November change

I rolled my change for the month. I had a bit less than usual but as I've said before, anything added up and sent to the bank is a good thing.

• 2 rolls pennies
• 2 rolls nickles
• 2 rolls of quarters

for a total of $25.

RRSP update

I got my statement in the mail yesterday so it is time for an RRSP update.  When last I received documentation from them I was down a bit and sitting at $4137.

My statement today reflects my portfolio as of September 30. I am now sitting at $4241.72.

When I first looked at it I thought it was down. Aside from looking at my old statement, I was glad to also be able to look at the blog entry to see where it was at.

It's up, and up is always a good thing when it's $ added.

Lost my debit card

Well not lost.....unlocateable. 99% sure it isn't a 'lost it out and about somewhere' case. I spent the past two days searching my purse and wallet, my coat pockets, my dresser, my vehicle etc. No such luck. It isnt' my main card so I haven't used it in almost a month so tracking back is tougher.

I finally gave up this morning and went down to the bank to get a new one. I did all the happy paperwork and had my old one cancelled. I joked to the teller at the bank that I'd find it as soon as I went home.

I  even was re checking my pockets and my purse while she was getting the card hooked up. Like it would magically appear where I had checked before? lol

Sure enough, when I went in the drawer to get my chequebook, it was tucked in there, with the register.  Why didn't I think to look there before?

I must be better organized. Could have saved myself all that searching time and all that time running to the bank and filling out forms.

Sweet Jammy Day

I spoiled myself yesterday and it was lovely. I had just come off a crazy busy work week that included report cards and parent teacher interviews, which kept me at work 14 hours a day for two of the day while. The interviews went alright but they do drain mentally when you want to be bright and fresh to give your best to each family. I had some very nice compliments. That felt good.

So yesterday I slept until 10. I honestly can't remember the last time I slept until 10. I got up and had a leisurely coffee and after a shower, put on a fresh pair of jammies and stayed in them all day. It was sinfully lovely.  I puttered with laundry and a bit of tidying. I updated my calendar with the dates I know til the end of December so I am not surprised by a supper or a gathering. I sent DH out to buy lean ground beef and I made 10 dozen meatballs all cooked and frozen so they are ready for meals when we need them. I curled up with a glass of wine in the evening and listened to DS's game on the radio. DS2 had a coatcheck his scout group was running and DH was gone in his job capacity to an  evening winter parade.

My mom had a second mamogram this past week. She had one the week before and there was a questionable shadow that needed to be looked at again. Results won't be back for awhile she tells me. Hopefully it all goes well.

Today is technically payday so tomorrow will be a banking day and I should have some numbers for you on how much debt has been added due to this accident and the purchase of a new car.  It will be nice to sit down today and figure things out. I feel as though money got a bit away on me the past month or so.  I have to say, it was not a good feeling.

I also need to figure out christmas gifts. I have the $ saved, thank goodness.

Happy Sunday all

One year ago...

...I had my first (noticeable) symptoms of what I would then learn, was colitis. Boy I sure have learned a lot in the past year.

Thank you Colitis for teaching me...

• about my body and how incredibly sensitive it is
• that I was far from alone in this disease
• how narsty colyte tastes before a colonoscopy
• how meds may be the wonder med, but t hey are not right for every person's body
• the importance of good health
• the freedom of being able to go for a walk or a drive without fear
• the benefits and pitfalls of insurance
• the gift of sick days

I appreciate that it has taught me not to take things for granted.

Catching up

It's been a whirlwind two weeks and things have been crazy busy. I am sure you all have those chunks of time too, or perhaps it is like that for you all of the time.

Report cards were handed out Friday so that is a huge relief. The district changed a few ways we are reporting part way through the marking period so it was a big shift to a different way of thinking and a very different way of recording. It takes a whack of time to pull it all together to give parents the best information about their student progress. Interviews will be this coming week so it will be another time busy week here for work.

We have a few dumps of snow here. Everytime there is a big one I can't help but be thankful I don't have my old van. Driving through snow in that one forced snow up and underneathe, blocking and plugging the alternator belt and basically making the steering inoperable. I was stranded about a dozen times with that problem. I've had a different vehicle for going on four winters now, but I still get that panic trigger when I drive in snow, until I remember I no longer have the van. Funny how something like that stays with you. I appreciate you, new vehicle who is designed differently underneathe and doesn't have this problem.

Gas prices have dropped a bit in the past 10 days. Funny how when you have been stuck at $1.299/Liter for a long time, suddenly being at $1.199 doesn't look so bad.

DS2 has had fewer hours at work and he is grateful for that. The restaurant will be super busy from now until after the New Year and he was feeling overwhelmed. He will miss the bigger paycheck though.  I watched him proudly as he marched with his troop last weekend for Remembrance Day.

DS1 has been busy with his team. I don't see him as much as I like, but I guess that is part of the letting go. I think of all the other members of his team who are billeted here and their family is a province or two away, and I guess I can't complain. He's been going over to help grandpa work on his car. DS doesn't know a thing about car repair so every single thing he is doing is a brand new learning experience. I love that. I also love that he gets time with grandpa. Dad hasn't been well and we have less time with him left, than more. It's good for DS to realize that there is a boatload of time and money and work that goes into fixing the results of this no fault accident.

Speaking of no fault accident, we got our papers from insurance. A charge from the insurance company of close to $300 for the no fault accident along with 8 points against DS's license. We can appeal this and we will be. There was a $25 fee to launch the appeal which DH paid. DS and I will do the appeal with the highway traffic board via phone conference this coming week. I have taken a half day of personal time to do that. While DS has to run the phone call, he still wanted his mother there. Neither of us have been in this situation before so it will be a new experience. The charges and points could be completely voided, or not. I guess we shall see how it goes. 

I am still waiting for the last couple cheques to come in for insurance refund and at that point I will know how much I am 'out' for this whole accident. Funny how 20 seconds of glare ice can cost so much. At least everyone was physically safe though.

Where the money stands

as of November 6th

Debts
Mortgage - $29 496.32
LOC - $2968.09

Total Debt - $32 464.41

Savings/Planned Spending
TFSA/EF - $2045
RESP - $11 800
RRSP - $4200
Christmas 2012 - $1400

Ok this is a totally false where the money stands.  The savings/planned spending is all correct. The Mortgage is up to date.

It's the LOC that isn't.  Things are at a bit of a flux with the car 'accident'. The car was totalled and written off. They paid out some money which is in the mail. We bought it back for a nominal amount and my dad has his heart set on fixing it. He was so happy about it I didn't argue even though I don't think he should be using his time and energy on it. His health is so so. But his eyes lit up like a Christmas tree and I just couldn't take that away from him. He doesn't get happy like that as much anymore.

Right now I am out money for the new car. I am out money for the insurance for the new car and the package policy.

My LOC interest rate was almost 3% less than the best bank fee I could get for a loan for the new vehicle so I paid out of my LOC and am very anxious about getting that number back down. soon.

I am waiting on money back from insurance. I am waiting money back on the insurance and package policy on the old car, which are also in the mail I am told. When it is all said and done I will have some more debt.  I do appreciate the insurance though. So many forms. So many fees for cancellation.

The old car will get fixed and go back to DS1. The new car, DS1 is currently driving then will go to DS2 in the spring when he gets his licence.

Life has been nothing, if not busy while I go through all these first experiences.