MONEY DIARIES 💰 budget check-in, emergency fund, business income + debt free update 💸

[@luxe_ish]

I loved the message at the end about “sometimes just getting by is all you can do” and tbh in this economic environment it is an achievement!

[@smileycitrus]

100%!!

[@vegemitegirl1971]

You're in the same age group as my kids. Daughter 28 and son 25. We're also from SA but not Adelaide. We noticed that school was not teaching kids money life skills so when the kids hit a certain age we got them to do our budgeting for us. Obviously dad and I had the final say/approval. If they wanted anything expensive we'd get them to work it into the budget. They never had a free run with our money (nor access to it) but had to work it out on paper. Daughter was financially shocked to see just how much it took to run a home.

[@amandacarr3929]

My hubby and I are presently working on building up our emergency fund. And paying off debt. We also purchased the spreadsheet you use the snowball has been a true blessing for us it gave us a plan of action and we’re just working towards that.

[@smileycitrus]

that's awesome! thanks for sharing x

[@terryvarney443]

Ella, you have such a relaxed look to you in this video! You look so pretty! The move you made to quit your job and do social media full-time suits you! Loved the content!

[@smileycitrus]

this is so sweet! thank you lovely! i'm feeling super content & at peace right now 🥰 very very grateful

[@neesia99]

Thank you! Since i started watching your videos i have been so much more aware of my spendings (and some bad spending habits) and my relationship with money is sooo much better

[@smileycitrus]

ah this is literally the whole reason I talk about money!! 🥹 i'm so happy for you 🥰

[@sarahstein5919]

Working on saving for a wedding! 2025 bride! And also to start an emergency fund as well as pay off some debt! Lots going on but slowly figuring out what ways work best for our family of 4 😊

[@smileycitrus]

sounds like you have a huge couple of years ahead! best of luck with everything! you've got this 🫶🏼

[@pandabear27100]

love the chatty video! I really like the tip about calculating the emergency fund, so helpful!

[@smileycitrus]

yay! so glad it was helpful 🥰

[@sunnykel7573]

Same!

[@Sarah-mc3hw]

When you said “French Burlesque” I had one AirPod in and some noise in the house and I really thought you said “Shrek Burlesque” ahhhhhh that would be an INTERESTING SHOW LET ME TELL YOU 6:22

[@shannonclarke3621]

I also heard Shrek burlesque and was very intrigued 😂

[@smileycitrus]

no no you heard correctly! it actually WAS Shrek Burlesque 😂 so fun

[@abbybatterson6527]

Thought the same!!

[@Sarah-mc3hw]

Oh my gosh!!!!! 😂😂😂 too funny I hope it was a smashing time 💚

[@EmilyMarieColon]

I'd love to see these consistently. I have loved watching your videos when I can (mom life) since I found your channel. :)

[@smileycitrus]

thank you so much 🥰

[@vgbarros09]

Yes pls do mid month checkins because it really helps to keep us going! My goals for this yr are to do low/intentional spend months, pay off all debt, start an emergency fund (3500 goal) and start contributing to retirement.

[@smileycitrus]

I definitely will! thank you for sharing your goals as well 🫶🏼

[@iAlanahBelle]

You should go back and check the signage in the area and see if it’s been updated around the area - clearly! So frustrating these councils.

[@rachaeloconnell4221]

I would suggest you look at salary sacrifice into superannuation funds. Limit $27,500 each financial year including employer contributions. Only taxed 15% instead of income tax rate

[@smileycitrus]

thanks for the suggestion!

[@tm-qe8is]

This might seem to close to financial advice/ too personal, but honestly I would love to know your thoughts on sharing finances and what led you to do this! I feel like like it’s becoming less popular with younger generations and you’ve honestly influenced me that it can be done in a healthy way!

[@edwardleecaliforniausa]

Hi Ella happy Wednesday night and I hope you having amazing day today and I loved your reset vlogs because you are amazing

[@smileycitrus]

thank you! have a great rest of your week x

[@edwardleecaliforniausa]

@smileycitrus your welcome sending you hugs 🤗 and you enjoy your day today

[@TaylahLouiseBudgets]

Perfect timing!!! I’m here girl ❤

[@smileycitrus]

appreciate you 😘

[@jemmakara]

I just moved to Melbourne after finishing study in Wellington. Had to start my savings from scratch, I’ve been house sitting and living with family while the rental crisis is struggling. Then going on a family holiday to Europe in September is what I’m saving for atm. ❤

[@smileycitrus]

congratulations on such big life moments! hope you have the best time in Europe ❤️ what a fun goal to work towards x

[@sinevamanua]

Love this! You felt like you were chatting a lot but I was here with a pen and paper ✨ INSPIRED ✨ Paying yourself is such a boss move, proud of you! Absolutely love these videos I say keep em coming 🙌🏾 Our current money goals are definitely paying off a few niggly things & saving for my bday 🥳

[@smileycitrus]

ahh thanks gal!! ❤️ do you have anything in particular planned for your bday? x

[@nicolewilliams6023]

loved your financial figures, can i ask, how do you keep track of your expenses like your dress, do you keep receipts or just look at your bank statement? what is your spreadsheet called?

[@karendavies9434]

Haha the uncalled number 😂 that is my response everytime.

[@smileycitrus]

hahaha if it's important they'll leave a message, surely

[@emmawright200]

Notification squad, where u at? Here from KZbin notifications! Already liked the vid EVEN b4 watching as I know I will ❤ it! I haven't watched the video yet, but I do enjoy watching your money diaries.

[@smileycitrus]

thanks lovely 💙💙

[@hoothoot6788]

I love the girl math when talking through the dress purchase and cost per wear 😂 it’s so true though! Investing in pieces that last is something I’ve had to retrain my brain to do as well as I’ve gotten older.

[@smileycitrus]

hahaha literally 😂

[@DonnasWonderland]

Oh wow a warning and a let off this once would’ve been nice 😏 but been there I was once at a job interview I could barely cover my costs I paid for an hour parking because why would it take longer than an hour then they sat me down for an assessment. I was less than 5 minutes late and the ticket guy was watching a ticket in my car £60 fine and because I was panicking about the parking I didn’t pass the assessment and didn’t get the job total waste of my time and money but they never said how long the interview could take and I didn’t want to pay an extra hour when I didn’t have the money 😢 pay on exit is much better. Anyway would love to hear about the net worth side of things and the mid month reset needs to be a thing🎉 you seem much happier in yourself in this video and the holiday glow is beautiful so happy for you ❤

[@smileycitrus]

oh no! it's a learning experience for sure 😅 Thank you lovely! i'm feeling so at peace and content 🥰

[@coachdonna216]

Just purchased your spreadsheet and LOVE IT.. ?? How do I add the emojis behind my categories? I do have a apple computer but any assistance>?

[@smileycitrus]

yay!! try Control + Command + Space 🥰

[@coachdonna216]

@@smileycitrus THANKS

[@allee541]

That fine is a crazy amount!! was the new rules sign posted? seems a bit unfair if they were new rules and especially if the beach was quiet. Wonder what they would have done if you had said no to scanning the microchip? I agree with car loans, sometimes they have a place if you can pay extra towards them without penalties.

[@smileycitrus]

it was but it wasn't clear 😩 super frustrating but also a learning experience!

[@annaboyes9655]

Hey ☺️ I'm stuck with how we work out our retirement, we do have our super too but we've worked out even with additional savings it's not a lot, have you worked yours out? And how do you work out how much you should put towards your ETFs/ retirement? ☺️

[@smileycitrus]

there's some really great online calculators that show you how much you'd end up with if you add extra! otherwise, id suggest speaking with a financial adviser! they'll be able to guide you on what's best xx

[@SarahWilliamson-qy1nz]

HI Ella! Love your videos. Do you keep your emergency funds in your offset account or keep it separate? :)

[@smileycitrus]

Hi! thank you so much! I keep it all in our offset- the more in there the better x

[@daisyclifton5210]

Do you count your bills buffer into this? Like is your bills buffer included in your remaining amount to spend

[@smileycitrus]

the bills are are already "paid" so i'll just auto transfer the amount per month into our bills acct, if that makes sense?

[@lou-annematthews753]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but do your prices include taxes? Here in the US taxes are added at time of checkout and not included in the price that is shown, so we basically have to inflate what we budget to include taxes.

[@smileycitrus]

yes, all our prices include taxes ☺️

[@ihama99]

Thats crazy. Fight the fine if you can

[@ClareBare1996]

Definitely write a letter! He can’t advise you the rules have changed and then still give you a fine!

[@smileycitrus]

I might try that!

[@williamwarren9448]

I agree ! Explain boundaries changed and you had a leash !! Ask for consideration reduce cost glenda … never hurts to ask and honestly should be signage !! Glenda

[@bobbih2022]

Wow, that’s crazy you can get fined for a dog leash issue. I live in Chicago and the city is rabid about parking but they leave the pups alone thankfully.

[@smileycitrus]

so interesting! I think it's because there's so much beach here 😅

[@Billy-jackLever]

My bad issue is gambling and my great time is investments I get a noble worrie about cash as if there's someone watching stay safe dont worry.❤

[@victoriaivy5953]

As a WA girlie - The fact that your rangers actually do fine people for off leash dogs during on leash hours is great, I’m sorry they caught you out as the rules have changed but my dog is so reactive and his first instinct is to get in the other dogs face. There’s not a single beach in WA that I know of that’s policed properly so I can’t risk taking him anywhere and I feel like he is missing out on a huge part of life as his brother is fine at the beach with others 🥺 if we had proper on leash hours I could take him safely and know that he and others would be safe from his sassy self flipping out at new friends

[@smileycitrus]

aw this is a really great point! i'm sorry 🥺

[@victoriaivy5953]

@@smileycitrusyou don’t need to be sorry at all! I would 100% feel the exact same way as you if it was myself in your position too. Kinda weird that he didn’t give you a heads up though but I’m not sure everyone would be as polite and law abiding as you and he may risk being assaulted (one of our local rangers has been assaulted due to a parking infringement 😢)

[@AlyceJ]

I’m a few years older than you and we still don’t necessarily know our next big financial goals 😂 But we just keep doing the best we can and squirrel away what we can, and we’ll see what happens!

[@smileycitrus]

exactly!!

[@EmsFitVenture]

Do you ever see yourself making sinking funds for things like Mabel and clothes? So saving $50-$100 a month so that when you want to buy the $300 dress it’s already available to you. Also, wow, that car seems so expensive but I think you guys made a great choice in car and going with the loan to pay off early.

[@smileycitrus]

sinking funds is something I really want to utilise in 2024! we have it for our quarterly bills and it's the BEST so I really need to set it up for other spontaneous purchases. Haha it is an expensive car! but we also wanted a family car that we can grow with 🥰

[@jessicabudija8367]

is anyone else using the spreadsheet? I am struggling with a few things and hoping to talk with someone who might be able to shed some light. I put money aside monthly for all bills (a lot are only paid yearly or as due). so when I put the figure for the month and don't actually pay a bill how do I track how much I have aside for say car insurance when I go into the new month? or am I better off making them savings rather than bills? I would like to see that monthly total for those specific bills rolling over. :) im sure its something simple but hurts my little head thinking about it

[@iamlupitaaa]

Hey girl, I love ur videos and I just purchase a Budget Template but I didn’t receive an email or a thank you message with a link. But my money is being processed out. Can you help me out please!!l

[@smileycitrus]

Hi! thank you! definitely email coplenty and they'll fix it for you!

[@KattsLife]

❤❤❤

[@britneyobrien5856]

love your content 😍 i know you said you dont want to give financial advice because you arent trained, but would you ever help people write their budgets?

[@smileycitrus]

oooh I like this idea! i've actually been thinking about starting a series where I budget other people's $$!

[@yrbzl]

wishing the absolute worst for that council ranger omg 😳 i would try and fight that if i was you

[@smileycitrus]

hahaha he was doing his job but a heads up would've been nice 🥲 Nick looked into fighting it but there's no point

[@Happine5s]

Gosh yes definitely send a letter in, will take 5 mins and what’s the worst they can do is say no and you still have to pay it but if they realise the unfairness and it gets wiped boom win! Everyone deserves a warning

[@whitneyatkins2354]

I mean they did break the rules and he’s just doing his job….

[@moonmother.]

💕💕💕

[@smileycitrus]

💙💙

[@FIRE_DrNinjaTurtle]

Debt payoff

[@sunnykel7573]

Could you do a video please on how you would budget and set up your finances if you weren't married to a lawyer? I'd imagine your income might be heaps less, so it'd be interesting to see how you would set your finances up if you weren't partnered with a high income earner. Advice for single women in their 20s, that sort of thing. Thank you ❤

[@janicew9]

She had shared several times that up until very recently her income was nearly equivalent to his, so you might just look back at older videos if you're looking for that other perspective. Nick was only admitted last year so they definitely started on the same page :) The idea of budgeting as if you were single is interesting though! I know for myself very few of my expenses would change which is so discouraging lol

[@smileycitrus]

Hi! unfortunately I can't really change any of my own personal budget since this is is our situation and I want to keep it 100% real BUT i'd love to do a series where I budget other people's money in varying circumstances! x

[@sunnykel7573]

@@smileycitrus Thanks!

[@allee541]

That would be interesting but singles can do the same as Ella, I use the same spreadsheet. I a single with 2 kids one who is independent but does live with me. I figure as single income we just can't put as much towards savings etc.

[@maloumasereel966]

Love that you deleted the scam comment! (I think) It’s so nasty that people prey on the most vulnerable 😢🤢

[@smileycitrus]

people are gross 😩

[@vegemitegirl1971]

Unknown phone number. I may have fun answering those calls in Finnish.

[@iAlanahBelle]

Councils are the bloody worst!

[@smileycitrus]

it made me so bitter 🥲

[@kateaustin1357]

Loved this chatty money video!! Thanks for sharing Ella 🫶🏼 My partner and I have finished saving for our Europe holiday this year, and now we’re just focusing on getting a house and building our EF too! ♥️

[@smileycitrus]

thanks so much for watching! & congrats on reaching your $$ goals ❤️