March Spending

And March is over! That was a busy month. It was a very fun month though as well. I did some reading, it was D's birthday, we went to Yuk Yuk's a couple of times, we went to a concert and several hockey games to cheer on my brother's friend. So here is how I did:

Car and Gas (15%) ACTUAL: 12%
Phone (4%) ACTUAL: 3%
Food (4%) ACTUAL: 0%
Restaurant (4%) ACTUAL: 5%
Personal/Medical (6%) ACTUAL 0%
Clothing (5%) ACTUAL: 2%
Gifts (2%) ACTUAL 9% D's birthday
Education (2%) ACTUAL 0%
Entertainment (4%) ACTUAL 8% Drinks, hockey games, comedy show
Everything Else (3%) ACTUAL: 2% Stamps, bin, sheets
TOTAL (48%) ACTUAL 40%

So these calculations were changed this month. Usually I calculate it based on what I "typically" make in a month but this time I based it on what my income was for the month. I was under budget for the spending category!
Now let's look at the SAVINGS I managed to get to this month!

TFSA (35%) ACTUAL: 29%
Christmas (5%) ACTUAL: 12%
Computer (3%) 6%
RRSP (6%) ACTUAL: 14%
Travel Fund (3%) ACTUAL: 12%
TOTAL (52%) ACTUAL 72%

So I overspent what I earned this month by about 12% but this was because I had some extra money in the bank to be able to play with. I'm happy with the way this month went. I'm very excited about April since it's a 3 paycheque month and I plan to do a lot more saving. Hopefully reaching 4 of my financial goals if my income tax return cheque comes next month!

Updates

My brother's best friend is the captain of the local junior A team here. It's pretty intense and they are in the finals. I decided to support him finally this weekend and dragged D to a game with me. It was awesome! They won in second overtime!

D got pretty into it and wanted to see the game on Sunday too. So we did and again they went into overtime and won! Great games! The games cost $10 per person to attend which was totally worth it.

We have some more dates planned this week that I'm excited for. We are going to see Rango tonight at the local theatre, and Wednesday we are going to a concert in, and Thursday we will watch game 6 if they do not win the series tonight.

Work has been great. I worked everyday last week and I have worked both days this week (although half days) so far.

I've been looking at my budget for my expected income for the month of April. I actually have money to work with with the expected tax return and 3 paycheques. It's fun to play around with.

I've also applied to a couple jobs. I applied for a census job and have to go for a test on Monday, I also applied to a construction company. I am trying to think of places that are seasonal and do not include weekends. We'll see how things turn out.

Income Tax Time! Where to put it?

I gathered my forms and receipts to give to my dad who does my income tax. I told my parents the amount of income tax I paid and what I earned and they said that I will likely end up owing this year because so little income tax was taken off from my rec centre job ($14 total for 2010!).

I used one of those online estimators where you plug in some of the numbers on your forms and it showed that I was going to OWE just over $3600.

I was scared. However I also knew I had some saved up tuition credits and student loan interest so knew it would be at least slightly under that amount. Geeze, that would be half of my TFSA I'd have to pay!

Anyway, my dad filed my taxes and I ended up with a return of about $2000. Close to what I received last year. However now I have hardly any tuition credits or student loan interest credits left for next year so I will likely end up owing next year if I don't ask my employers to take off more income tax each pay period.

But now the "fun" part comes, what to spend it on?!?! I think I'll just end up saving most of it. I THINK I'm going to put $1000 into an RRSP, $500 to TFSA, $150 to Christmas, $100 to Computer Fund, and $150 to Travel Fund. There will still be about $100 leftover so that will go toward the necklace I've been wanting lol.

Hope it's delivered soon!

Vegas Trip Pressure

My best friend is also my cousin. She lives in Toronto. She and our uncle have decided to go on a Vegas trip. Why Vegas? I'm not too sure but I'm assuming because it's sunnier than here and relatively cheap.

She wants me to come. Really bad. However, I am not really into the gambling or bar scene which is really what most people go to Vegas for. She priced it out and they are going for 4 days in May and it will be a total of $500 for hotel, flight and taxes. I told her I just went on a vacation and my parents think I might even OWE income tax this year (I paid very little into it on my one job) so I'm not really interested.

Well today our uncle calls me and leaves a long voice message trying to convince me to come for her. He said if money is an issue that he will pay and I can take my time paying him back.

But really, I'm not that interested in Vegas. I'd love to go on a trip with my best friend, but to Vegas, not so much. I think I'd rather put that $500+ toward an RSP or different vacation fund. I feel sort of bad saying no because I potentially COULD afford it (almost have that much saved in vacation fund), I just don't want to drain it on Vegas and lose 4 days of work.

Ah, pressure though!

Greed

7 of my most worldly desires!

I would love to have my own place. It can be a small house or an apartment. But a place not living at home would be great. Unfortunately right now I just can't afford the monthly payments with an income that is so unpredictable. I don't need anything huge, just a place of my own.

This necklace. I think it's really pretty and I've been eyeing it for a while now. I think I'm going to actually get this material desire in a couple of months after I have saved up for it a bit more and if still want it.

A car. Mine is now 12 years old and I'm not sure how much time is left in it. A new-to-me car would just be sooo nice. I don't want an expensive car or anything, just something that isn't rusty and can get me from point A to point B with no problems.

I would really like to go SCUBA diving again somewhere. I would LOVE to see a sea turtle as well. Maybe Thailand or Australia, but really I would go anywhere! Does this one count as a material desire?

A smartphone. My phone is an old flip phone and if someone sends me a long text it won't send the 3rd part. It sometimes just turns off for no reason as well. I don't think I would get a data plan but would enjoy the ability to play games and music.

An SLR camera. I think these are a great investment. I would like to have one before I go on a major vacation or have kids. The pictures just look soo much nicer than a point and shoot. I love my point and shoot as well but an SLR has it's place.

A Macbook. My computer is so frustrating. It shuts down constantly when I'm using it. Macs are what my school board uses as well so it would be nice to be a little more comfortable with the programs. Okay, really I want one just to play around with photobooth!

Come join in with this tag! What are your most worldly material desires?

Day 1 - Pride. Seven great things about yourself.
Day 2 - Envy. Seven things you lack and covet.
Day 3 - Wrath. Seven things that piss you off.
Day 4 - Sloth. Seven things you neglect to do.
Day 5 - Greed. Seven worldly material desires.
Day 6 - Gluttony. Seven guilty pleasures.
Day 7 - Lust. Seven love secrets.

Sloth

Ah, I think we all have things we neglect to do that we really should get on more often.

Putting away folded laundry. I actually enjoy doing laundry. I don't even mind folding laundry. But I despise putting it away. I often will just leave it folded in the laundry basket and pull out of there for a day or two before I put it away.

Making MY bed. I don't do it unless I know someone is going to come over. What's the point!? However I'm weird and I always make my boyfriend's bed.

Donating items I no longer use. I have no problem donating them, but it's going through the items and deciding whether I really need to hold on to it or if I am ever going to use it again. I generally think there is going to be a time when I'm going to use it and want to keep it around even if I have not used/worn it in over a year.

Cooking. I LOVE to bake, but cooking is not my favourite thing. Sometimes I get in cooking moods but generally I am satisfied in making a nutella sandwich or something else quick and easy to make. It leads to unhealthy eating...

Exercise. I find it really hard to motivate myself to exercise. I wish I had more of a drive for it. I also think that I can do things that I used to be able to like run a kilometre or do situps non-stop when I just can't anymore. It's sad that I'm getting out of shape! Need to find the motivation for this one.

Keep contact with old friends. I'm not great at doing this when I don't see friends regularly. Certain ones I will make sure that I take time to meet up or e-mail but others I have just let go. There really isn't many excuses with all the social networking available now too. I love it when an old friend adds me to facebook and asks how things are, I should do the same.

Finishing tasks I have started. Oh I am great at starting new projects but I'm horrible at finishing them. I don't know why this is, I have several unfinished projects I really just need to get done. One day...

Come join in with this tag! What are things you neglect to do?

Day 1 - Pride. Seven great things about yourself.
Day 2 - Envy. Seven things you lack and covet.
Day 3 - Wrath. Seven things that piss you off.
Day 4 - Sloth. Seven things you neglect to do.
Day 5 - Greed. Seven worldly material desires.
Day 6 - Gluttony. Seven guilty pleasures.
Day 7 - Lust. Seven love secrets.

Added To The Funds :) To Buy A Necklace??

Friday was pay day and so I added to the funds. Added $100 to the TFSA, $100 to Christmas fund, $50 toward the Computer fund, $100 toward the Travel fund, and $250 toward an RSP. I had another $100 that could have gone toward one of these goals, but I am thinking that I am going to just save it in my regular bank account and start saving up for a necklace I really would like.

It's the Tiffany's bow pendant necklace I posted a picture of on things I want a couple of days ago. I want the mini one since it's cheaper and I think small is more my style. I priced it and it's $150, plus $22 of HST. But since the nearest Tiffany's is over 2 hours away I think I will also have to have it shipped which is another $20. For a total of about $192 for one necklace.

I think I will continue to save for it using my regular bank account but see whether I still really want it in a month or two before I decide whether to actually purchase it or put that money toward a different goal. Hmmm is it worth it? What's the most you have spent on jewellery for yourself?

Wrath

Things that most annoy me!

When people are late! This irks me so much. Can you not call, text, etc to let me know you are going to be late so I am not waiting around for you. Common curtesy really.

My alarm clock. This annoys me 5 days a week! It always seems to wake me up when I am at the best part of a dream. 5 more minutes is never enough.

Attention seekers. It's just rude and really I don't want to hear all about you. Modesty is a fantastic trait.

Pessimism. Negativity just annoys me to no end. My brother can be extremely negative and it's hard to be around him when he is like that. Constaint complaints and the inability to find something positive about the world. Really, it's not that bad of a place out there especially when you try and find the good in things.

Lack of initiative. I like to plan some things and I like spontaneous decisions other times but I LOVE it when someone else has planned something for us to do. I don't need every minute of our time together planned but I would like some idea in mind with regards to what we can do. I'm very easy going and easy to please, 99% of the time I'm going to say yes to your idea.

One word responses. This mostly has to do with text messaging but I appreciate when people expand on their answers to questions I ask. What irks me more than one word responses is multiple word responses submitted as an abbreviation (i.e. IDC for I don't care, which is likely the most annoying and vague response of all time).

Slow drivers. Okay I understand when there is a need to be slow, i.e. poor road conditions. But any other day I expect you to at least drive the speed limit. This annoys me terribly when people drive under the speed limit. It always seems to be on days that I have hit every red light and am already running late for work.

Come join in with this tag! What things most annoy you?


Day 1 - Pride. Seven great things about yourself.
Day 2 - Envy. Seven things you lack and covet.
Day 3 - Wrath. Seven things that piss you off.
Day 4 - Sloth. Seven things you neglect to do.
Day 5 - Greed. Seven worldly material desires.
Day 6 - Gluttony. Seven guilty pleasures.
Day 7 - Lust. Seven love secrets.

Envy

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Here is part 2, things that I lack or covet:

A full-time job! I REALLY DO love my job, but would love it even more if it were permanent! I love to teach in any form but having my own class would just be amazing. It would be so nice to have some consistency in kids and a paycheque.

A house. Friends and brothers are moving out and getting their own houses or apartments. I have yet to do so just because I really cannot financially.

Closer relationship with my dad and old friends. My dad and I have never been super close. I envy those that have that close relationship with their fathers. We both love each other but it can be hard to talk to him just because we do not have a lot in common. I also wish I still had a close relationship with some of my high school friends. I have about 3 really close friends and the rest are aquaintances. I miss having more REALLY close friends.

Ability to speak another language. I would LOVE to know another language. Anything really, but ASL would be my first choice in learning a new language. I think it's such a beautiful language and would make it a lot easier to communicate with my grandpa. I'll keep taking courses to work on this one.

Ability to play a musical instrument. I begged my parents when I was a kid to let me take piano lessons. They bought me a really expensive keyboard and signed me up. I despised my teacher and stopped taking lessons after that year never to go back again. I regret that and wish I could play fluently. Guitar or piano would be my first choices. Sigh, maybe one day.

Exercise motivation. I really wish I ENJOYED working out. I honestly did back in university, I loved taking fitness classes. However back in my hometown now whenever I sign up for a course I'm the youngest one by about 40 years. I want people my own age as well. I'm seriously considering kickboxing or running now hoping I'll love one of them that will keep me motivated to keep going back.

Better social skills. I consider myself a friendly person who can get along with most people. But I find it hard to talk to new people. This can inhibit my ability to make new friends, become close with teachers in staff rooms, and even in interviews. I wish I could just be one of those people who are really charismatic and can keep people laughing.

Come join in with this tag! What sort of things do you most covet?

Day 1 - Pride. Seven great things about yourself.
Day 2 - Envy. Seven things you lack and covet.
Day 3 - Wrath. Seven things that piss you off.
Day 4 - Sloth. Seven things you neglect to do.
Day 5 - Greed. Seven worldly material desires.
Day 6 - Gluttony. Seven guilty pleasures.
Day 7 - Lust. Seven love secrets.

Pride

I'm going to jump on this as well. Here we go:

Seven great things about myself are:

I am patient. I work with children which requires a lot of patience and I can handle most situations in daily life without blowing up.

I am a good teacher. I try to make learning fun through creative lessons and generally the kids learn lol.

I am loyal. I am loyal to my boyfriend and my family. I would really do anything for them.

I put others first. I am helpful and I would always rather help someone else before myself. I like to do things that will make them happy, like little surprises here and there.

I am an optimistic person. I'm generally always in a good mood and smiling. I can rebound from things fairly quickly so that I am in a happy mood again.

I am good with numbers. I love to work with numbers. In high school I was debating about either becoming a teacher or an accountant. I like to crunch numbers and math has always been my favourite core subject.

I did well in school. I am proud I completed 5 years of university and attained 2 degrees. I graduated with first-class standings which was something that took a lot of work but I am so happy I was able to receive.

Wow that was hard to do. It's hard to talk yourself up so much.

Come join in with this tag! What are you most proud of?
Day 1 - Pride. Seven great things about yourself.
Day 2 - Envy. Seven things you lack and covet.
Day 3 - Wrath. Seven things that piss you off.
Day 4 - Sloth. Seven things you neglect to do.
Day 5 - Greed. Seven worldly material desires.
Day 6 - Gluttony. Seven guilty pleasures.
Day 7 - Lust. Seven love secrets.

Things I WANT....Not Need...With PICS!!

These are some things on my want list. I defintiely don't NEED any of them but here they are anyway...

This bow necklace. I just think it's really pretty and I don't wear a necklace anymore.

A new laptop. Mine shuts down daily and it's extremely frustrating. A macbook would be awesome!

Yep an SLR camera would be amazing, but again, can't justify the expense.

More flannel lol. It's just so comfortable and I think it looks good too :)

A pet! I miss not having one around.

I want summer to be here already, winter you can leave at ANY time now.

I want to learn a new talent. I want to learn guitar and ASL.

I want to see a sea turtle while SCUBA diving!

I want to see more of the world!!

New duvet cover and bedroom furniture.

A house!

And a car. That's it! 

 I know I won't be purchasing any of these items for a long long time, but one can dream...

D's Birthday!

Today is D's birthday! He is 26 eeeek! I'm not too far behind him. I am currently baking him a cake. A rainbow cake!! I asked him this morning what he wants to do for his birthday and he said he wants to see a comedy show again. So I reserved us tickets at Yuk Yuk's again.

I bought him a gift as well. I got him several sci-fi books, some alcohol from DR that he does not know I bought, some tea, a memory card for his phone and a few other little things.

Last night I hung out with my best friend and she dragged me to the bar for about 30 minutes. But while there I saw my high school best friend. It was really nice to catch up with her at a bar of all places!

It's going to be an expensive day. I can't use those comedy passes I bought on Saturdays so I am going to have to pay full price. But it will be a fun day, I hope he enjoys his birthday :)

Bad Habits

My number one bad habit is procrastination. I was SUCH a procrastinator in school. I even did a study on it in one of my courses comparing grade average and level of procrastination. I was never burned by it (other than lack of sleep) and so never learned my lesson. I still procrastinate most thing, but I'm working on it and getting better. However I'm still not complete that quilt...

Another bad habit I have is cracking my ankles. It feels so much better once I do it but it's such a loud sound and probably can't be good for me.

I also eat mindlessly OFTEN. I'll sit at my computer and have chips next to me and before you know it they are all gone and I don't remember eating THAT many. Same goes for chocolate chips, cookies, pretty much any snack food.

I go to bed too late. It's rarely before midnight and sometimes I receive calls to work at 5:30. It disrupts my sleep patterns. It's a hard one to break, I'm most awake at night and feel like it's the time I can get the most accomplished.

As for money bad habits I guess not investing would fall under procrastination, and I used to buy things I wouldn't use. I have a dress, a couple of shirts and a pair of jeans all still with the tags on them. I am getting better at that one now too.

Do you have any bad habits, personal or financial?

Dream Vacation?

Where would yours be?

I think mine would be to an African country. I haven't researched it a lot so I do not know a lot about where exactly I would want to go. My brother's girlfriend is going to Kenya in a few months. My uncle has gone to South Africa, and some teachers I work with have been to Uganda and did some charity work. I am so jealous. I really want to go on safari, see some amazing animals. I want to see and LIVE a different culture. I would love to help teach English or build a community centre or something as well. Maybe one day....another life goal. 

Comedy Club Success

Friday night D and I went to a comedy club. I drove since it was a surprise to him where we were going. I picked him up just before 9 and was a little annoyed that he wasn't ready. Sheesh that boy can take forever getting ready sometimes!!

Anyway we get on the road and he continues to ask questions about what it could be. He never gets it even after we drove past the place trying to find a place to park lol. It was a hilarious show. Our cheeks hurt from laughing so much. On our way home we stopped at Tim Horton's and bought a coffee and a hot chocolate and we BOTH won a food prize! He's 2 for 2 and I've won 1 out of 2. I also belted out "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" when it came on the radio, he laughed and sang along to the words he knew.

Tonight we are going to make some pizza and hang out. Probably play a game of scrabble and I might finish reading Ender's Game.

Updated Progress Bars and Endless Funds

Yesterday was payday! I added to the "funds." I put $400 toward the TFSA, $100 into the Travel Fund, $100 into the Christmas Fund, and $50 into the Computer Fund. This puts my ING savings funds (combined) over the $10,000 mark! Wow, that's pretty crazy! A year ago I was in debt to my family and now I am in the green!

I have been thinking and I think I want to start a furniture fund. I'd like some new bedroom furniture. Even if it's like $10 a month or so. But maybe I won't do that until my other funds are completed. I haven't even STARTED to contribute to my RSP this year so I really should focus on that before I start a furniture fund.

It's easy to get carried away with the funds. I want to have a bunch! Maybe a Future Pet Fund, a House Fund, a Jewellery Fund (there is a necklace I really want but can't justify spending the money), a Clothing Fund, a Electronics Fund, a Car Fund, a Car Repair Fund etc. Oh the endless possibilities!!

I'm Going On A Date!!

D and I haven't been on a "date" in so long. I was looking at my e-mail the other day and was sent something from Wag-Jag. Have any of you used this before?

Anyway one thing that caught my eye was tickets for Yuk-Yuk's. I have been to Absolute Comedy in Toronto but never to a Yuk Yuk's so I decided to get 2 sets of tickets. I didn't think it went through and ended up getting another two! Oops, but I have until September to use them up.

Also because it was my first time buying something off of Wag-Jag, I got a $5 credit. So in total it was $73 for 2 people to see a comedy show FOUR times. We will have 4 dates :)

I asked D if he had plans for this weekend and he said no, so I said I made him plans for Friday night. He was very curious and a little nervous I think too! It's an hours drive which is sort of a long way so hopefully it's a funny one!

Extra Income

Hehe. Must try this.

I put an ad on kijiji and different ads around on mailboxes in my area for tutoring and someone contacted me :) So I am now tutoring a 6 year old boy on Wednesday nights.

The problem is that he lives 35 minutes away. We agreed on $20 an hour. So really it works out to be less than $10 an hour if I count travel time. That does NOT include planning time. Ah well, I think it will still be good experience and the kid and mom are both really nice.

Hopefully more people contact me. The ad has already had over 40 hits, which I see as a good thing being from a small community.

I also supplied as a designated ECE person today in one of the full-day kindergarten classes. It was busy with 25 kids (2 away)! I also earned less than half of what I would as a teacher, but work is work. Better than no work!

Although I always wonder if I should accept these ECE jobs or hold out and hope that a teaching call will come in. I accepted it, and ignorance is bliss. I'll just assume I would not have received a teaching call to make myself feel better.

Reading

I finished book number 2 of the year. It was a big one at 746 pages, "The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest." I really enjoyed it. It was long and some of the "Section" part in the middle was a bit dry but overall what a great series. :)

I know he planned on writing more, I think the series was going to be 10 books and so there seems to be a few things that I would like to know more about but will not get to. But it was a good series and I would recommend it.

D and his brother-in-law are both into science fiction. Me, not so much. But I haven't ever really given it a chance. D's brother-in-law bought the book that is supposed to be the number 1 sci-fi book of all time and D just finished reading it. It's called "Ender's Game." He told me a bit about it and it sounded okay but not great. But since I finished the last book I was reading and didn't have another lined up I decided to try it.

I am already half through! I'm surprised I am enjoying it so much.

I have heard good things about "The Room." I want to request it from the library as it's always out. Has anyone heard anything about this book or read it themselves?