JULY BUDGET WITH ME 💰 debt free (!!!) next financial goals + paying off our mortgage early 🏡

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▸ INSTAGRAM: / smileycitrus
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For all business enquiries email at: [e-mail]
Budget Template: coplenty.com/smileycitrus
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★ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ★
✰ How old are you? 27
✰ Where are you from? I'm originally from England but moved to Adelaide, Australia when I was 9 years old. I also spent 2 years living in Toronto when I finished high school which is why the accent is a bit all over the place 😅
✰ When did you get married? April 2022

[@kaseywarren9040]

“No one wants to pay interest, especially on a depreciating asset.” You are such a finance queen, Ella! ❤️

[@smileycitrus]

@@kaseywarren9040 hehe thanks love ❤️

[@sammy.mcdougall]

For streaming services, we find that cycling through them is helpful so we only have 1-2 streaming services at any one time. So binge what you want for a few months on one service and then move to the next one. By the time you cycle back around there are normally new shows available which is nice side effect. Another tip is that we switched electricity plans with the same provider and they had a free Netflix perk. So keep an eye out for those deals too! (We are with AGL)

[@nzmoneykarma]

We paid off our mortgage at 40yo and it was the best thing we've ever done- the freedom we have now is amazing!

[@smileycitrus]

ahh goals 😍

[@isomon5441]

Just a little addition to the mortgage and debt topic, if you have a very low interest rate on your mortgage, it makes a lot of sense not to speed up the payment process because your money will work much more for you in your investments (e.g., 3% mortgage and 8% returns on investments). This is, however, just the pure rational numbers game and if you hate debt from a psychological perspective, it obviously makes sense to pay if off more quickly ☺

[@smileycitrus]

that's very true! unfortunately interest rates are 6.45% right now 🥲

[@StarletOfDavid]

Also the mortgage is a given. The return on investments are merely guesses.

[@thandekamhlantla9746]

I love these videos so much 🎉 Thanks for being so transparent, very motivating! Chasing killing 1 of 3 debts by the end of July. Very motivated! Thank you

[@jemmakara]

Omg that savings trick at the end. Thanks for adding it in. Helps me budget better ❤❤

[@smileycitrus]

you're so welcome! 💗

[@hannahrichardson1563]

This has come at the perfect time!! I've been going down a rabbit hole with all your budgeting vids - feeling so inspired to actually save my money and not over consume!! Thank uuuu

[@smileycitrus]

ahh yay!! you've got this 😍🥰

[@dianalewis8147]

OH MY GOD that mortgage repayment resource is UNREAL. What a reality check that is to see just how much $$$ is being spent on just the interest alone. OUCH!

[@smileycitrus]

@@dianalewis8147 it's SHOCKING 😳 but also such a motivating tool!!

[@allee541]

Been waiting for this one!! The budgets are my favourite. The spreadsheet is amazing!! I am so much more aware of what I am spending now I track everything. Total game changer.

[@smileycitrus]

ahh this makes me so happy to hear! it's crazy what simply tracking your spending can do! it's so enlightening

[@jennifert5120]

Oh my goodness! I never knew how to track when you're pulling out of savings with the Coplenty spreadsheet! Awesome! Thank you.

[@smileycitrus]

you're so welcome!

[@Lulu-oi9ue]

I was in two car accidents both not my fault with my new car. Lesson I learn was that I will never get into debt over a depreciating asset. Pay cash is my mantra. We need to learn to pay cash because cash is king. We need to live way below our means. We've had an unexpected big expense and I can pull it out of my savings. We have big goals so we are sacrificing lifestyle for long term gains.

[@emmawright200]

Notification squad, where u at? Here from KZbin notifications! Already liked the vid EVEN b4 watching as I know I will ❤ it!

[@beverley7189]

Thank you so much for the tip at the end regarding transferring money from savings. I was always stuck on that. Thanks for sharing another motivational video! Have an amazing week! 💖

[@smileycitrus]

You are so welcome! 🤍

[@elysedunn6409]

Love your content Ella! Congrats on almost paying off the car loan 🎉❤.

[@smileycitrus]

thank you so much lovely ❤️❤️

[@amyvdrwell]

Love it Ella! I have been following you for a couple of months now, and only just saw that I never actually subscribed (so here I go now). Just wanted to say, that I love how you think about extra mortgage payments vs. investing, obviously everyone should do what makes them feel comfortable, but I am also planning on paying as much as possible towards my mortgage in the future. Would love to hit a point ASAP where no one could ever kick me out of my house, that feeling of safety is worth so much more to me then a couple thousand of dollars by the time I can retire. Excited to see you kick-off this journey and hope you can reach the goal you set. Keep it up!

[@smileycitrus]

exactly!! couldn't agree more ☺️

[@tracybrito5581]

I’ve been using this same spreadsheet for almost 2 years. Love it.

[@TaylahLouiseBudgets]

Loved this one! It’s officially going to be car loan free season up in here! ❤

[@smileycitrus]

I love this for us x

[@jessdickson1687]

Literally have been raving that the 1st of July was on a monday to everyone, i feel so validated that you said that 😂😂😂😂

[@smileycitrus]

HAHA the ✨synergy✨

[@ellajzm19]

been watching your videos for the past few months. Have started using the co plenty basic 2.0 spreadsheet to budget for July and love it. I used your discount code, which was handy. Your content in general breaking down the stigma around money is the best!!!!!!! Huge new supporter from NZ xx

[@smileycitrus]

thank you so much!! x

[@LifeWithGeorgette]

Congratulations on being close to paying off your car loan! There aren’t many content creators I can watch for a full 30 minutes, but your content is incredibly relatable. I love your approach to budgeting, your open and transparent discussions about money, and your ability to live a slow, peaceful yet adventurous life. Your content truly resonates with me. The energy you radiate is genuine, kind, and comforting. I admire how you maintain a humble lifestyle even as high earners-it's exactly the life I aspire to live. Thank you for consistently sharing your life with us. I discovered you on TikTok almost a year ago and subscribed to your KZbin a few months back. Seeing your journey from videos nearly 10 years ago to now is absolutely amazing! July is your month, Ella! We love those three-week paydays! Keep grinding in your Pilates class! I can’t wait to see you pay off more of your mortgage and continue living your best life. Sending you lots of love! 🩶✨

[@smileycitrus]

ahh you're so kind!! thanks lovely 🥹🤍

[@pandabear27100]

Great reset as always, especially love the chat about putting extra towards your home loan, that website is so useful! I'm in SA and you can set up a monthly direct debit for car rego which makes it easier : )

[@smileycitrus]

ooh thank you!

[@JenanHannaway]

GIRL. I was waiting for you❤

[@smileycitrus]

i'm here 🙋‍♀️

[@SunshineandSand88]

Congrats on the debt payoff!! Excited to see more about your investments, mortgage payoff, and credit card! I'm 30 and I have never had a credit card (severe debt anxiety thanks to family lol) so I'd love to see how you manage finances with a credit card

[@smileycitrus]

thank you!! i'll definitely chat more about our experience with a CC ☺️

[@TheDaynalouise]

Thanks for your great video! I have never had an official budget, but always practice no waste and live beyond our means. Heading into retirement years with no mortgage but feel the need to budget for this new stage, with the cost of living so high atm. Would love a budget for beginners / dummies 😂video

[@lilyturner3330]

just bought your spreadsheet! thank you so much & very excited to start using it!

[@smileycitrus]

yay!! hope you love it 🫶🏼

[@bookmarksandbookshelves3998]

Looking forward to you sharing setting up a budget with new spreadsheet. I bought coplenty but i dont know how to best show money roll-over from previous month when im starting midyear. Thanks!

[@user-mx4wq2rl6x]

I would LOVE to see a little tutorial for the budget spread sheet you use. I just bought it yesterday and it's all I've been doing lol but tips and tricks would be much appreciated. I can't figure out how to use the pie chart to see my different expenses so that would be helpful to show!

[@ruebennomura9143]

Morning from Hawaii good idea on your buy budget on this video

[@DonnasWonderland]

Oh I love the car payment is going so exciting 🎉 congratulations 🥂 and I’m in complete agreement with the mortgage payment, we were lucky to get some inheritance that we have been over paying by 10% a year for the last 5 years (that’s all we are allowed to over pay before incurring over payment charges) and it’s reduced our mortgage interest by. £144k and our term is down by 10years we could have done a couple more but being safe based on the economy we didn’t want to leave us really tight by having to pay high mortgage payment.

[@katemartinau]

Thanks again for sharing what you do Ella! While I don't have a home loan as I am renting, the interest calculator was very interesting.. Come out to the Barossa Valley as a treat for paying off your loan, lots of nice places to go out here xo

[@smileycitrus]

oooh we haven't explored the Barossa much! that's a fab idea 😍

[@patriciadionisio7620]

Can you share your coffee machine settings, coffee beans, and tamper please? Thank you!! 💖

[@TammiLee105]

Love these videos. I look forward to them. I was wondering what the difference in takeout vs eating out? How do you decide the difference?

[@smileycitrus]

thank you 🥰 eating out is like a proper sit down meal whereas takeaway is something that we grab n go (fish & chips, indian, thai)

[@edwardleecaliforniausa]

Hi Ella how are you happy Tuesday night to you and I enjoy your channel and you are amazing supporter

[@freefree1664]

Seeing how much difference it makes to put an extra $2500 a month on the principle of the mortgage is eye opening. For me that's a no brainer to save sooo much in interest. $ in your pocket & not to the banks profit is goals.

[@smileycitrus]

it's actually insane! so motivating to see

[@emilyk8m]

So motivational! Would love to get my electricity bill as low as yours! My last couple have been $475 a quarter for a 3 bed house 🥹🥹

[@bookmarksandbookshelves3998]

Could you please make a video about cashback and shop rewards? I dont really understand them. Im not one to shop much online so might not be for my current lifestyle anyway. Thank you

[@smileycitrus]

Yes I can!

[@emmawright200]

Unrelated to this vlog, but in your last vid/vlog, you were trying to explain what Nick had got for the date night, it’s called Hamma beads, I used to do that when I was a kid.

[@smileycitrus]

ahh thank you!!

[@TheOscar15432]

New subbie. Really enjoyed your video.

[@smileycitrus]

thanks so much!

[@margiedecker8823]

I will keep watching you to your progress new subscribers.

[@samanthadelaney227]

Hi Ella from NY, USA! you mentioned transferring money to your "bill account". How many accounts do you have? do you have an account where your checks go into and then you transfer everything out to your spending/bill/etc accounts? id love to hear how you work this!

[@caitlowen]

I love this! I’m considering doing these videos. Do you have any tips?

[@smileycitrus]

I think just go for it! keep it authentic to you!

[@nicolewilliams6023]

HI Ella love this, its so helpful. can i ask, do you go through your bank statement each month and list the shops you have spent from ie Coffee places, coles, ect? is there a need to keep receipts? what if you find a transaction that is a bit odd, you know how some traders have odd names?

[@smileycitrus]

Hi! I add our spending at the end of everyday/few days so it's fresh in my mind ☺️ that way I can see if we're overspending too before the month is up!

[@kaileyreinhart8761]

I purchased the spreadsheet thanks to you! I’m curious how you handle bills sinking fund vs actual bill amount on your spreadsheet. We deposit a set amount each pay into our bills account that will cover more than enough for our monthly bills. But I’m not sure how to track that on the spreadsheet 😂 any tips would be appreciated!

[@EmsFitVenture]

We do not have offset accounts in the US. What happens to it when you decide to sell your home before the total loan is paid off? Is it just sitting on the side until you reach the amount that would consider it paid off?

[@smileycitrus]

An offset account is basically a savings acct so you can deposit or withdraw whenever you like with no implications. You don't have to put it towards your loan when moving but you could if you wanted to! we keep our emergency fund in there as we're able to access it still whenever we need

[@JasmynTessier]

my favourite time of the month to watch your budget videos and do mine with this motivation! have loved using the coplenty spreadsheet, thanks as always El for sharing this with us ❤

[@smileycitrus]

Yay! Thank you! 🥰🥰

[@emmawright200]

Also unrelated to this vlog, for the past year or so, I have noticed you put your candles and other random things on this stand thingy, it’s the thing that has the marble circular top and wooden stand, I was wondering what that is called.

[@smileycitrus]

it's technically a cake stand- from Target x

[@TheMaribellp]

Which version of the spreadsheet on coplenty do you use?

[@TheMaribellp]

I just rewatched and heard you use yearly version 2-thanks for sharing!

[@isabellestone924]

I feel like this may be a stupid question! But when you have quarterly bills how do you set aside that money as it rolls over each month? Love your videos by the way! Xx

[@smileycitrus]

Hi! not silly at all! we have a seperate bills acct that we transfer into monthly ☺️ then the quarterly bills are direct debited from that acct

[@miagaddis8453]

Hi! I’m just curious for people that use their credit card for most expenses. Do you and your husband not have any credit cards?

[@smileycitrus]

Hi! no we don't use credit cards! although, we did just get one recently but we'll be tracking everything the same and paying it off at the end of the month ☺️

[@sammiec1104]

If you are thinking a family in the future you should put money away for baby expenses, appointments, cot, prams etc we had a baby fund an cannot explain how amazing it was when we actually had our son to have that buffer and not need to touch our emergency fund

[@smileycitrus]

we will when we conceive!

[@thisaussiemumma23]

How do you do annual subscriptions?

[@smileycitrus]

we don't have many tbh! we just add them as once off expenses if it's annual

[@elvira820]

hey just wandering, what platform do you use to do payed surveys? 😅

[@smileycitrus]

I use Octopus and Attapoll- both linked in the description box

[@elvira820]

@@smileycitrus thank you girl!

[@kianabryant9725]

What broker do you use for ETFs?

[@smileycitrus]

we do it with commsec pocket

[@TirsaTalks]

are you guys saving money for child related expenses? like baby stuff or child care? or maternity leave perhaps? very curious on your take on this! congrats on the car loan!

[@smileycitrus]

thank you! we will definitely be in savings mode for those expenses when the time comes ☺️ just given our history I almost don't want to "jinx it" which I know is irrational hahaha

[@TirsaTalks]

@@smileycitrus i couldn't imagine what that's like so do what feels good for your family! either way, your current actions of paying back those debts will help your fam either way!

[@vanessa19957]

What website is the mortgage calculator you are using?

[@smileycitrus]

it's called mortgage monster- I linked it in the description box

[@vanessa19957]

Thankyou😊

[@elizabeththompson1525]

Is Nick on the business account? You always refer to it as my business account!!

[@smileycitrus]

I mean, he has access but it's just my business ☺️

[@elizabeththompson1525]

@@smileycitrus so months you leave all the money in the business Nick pays all the bills?!!!

[@smileycitrus]

I never leave all the money in the business account lol I always make sure there's enough to cover our bills and expenses. We're also a team so nobody is paying for "all the bills." We do it together.

[@azucenavarin4504]

The cavaties comment lol 😅🦷🦷🦷🦷

[@smileycitrus]

bahaha dramatic from me

[@williamwarren9448]

Your have some color back in your cheeks ! And it’s not blush 😂 ! So glad to see this ❤glenda

[@smileycitrus]

haha thank you 💗

[@eldepresso8116]

Thoughts on swapping Amazon sub to annual, saving *approx 1/3 of the cost? (When doing subscription assessment next vid) and yes/no PHI? Your vids 🤌🔥

[@Sandyfeetbudgeting]

Which tracker are you using the yearly or monthly?

[@smileycitrus]

the Yearly 2.0 🥰