The gift horse

My water bill arrived today claiming boldly that I have consumed -28 cubic metres of water in the past two months. I am curious as to how this is possible, and I will attempt to get more information. The amount due is showing as -$72.66. I wonder if they hold onto it for next time, or if they put it back into the account from which it was directly withdrawn.

I like the last line on the statement a lot: Credit Balance - Do not pay.

You will receive a bill every two months. Every effort is made to read your meter three times a year but you may not always receive three based on actual reads in a year. Bills based on estimates are calculated on previous seasonal water usage and do not take into account a change of ownership/occupancy or weather fluctuations from year to year. The City reserves the right to correct billing errors at any time.

Update, May 2:
I called and asked. They can't put it back. They will hold it against a future bill.

Statement balance

April 27: $2566.38.

In which the annual fee of $120 makes its appearance in the last hour.

On the bright side, the $100 universal child care benefit cheque arrived yesterday.

Update, May 1:
I have an open question here about eligibility for these UCCB cheques. My youngest turned six a few weeks ago, and I thought it would disqualify us.

Paying the blues

It is not yet Visa statement day, which is a bit of a shame as the balance sits relatively high at $2406 and discounted Bluesfest passes go on pre-sale at noon today. Last month's statement day was March 27. I intend to buy a single pass this year: $247.

That's an order

I logged into etrade this morning to accept my recent RSU grant. Much to my surprise, I found myself placing a same-day sell order on some vested options that have been sitting around for a little while. It won't yield a lot of money, with estimated net proceeds of $444.47. However, it will reduce debt. I am good with that.

Update, April 29:
Actual proceeds will be $US 495.88.

Update, May 6:
The cheque was issued for $455.61.

Fuel economy

In the city:

378 km
40.965 litres
$53.17

$1.298 / litre
Approximately 14 cents / km

9.227 km / litre

Approx 22 mpg

On the highway:

507 km
33.54 litres
$43.57

$1.299 / litre
Approx 9 cents / km

15.12 km / litre

Approx 36 mpg

The car is rated 22 mpg for city and 30 mpg for highway.

The home stretch

Yawn.

Some enchanted evening

Full moon. True story.

My youngest fell climbing up the stairs before dinner last night, and based on the plaintive wail, I suspected a broken bone. We went straight to the nearest clinic, but it was closed. From there we practically flew over to the nearest open clinic, where her Ontario health card was promptly refused. I was surprised to learn that it expired a few weeks ago.

There are many lingering complications related to my daughter's class of Canadian citizenship. When asked, I paid the $40 for the appointment. We spent our dinner hour in the clinic's waiting area, and that cost us our pocket change for peanut butter cups from the nearest vending machine (to bring my blood sugar levels up enough for the drive home.)

The injury turned out to be nothing more than a nasty bruise and thankfully did not require an x-ray. We were released by 6:45 pm and we stopped at Pesto's on the way home (an additional unbudgeted $25.) I treated her with a little Advil before bed. (supplies on hand)

This isn't a rant about unplanned costs or waiting times. It's a not so subtle reminder of how fortunate we are in Canada to not have to routinely budget for these items.

While Service Ontario was at a loss to explain what had happened with the health card, they were quick to resolve it this morning. I can get the cost of the appointment back.

Update, April 21:
I went back to the clinic with the new health card number to request the refund. They took the information that they needed to share with OHIP, and advised me to return to the clinic in 4 to 6 weeks (May 19 to June 2) to find out if OHIP had processed the refund. The clinic will repay me only after OHIP pays them.