Oops.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.