I've gone off track in my tracking of spending....I was doing SO good until March of this year. Then I quit blogging and quit tracking...December I NEED to get back on board.
Where is my money going? I have a general idea since my spending habits are pretty much never changing, BUT it's nice to know how much you've been saving and exactly where you are spending your money. So new years resolution starting a month early, I WILL track my spending again.
Ugh December is the month I SPEND the most, but things can only get better from there right? Christmas is only 30 days away according to EVERYONE on facebook. I have only MOSTLY completed one gift so far. More on that soon...
How is your Christmas shopping going? Any ideas on what to get for boys in their mid-twenties that don't really need anything?
Monday, November 25, 2013
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Oh just the last NINE months
I can't believe it's been NINE months since I last posted.
What's happened in 9 months? Well D and I broke up. I broke up with him just a couple days after my last post. I told him I was not happy with our relationship and he promised he would make it better. I just wanted to hang out with him more, for him to want to spend time with me. However the very next day he decided to sleep the day away, not do anything around the house (he was unemployed at the time) and I was done. It was so hard because I was really in love with him but I knew that I deserved better than that.
I moved in with my parents and went on a trip to Florida with them. Florida was absolutely amazing! We went for about three weeks and although the weather was awful I had such a nice time. I became closer with my parents and brother by going and spent a lot of time with them. I met a few new friends from the States while there too. Went swimming, saw Winter (a dolphin with a prosthetic tail), went out a lot, spent time reading and just relaxing. When I returned I started looking for a new roommate and put an ad on kijiji (more on that soon). Found an awesome place and an awesome roommate!
Now...I have a new apartment that I LOVE, friends that I LOVE, a path toward a career that I LOVE, A new boyfriend (since the beginning of summer) that I haven't actually said those little words to yet but are just about BURSTING out of me. Life is good :)
Now...I have a new apartment that I LOVE, friends that I LOVE, a path toward a career that I LOVE, A new boyfriend (since the beginning of summer) that I haven't actually said those little words to yet but are just about BURSTING out of me. Life is good :)
Monday, February 18, 2013
Vacation!
My parents have been going to the same place in Florida for the past 4 years or so. They took us kids when I was in grade 12, and I haven't been back since. They wanted to go with another couple this year and none of their friends could take time off. So they asked us kids! I said I would be interested, D said it's too much for him. It will be so weird not seeing him for over two weeks since we live together!
So my brother said he would come. My youngest brother has a new girlfriend who I think is great but he has really changed since getting together with her, and especially moving in with her. Unfortunately NOT for the better. Without getting into details, he has really made my life difficult in the past couple of months just by not thinking of how his actions will effect others (typical boy) and thinking only of himself. But he has also decided to come. I'm sure it will be fine, we have always been pretty close.
I am excited for the trip. We leave March 15, and come back April 2nd! My brother is coming back earlier. We have no plans and we are in a fairly low-key part of Florida on the gulf coast. I was really hoping to do one scuba diving trip but haven't been able to find anything near where we are staying. Hopefully I can find something once we get there! I watched the movie "Dolphin Tale" this weekend since we will be staying close to Clearwater, which is where the dolphin Winter is kept. My mom has said she is interested in seeing that aquarium.
I reimbursed my parents for the flight ($580) and gave them extra money ($500) for the condo they are renting. My dad did not want to accept it since he had mentioned he would be paying for it but I insisted. I will help them with groceries and travel once we get there as well.
Less than a month now!
So my brother said he would come. My youngest brother has a new girlfriend who I think is great but he has really changed since getting together with her, and especially moving in with her. Unfortunately NOT for the better. Without getting into details, he has really made my life difficult in the past couple of months just by not thinking of how his actions will effect others (typical boy) and thinking only of himself. But he has also decided to come. I'm sure it will be fine, we have always been pretty close.
I am excited for the trip. We leave March 15, and come back April 2nd! My brother is coming back earlier. We have no plans and we are in a fairly low-key part of Florida on the gulf coast. I was really hoping to do one scuba diving trip but haven't been able to find anything near where we are staying. Hopefully I can find something once we get there! I watched the movie "Dolphin Tale" this weekend since we will be staying close to Clearwater, which is where the dolphin Winter is kept. My mom has said she is interested in seeing that aquarium.
I reimbursed my parents for the flight ($580) and gave them extra money ($500) for the condo they are renting. My dad did not want to accept it since he had mentioned he would be paying for it but I insisted. I will help them with groceries and travel once we get there as well.
Less than a month now!
Friday, February 8, 2013
She's Baaaackkk!
I'm still around. I've been reading your blogs and keeping up-to-date with you! Let's get to the updates!
December was great. Finished all my Christmas shopping on time, I think everyone really enjoyed their gifts this year too. I was underbudget with the Christmas shopping too! We had so many Christmases to attend this year, but it's always nice to see family. One of my good friends had her baby just before Christmas and I recently was able to complete and send off a baby quilt, and matching taggie I made.
New years was spent watching The Trews with some friends in the city. Such a great Canadian band.
I received my passing mark for my latest ASL class in January. I've decided to forego the weekend ASL trip I have done for the past two years, but will likely sign up for it next winter. Instead I signed up for a photography class for the end of February. It was originally $229, on for $39 with a living social deal. It looks pretty good, and I'll get to learn some new tricks for using my camera on manual.
Yesterday I had my trial date for the accident I was in last June. I was incredibly nervous, and D came for moral support. We showed up early and were filed into the courtroom with about 20 other people. Signed in, and I was called up third. My friend (whose car I crashed into) did not show up (she didn't even receive the subpoena) so the case was dismissed entirely! Wooooohooooo!!! That saved me $490 in fine, 6 demerit points, and A LOT of insurance money! That friend is getting a good birthday gift this year!
For Christmas my parents got me a blender (I asked for it), so I've been making blended drinks a lot lately. So good! I love trying different variations, even adding spinach to some. I also have been making it out to the gym fairly regularly since the beginning of January. I got two months for $60 on a wagjag online. I am actually enjoying going to the gym now.
We had THREE snow days and a PA day last week. I was supposed to work this morning too but it ended up being another snow day. I found out once I got to the school since the job was never cancelled (supposed to cancel it before 7:30am) and no one was answering the phone at the school. Frustrating!
I've been doing respite work 2-3 days each week. The kids are pretty good, they get in silly sibling arguments sometimes but they are nice kids. Last night, the oldest kid (a 12 year old boy) taught me how to KNIT! He knows all about it, the terms for the stitches and needles. This is a kid that can hardly focus on anything other than videogames for more than 5 minutes, and he was knitting! I was very impressed, kids are always full of surprises!
December was great. Finished all my Christmas shopping on time, I think everyone really enjoyed their gifts this year too. I was underbudget with the Christmas shopping too! We had so many Christmases to attend this year, but it's always nice to see family. One of my good friends had her baby just before Christmas and I recently was able to complete and send off a baby quilt, and matching taggie I made.
New years was spent watching The Trews with some friends in the city. Such a great Canadian band.
I received my passing mark for my latest ASL class in January. I've decided to forego the weekend ASL trip I have done for the past two years, but will likely sign up for it next winter. Instead I signed up for a photography class for the end of February. It was originally $229, on for $39 with a living social deal. It looks pretty good, and I'll get to learn some new tricks for using my camera on manual.
Yesterday I had my trial date for the accident I was in last June. I was incredibly nervous, and D came for moral support. We showed up early and were filed into the courtroom with about 20 other people. Signed in, and I was called up third. My friend (whose car I crashed into) did not show up (she didn't even receive the subpoena) so the case was dismissed entirely! Wooooohooooo!!! That saved me $490 in fine, 6 demerit points, and A LOT of insurance money! That friend is getting a good birthday gift this year!
For Christmas my parents got me a blender (I asked for it), so I've been making blended drinks a lot lately. So good! I love trying different variations, even adding spinach to some. I also have been making it out to the gym fairly regularly since the beginning of January. I got two months for $60 on a wagjag online. I am actually enjoying going to the gym now.
We had THREE snow days and a PA day last week. I was supposed to work this morning too but it ended up being another snow day. I found out once I got to the school since the job was never cancelled (supposed to cancel it before 7:30am) and no one was answering the phone at the school. Frustrating!
I've been doing respite work 2-3 days each week. The kids are pretty good, they get in silly sibling arguments sometimes but they are nice kids. Last night, the oldest kid (a 12 year old boy) taught me how to KNIT! He knows all about it, the terms for the stitches and needles. This is a kid that can hardly focus on anything other than videogames for more than 5 minutes, and he was knitting! I was very impressed, kids are always full of surprises!
Monday, December 3, 2012
December this and that
It's December!! One more month until 2013!!
November was a pretty fast month, I felt really busy. Teaching a number of days. I was accepted onto our school board's LTO list. They are trying to make it more fair. I am terrible at interviews and felt I did awful but somehow I passed!! I am number 270 on the list...ugh.
I accepted a respite job in town. Three kids, one has some pretty major health issues, I go a couple of times a week bi-weekly. It's not a lot of income but it's something! The kids are pretty good too so I don't mind at all.
Today I applied for a new passport. My pictures are AWFUL. Does anyone ever look good in their passport photos?? Ah but they said it should be back in 2-5 weeks. My mom asked me if I was interested in joining her and my dad on a Florida trip this year, perhaps with my brother. I could end up doing that so I will now at least have the option with a passport.
I finished my final exam for my American Sign Language course. I think I did fairly well. After the exams we went out for a drink and appetizers and chatted. It was so nice. The teacher was good friends with my grandpa as well and told several stories about him. I miss him a lot but it's nice that people remember him.
I made a BIG purchase for myself recently. On cyber Monday I bought a DSLR camera. It's a Canon Rebel T4i. I have never used a digital SLR so it will take some time to learn. I'm excited about it though. I ordered it through Best Buy (It was over $500 off) and I STILL have not received it, according to my tracking it hasn't even been sent! I would like to learn how to do a few things before Christmas so I hope it comes soon!!!
I went to a Christmas party at my university roommate's house this weekend. I did a TON of baking for it!!! Gingerbread men (wearing ugly Christmas sweaters), snowman cupcakes, Grinch cookies, marshmallow butterscotch squares, peanut butter blossoms in red and green, Christmas rice krispy squares, Christmas brownies, and candycane bark. It all went over well at the party and I have a lot of leftovers I've been giving out to family and friends.
At the Christmas party I got the new T-Swift CD, a couple of books, a hoodie, a beer mug haha, chocolates and a candle.
Yesterday was my best friend's birthday. She came over and we went out for dinner and ate Christmas treats. Today she called me and told me that she was given T-Swift concert tickets for June in Toronto from her boyfriend and wants to take me! AHHHH I've never been to a concert that big, I am sooo excited!! I'll have to do something nice for her BF. So cool!!!
November was a pretty fast month, I felt really busy. Teaching a number of days. I was accepted onto our school board's LTO list. They are trying to make it more fair. I am terrible at interviews and felt I did awful but somehow I passed!! I am number 270 on the list...ugh.
I accepted a respite job in town. Three kids, one has some pretty major health issues, I go a couple of times a week bi-weekly. It's not a lot of income but it's something! The kids are pretty good too so I don't mind at all.
Today I applied for a new passport. My pictures are AWFUL. Does anyone ever look good in their passport photos?? Ah but they said it should be back in 2-5 weeks. My mom asked me if I was interested in joining her and my dad on a Florida trip this year, perhaps with my brother. I could end up doing that so I will now at least have the option with a passport.
I finished my final exam for my American Sign Language course. I think I did fairly well. After the exams we went out for a drink and appetizers and chatted. It was so nice. The teacher was good friends with my grandpa as well and told several stories about him. I miss him a lot but it's nice that people remember him.
I made a BIG purchase for myself recently. On cyber Monday I bought a DSLR camera. It's a Canon Rebel T4i. I have never used a digital SLR so it will take some time to learn. I'm excited about it though. I ordered it through Best Buy (It was over $500 off) and I STILL have not received it, according to my tracking it hasn't even been sent! I would like to learn how to do a few things before Christmas so I hope it comes soon!!!
I went to a Christmas party at my university roommate's house this weekend. I did a TON of baking for it!!! Gingerbread men (wearing ugly Christmas sweaters), snowman cupcakes, Grinch cookies, marshmallow butterscotch squares, peanut butter blossoms in red and green, Christmas rice krispy squares, Christmas brownies, and candycane bark. It all went over well at the party and I have a lot of leftovers I've been giving out to family and friends.
At the Christmas party I got the new T-Swift CD, a couple of books, a hoodie, a beer mug haha, chocolates and a candle.
Yesterday was my best friend's birthday. She came over and we went out for dinner and ate Christmas treats. Today she called me and told me that she was given T-Swift concert tickets for June in Toronto from her boyfriend and wants to take me! AHHHH I've never been to a concert that big, I am sooo excited!! I'll have to do something nice for her BF. So cool!!!
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
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!!
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!!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
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!
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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)