And then...

DS2's car has been having issues. Clunking kinda issues. We took it into the local Dodge dealer (that's the make of this car). We bought it used at the local Toyota dealer (just the way it worked out)

The Dodge dealer came back with a scary statement. Struts, a few control arms..and the pieces that go with this plus the labour and it was close to $2800.

Ouch.

The cost for this 'diagnosis' was $169.  sigh

So then we went to the Toyota dealer where I bought it. I had stupidly (STUPIDLY) purchased an extended warranty when I bought it ( I know, I  know.....bad money decision) to see what was covered under this policy. They asked us to bring it in so they could examine it themselves. Thankfully there was no charged for that. They came up with their list of costs and then had to call to see what was covered under the policy....



.....and thus began a weekend waiting game.

So Murphy started with....

....the new kitten needing to be fixed. I mean NEEDING. He was doing that thing you do when you need to get fixed :-)

Our other cat, well she was not impressed, and getting stressed.

So off he went to the vet. When DH dropped him off, he also told them to get his shots, so the grand total of that visit came to $179.

Needed? yes, it was.

But I wasn't planned $wise for it. Bad me.

And so began Murphy's long term visit with me.....

Where the money stands...

...as of March 6th

Debts
Mortgage - $21 612.17

**Total Debt - $21 612.17


Savings/Planned Spending
TFSA/EF - $5100
TFSA in waiting to be added - $765
RESP - $16 780
RRSP - $9 957 
Grad 2015 - $1000

**does not include the LOC

Contract Settled

Well we have been without a contract for a year and a half now. Over the months there were two votes which were not accepted by the majority, so the bodies went to conciliation. It was a whole lot of "we are having meetings" without anything real details coming to us.

 Nothing changed work wise. There was no job action. I appreciated that both parties agreed to media blackouts. I really hate when it gets to each side publicly slamming the other. The whole story never quite seems to be heard that way.

So about two weeks ago, apparently our contract was settled. The two sides felt they had done as much work as they could and it was simply accepted by our governing body. It honestly feels very weird not having a vote.  I am not saying it was good or bad.....just weird.

Our raise is less than 2% each year and will officially appear on our paychecks at the end of March. The raise does not meet currently cost of living estimates for our province. (does anyone's?)  It will be interesting to see what the net is, after deductions. Deductions are approximately 42% of my cheque (taxes, CPP, EI, membership fees, and our money that comes off our cheque to go into our pension plan).

My hope is that the net takes me back up to where I was two years ago, before all the deductions  increased.

As for the backpay, we will get that at the end of April. There is one full school year (10 months) plus the 6 months of this school year. Again, no real clue what that net will be after deductions.

Of course this meant a small windfall was coming into our house. You know what that means.................. Murphy came! (with a vengeance)

To be continued....

Baby showers

So I spent yesterday with these cuties.

They were the ones born a bit premature before Christmas, to my niece. It was the first time I had seen them. I had the flu before/during Christmas and wasn't going to share that with two preemies.

Their baby shower was yesterday. There was a representation of family who were able to make it into the two hour drive to be there, as well as her local friends from the community, work and her older son's preschool.

I never had baby showers when I had my kids. Not really any friends. My sisters each got the boys a something. Very low key.

So these big fancy baby showers blow my mind more than a bit. There were diaper cakes and balloon displays and oh my lord, the presents.

Now I think those little girl outfits are as cute as can be, but really, how many outfits do two little babies need? She doesn't go out a whole lot during the day. Her husband is at work and two babies in their carriers plus a three year old makes it more than a little bit of a challenge for one woman.  It just seems like such a waste for outfits that the girls won't fit in 4 months. and then what?

I know she can resell them on kijiji or the local facebook 'buy and sell' groups. I am SO glad those are in fashion and considered acceptable.

I was more practical....a big case of diapers,  and some babywash and lotions for their sensitive skin. Mine will be needed and then when they are done, there is no clutter to get rid of. Not very fancy, but I am not a fancy person.

What are your thoughts on gifts for baby showers???

PS - I couldn't tell those two apart. I swear I just kept holding the same one over and over LOL