October

Hello expensive month!!

I partied a bit too much.  That's it thats all.  My entire explanation is actually that simple.. too much partying.  I mean I'm 23 right and I wanna enjoy my friends.  But a night out is expensive.  Especially the one I had in Toronto.  I had dropped $50 before even starting to dance.. and I LOVE DANCING so I'm usually the first on out there... BAD NEWS BEARS!!

But I have a plan for November.  Lots of outdoor/free activities.  Lake front walks. Hikes to the waterfalls behind the school.  That kinda stuff because the cash money is drying up fast.. I'm down to about $2000 which will actually more than get me thru until the new year as I'll be staying at my dad's most of December and be working over the holidays!  But it's still difficult not having a real income..

Although I did start my job.  I'm very excited.  I'll only be working about 3 hours a week so with placements and holidays and everything factored in, I'll be bringing in about $300 over the next 6 months, which seems kinda pathetic but I'm happy for the money...My title: "Student Technology Assistant" is  fancy speak for "gets to play with the Smart Board during breaks!!"  This makes me happy because Smart Boards are becoming SUPER popular in schools and knowing how to use one EXTREMELY well is a great selling point!

On a mildly non-financial point.  My friend who went to France is back and he was supposed to visit next weekend.  But suddenly he has no money because OSAP took its payment from his account.. the money he had saved to buy the bus ticket here was snatched by OSAP (stupid, stupid osap).  I'm devastated... while he was gone he sent me numerous letters.. like HANDWRITTEN LETTERS and a bunch of cute, romantic messages.  And since landing in Canada yesterday, my phone has barely stopped buzzing with texts from him.. all until he gave me the news (and I got super angry at him).. so I was floating on a cloud and now I feel like I'm at the bottom of a deep pit.  Maybe he'll figure something out.  I want to tell him I can meet him half way if he can make it half way.. but I want him to get himself here, to make the effort, so I know he cares.  So I know he WANTS to be here.  But is that me testing him?  Is that me being unfair?  I don't know.. I really just don't know.  I hope he figures it out..I really do hope! [edit:  after rereading this to check for errors I realize how ridiculous I was being and sent him an apology.  I still want him to figure it out but I can't be mad at him for paying his bills.  I'm really just disappointed I may not see him as soon as anticipated.]

Thats all for now,
Jenny~Z

I can't believe it..

I've been soooo crazy busy since starting school and my blog is obviously suffering.

It doesn't help that I don't have a job so I have no income so I'm not spending any money without extreme bouts of guilt.

I give myself $100/month to spend on fun, which let me tell you IS NOT fun.  But I've been making it work.  Right now I only have like $4 in my account sooo I'm just toughing it out on the free fun for now.  But the city I'm in is GORGEOUS.. lake front and forest area so there's a ton of outdoor activities to do that are FREE!!

So here's my list of money savers..

• I bus as often as I can (every day to school plus most other times)
• I charge people for gas money and will accept multiple different forms of payment (cash, free meals, movies...).  I HATE and I mean HATE charging people for gas because I love driving and I think its sooooo rude but I'm in a tight $$ situation so I'll take what I can get :D
• I've begun taking advantage of the Public Library 
• Walking, running, roller blading outside a few times a week!
• Make my lunch EVERY SINGLE DAY.
• Community dinners... a few friends get together Sunday nights for "family dinner" we've had tacos, chilli, spaghetti and it's delicious and fun
• Cut back on alcohol.  I'm not a big drinker and as a Student Teacher I'm very conscious of my decisions to drink as I don't want to ruin my career before it starts but this is also an excellent money saver.
• I drink water.  Lots and lots of water :D
• I let my daddy pay for stuff.  Just last week he pay for my snow tire installation. Thanks dad!!!

A note about teacher's college.

It's freakin' amazing!  I've been in classrooms for a total of 3 weeks now and absolutely love it!  There are lots and lots of assignments but I'm learning so much too!  And some how I also have more of a social life now.  I guess that comes with not having a job haha.  I do miss working though and am excited to start again (in May lol).  Despite the lack of jobs for teacher's out there right now, I'm very hopeful for the future!

Still saving my pennies...

Jenny~Z