Budgeting...Looking into the future

We have undertaken the complex task of reviewing our household budget to ensure we have sufficient funds to progress along this surrogacy journey. 

Some of the budget areas we are tracking and refining:

Income protection
_To ensure we are up to date and covered if we are challenged by any more health complications

Insurances, health, property and investment property
_We consider insurances to be really important, it is a safety net.

Superannuation contributions
_We want to understand where our superannuation is invested especially in this economic climate

Food 
_We enjoy cooking and eating good healthy food. We will spend more time planning meals and cooking for friends

Entertainment
_Time with family and friends is really important. Find inexpensive ways to be with people. I particularly like making friends a beautiful pot of tea and spending time to chat. I also think the magic of a good old fashioned letter can not be forgotten as a great way to put a smile on a friend's face.

Medicine / Specialists Appointments
_This is an essential for us, as it is for everyone.

While the process was a bit nerve racking and collecting the details frustrating, undergoing a review of the house budget has been very useful for us. 

Budgeting

Today was the day to look at our household budget. We want to be as ready as possible for the journey ahead. We find it is best to be on the same page and to do this we talk through things. 

We tried the traditional way where we both assumed we could both read each others mind. 

Surprise! We are not so great at that. 

I have to confess we did not get through the whole budget. The need to rest on the weekend was more important. BUT we will finalise before the end of the week. 

It is really important to us that we know we can pay for all the surrogates needs, medical and counselling. This process is stressful enough without having a realistic understanding of  the resources this journey will take.

Faith in the future gives great power in the presence

An important part of the “Hope and Altruistic Surrogacy” blog is to remind ourselves that there can be really lovely moments in this search for an altruistic surrogate. From time to time we will post some of the positive and powerful things we are doing, thinking and hoping for during this journey.



For every obstacle there is a solution - over, under, around, or through - Dan Zandra

Working together works - Dr Rob Gilbert

Your hopes, dreams and aspirations and legitimate. They are trying to take you airborne, above the clouds, above the storms- if you will only let them! - William James

A year from now you will wish you had started today - Karen Lamb


When we set goals, they work in two ways: we work on them, and they work on us - Bob Moawad

Oh, the places you'll go! Dr. Seuss

We attended our friends beautiful baby's first birthday. She had a "Oh the places she'll go!" party. The lessons in the Dr Seuss book is very useful for adults too. I read it often. It is worth getting a copy of the full text.






With banner flip-flapping,
once more you'll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you're that kind of a guy!



Oh, the places you'll go! There is fun to be done!
There are points to be scored. There are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winning-est winner of all.
Fame! You'll be famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.
   

But on you will go

though the death be foul.

On you will go

though your enemies prowl.

On you will go

thought the Hakken-Kraks howl.

Onward up many

a frightening creek

though your arms may get sore

and your sneakers may leak.

Western Australia's first surrogate

WA's first surrogate mum hands baby to sister

Exclusive Natasha Boddy

April 7, 2012, 3:00 am

A proud Perth couple are celebrating the delivery of their healthy son, the first baby born under WA's surrogacy laws.

In 2012, Katie's sister Laura agreed to be the surrogate mother via in-vitro fertilisation after surrogacy was legalised in 2009.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/13364774/was-first-surrogate-mum-hands-baby-to-sister/

South Australian Surrogate

Their Baby: Story of a Surrogate

By Kate Hill

In November this year, Rebecca will give birth to a baby who - at just a few days old - will belong to another couple.

http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2013/07/22/3808389.htm

Positive Surrogacy Story

This story is a short and sweet interview of a surrogate that has helped a very grateful couple.

http://www.kidspot.com.au/hi-there-can-i-borrow-your-uterus-one-mums-surrogacy-journey/

Medicareless

Medicareless

Toward equal treatment under the law for those accessing altruistic surrogacy in Australia

http://medicareless.org/2014/08/05/surrogacy-in-australia/

Address a range of topics and full of good statistics.