Long Time no Posts but Good Stuff Today!

So I dropped off for a long while.  I've been very depressed, been through massive change with my work situation and have a new injury that has really set me back.

I await to see the orthopaedic surgeon and find out if I need surgery or more physio.

I have increased my work hours to 3/4 time from half time, and I have left my previous employer of 24 years.  It has been a big change.

Some good things are a very short commute, very easy physically, better hours, same pay.  Some not good things are very low job satisfaction, I miss my colleagues and I miss my routine.

That's the employment story.

The debt story... well at least that is a happy one!

• Mortgage free since Feb 2012

We had put car and truck purchase on line of credit (This was up to the spouse to pay off - not me) and as of this week it is FINISHED!

We owe nothing - to anyone!

I have been updating my own and our joint net worth and we are in a very good position.

I have a full emergency fund.  I have maxed out my RRSP's.  I have a savings account for house improvement and any crap that happens. I will use this for the new A/C unit we need before summer, any car expenses, other crap that pops up.  I have a Vacation account so that the trips for this year are already funded.  I also have RESP's ready to go for both kids #1 and 2 this fall.

We have some vacation scheduled in a couple months and in the fall for our 10th anniversary.  We are also going to do a warm holiday in the winter and a ski trip to the mountains.  That is going to be the priority.  Vacations!

My kid #2 graduates from high school this June and will go to University.

Kid #1 is still in University but hopes to get into a college to get his Major finished in 2 years.

Kid #3 is still very active in sports and so that takes up 4-5 days a week.  My new hours accommodate this without a problem.

Somewhere in there is some "Me" time.  With the weather warming, more days off and less physical strain at work I hope to be feeling better.  Both out of this funk and getting into better physical condition.

The Good Things:
Income tax returns are very good again this year because of my RRSP deductions
I'm at least not making my injuries worse at work anymore
I have great hours

Things That Suck:
My family are a bunch losers (unchanged)
Spring is taking forever
Groceries cost too much!

March Blurb

I'ts been awhile now so I am throwing a quick post up.

On the financial front things are happily rolling along well.  I finished my tax return and had my refund within 8 days!

This year I made less money than the hubs. (first time ever) So I got to claim the deductions for once!  This resulted in a big boom of a return.  Because I had been putting away a substantial amount on my RRSP's this helped my tax return even more.

Things that I learned this year of taxes:  my dh has a very good pension plan with work.  He "doesn't believe in RRSP's". And thus he owed $2500.  He has maxed out his TFSA total however.  Suits me.  I do believe in RRSP's because my pension sucks!  I haven't maxed out my TFSA but I hope to by the end of the year.

I am taking my tax return and investing in my TFSA.  In the past that money would have been a lump sum on the mortgage.  It feels so good to know that I am now investing in my retirement instead of paying the bank!

I did a No Spend February (Groceries not included) - with only $60 in cash used in outside $$ and it was all for the kids.  My credit card statement came and it was $0.  I think that proves I don't need anything else than what I already have!  I packed all my lunches for work, didn't shop for clothes or house stuff.  

This next month there are a few bills and costs on the horizon:  house insurance.  ACK!  this has gone up and up every year - now $1500.  That is what happens when your basement floods.... 

In a couple of weeks it is kid #1 and #2's birthdays and kid #3 starts a new hockey league.  3 out of town trips and a lot of practices.

This summer is a reunion for my old high school - it is for the last 50 years of graduates.  I will not be attending.  I spoke with my mother who I believe is on the organizing committee - she told me that they can't find most of the people.  (She likes to be very secretive and strange about the oddest things)  Well mother, have you guys thought of Facebook?  No... they are mailing everything via snail mail.  I told her it is a ridiculous waste of money on stamps!  Set up a facebook page or a website.  "They are working on it"  Whatever.  I have no desire to spend an uncomfortable weekend with my parents watching my mother and her fake smile plastered on for 3 days.

This summer is going to be very busy with my work project wrapping up.  Vacation requests are not being granted for then anyways.

I started the dh on Weight Watchers a month ago.  He has 125 lbs to loose to be at normal weight.  I would settle for 50.  In 14 days he lost 8 pounds and then decided it was too hard to go without his daily 2litres of pepsi and eating whatever and whenever he wanted.  So its all back.  I've lost a big 5 pounds (sarcasm) but I like the plan and the recipes so I am doing it myself and continue to make healthy meals and lunches at home. Another 12 pounds to go and I hope to get back into my clothes from last summer!  I've cut my coffee back to 2 cups a day - down from a pot a day!  I'm sleeping better and my heartburn is better too.  I can't give it up totally yet.....

It is looking like spring is trying to come around and so when some more of the ice melts I can get out walking!  That should help the weight a bit and I need some fresh air every day.  Been cooped up all winter!  Today I have a list of errands that need to be done and I might do some shopping for kid #3 that needs some sweats and or jeans that reach his ankles!  His are all so snug and have holes in the knees!  He has been eating like a little horse and sleeping so much - having a growth spurt for sure.

On my agenda today is also a trip to Target - lol!  See if I can find me my sweet clerk for some coupons!  As one annon commenter (in a nice way) accused me that I was too hard on the clerk and if it was me I might be the same as the rude clerk.  Ummm nope!  It doesn't matter if you make $10 or $60 per hour you can still be courteous and civil when dealing with the public and if you don't know what to do or how to do it - learn.  Mumbling and shuffling your feet when you walk, scowling at a person that is purchasing goods at your store is not acceptable.  The customer is the reason that you have a job - treat them as such.  If you can't handle the requirements, work somewhere else without human interaction.

End of the soapbox spiel  :)

Have a great week everyone!

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

The Mon$ter has been $layed!

It is finished, goal complete!

Today I am going to enjoy this feeling.  Other than my three beautiful children, this is my best accomplishment ever.  I am 100% debt free!

There is a bottle of wine chilling right now! 

Let it sink in for a few days and then next week, set a course for my next financial project.

Thank you all that have read and followed along.  It has kept my focus and kept a little sanity sharing some of the happenings in my life.  It still feels a bit surreal even though I have been obsessing for 3 years now!

It's All Good Things...