"Don't beat yourself up over a so-so month of finances. Overall, you've paid down your debt by nearly $2000 in 9 weeks, that's awesome!" - Makky's Mom
On starting my RRSPs: "I was one year older when I started. It's very overwhelming to start with but the key is.............to start. You have a well thought out plan. Congrats on taking the steps!" - Jolie
It's the comments from you all that keep me coming back every day, to write, read, and re-read everything. You keep me focused on my goals, help me to stay accountable for what I spend, give me different perspectives, and provide encouragement to help me through the rough spots. For that, I say Thank You a million times over. I feel like I have so many 'new' friends who can understand what we are going through, and can be there for us, if only just to listen to my ramblings.
On a different note, DD2 is super excited today. She has been saving diligently, even forgoing her mad money every week, so that she would have enough money when the newest version of her beloved Pokemon game is finally released. Today is that day. Let me tell you what happened last night.
She was on the computer, Googling all things Pokemon, which she does quite often. She realises that March 6th is the release date of the Pokemon Black & White. Not quite running, she grabs her Moonjar that she's been using since Christmas, and asks if all the money in the saving category is for her college fund.
I think, what we have here is a teachable moment.
We find out the price of the game, and figure out how much will be added for taxes. I'm trying to teach her how to figure out percentages on a calculator, but she's too excited to really listen. That's OK though. We count out the money from her savings portion of her jar, and divide in half. I mention that from now on, what is in the savings portion is sacred, not to be touched, and monies saved for future purchases will go in the spending portion of the bank. Then we count out money from the spending part. Add the two together, and we have a grand total of $41.25.
The cost of the game with tax is $40.25. She will have a whole dollar left over after her purchase.
Knowing how excited she is that she has saved enough to get the game on the first day of release, Hubby heads out last night to get her a Pre-purchase Card, which essentially guarantees her a copy of the game. It costs $10.00 for the card, to be used toward the purchase price. He comes home, explains what he's done, and asks her to pay him the $10 he's shelled out. Then we take all the coins and bills she has (minus the $1 left over), explaining that we will allow the use of our debit card so she won't have to stand there feeling weird while the cashier counts her change. (The bank was closed by this time, otherwise we would have taken her to the bank to exchange her nickles for paper money.) We also explained that doing it this way will reduce the risk of her losing her money, or having it stolen while she waits with all the other excited Pokemon fans who are there to get a copy.
This morning, the child who always sleeps until noon on weekends, wakes up before 9 a.m., and is patiently waiting for our trip to Wal-Mart. In the past 12 hours or so, she has exhibited some of the traits of financial health that we hoped she is learning. She is learning how to save for what she wants, and not expect us to just buy her things when she wants them. She checked several places online last night, to try to get the best price for the game. She is being patient, which is usually difficult for a girl of almost 12.
I'm a very proud Mommy right now.
She doesn't know she only has to wait another hour before we leave.
Have a happy Sunday everyone.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
February 2011 Monthly Report
Here's how the numbers sit as of February 28, 2011:
TFSA/RESP Acct. $87.96 (up $16.18)
Xmas Fund - $34.70 (down $13.98)
RRSP Savings Acct. $5.00 ( up $5.00)
EEE Account $55.03 (down $10.34)
RRSP MF Acct. $1,213.85 (up $35.44)
Emergency Fund Acct. $31.09 (up $31.09)
House Fund $25.00 (up $25.00)
Biz Savings/5 Categories $98.98 (up $98.98)
Canada Savings Bonds $595.00 (up $140.00)
B's Savings Acct. $54.16 (up $6.75)
HBC Card (28.8%): $441.10, down $6.83
Personal Loan: $6605.00, down $22.00
MBNA Card (27.98%): $2,268.64, down $127.34
Capital One Card (19.8%): $4,191.28, up $38.41
Overdraft 1: $500
Auto Loan: $1,394.20, down $193.63
Tax Owing: $4,635.82
Biz HST: unknown, approx. $4,700.00
Dental Bill: $1,301.10
Overdraft 2: $469.04, up $69.04
Total Debt owed on January 1, 2011: $23,861.01
Our current total Debt owing: $21,909.32
Difference since January 1, 2011: $1,951.69
We had a total, utter and complete budgeting fail in February.
I'm not really sure where we went wrong, but I know a lot of it had to do with bank teller doing the opposite of what was requested, resulting in an amount of $75 being taken from my account and deposited into B's account. It set off a string of events that ended up costing me over $80 in fees already in March.
In other news, Capital One has decided to start charging interest on my credit card account again. No letter or anything, just magically it was there. Good thing I saw it on the statement! Now I can plan through it as well.
March is already looking to be a spectacular month, as I have already earned additional income this month, and it's only the 4th! I'm hoping to pick up more work this month, and hopefully be able to really feel like I've finally got the financial ball rolling on our goals. It feels like things have been stagnant (due to the way I get paid for my major contract), and I'd like it to feel like I'm going forward.
Have a great day folks!
TFSA/RESP Acct. $87.96 (up $16.18)
Xmas Fund - $34.70 (down $13.98)
RRSP Savings Acct. $5.00 ( up $5.00)
EEE Account $55.03 (down $10.34)
RRSP MF Acct. $1,213.85 (up $35.44)
Emergency Fund Acct. $31.09 (up $31.09)
House Fund $25.00 (up $25.00)
Biz Savings/5 Categories $98.98 (up $98.98)
Canada Savings Bonds $595.00 (up $140.00)
B's Savings Acct. $54.16 (up $6.75)
HBC Card (28.8%): $441.10, down $6.83
Personal Loan: $6605.00, down $22.00
MBNA Card (27.98%): $2,268.64, down $127.34
Capital One Card (19.8%): $4,191.28, up $38.41
Overdraft 1: $500
Auto Loan: $1,394.20, down $193.63
Tax Owing: $4,635.82
Biz HST: unknown, approx. $4,700.00
Dental Bill: $1,301.10
Overdraft 2: $469.04, up $69.04
Total Debt owed on January 1, 2011: $23,861.01
Our current total Debt owing: $21,909.32
Difference since January 1, 2011: $1,951.69
We had a total, utter and complete budgeting fail in February.
I'm not really sure where we went wrong, but I know a lot of it had to do with bank teller doing the opposite of what was requested, resulting in an amount of $75 being taken from my account and deposited into B's account. It set off a string of events that ended up costing me over $80 in fees already in March.
In other news, Capital One has decided to start charging interest on my credit card account again. No letter or anything, just magically it was there. Good thing I saw it on the statement! Now I can plan through it as well.
March is already looking to be a spectacular month, as I have already earned additional income this month, and it's only the 4th! I'm hoping to pick up more work this month, and hopefully be able to really feel like I've finally got the financial ball rolling on our goals. It feels like things have been stagnant (due to the way I get paid for my major contract), and I'd like it to feel like I'm going forward.
Have a great day folks!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Working Toward a Healthier Weight
I don't have any hangups about my weight. In fact, I'm not even sure how much I weigh. But if I had to guess, I'd probably say I'm in the 190 pound range, give or take 5 pounds. It's somewhat of a stable weight for me, and I typically stay around this weight.
The problem is, I'm not comfortable with it anymore.
I have a hubby who loves me dearly, and could care less how 'big' I am. Truthfully, I come from a bigger family, so being somewhat overweight is not viewed as a problem, per se. My problem is that my clothes don't feel great on me anymore. Trying to find 'new' ones is such a chore (I detest clothes shopping for myself). Finding pants that are a size 14-16 petite is nigh on impossible in a thrift store, and I loathe to pay retail prices.What's a girl to do?
I have a big, soft belly. With some of us, having children expands us in places that never quite go back to the way they were. I'm ok with that, except that my middle area seems to still be expanding, and I'm not pregnant. From a profile view, one might guess that I was about 6 months pregnant, and I'm not. *sigh*
I eat relatively healthy. I enjoy fruits and vegetables, particularly raw ones. I don't want to alter what I eat too much (I'm not an extreme kind of person for anything), but I am willing to cut back, cut down, and eliminate *some* of the unhealthier items that I consume. I try to cook at home more, so that the foods we eat are healthier, if even slightly.
During the winter months, I am very inactive. I work, I sit around at home on my computer, or on the couch. I do things that most folks so like vacuuming and laundry, but I don't exercise. I could join a gym (there are 2 very good ones within 1 km of our apartment), but I cannot justify the expense for something I likely wouldn't use. When the weather is nicer out, we have our 'walking evenings' with the family. We will drive to an area where there are lots of walking trails, and walk for about an hour or so in one direction, laughing talking and enjoying the scenery along the way. Then we'll turn around and walk back to the car. My version of strength training is carrying a screaming 2 year old through the library when he doesn't want to leave. Sometimes my work requires me to lift, pull and push heavy things (over 100 pounds) which I can still manage, but it's getting increasingly difficult to do.
After dinner a few nights ago, I talked to hubby about it. I told him I couldn't wait for the nicer weather so we could start walking again. I miss it, health benefits aside. He's going to help me by making me aware when I'm putting salt on my food (I LOVE me lots of salt), so that I can cut way back on my sodium intake. He offered to help in any way her could to help me get motivated to do more moving around and get more active. Of course he offered to increase our sex life, you know, because it is a physical activity that gets your heart rate up. Lord love him. Lol!!
Our apartment complex has an outdoor pool, which I use around 4 times during the time it is open from July 1-ish to End of August-ish. I do enjoy swimming, as it makes me use more muscles than I typically would in a day. There is a pool at one gym nearby, and there is a community pool within 5 km of the apartment.
I would like to start scheduling in some more 'exercise' into my daily routine, whatever activity that I can do. I don't own a bicycle (maybe I should check Kijiji for one) so I would not be able to include that activity at this time. I'm not fond of exercise videos/DVDs so those likely wouldn't help.
What type of home exercises would you recommend for a beginner?
The problem is, I'm not comfortable with it anymore.
I have a hubby who loves me dearly, and could care less how 'big' I am. Truthfully, I come from a bigger family, so being somewhat overweight is not viewed as a problem, per se. My problem is that my clothes don't feel great on me anymore. Trying to find 'new' ones is such a chore (I detest clothes shopping for myself). Finding pants that are a size 14-16 petite is nigh on impossible in a thrift store, and I loathe to pay retail prices.What's a girl to do?
I have a big, soft belly. With some of us, having children expands us in places that never quite go back to the way they were. I'm ok with that, except that my middle area seems to still be expanding, and I'm not pregnant. From a profile view, one might guess that I was about 6 months pregnant, and I'm not. *sigh*
I eat relatively healthy. I enjoy fruits and vegetables, particularly raw ones. I don't want to alter what I eat too much (I'm not an extreme kind of person for anything), but I am willing to cut back, cut down, and eliminate *some* of the unhealthier items that I consume. I try to cook at home more, so that the foods we eat are healthier, if even slightly.
During the winter months, I am very inactive. I work, I sit around at home on my computer, or on the couch. I do things that most folks so like vacuuming and laundry, but I don't exercise. I could join a gym (there are 2 very good ones within 1 km of our apartment), but I cannot justify the expense for something I likely wouldn't use. When the weather is nicer out, we have our 'walking evenings' with the family. We will drive to an area where there are lots of walking trails, and walk for about an hour or so in one direction, laughing talking and enjoying the scenery along the way. Then we'll turn around and walk back to the car. My version of strength training is carrying a screaming 2 year old through the library when he doesn't want to leave. Sometimes my work requires me to lift, pull and push heavy things (over 100 pounds) which I can still manage, but it's getting increasingly difficult to do.
After dinner a few nights ago, I talked to hubby about it. I told him I couldn't wait for the nicer weather so we could start walking again. I miss it, health benefits aside. He's going to help me by making me aware when I'm putting salt on my food (I LOVE me lots of salt), so that I can cut way back on my sodium intake. He offered to help in any way her could to help me get motivated to do more moving around and get more active. Of course he offered to increase our sex life, you know, because it is a physical activity that gets your heart rate up. Lord love him. Lol!!
Our apartment complex has an outdoor pool, which I use around 4 times during the time it is open from July 1-ish to End of August-ish. I do enjoy swimming, as it makes me use more muscles than I typically would in a day. There is a pool at one gym nearby, and there is a community pool within 5 km of the apartment.
I would like to start scheduling in some more 'exercise' into my daily routine, whatever activity that I can do. I don't own a bicycle (maybe I should check Kijiji for one) so I would not be able to include that activity at this time. I'm not fond of exercise videos/DVDs so those likely wouldn't help.
What type of home exercises would you recommend for a beginner?
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
It's been a super busy few days for me, and I just can't find the time to sit and write a reasonable post. I guess I'm hitting a dry spell. Financially, we are doing OK, give or take a few little glitches as we adjust to putting some of the freed up money back into our budget. Obviously we increased our debt repayment schedule and our savings. It'll take a month or two to adjust to the new payment routine, and then we'll do it all over again come May when the contract comes in. We'll readjust and tweak, getting to a comfortable spot to get the debt paid off.
I got a bit of a surprise in the mail the other day with my credit card account. They have started charging me interest on the balance again. To the tune of 19.8%. It's certainly not the worst rate I've seen, but it's not the best either. Now I'm wondering, do I just bite the bullet, and pay down the debt at this interest rate, or so I try to switch to another card with a reduced rate introductory offer? Hubby and I will have a chat about it some time this month and we'll see what is out there.
It's our little guy's birthday this month, so plans are under way for the St. Paddy's Day birthday for a 3 year old. Nothing spectacular, but a cake, and some gifts, with some family around. Good times.
I'll be posting our monthly number later today, if I can get around to it. I have a full day ahead of me, and I must go.
Have a great day, readers.
I got a bit of a surprise in the mail the other day with my credit card account. They have started charging me interest on the balance again. To the tune of 19.8%. It's certainly not the worst rate I've seen, but it's not the best either. Now I'm wondering, do I just bite the bullet, and pay down the debt at this interest rate, or so I try to switch to another card with a reduced rate introductory offer? Hubby and I will have a chat about it some time this month and we'll see what is out there.
It's our little guy's birthday this month, so plans are under way for the St. Paddy's Day birthday for a 3 year old. Nothing spectacular, but a cake, and some gifts, with some family around. Good times.
I'll be posting our monthly number later today, if I can get around to it. I have a full day ahead of me, and I must go.
Have a great day, readers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)