Note to self

I submitted an insurance claim today for diabetic pump supplies not covered by the grant and my most recent massage appointment.

It's been a while

I have a lot to say. At $40, the pedicure was disappointing. The polish smeared before I left the salon, and I still have visible callouses. I'll go back to doing it myself.

I suspect there's a $600 grant cheque from the Ontario government in my purse to offset insulin pump supply costs. It's been so busy lately; I've had no time for envelope opening.

My gas consumption is increasing rapidly, as are my thoughts and desire to take the car completely off the road, and live car free.

On the brighter side, July is my $400 daycare month. My increased evening care expenses should in principle bother me slightly less.

I sold off my Bluesfest pass at a serious discount for $100 and reduced my anticipated need for evening sitter services.

Not enough time to grocery shop either. I'm buying my lunch at work, and any shopping that does get done is limited to unplanned impulse selection of prepared foods from Farm Boy which increases the average cost of a meal at home.

I finally remembered to expense the business lunch. Work insurance covered most of my dental checkup. I need to make a short list of financial decisions required before my job winds down in August. My medical benefits carry into October.

Now I need to remember to expense today's massage appointment, and the portion of the diabetic supplies not covered by the $600 cheque. Which reminds me, I've got to track down the receipt for the diabetic supplies.

The mail strike inadvertently disrupted the flow of my diabetic pump supplies when the courier got overloaded and lost the package. I consumed fewer supplies during this period.

I am a creature of habit, and I am ever so hopeful that the habits I've worked so hard in acquiring over the course of maintaining this diary will serve me well during the transition.

It is strange working out a notice period. I am grateful, yet lack focus. At the same time, between new guy and networking, my social calendar overfloweth... Nice problems to have.

New blouse, new dress, new iPhone 4, new bike helmets and life jackets for the children.

More soon. My conversational French as well as my confidence are improving.

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.