"It's not about the money,money,money" (89 days to go)

You're right Jessie J! Life's not all about the cha-ching cha-ching or ba-bling ba-bling, you just wanna make the world dance with your catchy pop songs that make you zillions of $$$!
However Miss J, when you're trying to save what you can to live overseas, a big fat money tree can sure come in handy.

Everyone knows saving for that dream trip comes with a price tag and a long list of budgeting sacrifices, and it can be even harder when you have a short time frame to save, you're a working student or you have a few annoying credit cards and loans to pay off.

But fear not fellow adventuring enthusiasts, miracles do happen! That plane ticket and a big bucket of loonies and toonies can be yours. 

You just need a bit of faith, a real close look at your spending habits and make a saving plan pronto!
Yes, yes; budgeting can be as painful as seeing another pointless Instagram of your selfie-absorbed friend, but I can tell you, it will be worth it at the end. @amanda_maguire

Thumbs up for my rad sweater #itwasonsale #ishouldhostplayschool @amanda_maguire

I have been on a spending detox for a while now and I have managed to survive and save a tone of cash, however I have noticed I 've develop a condition I like to call, 'Stingy Tight Ass Syndrome'.

Symptoms include:

• Obsessing about using the absolute last drop of my Moroccan hair oil , the last dollop of the toothpaste and the last smige of lip balm until it's bone dry.
• Forgetting my bank card PIN number, because it's been so long since I last used it.
• My pick up line at the bar is "So what drink are you buying me?"
• Sentencing myself to house arrest, in fear of going outside and spending money.
• Finding anyway I can to get a free feed, including samples at the supermarket to inviting myself over for dinner to my parents, even when they're not home
• My favourite meal to order is 'Soup of the day'
• I scramble for that 5 cent piece I dropped on the ground, when I would normally let it roll away.
• My Facebook status reads "Found a $5 note in an old pair of jeans! BEST DAY EVER!"
• The pantry is overflowing with 2 minute noodles because Coles had an awesome special happening.

"Let see what happens when I eat 2 minute noodles every night for the next 3 months" #selfie#broke #poor # saving
 #mystomachisfucked

"My worst Nightmare "#selfie #expensivetaste #whyyyyy??? #broke #myhairisfucked

"hang in there mate,  just 2 more days till pay day!" #selfie #broke #saving #sad #myteetharefucked

When I first looked at my financial situation, I put my accountant hat on and had my monkey assistant add up the figures. I almost pulled the plug on the whole show. It seemed impossible.
How on earth was I going to come up with thousands of dollars to pay for flights and winter gear, when I already had a hefty credit card to pay off and still afford my everyday essentials?
Then I had one more look (but this time I got into character and pretended I was financial guru Kochie, by wearing a beige swimming cap, my reading glasses and forced my flat mate, Ashley, to put on a blonde wig and lipstick to play Mel. He wasn't too impressed)

(PLEASE NARRATE THE NEXT PARAGRAPH WITH KOCHIES VOICE IN YOUR HEAD)

Its was possible! I looked at EVERYTHING I was spending my money on.
Rent, car insurance, health insurance, phone plans, gym fees, grocery shopping, transport to work and absolutely everything in between I spent my pay on.
First things first, I made paying off that nasty credit card my number 1 priority. No excuses!
Next, I cut out the 'crap' I could live without (magazines, gym, paid parking) and chose cheaper options for things I do really need (phone plan, car insurance, soy lattes). Simple.

At the beginning it was a pain in the backside and a little stressful, but just trust me.
Keep with it, and you will soon start to see a mighty fine figure in your bank account, and not on your credit card statement.

So here's to happy Saturday nights in on couch, with my 2 minute noodles and cheap wine. CHEERS!

Until next time cherubs

Amanda x

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I need to tell you something...(96 days to go)

Confirmation of a job in Vancouver. CHECK
Visa approved. CHECK
Flights. NEARLY
Confessing to my family, friends and co-workers that I'm leaving the country, to have a crack at being Canadian, work in the snow and live in a possible one bedroom flat* with 5 strangers and maybe a pet raccoon**?

Ummmm yeah...I should probably get on to that.

" I'm taking the Raccoon for a walk guys, do you need me to get milk while I'm out?"

It's an exciting and heart racing moment to finally share the BIG news, but also a scary one.
Having to tell the ones you love you're moving to the other side of the world, for nearly as long as it took my Mum to figure out the difference between her Iphone ringing and a Twitter notification update from Kevin Rudd, can make one a little nervous.
So when you do eventually break it to them, your relies and mates are most likely going to have on average 345,960 questions, opinions and reactions.
This is something I've recently experienced with my parents, friends and co-workers over the past few months.
So be prepared to feel like Taylor Swift on an morning TV talk show after her 18th break-up.
All the uncomfortable attention will be put on you, while you answer the same repetitive questions.

Here are some examples plus suggestion answers, if you get stuck...

OMG, When did this happen? When I found out Big Brother was returning for another season.

When are you leaving? Right after you throw me a kick-ass farewell, I'll be expecting a jumping castle.

What are you doing over there? I'll ride a moose, drink maple syrup, talk slower, pretend I can snowboard like a pro and hang out with Carly-Rae Jepsen. .

How long will you be gone? About 6 months. But it could be longer, if I fall in love with a dashing lumberjack man, get married on a mountain, move into his cottage, have triplets and a Scottish Terrie, dress them all in plaid, take a family photo and send it to you on a Christmas card.

 How much do you get paid? Just enough to afford WI-FI, hot water, rent and raisin toast.

Congratulations! Thanks love!

I'm going to miss you! That is just too sweet!

Will you miss me? Like Amanda Bynes misses her sanity

Can I stay with you when I visit? *awkward silence*

"Dressing us all in matching picnic rug plaid was great idea Honey! We definitely won't regret this in the next 20 years..."
 http://www.blogher.com/awkward-family-photos-book

And lastly to conclude the conversation, everyone will finish it off with "...you're going to be cold"

No. Shit.



Yes,  they seem to throw in the fact that the temperature during winter time in Canada, will drop quite significantly and I should be aware of it if wasn't already. Thanks for the tip guys.

It was a real "wow!" feeling, hearing myself out loud giving all the details about the big move.
In that moment reality hits me and this story was no longer a daydream I had been creating in my mind, but the next non-fiction chapter in my life.
WERD!!! That was like some kinda Ernest Hemingway quality shit right there, I'm just as impressed as you are!

Until next time pumpkin nuts!


Amanda x



(*I'm exaggerating) (**I hope it's true)

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Pluggers to Powder First Editon (112 days to go)

So here you are, witnessing me give birth to my first ever blog. It's a big occasion you know? Showing the world what I created. Will it be funny? Will it have lots of friends? Will it embarrass me in front of everyone? All the normal things a new bloggy parent worries about. You see, after one boring Friday night, when there were no more decent episodes of 'Say Yes to the Dress' , the fridge was empty and my room wasn't at hoarder status to consider cleaning it, I thought I would let go of all fears and create an online shrine for myself. 'Why?' you ask, well I have made a huge step in my life and I'm finally realising my dream of living and working in Canada! A fantasy now turned reality thanks to the lovely folk at The Working Holiday Club. www.the-workingholiday-club.com.
So the idea now is to write all about it! I'll give a weekly updates on the lead up before I leave, when I arrive and what comes my way on this mystical magical journey in my own unstable, unpredictable and quite frankly nutter words.


In November this year I will be swapping my pluggers for snow boots and my "oi's" for "eh's", when I begin working as a Rental Tech at Grouse Mountain Resort and become the newest resident of North Vancouver for at least the next 6 months.
A lot of planning, paper chasing and verbal abuse was suffered by my laptop over the past few  months, but it has been and will be worth it!

Grouse Mountain

The purpose of my online monologue is this.

1. To show how a Brisbane summer-loving girl makes it in the big white FREEZING snow!
(For example, I will give tips on how to get out of bed when it's
-2 degrees and not punch anyone in the process.)
2.  To keep my family and friends posted.
3. To inspire others who want to make the same adventure.
4. Because I'm hilarious. If I cant make you laugh through your nose, you obviously just have a very serious sinus infection, that's all I can pin point it down to.

Till next time amigos.

Amanda x

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