I was able to get a quick meeting set up with my financial advisor. I do like how he has all of my information printed out separating my different investments into funds and then the holdings of TFSA RRSP and non registered investments. Then a one page summary showing different dates as comparisons.
Even with the US markets in a free fall, my Canadian investments are holding strong. I maxed out my TFSA for the year as planned. I was going to max out my RRSP amount but he talked me out of it. My pension amount has me in a lower tax bracket so there is no benefit to reduce my income with RRSP's. I have now invested that money and will pay tax on the investment income and be further ahead. Plus it is easily available that way if we (I) find a house to purchase.
Next year we will look at income splitting to bring down dh's tax rate. I got a refund this year, and dh, needed to buy RRSP's to get a refund, but that is fine. I also did kid #2 and 3's taxes and they both got refunds. The GST rebate will help them both as will the final carbon tax rebate. Kid 3 landed a job within 2 hours of submitting his resume online. Starting at $20/hr with a raise following end of probation period. Also the hours allow training to continue uninterrupted. Good experience to get I think and will be exposed to a wide array of trades. Not what he plans to do, but if you don't see them and know about them, you can't be sure that it isn't for you.
Kid 3 has been back home following the teams not continuing in the playoffs. His year was very successful in spite of how the team finished in the playoffs. It has been a big adjustment as it was last year. Different that thankfully there isn't the pressure of school and finals. Going to take 2 classes from University this fall. There was too much downtime this past season even with a part time job.
Spring has sprung, sort of. Typical in that we get a nice slow melt and the streets are cleared, only to get a few cm of snow again. Today it is sunny and a nice quiet Sunday. I need to run to the grocery store to pick up some fresh beef on sale for tonight. I will also be doing a salad. All of everything is local except for celery. I wasn't paying close attention to my diet a couple weeks ago and now my skin is unhappy. It's clearing, but it takes a bit. When I do "clean eating" or my version of such, I feel much better. Clean eating for me is nothing processed or deep fried. Thankfully I now have the luxury of time to plan and prepare meals that work for me. I'm not a "foodie" so its not like I could have a cooking show (I would need a way nicer kitchen for that).
That is one of the things that I'm looking for in a new house. A nice kitchen. I need a big island that doesn't have a sink in it, a laundry room on the same floor as the bedroom, a quiet private backyard and a few other must haves that are very elusive.
Tariffs will affect new home builds, so I will wait and see how things shake out. Hopefully our new PM gets into office next month. One thing that I never thought would happen is that I will be voting for his party. The MP that is currently in our riding lied right to my face when he was campaigning for the last election. (what a surprise) At my doorstep he claimed that he was a good catholic christian. I do not belong to a church, practice any type of religion, nor do I have any plans to, but don't tout that proudly and then lie. Its not a good look. Almost like he didn't read the bible?! (I have).
The dh's family has had a sad string of people passing in the last 2 months. There is a new "trend?" if there is such a thing with funerals/memorial services, that they are being held weeks/months after the death. Covid was the reason for this the past few years, but it's continuing I guess. One is next weekend and there are 2 happening in May and one in June. You can plan then I guess? It kinda puts a damper on spring for me. I don't know. I would rather get it over with.
On to some better news:
- I have been reading like crazy and using the library weekly. So far this year I have read 14 books.
- I continue to do yoga and it seems to help me sleep better
- The grandbaby is such a sweet joy! Starting to toddle around and says a few words. Into EVERYTHING!! I have to do a quick babyproof before the visits. Other baby news - dh's sister is medicated better now and seems to be finally acting like a mother. That has reduced a lot of drama.
- I have gone through about 75% of the junk in my basement and what I'm not keeping is in a big pile for a garage sale this spring. The rest has been thrown away and what I'm keeping is better organized so that I can find it and use it. Still some more to go.
- Next week the dh is on vacation (staycation) and I will get his help to fix our closet. There is a big purge of clothes coming. I had thought that I might need some of them for a volunteer position, but I don't think that I'm going to take it on as of now. Plus I can wear more casual vs business casual that I have if I do plan to volunteer.
I am off to try an accomplish something now, besides this ramble. I didn't do my yoga yesterday so I didn't sleep good. Late start to today!
Happy Spring!!
