Payday and new Specs!

Picked up my new glasses last night.  $420!  Good Grief!  All of my boys helped me pick them out.  If you ever want a no time wasted, no beating around the bush, have 3 boys at the optometrist office and say that no one leaves until Mom has new glasses picked out.

"Those ones make you look angry"
"Those are a stupid colour"
"What is that supposed to be on the side of them?"
"Nope"
"Naw"
"You look like a Librarian"
"Those give you a unibrow"
"Those are o.k."

"Yep - get those"

They ended up being technically men's glasses but whatever.  I guess when 4 men help you pick out glasses, that's what they like!

Dh had told me that he has full coverage up to $650/2years per person.  No, he has $275.  I don't know what numbers he was looking at but - wrong!  My health benefits are in the process of being covered so in a month or 2 I will get a full refund.

Today is a good day because it's PAYDAY!  This is my first normal paycheque in 2 months.  Dh still hasn't started over at his new job.  Don't know when that will happen yet but it should be within the next month.  If all of the pieces fall into place like they should he will get a decent raise by this time next year.  I have informed him that after this year of full time, I am going part-time.  I have to go back to shift work then and I don't want to live exhausted like that anymore.  It is no life for me or the boys when I work so much.  20% of my pay for the year was overtime that I have to do.  Spread out over the year that extra 200+ hours isn't bad, but it is never spread evenly, always in clumps.

We are not big spenders and can live more than comfortably on 1.5 wages. 

That is my plan.  The .5 of wages will be more than made up in quality of life improvements.  More sleep, time to prepare meals, spend time with my kids and myself.

My parental units have left our lives again.  I told them that they may be millionaire's (that my Dad brags about incessantly) but they are selfish and poor people.  They take neighbours out for fancy  dinners, spend nothing but time with other family, then phone and go on and on and on to me about how wonderful so and so is, how great the holiday they went on was.  I think in 2006 we went out for dinner with them.  I'm done. 
They have the golden daughter back on the pedestal again.  Spent a week with her and her kids. (I live 5 min away) visited us for 5 minutes on the way out of town.  They stood in the doorway and didn't take off thier coats.  They did bring a big parting gift of 3 things from the dollar store for kid #3.  Refused to join dh for lunch when he called and invited them earlier in the week - they were too tired from babysitting.  They looked after the 3 grand kids for 3 hours a day after school was done.
The last conversation the final straw(s):  I was informed that I "got a divorce because of the way that "x" put toothpaste on the toothbrush!" I apparently got divorced "for no good reason". Whereas my perfect sibling has been done so wrong by her husband, how could he, how dare he!  She is without blame.  I was also informed that "Your 2 kids don't know their cousins"  Umm Dad, I have 3 children. And my dad "feels sorry" for my current dh because I have such anger towards my parents.  WTH?
Anger takes energy and saps the life out of you.  I don't have extra to waste on them.

Don't call me to fix things that go wrong in your lives anymore.  Call the neighbours.  When you are on your next trip (that you don't bother telling me that you are going on) and you have chest pain again at 6 am on a Sunday.  Don't wake me up again and have me arrange your medical care and insurance crap from 1000 miles away when you're in another country.  Call the golden daughter or call the wonderful neighbours.  Save your money because you will need it to hire someone to take care of you when you are old.  I'm not going to call in favours from friends when you need and want things anymore.  You have the people you value and then you have me at the bottom.  Adios.

It is always a weight lifted when they go into silent mode.  I don't dread the phone ringing.  I go on with my life.  Things are complicated enough just going on our own way without having those 2 crazies trying to ruin things.  (My mother doesn't have any issues - she watches Dr. Phil everyday ya know!)

I happen to be pretty happy these days.  Contrary to what I was informed how people put toothpaste on the toothbrush doesn't bother me in the least.  I don't even get worked up about globs of paste in the sink!)  I'm pretty sure that my dh loves me and doesn't require anyone's pity for being married to me.

 

 

On to some real financial things...

 

I did not get the numbers on my T4 that I thought.  Things don't really match with the pay stubs.  I have to hope that some more forms come in the mail.  I will still get a good return, just not as good!  It will also affect the RRSP carry forward amount.  I will likely NOT carry forward anything this year.  Next year (effective March 1 this year) I will increase my RRSP contributions.  My goal is to equal 1 mortgage payment to equal my RRSP contribution every month.  With a wee bit of juggling it will be doable.  $850 a month to my future + my work pension.  I hope to retire before 65 too!

 

The Good Things!

a dozen roses - even when I said he didn't have to

vacation days - even if I don't go anywhere

 

Things that suck...

my income tax is NOT straightforwards this year!

 

 



Getting Ready for Taxes

Thank you everyone that wished me well!  I really appreciate all of the support that I have here.  I have been so exhausted from work, and new meds that I am asleep by 8:30 every night.  Not much time to read or leave comments on others blogs.  This blog and the group that I read and follow have been a great source of ideas, commiserating, stress relief and humour!

Last night dh and I plugged in some numbers to the tax program.  I don't have my T4 yet so there were a lot of guesses.  With me being off of work and getting paid by a third party, yet my employer pays me the third party funds...good grief!  It is one big ol' cluster of who paid what, income tax on what amount, pension, union dues...painful.  It looks like will be getting a refund because I didn't make a big wage like I have in years past. In fact my salary dropped by $30k. Every 2 weeks for the last year I have been grateful that I have had no mortgage money leaving my account. We don't live an extravagant lifestyle, nor do we lack anything.  Slow and modest keeps you in the race!

Speaking of pains, Jane I have an old version of something on this puter so I can't comment on your blog :( .  http://lifebeginsatretirement.blogspot.ca/   I too know C6 radiculopathy well, 14 months and counting...  I have a bulging disk at C6-7 and 2 more lower down.  I fully endorse acupuncture and gentle physio (where she slowly lowers my 1st rib and stretches my neck out)  I've also started my 13th new med and this one seems to work with only a bit of drowsiness as a side effect.  Finally the ache in my arms is gone, fingers are still numb, neck still stiff but not like it was. I may start the juice thing!

I did some work with my RRSP's.  There were some that I took out of the "high risk" mutual funds and had moved into a short term GIC a couple months ago.  They are due on Wed.  After phoning my bank 4 times over 2 days and never reaching a human being, just a difficult to understand voice message that was not left by someone with an understanding of English, I said screw it.  They, for some reason can't get back to me within 7 hours.  (Yes I am calling the real bank and not a call center in who-know-where.) Yet when you physically go to this bank there are always employees standing around or jack-assing around behind the counter with no customers in the bank.  Nobody is smart enough to say "hello" and answer the phone when it rings.  Good-bye C!BC, Hello CWB.

These guys answer the phone! A real person that talks to you! You can get in to meet with someone when it works for you!

I've decided to keep these RRSP's in a GIC for 2 years, now with CWB.  Yes, there is a $50 fee to transfer.  I will make it up with a better rate.  And they have a promo on now that you can "scratch and win" a rate increase.  I got an extra 1/4% on the posted rate.  Not huge, but better than nothing, and will more than pay the transfer fee.

After plugging in my approximate tax numbers you get the little hints at the end.  Well it looks like I will carry over my RRSP contributions into next year.  It doesn't make tax sense to use them for 2012 with my wage so low.  Now that I'm full time again (still lower than before b/c no overtime) I will use them for 2013.  The return that comes in will go towards the LOC that has the 2 vehicle's on it and some towards home improvements.  I am guessing that a new roof will be around 7k and doors ? maybe 2k.  Roof first, and worry about everything else after.


What else is happening... Oh yes, I'm now old.  As declared by my 6 yr old!  I went to have my eyes checked as I do a lot of computer work now.  I need reading glasses.  I can still see to read quite well but after 4-5 hours of staring at the screen things start to blur!  I thankfully am fully covered by dh's insurance for the exam and the glasses.  I'm going to pick out a pair today as I could barely see from the drops they put in at the appointment.  Also taking the 3 kids to get there eyes checked too.  Kid #1 is 18 and is covered under the x's plan.  He needs new glasses (not that he will wear them!) grrrr!   Kid #2 and #3 are free exams because they are under 18.

My Grandma is doing really really well since the bad episode at Christmas.  After taking her off of a crap-load of pills she was taking but didn't need, her mind is clear! She was a joy to talk to this weekend.  I love my Grandma and not just because she calls me "Such a clever and pretty girl"!  She is so happy that I'm working again and that dh has a job now.  She always prays for me and wants me to be healthy again and happy and successful.

What else is happening... Sharon has a new address now:  http://midlifemommusings.com/
I will fix my sidebar...

The Good Things...
tax returns!
CWB
medical insurance for pretty glasses for "an old mommy"
my gram

Things that suck...
getting old
pains in various places
my parental units

We are now Fully Employed!

Last week we were supposed to find out about dh's job status.  He interviewed for 1 that would have him stay within his area of work.  He nor I ever thought that he would get it as there were 2 much more senior people that he was competing with.  The department head phoned to say the job was his!

One of the other people doesn't interview well at all.  Very nice person after you get to know him but it takes a good 5-6 times of interaction before he is comfortable.  Not good when you make a bad first impression. The other person had a reputation that preceded him.  They know he is difficult to get along with, lazy and moans and complains about every task he is assigned.

The new position comes with the same pay but has opportunity for advancement.  I am so happy and so relieved!  It also comes with a more professional dress code.  No more khakis and golf shirts!

I have had to put money into a wardrobe and now so does dh.  So far I have spent around $200 on clothes.  I have many many outfit combinations and a pair of shoes that works with all of my pants.  My wonderful mil just got back from Arizona and brought me 3 basic tops that will work perfect too.  (I love her!!)  Everything has been on clearance or with a gift card so I think I am getting the most for my money.

Despite looking good, my back is still killing me.  I have a pharmacy in the kitchen cupboard of  pills that don't help much.  I need to keep going to acupuncture and physio (same person) but the new job has had mandatory attendance for 2 weeks and now my physio has gone on holidays :(  no relief in sight for 3 weeks.

Today is a vacation day that I had to use up.  But still had to go in to a 8:30 meeting this morning.  Nothing like getting all gussied up for an hour and then being at home!  I am making bread, getting laundry done and making some appointments.

1. Need to call the bank and meet with the financial planner.  My mutual funds that I pulled out and put into GIC's are due next week.  dh will not get any severance pay but he will get back pay from his new contract.

2.  I need to see an optometrist!  I am sitting in all of these presentations and squinting from the back!!  Not cool.  The little twerp that checked my eyes 3 years ago said I will likely need glasses in a couple of years as "Someone your age can expect". 

3.  I am going to set up some times for when my physio gets back. 

4.  I keep talking about, but have yet to get our passports done.  With both of us employed I think we can now book a holiday!

5.  Tonight is budget talk night.  What we are going to save, who pays for what and imminent house repairs.  New shingles, front door replaced?  Rear deck needs staining and shed painted.  I can't do these things myself anymore. (well I wouldn't do the shingles - just removing)  We need guesstimates and a timeline.

 



My new position has now lost the manager that should have hired me and that got her hand slapped.  She is onwards and upwards as you know how things float to the top in any big organization.  Another new perk of my position is that one of my job sites is 5 minutes from home!  In the spring and summer I can do the 20 minute walk in the morning!  Plus, right by a Starbucks (which I have a couple gift cards for!)


The Good Things...
Both of us employed full time
It is only -4 C right now (far cry from -38 last week!!)
I have a quiet house to myself
Great coffee
Loving in-laws

Things that suck...
Little #3 has to go into some childcare before and after school
My "newer" winter coat has a broken zipper and my old one is ripped
my side of the family is the biggest bunch of screw ups possible