Filling Up

On the 5 hour drive to my new school Saturday we had to stop at the gas station to refuel all three vehicles (yes we drove three vehicles because I didn't know you could rent a car towing thing until AFTER we started driving).

Thanks to a fancy app on my iPhone called Gas Buddy, we got the cheapest gas on the entire route in a little town called Arnprior.  It was 121.9cents/litre (LAME)  But Ottawa and everywhere else was nearing (or over) 130cents/litre.  So we definitely saved money.

The uHaul was still guzzling gas after racking up $110 of gas so my dad cut it off at $120 which ended up perfect as we brought the stupid thing back to the uHaul place at the same gas level I'd picked it up with :D SWEET!

I filled my car up and it cost $50 and my brother filled his car up (with diesel) for $30.

Enter point of this post.  

Do you fill your tank up when you get gas!?

I remember when I was 16, just got my G2 and could drive alone.  I'd run out of gas just as the night was ending, head to the station put in $5 which was just enough to get home.  Leaving my mom to fill the tank up on her way to work the next morning.

Then I was 18 and I bought my first car.  I would regularly put $20 of gas in.  I don't know why.  I usually had enough to fill it up but I don't remember ever putting more than $20 in at a time.

Now I'm 23 and have yet to NOT fill it up.  Sure it costs $50-60 a tank but then I don't have to think of it for a good long while!  I figure that buying gas it part of having a car and while I love the smell of gas stations I don't love standing there holding the stupid pump so I avoid it at all costs.  Also, gas prices are really high, so I've been watching the prices and trying my best to time filling up with the lowest price I can get.

So that's my mentality on filling up.. What's yours?!

First week budget

So I've created (actually I haven't actually done it yet.. but by the end of the post I will have created) a budget for the first week of school.  My spending after this first week will be much less extravagant but I want to enjoy the first week and meet people.  Unfortunately, meeting people usually comes with eating out and drinking.  Plus there's the expenses that come along with new place.  So here goes!

Groceries: $20 (all that is left for my August challenge)
Eating out: $100
Alcohol: $50
House stuff: $50

Non-required school stuff: $50
Required school stuff: $5000 (books & tuition etc.)

Rent and bills: whatever they cost I will pay. boo. not gonna budget for these though

Gas: $0 (I have half a tank which should be good for the week)
Random things: $20 (bus fare, chocolate bars, new dancing shoes?!)

So there we have it.  I'm not going to add it all up because I don't want to. hahah Horrible reason I know but that's it.

PS. I obviously survived my dinner last night.  Awesome guy (who's married and has an ADORABLE 15 month old daughter).  Definitely made my first teacher's college friend!! Makes me excited to meet others :D

PPS. Anyone interested in the boy I had over for dinner a couple weeks ago... He and I hung out a few more times over my last week in Ottawa.  He's leaving for Europe next week (no return ticket :O).  I'm a little sad that things never really had the chance to develop but he's a great guy and we'll definitely be staying in touch!   As much drama that surrounded the situation, I'm very happy I made the decisions I did to continue seeing him.  Not very many people could have affected my life the way he did so I'm thankful for our friendship :D

Window Retail Therapy?!

So I finally made the move for school.  Orientation starts Tuesday and until then I know a total of 5 people but can only actually name two of them: C-doodle and J-izzle (names changed to protect their privacy).  C-doodle being my ex and J-izzle being his best friend.  Now, C-doodle is a nice enough guy but we ended on bad terms and that's putting it nicely.  So really I don't know anyone.

After church this morning I decided to hit the mall to kill a bit more time (and avoid unpacking the mountain of boxes).  Retail therapy is probably the best thing that ever came to be.  I've gotten some great buys from past sessions.  Mostly MAC/Sephora purchases but a few shirts and shoes too.  All with their fair share of post-purchase guilt.  Today, I decided to cure my boredom and loneliness by going window shopping.  And surprisingly it was quite successful.  Best part?!? Absolutely NO post-purchase guilt.  (For anyone who thought I was ACTUALLY buying windows... I wasn't.  Window shopping means just looking).

I don't know how well Window Retail Therapy would work for someone who's heart's just been broken or who just failed a test or any other hugely depressing time.  But for me, it cured my problems.  Even pushed me to reach out for other lonely people on my program's Facebook page and I now have dinner plans with a complete stranger... No worries, we're meeting in public AND I'm gonna call my daddy before and after so that SOMEONE will know if I go missing hahah.

First day = SUCCESS!! YaY!

Life Long Learner's program

So if I'm unable to find work in the fall I will be looking into the Life Long Learner's program which allows you to withdraw up to $10,000 from RRSP for education purposes.  I only have about $5000 to pull out but that would significantly reduce my financial burden.

Similar to the First Time Home Buyer's plan, LLL needs to be repaid within 15 years or else it will be taxed.  So basically, you're loaning money to yourself interest free.  I mean that... you don't pay any interest but you also are NO LONGER earning interest.  OUCH!  

I should be able to make it through the fall semester so I have a bit of time to figure out what I'm going to do.  I really don't like the idea of robbing my retirement fund but I like the idea of maxing out my credit cards and then starving even less.   So I'm glad the option is available to me.  As I do more research I will come up with a list of pros and cons and keep you informed of what I find.

An expensive Monday

Today I picked my car up from the mechanic and handed over my mastercard... $1200 later I was driving my car home.  Wait, I was driving my car downtown Ottawa to an appointment at the bank then home.  Wait nope, I had to work before going home... So this "adventure" to pick up my car from the mechanic resulted in a $20 parking fee (because it's Ottawa and that was actually relatively cheap :S)   Also, I'll be celebrating my last week in town tonight with the ladies first then work people later so I foresee an expensive evening.

I really have nothing substantial to blog about.  Just wanted to complain about my expensive day.  And that is all!

Have a great Monday

Moving... :(

I've been really busy this week finishing up my packing and going to goodbye parties.. for me and for my friends.  I think I know about 10 people who are leaving Ottawa before the end of the month.  Plus on top of it all, a boy I've been crushing on for a while finally got his head on straight and realize "oh shit she's leaving in a week.. I wanna kiss her before she goes"  so he and I have hung out a few times.. but more about that later!

With 7 days until my big move, I currently have no car.  It's at the mechanic (for the 5th time this summer) FINALLY being fixed.  I've shuffled it around between mechanics who keep telling me nothing's wrong.. but the engine light is FLASHING and that means SOMETHING is wrong.. finally someone *hopefully* figured it out.  He came recommended by a friend for being fair priced and doing really solid work.  I really liked the atmosphere when I was dropping my car off.. but the proof will be in my car being fixed!

I currently have 5 shirts left hanging in my closet and four suitcases packed.  Four boxes of shoes (eeek) and one full of purses (double eeek) about 8 boxes of books (less ashamed about this) and a couple random other boxes that I either didn't mark or marked as "random" hahah are currently sitting in my living room .  It's fairly depressing at my place these days because it feels so empty.  Moving cities is a bittersweet experience.

I haven't tracked my spending this week.  Mostly out of laziness... which is silly because I KNOW, just KNOW I spent tuns more money than I would have.  But I know only spent $11.99 eating out, $2 on tea and $8 on beer. Which I must say is pretty good (almost below my $20 eating out limit).  I also didn't buy groceries this week.  (Enter crush)  He came over last night after work and we cooked dinner.  We bought chicken, cream cheese and some vegetables and fruit and milk.  Okay when I say we I mean HE!!!  We're standing at the cash looking at the food for dinner and I go to pull out my credit card (thinking about how I was about to fail my grocery challenge but we were at my place soooo I really should be the one to pay) when he says: "debit please" and pulls out his card.

Now he and I have been up and down in the past couple weeks.. we work together and well work place romance equals DRAMA!    On more than one occasion recently I've looked him in the eyes and said he was the biggest jerk I've ever met (probably was a lot meaner than that too)  But last night, besides buying the groceries for dinner, he walked me to my friend's goodbye party and texted me to make sure I got home safe afterwards plus a few other "too mushy for this blog" details hahah.   He's really been going out of his way to prove that all the drama wasn't true.  So I'm still skeptical but giving him a chance... Granted I'm leaving and long distance sucks.. so we'll see if it actually goes anywhere.

I doubt I'll track my spending (aside from eating out and groceries) next week.. Its going to be an expensive week between goodbye parties and moving expenses and I'd really rather not have it written down to depress me lol. However, I will try my best to knock out a few blog posts in the coming week since I definitely slacked off this week..

Happy Friday!!

My money mentality

I have definitely gone through cycles regarding my ideas surrounding money.

When I was 18 I worked as a clerk at a call centre.  I was a full-time high school student working 30-35hr/week making about $10/hr.  Due to extreme pressure from my ex-bf I ended up leased a car.  Including insurance, this cost me about $850.00/month.  And that isn't factoring in gas, or rent (I wasn't living at home anymore) or food or my cell phone bill.  So I got a credit card.. because how else would I be able to survive???  At that point in life I used (and abused) my credit card, making (barely) the minimum payment each month JUST TO SURVIVE.


I finally got out of that relationship and got a better job.  I was still working and going to school (=~60hr weeks) but this job paid me $17/hr so I finally had a bit of breathing room.  I moved back home and my rent decreased a bit and I had access to my mother's fridge.  Unfortunately, my relationship with my mother has been in serious trouble since this time in my life but I have to thank her for saving my life back then... For about a year I continued to use my credit card and pay the minimum payment but I was much less dependent on it.

Finally, after 13 months I returned the car to the dealership,  this forced me into collections which I evaded for 2 years.  Somehow, when I finally settled with the collections company I only owed $7,000.   After returning the car to the dealership I put every penny I could into savings for university.  This allowed me to pay for part of my tuition and residence in cash.  For that summer I was a save-o-holic.

Slowly my credit card company increased my limit and I continuously increased my balance with these increases.  I also managed to max out my student line of credit in the first year.  I worked at McDonalds and loved it but I wasn't making much money.  I spent my first year of university partying too much and buying new clothes.  I'm still paying for those choices.

In second year I got a sweet job at a bank and started making really good money.  Finally, my credit card balances started decreasing!  I also was able to build a small emergency fund.  Then I inherited some money.  I used the money to pay for my third year of school and finance a trip to Europe.  Between my inheritance and my sweet job I was able to pay off almost all of my consumer debt prior to my departure.  This is my high point where I saw the light.  Paying off my debt and saving.  I'm very proud of this time in my life!

After I returned from Europe (having stayed under budget for my trip) I got a job as a hostess at The Ex (where I'm working now) and worked like crazy to finally pay off my car loan.  I was able to get rid of that loan in September of 2010 and I started funnelling money like crazy towards my credit cards and student debts.  But I had struggled to find the job and racked up a bit of a new balance.   When I was promoted to server in October 2010 I funnelled soooooo much money into my savings accounts and towards my debts.  I was able to save about  $7500 in my first 6 months serving.  At this point in my life I was doing very well.  I still have about $6000 in consumer debt but I had found out the benefits of an emergency and bills account that I could rely on in hard times.

Then summer 2011 came rolling in and I had to dip into my savings account.  I was sooooo uncomfortable with this.   It was also around this time that I started this blog and realized I needed to get my spending in line with my goals.  I also made the goal to not go any further into debt for my last year of university.  Right now, I'm very frustrated with my financial situation.  I don't make enough money to put any significant amounts on my debts without SERIOUSLY compromising my ability to survive.  But, I have a plan of action (which I've started drafting a post about but it's gonna be a couple days before I can post it) and I feel confident that following graduation in April I will be able to conquer my debt quickly :D


So where's your head right now in your money matters??  Are you happy, frustrated, confused?  How has your relationship with money changed and evolved over the years in your different life stages??

Weekly Spending: August 8th-14th

Monday August 8th
The Ex: $4 (lunch, probably shouldn't have but I did...)
Groceries: $20.99 (I bought strawberries because they were on sale.. otherwise I would of been under $20)
Pharmaplus: $10.13 (used coupons to finally restock moisturizer and toothpaste)
Total: $35.12


Tuesday August 9th
NO SPEND DAY!!

Wednesday August 10th
Doc: $90 (final assessment YAY!! This will be reimbursed!!)
Ahora's: $11.00 (yummy Mexican food)
Total: $131.00

Thursday August 11th
Grg: $44.75 (from my wardrobe fund.  I needed new undershirts and there was a 20% off everything sale plus I got a grab bag.  So I ended up with 7 shirts for the price of 4 :D)
Total: $44.75


Friday August 12th
NO SPEND DAY!!

Saturday August 13th
NO SPEND DAY!!


Sunday August 14th
Street vendor: $5  ... WHAT?!?!! EVERYONE LIKES STREET MEAT!!!
Total: $5.00


Totals:
Eating out: $20.00  (BAM!!! RIGHT ON THE MONEY :D)
Clothing: $44.75
Groceries: $20.99 (monthly total = $29.12)
Pharmacy/doc: $100.13
Total: $185.87


So, I accomplished both goals this week :D   I had THREE no spend days and I spent exactly $20 eating out!!!!   My friend made me chocolate chip pancakes yesterday... SO DE-LI-CIOUS!! Yum Yumm..  The money on clothing doesn't effect my budget (yay!!)   Overall, I'm very happy and impressed with myself this week.  And seriously if it weren't for the stupid doctor's final assessment I would have spent less than $100 this week.. CRAZY AWESOME!!! The next few weeks might be expensive because I have a few going away parties to attend (for myself and for others) but I'm going to be very focused on keeping my costs down :D.

As for the grocery challenge.  I didn't cook for anyone this week and I spent a bit more than I would have liked but I've been very cautious with my eating this week.  Planning meals that are filling and snacking less.  I ran out of ketchup, ground beef and chicken this week. I'm excited to go shopping on Tuesday and spend less than $10 on produce as I should be okay for milk this week!

New Apartment: Packing Tips

So moving is a lot of work.  This is my 8th move in 4 years.  I should already know... or at least readily remember how much work is involved in packing.  But I had forgotten.  I've lived here for a full year, which meant I could fully unpack my boxes and mark my territory.  Now taking things off the walls and putting them into boxes is no fun :(

But that's not even the hard part.  SOOOO much of the things I have are used daily or weekly (or I'm afraid I'll need it after not touching the garlic press in, well ever).  I'm afraid to pack my bubble bath because I *might* want to take a bath.  And my kitchen remains in a shambled state.  So how do you find the balance between packing to early and leaving it too long?

I honestly can't answer that.  You have to decide for yourself. 

But, here's how I'm doing it. 

I started with my desk.  I love my books but most of them are better at collecting dust than entertaining me.  I can safely say that I'll be able to live without them sitting on my bookshelf for the next 3 weeks.  I've also sorted though all m paper work as well and filed it away.  Then I designated a spot for any mail that comes in before I move so that it doesn't get lost in the shuffle.  I also packed away my memory boxes, filled with notes and cards and random stuff I just can't part with immediately as I rarely look in them.  And all my arts and crafts and other "desky" materials got pack quickly too.  The only thing left on my desk are my printer, computers and light.  Its a sad sight :(

Next, my linen closet and winter coats/sweaters.  I only use two sets of sheets and the rest are just in my closet (I don't think they even fit my bed lol) and with 25+ degree weather right now its safe to say I won't be needing those extra layers.  Same with my formal dress collection.. I have no events to attend in the coming weeks so they got packed quickly and easily.

My shoes... those poor darlings were put into a box.  With the exception of my work shoes, two pairs of sandals, one pair of comfy flats and my work appropriate heels (not that I wear heels to work often.. but incase I have to work a wedding or something).

Then I got stuck. 

I've gone through my closet and have sorted out some stuff to be donated and some things to think about donating.  I'll be making a keep/donate decision about those today.  But I can't bring myself to pack anything yet.  What if I want to wear that shirt I haven't touched in 3 months?!?!

My kitchen is intentionally being kept for last.  I've packed everything on the top and back shelves that I never ever use.  But everything else will be packed the night before or morning of the move.  Otherwise, we'll see a huge spike in my eating out habits.. and they are bad enough to begin with.

As for my bathroom.  I'll be packing most of my toiletries, hair products and accessories in a rubbermaid container and leaving it in the bathroom so that it's packed but I have easy access if needed.  Also, because it's plastic I don't have to worry if my shampoo decides to spill everywhere :D

To add a finance aspect to this post.  I have spend absolutely nothing on moving supplies so far.  I already own a large, a medium and two small rubbermaid containers.  I stole boxes from the recycling at work and already had packing tape (though it's running low so I may have to buy more).  I read the Metro (a free paper) everyday and just keep it to use as filler.  I've also wrapped fragile things in socks and mittens and scarves, etc.  I have to pack those things anyway right so might as well put them to good use.  Apparently my grandparents have a van, my aunt/uncle have a trailer and my dad has a pod for the top of the car, so I may even get to cancel the $500 uHaul I booked :D  !!!!YaY (virtually) Free Moves!!!!!

Teacher's College Update

So I finally found out where my placement will be for the fall!! I'm really excited to say that it is within walking distance from my dad's!

Pros

• sleeping in WOOOT WOOT (I was afraid I'd have to be at the school for 8am with a 45 min commute during rush hour)
• home for lunch (though I'll probably stay at the school for social reason... gotta network!!)
• don't have to drive = less gas needed = less money spent = happy Jenzy :D
• good for my health and the environment

Cons

• ummmm.... *tumbleweed passes by* I'm gonna get some ice cream to help me think....
• Ya, I've got no cons.... I mean unless my dad shows up in his (charming?) Christmas sweater at my school trying to embarrass me counts... but he works during the day so I think I'm safe (sorry daddy if you're reading this I love you!)

I was working on my budget for the year last night and I budgeted $100/week for my dad (food/utilities/rent) and $100/week for my actual placement.  I'm not sure if I'll be required to buy anything but  I'm willing to cut other things from my budget to allow for this expense.  I really want to get as much as I possibly can from the placement and I consider it an investment in my future so I'm happy not going to see the newest Harry Potter film in exchange (*okay, I'm kind of sad I still haven't seen HP but I really do prefer having the $10 in my pocket..)

I move in 16 days!! My orientation is the 29th-2nd and my first week of placement is the following week.  I can barely contain my excitement! 

Money Check-Up

Stole this from Little Miss Moneybags.  I think it's a great way to look at money a little differently and be thankful for what we have.  Sometimes I really need to stop looking at the gross balances of my student loans and credit cards, stop thinking about not working next year, stop thinking about never finding a job as a teacher in this job market and just REFOCUS on the things in the here and now, what I can control.  This obviously goes hand-in-hand with my ramble about long-term goals yesterday :D


1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on new blouses!  I bought 4 new shirts (and promptly returned one).  I evaluated my wardrobe and searched high and low for the perfect fits.  I'm happy I was finally able to find these shirts!! 
2. Today I am thankful for my dad and step-mom. I had a rough weekend and they both provided me with advice and support.  I don't know how I would have gotten through if it weren't for those phone calls!
3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was attend my friend's wedding reception.  I know typically weddings aren't free but I already had her present from months ago, I wore a dress I already owned and pop was free (I'm staying away from alcohol this month!)

4. I will consider this week a success if I finally can let go of my clothes. I have two bags set aside to donate to Harmony House (an amazing woman's shelter I had the privilege to work with many times during my undergrad).  I really would like to cut more from my closet to donate a third bag!
5. This time last year I was preparing for my senior year of my undergrad and packing to move to my current place! Since then I got promoted, applied and was accepted to teacher's college, graduated, worked three new (second) jobs and quit all three, found a new place for school and am now packing up to move again!


So there we have it!  
Pretty successful :D

August Theme Songs

I've had a rough week or so.
My mom and I have an extremely difficult relationship.  And its been pushed even farther recently.
I am sick of Ottawa.  It's too big.  Too many people.  Too individualistic.
I hate my job.  Okay, I enjoy serving but I'm over the bullshit drama in my restaurant.
I'm terrified of what's to come job-wise.  Will I be able to work during school? Will I find a job teaching?
I don't like the uncertainty still surrounding teacher's college.  I JUST got email access and my placement info but I still don't have a clue what to expect for orientation or a class schedule.

And some how there are two songs that no matter what emotional crap I'm dealing with pull my spirits up and get me dancing.  Yesterday I was having a self-pity nap and the first one came on.. I dragged myself out of bed and was dancing by the end of the song.  The second one makes me realize that my life isn't actually horrible.  I have family that loves me, amazing friends, a roof over my head and food in my fridge.  And really... this has gotta be the good life :D

What would we do without music?!


Maroon 5 - Moves Like Jagger

One Republic - Good Life

I hope you enjoy these as much as I do!

Long term goals

So first off... I love, like seriously LOVE Gail Vaz-Oxlade.. I think her show Til debt do us part is what got me on to personal finances to begin with.  I've been reading some of her recent articles and have been really enjoying them.  Check out her blog :D

All her  talk about planning got me thinking about what my long term goals & dreams are... I originally had them here but then realized it's already posted so check out my "My finances/Goals" section at the top to see specifics.

Goals help you keep focused.  Recently I've felt stuck so this has allowed me to see the bigger picture.  From writing them out I know that for me to stay on track I need to stay out of any more debt in the next year by getting a job.  Hopefully find a sweet job once I graduate and then start funnelling all my cash towards my debts/savings.   I also realize that getting a job teaching in Ontario is difficult these days so finding full-time work immediately (in a related field) will help my resume and allow me to start paying off my debts.  And ultimately I will become a teacher but for now my focus is on becoming debt free and enjoying life so we'll see where that takes me :D.

Sorry for all the post-publication editing :S

Weekly Spending August 1-7

Oh boy the first week in August... gah!

Monday August 1st
Highlander: $20 (drinks... not happy with this)
Groceries: $8.17
Parking: $6.00 (unavoidable due to stupid downtown Ottawa boooo)
Total: $34.17


Tuesday August 2nd
Milestones: $35 (one of my close friend's birthday.. I had actually budgeted in $25 for this but forgot about it... and while I'm definitely overbudget it was an awesome night and I'm happy to have spent what I did)
Total: $35.00

Wednesday August 3rd
Doctor's: $130 (final appointment I really really hope because my insurance is almost maxed out)
Dynamite: $102.38 (four shirts, one that will be returned! [I got $25.88 back :D])
Total: $232.38

Thursday August 4th
NO SPEND DAY!!

Friday August 5th
The Ex: $12 (lunch & a drink)
Random: $15 (bff's birthday shenanigans aka bar hopping.. I was driving so this mostly covered my cover)
Total: $27.00


Saturday August 6th
NO SPEND DAY!!


Sunday August 7th
NO SPEND DAY!!


Totals
Eating Out: $72.00 (EPIC FAIL)
Clothing: $102.38 - $25.88 = $76.50 (comes from $300 dedicated to building my professional wardrobe)
Doc: $130.00
Misc.: $21.00
Groceries: $8.17
Grand Total: $307.67


While my eating out challenge was an epic fail, I was $52 over budget I was able to accomplish three no spend days.  This is also my last week of my treatments so that expense will be GONE! YaY (also yay to no more weekly doctor's appointment!!)

As for my grocery challenge the $8.17 I spent was on plums, pita bread and ice cream.  After work today I'll be creating a few meal ideas for the upcoming week so that I can effectively shop tomorrow.  I'm think lasagna will be one of them YUMMY!!!   I also made lunch for a friend on Thursday :D it was a delicious picnic by the Rideau Canal while we tanned.. AMAZING!

August Grocery Challenge: I ran out of...

So far I have ran out of:

• cheese - this is super depressing because I love cheese A LOT
• EEVO olive oil - also upsetting because I frequently make my own salad dressing but I still have vegetable oil :D
• salsa - this is good :D one less jar!!!
• mayonaise - rarely use this so I probably won't replace it

Goals:

• tuna - I used one can today and have 2 more to go
• pasta - I have 5 different types of pasta, 3 of which are in special containers I would like to at least finish the other ones
• peanut butter - I currently have 4 various sized jars of PB, if any are unopened they will be donated but for some reason I think they've all been opened.. 
• popcorn kernels - I have half a bag that doesn't fit into the container I hold the rest in, it'd be nice to eliminate the bag
• crackers - I have a few random boxes of crackers that I like to snack on
• meat - I have chicken, ground beef and pork chops in the freezer so I gotta get to using those
• frozen veggies - I eat fresh produce quite often so this may or may not be difficult
• cereal - okay i need to be honest, I have 3 opened boxes of cereal from when my brother was living with me. I never touch the stuff but it needs to go.. so maybe I'll try to eat some (???)
• bbq sauce, ketchup & other condiments - not my number one concern as this stuff transports well and can definitely be used in the future but the idea of already opened bottles makes me think SPILLAGE DISASTER!! 

So this is my list so far, I'll keep updating it weekly

Parking Ticket Lameness

I live in Ottawa, where EVERY SINGLE FREAKIN' ROAD is regulated.  Except the one I live on :).  I mean there's a few signs that say "No Parking" but for the most part its a free for all.  And today I got a parking ticket... I've been parking on my road (which is a DEAD END loop) for the past 3 month.  I regularly leave my car untouched for a week or so at a time.  Surprisingly, I actually drove my car Thursday night, got the ticket Friday morning then drove again Friday night which is strange and miraculous.  Otherwise it may have been over a week before I even saw the stupid thing.

My parking ticket claims I exceeded the three hour maximum... EXCUSE ME but exactly which three hour maximum are you referring to???  Like I said there are no posted time limits on my street.  So I'm kind of (very) confused...  But this is Ottawa so I'm sure when I go fight it I'll find out about some hidden bylaw or some sort of rigamarole ridiculousness of a big city.  I just hope that A) I win the fight and B) I don't get another one before I move in a few weeks because I don't really have another option about where to park my car...and making sure I move it every three hour is hopeless (I'm way too busy lazy).

I'M FRUSTRATED... But it does make me excited to move back to a small city of 50K where this kind of BS just doesn't exist!

I bought a shirt and knew I was going to return it..

Okay, I actually bought four shirts... the HORROR!!  About three weeks ago I did an inventory of what clothes I have and realized I was missing two basics: a black and a white blouse.  So for the past 3 weeks I've been searching for the perfect blouses.  I've tried on shirts costing $10 and some that were $100 but absolutely NONE of them fit.  Making matters worse is that my go-to blouse store didn't seem to have any.  I was frustrated. 

That is until today when I decided to walk around the mall after my doctor's appointment.  I was very unprepared in a bright pink bra and lululemon pants but I still tried on a few shirt unsuccessfully...  That is until my favorite blouse store (okay this store sells other clothes than blouses but that's all I've ever bought there).  Finally they had blouses in my size in stock!!!!! So, I tried on about 20 blouses in different cuts and colours.  The staff were WONDERFUL (as always).  And the best part is that this store always fits me perfectly... LOVE!

Finally I settled on a 3/4 length sleeved white blouse and a black long sleeved one.  BUT in my hunt for the perfect size I also tried on a deep purple blouse (identical to the white one) and a frilly, short-sleeved aqua-blueish one.  I really liked loved both of them but I knew I really didn't need either of the coloured blouses.  Still, I couldn't walk away from them.  So I did the dutiful PF thing and looked at the two price tags, determined I would only buy the cheaper one... FAIL they were both the same price.  Even though I was kind of leaning towards the purple one I still couldn't decide :(  I tried them both on again and they both fit well and looked HORRIBLE with my lululemons....

So I did something I've NEVER EVER done before.  Decided to buy both of them so I could try them one at home with my pants/skirts and shoes to see which would best fit into my wardrobe.  Boy am I ever happy I did that.  Without a question the purple shirt just DOES NOT fit in.  The colour and fit  just aren't flattering with the rest of my clothes.  Fortunately, the blue not only makes my eyes POP (as most blue shirts do) it also goes very well with the overall feel of what I currently own.

In conclusion, tomorrow I'll head back to my blouse store and return the purple one.  As sad as I will be to see it go back to the store, I know it's very much the right decision because I won't end up wearing it.  And I hate the idea of wasting money on clothing I don't absolutely LOVE.  And I finally understand why sometimes it's necessary to buy something with the intention of returning it.

July Expenses

Okay WHOA bad month! As you'll see I've produced two charts. The first includes first/last months rent that I had to pay to secure my new apartment, my new MacBook Pro and some miscellaneous medical expenses that will be reimbursed. I have removed these three expenses from the second one (mostly to make myself feel better). I have also combined some categories such as rent and renter's insurance (into Rent) and hydro/cable/cell phone (into Utilities) just to simplify things. I'm pretty excited that I brought in an extra $1000 but I'm also very upset with myself for spending soooooooooooo much over budget.



I realize that my budget breaks the number one golden PF rule... Don't spend more than you make. But as I've said more than once, I was AWARE that this would happen all summer and was able to save $5000 to cover these difficult months. Because of my planning in the winter months, my overages come from my savings account and NOT a credit card. I'm also hoping that my new car insurance rate will kick in SOON and that the problems I've been having with my car are over with (I haven't posted about it but the engine light has be on and off and flashing for the past two months but its off now hopefully for good!!).

My August budget will come out soon and I will also post my September/School budget as well within the coming weeks :D

Networth Update

Here is my networth update as of August 1st...



Well, this month was EXPENSIVE for me. I had to pay first and last month's rent for my new place (at least that means no rent needs to be paid in September!!!). I'm happy and extremely thankful that I was able to find an apartment quickly and at a price I'm comfortable paying. The landlords seem pretty cool so I can't wait to move in. The money for this came from my emergency fund.

I also drained my MacBook Fund by purchasing a new MacBook Pro. I love my new computer.. definitely money well spent! There is still $400 sitting on my MC#2 from the MacBook Pro purchase but the cash to pay it is sitting on my desk right now I just have to put it in the bank. Also, I'm going to need to rename this account now...

My retirement funds are sitting in a fairly aggressive mutual fund. I'm happy with it over all BUT recently its been dropping... which doesn't actually bother me.. it makes me happy that I get to buy when its low!! But that doesn't help my networth :(

Lastly, I choose to not include my car and other valuables in my networth reports.

August Grocery Challenge

I can't believe it's already August 1st... WHERE DID THE SUMMER GO?!?!

As I posted last week, I will be joining Melissa in her August grocery challenge! So to get the ball rolling, I too will list out my rules!!

Rule #1: Stay healthy. Cheese and crackers ARE NOT a meal :(

Rule #2: Limit myself to purchasing fresh produce, bread & milk. This will force me to use the excessive amounts of beans, pasta and rice that I currently. I also have a freezer full of chicken, ground beef and pork chops that must be eaten!

Rule #3: I can mooch of anyone willing to give me food from their pantry... unfortunately, my parents live HOURS away and most of my friends are also starving students so this probably won't happen. haha

Rule #4: No more treats. Ice cream was on sale today so I bought two boxes. These are my treats for the month. I figured this would be a good way to reward myself without spending too much money.

Rule #5: Must cook for someone at least twice. (I love the idea!!)

Rule #6: Must stick to my current other challenges of $20/week eating out and 2 no spend days/week.

Rule #7: Any non perishables that can be donated (ie. not already opened) are to be donated prior to be moving. I have a tun of canned soups that I NEVER touch so this will give me a kick in the butt to finally get rid of them. Plus I love helping out the food banks because they've definitely helped me out!

Along with my weekly spending recaps I will detail what groceries I purchased and how much I spent. I would also like to mention that I did stock up on the weekend; however, it had been 2 weeks since I had been shopping AND I actually forgot about the challenge so it was a fairly normal shopping trip consisting mainly of fruit/veg, milk, rice and some new types of beans!

Weekly Spending July 25-31st

So just a reminder my goals were to spend less than $20 eating out and 2 no spend days

Monday July 25th
The Ex: $8*
McDonalds: $2.92 (midnight craving!)
Total: $10.92

*I did spend $25 more than that however, I'm not considering it to be over my budget because it was spent in support of a charity event and I felt compelled to support the cause!

Tuesday July 26th
Milestones: $6
Shopper's Drugmart: $4.51
Total: $10.51

Wednesday July 27th
Doc: $90.oo
Total: $90.oo

Thursday July 28th
Parking: $2.00 (got me 45 minutes and I only used 15... booo urns)
Groceries: $64.54
Total: $66.54

Friday July 29th

No Spend Day!!

Saturday July 30th

LCBO: $11.95 (amazing bottle of wine after a ridiculous day at work I think I earned it!!)

Total: $11.95

Sunday July 31st

Petro Canada: $58.14 (I told myself when gas went down to $1.25/L I would fill up and my gas light came on today so besides ruining a no spend day it worked out well)

Total: $58.14

Totals

Eating out: $16.92 (plus $25 for charity = $41.92 = EPIC FAIL but for a good cause)

Groceries: $64.54

Car: $58.14

Medical: $90.00

Other: $6.51

Grand Total: $236.11 ($261.11 with charity donation)

Overall I failed both challenges AGAIN but I really feel like I'm getting much better with my spending. I have been carefully thinking about each purchase and I feel like most of what I spent money on this week was fairly necessary. Except the eating out... but that's okay.

I'm keeping the same goals for next week!

1. Less than $20 eating out

2. Two no spend days.

Jenny~Z