a big Day, but a good one.

Today was the big day. The big shopping day before Xmas.

DS1 comes home later this week. It's time to get everything ready so I can enjoy his short visit home.

I have my Xmas money saved thanks to those planned savings goals. I also have been tucking $5 here and $10 there into a jar for the big grocery shop.

I made DH come with me. Someone to lift the heavy stuff, and since he isn't contributing, he can experience first hand how much it costs.

We headed to Walmart and got the cleaning supplies, a few last minute treats and all the food. Me and my list had a heck of a good time.

At one point DH says 'so where is all this money coming from?'  I respond and say "when you tuck $5 here and $10 there into a jar  all year long, the money is  here. Starting tomorrow I begin again for next year'. He gives me this look that is half skepticism and half processing the concept of planned savings.

We did a quick stop at Shoppers (again planned ) and got the 18 500 optimum points for the spend. Another quick stop at the LB (liquor board store) for a little wine and baileys, and then home to unpack it all.

I hadn't fully organized my cupboards before I left (I had done the fridge), so there was a lot of that while putting things away.

Sister 2 came for a visit and said that she had been over to mom and dad's and mom had started to share who gets what when she is gone. Those sorts of things are very important to her and that is one of the few things she can control, so that's the talk they had. I got a notebook out and showed Sister what it looked like and where I was going to put it at mom's so that we can start writing it down (we are their executors).

We have not told any of the kids yet. A couple still are in exam mode and there is no point disrupting that for them. Sister agreed that we would tell the kids before xmas regardless of whether we got the CT or not so they could make sure they took advantage of Christmas.

DH and I went over to their house and brought in Chinese at their request. Dad ate so much I am wondering how much he has been eating lately. I feel bad that I haven't been more on top of things.

We managed to get an HDMI cord hooked up to their TV which is bolted into their entertainment unit (it was made for a box tv and he got a flat screen but wouldn't get rid of the unit.) I managed to get the hockey feed  to load in their iffy wifi house and they got to see DS's game. It meant a lot to them.

The radio guy interviewed DS earlier in the week and played it after the first so they got to hear him being interviewed. My mom cried.  Then not long into the game DS scored (he is definitely not the highest scorer on the team).

It was a really good night.  I am going over tomorrow to take her for a bit of shopping if she is up to it and wrap up gifts for her. She only buys for the great grandkids now. There's just too many in the family otherwise.

Update on October goals

October felt like a super long month. It started with a whirlwind trip down to see DS. I came home immediately to  parent teacher interviews and then it was volleyball tournaments each weekend until the end.

It truly felt like it was about 8 weeks long.


Here were my goals for October and how I felt I did:

:

• tuck money away for DS's college

I continued to put money away for college. The dollar has been sliding a bit so its just in a savings account until the dollar improves, or I have no choice.

• track the US dollar everyday to see when it is high enough to buy 

It was close to 80 cents but is now hovering at 77 cents

• decide on a plan for xmas - gifts. holidays etc

Not a clue. DS plays hockey on the East coast before New Years and I waffled with the idea of no presents and using that money for the trip. It's his last year and it would be nice to see him play in person a few times before it's all over. 

• stay on WW

I was doing well until a week after we returned from the US and then it all just fell apart. Winter came. It was cold. I stopped walking. I stopped tracking. I avoided the WW group posts on Facebook. I am working on getting back on track before I blow all my progress.

• continue with the other jolie blog for my weight loss journey

The posts have been sparse but I think of those great folk often, who follow me and cheer me on. I need to give them something to cheer about.

• fingers crossed 4 lb loss

It was 5 lbs of loss before the wagon falling off fiasco. If we go by the calendar, I ended October with a 3 pound net loss

• squeeze in as many walks outside as I can before it's too cold

Done. I miss it already.

• buy a new winter coat 

I actually found 2. That I liked! That was rare. Usually its 'because I found one that fits'. I was in the city for my infusion at my plus size ladies store. I had a $100 gift card from my sister for my birthday along with a $25 reward card. I found 2 coats I liked and as I entered the store there was a flash sale. Everything 2 for the price of 1. I bought two new lovely winter coats ( one black and one a light grey) for the price of 1 and then deducted my $125. It was a great feeling.

• read one book for pleasure

Done. But barely. It's hard for my brain to focus on reading during the school year.

• don't go hog wild on spending when I head down to the US to see DS

It really was gas, hotels and dining out. I did find a lovely plus sized store down there with so many dif options than I have up here and spent some money there. Was also a sale on there so that helped.

• keep tracking steps on my fitbit

I have religiously been using my fitbit and daily I am between 10 and 20 000 steps

• try one new recipe

Fail. Really should get on that.

And........that was October.

July snowflakes

Ahh sweet payday was yesterday. A chance for me to reset my jars, start on a fresh month spreadsheet and update my goals and plans.

I managed to snowflake $170 of my jar money this month. Mostly from groceries. I credit a good part of it from it being too hot to really want to eat much.

I managed this even with my voraciously appetited (have I made a new word?) children coming home to visit.

I saved $100 of this and set it aside for my trip to Costco yesterday when I was in the city for my medical appt. Nothing exciting. Toilet paper, laundry soap and a massive bag of chocolate chips that will do for baking for a long time. It also got several pouches ( I miss the super large cans) of Goodhost ice tea mix that DS takes back to the US  with him, and a big box of Tim Hortons Kcups for DS's roommate. A little gift from his Canadian mom. It was nice to have that set aside to buy those things without worry or guilt.

The $70 I have tucked aside. When I get a hundred dollars, I go to the bank and swap it for a $100 bill. Not sure of my plans for the few of those I have tucked in the home safe, but it's nice to have it ready if something comes up.

I will also have the change yet to be taken to the bank to add to that.

Every little bit...

March Change

There wasn't a ton of change for March.  I guess it's like that some months.  I rolled up the bit I had  today and took it to the bank along with my snowflaked cash. I decided that my change this year would go towards my TFSA savings. I was curious to see how much I could get this way, and the change jar has been kind to me in the past.

This month was $25 in change:

• 2 rolls of quarters
• 1 roll of dimes.

I also took the $100 cash I saved.

My TFSA snowflake account currently stands at $506

It all began with a shower curtain

Those of you who are long time readers of my blog will know I live in a ridiculously tiny house. This decision was (lack of) income based at the time. I honestly feel like the tiny spaces contributed to this becoming a home where I am not terribly comfortable having people gather.  Self created paranoia? probably a good part of it.

After visiting the girlfriend's parents' house last weekend, I am even more aware of how tiny mine is. Theirs is by no means a McMansion. Probably 1300-1500 square feet. But it's well laid out for a house built in the mid 80s.

I can't wave a magic wand and make mine bigger. I could buy lotto tickets til I am blue in the face and I am not going to win :-)

I haven't done any renovations/redecorating since DS was in Grade 7. We did major updating then on things that had been around since the 1950s.  That cost a boatload of  cash and that was some of the first debt I paid off when I started this blog.

So after a day of feeling down and my I am in charge of my life awakening yesterday, I decided to do some little bits.

Off to Walmart I went, which is the least expensive shopping option here in town. I have to say there wasn't a whole lot of colour variety  available. The browns are still in. I chuckled to see that my current 7 year old one and all it's accessories is still there and a good seller. Most of my house has that nutmeg brown that is just a shade or two darker than neutral. It was a big switch from a house of only white walls everywhere.  I found one I liked that added a couple pops of colour in, but let me keep all my accessories and towels etc. There are blues and greens in with this, in case you can't tell from my too dark photo.

I could have chosen new accessories but doing the math, I was nauseated at how quickly it added up.  So one shower curtain and it's cute little rings was all I got for the bathroom.

Exiting that section of the store, I came across the little mats that go in front of doors. I have needed one for inside my front door since before Christmas when the last one died. I spotted one that has so many of my favourite colours in it, and after a good long look, it went into the cart too.

The total for the two items came to about $45 with taxes. I have been tucking a small amount money away each cheque for 'things for the house' and I dipped into that fund to make it happen. I started with $400 and that brings me down to $355

I saw a few others things I would like to get to freshen up things but I need to have a long think before I just start spending money willy nilly. It took me too long to save up that money.

Bringing it home, I was really quite amazed at how those things lifted my spirits. All those TV shows of women who shop for that quick rush every day came flashing into my head and I laughed aloud when hanging up the curtain. DH was confused and I tried to explain it to him, but I don't think he got it.

While I am not likely to become a shop a holic, I can see the draw for pretty things. I have to be satisfied with this for now and plan. It did prompt me to do a ton of cleaning and tidying yesterday though. Lots left to do in a neglected house but it will happen.

I went for another walk last night and we BBQ'd the steak I bought the other day and did a few ribs. DS1 graced us with his presence.  We ended the night with a little fire in the firepit and drove to watch the Canada Day fireworks.

All in all it was a good day, and a MUCH better one than the day before.

New wheels = new debt

I tapped back into my LOC when I was buying DS2's car.  I wrote a cheque for the car, then went home and transferred that amount from my LOC to my chequing account.

I will say this for SGI ( our provincial insurance), they are very quick at processing. I had the cheque for the payout of the old car, in my mailbox before the week was out. That went straight to the bank and I applied it back to my LOC. Remaining balance - $2000.

I will have to halt my funding of my savings/planned spending schedule to redirect the cash to the LOC until I have it paid off.

I dislike that all this has happened, but I know his accident was completely unavoidable. Darn icy roads.

I am grateful that I have this LOC to access for emergencies.

Jammie Day and Calendars

Today is a quiet day...time to relax, sip coffee, read or watch TV and just .............appreciate.

We are not part of the Boxing Day madness sales out there. a) no money left. b) nothing we truly need.  It saves me gas, money and stress. All good things. AND they frown on you shopping in your jammies :-)

DH left by 8 AM to go ice fishing. The boys are still sleeping. The kitty is curled up beside me and all is well in the world.

The first thing I am doing is filling in my mom's calendar for the year: birthdates, anniversaries, the remainder of the DS1's hockey schedule, DS2's curling schedule and my weekly 'paydays'.  I have been using this calendar brand for a few years now and quite like it. Every year they tweak the calendar a bit and some parts I love, and some a bit less. I think they one they made last year was the best version.

(image courtesy of http://www.moretimemoms.ca/ )

 

I bought the one for this year a few months ago and it has been waiting, still in it's plastic wrap, in my closet. I opened it the other day and was a little disappointed. It is physically smaller than previous ones and the space for writing is a big part of why I love it. There are a few versions so I suspected I had bought the wrong version.  I really debated over whether I should use it or go back and get one that was like last year's. Ohhh the internal debate. Waste the money you spent on the first one just to go back and get a new one with bigger spaces??  or the other side - It's only about $11, so just go get it if it will make you happy. But it's still $11? think of how happy you are when you snowflake $11 in coins?

 

The internal debate reached the point where I gave myself permission to go get a different version of it just to shut my mind up :-) I had gone online to see which one I was looking for and off to the store I went. I was surprised to find that the version I had bought last year did not exist. There was an erasable one, a fridge magnet one with unconnected sheets (but the size of squares I love) or the coil bound version I already had.

 

End result - I went home and told myself to be satisfied with the one I had. Based on the kinds of stickers at the back, I really am not a 'new mom' and almost out of the mom calendar phase. How sad is that?

 

I am glad I went to look though. It quieted the voice in my head that was coveting a different kind :-)

 

I still like having a paper based calendar up where everyone can write their information and see what is coming up in the week/month.

 

Do you still even use a paper calendar anymore? or have you gone completely digital?

 



 

 

Adventures of ...

Gary the Gift Card

Hi! I'm Gary the Gift Card. I was  a surprise for Jolie and her family for Christmas from the hockey organization. You see the families that take in boys from the team get $ each month for having a billet. DS stays at home so Jolie's family did not get one. For Christmas this year Jolie got a $300 grocery card as a thank you. What a big surprise for them all.

Jolie planned to take me shopping with her on the weekend and buy 'the big haul'....fill up the dwindling pantry and freezer, along with getting some things for the holiday season. She was so excited.


So Jolie and her DH headed off yesterday to get groceries in the 30 below weather. DH was excited as he rarely gets to go grocery shopping. He doesn't understand 'staying within the budget' and finds it ridiculously hard to only spend that amount. He is surprised at how expensive things are LOL

Jolie and DH's card was for a big grocery store attached to a small mall (think small town rural mall - no fountains, no food courts, no second story).  They went for lunch together at a cafeteria style place and then with full tummies, they headed off to the store. As they entered the store with the cart, Jolie stopped to make sure I was still in her purse.

I. WAS. GONE.

Jolie panicked. She checked her pockets. She checked her purse. She checked her wallet. I was missing.  Her heart sank as the thoughts of a heaping full cart were gone out the window.

She retraced her steps back down to where they ate, and through the cafeteria line to see if I had fallen out at lunch. No sign of me.

She walked back towards the grocery store with a heavy heart. She stopped about 10 steps outside of the store to call home. DS was there, minding the space heaters. She had him check her dresser, her counter, the kitchen floor and the path out to the truck. NO sign of me.

The feelings running inside her were many - sadness, disappointment, stupidity (I mean who loses a gift card).  She took a big breath and headed back to the store to let DH know. Three steps inside the grocery store, in plain sight of where everyone could see, and walked, there I lay...... face down on the floor, with my $300 written on me in big black sharpie.

The look on her face was something I will never forget. I mean really, how many people walked past me (including Jolie) and just left me there????  As she swept me up, I heard her whisper a 'thank you!!! guarding angel'.

There was definitely more spring in her step as she headed off to take me shopping.

Here is to keeping things organized, appreciating the gifts in your life and guardian angels

signed - Gary the Gift Card

The graduation process begins

Yesterday mom and I headed to the city to look for a shirt for DS's graduation. Selection in small town/ no stores is limited so we hoped the city would give us a few more options.  The shopping for the grad is a tradition of sorts with my mom. While the granddaughters have all picked out their dress on their own, the grandsons have all shopped with gram for their shirt and suit. She has pretty good taste and knows far more about suits than I do.

 Usually the grad goes with gram but with DS's hockey schedule that isn't possible. So while he was on his roadtrip, we shopped and sent pics to him. He was slow in replying (team stuff) so I defaulted to his prom date and sent them to her. We narrowed it down to three and when DS replied, he was in sync with us :-)

We brought two home for him to try for arm length and size etc and personally, I hope he likes the blue one.   It's crazy how much a nice dress shirt and tie can cost. Fortunately they have to dress in suit and tie for hockey so  he will wear it again a lot.  Next stop - suit shopping.

I watched a few girls trying on prom/grad dresses while we waited and it is definitely more complicated with girls. Most already have theirs and have started their settings with the photographers. We are waiting til spring and doing most of ours outside. We will also do some at the rink before the ice goes out.

Photographers are SO expensive. I look at the grad pictures these days ( or wedding or engagement or pregnancy) and am constantly surprised at how much fancier they are these days. We just stood and smiled ( or attempted to) and that was that. Now it's location shots and glamour shots and sooo much more. And the cost of packages? holy dinah!!! I waffled back and forth on which photograher today and honestly, my decision was based on what I can afford. My niece is going to take  them for us. She has a lovely new camera and has been doing some engagement and baby shots. And let's face it....boy shots aren't nearly as exciting as girl ones for grad. There is no gown to twirl or hair to pouf up.

 It should be a very interesting experience for me. Hopefully I will learn something for round 2 with the next son.

A big ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Well I am in a pretty good mindspace right now.

We made it through the last week of school with some nice days and some ice cold ones (complete with indoor recesses). The carnival is done. My class potluck is done (amazing how many don't know basic potluck etiquette on how much to take etc. ah well  a learning opportunity) and our movie morning complete with freshly popped corn was a success.

We now have  a week off school before we are back at it.

My tree is up and decorated and the cats are very excited to see it and hide under it. I even got some presents wrapped last night. It gave me a clear idea of what I had left to do. I wrote my list out and ran after school. Everything is all wrapped and under the tree. GREAT feeling. Just need to get something for mom and dad and I am done.

Went to DS's last game before XMAS tonight. They lost. badly. but it was great to see the little kids team he helps coach (as part of his community duties for his team) were all there tonight to cheer him on.

This year for  our charitable giving I/we did a couple things. The first was to contribute to the raffle one of our teachers does at school. She makes two lovely baskets - one for girls and one for boys and then sells raffle tickets. Proceeds go to a gift card for groceries for one of our families in need.  She raised over $250. It was a great event.

I am sitting here, watching the tree and NCIS. I am out of baileys and wine so it's just chai tea for this girl. I have a lovely candle lit and it feels very odd to know that tomorrow, the day is mine to do with as I please.

I hope you have a safe and wonderful Friday night and weekend.

A week of Ta Dones!!!

Lordy I felt like I was running all week. It will be good to kick back and relax tonight and enjoy a great supper and WICKED.

What did I get off my list?

• Well I am writing this as I curl up and wait for my oil change to get finished. It's been needing done for about a month and I honestly haven't any excuse for not booking it aside from procrastination. With school starting toute suite, it was time to get it done.
• A run to the school Monday to move out all the trash I cleaned out of my room. Not really fair for the caretaker to come back from holidays and find dozens of bags throughout the school that need to be hauled out. The boys helped one of the other teachers move out trash. She is retiring after this year and spent dayssss this summer going through all her things so that she doesnt' have to sort and clean when she is done in June.
• Dr appt for DS2 on Tuesday
• Eye appt for me. Lordy that took up HOURS on Wednesday. (see future post). The receptionist reminded me that the boys haven't been in, I knew my days were limited to book before school so...
• Eye appt for the boys on Thursday.
• Took boys for school supplies and a few new clothes for school. We barely get home and ds1 has a new shirt on. Oh no no mama says. Those are for school. He doesn't get it. Sigh. I will have to keep working on him.
• Binders/school bags are ready to go. It's much easier to do when they are High School level. Still it's nice to know that they can just grab their stuff and the pens/looseleaf, dividers, etc are all ready to go. Yesterday was the last day all four of us are home all at the same time until August 31 so it needed to be done.
• Laundry and bed linens are all caught up. We spent a glorious 30 minutes matching socks while watching the Rider game. tooooo many sock widows.
• Scouting supper on Wed for the group that went to BC and their families. Was delicious and so lovely to spend time and bbq with folks. I made an apple crisp and a rhubarb crisp. mmmm rhubarb crisp.
• Of course before they get to put away their new stuff they have to clean their rooms, go through their closets and drawers etc. They were not happy but they did it. dH even did some which is rare (and greatly needed)
• 7........count them 7 garbage bags of clothing sorted and ready for donation. Another 2 bags  of clothes that were ready for trash along with 3 bags of actual garbage out from shelves and closets.

and now I am off. Laterssss all

Upppssssss and Downssssssss

Seriously, I need some dramamine (gravol)

DOWN!  - Desktop bad!!! Not working. Into the shop it goes. Was just there at the beginning of June. He could have driven himself.

UP - there was only one son home this week so less fighting over the computers.

DOWN - laptop smoking hot to the touch. Keys.  Power button. Mousepad. Oh boy!!! More repairs = more money. It gets shut off and left alone for two days. Can I say, I love my IPHONE, so I can keep up to speed???

UP - Puter techie says that the destop harddrive is fine. He wants to see my mouse and keyboard. Seriously??? my keyboard can Eff up my harddrive showing up on my monitor? Didn't know that.

DOWN - Took DS1 to the city to buy new Skates, elbow pads, can etc. It's been a couple years for these and they ALL need replacing. Cost just under $1000. Kinda sorta saved.

UP - I text DH to ask if he is able to contribute to the hockey equip costs. He says yes.

DOWN - so many power outtages here it's ridiculous. At least we don't have the massive damage my sister in the north does.  Trees down everywhere.

UP (ish) - Desktop comes home with a $70 bill. Labour and a new keyboard. It all seems to be working. Fingers crossed!!!

DOWN - DH flips out and reneges on his agreement to pay for some of the costs of the equipment. He did this with the trip for DS too. One has to wonder what kind of freaking power trip game he is playing, if he is doing it consciously. If it is subconscious, that really speaks loads about the quality of his character. I am so angry at him I could spit. He really does not GET the money situation and that it is normal for him to be responsible for some of his own child's costs. He goes all twelve with a big 'Whatever!! F*ck you' as his comeback/final statement. Classy

UP - I went to pick DS 2 up from his camp. He was dirty and wet and smelled and he had a wonderful time. They had been doing maintenance on the camp  and cut down a bunch of trees from the storm.

DOWN - Road construction on the way home. In the no pass zone, a big &ss diesel truck goes whipping past me  and flips gravel up onto my windshield. Two huge stone chips. I did not get the license.

UP - You can get them goo filled  at the glass shop and that is covered by my package policy.

DOWN  -  one of the chips is too deep and big to cover properly with the goo fill so the windshield would have to be replaced.

UP - I have a package policy

DOWN - I have to pay $100 deductible for the darn thing. I never even caused the problem. GRRRRR

And that's just a small portion of my week. Oh boy!!!

Do your belongings talk to you?

I am fairly confident that my level of sanity has not changed. Note: I never claimed full sanity - merely that the level I have, has remained constant.

It began in June when my cell phone's keyboard slide started to say 'I don't really feel like making the letters f and r when you touch us'. I took that as a personal challenge. I can create sentences without f and r in them. It's brain exercise. Pick up your brother after school becomes - pick up you bro  at 3:30. Kinda makes me hip? n'est ce pas? lol

Then in mid June, when I pulled the slide out to text, as soon as I pressed the first letter, the phone completely shut off. Not all the time. Just sometimes *Jolie smiles brightly*.

I am a positive person. I can handle a phone that needs naps.

Then towards the end of June, anytime I opened the slide, it shut off.

Sigh... not good. I could still attempt to text using the dreaded T9. I have students who can whip off a dozen texts like rapid fire using T9 - looking at the phone whilst texting, optional. I floundered for awhile but it was like an elephant trying to play the flute....while wearing oven mitts. Mostly just very, very sad.

My phone is almost 4 years old. Contract expired after 3 years. A new phone was in the works, but what to get???

In SK we have Sask Tel for a phone provider. There is also Rogers but their coverage in the rural areas of SK is not yet perfected and the per month fees are higher than Sk Tel. I live in rural SK. I NEED coverage!

So off to SK Tel I go. I face the tough question ' Do I want a data phone?" I don't have one currently and I have to admit that more and more in the past year, I have wanted it. A need? Well a few times at conferences and such when I couldn't GET to documents that were asked for, it was a need. An ongoing need? probably not.  I'm not sure. A want? definitely.

The options out there are mostly data phones (crackberry and iphones, the latter of which is new to the SK Tel network). What are my needs? Well I need a keyboard/slide. I just can't function effectively without one. Ok. So that eliminated a few phones off the choosing board.

Here we can purchase the phone outright, or pay anywhere from $0 to $100+ for a 1 year, 2 year or 3 year contract. Probably not much different than other parts of the planet. Obviously it costs more for the phone for a 1 year contract than for a 3 year. My first 2 phones were $0. My last one with the slide was $25 plus a 3 year contract.

Here are some of the options I had - though some were not necessarily available locally at our store. The price you see comes with a mandatory 3 year contract. There were a few that were $0 and also had a full keyboard...and some with those options that cost more than $0.

Ok so then I had to decide if I wanted/needed a touch screen. It was a want for sure.

I needed a full keyboard. The LG Rumour is like my old phone. The models there were $25 plus a 3 year contract. The LG Optimus was a slide with a $0. I had 3 students with that phone and all of them had had it in and out for repairs. sigh, I guess that is what $0 gets you?

OK so chances were good I would be paying SOMETHING plus the contract. I wrapped my brain around that for a couple days then accepted it.

Then I had to decide if I was ready to go (pay for) data plans.  For anything with a touch screen or a crackberry, there was no choice. You have to purchase a data plan. Data plans run about $25 to $30 a month.

So that cut my choices down dramatically if I did not wish data. I wonder, in three years, if there will even BE options that do not include data???

So I ran that over my brain for a couple more days, and talked to a lot of my co workers and....data I went....and I continued to surf. I tried out a few keyboards to see if my fingers could work the teeny weeny keys. The blackberry curve caught my eye. So did the Iphone 4, for $159 plus 3 years. I laughed heartily at that.

I did a quick survey at school - of the 15 staff I talked to, 6 had I phones and the rest had a form of crackberry.   I have to admit, I started to covet an Iphone. I was seeing all the things they were doing with them. I'm also realistic that $159 is ridiculous.

I convinced myself to choose a crackberry with the best keyboard. I talked with my students about what they have, what their parents have, etc. I mean honestly, my students have better phones/electronics than I do and they know a whole lot more. I was, though, angry with myself for covetting a more expensive phone. I thought I had gotten much better at that.

Then came the last day of school. Lots of hugs and goodbyes as my students move on to the High School. I get gifts sometimes. Realistically, teaching junior high, one doesn't get the same adulation as a Grade 2 teacher and I am quite ok with that :-) I often feel incredibly awkward when I am gifted. Usual gifts are mugs, gift cards, a bouquet of flowers....all wonderfully thoughtful and welcome and appreciated. A gaggle of students approached my desk together with a wonderfully decorated gift. I opened the gift and found it only the first layer. Oh goodie, they had wrapped the entire thing in tape AND hidden all my scissors. They took great joy in watching me try to hack at the tape with my keys, or gnaw on it :-)  What was inside? A gift card. Several of the families had gone in together and gifted me with a total of $150 gift card......for my phone provider!! It was very very generous and sweet of them. They reasoned that together they had spent less money than they would have as individuals. The card was for 'product'.  and they all knew what kind of product I should get. And I allowed myself to get very excited.

I scooted home at lunch that day and checked my piggy bank that holds my loonies and toonies. Jackpot!!!

So happily I skipped over to the mobility store and picked out my new Iphone! What a wonderful and unexpected treat. How blessed I am. 

I got the white Iphone 4 - 16gb. There was NO way I was paying $269 plus 3 years for the 32gb.

So here are the costs to me.

• Phone plus taxes was $175 (phone, tax, enviro etc). I paid $25 out of pocket from a roll of loonies. 
• Activation Fee - $25. This will go on my first bill.  Activation Fee would be for ANY new phone, regardless of the kind I got. (2 rolls of quarters and 1 roll of dimes)
• Data Plan - will be about $25 to $30 a month. I will know better at the end of August as that will be the first full month of the plan.

On July 5th, I posted about being done paying for my computer and having an additional $48 on each paycheck. The Witch asked how I would repurpose that money into my budget. There is my answer. I will put it towards the data plan. That will leave me a balance $18 to $23 to place elsewhere, once I know how much the monthly cell costs will be.

I also realize that there is NO way I could justify spending that full $159 straight out of pocket. It was a very interesting self exploration lesson.

I am having a great time exploring what this phone can offer me. While Angry Birds IS great fun, I need to fully embrace how this can be an additional to my professional and personal life.

My Freebies are here!

Well technically they arrived yesterday but with the wedding and a nap and a three hour stint at the school working and  some NHL playoffs, I just didn't get to it.

As you can see, there are several items in this package.

• Herbal Essence Volumizing shampoo and conditioner. 'passionflower and sunrise pearl, to be specific. I do use Herbal Essences as one of my rotating hair cleaner products so this will be useful AND a 'flavour' I have not yet tried.  The only kind of HE that didn't work for my hair was in the blue bottles. Which is a shame, as I like blue. It did not react well for my hair and made it very limp and sad looking. Bonus - I also got a 50 cent coupon for any H E product.

• Olay Facial Cloths - These are the 2 in 1 exfoliate and clean, cloths. I have bought Olay Cloths before. They came in a hard, square white box and they were great when I went over to Europe and the places we stayed in did not always provide washcloths.

• Febreeze Small spaces - I have bought two of these before....one just last week. I guess I had forgotten some of the things I had checked off when I did the P and G Survey. Ah well, with teenage boys, the odds are in favour things are going to be smelly LOL  I like that these are battery free. They do not stick out conspicuously from your wall outlet. They are discreet and I can tuck them anywhere and they are not immediately noticed. This one is the Meadows and Rain scent. I am not sure how long they last. They first one I bought I set up, and then promptly forgot when I first opened it.

• Crest 3D White STrips and some toothpaste and some floss. I have used the whitestrips before. I have to say I prefer the kind I got in the samples to the kind I have purchased on my own. I seem to purchase the least expensive and it shows, in how well they stick to your teeth. If I were going to use these because I needed my teeth whiter for formal pics or something, I'd spring for the most expensive 3D ones.

I also got some coupons from the company that you could choose at the P and G site. What I liked is that I could click on the coupons I would actually use and just get those. I did not take pics but I have some for:

•  Olay products - $5 off when buying 2.
• $1 off covergirl
• $1 off 2 Dawn Dishsoap
• $2 off any two febreeze products
• 50 cents of Puff tissue
• $2.50 off Nyquil  (I obviously had my cold as I was clicking on these lol)
• $2 off on Head and shoulders (DS2 needs it)
• 50 cents off H E
• $5 off any two tide products
• $1.50 off Swiffer

Now for those of you in the US, here  is the difference. The coupon says: limit of one coupon per purchase. Use of more than one coupon per product is strictly prohibited. There is no combining of coupons up here. I will make sure I use them when a product is already on sale, to help improve my 'savings'.

Is that same notice to consumer on US coupons too? am curious

our Mini Vacation

So the boys and I are back and really glad we went. It was just the three of us and while it was low key, we had a lot of fun.

There were costs, to be sure, but isn't there with most anything. The top three were the hotel, the fuel to get there and back, and feeding the three of us for dinner x 2, supper x 2 and one breakfast.

It was the first time I'd taken the two of them away on my own and I am really glad I did.

We spent most of our time at West Edmonton Mall. We checked out the movies but there wasn't anything we were dying to see so we decided not to waste our money. There wasn't a ton of 'shopping' per se, but we did come home with a few things. I bought the boys each a book they wanted, and one for myself. They used their own money to buy a couple more each.

DS1 spent his money on some clothes and a hat (hockey based, n'est-ce pas?) He really wanted a KANE jersey, but it was $229. I suggsested that the jersey could be his first goal for saving when he gets his part time job. Perhaps after saving so much a week for many weeks, he will realize it wasn't worth the expense. Or perhaps he will still want it and that will be fine as he's saved for it. He said 'oh there's lots more I NEED.' Then he laughed and said " ok not need, but WANT. I do know the difference'. Good to know since he's the spender in the family.

DS2 didn't really want to buy any clothes. Said he didn't need any right now and saw little point in buying some until he did. He's the saver.

I bought some clothes using a gift card my mom gave me for Christmas, some lotion and that was about it.

Some of the highlights of our trip were:

Sea Lions at West Ed Mall. DS1 was just fascinated by them. It was quite amusing to watch his face as he watched them. He said they are his new favourite animal. I offered to go down to the 'paid spots' you can see in the pic but he said it wasn't worth the $9 each. I didn't see the $ sign but he must have. We caught their show probably 3 times.

Crabtree and Evelyn Citron body Lotion. Lotions and potions are my trigger and I ended up buying the one on the far right of the photo. I was given a free mini sample of the mousse you can see in the jar. We can't wear scents at work so that will have to be my weekend or lift my mood treat. It has a wonderful lemony scent.

 We hit Petsmart. I told the boys I didn't want to go in there. They know how I react to cats in cages. And cry I did. There were probably 10 cats in there. Zeus, captured my heart. An adult male. White with orange. A tail like my tomcat's. If I could have, he would have come home with me. The boys each bought a pack of toys for our cats.

Our last stop was at Campers Village. This was at DS2's request. He bought a flint and stone for his Scouting summer and I bought him a microfiber towel that bundles into a teeny little pack no bigger than the palm of your hand. We spent over an hour in there. DS2 was in heaven LOL

All the way up and back we listened to the boys Ipods. I learned that along with the hockey songs DS1 listens to and the inappropriate ones I wouldn 't let him listen to, that both my boys like Taylor Swift. It was quite amusing to hear them both singing away to her songs.

The trip cost, to be sure. I am waiting for one more charge to come on my Mastercard and then it will all get paid off in full. Yes I could have used that money to plunk more down on my vehicle loan or put towards my savings goals. I didn't, and I am glad for the memories the wee trip created.

Over Budget

Well it looks like the budget was busted again. I scrolled back in the blog to find last year's and I was over budget then too. Last year I was over budget by $350 This year is almost exactly the same. I was over by $400. Which means I spent $1400 on Christmas this year.

I know from reading many other blogs this is an atrociously high number. And in many ways it is. There were a couple surprises (read - I was not THINKING ahead).  It leaves me wondering what I will do next year.

First budget 'surprise' - a gift for my student teacher. He was with me for 4 months. He gave me a gift set and card from Tim Hortons worth $50. Unwritten rule that the teacher gives a bit more than the student so I gave him a gift card for $75 for a restaurant in the city he's from. I won't have this in my budget line next year so it shouldn't be a concern.

Second Budget 'surprise' - my new Great Nephew. He wasn't a twinkle when I made the budget in January and it's my mistake that I didn't make things work to include him within the budget. This was a big decision as he is the first of many great nephews and nieces to come. Precedence. There are four sisters in my family. Sister 1 has money. Or debt. or both. probably both. Her gifts are beyond extravagant and I am not in the same league and there is no point in trying to be. Sister 2 is the new grandmother. She fits different gift giving protocol. That left Sister 3 and I to decide how to set the precedence. We wanted the money to go the baby and it was my idea to give our niece something to start her son's Education Fund. Sister 3 was really excited about this. We gave her money in the form of a money order (with son's name on it) and wrote our note in our cards to say that we wanted the money to go to start his RESP fund. They don't have a lot of money and I think this is the most valuable gift to give that will last. Of course Sister 3 and I had to decide how much. We threw around a lot of numbers. Understood was that the baby's first Christmas would be a larger amount, with each following Christmas (or birthday) to be a smaller amount. We decided each of our gifts would be $100 and the following years it would be $50 each.  I don't buy for any of my nieces and nephews so this seems more do-able. Our niece was very touched at our generosity and said her father had also given  her money but she didn't know how to set up an RESP. Sister 3 will take care of her tutorial on that and get her started. It was a very good thing Sister 3 and I set up some rules and guidelines for ourselves as my nephew, who just got married in August, announced that he and his new bride are expecting in June. This would be Sister 1's first grandchild. I had already used my auntie intuition to determine she was pregnant at Thanksgiving. She had lost one at 6 weeks, a year or so ago, so I didn't want to say anything until she felt comfortable announcing it.

The rest of the money??? Well at work I had secret santa, I paid for a good part of my class's potluck, and I bought them all treat bags. I can't give them nothing, when many of them give me very thoughtful gifts, so it is my way of giving back. I spent about $130 ish there at work.

Tree misc. - I bought the tree from a fellow staff member's son, who has to sell them for his hockey team. I bought the big honking turkey for our gathering of 25 at mom's. That came from another of my former students who had to sell them for hockey. I bought some stamps and a bit of wrapping paper. I bought veggies and fruit to make trays for Christmas eve at my sister's. We had the offering for Christmas eve service and we had the basket we got for the adopt a family for Christmas at the Food bank.

The rest went for gifts. The boys didn't get a lot of items but the things they got cost a fair bit. They were very appreciative of what they got.

Where did the over budget money come from? you may ask? It came out of grocery money and entertainment money. No debt was incurred.

So what does that mean in terms of budget? I suspect it means that my budget is going to be $1400 for next year. I will have that money saved ahead of time, as I have done before, which means no debt.  I will watch more carefully the price on little things. I know that can save me a fortune.

shopping

Today is the big shopping day. The boys and I are off for the city to get everything on our list as we head into back to school.

• DS2 needs the uniform that goes with his newly achieved rank of Service Scouter. No clue what that will cost.
• DS1 needs new hockey pants. about $200
• I am picking up something to wear for the wedding this weekend that I could also wear to work.
• I need clothes for work
• Boys' school supplies
• a couple things each for the boys for school
• Costco run

should be pretty interesting.  Since I get 'extra' money on my Aug check (EI and CPP are done, I think) and since I have $200 left of our summer money, there will be no debt for this. It will go on my Mastercard for the airmiles and then tomorrow or wed I will go to bank and pay it all off.

I will NOT go to a teacher store I will NOT go to a teacher store I will not go to a teacher store *fingers crossed LOL*

Saturday Spending

We made an impromptu run into the city today as we continue our hunt for DS1's first car. It's hard to find something that isn't going to cost the earth, but which also isn't going to cost the earth in repairs shortly down the road.

I used up the surplus grocery money at Costco just as it was intended for. Doesn't take long to spend it when you are buying big *ss containers of laundry soap, fabric softener, cleaners etc. I also picked up my new Mom's Calendar.  They have giant spaces for each day and I would be absolutely lost without it!

We had a lovely meal together. Lots of laughs. This came out of the summer 2010 budget.

Will have to do the budget balance today and update this past week on jars.

Between times DS1 has two soccer games and DS2 needs to finish packing for, and be delivered to, his camp for the week.

My New couch

So I've been wanting a new couch for downstairs for quite awhile now. Yes, that was 'want'. I am not sure what the definition of 'need' is really. There NEEDS to be a place to sit.. no question. There is a couch set downstairs....my old one from upstairs. It was purchased in July of 1991 so that couch is officially 19 years old now. It was the first set we bought as a couple right after we got married. Went through a lot of moves and a lot of memories.  It's seen better days. It isnt' tattered. We've kept good care of it. When you sit on it you sink down practically to the floor. The springs are gone. On the back there are a few spots where the frame is starting to come through and in two spots on the back, there are tears.

Again it's on the back so it's not like no one can see. So is the new couch a need or a want? At what point in the lifespan of furniture does it become a need?

I've been keeping my eye out for a decent priced sectional for quite some time. It's a very small space down there. Narrow in width and there really isn't room for the puffy sided 3 piece set as we have now. An L shaped sectional would fit in the space perfectly and give enough seating.

Now DS1 says Ohh mom can we get a sectional like Aunty has with cupholders????? I laugh. I say 'hon aunty's sectional is about $4000. We do NOT have that kind of money'. He scoffs in disbelief that something with  cups costs that much and can't make the leap to name brand, style, cost  etc.

So on July 1 Long weekend, the Brick is advertizing a sectional that is in the shape I want and the colours I want. Win win. I text hubby to get his thoughts (though I will be the one paying for it) and he says we will go look at it.

So we do. Now we are just small town Brick here not big city. There was ONE guy working that Sunday afternoon and we were kept waiting 25 minutes while he dealt with another pair of customers. During that time we decided that two sectionals fit my price range and the needs of our space. Problem is, the first sectional I look at has the L jut out on the wrong side. The fabric feels weird, to be honest, and the back cushions are velcroed to the back frame of the couch. ewww.  The second one that fits is going the right way but it's in light cream. No way I am putting a couch in light cream down in an area where two teens hang out.

Still we wait patiently for the salesman. When he finally comes I am down to two questions . "Does this sectional have a reverse profile that juts out the other way?" No. "ok does THAT sectional come in any other colour but cream?" No. so we walked out. He didn't offer to look anything up. He didn't try any other couches. Not much 'sales' in the man LOL

So I came home disappointed. Hubby suggested we go to the two independently owned (and often more pricey) furniture stores. I say again, my budget is X and I can't see finding anything in those stores for that price.

Tuesday he comes home from work and says " Let's go to store A". eh might as well. was raining and I wasn't doing anything. It's where we got our upstairs set, which cost a fair bit (by my definition LOL). There I saw lots of leather sectionals. I do not want leather. There I saw sectionals with cupholders like my sister has. I actually went home and got DS1 so he could see the price tags attached to those and know I wasn't lying LOL

Hubby found a couch/loveseat in the colours I like. The fabric I like. In my price range. We're limited in choice. The bigger cities might deliver if we found something there but it would cost the earth for the 95 minute one way trip. I said to hubby 'yanno if this couch set were available in a sectional that was the right shape, I'd get it'.

It does :-) And it was in the right price range! The only catch was that they are still in a cargo holding in whatever country they come from...China I think...and they won't be over here until September. Done!!

That gives me time to clean out the rec room. To plan a good garage sale. To get the rest of the money together.

The total cost of the sectional with all the taxes is $1099.99. I got to sit on it's couch version and liked the feel of the fabric and the support. I got to see inside the back to see the springs and supports. I hate buying things without seeing them first.

I paid a $275 deposit down and I owe $824.99 when it comes in.

I did stop and think "wow that's almost 2 extra months of lump sum payments on my vehicle. maybe I should put the money towards that???" The reality is that I won't be done paying off my vehicle for 2 years at least (which is still about 2 years earlier than it's 60 month loan period'. That would put DS1 almost gone from the house. Be nice if he got to sit on the new furniture LOL. I am not stealing from any other pot to pay for this. I have / will have the money when it comes in , in September.

I know. That's a whole lot of blabbering about a new couch.  The thing is, I've never saved up ahead of time (or had the plans to have the cash) before I've bought a piece of furniture. I've always just bought and 'we'll figure out how to reallllly pay for it later'.

I see that as a good thing. Here is a pic of the exact piece I bought.

My Freebies from Shoppers

So last weekend was 'redeem your points' at Shoppers DrugMart. If you redeemed 40 000 points (worth $75) then you could have $25 free. I had 50 000ish points and I've never renewed any before so I thought it would be a great way to kick in the summer.

It was kind of exciting to know I could just buy whatever my lil heart wanted within that money range.

I thought 'ohhh I could buy some perfume. I NEVER buy perfume because it's too expensive. Here's my chance!" Then I thought " well I never wear it that much. It is banned at work and I honestly don't know what kind I would  want to spend that much money on. Some make me sneeze and I really  need to experiment with a few". So I nixed that idea but compromised by starting  my shopping journey squirting a free sample of J'adore on.

I wandered for awhile, really unsure. I was laughing thinking 'how ridiculous. It' s money spending!! you do it all the time'. I thought perhaps I could try some new products I never try.

I ended up mixing and matching. I bought a lot of things that were on sale. They were things I needed, but not necessarily the brands I used.

I got a new swiffer wet. My old one had died and I kept putting it off as it was just under $30. So in the cart it went. I got hair products ( on sale), some cat food and treats. Bubble bath for DS2. I tried a new pear scented body scrub Life Brand I hadn't seen before. I bought some foundation and tried a new mascara (that I probably won't unpackage until it's time to go back to school.


Then I splurged and bought THREE magazines. I never ever ever buy magazines anymore so this was great fun. I tucked them away so I wouldn't read them all before school was even out LOL

Here is a pic of my shopping choices. It was a LOT of fun.