact that work pay for all my food and drink. It saves me a small fortune.
Going out for dinner in NYC is a real treat.
Going out for dinner on a work trip is the norm.
On work trips you don’t have to split a starter.
On wok trips you don’t have to say: “Let’s have dessert at home – it’s cheaper.”
On work trips you can have a second drink.
And on work trips you don’t end up paying with coins and small bills – you just hand over the company credit card.
The fact that work pay for all my food and drink. It saves me a small fortune.
Going out for dinner in NYC is a real treat.
Going out for dinner on a work trip is the norm.
On work trips you don’t have to split a starter.
On wok trips you don’t have to say: “Let’s have dessert at home – it’s cheaper.”
On work trips you can have a second drink.
And on work trips you don’t end up paying with coins and small bills – you just hand over the company credit card.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Three weeks away
GARETH IS MISSING IN ACTION…
I’m in the middle of a three week work trip. It is all a bit bonkers. I have managed to escape the cold of New York and visit some rather hot places like Mexico, Panama and Brazil. All the work I’m doing is in Spanish. The one big problem is that I don’t speak Spanish!!!!! I’m trying to learn but I’m having to get people to interpret for me. It is like watching one of those foreign movies where you have to desperately stop yourself from falling asleep!
Despite the lovely sunshine and warmth it is hard being away from home for so long. I miss Amy. I looked into getting her a flight down to Sao Paulo for a weekend but the cheapest I could find was $900 which is certainly not in our $20 a day allowance. Thank God for Skype. It allows us to talk for hours for free.
I’m in the middle of a three week work trip. It is all a bit bonkers. I have managed to escape the cold of New York and visit some rather hot places like Mexico, Panama and Brazil. All the work I’m doing is in Spanish. The one big problem is that I don’t speak Spanish!!!!! I’m trying to learn but I’m having to get people to interpret for me. It is like watching one of those foreign movies where you have to desperately stop yourself from falling asleep!
Despite the lovely sunshine and warmth it is hard being away from home for so long. I miss Amy. I looked into getting her a flight down to Sao Paulo for a weekend but the cheapest I could find was $900 which is certainly not in our $20 a day allowance. Thank God for Skype. It allows us to talk for hours for free.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Say it with a flush
GARETH SAYS…
Amy has been so busy at work recently that every time I ring her she multitasks by going to the loo while chatting to me.
I only realise at the end of the call.
“I love you Amy.”
“I love you too.”
FLUSH!!!!
“What are you on the loo again?”
“Errrrr yep. I’m just so busy.”
I’m looking forward to the day when things will calm down and Amy will be able to talk to me from other places like…
Enjoying the sunshine outside the office
Relaxing in the lobby
Eating a nice lunch and enjoying a full 60 minute break etc
Amy has been so busy at work recently that every time I ring her she multitasks by going to the loo while chatting to me.
I only realise at the end of the call.
“I love you Amy.”
“I love you too.”
FLUSH!!!!
“What are you on the loo again?”
“Errrrr yep. I’m just so busy.”
I’m looking forward to the day when things will calm down and Amy will be able to talk to me from other places like…
Enjoying the sunshine outside the office
Relaxing in the lobby
Eating a nice lunch and enjoying a full 60 minute break etc
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
BOO
AMY SAYS..
Gareth's and my work schedule have gone ballistic!! Both of us are doing double time..Gareth's traveling the world and I'm working all hours in NY.
So the other day I sent him a 'poem' (if you can call it that ;) because I missed him but didn't what to make him feel too guilty for not being around much...here's what I wrote:
Subject: YOU
YEAH YOU
BOO HOO
I MISS YOU
HOW WILL I MAKE I THROUGH
DIDDY DUMB
DIDDY DOO
YOU
;)
So yesterday I received this from G:
My turn for a poem...
WHILE I'M AWAY
For Amy by Gareth
If I could pull hard enough I'd pull new york and you to me
If I could see far enough I'm make sure you were safe while sleeping
If I had arms long enough I'd hug you every night
If I had legs long enough I'd leap home for a cup of tea
If I could whisper loud enough I'd make sure you heard the words 'I love you' all the time
G x
How unbelievably, ridiculously, retardedly cute is THAT!!
AND COMPLETELY FREE ;)
Gareth's and my work schedule have gone ballistic!! Both of us are doing double time..Gareth's traveling the world and I'm working all hours in NY.
So the other day I sent him a 'poem' (if you can call it that ;) because I missed him but didn't what to make him feel too guilty for not being around much...here's what I wrote:
Subject: YOU
YEAH YOU
BOO HOO
I MISS YOU
HOW WILL I MAKE I THROUGH
DIDDY DUMB
DIDDY DOO
YOU
;)
So yesterday I received this from G:
My turn for a poem...
WHILE I'M AWAY
For Amy by Gareth
If I could pull hard enough I'd pull new york and you to me
If I could see far enough I'm make sure you were safe while sleeping
If I had arms long enough I'd hug you every night
If I had legs long enough I'd leap home for a cup of tea
If I could whisper loud enough I'd make sure you heard the words 'I love you' all the time
G x
How unbelievably, ridiculously, retardedly cute is THAT!!
AND COMPLETELY FREE ;)
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Studio Living
GARETH SAYS…
We are going to have to move out of our sublet on April 15th which leaves us with a bit of a dilemma…
We will still have a chunk of the debt to pay off
We will have no financial safety net and want to be able to buy a house
We saw an ad for a studio flat near where we are currently staying. It is $900 a month which is seriously cheap!!!!!
We are going to look into it and arrange a few appointments to see what you get for $900.. 6 months in a studio would sort out the debt and help us make a start on a deposit for a house. The money is the big pro but there are also lots of cons like lack of space.
We will keep you posted.
We are going to have to move out of our sublet on April 15th which leaves us with a bit of a dilemma…
We will still have a chunk of the debt to pay off
We will have no financial safety net and want to be able to buy a house
We saw an ad for a studio flat near where we are currently staying. It is $900 a month which is seriously cheap!!!!!
We are going to look into it and arrange a few appointments to see what you get for $900.. 6 months in a studio would sort out the debt and help us make a start on a deposit for a house. The money is the big pro but there are also lots of cons like lack of space.
We will keep you posted.
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