About Me

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

More into TFSA

The good thing about working a lot is the money from it. I moved another $500 into the TFSA today. So that's $1800 for the month!

I spent a bit this week though too. I bought some birkenstock sandals, and a dress. Total was about $130, but I'm okay with that. The dress will be worn again and the sandals will last forever. I am interested to see how I did spending wise and saving wise this month though. I will hopefully be able to update you on that tomorrow too.

Can you believe tomorrow is September?!

Long Days

Monday night the restaurant shut down slightly early to prepare for 80s prom. I did end up going. I put together a look that day. I had a bright turquoise layered dress, then on my break I bought some gaudy jewellery. I had almost no time from the time I rushed home to the time I needed to be back so I just did my hair in a side ponytail with lots of bright make-up. It worked.

One girl had an awesome purple dress with shoulder pads. Teased her hair in a side ponytail, and completed the look with HEADGEAR. It was sooo well done. She won best costume.

I'm glad I went, it ended up being a pretty fun time, the food was pretty good too.

However, the after-effects of the party were felt yesterday. I was fine since I only had two drinks the whole night but most people got completely drunk and were not doing very well yesterday at work. Kitchen staff was decreased and so was serving staff.

I was supposed to be working a split shift and instead worked just over 12 hours straight with no break. No food break, except for the piece of bread I snuck in around noon. The host and hostess tried to make it work so I wasn't being sat for a bit in order to let me get some lunch but people just kept coming and although my tables were lessened I wasn't ever able to take a break.

Sometimes we have up to 14 servers on. Yesterday we only had 5 during the day, and 6 at night. It was really hard. My legs and feet were really sore by the end of the night. It was like powerwalking for 12 hours. Today my knee hurts but I have to go in again for a split shift. Cannot wait until Friday, my next day off :)

Sunday, August 28, 2011

80s Prom

Did any of you actually go to your prom in the 80s?

The restaurant I work at is having an 80s prom tomorrow night for the staff. They are shutting down early and we are having dinner and drinks. There were nomination forms and there are posters in the back of house of people wanting to be voted king and queen.

I don't know if I will go. I am not very close to anyone there. We are not allowed to bring outside guests. It would have been nice to bring D. What would I wear? I only have two or three dresses, and they are not 80s style at all. Hmmm. Free dinner would be nice though.

D and I watched the last HP yesterday. It was good. I wish there was more to the series though. I guess I could always read the rest of the books if I need more.

I have one day off this week, it's Friday and I volunteered to watch the kid I work one-on-one with. Either to the camp, or just have a day in town doing fun things. I said he can choose which he would rather do, I'm hoping he chooses town activities because camp can be really hectic. So looks like I'm working another 7 day week.

Last night at work I gave $100 to that girl that was complaining. Ugh. My manager said that I needed to, but that I will also be compensated for making very little on the Sunday night. I doubt this will happen, so I might speak to a manager about it.

Fall is here soon. Only 9 more days until schools start back around here. I will start getting calls to supply teach again soon.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Some Updates

Yesterday was my first day off in 15 days. It was amazing to not have to do anything. I still did some laundry and got an oil change but was fairly unproductive with the rest of my day.

My oil change was $50, and they mentioned that I have a hole in the metal on the lower part of my car but I could take it to a local company to get a piece of metal put on to cover the whole just so it doesn't get any worse. I will try to get this done soon. I'm even wondering if D could do it, if it's just a welding fix.

I only have 3 more days of the one-on-one work job I am doing then I will be free of that and will just have the restaurant job and maybe the aerial park job (kind of tired of that one) until teaching starts up more regularly.

I want to start to apply for other jobs soon so I can have some sort of job while I am teaching. Just not sure where to apply. I am thinking a restaurant though, and noticed a couple were accepting applications. This will just give me some extra income throughout the year, will help me achieve some goals sooner. Nothing will be as busy as the restaurant I am at now but it might be more relaxing.

I've stopped updating my "extra income" aside from teaching just because I met my goal and with tips I was making "extra" almost nightly. I transferred $500 from my ING Computer Fund to my regular bank account to pay it off. It hasn't shown up on my credit card statement online yet so I will first wait for that.

I was late in depositing a signed invoice for one of my one-on-one jobs so I am not going to receive that money until late September. I had hoped for it this month, but glad I didn't spend the money before getting it. It will be nice to have in September anyway since it's generally a slow month. The amount will be $1100. 

Today I'm going to add $300 to my TFSA, and $200 to Travel. My main focus for the rest of the year is going to be to try to max out that TFSA.

I've lost my library card. I could have sworn I saw it a few days ago somewhere but I can't remember where and I've looked everywhere for it. I might need to get a new one. I've had my current one for about 18 years!! Hopefully they are not costly to replace. I am almost done Hunger Games. Will finish it tonight, it's been action packed, I already recommend it.

Last night D and I watched Source Code. We both had different interpretations of the ending. His was complicated! Tonight he is coming over for supper :)

Monday, August 22, 2011

New Computer!

I've had it with this computer! It's been causing me problems pretty much since I got it. It started to shut off randomly about a year and a half ago and has been frustrating me everyday since.

I started a computer fund and managed to save $1500 into it. Last night D and I went computer shopping online and picked out a new HP laptop to replace this Toshiba. I originally really wanted a Mac because they are really neat! But decided it wasn't worth the price and went with a PC. Maybe my next computer will be a Mac.

They said it would be shipped here by the 31st. I can't wait! It came to $514 after taxes, environment fee, and shipping. Not too bad! I remember when I bought my first laptop (a Toshiba as well) in 2003 and I paid $2000. Nothing special about it!

PS just before I tried to post this computer shut off again. Definitely time! 

Friday, August 19, 2011

Ugh

Yesterday while at my day job I received a phone call while on lunch break. It was a server from the restaurant calling. It was the one I felt I should perhaps give some money to since she worked that night and I don't think she made much in tips. However on the phone she was quite rude saying she talked to one of the wives of the men that was at my table and she told her that I made $340 in tips. When really I made $200 from that particular table.

She felt like I should give her a fair portion of those tips.

That night I went into work and discussed it with her. She said she had her own tab going for that table but received no tips since the restaurant completely covered their bill. I asked what the sale for her tab was and she said she couldn't remember which I seem to think is a little strange.

Anyway at the end of the night I needed to get her to sign my read and she was taking a 10 minute smoke break. Finally when she signed it she again asks about her portion of my tips from that night. I said what do you think would be fair and she said use your own discretion. I then received my tipout from the manager and talked to her about the situation.

She said another manager would be dealing with it making sure it was fair for all girls. I was to talk to him about the situation before I do anything. I go back to tell the server what the manager said and let her know that things will work out and that I can still share my tips if it's not fair. She starts getting angry and saying that it's all wrong and she is going to talk to the top managers of the company and complain. She was quite rude and I just apologized and left.

I felt really bad but she told me that management said she was going to be receiving $200 for those two nights. If I share half of my tips with her (which she believes to be $170) then I would be making a lot less than her and I know I did 90% of the work. I'll see what happens on Saturday when I go in next and talk to the manager. I honestly don't mind sharing what I made but I want to wait to see what the restaurant does first to try to make it fair.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

What To Do?

Sunday night was a GM meeting at the restaurant I work at. They closed down the patio to all customers and it was just for the GMs. I worked with two other girls in our small section and most of the bills were paid for by the restaurant. We hardly made any tips. For a 7 hour night, we made $28 each. Some of the other girls made pretty good money.

Last night was supposed to be the same thing. Servers decided to pool tips based, 4 girls would do one half and pool together, and same with the other half. Then it was decided later that no, we were all going to keep our own tips. I think the reason for this was because other servers saw what I saw. Girls were taking shots with the GMs, sitting down and chatting and just not doing their job.

It was frustrating to see some girls do this. I did make fairly good money though. I made over $200 from one table alone. Their bill was completely covered by the restaurant. It was just under $1000 and almost all drinks. I feel bad making money like that since I know most of the other girls made around or even under $50.

I feel like I should give some money to the girls who did do their job. Or at least the ones that helped me out and didn't get very good tips. The restaurant said that they would cover us if people didn't tip well, but I don't know if that is actually going to happen or not. I feel like I should help out this one girl who helped me clear tables, and the bartender. I also feel like I should help this girl who was not in my section just because she worked hard and I don't think she received many tips. I don't know if I should though, maybe I will wait to see if the restaurant is going to help out the girls that did not make much.

I worked my butt off yesterday and seeing some of the girls just socializing was annoying at the least. One bartenders also gave me $20 to show his appreciation for helping them out. I sort of feel like I should do the same? Hmmm.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Going To Be a Long Week!

I'm working just two jobs this week but am going to be working about 80 hours between the two jobs. I am feeling a little like a zombie already and it's only Monday. All will be alright though. I only have three days of one-on-one work next week so I will get a bit of a break then. I also have Friday night and Saturday morning off this week. Woo!

Saturday, August 13, 2011

This and That

I haven't posted in a while. It's been pretty busy here. I've worked two jobs most days this month. I also went CAMPING for 4 days.

D and I, as well as his sister and her husband, and two other couples headed to Bon Echo park for 4 days and 3 nights of camping. It was an awesome experience. We had great sites on the water and rented a canoe. The park is beautiful, it has these huge cliffs. We played games, hiked, went on a ferry and canoe trip, checked out the cliffs, ate better than we do at home, and had a great time. I just love camping!

I had last night off so we took my dog to D's parent's house to drop off some camping gear. They loved her. His family is just so nice. Tonight I am only working the day job, so I think D, his friend and I are going to try to go to a comedy show this evening. I work long shifts both Saturday and Sunday so it might be our only chance to do something this weekend.

I received a paycheque from the aerial park job I haven't been to lately. It was just $11 and change. I think I only worked maybe 3 hours for the job but still. There was no paperwork attached which is quite annoying. I think it was uniform expenses that made it so low, but are they required to give you paperwork and not JUST the cheque?

Right now I have 4 cheques and some tip money in my wallet. I'm hoping to make it to the bank on the way home from work tonight.

I also think I am going to buy a new computer since this one is extremely frustrating. It shuts off randomly, and when it feels like it becomes extremely slow. So I'm in the market looking for one now.

Monday, August 1, 2011

July Spending!

July was a great month financially! I didn't spend very much and was able to put quite a bit into savings!!

Car and Gas (15%) ACTUAL: 8% Only spent on gas, and also a bottle of oil.
Phone (4%) ACTUAL: 5% This was because I also had to pay on the houseline for some long-distance charges I made.
Food (4%) ACTUAL: 2%
Restaurant (4%) ACTUAL: 2%
Personal/Medical (6%) ACTUAL 0% Woo!
Clothing (5%) ACTUAL: 2% Had to buy a dress for work.
Gifts (2%) ACTUAL 1%
Education (2%) ACTUAL 0%
Entertainment (4%) ACTUAL 1% Movies
Everything Else (3%) ACTUAL: 2% Speeding ticket.

TOTAL (48%) ACTUAL 23%!! Wooo! This definietly makes up for the past month.
Now let's look at the SAVINGS I did this month.

TFSA (35%) ACTUAL: 41%
Christmas (5%) ACTUAL: 0% Done with this category now
Computer (3%) 25% I think part of this will go to a new camera or furniture. Decisions!
RRSP (6%) ACTUAL: 10%
Travel Fund (3%) ACTUAL: 0%

TOTAL (52%) ACTUAL 77%
So happy with this month! I managed to finish all of my financial goals. I worked a TON but it paid off. I am ready for my vacation. I hope I can do well in August as well. My goals for August will continue to be to put money toward the TFSA and Computer fund, and work as much as I can.