Monday 23 June 2014

How much does your cell phone really cost you?

A few days ago I read the following article about a woman who's phone dropped in a cesspool, and whose husband and mother died while trying to retrieve it.

http://globalnews.ca/news/1402716/wife-drops-phone-in-cesspool-husband-and-his-mother-die-trying-to-get-it/

Such a tragic and sad story.  It caused me to reflect a little on technology though, and how easy it is to become dependant upon it.  I'm guessing that the man who jumped in probably didn't even give it a second thought before jumping in...just as you or I may not give it a second thought to how our phones or internet are the first thing we look at in the morning.  We probably don't give a whole lot of thought to how that is the first place we go to for information.  The first way we think of connecting with friends or to plan an activity.   I can assure you I have jumped a time or two to rescue an iPad from a child who was about to drop it with a little bit of a yelp.  We probably don't realize how often we are holding and looking at it when a spouse or child come home from work or school.  And can anyone deny how hard it is to not run instantly to the phone the second you hear that little beep announcing a text.  Our phones (and the internet) have definitely become appendages to our bodies and lives.

I have so many excuses as to why I 'NEED' my phone, I often forget that it really is just a luxury and not one that should have such control over my life or my time.  
 
Some of my favorite benefits -
Being able to speak to my husband whenever I want
Texting people is a great way to avoid a long conversation...
Going on a road trip and being able to contact people long distance
Being able to contact my kids while being babysat...likewise they can contact me at any time
Being able to check facebook while standing in a long line
Being able to give it to my child when whatever errand we are running is taking way to long
Instant telephone book
Direction finder

I often feel that I desperately need the phone, so that I can instantly be contacted in the event of an emergency.  Truth be told though, the only emergency I have yet to be contacted for in the last year and a half  is that of the school calling to tell me that my son forgot his lunch and could I please get him one to the school as soon as possible.  Which I did, only to discover that his lunch was indeed in his backpack, just a different pocket.  Sad, but true.

 I am currently on a phone plan for my IPhone 5, that costs approximately $70/month/3 year contract (with just a year and a half left).    I get free unlimited calls in Canada/free texting and 1gb of data.  (I have no voicemail or call display features).   Truth be told, 95 per cent of the time, I really don't need all of these features.  However, there really is a sense of security that comes with it   knowing that I can be reached at any time.  Is it really worth $840 a year for this luxury?

My husband also has a phone, however, his is paid for by work until his job ends at the end of July, at which time we will probably go down to one phone until he is employed again.  Scary thought...being without a phone.  In the meantime, I will contact my service provider and find out other options.  Really, my pay and talk served me fine as well, and offered me a limited but sufficient amount of security.

Just today, a friend posted that she is going to try and go off Facebook for the summer, mostly because her husband doesn't think she can do it.    Sometimes I feel it might be a good idea to try a simple exercise like that just to show that we can survive not being dependant on technology in our lives. 

 My goal for this week is to find out my options for decreasing the cost on my phone plan.  I'll keep you posted.  Are you willing to lower you monthly phone costs to help save for living your life?

Wednesday 4 June 2014

Couponing in Canada

I am always in awe when I hear about people who coupon in the States that are able to save so much money and have always wondered if this is even possible in Canada.      That being said, I was pretty excited to see this segment on the Marilyn Dennis show. 

http://www.marilyn.ca/Consumer/segments/Daily/April2014/4_21_2014/CouponSavings

I love that she is from Canada, doesn't go overboard (hoarding unnecessaries) and how she is able to give back into the community as well.  Couponing is not something I have been great at or been able to stay  on top of....but the odd time that I do clip a coupon and save a couple dollars sure makes me happy.

It can be done!:)

Tuesday 3 June 2014

How much does it cost you to eat per month

How much do you spend a month on groceries?

 


According to stats Canada most recent update, the average food expenditures for a year in Alberta is $8,414 (this is from 2012) so about $701 a month.   For information on other provinces check out the following link:
 
As a stay at home mom, one of the main ways that I am able to  contribute to saving money is through watching our grocery bill.   I am fascinated to read blogs where people are able to feed families with 4 people for under $400 a month in Canada.  Some pretty creative ways to save.   

Unfortunately for us, I am not so good in this department. I am great at looking for good deals, but that also requires me to go into a whole lot of different stores, which then tempts me to purchase  other things which may not be in our list.  Our current monthly budget for a family of 5, is around $900 a month..(ouch)...and since having a child diagnosed with celiac disease in January has gone up.  Because he is underweight and because the whole diet has been a learning curve we have purchased a lot of products trying to find foods that he likes.  I am hoping that as time goes on our grocery bill will decrease.:)  The good news is that we rarely eat out anymore because its so hard finding accommodating and affordable places to eat out.

Food is a little like money. It is such a personal thing.:)  Depending on how you were raised probably forms a lot of ideas on how you prepare your foods, the type of foods you eat, and how much you like to have on hand.   The amount you earn also determines how much you may be comfortable spending each month.  
I definitely have some work to do is this area....how about you?
TIPS:

I loved how when my mom used to save money, (because she used cash), she was able to actually put money aside when she saved it.   One of my problems is that when it comes off a card, we don’t actually see the savings and  never manage to set the extra savings aside.

Another thought that  I have had is that although we do eat well balanced meals...my husband is a meat and potatoes kind of guy and likes food...but there are days that we can actually have a much simpler and less expensive meal.  Even doing that once a week can make a tiny dent in our monthly costs.

I totally believe meal planning is one of the greatest tools we can use not only to save but to reduce waste.  I struggle sometimes when I find something at the back of the fridge that I forgot about, like sandwhich meat/cheese/expired items and produce that has gone to waste.  I have been known to have moments when I keep it in the fridge longer than necessary simply because I feel so guilty throwing it in the garbage.  Strange I know...

It truly is a waste when you think that there are individuals struggling to put food on the table each day...so even if you feel you have the luxury of having a little waste because money isn’t tight, why not try and save anyways and put that money towards donating to the food bank or towards giving to a family in need.
Happy planning!
 

Monday 2 June 2014

It's never to late to have a goal

The past couple weeks as I have searched blogs, I started to become a blogging scaredy cat.:)  Reading the comments people receive, made me realize that you really need thick skin to be able to tackle putting your thoughts out into cyber space.  (Not a quality a possess.:)  I've also wondered how easy it is to maintain anonymity while blogging...particularly while blogging about personal finances and goals.  On the other hand, it's also kind of fun to be able to write and share things that you are learning...I love finding blogs out there that  increase my knowledge and give me a few new ideas to try to implement in my life...nothing like a little inspiration.

Another deterrant to my blogging has been a little discouragement. After reading a lot of blogs and starting to research, I have become well aware that time is such a huge factor in saving.  Sometimes it feels I am asking myself whether there is really any point in learning about all of this now....and is it to late.  I sure hope not.  I've also become more aware that there are so many families that are struggling out there to make ends meet and where every cent counts.  Being able to actually have money leftover to put towards investing is a huge blessing and my heart aches for those who work so hard to  make ends meet....although, sometimes it seems like those people are the ones who are a whole lot happier (which in my book is worth a whole lot more than financial wealth).  It often feels a little overly worldly to delve into this world of personal finance and investing.  I really hope that I can do my part to help others when and where I can.

After having talked to a couple different financial planners in the past month, I have continued to feel like its hard to find someone to help you figure this money stuff all out.   It still amazes me that there are financial planners that won't talk to anyone with less than a $500,000 portfolio.  Ummmm...hello.  I guess it makes sense...just feels a little like, why wouldn't someone who has just $1000 to invest want expertise from someone who really has a lot of experience and success in what they are doing. Just a thought....

However, today as I was driving home from the grocery store which is beside a bank, I saw a crowd of people outside. These people were all elderly...like really elderly...some in wheelchairs, white hair, definitely looked over 80.  There were bank workers with someone taking pictures, and someone holding a sign that said, "Its never to late to have a goal."    The sign made me smile, because when I first started writing I felt like I had a drive to learn about personal finance and share my journey on a blog...but as soon as I started it became readily apparent that this has already been done before by some amazing and talented people.  What can I offer? I still don't know...but I think for now, at least documenting helps keep me working towards my goals...and really...it isn't ever to late to have a goal.