About Me

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

New Canadian Bills

Have you seen the new bills yet? I didn't even know they were making new ones. They are PLASTIC, and transparent. I saw a $100 bill the other day at work. I like them! What do you think?

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Losing Money

Glad I worked nearly everyday this summer. I have not been getting enough work this year teaching. It's been a slow start and a lot slower than previous years. Doesn't help that today is a snow-day and my job was cancelled. As much as I am disliking parts of my serving job it's really helping financially. Along with what I was able to save from this summer.

Updates there. I have added an additional $1000 to my EF. I thought living on my own I should increase it just in case. So it's at $2500, it's actually at $3000 but I am giving myself some leeway to go a bit above and below.

My serving job made me really upset on Saturday. I had a pretty good day, people were nice. Although I did get one no-tip. When a person does not tip. That means I OWE the kitchen, plus I'm already making under provincial minimum wage so it kind of sucks. Anyway overall that day I was doing alright. Then I get a group of 15....15 fifteen year olds. All worked out they all wanted separate bills which takes forever to process. Kids are leaving as I am processing payments. I assume they left money on the table. Most did....two did not. One was just a pop, and $2, the other was a big order and $37. They just left. I didn't know what to do in this situation and asked my manager. She said I was going to have to pay.

Other kids at the same table left no tip, so my tips I did earn throughout the day also went to paying the kitchen staff, then with two non-payments I made no money that day. It sucked. It made me so angry that people would actually do that. Sunday night my manager said that she is going to try to contact one of the kids who she knows that was at that table, and if the person doesn't end up paying she will give me half of my money back. Still sucks that I have to pay anything for someone else skipping on their bill. Ugh!

Monday, November 28, 2011

Christmas Is Coming!!

I have saved for Christmas. Hopefully enough! I saved $800. I was hoping earlier this year that I wouldn't even spend that full amount but it all depends really. I really need to get some shopping done though!!

My mom mentioned to me about a week or so ago that my dad would be interested in an ipod touch for Christmas. She said she knows it's a big item so if the three of us kids wanted to split on it that we could get it for both of them to share and that would be more than enough.

I thought that it would be a good idea for my dad, but we could get something else for my mom. I texted my brothers about it. The first one replied saying he's in. It would be about $75 each. The other one wouldn't respond to me. Then Friday we went out for my dad's birthday and went back to their house for some drinks. They went to visit the neighbour and my brother came by and showed me that he bought them an ipad!

It was a Black Friday sale. It was $460. He said he is cool with us still paying $75 toward it or we can do whatever really. I think they will be pretty impressed with it.

I do not know what to get the other members of my family, or D, or D's family. I just need to get out there and start looking or getting hints on what they want. I don't even know what is on my own list!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Updates

Since moving in things have been pretty good. We picked up a table and chairs on Saturday and put it together. Went to my aunts for supper then my friend and her boyfriend came over. It was nice. They brought a candle as a housewarming gift which was nice. 

D's parents came over this weekend bringing plants and muffins mmm!! 

We saw Puss in Boots on Monday. Nice to have a date night! Last night we watched a war movie, we meant to on Friday for Remembrance day but lacked time. 

D's been keeping up with the dishes which is good. The place is growing on me more and more. We need skinny nightstands since the space where our bed is doesn't leave much room for nightstands. We want to make a TV stand and a kitchen hutch type of thing with a drawer since there are NO drawers in the kitchen. We have our cutlery in a cupboard right now haha.

D bought a swiffer vacuum yesterday. It's funny the things you get excited about now. It's fun to use though. 

My mom and the dog came over for a visit last night. She helped me put up our first curtain. We have almost 11 ft ceilings here so it was tricky with no ladder!!

I'm not too sure about my new serving job. I asked for 4 Monday evenings off to take my ASL class, and I asked for this weekend off to see D's sister's show 2 weeks in advance in a book where you book time off. The manager scheduled me to work everyday that I asked off. I asked around and was able to get all my shifts switched and asked the manager about it. She was NOT IMPRESSED. She said she expects us to work the days we are scheduled, and she can easily just hire someone else if we're going to always switch our shifts. She did it for me this week but said I can't be expecting her to do it again. Ugh. I might just quit if they have an issue with it. They are NOT nice there. The other manager was so rude when he asked what ASL meant, showing me the middle finger when I told him about it, saying he knows sign language too.

I got my $1100 last week! Finally. I haven't put any money into savings this month, it's been a rough month with spending since there is a lot to spend when first starting out. And Christmas is next month!! NEED TO START CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!!!!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

We're Moved In!!

Almost...there are still a few more things I would like to get from my parents. D is completely moved in and he actually has a few things he might want to RETURN to his parents. He has a lot of sports equipment here and it takes up a ton of space.

I have done two grocery shopping trips. It's a lot to buy when you first move in. We are mostly set up now. We got internet on Saturday!

We need a few more things like CURTAINS, and extension cords but we can manage with the rest we have for now. I bought a toaster yesterday and D got a love seat from his friend from work. I bought a dining table and chairs that we will pick up on Saturday. Nothing is pretty or matches but that's alright. It's fun to live with him.

Work has been going okay. I liked the other restaurant more, it was more organized for a server but in time I will get this one too. I am done my training and have had one shift so far. I have another tonight and tomorrow night so hope they go well!

I am still missing $1100 from a one-on-one job I did this summer. It's frustrating! I have called a number of times, just left another message so hope something is worked out soon!

October Spending

October was a really good month. I didn't end up spending very much...oh how I am going to miss those months!! We ended up finding an apartment, I finished my work at the summer restaurant and I got a new second job, and things have been going pretty well.

Car and Gas (15%) ACTUAL: 6% Oil and gas
Phone (4%) ACTUAL: 2%
Food (4%) ACTUAL: 1%
Restaurant (4%) ACTUAL: 4%
Personal/Medical (6%) ACTUAL 0%
Clothing (5%) ACTUAL: 0%
Gifts (2%) ACTUAL 1%
Education (2%) ACTUAL 0%
Entertainment (4%) ACTUAL 1% Wine!
Everything Else (3%) ACTUAL: 5% Wine glasses and some things for moving


TOTAL (48%) ACTUAL 19%!! I like it!!!

TFSA (35%) ACTUAL: 37% Same percent as last month! I have maxed out my TFSA so this is starting the KICK START TFSA through ING.
Christmas (5%) ACTUAL: 0% Done with this category now
Computer (3%) ACTUAL: 41% I'm thinking a camera? Maybe a sewing machine? Hmmm
RRSP (6%) ACTUAL: 0%
Travel Fund (3%) ACTUAL: 6%

TOTAL (52%) ACTUAL 78% Woo!!!


Goals for November will be just to keep spending to a minimum. I've done this post late and have already spent a bit on new apartment stuff. There is a lot to buy at first when getting a new apartment. D came with almost nothing! Savings will be minimal but I hope to up the EF just in case we have a high hydro month or something else unexpected comes up. It will be easier to plan once we have a few more bills come in to determine the average cost of hydro for this place. 

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Moving In

It's a big process. We're lucky that we don't HAVE to move in just on the first. So we have been taking our time. Moving little things on the first. We moved some big things last night. We're pretty much done moving except for a few little things here and there, and all our clothes.

We are getting what we can from people so we have quite the assortment of furniture. Most I dislike but slipcovers will help. Some things we will just have to purchase. We have no dining room set or TV stand. I think I may look at the thrift store in the town next to us today as well as the re-store.

We had a good Halloween. I carved pumpkins with my cousin and her boyfriend. Then D and I handed out candy at my parents house with the dog. I bought a bunch of Halloween candy on sale yesterday!

We gave in all of the cheques yesterday. I ordered some free ones from ING since I don't have any since that fraud thing made me change my bank account. I am going to pay for internet and hydro and give him the difference from the rent. Rent is going to be $387.5 each.