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!!!
Monday, December 3, 2012
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!
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Updates
I have not been blogging nearly as much as I have wanted, but life is busy! I've been working 6-7 days each week. However, Sunday was my last day at the restaurant. It's a seasonal restaurant so they have closed down until May. So bittersweet, I am really going to miss a lot of the people that worked there this summer, best one yet! I will also miss the added income, but it will be nice to have additional time to catch up on things.
D and I took three days off from work last week and went camping! We canoed for about 40 minutes, then hiked for an hour and a half (just because we had to make 2 trips) and then rowed for about 10 minutes to a little cabin on an island. It was an adorable cabin! It was a great few days as well. Much needed!
D and I were having some problems earlier this month and in September. Mostly myself getting mad at him for not spending time with me or lack of effort with everything, and he getting mad at me over little things too (i.e. he was so upset when I threw out expired meat). It was just bad, I think stress from our jobs was adding to it. It's been getting better now though, we talked about things a lot. It definitely made me question a lot of things though too. I want things to work out, I hope that they do! So far since our camping trip things have been a lot better, maybe it was just a little break from work that was needed.
My best friend's ex boyfriend passed away a couple of weeks ago from a drug overdose. She dated him for more than 3 years, but they broke up 4 years ago. He was a different person back then. I went with her to the memorial on Sunday, it was incredibly sad. A parent should never have to go through something like that. I also arrived second to the scene of a fatal car crash on my way home from work about a week and a half ago. Both instances made me realize that life is so short and that it's so much about the relationships you have.
I've been reading a bit more. I just finished "I've Got Your Number" by Sophie Kinsella. It was a fast read, not very believable, but entertaining. I bought it from a girl selling things on kijiji in my area. I bought 6 books, including one hardcover for $10! They are great, brand new looking!
I want to make something a little crafty too. Maybe some throw pillows for our ugly couches. I entered our couches into the Leon's room makeover contest and was surprised we didn't win!
D and I took three days off from work last week and went camping! We canoed for about 40 minutes, then hiked for an hour and a half (just because we had to make 2 trips) and then rowed for about 10 minutes to a little cabin on an island. It was an adorable cabin! It was a great few days as well. Much needed!
D and I were having some problems earlier this month and in September. Mostly myself getting mad at him for not spending time with me or lack of effort with everything, and he getting mad at me over little things too (i.e. he was so upset when I threw out expired meat). It was just bad, I think stress from our jobs was adding to it. It's been getting better now though, we talked about things a lot. It definitely made me question a lot of things though too. I want things to work out, I hope that they do! So far since our camping trip things have been a lot better, maybe it was just a little break from work that was needed.
My best friend's ex boyfriend passed away a couple of weeks ago from a drug overdose. She dated him for more than 3 years, but they broke up 4 years ago. He was a different person back then. I went with her to the memorial on Sunday, it was incredibly sad. A parent should never have to go through something like that. I also arrived second to the scene of a fatal car crash on my way home from work about a week and a half ago. Both instances made me realize that life is so short and that it's so much about the relationships you have.
I've been reading a bit more. I just finished "I've Got Your Number" by Sophie Kinsella. It was a fast read, not very believable, but entertaining. I bought it from a girl selling things on kijiji in my area. I bought 6 books, including one hardcover for $10! They are great, brand new looking!
I want to make something a little crafty too. Maybe some throw pillows for our ugly couches. I entered our couches into the Leon's room makeover contest and was surprised we didn't win!
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Extreme Cheapskates
Have you heard of this new show on TLC? It gives you an inside look at some really cheap people in America. Some reuse toilet paper, dive in dumpsters for gifts, asking strangers for their leftovers. Check out a clip here from one of the shows.
Is there anything you do that you consider especially frugal?
Is there anything you do that you consider especially frugal?
Monday, October 1, 2012
September Spending!
I cannot believe it's already October!! September went by so fast! I worked a lot during September, even got 2.5 days of teaching in. Went to my elementary school's 25th anniversary with D, hung out with work friends a lot (I am going to miss them once the season is over), went out a couple of times with my brothers too.
Rent (19%) ACTUAL: 8%
Hydro (3%) 3%
Internet (3%) 2%
Laundry (2%) 1%
Car and Gas (11%) ACTUAL: 12% A lot of driving!
Phone (3%) ACTUAL: 2%
Food (8%) ACTUAL: 6%
Restaurant (3%) ACTUAL: 1%
Personal/Medical (4%) ACTUAL 0%
Clothing (5%) ACTUAL: 6% A couple of t-shirts, hoodies, and a pair of jeans
Gifts (5%) ACTUAL 4% Wedding gift, food basket for my mom
Education (2%) ACTUAL 0%
Entertainment (3%) ACTUAL 1%
Everything Else (5%) ACTUAL: 1% Hair for wedding
TOTAL (73%) ACTUAL 47% This is pretty good for September! I only went over in car and gas spending. There was a lot of driving this month to the city and to work which is about a 50km round trip.
TFSA (15%) ACTUAL: 60% toward the "future TFSA"
Christmas (3%) ACTUAL: 0%
Camera (3%) ACTUAL: 0%
RRSP (5%) ACTUAL: 0%
Travel Fund (3%) ACTUAL: 15%
TOTAL (28%) ACTUAL 75% I am really happy with the amount of savings again. It was due to having that serving job though. It's going to be difficult when it's back to only teaching again. Hopefully I can work there at least one more summer!
October I want to save more toward the future TFSA. I want to carve pumpkins. I have to figure out whether we are going to stay in this apartment or not since our least is up at the end of the month! Ah, some big decisions coming up.
Rent (19%) ACTUAL: 8%
Hydro (3%) 3%
Internet (3%) 2%
Laundry (2%) 1%
Car and Gas (11%) ACTUAL: 12% A lot of driving!
Phone (3%) ACTUAL: 2%
Food (8%) ACTUAL: 6%
Restaurant (3%) ACTUAL: 1%
Personal/Medical (4%) ACTUAL 0%
Clothing (5%) ACTUAL: 6% A couple of t-shirts, hoodies, and a pair of jeans
Gifts (5%) ACTUAL 4% Wedding gift, food basket for my mom
Education (2%) ACTUAL 0%
Entertainment (3%) ACTUAL 1%
Everything Else (5%) ACTUAL: 1% Hair for wedding
TOTAL (73%) ACTUAL 47% This is pretty good for September! I only went over in car and gas spending. There was a lot of driving this month to the city and to work which is about a 50km round trip.
TFSA (15%) ACTUAL: 60% toward the "future TFSA"
Christmas (3%) ACTUAL: 0%
Camera (3%) ACTUAL: 0%
RRSP (5%) ACTUAL: 0%
Travel Fund (3%) ACTUAL: 15%
TOTAL (28%) ACTUAL 75% I am really happy with the amount of savings again. It was due to having that serving job though. It's going to be difficult when it's back to only teaching again. Hopefully I can work there at least one more summer!
October I want to save more toward the future TFSA. I want to carve pumpkins. I have to figure out whether we are going to stay in this apartment or not since our least is up at the end of the month! Ah, some big decisions coming up.
August Spending
A little late on this post. August and September were really busy months! A lot of working, but it was good!
Rent (19%) ACTUAL: 7%
Hydro (3%) 2%
Internet (3%) 2%
Laundry (2%) 1%
Car and Gas (11%) ACTUAL: 8%
Phone (3%) ACTUAL: 1%
Food (8%) ACTUAL: 4%
Restaurant (3%) ACTUAL: 1%
Personal/Medical (4%) ACTUAL 6% Hair appointment and prescription
Clothing (5%) ACTUAL: 1% Pair of shoes for work and the wedding
Gifts (5%) ACTUAL 3% Bachelorette gift
Education (2%) ACTUAL 4% ASL course
Entertainment (3%) ACTUAL 3%
Everything Else (5%) ACTUAL: 10% AUX wire for the car, purses, dress alterations
TOTAL (73%) ACTUAL 53% This isn't too bad. I am sure I could have done better, but I am still happy with this amount!
TFSA (15%) ACTUAL: 61% for the "future TFSA"
Christmas (3%) ACTUAL: 0% This is done now!
Camera (3%) ACTUAL: 2%
RRSP (5%) ACTUAL: 0%
Travel Fund (3%) ACTUAL: 0%
TOTAL (28%) ACTUAL 64% Now THIS is a great number!! I am very happy with the savings this month. I am going to miss having my serving job once it's complete, the extra money from it was amazing!
Rent (19%) ACTUAL: 7%
Hydro (3%) 2%
Internet (3%) 2%
Laundry (2%) 1%
Car and Gas (11%) ACTUAL: 8%
Phone (3%) ACTUAL: 1%
Food (8%) ACTUAL: 4%
Restaurant (3%) ACTUAL: 1%
Personal/Medical (4%) ACTUAL 6% Hair appointment and prescription
Clothing (5%) ACTUAL: 1% Pair of shoes for work and the wedding
Gifts (5%) ACTUAL 3% Bachelorette gift
Education (2%) ACTUAL 4% ASL course
Entertainment (3%) ACTUAL 3%
Everything Else (5%) ACTUAL: 10% AUX wire for the car, purses, dress alterations
TOTAL (73%) ACTUAL 53% This isn't too bad. I am sure I could have done better, but I am still happy with this amount!
TFSA (15%) ACTUAL: 61% for the "future TFSA"
Christmas (3%) ACTUAL: 0% This is done now!
Camera (3%) ACTUAL: 2%
RRSP (5%) ACTUAL: 0%
Travel Fund (3%) ACTUAL: 0%
TOTAL (28%) ACTUAL 64% Now THIS is a great number!! I am very happy with the savings this month. I am going to miss having my serving job once it's complete, the extra money from it was amazing!
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