Investment Shuffling

For all of the financial moving and shaking I did yesterday I didn't pull ahead very far.  It was a big shuffle that hopefully sees bigger gains.
There were or still are commercials about people paying high fees for investments.  MER's (Management expense ratio's) Mine were almost 3% on a couple of funds I was in.  Over the last 2 years they have performed poorly but adding insult to injury was the money removed from the small gains that put me to 0.  So over they went from another bank into CIBC "Premium Class" to pay less MER's and hopefully get some forward traction.

With my eyes set on "freedom 55" I moved other funds around and topped up my woeful Tax free savings by 25k.  Much more than the 15 I had planned.  But I had the room to contribute and it makes sense to be making tax free gains vs. Sitting in my chequing account and I pay income tax on the pitiful $85/year I was making.

The RESP (Registered Education Savings Plan) that I still have for kids #2 and 3 is doing well.  To max out the government contribution you need to put $2500 in to get the $500.  Kid #2 is too old to have contributions matched.  But a guaranteed $500 return on $2500 is good in my mind and kid3 still has a few years left.  I don't intend to pay for all secondary education, my oldest has about $10k in loans after 5 years, but is fully employed and can easily afford payments. My kid 2 is sorting out life and hasn't picked a path yet.  So working full time.  I also don't pay if they don't pass.  I'm mean like that.  I work very hard for my money, I expect that its use will be with consideration and effort.

I am still trying to think about a summer trip.  Its very hard to nail down vacation time needed and kid3's activities and dh's vacation days.  He is away for work for a week in 2 months and I will take vacation then as my hours of work are very early and kid3 has to be seen off to school.  At work there might be a change in the office.  I don't want to get my hopes up too much.  It would help the stress level go down and satisfaction go up.  But I remain pessimistic that there will be any forward thinking done by management.

I haven't used my credit card for anything other than haircut and badly needed colour and some potion and spray to tame the frizzies.  Staying the same weight also saves money on clothes!  I am looking forward to warmer temperatures so I can pull out some different pants and tops and shoes.  Even some ice melting would change the shoe situation.  There is no physical space to put a change of footwear in my overcrowded office.  Seriously, not a spot for me to keep shoes.  I had a locker that was mine for years taken away because I went part time.  Now my coat is on a shared hook!  Thank god nobody smokes.

Here is hoping that St. Paddy brings in some warmth and sunshine!

The good things:
My kids all together last night
Feeling better

Things that suck:
Not getting away for vacation for March
My parental units are loons