Good thing I checked

I was checking my online accounts where my savings, LOC, TFSA etc are hosted. I hadn't been in since the end of November to be honest to check because I hadn't done anything since then.

My LOC was wrong. That is one of the benefits of being on track with money and debt, I guess, because I noticed the error right away. I was in debt $400 more on that account than I should have been.

I took a bit to look over the accounts and to try to think of a reason why it would be off. The info tag beside the latest LOC was a withdrawl of $200 which I know I did not do.

I gave the branch a quick call and had them access my account while we tried to figure things out.  The last transaction was on the 27th of November. I know I went there that day with 2 cheques to put in. I then moved money to my long term savings account and also paid $200 d own on my LOC.

The lady on the other end of the phone was very helpful. We concluded that the teller that day did not do my principal payment of $200 against the loan properly. Instead, she took $200 OUT on my LOC and moved it to my chequing there. That was why my chequing had an extra $400 in it.

She then moved the original $200 back into my LOC and made the $200 payment against it, and all was balanced again in my world.

She also made a note to the teller who did the transaction that she had not done a 'principal payment properly so she would know for the future.

The only thing they could not do is fix the extra bit of interest that money cost me on the LOC. There is no way of really proving what I asked for originally. So that will cost me a couple dollars in interest.

I usually get a receipt there, and check to be sure it says principal payment and then go home and check to be sure the balance online matches my own spreadsheet.  For some reason I did not this time.

Good lesson for me, I guess. I will make sure I check everytime now.

Christmas doings

It's been a busy month as the MoneyTree family plows through with the everyday busy-ness as well as the seasonal.

Plow is the optimal word. We have a pile of snow. The first snowfall we had was more than we had all last winter, and we've had more snow since then, with more on the way. Interspersed with it are some bitter cold winds and some cold temps. We have had lots of indoor recesses  because it is below the safe level. The kids go a little squirrely without some outside breaks and fresh air.

In the midst of this we have had a few Christmas activities. In our scout group we had two meals together: one at the provincial level and one at the local level. It's nice to get together with folks and share conversation without having to rush. For the local one, I was happy both my boys were able to be there, along with my parents and two of my sisters.

For hockey we have had our family get together with the boys. It was great to see the boys cooking for us. The team had their teddy bear toss for the fans. It was great to see all those stuffed toys heading to the ice, and the boys gathering them up. All of them went to those in need.  For band, we had our evening concert. It was fantastic to listen to the choir and the bands and see  how much they have learned this year. My son is blessed to have an amazing band leader. They absolutely love him.

For school we have had our staff party. It was a great time to gather together with coworkers and relax and enjoy company. I am so lucky to work with a staff who are such great friends outside of work too.  We still have a Winter carnival with the school and school families this week and I am having a potluck with my class this week. Not sure when other schools get out, but we go straight through to Friday.

I have to confess I have not yet put up my tree. We have it in the garage but there just hasn't been a moment to get it up - and I have to confess, I really don't have a burning urge to do so this year. I don't like that feeling.

I have done some of my shopping - mostly through amazon. I still have some to do and time is running out. I guess I had better use today well to organize, as this week is jam packed busy in the day and the evenings, until late Friday night.

Happy Sunday everyone.

Conversations with children

News of yesterday's tragedy trickled into our world yesterday and as students were coming back from lunch, a few of them had heard the beginning details of Sandy Hook.

Even this far away from Connecticut, the horrors of this event and the fears, reached up and found my students.  The first conversation we had to have was that this was not to be discussed on the playground at recess or in the halls. The little ones out there might not have understood that the event was happening far away and we did not want to cause them any fear. My kids, for all that they have been a massive behaviour challenge, were amazingly good about this.

They needed to talk, so talk we did. Their questions were a lot around what would happen if something like that happened at our school. Where would they go? what would they do? We talked about places that might offer safety and shelter. We talked about knowing where they should go if they were not in our room.  They were good conversations to have, and we have had them in the past as well.

Like the rest of the world, they can't imagine what would bring a person to come to an Elementary school (or any) and do such things to kids....to people. They want to send a letter to the school and a something.... a stuffed animal, or something.....just so that they know we are sad for them and that we care.

Where the money stands

as of December 4th

Debts
Mortgage - $29 225.55
LOC - $6665.49

Total Debt -  $35 921.04 (up $3 456.63)

Savings/Planned Spending
TFSA/EF - $2045
RESP - $12 000
RRSP - $4200 (+750 saved but not yet in portfolio)
Christmas 2012 - $1400

Well the cheques all cleared and the money is in on what this vehicle accident has cost. I put the new vehicle yearly insurance and package policy on my CC and paid that off first as the cheques started coming in. Then I applied the balance to the LOC.  When it is all said and done there was a remainder of $4444 on my LOC. This took into account the new to us vehicle we bought, all insurance in and out and buying back the first car.

It is $4444 more debt than I wanted, although we did intend to buy #2 a new to him vehicle anyways in the spring. 

I have paid some since hence the up $3456 at the top instead of up $4444.

It annoys me greatly that my debt has gone up and not down. I have adjusted the numbers on my top right side bar. I really wanted that number to be below $30 000 by the end of the year but that isn't going to happen.

I obviously won't get ridof this LOC very fast if I pay the $50 a month I was paying on this before. Time to get serious about things and get at it.

As a side note - 4s always come up in my world. I wake up to 4:44 AM most nights/mornings a week - just random then fall back asleep again. I see it often on my drive home or on the satellite box. 4s mean anything in 'good luck' for folks out there?

Family Day

It's a snowy Saturday here in the prairies. The third day of many upcoming snow days.

Family day means a lot of different things in my world.

DH has gone out with his sister and brother in law to set up their ice fishing shack on the lake as ice fishing begins. I personally would go bat crazy inside a shack, in the cold, for hours and hours, but it makes them happy and doesn't cost a whack of money.

DS1 is home from hockey roadtrip with a shoulder injury. It's a bit of a helpless feeling as a mother, listening to the game on the radio and hearing he's injured, but not knowing how until he's able to text later.  It's not dislocated, so that is a bonus. For DS1, his family day is spending it with his team family and they are off to the movies together for off ice bonding. This off ice time with simple activities like movies or sledding or pumpkin carving really help them develop that chemistry. The vets have been a good influence on him.

For 3 of my nephews, family day means hunting together today. My dad taught them how when they were young and it's good to see them coming together now as adults.

For the rest of us, family day means a mass gathering at one of my sister's houses as we finish the electrical and drywall her entire basement. Her kids have come home from Calgary and Edmonton and Regina to help in the project. Thank goodness we have certified electricians in the family. Should be a good day of bonding with the babies and some physical labour.

However you spend it, have a great Saturday.