Sigh... in the Netherlands, we only had a little baby car that was not really used that much. Instead, we used a lot more walking, biking, and public transport. However, since moving back to Australia, we have found that it has been more necessary to use cars. Partly due to the distances, and lack of public transport infrastructure.

We had tried to get by with just a single car, but in the end, with two working adults and two kids... well, a second car was unavoidable. And in the end, using the cars means that we can get around quickly enough to do our work as well all the family related things.

But... cars are just a huge money sink. Servicing, registration, insurance... and the occasional repairs.

Unfortunately, we got unlucky in the last couple of months... and ALL the bills came in at the same time for both cars! Both services... but insurances... then both third-party and registrations.... and then to top it all off, one of them needed to have the gearbox resealed.

Thankfully, we are now at the end (famous last words...) of the expected car bills and we can restore our savings buffers again. But, it was pretty hairy for a while... as the cash flow for two freelancers is a bit uneven... and some people/organisations think that it is okay to just delay payments. Definitely something that we will never do as an arts ensemble... we immediately pay the invoices the day that we get them!

The electric bike is on the list of things to get up and running again. It does need a little bit of a service, just so that the brakes are working well... and probably a little check up and oiling due to the fact that it has just been sitting around for the last two years. I had taken it into the university when we had first arrived, and it is still fun to ride... even if the biking infrastructure here is pretty ordinary... and drivers don't know to look out for cyclists!

It might end up being a shopping vehicle... quick runs to the supermarket for small things. Or the mall... or perhaps to the university to teach if I'm not in a hurry. The difference is roughly 45-60 minutes for the bike versus about 25 minutes in the car... but I don't have to pay for parking... and petrol. But the time is usually the constraining factor.

But it would be so much cheaper to run! Unless something breaks...

Handy Crypto Tools

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Coinbase Wallet: Multi chain wallet with lots of opportunities to Learn and Earn!
Binance: My first choice of centralised exchange, featuring a wide variety of crypto and savings products.
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Coinbase: If you need a regulated and safe environment to trade, this is the first exchange for most newcomers!
Crypto.com: Mixed feelings, but they have the BEST looking VISA debit card in existence! Seriously, it is beautiful!
CoinList: Access to early investor and crowdsale of vetted and reserached projects.
Cointracking: Automated or manual tracking of crypto for accounting and taxation reports.
KuCoin: I still use this exchange to take part in the Spotlight and Burning Drop launches.
MEXC: Accepts HIVE, and trades in most poopcoins! Join the casino!
ByBit: Leverage and spot trading, next Binance?
OkX: Again, another Binance contender?