Free and Independent

That's right. I sure am!! As of today, I no longer have to drive my children about to their activities.

DS2 got his licence!!   It took two cracks at the can to get it for him, but it is all a distant memory now :-)

He is much more apprehensive than his brother, and I think that is a good thing. Perhaps it will bring some caution and common sense that sometimes, his brother, seems to be lacking.

We are now a family of four drivers. wow

I am getting old.

Woo hoo. He's employed

So glad to be able to say DS1 got a job.  We did up his resume - DS typing, mother saying 'no it needs to be arranged thus and so' and he applied for three jobs. We heard back from our top pick and he had an interview last week. They don't usually hire non university summer students, but they made an exception for DS.  With him only attending school afternoons (from his hockey season), he was available in the mornings as well as after school and weekends.

 He is working at a local campground operated by the town. It's good outdoor work, taking care of things, cutting grass, maintenance as well as checking in and out the visitors from all over the place. I guess all those years of camping have paid off as many of the things he needed to do, he already knew how.  We will have to watch during grass cutting, as he has allergies.  Some non drowsy allergy pills will help with that hopefully.

He only gets paid once a month so it will be a long haul til the end of May for a boy with no cash. Bank of mom will help out with the MUST HAVEs until payday and then we get to do a budget for him. woo hoo!! The wage is a bit more than minimum wage, but not a huge salary.

If he does a good job (ie doesn't screw up) then it is likely he will be rehired back for the rest of his junior hockey 'career', and perhaps even after that when he starts college.  He's working about 20 hours a week until school gets out and then he hovers somewhere between 30 and 40 hours a week.

An 18 year old about to graduate definitely does NOT need too much free time on his hands :-)

Some snowflakes :-)

I know I have been waiting and waiting for spring, but these snowflakes make me a happy girl.

Back in March we had optometrist visits. The costs are mostly covered by insurance, but must be paid for up front. I put those on my Master Card. Insurance was delayed however and my CC bill came due. I was NOT about to let those costs stay as a balance on there, so I siphoned from my weekly jars to pay it off in full.  

That insurance reimbursement had slipped my mind until it arrived yesterday in the mail. Since the money was already paid off, it is pure snowflake.

You know where it went :-)

That's right - straight onto the LOC which now puts me under $400 remaining.

woot woot!!

A Beautiful Weekend

This was definitely the best weekend thus far of spring. The weather was lovely. The air was fresh. Spirits were invigorated. Friday started with an impromptu 'come to my house for drinks after work' from one of my colleagues. It was great to hang out in their backyard, relax and enjoy the fresh air and sun while those who had kids played. We finished the evening with a fire and I do have to say it was  quite heavenly.

Saturday was a day to take care of our outside. We got the lawns rotoraked - a dusty, messy job. They looked instantly healthier and bits of green could be seen. There was an amazing amount of.....................evidence......................that the deer were in our back yard a lot noshing on the tree. It took several shovelfuls to remove said evidence. Once the dust of the lawnmower was done I had the simple pleasure of hanging clothes on the line. It's amazing how fast things can dry on the line. They take forever to dry when I hang them up downstairs.

We went out to my sister's acreage to take care of her animals while she is away. Not allt he snow had melted yet but there were pockets of grass space. It was good to be out there and enjoy the sounds of peace. 

We had a weiner/smokie roast at home on my new firepit I paid too much for at a silent auction in the winter and sat by it in the evening. One of my nephew's popped by with his girlfriend for a visit.

Sunday was a work morning at school, then home to go visit mom and dad and help them tidy up their yard. A steak bbq wrapped up the evening.

Not so much a weekend of money, but one of recharging and reconnecting.

Priceless

Where the money stands

as of May 4th

Debts
Mortgage - $27 862.80
LOC - $550.00

Total Debt - $28 412.80

Savings/Planned Spending
TFSA/EF - $2058
RESP - $13 820
RRSP - $5700
Plates - $1200

I removed the celebrations savings goal as I have already used a good portion of it for the first wedding as well as the beginnings of prom/grad prep.

The big news is getting that LOC down so much with the income tax. I am very excited about that. It brings it down to 'almost gone' as well as bringing the debt down under
 $30 000. It does not include the new debt my DH has took on with the new truck. This blog has mostly been about my debt and my progress, rather than 'ours', as he refuses to have anything to do with budgeting or preplanning etc.  I can only control me...and some days THAT is tough :P