Visa statement day: $3,278.78.
It looks a little crazier than it actually is, containing approximately $800 worth of expenses that I can get back. Note to self: Check the exact number and start the expense claims.
Just entered it into the spreadsheet, and it didn't break it. Whew.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
The power of money
The ATM dispensed two crisp $50 bills when I withdrew my petty cash on the weekend. I can't remember this ever happening before. Feels like a good omen.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Don't worry, be happy
I attended a Sun Life retirement webinar sponsored by my current employer this week. According to their retirement planner tool, I need to save up just short of $1 000 000.
This is not a problem I can solve today.
This is not a problem I can solve today.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Good faith
I have stopped my RRSP payroll deductions. It could be one or two pay periods before the change will take effect. These are before tax dollars. The payroll department could not act directly on my instruction; I had to call Sun Life to sort it out.
The amount in my DPSP is $5163.25. It will not vest before I leave (not mine to keep).
The RRSP value is higher: $25538.64. I have absolutely no idea how I saved this amount, but I'll move it to the plus column. When I spoke to the Sun Life representative, she mentioned that their fees are generally lower than other plans and got me thinking about consolidating this amount with my Assante managed plan.
The amount in my DPSP is $5163.25. It will not vest before I leave (not mine to keep).
The RRSP value is higher: $25538.64. I have absolutely no idea how I saved this amount, but I'll move it to the plus column. When I spoke to the Sun Life representative, she mentioned that their fees are generally lower than other plans and got me thinking about consolidating this amount with my Assante managed plan.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Uggh.
I just spent $US 33.52 per year on establishing a new web presence under my own name, rather than my existing corporate name. It looks like I need to set up budget parameters to support my job search.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Priorities
I spent $300 for 25 bottles of wine at the SAQ depot this afternoon. That's $12 per bottle. I don't want to run out for the foreseeable future (and it's a nice Friday gift for the caregiver). It's a bit of a drive, so I made it worth the trip.
On the way home, I stopped at Shoppers Drug Mart to take advantage of the $8 sale price on a L'Oreal hair colouring kit. It needs to be done in the next few weeks unless I want the grey to take over, and I'll certainly be doing it myself. Gray is gone now; hooray for me!
I paid $20 this morning to register both girls for Chinese school in September. The $150 registration fee for Girl Guides will appear on my next Visa statement. I'm thinking about adding music lessons for my youngest, but for now it's just a thought.
All iTunes and iPad apps are back on the No list. The jury's still out on sporting goods.
I decided to splurge on a $72 six-month membership to the meetup service to advertise networking events through my business. I'm on the fence about bringing the business back into the foreground, but I'd like a better idea of what the choices really are in 2011.
There is still much thinking and prioritizing to do. Je voudrais une pédicure... I should probably turn my work-related RRSP contributions off completely. The interest rate is lousy, and the employer match does not pay out until I've been on staff for two years.
Update, June 13:
I instructed payroll to turn off my RRSP contributions today.
On the way home, I stopped at Shoppers Drug Mart to take advantage of the $8 sale price on a L'Oreal hair colouring kit. It needs to be done in the next few weeks unless I want the grey to take over, and I'll certainly be doing it myself. Gray is gone now; hooray for me!
I paid $20 this morning to register both girls for Chinese school in September. The $150 registration fee for Girl Guides will appear on my next Visa statement. I'm thinking about adding music lessons for my youngest, but for now it's just a thought.
All iTunes and iPad apps are back on the No list. The jury's still out on sporting goods.
I decided to splurge on a $72 six-month membership to the meetup service to advertise networking events through my business. I'm on the fence about bringing the business back into the foreground, but I'd like a better idea of what the choices really are in 2011.
There is still much thinking and prioritizing to do. Je voudrais une pédicure... I should probably turn my work-related RRSP contributions off completely. The interest rate is lousy, and the employer match does not pay out until I've been on staff for two years.
Update, June 13:
I instructed payroll to turn off my RRSP contributions today.
Turn, turn, turn
On Thursday, I will learn that I am losing my job on August 19. With this news will come a package as well as eligibility to apply for employment insurance should the need arise.
With the credit line debt squared away, and the bulk of the daycare burden behind me, I am reflecting on the pros and cons of such a change. I have not shared the news with my kids.
I told them in the car on the way to Chinese school this morning. They were calm.
With the credit line debt squared away, and the bulk of the daycare burden behind me, I am reflecting on the pros and cons of such a change. I have not shared the news with my kids.
I told them in the car on the way to Chinese school this morning. They were calm.
Monday, June 6, 2011
More weekend highlights
The good:
- A free family pass to the Ottawa international children's festival (courtesy my next-door neighbour) with the unexpected treat to an exceptional performance of With a Doll in Her Pocket by Italy's Teatro delle Briciole
- Indulging in $7 worth of ice cream at the festival
- A simple Saturday morning brunch with a friend (his turn to treat)
- Geocaching, swimming, and bike riding with my youngest (and a picnic)
- Two pop-in visits with rarely visited friends just because their Facebook feeds were interesting
- Mowing the lawn and organizing the garage
- Noticing the pharmacy provided only one vial of insulin for the price of four, and calling to correct the error
- Caving into a whim that cost us $28 for mediocre dim sum, most unappetizing when served cold. Even the tea was undrinkable, with sediment floating in it.
- Forgetting to buy groceries
Submitting an insurance claim for last week's massage appointment- Switching as many of my accounts over to e-bills as possible
- Organizing receipts
Friday, June 3, 2011
Corruption and greed
On the subject of a homeland visit to the village in Anhui, China where my eldest was born, I've just decided that we won't be signing up any time soon, even though the 10-year savings bond I purchased to cover her airfare for said visit is maturing in September.
Today I learned the orphanage director personally requests a $US 1000 cash donation, and the orphanage tour now includes a personally-escorted visit to a nearby ATM machine.
So disappointed for the children, and saddened by this news.
Today I learned the orphanage director personally requests a $US 1000 cash donation, and the orphanage tour now includes a personally-escorted visit to a nearby ATM machine.
So disappointed for the children, and saddened by this news.
A second opinion
On the theme of dental work, I decided to switch my youngest over from the services of the pediatric dentist to my own dentist. (I called Standard Life first to confirm she was covered for checkups at six month intervals.)
He's been my dentist for twenty years. I tried switching when I moved to Kanata nearly five years ago, but I promptly switched back. He's good, he's patient, he's kind, and he doesn't overcharge either. I was lucky to get a next day appointment for her!
On the subject of the enamel deficiency (related to early-years malnutrition), his opinion was the same as the pediatric dentist. It's surface level damage only, restricted to the baby teeth. Her adult teeth should not be affected.
On the subject of replacing the spacer (initially placed by the pediatric dentist), he thinks we might need to introduce a retainer instead, but not for a few years. It had fallen out, and his advice was to leave it for now. Several of her baby teeth were missing when she joined this family. They may have been extracted, although it's something we'll never really know. It was too soon for them to fall out on their own.
On the subject of 6-year molars, his advice is to seal them once they are completely in.
Deciding not to seal the molars of my eldest turned out to be very costly in the long run, and she had to undergo various rounds of anaesthesia and multiple fillings. I hope to avoid it this time if that's possible.
On the subject of braces, she's likely to need them. We'll revisit this later, but it's good information to have in advance and helps with longer term financial planning. Standard Life has a lifetime orthodontics limit of $1500 on my current policy. It will help a little. I'll need to factor this information into any future decision to change jobs!
He asked if the pediatric dentist had done x-rays, and if she'd seen anything. I answered that she did them, and not noted any specific areas of concern. He did not redo them.
He's been my dentist for twenty years. I tried switching when I moved to Kanata nearly five years ago, but I promptly switched back. He's good, he's patient, he's kind, and he doesn't overcharge either. I was lucky to get a next day appointment for her!
On the subject of the enamel deficiency (related to early-years malnutrition), his opinion was the same as the pediatric dentist. It's surface level damage only, restricted to the baby teeth. Her adult teeth should not be affected.
On the subject of replacing the spacer (initially placed by the pediatric dentist), he thinks we might need to introduce a retainer instead, but not for a few years. It had fallen out, and his advice was to leave it for now. Several of her baby teeth were missing when she joined this family. They may have been extracted, although it's something we'll never really know. It was too soon for them to fall out on their own.
On the subject of 6-year molars, his advice is to seal them once they are completely in.
Deciding not to seal the molars of my eldest turned out to be very costly in the long run, and she had to undergo various rounds of anaesthesia and multiple fillings. I hope to avoid it this time if that's possible.
On the subject of braces, she's likely to need them. We'll revisit this later, but it's good information to have in advance and helps with longer term financial planning. Standard Life has a lifetime orthodontics limit of $1500 on my current policy. It will help a little. I'll need to factor this information into any future decision to change jobs!
He asked if the pediatric dentist had done x-rays, and if she'd seen anything. I answered that she did them, and not noted any specific areas of concern. He did not redo them.
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