New $20s in Canada...controversy?

Today is the day the new $20 bills go into circulation. I really like the new bills they have been making. They are more durable and harder to counterfeit. However, I was also reading about them and a focus group seemed to think it was too "pornographic" and saw the twin towers in the design which was offensive.

It's ACTUALLY a picture of the vimy ridge memorial in France. I think it's a good thing Canada is putting things like this on our money because it will bring more awareness to history many Canadians didn't even know about.

Apparently this is not even the first time that Canadian's have done these focus groups and have seen questionable things on the money. Many thought they saw "a sex toy" in the $100 bills DNA strand, that the see-through windows looked like a woman's body, some thought Borden's eyes were crossed and that his mustache was unkempt.

Some thought the $50 bill had skull and crossbones in the portholes of the Amundsen. They thought the Inuit writing at the top (which translates to Arctic) was some sort of secret code. That Newfoundland/Labrador was possibly a bird or even Pinocchio. Oh CANADA!!

October Spending

November is here! I'm actually late in posting this, so it's been here for a bit. It was an okay October. I didn't get to savings, but have some set aside for November already. Oops!! I taught a few days in October, and finished up my restaurant job. Had Thanksgiving with work friends and D went to his family's house. We went camping for 3 days and stayed at a really cute cabin! We are staying at our apartment for a while longer, we didn't sign a lease but we gave post-dated cheques for the year. It's been kind of nice not working everyday of the week but I am missing the income.

Rent (19%) ACTUAL: 13%
Hydro (3%) 3%
Internet (3%) 3% 
Laundry (2%) 2%
Car and Gas (11%) ACTUAL: 14%
Phone (3%) ACTUAL: 2%
Food (8%) ACTUAL: 2% This is low, I think D must have bought most of the food this month
Restaurant (3%) ACTUAL: 1%
Personal/Medical (4%) ACTUAL 9% Haircut, some new shampoo/conditioner
Clothing (5%) ACTUAL: 3% A pair of hiking boots
Gifts (5%) ACTUAL 1% Starting on my Christmas shopping
Education (2%) ACTUAL 0%
Entertainment (3%) ACTUAL 1% We didn't do much at all in October! Carved some pumpkins, bought some wine.
Everything Else (5%) ACTUAL: 2%

TOTAL (73%) ACTUAL 55% This isn't too bad for spending in October. However my savings are non-existent this month November should be a lot better. 

TFSA (15%) ACTUAL: 0%
Christmas (3%) ACTUAL: 0%
Camera (3%) ACTUAL: 0%
RRSP (5%) ACTUAL: 0%
Travel Fund (3%) ACTUAL: 0%

TOTAL (28%) ACTUAL 0% YIKES!!! I had two paycheques from work that were not deposited in October so those will likely go directly toward savings. November will be a tight month with only relying on teaching!

November I want to save more to my TFSA, I am hoping $900 which is doable with my lack of saving last month. I need to get some Christmas shopping out of the way so it's not TOO crazy when December hits. I also need to study my ASL more, I only have a few weeks left in the class before the exam!