Emergency Funds

For the first time EVER I have an emergency fund started. My first goal is $1000 and I am almost there. It is a very strange feeling to know it is there should a true emergency come along.

After six months of reading personal finance blogs, I can see that this is one thing that PFers agree on. One is needed! Beyond that, the amount, the method of collecting it and when one should start one up varies like snowflakes.

I know that $1000 is just a teaspoonful of what I really should need but I keep saying "It's a start!! and more than I've ever done".

I found a great article over at Gail's website. Gail is the host of "Til debt do us part", which is a great show on SLICE TV (in Canada). You can see archived shows on there if you're interested.

I just started reading her blog and found a great one on Emergency Funds.

Missing my clothesline

Ok I just have to stop and vent for a moment.

I MISS my clothesline. I loved going out there in the sunny warmth of a summer afternoon and hanging my stuff on the line. It just had incredible psychological values for me.

Now winter is here and it's dark when I go to work and dark when I come home and, while we do not yet have bitter temps or snow on the ground (which is rare for us at almost December), hanging them is just not feasible.

I still hang the 100% cottons around downstairs to keep them from shrinking and to save some energy but it is not the same.

Ok rant over. back to school work.

Where the debt stands

As of November 1st

Mortgage - $43 912.59
My Consolidated Loan - $13 866.04
His VISA -$ 3118.98
His Truck Payment - $17 050.70
Bank of Mom - $1000.00
My Mastercard - $0

Total Debt $78 948.31

Well at least the MC was paid off and the number went down :-)

AWOL

It's been a month, for sure. I felt so guilty being away from here, and with the being away, undoubtedly comes the absence of accurate money accountability.

It was whirly.....away for hockey for an expensive four day weekend....then report cards...then getting monstrously sick with a cold....then parent teacher interviews....then my son was injured in hockey.

I need to get back on track here and what is more important, I WANT to. I am not sure how successful budget reduction will be but the accoutability of it is necessary.

I need to get my 'Debt as of Nov 1' on here and by mid next week I should have the invoices to do my as of Dec 1.

Sorry to any of those who came and saw it unchanged and that 'well there goes another blog into the dust'

Hope it was a great Thanksgiving for any US readers out there.

Happy Turn Back the Clock

These times changes certainly do affect us here in Saskatchewan, mostly because we are one of the places who stays the same time all year round.

What does that mean for us???

• our TV shows come on earlier now
• I have to stay up later to chat with friends West of me
• My computer clock, up until yesterday, every now and again would randomly reset my clock back an hour. When you set your clock on the computer there is CST, GMT, EST etc but no "just leave it as I set it all year round pretty please.

That's about it. LOL

Are you in a 'stay the way you are all year long' region???

Do you like it? or wish your state/province/region would just be a lemming and conform?

Anyhoo, off to hockey. Happy Day all.