The OTHER, other side

Holidays have officially begun. Today was report card day. My last chance to see my kids as they move on to another school. Lots of hugs today. A few tears. By me, for the first time in a long time. Two of the moms made me cry with their kind thanks. I will attribute the tears to my exhaustion.

I have no huge plans for the summer. Rest for the first week. Catch up at home. go for walks if I can.  Enjoy the moments. Read.

I went online to pay off the last bit of $ on my Mastercard (which I had the money set aside to do). My balance is $0.   I KNOW I still had $120 to pay on it. I went to my accounts to see if I had clickity clicked and not recalled. nope. the previous payment was there but not the final one.  I didn't go in person. quite frankly, I am baffled. It is a holiday weekend here so I will wait until Tuesday afternoon when the dust clears, to see what is what.


A magic fairy would be nice but I doubt she exists LOL

Thank you

Thank you to all those who clicked and voted for Karen. She is still currently in first place and we are holding our breath until July 2 closure. She emailed me a thank you. Sorry I didn't thank each person personally who commented that they have voted. We had a massive storm go through here Monday evening, knocking out power for almost 24 hours. A lot of tree and building damage.

THANKS!!!

The other side

Well I made it through to the other side!! I can't begin to tell you how good it feels.

The kids had an amazing time. They will remember this one forever. I know I couldn't have done it without my sister wife/teaching colleague. She made the activities possible and kind of took the lead in many ways once we were out there. The kids got to camp. Some had never tented before. They played capture the flag in the wild. They got to slip and slide. They had their own personal fireworks show. They also got to play Mantracker, based on the OLN TV show. The ran and played and ran some more.

We have one week to go for school. There are still two days including a school wide activity day full of things to keep them moving and teambuilding. We have an awards day that I am in charge of and a family BBQ and dance. We have a workday full of finalizing report cards and meetings and cleaning, and then report card handout day.

I was pooped when I got home. Incredibly pooped!! I am old, overweight and out of shape. I can fix two of those things. Guess I'd better get on it!

DS2 finished his finals and went off with his scouting buddies to run a camp for three days for 2 classes of Grade 7 students from their old school. He works 18 hours a day when he's out there. He got home last night, exhausted. DS1 wrote more finals and I have no clue how he did. I was gone for 2 of the days. He also got a call from a WHL Scout and we had to make some tough decisions about where his best chances are for hockey. DH ended up in the hospital the first night of my field trip. They thought he was having a gall bladder attack. Turns out it is some vicious flu going around. He's been home off work since Tuesday afternoon.

Thanks for hanging in there and waiting for me to get to the other side. Your support and patience was very appreciated.

Onwards to Saturday!!

My last 'at home' day

It is rather bittersweet that this is my last of the 'at home' sick days I have been granted. On the bright note, it means the school year is almost at an end and I have a bit of time this summer to focus on what I can do to be as healthy as possible. On the other end, it means I have two weeks left of straight work with HUGE activities and work load a coming. I am scared, frankly, of my year end overnight trip with my class, because of my health. Let's face it, one doesn't sleep on an overnight with kids because they have endless energy. I worry I will go zombie with exhaustion as I have been the past 2 months. I worry I will have an 'accident'. I worry I will make it through but then be dead and struggle to complete the final 8 days.

I worry a lot.

I am so grateful for the admin and staff I have who have helped me make this possible. I would not have made it without these days to rest.  I worry for fall, when it's either 1) be healthy enough to work full time or 2) take a leave, which I really do not want to do.

What have I done on these days?

• rest
• sleep
• nap
• catch up on laundry or housework
• budget
• tabulate my loan numbers
• blog a bit
• do some marking
• sleep
• rest
• watch HGTV and SLICE (and a few star trek TNG :-)

What did I NOT do?

• read for pleasure (too tired to focus)
• read for work (see above)
• Plan units for school (which I desperately need to do)
• Figure out how to eat for colitis and eat to lose weight
• find out if there is a colitis society in my area
• go for walks (scared there will be an accident)
• cook much

I am not sure how much I will blog or comment until July 1. It's crazy busy in my world at school and trying to keep in touch with my own children as they head into exams. So if I go AWOL, it's only temporary. I promise :-)

What I got for free (almost)

Today was a great day at Shoppers Drug Mart. It was the day I could cash in my optimum points for $200 worth of free (ish) product. I got the card in the mail a couple weeks ago announcing it and after checking my points, I knew I qualified. oh boy!

I have to admit I was looking forward to today. Sad? perhaps LOL

I haven't cashed in my points for awhile....last summer, I think. I've always been a girl who would rather receive a $200 basket of neat items I would like, over one larger $200 gift I would like. The psychology of quantity perhaps.

The flyer came last night and I went through my wish list I'd been creating, to see if any of those items were on sale. Have to get the most for the points, after all. This morning, in the pouring rain, I headed over with my list of musts, my lists of maybes and began to fill in my cart.

At one point, when picking out toilet paper, a gentleman said, they are on sale cheaper at the grocery next door. I thanked him and said I might check it out, but said 'these ones here in the cart, are free". He's never collected optimum points and was surprised.

I get that shoppers is often more costlier than other places and I shop there for sale items mostly and my meds. Still, the points add up. I had a great time shopping.

Here is what I bought in 2011 and here is what I bought in 2010.

Here is what I got:

Something for hungry stomachs:

• 2 4L of milk
• 2 cereal
• fiber 1 bars
• cat food

Something for cleaning:

• 2 packs of TP
• 1 box of Swiffer Dry cloths
• 1 new Toilet brush
• 4 boxes of tissue

Something for personal care:

• Contact solution
• soap
• shampoo
• body wash
• mother nature items
• facial toner
• 2 hair gel
• razors
• tylenol
• blush
• mascara
• toothpaste
• foundation
• container to keep track of my daily pills

Somethings for treats:

• Magazine (will save this for summer)
• skittles for the boys
• 4 pomegranite votives

I had a teeny overage and I had to pay the taxes on all items. These 40 items cost me $19.70

LOVE IT!!!!!!!!

60-36 = 0

The loan, by the numbers.

Ok for those who like numbers and analysing and stats, this is the blog entry for you.

What I'm presenting here are just the numbers, as they are, and one 'could have been' option for comparison.

For those who would never purchase a new car, all these numbers would be too much  $ for you, and I totally respect that.

For those who live in the US, I am guessing prices are lower, perhaps even significantly lower. At least when they advertise car ads on the US channels, it seems that way :-)

For those buying now, the interest rates are less than half of what they were when I bought.

For those who live in Ontario in the cities where our fine Canadian car companies live, these prices will be higher than what you would have paid. I remember the first time I realized that I have to pay between $1500 and $2000 more (the times I looked) for 'delivery fee' for my vehicle. I guess it has to get to the prairies from Ontario somehow. I just never realized there was such a huge cost difference and that THAT cost would be tacked onto my bill. Ahh the joys of becoming more financially aware LOL

Here we go with some insta facts:

• Months on the actual loan - 60
• Months it took to pay off the loan - 36

• Money used as a downpayment $3500
• Trade in value of the beater van - $1300

"Interest"ing facts:

• Rate at the time of the loan - 7.92%
• Highest Amount of Monthly Interest - $181.09
• Lowest Amount of Monthly Interest - $1.77
• Total Interest Paid - $3727.70

                Year 1 Interest - $1990.99
                Year 2 Interest - $6600.00
                Year 3 Interest - $462.29

Lump Sum facts:

• Total Extra Money Paid down (beyond the monthly payment) - $12 285

                Year 1 Extra - $600
                Year 2 Extra - $6600
                Year 3 Extra - $5085

So why pay interest???

My primary reason for paying interest is that there were two prices on the vehicle: One with 0% interest and one with 'going rate' interest. It was the first time I realized that all those 0% interest ads I see on TV actually have a higher sticker price than if you opt for an interest based loan.

The 0% interest price was almost $10 000 more than the with interest rate. I had to sit down and scratch out math with the salesman to see which was the better deal. With interest, won.

Of course, this would truly only be a Better Deal if I paid the loan off early and thus, shortened the amount of interest I would pay over the life of the loan.  If I had no plan to do so then it would have probably been mathematically better to take the 0% deal.

Let's compare the two prices (I don't think I made any errors here, but ya never know)

Let's assume same basic info: down payment, trade in, taxes, fees and warranties

Price with interest rate (all taxes and fees included): $29 661.30
Interest Paid - $3727.70
Total - $33 389.00

Price without Interest rate (all taxes and fees etc included): $41 532.50

Difference - $8143.50


NOW

IF I  understand how to calculate correctly (jury is out on that one), if I had taken the interest option and only paid monthly amounts and no extra, my interest paid over the course of the loan would have been:

$29 661.30 x .0792 = $2349.17  x 5(years) = $11 745.85

(Have I done that all correctly??)


Did this cost a lot? Hell yes!!

Could I have found a used vehicle for less? yup, but all I have ever known before are used vehicles that cost me probably about $1000 a year in fixing things like brakes, shocks, new tires to replace the bald ones, rack and pinion (no clue if I spelled that correctly), starter issues and oodles of alternator issues with the van.

I have not had to call CAA once. I have not been stranded on the side of the road with a breakdown as I have with the previous three vehicles - with no cell coverage - and I could see the damn cell towers from my vehicle - explain that one LOL

Thus far this vehicle has not cost anything beyond oil changes. I do say THUS far. I know karma's waiting for me and something will come up that needs fixing...probably three days after I post this entry LOL


Everyone out there would make a different choice for a myriad of different reasons when it comes to purchasing transportation. I respect that. This is the choice I made.

I have learned so much during the time of this loan about money and interest and paying lump sums. That may well have been the biggest gift to me.

Where the money stands

as of June 6th

Debts

Mortgage - $30 827.60
Vehicle Loan - ZERO!!!!!!!!!
Line of Credit - $3500.00
Total Debt - $34 327.60

Savings/Planned Spending
TFSA/EF - $2000
RESP - $10 200.00
RRSP - $4200
Summer 2012 - $1000

Plates - $300 from DS and $170 from mama (me)

Well first off, a repeated woo hoo for the loan being at Zero. I am so excited about that. Trying not to be too cocky as I look to the future and know that the big expenses will keeping coming at me for several years now as the boys move towards graduation and beyond.

I am looking forward to channeling my $ for awhile to my savings goals. I feel like I am behind and need to catch up. All those pink sidebars are motivating me to make them green.

PAID IN FULL!!!

That's right!!  You read it correctly :-)

Today is Car Loan Freedom, baby!!!

2 years ahead of schedule, the loan is now paid in full.  I have an at home day today so I slipped down (3 blocks) to the bank and put the final payment in on my vehicle. The teller smiled, leaned in, and whispered those sweet, seductive words "Your balance is zero".

The paper she handed me reaffirmed that fact. A sweet little sexy $0 at the bottom.

As I drove home, I patted her dash and praised her "You're all paid for now!!", with a finger crossed warning "Please don't start breaking down, now".

When I got home I logged onto my online account to check the balance. The account was gone. I didn't even get the sweet bliss of seeing that online.

I had forgotten it did the same thing when my consolidated loan was paid off too LOL

It feels good to have it paid off. I have learned a lot over the course of this loan and I am so grateful for the cheers and support of my blogging family. thank you so much.

Stay tuned for "Loan by the numbers" with more specific number details for those who like that sort of thing.

Sunday Night Chit Chat

hosted by Carla at half dozen daily

Haven't done one of these in a long while. Felt almost normal today so I decided to celebrate :-)

Inspiring picture: when DS1 was in Italy and touring the collosseum he was pumped to turn the corner and find a cat. The cat was, to quote DS, "just chilling in the collo mom". LOL Knowing my love for cats, he bid it a cheery bonjourno and snapped a pic.

What am I reading?

The Klone and I by Danielle Steele

What am I Watching?

The pilot episode of the series Unforgettable

What am I Cooking/Baking?

nothing today. had a bbq at mom and dad's for supper

What am I Happy I accomplished?

I got a big exam marked at school and tonight, after supper I cut the grass. I am so out of shape it is ridiculous. 

What am I looking forward to Next week?

Well I am hoping for reasonable health. No fatigue. No migraines. No flares. *fingers crossed*

What am I thankful for today?

Kitty therapy. I went out to my sister's and visited the two batches of newborn kitties. They make my soul sing.

RRSP update

I got my RRSP portfolio statement in the mail yesterday. I only get it twice a year. I am pretty sure there is a way to log on and check but the ups and downs of the market would drive me nuts.

Thus far, in three years, I have contributed $4000.  Currently, my portfolio is worth $4267.69. So over three years I have 'made' $267.69.  I recognize that this changes constantly....growths and losses.

My plan is to contribute $1500 again by the end of this calendar year so hopefully I can 'make' a bit more money through this RRSP process.

I wish I had more money in it, but it is, what it is. I am glad I finally got started and have something.