July change and snowflakes

Spending mostly cash this month created some lovely change in my jar this month. I am constantly in awe of how it adds up. I AM also aware that this could be money I spend each month for groceries as it is actually part of my grocery budget.  I have gone back and forth on what I would want to do with the change and honestly I do love how it becomes such a simple way to create snowflakes.

This month I had $100 in change: 1 roll of toonies, 1 roll of loonies, 2 rolls of quarters, and a roll of dimes.

I also received a 'family allowance' cheque from the government. It is based on your income, the number of kids you have and their age. It traditionally comes once a month and the amount is tabulated after you file income tax and each ' year' begins in July. 

I have watched this amount dwindle each year as our income does not merit a larger cheque. Now that DS1 is 18, he  no longer qualifies. So my cheque for a whopping $26 came this week with a notice that says since the amount is so small, they are sending me the whole year's worth in one cheque.    I had to giggle at the cheque for $26 for the whole year.

Now that money used to go towards the boys RESPs but since it was so teeny and would have no monthly friends, I tucked that amount on my snowflakes and it will go to the bank.

Adventures in babysitting

I did something yesterday I haven't done in a long, long time.

I spent five hours with a 2 year old.

Give me 25 hormonal thirteen year olds and I am generally fine. No butterflies in the stomach. No paralyzing fear of 'what if they cry for five hours straight?'

but a 2 year old....  :-)

My niece and nephew just had their second baby, which came quite early and has been hanging out in the neonatal unit. They live about 30 minutes outside of the city and she's been having to drive back and forth so she can spend time with the little one, while at the same time trying to juggle a 2 year old who can't go in the unit. Unfortunately both sides of the family live 90 minutes away and people can't get in as often as we would like to help out.

Enter Jolie, with nothing but time on her hands. So I volunteered to go in and spend the day to free up mama to go to the hospital. Now this little one doesn't really know me all that well and the few times she's seen me she  has run and hid (ouch). So there was a risk of a really long day, but hey, what is life without risk.

Off I drove and arrived about 10:30. We spent a few minutes together before mama left. Much to my surprise, we had a great day. She learned to say my name and said it about 500 times throughout the day. I learned to interpret her baby speak, mostly. We played and played and played, mostly outside. They have a sandbox with the softest and smoothest sand I have seen in a long time. Very therapeutic actually. She kept stealing my shovel though :-)

We played with her puppy, who hasn't has as much love as he probably would like with the busy schedule of a new baby so he was happy. When I sang silly songs to her she put the shovel against my lips. I laughed and told her 'aunty likes to sing. lots. so get used to it'

I actually cried a bit when we were playing in the sand as I realized that her grandmother ( my sister) would never be able to do simple things like this with her, with her advancing MS. It just doesn't seem fair.

I was scared to leave her in the house to go in the yard to get anything as I had flash nightmares of her locking the patio door and me begging sweetly for her to let aunty into the house. Next time I ask for a key LOL

I was slightly disturbed by the Wiggles. It was my first time being forced to watch them. They were wearing leather pants. I found that difficult to process :-)

It was a great day. mama got time with her new baby without worrying about getting home. I got to bond with a great 2 year old who blew me kisses as I left.

Cost for the day - 1 tank of gas.

Mental and psychological boost - priceless

Rethinking the jars

I have been using weekly money jars ( A la Gail Vaz Oxlade) for years now. Out of all the organizational things I have done to become money aware, proactive and in control, it is probably in my top 3 for most effective.

I get paid only once a month. Before jars I would be out of money long before I was out of days in the month. That is where the credit card debt began, I suspect. It would be a frantic period where (usually) the bills were paid but we were scrambling for gas, groceries etc to get to the end of the month.

After watching Til Debt Do Us Part, I decided to create a weekly pay day for myself and that would be the day I would take my jar money out of the bank. Now not all months are that perfect 28 days so I would add a day to each payday 'week' to make the weeks as balanced as possible. I preamp it out on my Moms Calendar and put stars on each payday. I am not one for really being able to stick to things and I am so proud that I have I stuck with this imaginary pay day for 5 years!

The categories I made for my jars have tweaked a bit over the years in terms of titles and amounts. Right now I have Groceries and home, entertainment, gas and spending. The gas money really goes in a wallet in my car and the spending money really goes in my wallet, but entertainment and Groceries go in physical jars I keep in my room.

While I am faithful to the amount of cash I pull out each week for my payday, I am not always faithful to the purpose of each jar. I have noticed it getting more and more blurred as time has gone on. Most of it gets spent on groceries and very little goes into .... say... entertainment. And while I understanding the jars are arbitrary and I am the one who decided on them...and there is no jar police coming after me if I use the entertainment money for gas, I do feel like I need to either just use one jar, or go back to the pure intention of the jars.

Reasons for using One jar: simplicity; some weeks flux and you might need more or less in a category.

Reasons for using the four jars: getting a more accurate read on what I am spending  for groceries, gas etc; actually HAVING money in the entertainment jar should something actually happen in my life where I am going to be entertained; feeling like I have more control again.

So after much deliberation, I have decided that I am going to be true to the jars again until Dec 31st. After that I will be able to know which works best for me, helps me to spend my money more responsibly, feels more natural, and makes me feel more in control while it not becoming a chore to organize.

I know there are lots of you out there who use jars or envelopes or highly developed discipline to keep it all organized using your debit or credit card.

For variable spending, do you have one category....or a few?

the fate of the extra cash

My theory is that if extra money comes your way, it needs to be funnelled to whatever destination you have planned - immediately.

If you don't, karma knows you have cash. Karma will find a way for something unexpected to come along that will take your cash.

I spent a good while yesterday mapping things out on what I wanted to do with it, and it's friend, August extra money. I would get a plan written out and then go for a walk and when I came back I would remember something else upcoming that I hadn't accounted for. So I would change the distribution. I think I did this three times yesterday. Funny how even when you have a pretty good read on your world and your expenses, if some one time expense isn't written down, it can be quickly forgotten.

So this morning, like a little Easter bunny, I went hippity hoppity around to take care of the money.  Here is how it was divided up.

• $100 towards my TFSA goal of $1000 this year. This I took right away to the bank and put in my 'high' interest (1.015%) account. I did learn that I have to go in and have someone move the money from my regular account to my TFSA account, and that I can't do it on my own. When I reach my goal of $1000 then I will go in and have them move it. They are in the process of making this something clients can do themselves with online banking, but they are not quite there yet. I will be much happier when that money is in it's official home.

• $100 for Christmas gifts for the new babies. They weren't around January 1st and I hadn't factored them into my Christmas budget for this year. We have a big family. I don't buy anything for my sisters or their children (by mutual agreement), but the great nieces/nephews are in a different category. I will give them each $50 for Christmas to go in their education savings plan. It used to be more per child but there were fewer children then. I am now a great aunt to five kids. Wow I am getting old....fast. This $100 will take care of the new ones. I have the cashed tucked away in my home safe until Christmas

• $150 for DS1 for grad gift. We talked about what he would like. He threw out ideas such as a laptop for his road trips or a good camera. He really is motivated though to save $ for a trip with his friend next year. I decided I would give him $150 of July's extra money and $150 of August's extra money. That's all he will get from mama for this trip. He wants to be an adult and I want him to know that satisfaction of having earned the money himself.

• $100 for hockey equipment. Many of the expenses are covered by the team but things like elbow pads and shoulder pads, cans, etc are not. DS mentioned he needed new elbow pads before fall and perhaps a new can so we will use this money. I am glad I had it and wasn't surprised and finding myself short of cash.

• $150 for Back to School Groceries. I always find myself needing a big  grocery trip right before school starts. Perhaps it is some sort of nesting instinct. Perhaps it is a modern day Laura Ingalls Wilder and a need to bring in the 'harvest' before it gets too cold. Everything from toiletries and cleaners to canned goods, to meats. I like to start knowing that as I go back to insanely busy for the start of school, that I don't need to be running around for things I need. I have this money tucked away too, to watch for sales so I can make the most of it.

So there is it. Money in and money out....but planned for!

Oh wow...I missed Payday

With all that happened recently, I forgot I got paid last Thursday. Time for me to go over my budget. I see that my cheque is $600 more than my 'usual' cheque. We only get paid for 10 month contracts. I take the option of getting paid over 12 so that I get a cheque or two in the summer. I don't think I could save enough to go from June to September without a cheque. The July cheque is always bigger as the work deductions only come off over the 10 month period. Also, I think I am close to maxing out on my CPP and EI. They were still on there but smaller than usual, which is my first sign.

I need to sit down this afternoon and decide how I want to allocate this money or it will all just trickle away. 

Time to plug in my Keurig on this cool and cloudy day, and do some thinking on what is coming up in the next while.

Sunday Night Chit Chat

What am I....

 

Reading: I finished Take Over, by Vicki Blum for school. It wasn't a hard read. I added it to my book list page.

 

Listening to: There is a tiny bit of raining coming down. I like the sound it makes.

 

Watching: Right now, just the news. It was a tragic weekend in our province with six young teens killed in an accident. I can't imagine what their families are going through.

 

Cooking/Baking: Another batch of muffins, for us this time. I also did up some chicken. DH and I, along with my parents, met DS1 at the campground. We had a lovely fire, and ate together. Mom was so happy we went. She brought their dog too and I walked him all around the campground. Whoops this was supposed to be cooking and baking. I did  NOT bake the dog.

 

Looking forward to next week: It's the last week of July. I want to appreciate those last few days and check my summer to do/experience list. I wonder how many things I actually accomplished.

 

Thankful for today: Time. To heal. To recharge. To walk. To ponder things and make decisions. To read. To appreciate the little moments of nature.

 

Bonus Question: Do you know any 2nd (or 3rd!!) languages? While not fully bilingual, I speak French. Actually have a degree in it, though that didn't make me bilingual either. Only truly living it can, I believe.

 

Make sure you visit Carla, to see what is happening on her sunday night.

working my way back

Today was the first day in a long time this summer where I felt semi normal. It wasn't ridiculously hot so I baked muffins for DH to take up to DS2's  scout camp. Growing boys away from home on their own are always hungry. I did laundry and hung it on the line. I went for a walk. I sat out at my patio set and read one of the novels my new grade of students will read this year. I cleaned and purged a couple sections in my house. It felt really good to fill up trash bags and toss, toss, toss. I was all by myself, as you've guessed from the solitary activities.  I ended the day curled up watching the Saskatchewan Rough Riders play, and win. I am very appreciative of the time I have to rest and heal.

awol

sorry for being away. Things have been sad here. Our beloved family pet is gone. Something happened to him outside and we are not sure what, exactly.

For those who are not pet owners or those who are not cat people, it may not be a big deal but in our world, it was very much so. Especially not knowing what happened.

He was the best pet anyone could have. A member of the family and every part of the day is hard without him. He was a pretty big presence.   I miss him very much.

What am I now??

I took DS1 to the bank yesterday to switch over an account. It's a trust account that didn't have a lot in it -  $500, but since he is done school now it was time to switch it over. He plans to go travelling with a good friend next year. They have grand illusions of Australia or New Zealand but I don't think they quite realize how much that will cost. His friend has a jump start on saving so DS needs to  get his butt in gear or he's just going to be seeing her off at the airport.

We had tried a few times to get an appointment to get this switched over but between his school and work and mine, it never quite worked.

The lady doing the account transfer knows both DS and I, though we're not close, and she was kind enough to have done up most of the paperwork before we even got there.  SO nice of her!

Here is the point where I laughed out loud.

She is checking the info on the form and she asks for his status. For 13 years he was able to say 'student'. He paused, and was speechless for a moment with a blank look on his face. He turns to me and says "What am I now????".  The lady and I laughed and both said at the same time "welcome to adulthood'. 

I have VERY reluctantly agreed to let him take a year off taking any sort of college classes and work instead, around his hockey schedule.

So for now, until hockey season begins, he is "labourer"

Here is his final moment as 'student'

Restless Saturday

The morning started early. 5 AM. DH and DS2 were up and heading out to Alberta for the scouting Canadian Jamboree. Over 5000 are planning to attend. This will be DH's 3 CJ and DS2's first.

After they left I headed for a good long walk. It was actually cool enough out to do that. Temps here have been hot hot (for here). The house, even closed up during the day to keep the heat out, got to 85F and was stifling at night with no breeze. I am dreaming of AC. After my walk I came home and baked some cookies. I could actually turn the oven on and it didn't melt the house :-) I used up a cookie mix in the cupboard as part of my Use it Up July plan.

After that I headed to the farmer's market. There wasn't a whole lot there. Either I was early or late or it was a small turnout. I ended up buying some radishes and a bag of freshly made spudnuts. My lord they looked and smelled delicious. I was strong and didn't eat them myself.

I took some lunch to DS and came home to mow my lawn. Again, taking advantage of the coolness. I spent a lovely hour and a half in my backyard catching up on my reading. A couple magazines, the beginning of a book, 2 cups of coffee and 2 cats hanging out with me. It was glorious. Very quiet. I started to have 'I should go to the school' thoughts. You spend the year wishing you had time to relax and then when you do, those mental naggings make you want to go get some work done in your room.

Those were squelched with DS called  to suggest we head to the lake. My sister is there and her son was out, visiting her. DS and his cousin wanted to go golfing. It sounded good so off we went.

The costs for the day was the gas to get out to the lake and a park pass for the season. I always buy one $50. It's transferable so we can switch it between cars, so DS or I can use it. Regular day visits are $7 so it will take 7 trips to get use out of it and the 8th is free and clear.

DS and his cousin ended up getting to golf for free, cart included, thanks to the course manager, who comped them. If he hadn't, it would have been about $50 for DS's share of the cart and the green fees. Golf sure adds up. Free was even better.

Sister and I had a nice visit. A lake neighbour stopped by for a bit. He sure hates teachers. He went on and on about things while I smiled sweetly, not wanting to cause any conflict since I was just visiting. Then he realized I was one and he backed off and we switched topics. It was nice when he left :-)  She does love her campfires. Thunder rumbled off in the distant but no lightning or rain until way later.

Sister and I made a yummy supper. bbq chicken breast, shrimp (for them - eww for me), roasted vegetables, salad and garlic toast.  The four of us had a great supper and after clean up, DS and I headed home.

DS said, when you are working full time all summer, you sure have to work at finding time to enjoy family and friends and lake. 

Hallelujah! He's finally getting it :-)

Where the money stands

as of July 4th

Debts
Mortgage - $27 313.38
LOC - ZERO :-)

Total Debt - $27 313.38

Savings/Planned Spending
TFSA/EF - $2062
(set aside waiting for full $1000 to formally add to TFSA - $273)
RESP - $14 040
RRSP - $6100
Plates - $1200
Summer - $1000

Not much progress beyond completing the summer goal. I am SO far behind on my savings goals. Scary stuff. Need to get cracking on the 'back to school' and then Xmas

There was no change on the RESP numbers which is odd. The money comes out of my account on the 1st of the month and shows up pretty quick after that on the resp account.

Murphy loves the summer too!

And Murphy has arrived.

My front passenger tire has been having issues the past 6 months. Leaking air. We go and get a patch and it just doesnt' quite hold, but enough that I could put off thinking for awhile. Then it would start to leak again. Lather, rinse repeat.

So I guess it was time to face reality and know that 2 new tires are needed for the front. Silly me, I never realized that if you have issues with 1, the set needs to be replaced so that there is equal traction and such. My dad looked at me like I was an airhead when I explained that this was brand new information.

The 'life happens' mantra  hit in when we went to the campgroun for supper last night. Just as we were leaving a truck pulling a fifth wheel pulled in for the night. Two of his tires on the fifth wheel were in shreds and he was limping in. He said he has 2 spares but in their journey from Winnipeg that day, 2 other tires on his fifth wheel had gone too and he was already using the spares. What are they odds that four tires would go in one day. Murphy really likes this guy. He asked about tire shops  and we gave him the flyers we had for prices and phone numbers. He was very appreciative.

I really don't want to be  on a roadtrip and have a tire go kablooey (that has GOT to be a real word).

So tire shopping we went. I know I should have regular tires and winter tires, especially for our neck of the woods, but 4 tires x 2 seasons x 4 vehicles....the cost makes me nauseated.  So all wheel tires is what we went went. I shopped prices at the four or five places we have around here and found the one with the best rate, who had them in stock and could do them today.

2 all wheel tread tires in the mid price range were $207.99 each for a total of $415. Add on the labour and taxes and it brought me up to $513.82 to have them installed and balanced.

OW!!

My vehicle is 5 years old last month and these are the original tires. I had them all rotated as per schedule. Not sure honestly how long tires are supposed to last. I guess that is something new for me to learn. I need to start saving for 2 more tires for the back before winter

Why I do declare...

that July is 'use it up' month, for me.

As I put the pieces of my end of June messy home back together, I am realizing how many bits of this and that I have. Whether it be pantry (cookie mix, puddings, little bags of pasta) or freezer (4 bags of peas with a handful in each one?  chicken breast or chops in single packs, obviously leftover from a bigger batch of cooking) - or household items (samples of swiffer floor cloths, household cleaning supplies with a bit left in each, or little bottles of lotion and shampoo)

Crazy silly. Things forgotten and a new one opened, but still taking up space and going unused in the recesses of my home, and mostly, money wasted.

Time to bite the bullet and see how many things I can use up in July and clear some clutter from my world.

Happy Use it up Month!

June Change

With no wrappable change during May, and my spending more cash than debit in June, I suspected the change would be more substantial for this month.

2 rolls of toonies - $100
1 roll of quarters - $10
1 roll of dimes - $5
1 roll of nickles - $2
2 rolls of pennies - $1

For a grand total of $118. This money is going straight to the bank today to be added to the money I am saving for my EF/TFSA. When it gets to $1000 then I will make an appt with the bank to have that transferred officially into my TFSA account.

The pennies - well no one gives them out anymore but as I clean and sort and tidy, they are popping up here and there in the vehicles and the house.

Thanks Change! I like you!

Quiet Canada Day

I know a lot of folk go wild and crazy for Canada day, but that just isn't our thing. The lakes are packed with folk celebrating. The provincial parks are alcohol free on long weekends, as things got far TOO wild a few years ago. I think it has cut down a lot on the parties and things getting out of control.

For us, DS2 headed off with some of his scouters to their camp for a few days. He is driving himself up there now and I always hold my breath until I know he's there safe. Highway fatalities on long weekends always go up. I was glad to get his text that he'd arrived.

DH and I headed over to a pancake breakfast the community was hosting. A lot of people turned out for this. I always laugh when students from my school see me out and about. I can hear their wheels turning "she's OUT? in public?? are teachers allowed out??"  The breakfast was good. I know how much volunteer work it takes to make something like that a success and I think the crew did a great job.

The rest of the day was fairly quiet. I hit the grocery store to restock my bare fridge and get some meat for grilling. It was great to see the fridge bursting with fresh fruits and veggies.

One of the funniest things today was a facebook status my aunt put up. She is almost 70 and new to facebook and was so excited to learn how to attach a picture from the net and wish Canada a  happy birthday. I about died laughing when I saw the flag....it wasn't a maple leaf...it was cannibas, in red. She didn't realize.  My sister and I rock paper scissored to see who would tell her. I won LOL

DH and I went to the campground at supper to have a hot dog roast with DS. He can't leave during supper time but he can take his break. It was nice to see how well he interacts with the campers coming in. It certainly wasn't a fancy supper, but it was somewhere different and 3/4 of us were together.

The new fence neighbours had a party tonight to celebrate her 30th birthday. They warned us ahead of time it might be noisy and invited us over. We didn't go but it was good to hear them having fun. They weren't all that loud at all. As I type this, the celebration is still going on and the community Canada Day Fireworks are about to start.

However you celebrated, big or small, happy Canada Day my fellow Canuck bloggers. The fourth is here soon to my American Friends :-)