Weekly Money Check-up June 6

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on clothes for Mike. He got a bunch of new shorts and t-shirts which he desperately needed.
2. Today I am thankful for having such a handy brother-in-law who loves to help out. They were over for a visit today and he was busy. He hung a gate to finish fencing in our yard, built a step for our back deck and installed our programmable thermostat. Awesome stuff!
3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was read. I love reading, and it rarely costs money.
4. I will consider this week a success if I have a good interview on Friday. That's right, I have another interview lined up. Hopefully something good comes out of it!
5. One of my pet peeves is when Mike walks by the garbage can and puts his garbage on the counter. It was more work to put it there then throw it out! Grr...

Weekly Money Check-Up is a fill-in-the blank post once a week. The first four questions are always the same each week and the fifth is always different. Care to participate? Visit My Pretty Penny to link up.

Weekly Money Check-up May 23

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on regular bills.

2. Today I am thankful for the fun my son finds in small things. Like having me chase him from the kitchen to the living room and back for 3 min. It's one of his favourite games.

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was go on many walks with my son. Our walks are just around the block, but he has such fun. One of our walks on Saturday involved walking with a woman and her two grandkids. Mikey was told thrilled with them. We then passed a yard sale, and we spent 15-20 min with their dogs, much to the delight of the elderly gentleman sitting with them.

4. I will consider this week a success if I have a good interview on Tuesday. I would love if I got the job, it's close and with a good company. But even if I just feel like it went well will be a success.

5. I am currently craving crepes. But there is no grocery shopping until Thursday. I will be getting all the stuff to make them then though. Yummy!

Weekly Money Check-Up is a fill-in-the blank post once a week. The first four questions are always the same each week and the fifth is always different. Care to participate? Visit My Pretty Penny to link up.

Weekly Money Check-up May 2

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on food. Our biggest expense every month is always food.
2. Today I am thankful that I was able to find a new job in only a month. I know it seemed like a long time while looking, but it hasn't really been that long.
3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was visit family. It wasn't entire free since I used a tank of gas, but it was great to visit everyone.
4. I will consider this week a success if I finish my job negotiations. Once everything is finalized I will be uber excited to start.
5. One thing I appreciate about my mom is she is a strong independent woman. She raised three kids on her own, and all of us have turned out great.

Weekly Money Check-Up is a fill-in-the blank post once a week. The first four questions are always the same each week and the fifth is always different. Care to participate? Visit My Pretty Penny to link up.

Weekly Money Check-up April 18

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on regular bills. We are trying to really watch what we spend money on until I get another job.
2. Today I am thankful that we have the money to get through my unemployment, at least for now. It is definitely less stressful knowing we have a little money.
3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was babysit my niece and nephew while my sister went out. Mikey loves playing with them. Everything went great, and I even got to have a little alone time and a nap before she came home. I'll just leave out how Mikey woke up and threw up all over me and him about 2 minutes before my sister came home.
4. I will consider this week a success if I hear back from the two jobs I interviewed with last week. Hopefully one of them has good news for me.
5. This Easter I am going to visit my grandparents for one day. My Poppa's health is not that good, and my Nanny has suggested everyone come see him soon.

Weekly Money Check-Up is a fill-in-the blank post once a week. The first four questions are always the same each week and the fifth is always different. Care to participate? Visit My Pretty Penny to link up.

Weekly Money Check-up April 12

It's been a month since I did one of these.

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on food. Boring but necessary.
2. Today I am thankful that there are jobs available in our area. I just need to land one.
3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was all the time I am spending with Mike and Mikey at home. It is quite different being here during the day.
4. I will consider this week a success if I schedule another interview. Hopefully it will be the 3rd round interview for the place I interviewed with last week.
5. My signature accessory is my puzzle ring. I have worn it every day since my step-dad gave it to me when I was a teenager. It is the only jewelry I always wear. It is white gold with 4 bands.

Weekly Money Check-Up is a fill-in-the blank post once a week. The first four questions are always the same each week and the fifth is always different. Care to participate? Visit My Pretty Penny to link up.

Weekly Money Check-up - Mar 14

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on clothes. We got our income tax refund over the weekend. We have a plan for the money, and part of it involves buying new clothes. So we went shopping, and I am very excited to say I bought new underwear, bras, pjs, shirts, and 2 hoodies. I still need to get a few new work pants, and maybe some new work sweaters. Clothes shopping is not something we do often, so it is very exciting when it happens. Provided I don't get too discouraged while doing it.
2. Today I feel excited towards money. I believe the answer above sums up why.

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free/inexpensive thing I did last week that made me happy was playing with Mikey on the weekend. We had a great time. We read books, drew pictures, played with stickers, lots of running and hugging and kissing. Lots of couch snuggling, playing on his slide, and eating cheesies.
4. I will consider this week a success if I get everything packed and moved.
5. My ancestors are a mixed bunch. On my mom's side, they are Canadian for several generations, with some English and Irish (my great-grandfather was an Irish potato orphan). On my father's side, he and his father were Danish, and my grandmother was Swedish.
Weekly Money Check-Up is a fill-in-the blank post once a week. The first four questions are always the same each week and the fifth is always different. Care to participate? Visit My Pretty Penny to link up.

Weekly Money Check-up - Mar 7

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on gas. Well, maybe not, but it sure felt like it. $1.20/L is not fun. But at least my car is pretty good on gas, and I will soon have a 10 min commute instead of 30-40 min.

2. Today I feel excited towards money. I filed our taxes yesterday, and am excited about our refund.

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free/inexpensive thing I did last week that made me happy was making a foam block fort with Mikey. I saw the idea on Royal Baloo, and had to try. Our blocks were a little flimsy, and didn't fit smoothly into a cube, and the house was quickly torn down, but it was fun. I will post pictures later this week.

4. I will consider this week a success if we start getting organized and start packing. I have a bunch of boxes, so there is nothing holding us back.

5. My guilty pleasure TV show is The L Word. It's the reason we still have Netflix now that we have cable back. Such a drama filled soap opera. I watch an episode or two a week.

Weekly Money Check-Up is a fill-in-the blank post once a week. The first four questions are always the same each week and the fifth is always different. Care to participate? Visit My Pretty Pennies to join.

Money check-up Feb 7

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on groceries. But even that was less than normal, so yea!

2. Today I feel impatient towards money. We need to get a new apartment, and that means paying last month's rent. Which we won't have until the end of the month, so I guess I will have to get a cash advance on my credit card. Grr..

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free/inexpensive thing I did last week that made me happy was bowling through work. So much fun!

4. I will consider this week a success if I find an apartment we like, and complete a rental application.

5. For the Super Bowl, I did nothing. Football is not popular in our house, hockey and baseball are. So the Superbowl doesn't affect us.

Weekly Money Check-Up is a fill-in-the blank post once a week. The first four questions are always the same each week and the fifth is always different. Care to participate? Visit My Pretty Pennies to link up.

Money check-up Jan 31

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on regular bills like cable and my bi-weekly loan. I haven't spent much money lately. Always nice to say.

2. Today I feel positive towards money. I went geek and made a spreadsheet showing the various options for our money. Doing this revealed in clear black and white that we need to stay in an apartment, and not a townhouse. That we can afford another baby in terms of maternity/paternity leave. And that if my husband is really serious about wanting to stay home with Mikey during the day, we will do good, as long as he is working part-time. This was definitely a good exercise, and very helpful for both my husband and me. Now we have more info to make some decisions.

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free/inexpensive thing I did last week that made me happy was visit with my mom while babysitting my niece and nephew. Mikey and I spent the day at my sister's with my mom (who was down for the weekend) while she was at work. It saved her babysitting money, and the kids had a blast. And I got to visit my mom, who I don't see very often. Wins all around.

4. I will consider this week a success if I do my exercising every day. At least every weekday. I still haven't gotten back into my exercise DVD, but I plan to start tonight.

5. Right now I am reading nothing? I finished a book last night (review to come soon), and haven't started anything else yet. But lunch is soon, and I do have a book in my bag to start.
Weekly Money Check-Up is a fill-in-the blank post once a week. The first four questions are always the same each week and the fifth is always different. Care to participate? Visit My Pretty Pennies for the linky tool.

Money check-up Jan 18

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on fitness stuff. I bought 2 fitness DVDs, and a new pair of shoes. Now I just need to start working out.

2. Today I feel lonely towards money. My bank account has $5 in it, and I don't get paid until Thursday. And we will probably need milk before then. Oh money, where are you?

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free/inexpensive thing I did last week that made me happy was join Netgalley. They are a portal for publishers to offer advance reading copies of books. You join, request, and read. They hope you provide a review afterwards, but it's not required. One of the books I am currently reading is from there.

4. I will consider this week a success if I work out at least 3 times. I have so far been thwarted in my attempts. Yesterday morning I slept until 7 because my son had a rough weekend with a fever that finally broke during the night Sunday night. So I was totally exhausted. Last night he was napping when I got home, and then didn't go to bed easily. As in it was 10 pm before he was asleep, instead of 8 or 8:30. So I collapsed in bed asleep right after him. And this morning I was awakened with a migraine. So no workout. Hopefully I will have time tonight, and then start a schedule tomorrow morning.

5. My signature outfit is jeans, a t-shirt, and a sweater. Comfy and warm, because I am almost always cold.

Weekly Money Check-Up is a fill-in-the blank post once a week. The first four questions are always the same each week and the fifth is always different. Care to participate? Visit My Pretty Pennies for the linky tool.

Money check-up Jan 10

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on my massage. It always seems pricey, but it's definitely worth it. Even if it didn't stop my migraines.


2. Today I feel undecided towards money. I am trying to decide whether I should use my emergency fund to pay off my credit card. I have enough to do it, and the balance is from the last car repair I paid. But I like having money in my emergency fund. I don't want to spend it. So I can't decide.

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free/inexpensive thing I did last week that made me happy was visit my mom last weekend. It wasn't technically free since I had to buy gas, but I did get a gift card to help pay for it, and since my aunt came part way, she chipped in for some of the cost. And I came home with way more than I went up with. My son got several new outfits, and I got a new blazer for work, and three new pairs of work pants.

4. I will consider this week a success if I come up with a workout plan. I am thinking about trying the 30 Day Shred video. It is from the trainer from Biggest Loser. The workout is 20 min, and you do it every day. I think I could fit it in first thing in the morning, provided I actually get my eyes open, instead of dozing on the couch with my son. I saw it on sale at HMV for $15 or so.

5. I expect snow. I used to live near Ottawa, and there is a LOT of snow up there in the winter. Now that I am south of Toronto, there is very little in comparison. But I still expect to see it every winter. This year, it didn't snow until last week really. Which is a little odd, and makes everything seem colder, and the winter longer.

Weekly Money Check-Up is a fill-in-the blank post once a week. The first four questions are always the same each week and the fifth is always different. Care to participate? Visit this week's post at My Pretty Pennies for the linky tool.

Money check-up Dec 20

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on eating out. We have done a lot of that lately. But we intend to try a once-a-month cooking routine based on a book I picked up for $5 at Canadian Tire. The recipes look yummy, and a 2 week cycle should generate about 22 dinners (with lunch leftovers) for us.

2. Today I feel blah towards money. I got my annual bonus, and was underwhelmed. But I learned that I should be getting a raise starting in January, and I am excited about that. But then I see my credit card bill, and am back to blah.

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free/inexpensive thing I did last week that made me happy was creating a free game for my son. I can't remember whose blog I saw it on, but the idea is to create a memory/colour matching game using paint chips. The Disney line at Home Dept has the paint colours in a Mickey Mouse head shape, and they are the perfect size for little hands. My son doesn't really get the whole matching part, but he is really enjoying spreading them out and stacking them up. And if they only last a week or so, it doesn't matter because they were free.

4. I will consider this week a success if I survive through Christmas.

5. My favorite holiday movie is nothing. I am not a fan of holiday movies.
Weekly Money Check-Up is a fill-in-the blank post once a week. The first four questions are always the same each week and the fifth is always different. Care to participate? Check out this week's post over at My Pretty Pennies for the linky tool.

Goals and Resolutions for 2011

Since it's getting near the end of the year, it's time to start thinking about New Year's resolutions. If you make them. I sometimes make them, sometimes don't. I think most people only keep them for a month or two, and then lose interest, or forget.

This year, I think I will make a list of goals, instead of resolutions. Here is the list I have come up with so far:

Personal:

• lose 20 lb
• start exercising regularly
• read 50 books
• do an hour of cross-stitch a month

Professional:

• keep on top of all required reading for my courses and not fall behind
• pass each course with a minimum 75% - I need 65% to pass at all

Blogging:

• post at least 4 times a week
• include a book review at least once every two weeks
• complete the In Death Challenge

Family:

• enroll my son in a fun program - I think we are leaning towards soccer. Have you every seen 2 and 3 year olds play? They are adorable. When they aren't daydreaming and picking flowers.

Financial:

• pay off my credit card, and keep it paid off - meaning no balance at the end of each month

I think that's a pretty big list, but everything is doable, although some items will require a little more work than others. We'll see how it goes during the year.

Financial milestones before 30

I recently stumbled upon a blog post titled 20 Financial Milestones You Want to Reach in Your 20′s. SIne I'm almost done my 20's (have just over a year left), I figured I would read through it, and see how I stack up.

# 1 – Finance a dream vacation…in cash - Nope. Since moving out on my own I've never even had a vacation away to anywhere that wasn't visiting family.

# 2 – Pay off your student loans - Yes! I did this.

# 3 – Automate paying your credit card bill in full - Definitely not. My credit card rarely sees a zero balance. I have never been able to save up an emergency fund, so my credit acts as that.

# 4 – Get rid of all bad debt - Good debt is classified as being tied to an asset that appreciates in value (like a house), while bad debt is tied to assets that depreciate, or aren't tied to assets at all. I only have "bad debt", so nope.

# 5 – Build an adequate emergency fund - Already explained my no on this.

# 6 – Make your first, and last, investment mistake - I haven't done any investing other than standard RRSPs, so I haven't made any mistakes.

# 7 – Develop a statement of cash flows - Do this on a regular basis along with my budget. I basically only do a cash flow based budget.

# 8 & 9 Max out a Roth & Contribute to your 401(k) - I live in Canada, so this doesn't really apply literally. But taken as retirement savings in general, I do contribute, but have never maxed out my annual allowance.

# 10 – Get a degree or certification that increases your earning power - Working on it.

# 11 – Take a career risk - Done. I had a nice comfortable position at a life insurance company and quit to start an accounting career at a real estate company. So far, it's working out, but not without the occasional regret.

# 12 – Negotiate something - Don't think I have. Oh wait, I have negotiated for better cable/phone prices. I guess every little action counts for something.

# 13 – Earn your first side grand - Who has time to earn side money? Not me.

# 14 – Start a sub-savings account for an upcoming financial goal - Nope. Working on emergency fund is more important, and I don't have very much extra money to saving with.

# 15 – Set a target retirement date - Haven't set one officially, but I doubt I will retire before 65. Looking at it another way, I assume I will work until I am at least 65. Who knows what the work world will look like at that time.

# 16 – Monitor your credit - Yes. I check my credit report once a year. And have never had any unpleasant, or unexpected, surprises.

# 17 – Say no to a financial salesman - Yes. Just recently I declined to trade in my term life insurance policy for a whole life policy. I found this was a little easier since I am already familiar with life insurance.

# 18 – Give just enough to make it hurt - Nope. I will admit that I give very little.

# 19 – Invest $1 for every $1 you spend - Ha!

# 20 – Start a 529 College Savings Plan - Again, as a Canadian this doesn't apply. But I do have an RESP for my son. I don't contribute much, but every dollar I do saves him several in the future.


Overall, I can say yes to about 9 or 10, depending on how liberally I choose to accept a yes. Not bad, but not stellar. How do you stack up?

Money check-up Dec 13

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on Christmas presents. We were all done, until my husband went out to finish his few present purchases, and bought my son two huge gifts. Cool gifts, but totally not needed, and way expensive.

2. Today I feel anxious towards money. My credit card has really climbed up this month due to Christmas and the car repairs I needed. I want to get it back down asap.

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free/inexpensive thing I did last week that made me happy was my Christmas dinner on Friday. It didn't cost a penny. I had clothes to wear. My sister babysat for free. And the boss paid for my drinks. Normally they only cover beer and wine, but I don't drink either. He was standing beside me when the waiter brought my daiquiri and asked if I wanted to pay as I got them, or at the end of the evening, and the boss graciously told the waiter to add it to the bill.

4. I will consider this week a success if I do all my reading for my course. It's amazing how fast you can fall behind. And it's only 2 weeks into the course.

5. My favorite holiday treat is chocolate covered cherries. Sure, you could get them year round, but it's not the same.

Weekly Money Check-Up is a fill-in-the blank post once a week. The first four questions are always the same each week and the fifth is always different. Care to participate? Check out this week's post over at My Pretty Pennies for the linky tool.

Money check-up Dec 6

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on Christmas presents. But I am now officially all done my shopping. And was so close to meeting my goal of finishing before Dec 1.

2. Today I feel happy towards money. I got an email this morning that our yearly bonus will be paid next week, and our annual salary adjustments are set for the last week of Dec. Now to just have my meeting to find out what those amounts will be.

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free/inexpensive thing I did last week that made me happy was go to the hockey game on Friday. It only cost us $20 for the babysitter, and the price of gas to get to and from the game. Definitely had  fun time!

4. I will consider this week a success if I don't get any sicker. Both my son and I were struck with heavy colds on the weekend. I am feeling very heavy headed today, so hopefully it passes quickly.

5. My favorite holiday drink is eggnog. We go through litres of it during the holidays because both my husband and I love it. And apparently my son does too (more evidence of his dairy obsession).

Weekly Money Check-Up is a fill-in-the blank post once a week. The first four questions are always the same each week and the fifth is always different. Care to participate? Check out this week's post over at My Pretty Pennies for the linky tool.

Giving to Charity

I don't donate to charities on a regular basis. It is something I occasionally think I should do, but I never seem to get to it, or have the funds for it.

I do try to help kids who are selling candy for fundraising. Benefits for me and them. I remember trying to sell stuff as a kid, and how hard it was. So I try to find the change, provided I want the product.
I recently "found" $28 in my paypal account that I forgot I had, and decided to donate it instead of buying myself a treat. I am reading a book about micro-lending (Banker To the Poor by Muhammad Yunus, review to come when I finish), and how it has a huge impact on helping poverty-ridden women around the world. I had previously looked into a website about it, but had never gotten around to donating. So I located the website (Kiva - not the same company from the book I am reading. That one is Grameen.), signed up, and donated. What you are doing is really lending the money, provided the recipient repays. Once they have repaid, you can re-lend the money. I like this website especially since you chose the exact person you are lending to. It's not just you giving to a company who disburses the money as needed.

Budget Jars

I am a huge fan of Gail Vaz-Oxlade, who is a Canadian personal finance guru. She used to have a tv show called Til Debt Do Us Part on Slice (it is still showing repeats), and she has a new show Princess on the same network. She has a tough love approach, and really helps couples to take control of their finances and debt.

One concept she employs is budget jars. My SO and I are currently trying this. We seem to be having problem deciding what amount should go into each jar, and definitely differ on what jars are more important. He thinks personal allowance and entertainment should be high, while I prefer to have more in the transportation jar. Right now our transportation amount will barely cover gas for my car, let alone regular maintainence and a possible bus pass for him. We also differ over saving vs debt repayment. I think we should save a little, but concentrate on debt repayment. But he wants to get a house asap, and thinks we should save for a down payment.

This is a process, and hopefully we will be able to get things sailing smoothly. We will see if the budget jars idea works for us.