Today!

I can't think of a title so I'll call it today!
It's a funny feeling not having a job, and wandering where one is going to come from. You can listen to all sorts of advice from different people, but at the end of it it's up to you to make it happen. I'm feeling as though I'm getting to end of my tether with all of it really, and thinking that we should have stayed at home! We would have been a lot better off, but is that what its all about?
We cane here for a lifestyle, and I guess it wasn't just going to land at our feet, we will need to work hard to get it. It just seems a little far away at the moment. The positives are that the children, and Lucy to some extent, are happy. They don't feel the urge to rush back to our comfort zone. I'm the one who is jumpy at the moment, and I wander where the job and money is going to come from.
Mike Smart at Expense reduction got his first client on 26th June, so he is happy. I'm glad for him, but I can't help feeling a little envious that he was allowed to join the club and I wasn't. Still, I hope it goes well for him.
Kiwi Saver isn't working for me, and I don't know why I don't want to do it! Perhaps it's because I can't settle at the moment?
I'm going to Whitireira College to find out about Journalism courses tomorrow, so we'll see where that goes. The Government site says that competition for journalistic roles is high, so should I go into it or not? The course itself is a certificate in Journalism, and is over 20 weeks full time. It will be very interesting, but will it be useful for me getting a job?
I don't know, well at least tomorrow is another day in paradise!

No change

Well I still have no job, and it looks likely that I won't be getting one for sometime. I visited Manpower last week, and she said there was a postion as a cashflow officer for 20 hours, and we would need to move quick to get an interview. That was last Thursday, and I heard from her Friday asking me to get some information, but nothing since. I tried to call her today, and she was in a meeting! Oh well see what happens.
The Bus Driving......well I was invited to a medical on Friday, but I don;t think I want to do it as it is 12 hours out of the house away from all contact with the family. So I thinks that's a no no at the moment.
I called NIWA, Amy Bennett, again today, but got voicemail, co haven't spoken to her about feedback to my application as a marketing assistant.
Then I called Whitireira College about a journalism certificate, but again could only leave a voicemail. It seems no-one is available today, which adds to my frustration!!
Even Access Radio who said they would call back today, haven't done so! Is it me?
Voluntary positions maybe the answer, but until I know if I will be working I can't commit to give them much time! I'm going to have to bite the bullet soon and make a decision as to what I'm going to do i.e. continue to look for work, go to college, or do voluntary work for a while!
I have one lead at the Government HR department, as a choir collegue of Lucy has a daughter who is quite high up in the HR Department there, so fingers crossed that she maybe able to pull some strings.
Today has been anothr morning spent trawling the internet looking for jobs, and courses. It's becoming a routine at the moment, and it's not especially rewarding, although it make the time go past quickly!
I would like to try some kind of writing, but not sure if I have the acumen to do so. Anyway, we'll see what happens shall we? Or shall I make something happen? That means going on a course, and not earning for a while..........not sure if we want to do that. It's so difficult knowing what's best.
You do feel quite alone when you have no job, and no one or no where to go really. I don't want to tramp the streets for no real reason, and am thinking of visiting business and asking them face to face if they have any openings. You also, lose track of what you have applied for and what you haven't.........should I apply for this as I don't have the right experience, or should I apply for that? It's a nightmare!
Anyway, this at least allows me to get my thoughts of my chest and express them in my writing, but I have to admit I want to write about better things than this, and have some kind of structure to my muses!
Well that's about it for today! See you soon.

Skiing soon

Yes, it's the ski season, and I'm happy about that! But I don;t like all the running around, and spending money on buying a new roof rack, because our Toyota one won't fit a Ford Territory! Everything is so expensive; Alistair's boot hire is $96, and waxing the ski's $39 per set! When will it end? Still once up that mountain, I won't be thinking about anything other than the skiing!

Trying to find a job is a pain in the neck. I went to Manpower yesterday and registered, however they want a copy of my passport. The problem is that it is with Immigration NZ getting a residence permit. Why can't they accept that I live here and that I wouldn't be applying for a job if I didn't have a permanent residence status?

I haven't done anything more with Kiwi Saver, I just can't find the enthusiasm. Then there's the possibility of working as a real estate agent, but again that's commission only.

Oh yeah, and I heard that I am moving to the next stage of the Bus Driving assessment next week, when I am to have a medical! I like the idea of driving a bus, but a 12 hour day??? Not sure about that.

I still want to do something with writing, but not sure what. I like the idea of writing a book, but it's going to be difficult writing 50,000 words at least, and keeping up interest. Perhaps I should do a course in creative writing.

Anyway, must put the children to bed.

Fault Line Proposed Plot

Family living in Wellington -Overview of where they live, where they come from etc. Detail everything about each family member and what they like/dislike etc

Enjoying the activities around the City, and surrounding area Rugby, Netball etc etc

Normal day, everyone at work and school, and disaster strikes- first the Earthquake and then the Tsunami. Explain the earth shake at Miramar-aIRPORT.

Follow the family and their fight to find each one of them. Children searching for cats. Have they got enough food, explain what has happened to the water and electricity supply. The transport system is down. Disease spreads, looting and fighting etc

Explain the hardships and fight for survival - how did they survive, did they all survive.

Explain thoughts and feelings of each person. What about relatives in another country etc.

How did they get through, how did they feel once all over. Where did they go

Fault Line

Hey, I've decided to try and write a book. Just had an idea today, and I'm gonna call it' Fault Line'. That's because I though I would write something about Earthquakes in New Zealand. They keep saying at schools, in the hospital, on the radio, in the newspapers and on the telly that the likelihood is very high that Wellington will have a major Earthquake in the next 50 years! Well I thought I would write something which may make people think about that.
Anyway, more about me and the family. Alistair played Rugby on Saturday at Johnsonville, and they lost 40 or 50 something to 5! We went to the Rugby in the evening at the Westpac to see the AB's vs France. Luckily we had our wet weather gear on, and our thermals because it tipped down with rain and was pretty cold. Still, we both enjoyed the game which the AB's won 14-10 (they needed to win by 5 points if they were to win the Gallagher Cup, and Piri Weepo obviously couldn't work this out as he kicked the ball into touch when he could have launched the final attack!).
Lucy and Rowena went to hockey, where the score was an unusual 1 all! It's normally 6 or 7 to 1, and one side is generally a lot better than the other, but not on Saturday! Rowena didn't play netball this week, and her team won 21-6, so they now think that they don;t need Row to play as Goal Attack anymore! What a difference a week makes!
Sunday we went up to the wind farm for a quick walk. It had to be quick cos again it was cold!
Monday I went to Go Wellington to be assessed for a Bus Driving Job. I had to do a literacy and numeracy test (I got 100% correct!), then a driving test! The instructor said that I was a good driver, but should stop at stop signs, and also check my blind spots more often! After waiting for what seemed like ages I had two more interviews with the HR lady, and the recruitment chappie from Auckland. I am still waiting for the outcome, but I guess whatever it is I can say that I enjoyed the experience.
Today was a visit into town, where I went to INZ Wellington to get our 3 month visa changed. However I need to provide more information, which is not what the solicitor advised.....what do you expect after paying extortionate fees for their service! I, also, checked on the Roof Bars fro the Ford Territory, and with Ski and Canoe attachments the bill would be $1,800! I can buy another car for that! I'm going to try Repco tomorrow to see if I can get them cheaper. Then I went to the Ski shop, where it will cost $46 for ski boot hire for the week, $39 to have skis waxed and edged, so all in all it's becoming very expensive!
Lucy and Alistair have now gone to Rongatai College for the open evening, and then onto the Tararua tramping club. Rowena has sneaked downstairs to watch the television!
Well that's do for now.....Toodlepip!

It's Tuesday Evening and The Lions are playing!

No, I don't think I'll stay up and watch them, as it doesn't start till 12.50 am. But I'll be there in spirit!
I had a change of routine today, and went to the cinema first thing to see the 9.50 am showing of 'State of Play'. It has Russel Crowe and Helen Mirren in it, who I wouldn't necessarily rush to see, but I have to say that I enjoyed it! I didn't think it would be one for me, but there you go I was surprised!
This evening was Coastguards, and we learnt about Local Knowledge! It's difficult knowing any of the places they were talking about as we have only just got here, but I guess if I remember one or two then that's better than none!
Tomorrow Rowena is going to school dressed as a super hero - Super Vine??!! It's interesting wandering what goes through young minds, but you have to admire her for this one, as it's come from all her own ideas and thoughts. It's pretty original I would say!
I'm off to speak to Bayleys about becoming an estate agent. Apparently it's commision based, and I would guess it would mean working weekends, but judging by the estate agents we have seen so far, it doesn;t look too difficult! Hopefully they will provide you with the customers, and all you need to do then is onvince them that the house is worth buying? Is that too simplistic an explanation?
Bed Time NOW.

What do I do today?

Well, it's another crisp sunny day here in Wellington, and again I'm wandering what I should do. Perhaps I should go down to the shops in Newtown, and tell them all about KiwiSaver, but will they be interested? I don't know why I'm so reticent to do it!
I've been a distributor for Mike Pero Saver for over a month now, and to be honest I don't really like doing it. You have to find 5 people each day to sign up, or it's not really worth it! That's the bit that is putting me off, because I know that once people have signed up, then that's it I don't see them again or benefit from any increases to their premium!
However if I could find one family a day who wanted this product then the chances are I could sign up 3-5 people each time! That would give me a reasonable salary for NZ standards.
Anyway, I guess it's up to me to go and do it, although I prefer to here writing about all and everything!
I'm going to Volunteer Wellington on Monday, where I can volunteer to do specific functions for various institutions. The interesting ones are writing newsletters, video editing, visiting the prison inmates and such like. Hopefully I'll find something I like doing..........see that's the problem i.e. finding something you like doing! I don't really know!
Well, I've just put the beef stew in the slow cooker, so I'd better get a move and do some things.....gotta go to the library otherwise pay a late fine! Ought to think about going to the gym too, because all the good work I have done is going to waste at the moment!

What do I do today?

KiwiSaver

Kiwi Saver has been going for 2 years, and people still don’t know what it’s all about!
Having arrived back in New Zealand on 26th February 2009, after having left on 26th July 2007, I was surprised to find out that not everyone is signed up to the Governments Kiwi Saver scheme!
Perhaps the Government should be more vocal about the fact that they are giving away cash to put in your retirement fund!
Why wouldn’t everyone under the age of 65 want the $1,000 that the Government wants to give you? There is a $1,000 with your name on it waiting for you to apply, as long as you are not a member already! It’s really very easy.
If you are under 18 or self employed then you don’t even have to contribute. However if you are over 18 then it’s in your interests to do so, because the Government will match your weekly contributions up to $20. What’s $20 these days, three beers on a Friday night, breakfast at a hotel in town, a couple of magazines and a paper, or possibly a taxi home?
Investors may end up with nearly three times what you have put in i.e. that is the $1,000 start up, your $20 a week ($1,040), and the Government matching $20 a week ($1,040), which is a total of $3,080 for a contribution of $1,040. Who knows of a better investment than that!
Under 18, then you will qualify for the start up of $1,000 only, but hey it’s $1,000 better than nothing at all!
As an employed person, and as long as you don’t opt out, you will become a member of kiwi-saver automatically. This is because your employer will ensure that you join. Your contributions will be 2% of your wages, for which your employer will match, also, with 2%. In addition you will receive the start up of $1,000, and the government will match your contributions up to $20. Therefore as an employed person who has not opted out, you may end up with nearly four times the amount you have put in being invested in the first year!
For each year afterwards, up until the age of 65, you will have three times the amount you have invested put into the scheme, because of the matching of the government and the 2% employers contribution. The difference being that you don’t get the $1,000 start up bonus after the first year.
So you see it really can be very beneficial to join Kiwi Saver! As a family we have all joined individually, and as there are four of us we are looking at the Government and employer contributions into our family pot of around $8,000 this year. Not bad as only one of us is employed, and contributes 2% of her wages, and another is self-employed putting in $20 a week!
Even if you are already a member it is worth looking at your Kiwi-Saver provider. If your contributions have been invested in a default provider then by law you they would have invested in a low-risk investment mix, consisting of at least 75% of cash and bonds. Although this investment strategy may suit a number of investors, it may not suit all.
Many employers don’t have preferred providers so your investment will automatically be applied to one of six default providers chosen by the Government. Ask your employer why they don’t have a preferred provider!
It’s a good idea for them to have one, because a number of employees don’t know which provider to use, and may ask an employer for advice. When this happens the employer generally states that it is up to the employee to make the decision. If no decision is made then the Government will allocate the contributions to one of the six providers, on a revolving basis.
The objections from people to saving in Kiwi Saver are really outweighed by the benefits that you can receive. The fact that the Government matches your investment up to $20 a week means that your contributions are doubled every year. Essentially this is a long term scheme which should allow you to have a pension in your old age, therefore there should be enough time to absorb any fluctuations in market conditions.
If you are in your 60’s under the age of 65, then it is still a good idea to join. The reason is because you get the Start up bonus of $1,000, and if you contribute you get the Government matching up to $20 a week. Starting at age 60, and retiring at 65 could give you a fund of around $11,000, whilst only contributing $5,000.
At the end of the day it is up to you. The onus is on you too to look after yourself in retirement, so why don’t you take something back from the Government. After all you have probably paid enough in taxes over the years!
To find out more information from the Government, go to the following independent website:-
http://www.kiwisaver.govt.nz/
Greg Ford is a distributor of Kiwi Savers. He can be contacted on 04-383-7756 or 027-733-3113

Decision to be made

It's a crisp, cold and sunny day here in Wellington today. The day has started the same as all the others, and I am sitting here in front of the computer searching for a job.
I just spoke with Lyndon Mason at Mike Pero, who said I really need to start getting some more applications for KiwiSaver, or we will have to reassess whether it is worth me continuing or not. It's difficult to explain how I feel about that, because I have put myself under a lot of pressure trying to market these things. It would be a relief if I didn't have to think about them anymore! I do feel that it is a great product and that everyone should have one, but it's marketing it which I find problematic. I have so many ideas, but don't have the confidence to follow them through! I have the weekend to think it over.
The other thing to think about is the Journalism Course I may take, which is online over 6 months, and is an introduction to Journalism. I think this might be good, and will at least give me the knowledge I would need if I was to follow that route. The writing idea has been with me for years, I just haven't done anything about it.
It's tough not having a job...........I mean I like the flexibility, but I don't like the idea of not having any money!
I like loving in Wellington, and have no thoughts of going back to the UK, but in the back of my mind I keep thinking that financially we were a lot better off back there, and it's going to be tough to keep going here until we sell the house.
Keeping positive is difficult sometimes, but I am determined not to give in and go home, in fact I really don't want to go back. I would rather people came here to see us, than us go back to the UK.
Confused.com is what I am at the moment.
It's a crisp, cold and sunny day here in Wellington today!

Wairarapa 31 May 2009

We went to the Wairarapa for the Queens birthday but didn't see her! We left on Saturday morning after dropping the kittens off in Kilbernie at the Cattery. The weather was overcast, but ok. We drove up through the Hutt Valley past the Rimutaka Rail Trail, and over the top of the mountain, past the Trig Track. At the bottom of the other side we got to Featherstone, which really is only one main street, and some very ordinary houses built around it. Although the station runs through it, and they appear to have a miniture railway too! It must come to life sometimes!
Martinborough was another 18km, which took about 10-15 minutes to get to. It's another small town, with some old buildings in it, built around a square. It seemsed to me that one saide was the nice side with the posh restaurants and cafes, and the other was the poor side with the pub abd bottle shop.
After checking into our very modest cabin, we went for lunch at a nice little cafe offering panine and hot soup. Very nice! We wandered around te town for all of 5 minutes, as that was all it took, and then went searching for wine tasting. We decided on number 11, which was really very nice. It had an old colonial house from which you could order five small glasses of wine to taste. We did this and had a piece of chocolate cake, which was really really nice! The wine itself was ok, but not wonderful. I've decided I'm not keen on earthy, woody wine, but prefer fruity types of wine. Merlot is still my favourite!
We decided on a trip, then, to Greytown, which is about 20 km away. This is another town, which to be honest, is very similar to the others! However we did get some nice sausages there! It also provided us with a few ideas about our future, as they were selling two cafes for around $100-150000 for each one. We discussed the idea of living out here, and running them, but I fear it will be a non starter, as already we have stopped thinking about doing that.
That evebing was spent in a restaurant, a very expensive restaurant! Lucy had Venison pie, I had fillet steak, Alistair had Lamb Shanks and Row had chicken burger.........along with a whole bottle of wine and a couple of beers. $200 later we emerged! That's expensive for NZ!
Waking up too early the next morning, we went into town for a cooked breakfast, the best thing to do really when you have a hangover!
After which we felt refreshed enough to go to Lake Ferry first, which is amazing. You look out to sea and the waves are above you! Why don't they cover you when they roll into the beach? You can really feel the power of the sea, when you see it flowing through the entrance of the inlet.
Cape Palliser was next, which in the words of Private Frazer is a lonely desolate place! We climbed up the steps of the Lighthouse, all 250 of them, and observed the view of the sea and coastline. I could imagine that in the summer it would have been lovely, however today it was a case of sheltering from the frequent heavy showers of rain. When the sun did come out it was really nice.
The seals are littered around the side of the road......they look like giant slugs! After an hour or so making our best selling video we returned to Martinborough.
Tonight we were going to do our own cooking, but after struggling through the local caravan club into the kitchen we decided to go out again! This time to the Settlers Hotel, where I knew they would be showing the Rugby! However after waiting for an hour after ordering, we were not worried about the rugby, but were worried about where our dinner was! When it came, the children were happy, but I have to admit that having coffee and cumin on your steak tastes like eating dirt!
The next morning we left, although we did manage to get to the kitchen before the caravan club, and eat our lovely cooked breakfast. As we left, though, they were setting up their chairs for another caravan meeting!
Not much happened on the way home, we stopped off and looked at a couple of areas in Upper Hutt, Silverstream, and Stokes Valley. Don;t think it helped us, though, in our search for houses, but I guess we know we don't want to go and live out there!