January went by wayyy to fast!! D had his identity stolen and got his Jeep fixed after hitting a deer in December. That guy has bad luck! We hung our curtains. I met up with an old friend that moved back to town.
Rent (19%) ACTUAL: 18%
Hydro (3%) 0% Bill hasn't come in yet!
Internet (3%) 12% Insane I know!! This was 2 months and we went over our limit.
Laundry (2%) 3% Ugh, hate this expense
Car and Gas (11%) ACTUAL: 5% New windshield wiper
Phone (3%) ACTUAL: 4%
Food (8%) ACTUAL: 9%
Restaurant (3%) ACTUAL: 0% I bought one thing this whole month :) It was so inexpensive it doesn't show up as a percent.
Personal/Medical (4%) ACTUAL 7% Medicine, thermometer
Clothing (5%) ACTUAL: 0% Yay!
Gifts (5%) ACTUAL 0% Woo!
Education (2%) ACTUAL 0%
Entertainment (3%) ACTUAL 3%
Everything Else (5%) ACTUAL: 16% This was mostly curtains! I love the way our place looks now. Also bought a couple of CDs, and a paper towel holder.
TOTAL (73%) ACTUAL 73% I had money left over from December so it's not actually going to hurt me! Although it's more than I thought I would spend this month!
TFSA (15%) ACTUAL: 49%
Christmas (3%) ACTUAL: 19%
Camera (3%) ACTUAL: 12%
RRSP (5%) ACTUAL: 12%
Travel Fund (3%) ACTUAL: 6%
TOTAL (28%) ACTUAL 98% Yes you read that right. I had money left over from December though. I also went a little over this month, hardly though. I am VERY happy with the amount I was able to save though!!
February will be an okay month I think. Hopefully teaching picks up more. Same with the shifts I have at the restaurant. February is a busy month, D has a hockey tournament I am excited to watch, I am visiting my roommate in Toronto to go bridesmaid dress shopping, I am taking an ASL course. It is going to fly by just like January!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Lemon of a Day
I received that phone call from the principal today. Didn't even get to have an interview. He said there were too many candidates that had more skills and experience. This whole lack of teaching thing is really getting me down lately.
I decided to apply for the other board in my area as well again today. Spent some time updating everything on applytoeducation and called the HR lady. She said their supply list is full. The only way to have them look at your application once the supply list actually does open again is to have a reference from a principal in the board. I have a principal's reference but not within THAT board.
Do I take time off from potential jobs in my board in order to volunteer with the other school board to hopefully get a principal's reference in order to hopefully get a supply position if they decide to hire again? Is it even worth it?
There are days when I just want to leave the profession completely. It's what I want to do so badly but I can't wait another 3-4 years in this same position.
I decided to apply for the other board in my area as well again today. Spent some time updating everything on applytoeducation and called the HR lady. She said their supply list is full. The only way to have them look at your application once the supply list actually does open again is to have a reference from a principal in the board. I have a principal's reference but not within THAT board.
Do I take time off from potential jobs in my board in order to volunteer with the other school board to hopefully get a principal's reference in order to hopefully get a supply position if they decide to hire again? Is it even worth it?
There are days when I just want to leave the profession completely. It's what I want to do so badly but I can't wait another 3-4 years in this same position.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Potential Interview!!!!!
Ahhhh I am so excited. I am trying to stay calm and cool about it though.
On Monday I did not teach. No calls in, grrr. BUT I went to the grocery store and ran into a fellow supply teacher. We chatted for a bit and she mentioned that a job was posted for an elementary position somewhat near us (40 minute drive). She asked if I had applied for it yet, no I hadn't.
Anyway then Tuesday arrives and I end up teaching at that same elementary school. I was texting D on the lunch break in the staff room and the principal comes up behind me. I felt so dumb, okay it was my free time texting but still I think it looks so unprofessional. Anyway he asks me what my qualifications are and a few questions about MAC computers. I answer and then he asks if I have applied for the job he recently posted. I mention that I have not but I plan on doing so.
That night I update everything and apply. I get called to that same school on Wednesday afternoon but didn't get the chance to let the principal know that I had applied for the position. Oh well, another lost application I thought.
Until TODAY!!! I go to my parent's house at lunch and my mom is yelling at me to listen to the answering machine. It's the principal telling me to call him because he has some preliminary questions to ask me.
AHHHHHHH!!!!! We both start yelling and then I get super nervous. I end up finally getting through to him after school today and he asks me some more questions about qualifications and whether I have taught certain subjects. I answer and then he says that he will contact me on Monday to see whether I have enough qualifications to grant me an interview on Tuesday. He will let me know either way on Monday about the interview.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! So excited!!!!
So then I go to work at the restaurant job today and my first table is a couple....the guy is wearing a shirt with the name of the school I applied to on it. Okay the school shares its name with a sports team but still. I took it as a sign....WOO!!!
Trying not to get my hopes up, will keep you updated either way as well.
On Monday I did not teach. No calls in, grrr. BUT I went to the grocery store and ran into a fellow supply teacher. We chatted for a bit and she mentioned that a job was posted for an elementary position somewhat near us (40 minute drive). She asked if I had applied for it yet, no I hadn't.
Anyway then Tuesday arrives and I end up teaching at that same elementary school. I was texting D on the lunch break in the staff room and the principal comes up behind me. I felt so dumb, okay it was my free time texting but still I think it looks so unprofessional. Anyway he asks me what my qualifications are and a few questions about MAC computers. I answer and then he asks if I have applied for the job he recently posted. I mention that I have not but I plan on doing so.
That night I update everything and apply. I get called to that same school on Wednesday afternoon but didn't get the chance to let the principal know that I had applied for the position. Oh well, another lost application I thought.
Until TODAY!!! I go to my parent's house at lunch and my mom is yelling at me to listen to the answering machine. It's the principal telling me to call him because he has some preliminary questions to ask me.
AHHHHHHH!!!!! We both start yelling and then I get super nervous. I end up finally getting through to him after school today and he asks me some more questions about qualifications and whether I have taught certain subjects. I answer and then he says that he will contact me on Monday to see whether I have enough qualifications to grant me an interview on Tuesday. He will let me know either way on Monday about the interview.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! So excited!!!!
So then I go to work at the restaurant job today and my first table is a couple....the guy is wearing a shirt with the name of the school I applied to on it. Okay the school shares its name with a sports team but still. I took it as a sign....WOO!!!
Trying not to get my hopes up, will keep you updated either way as well.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Furniture Lust and More Bad Management
I am sort of in love with a living room set from Leon's. It's not on sale though and with the sofa, love seat and chair it's $1200. Not horrible but it's not needed. We HAVE all of those things. They are just mix-matched and completely ugly!
I bought curtains for our place yesterday. However D didn't like the colour I chose. So we are going to put them in the spare room and I will go back and get some more curtains and rods today. Hopefully in a more suiting colour.
My friend and her boyfriend came over on Saturday for dinner. D and I had made chili, it was so delicious! Then yesterday I worked. Worked for 4 hours and only had one table!! It was extremely boring, but I suppose that is January for you! I went back for a dinner shift and had three tables all of whom were good tippers so it was worth it.
Want to hear another bad management story?? Well this happened maybe a week and a half ago, the manager is also the bartender. Anyway there was a couple sitting at the bar and he poured them the drinks that they ordered. They then decided to sit at a table in my section. So my manager lets me know this and tells me that he has not rang in the drinks he served them and tells me what they are so I can do so. I ring them in right away and then a couple of minutes later I see that the exact drinks he asked me to ring in were sitting at the bar. Oops, so I go over and say that I didn't need them that they were the drinks he just asked me to put in the computer. He gets mad and says, "you are supposed to write DON'T MAKE when you ring them in." I apologize and say I didn't know. He then replies and says, "and YOU educate children??" It just was uncalled for, what a jerk!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Off To A Good Start With Saving!
Already starting to save this year! As I mentioned earlier, I didn't get to much saving in December. Time slipped away from me. So I did have some extra money laying around. Here's what I have done so far with it:
$800 to TFSA
$300 to Christmas
$200 to Camera/Furniture Fund
$200 to RRSP
$100 to Travel Fund
Also I think I am going to have to change one of my goals. I had originally said that I want to add $4500 to my TFSA, but forgot that I had another $1000 in that jump-start TFSA, so I really only have $3500 of contribution room....and now $2700! Definitely doable....Although I plan on taking a big chunk OUT of this likely in the spring to buy a car.
I've been teaching everyday this week so hopefully in February (when I actually receive the paycheque for this work) I will be able to do some more saving! It makes me excited haha.
$800 to TFSA
$300 to Christmas
$200 to Camera/Furniture Fund
$200 to RRSP
$100 to Travel Fund
Also I think I am going to have to change one of my goals. I had originally said that I want to add $4500 to my TFSA, but forgot that I had another $1000 in that jump-start TFSA, so I really only have $3500 of contribution room....and now $2700! Definitely doable....Although I plan on taking a big chunk OUT of this likely in the spring to buy a car.
I've been teaching everyday this week so hopefully in February (when I actually receive the paycheque for this work) I will be able to do some more saving! It makes me excited haha.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
12 Goals For 2012
1. Add $4500 to my TFSA. I jump started my maxed out TFSA at the end of 2011, so I only have $4500 of contribution room. It's okay if I take money from this account this year as well. I plan to buy a car with what I have saved, but I want to still put away $4500.
2. Add $1200 to retirement. I managed to save $1500 last year but with renting an apartment money is going to be a lot tighter in 2012.
3. Have $800 saved up for Christmas. I currently have $200 since I did not withdraw all of what I had saved for Christmas 2011.
4. Add at least $500 to a Camera fund. This fund may turn into a furniture or house fund as well.
5. Add at least $500 to my Travel Fund. No trips are planned for 2012, but I would love to have more saved for when we do plan a vacation.
6. Make an additional $4024. Double $2012! This is aside from teaching. This was easy to do last year since I took on a couple of summer jobs. I don't see this one being a problem.
7. Read at least 10 novels. I think I read 11 novels in 2011. I met my goal but just barely. Time definitely gets in the way but I have a big list of books I want to read so 10 should be doable.
8. Take another ASL course! I love the language and even though my grandpa won't see my progress I still think of him everytime I sign.
9. Stretch and strengthen. I was able to maintain my weight in 2011, but I really did not tone up at all, I hardly stretched either. I want to be more flexible and stronger by the end of 2012. My goal is to do push-ups and sit-ups until I can't do anymore and stretch daily.
10. Do a crafty project. This has to be a major thing too, not just a pillowcase or a picture. I got a sewing machine for Christmas so I really have no excuses.
11. Try 24 new recipes. This is only 2 per month. I often resort back to old recipes I already know, but will make an effort to break out the cookbooks more often and try something different.
12. Take a class. This could be anything! A fitness class, something educational. We will see what comes up!
2. Add $1200 to retirement. I managed to save $1500 last year but with renting an apartment money is going to be a lot tighter in 2012.
3. Have $800 saved up for Christmas. I currently have $200 since I did not withdraw all of what I had saved for Christmas 2011.
4. Add at least $500 to a Camera fund. This fund may turn into a furniture or house fund as well.
5. Add at least $500 to my Travel Fund. No trips are planned for 2012, but I would love to have more saved for when we do plan a vacation.
6. Make an additional $4024. Double $2012! This is aside from teaching. This was easy to do last year since I took on a couple of summer jobs. I don't see this one being a problem.
7. Read at least 10 novels. I think I read 11 novels in 2011. I met my goal but just barely. Time definitely gets in the way but I have a big list of books I want to read so 10 should be doable.
8. Take another ASL course! I love the language and even though my grandpa won't see my progress I still think of him everytime I sign.
9. Stretch and strengthen. I was able to maintain my weight in 2011, but I really did not tone up at all, I hardly stretched either. I want to be more flexible and stronger by the end of 2012. My goal is to do push-ups and sit-ups until I can't do anymore and stretch daily.
10. Do a crafty project. This has to be a major thing too, not just a pillowcase or a picture. I got a sewing machine for Christmas so I really have no excuses.
11. Try 24 new recipes. This is only 2 per month. I often resort back to old recipes I already know, but will make an effort to break out the cookbooks more often and try something different.
12. Take a class. This could be anything! A fitness class, something educational. We will see what comes up!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Spending in 2011
I think it's neat to see the trends in spending over the year. I tracked all my expenditures this year!
I ended up saving more than I spent :) :) My biggest expense was "Gas and Car" I spent $425 on car needs and the rest on gas. The biggest driving month being September.
The second highest category and not far off was labelled "Everything Else" this includes things I buy for the house, alcohol, things for myself (other than clothing), electronics.
My lowest spending category was "Education" with just $505 spent there, mostly on Sign Language courses, although I did take a Smart Serve and Boating course as well.
I spent $1310 on Gifts throughout the year. I am okay with this.
$1719 on Clothing. Yikes, how does this happen? I had a big shopping trip in April, I also bought some footwear. Wow clothing can sure add up fast. I want this to be a smaller amount for next year. Buying only items I love or need.
$1205 went to Personal Items. This was mostly haircuts and prescriptions. I really wish I had a drug plan. I am okay with this amount as well.
$813 was spent on my phone. This includes monthly bills and the upgrade I did to get a new HTC smartphone.
Restaurant spending was $986, and Food spending was $989. I expect restaurant spending to go down and food spending to go way up for next year. I did spend a lot on restaurant food in the summer months when I was serving and working late hours. I would often buy food from the restaurant or on my way home after a late day.
Now let's talk about the savings!!
Just over $10,000 was saved into my TFSA last year! This was allowed since I had a lot of contribution room to make up for. I am very pleased with this!
I managed to save $800 into Christmas savings and used $600 of it in December.
What started as a computer fund, I saved $3100. I removed $500 to buy a computer so now have $2600 sitting there for what I may end up spending on a camera.
I saved $2000 into RRSPs! Finally getting a start with those.
Also $1500 went toward a Travel Fund. Maybe 2012 holds some travelling plans?
My Emergency Fund is just my regular bank account so that I have easy access to it if needed. Last year I kept it up to $1500. This year my plan is to keep it at a minimum of $2500.
I am pleased with the way 2012 went. I think several of my funds will end up being depleted this year for some big purchases but I also hope to save quite a bit as well. I think this spring I will begin looking for a new-to-me car which is going to drain my TFSA but that was the plan all along. I hope 2012 is another good financial year!!
I ended up saving more than I spent :) :) My biggest expense was "Gas and Car" I spent $425 on car needs and the rest on gas. The biggest driving month being September.
The second highest category and not far off was labelled "Everything Else" this includes things I buy for the house, alcohol, things for myself (other than clothing), electronics.
My lowest spending category was "Education" with just $505 spent there, mostly on Sign Language courses, although I did take a Smart Serve and Boating course as well.
I spent $1310 on Gifts throughout the year. I am okay with this.
$1719 on Clothing. Yikes, how does this happen? I had a big shopping trip in April, I also bought some footwear. Wow clothing can sure add up fast. I want this to be a smaller amount for next year. Buying only items I love or need.
$1205 went to Personal Items. This was mostly haircuts and prescriptions. I really wish I had a drug plan. I am okay with this amount as well.
$813 was spent on my phone. This includes monthly bills and the upgrade I did to get a new HTC smartphone.
Restaurant spending was $986, and Food spending was $989. I expect restaurant spending to go down and food spending to go way up for next year. I did spend a lot on restaurant food in the summer months when I was serving and working late hours. I would often buy food from the restaurant or on my way home after a late day.
Now let's talk about the savings!!
Just over $10,000 was saved into my TFSA last year! This was allowed since I had a lot of contribution room to make up for. I am very pleased with this!
I managed to save $800 into Christmas savings and used $600 of it in December.
What started as a computer fund, I saved $3100. I removed $500 to buy a computer so now have $2600 sitting there for what I may end up spending on a camera.
I saved $2000 into RRSPs! Finally getting a start with those.
Also $1500 went toward a Travel Fund. Maybe 2012 holds some travelling plans?
My Emergency Fund is just my regular bank account so that I have easy access to it if needed. Last year I kept it up to $1500. This year my plan is to keep it at a minimum of $2500.
I am pleased with the way 2012 went. I think several of my funds will end up being depleted this year for some big purchases but I also hope to save quite a bit as well. I think this spring I will begin looking for a new-to-me car which is going to drain my TFSA but that was the plan all along. I hope 2012 is another good financial year!!
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