Blogging is definitely not for the faint of heart.:) Kudos to those who are able to do this every day. Having a blog about personal finances remains a tug of war for me. When I first began writing, I started to research. I read blogs and read books, and suddenly I felt myself focusing towards it and thinking about it a lot. And truth be told, I don't want to be focused on money...in fact, that's the whole purpose of this blog, is to find ways to have enough so that finances aren't the first and foremost thought on your mind.
So, honestly, I enjoyed the breather of the summer...I took a break. Well, not really because there are a few things still staring at me in the face that are requiring me to think about money.
First, my husband, although still employed currently, is still looking for employment (as we have actively done for the last 8 months to no avail). Fortunately for us, his job has yet to end, although the company was going to shut down a couple of months ago. We are lucky in that he will be able to go on UI until he finds something else...but unlucky in that surviving on what you get on UI, will be challenging.
Second...the never ending dental dilemnas!!!!! Seriously...I can not believe how many difficulties myself and family have had with dental. (And by the way...we do brush and floss on a daily basis). Bad tooth genetics I guess. Regardless, paying for the services needed is so stressful, and I say that coming from a home with a fairly good income. I cannot even imagine what someone does who may not have a good benefit plan or none at all or is a senior etc.
I am currently sitting on trying to decide on whether to get an implant, and about a $800 dollar dental bill for my youngest who is having some teeth issues due to health problems (and that is with benefits.) At present, I am fortunate to have the resources to pay for it...but its painful...especially when you try so hard to save money in other areas, to watch it go toward something you cant even choose.
My sister was recently telling me about something she heard on the radio. Apparently they are trying to increase the minimum wage in the States, and she was listening to someone who said that they interviewed people in Seattle that were on minimum wage and asked what they would do if they had a higher wage, and many of them said that they would get their teeth fixed. Wow. Puts things into perspective a little bit.
I always think that if I ever ended up with extra resources that is what one of my areas of help would like to be in - to help people that need assistance getting dental work done.
Blogging about being wealthy - to me means having balance. To be able to have rich relationships with others - and to have time to spend developing memories with those people, and enough time, energy and resources to help others. The quest for seeking wealth is often there because we think that if we have enough resources, we can buy the things that we seek after...good health, beauty, friends, clothing, food and shelter, happiness and peace of mind, faith.
Tuesday, 9 September 2014
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?
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
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.
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.
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.
Saturday, 17 May 2014
Okotoks Gluten Free restaurants to try out
Just learned of two restaurants in Okotoks, AB, that are gluten free friendly.:)
Gourmet On The Go
The Heartland Cafe
Tuesday, 13 May 2014
Where are you going?
Years ago I heard a saying that went something like this: “there was a pilot on a flight who made an
announcement over the speaker. “I have
some good news and some bad news. The
good news is that we are making excellent time, the bad news is that we don’t
know where we are going.”
Setting goals is so important! Here are some of mine in regards to finances:
What are my goals?
- I have a $3000.00 dental implant that needs to be taken care of...
- Have enough to pay off my mortgage
- Have a ‘secret’ bank account for my kids to help support them with education/mission/marriage/home buying. Figure out the best way to teach my kids about budgeting and finance.
- Set up an allowance system that we actually follow.
- I would love to be able to help buy my dad and sister a home in town in the city that they live in/know that there was money to help with my dad’s retirement/health should that need arise....
- Vacations.... would love to be able to book one without spending two thousand hours looking for the cheapest flight/hotel room.... Would love to be able to take my dad and sister on some of our vacations.
- Would love to be able to grocery shop without nickelling and diming it....however, even if I had the money, I probably would still do it
- Would love to go back to school myself and upgrade my knowledge in a few different areas.
- Have enough for retirement
- Make sure that we have adequate life and health insurance in place.
- Would love to get better at giving back to others and helping those in need.
====================================================================================
What have I learned blogging about finances so far?
*There are a lot of financial bloggers out there...and much
to my surprise, there are a lot in Canada.
I’ve always just assumed that all of the information is geared towards
the US. That excites me because it means
I can learn from their expertise and not have to get a degree in finance in
order to figure out how to invest our money.
*That finding a good financial advisor to direct you isn’t as
easy as I thought it would be.
*there are a tonne of people that don’t have a financial
advisor...simply because they don’t know who to trust . That means there are a lot of people like me
out there who are trying to figure it out on their own.
* That getting educated on finance is a pretty important
thing to do.
* That writing a blog post each day is actually a lot of
work.:) One of the best pieces of
advice I have seen about blogging is to just make sure you write each day. Over time you might be surprised where your
blog takes you...it may be in an entirely different direction that you actually
thought.
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