Wowitsawonderfullife's Personal Finance Blog

OK, I'm only up to 4 points but it feels great. Out are the two dead plants and I also cleared off the crap on one of the laundry shelves. You know all that extra crap that you find in pockets and all the extra lids and measuring cups? It's in the recycling. Lots more to go...

Hello Folks! Just thought I'd mention that if you received a GC recently you might just want to check out the balance. I received a Tim Horton's card and when I went to use it today the balance was zero. Fortunately my husband kept the receipt so we can go back to the store and get it fixed.

Second, can you please give me your feedback about virtual envelopes? Are they just spreadsheets that break out how much is in each bank account? Or do you need special software?

Merry Christmas everyone! May everyone's 2010 be abundant!

Hello Folks

I have an opportunity to work for a non-profit. It's not confirmed yet but I need to ask this question. Here it is... the salaries are about 65% of corporate salaries. The job I will be offered is outstanding and really meets my needs to give back to the community. So is the trade off between income and giving back worth it? I'd appreciate your feedback.

Well, had the second interview today. It was quite long - close to an hour. I enjoy panel interviews and tend to do well in them. I will hear before Christmas. If jobs have a photograph beside them the picture for this opportunity would be of me! What an amazing job. Just fantastic. It confirmed that this sort of community service is exactly what I want to do. Sending it up there!

I am one of those people who wins things all the time. On Friday I will be having a hair cut and facial free of charge. What type of tip would you recommend I leave? Thanks in advance for your advice.

I haven't been a vendor in a craft show for at least 10 years. This year I decided to do one Christmas event because I have the time and I really enjoy the shows. WOW, have things changed! My sales didn't even cover my table cost. Only 30 people showed up. And usually other vendors buy my product or we trade. This year the vendors weren't even buying because they were not able to sell anything. Only one vendor covered the cost of their booth. The vendor beside me mentioned that she went to a show two weeks ago to sell and only 6 people showed up. But I still had a great time - so many nice and talented people. So I have 71 home made angels with crystals and healing stones left if anyone wants one!

I've been told that am I one of two who will be interviewed a second time for an amazing job that I will love. Still waiting to hear what date it will be. I was also advised that my unemployment benefits have been extended due to the recession and this makes me very happy and relieved!

When I started my blog I mentioned that I hoped to manifest my passions into income. Tomorrow I have a job interview for a position with a non-profit organization I greatly admire. The job is a perfect fit! I am sending it up there that if it's the right job for me please let them pick me!

Has everyone heard of the Re-Store? It's a warehouse that supports Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity builds homes for those unable to afford a home. The new homeowner has to make 500 hours of sweat equity to build their home. Otherwise the build is done mostly by volunteers. This store has new and used household fixtures including kitchen cabinets, light fixtures, doors, windows etc.

Today I struck gold. We are gutting our bathroom. I bought a Moen shower set for $58. Retail is $280. The faucet set was $130 and retailed for $387. Light fixture was $29, retailed for $99. Saved myself $330. And all for a great cause!

Check it out for a good cause and a good deal.

When I submit my comments they don't show up. Are you guys spurning me? LOL. Anyone know how I contact the administrator of the site to get this fixed?

Well, I hosted the Christmas re-gifting party yesterday. It was great! We had a small group diverse group. Because of the small numbers I didn't charge anyone the $5 hosting fee. Many more people wanted to join us but had previous engagements. I think I will host another one because it was so well received.

So, details... everyone came dressed with festive socks, jewellry, and of course I wore my antler headband. The fire place was lit and Christmas music was playing. I had a few decorations out. Mulled cider scented the event and it was very good.

We had at least 50 gifts. A neighbour who couldn't make it dropped off several items as well. Here are just a few of the items we had: a new bike helmet, lots of candles and lanterns and wall sconces, art, ice wine, kids books and games, jewellry, kitchen items, Christmas decor, and cookbooks. Everyone was thrilled with their new gifts. All the left overs will go to charity or to the next event. I picked 5 pairs of socks from the Museum of Modern art, two books, a children's art set, a piece of jewellry, and a candle.

I highly recommend hosting one of these regifting parties. It was fun, inexpensive, quick (only 2 hours), and it made me clean my house.

If you have any suggestions or questions feel free to ask.

And now I'm way ahead on my Christmas shopping!

I recently read a blog about Australia's freecycle week in November. I've decided to take it a bit farther and host a re-gifting party. You bring items valued at $10+ and for each item you receive a token. For every token you can pick someone elses item. If two people are interested in one item both names are put in a hat and there is a draw for it. Any left overs can be taken home or donated to charity. I have also set up a bin for stocking stuffers that you can donate to and take regardless of what you bring. We'll have Christmas music and mulled wine. I sent out an email to a batch of people and had an immediate response. Everyone loved it! I may have to host two of these parties because the people who can't attend due to conflicts really want me to host another one. Give it a try in your community. I'll let you know how it goes.

Just an fyi. The amounts will vary each month because we use the LOC to cover business expenses when we are late submitting expense reports for travel. However, we are off to a great start.

September balance: $32,506.75
October payment: $2,506.75
Interest (estimated): $103.00
NEW BALANCE: $30,103.00

We did much better than I had anticipated. The thought of getting the balance under $30K is THRILLING! Stay tuned.

When I finished paying off a small debt of $3K+ this month I was asked what would be my next goal. I responded that I have one huge item that was so big I wasn't sure I could even envision paying it off. So I'm here to 'fess up. My DH and I have a line of credit that sits at $32,506.75. YIKES!!! It's time to get rid of it. Other than a small car loan it's the only debt we have. So, with DH on side, I'm off to the races. We're snowballing the amount from the last debt we cleared and are putting $500 per month against it plus any and all extra cash. The interest amount alone is more than $100 per month. So join me for the journey. This one will be interesting!

September balance: $32,506.75
Target for October balance $32,106.75

According to the Government of Canada we are now out of the recession. Certainly the job boards are showing many more postings for part time and full time jobs. My mother, long passed, was born in 1924 and lived through the Great Depression. She could feed a family of 6 for very little. She once told me she sent my Dad to the butcher to buy 10 cents worth of liver for dinner. It made me think that a post recession Christmas dinner would be a blast. Layered jello (red and green), peanut brittle (one pound sugar, one pound butter, and a hand full of peanuts if we could afford it). Jello with coleslaw, mac and cheese (before cheese was expensive), popcorn.

We could augment the meal with Spam, bean salad, rice pudding, canned cocktail weenies. Any other ideas that could add to the festivities? I'll update you when my extended family responds to my post recession Christmas suggestion!

May it rest in peace. When I started this blog in May 2009 the balance was $3,162.12. We have made our last payment and it's gone. Thanks to everyone for your support and motivation. HAPPY DANCE!

I have been sharing some of the collective wisdom from this site with a friend. She asked me if I would help her out to clear her debt. After some discussion she called the collections department of a department store where she owes $1,500.00. Of course the interest rate is 28.8%. She told them she would pay them $100 per month for the next 15 months. They said that because she has made that committment they are waiving all interest charges. I am both thrilled and proud of her. Isn't that fantastic!

When I started this blog in April we had a Capital One Card with a balance of $3,164.12.
When I started in April we had a balance of $3,164.12 on our Capital One card.

Last month's balance was $671.01
Regular payment: $300.00
Extra payment: $175.00
NEW BALANCE: $198.24 WOW!

It was great to be able to turn off the autopapp at the bank. This balance will be gone very soon. I'll be sure to post when it's done. And of course we'll be snowballing these payments onto the next debt. Stay tuned and thanks for the great support and advice!

When I started this blog in April we had a Capital One Card with a balance of $3,164.12. DH has been doing a great job paying this debt off. The only trouble is that I think he wants to get rid of it so I will stop talking about it (ok, nagging).

Despite the fact that DH has not put the lunch money and other funds I have tagged towards the debt he did pour a huge amount in as well as his regular payment.

Last months balance was: $1,825.24
Regular payment:$300.00
Extra payment: $858.82 (!)
Interest: $4.59
NEW BALANCE: $671.01 WOW!

Looks like we might be able to snowball the regular payment to another account soon - much sooner than expected. Happy Dance time!

I returned med supplies for $165 and said it shoud go to the Cap 1, Groan said the DH. Another bonus of another British pounds in our change bowl that can go to the Cap 1 - another groan. But it all adds up!

Great news on the debt reduction!

May’s numbers:
Balance to start $3,162.12
Interest $14.77
Less payment of $300.00
Less lunch savings $121.00
*May Balance $2,757.89*

June’s numbers:
Balance to start $2,757.89
Interest $12.35
Less payments of $800.00
Less Kijiji income $40.00
Less gardening income $105.00
*New Balance $1,825.24* (AMAZING!)

Now that’s sweet! By doing this blog I can see that the lunches I made have not been transfer to this account so I’ll have to remind DH that he needs contribute 5 x $11 per lunch to the balance for June. If we really push we can have this Cap one card paid off in two months. It’s worth a try.

What is fascinating to me is that in the process of paying down this debt it has opened up the lines of communication on our purchases. As well, the kids have been asking good questions and so they too are being educated. I really feel that this has been a team effort and it has really opened our eyes. Can’t wait to see what we can accomplish in July!

BTW, thank you all for your onging support and input. I appreciate the time you took to respond with your great ideas and motivation.

Wow, what a great day! I found 31 cents, had a donation to my Cancer Society fund raiser valued at $119.00, had two people sign up for our fund raising booths, and had another $20 in perennials sold. Wow, it is truly amazing how kind people can be. I had to talk a friend out of donating something that was beyond their income. It's been a great day for both personal and fund raising income. And what's that about - who leaves money around for me to pick up?

I didn't realize that blogging twice in one day would remove my first blog. But it's really important. We found a lot of money and you need to be aware of the opportunity. Please read "Creative way to find money #2". Thanks!

Now that we're power paying I just can't wait until the mail arrives. I always know approximately how much we've paid over the billing period but it's so exciting (and rewarding) to see how much the interest amount has decreased and how much closer we are to our goal. I like to take it "one card at a time". As well, I actually cancelled a credit card today because the interest rate was crazy. And I don't even have a job due to layoffs. But because of activity on Kijiji and other odd jobs I am able to contribute to reducing the debt. It might be pennies and dimes or a few bucks but it really adds up. Little rewards help me keep on track!

Did you know that there is unclaimed money in bank accounts? We strangely found more than $2,000 in an unknown account just by googling "unclaimed accounts" or "unclaimed money". We typed in my DH's name and up it popped. We applied for the funds and heard nothing for 60 days. Then I did a courtesy call to the bank and received a call 24 hours later that it was indeed intended for my husband. We have no clue where this money came from unless it was sent to the wrong bank in error. So we received the cheque and are still wondering about it. In Canada these dormant accounts are handled by the Bank of Canada. Sure, some are only for a few buck, but it's tax free and it's yours. And hey, send me 10% as a commission (just kidding!!!). Have fun and let me know if you have any success.

I'm starting a new category because I have read or discovered a few ways to save money.

Here's the first few ideas - I hope they help!

1. Forget those expensive 4 inch by 4 inch decorative tissue boxes! Buy "no name" kleenex in the 10 inch by 4 inch boxes. Open one side of the box and pull out the wad of kleenex. Bend the wad in half and put it in an empty used 4" x 4" decorator box by opening the bottom. Fold up the bottom. Pull out the first tissue and you're all set.

2. Take advantage of the new services offered by Rona and other hardware stores to return your old paint cans and batteries for free disposal. In most cases it will save a lot of gas driving to the dump for safe disposal.

3. If you are not using the Freecycle website sign up now! It's a great way to give and receive items at zero cost and keep things out of the landfill.

4. Use your library to rent DVD's. Most are free or have a nominal fee of 25 cents. And you can keep them for a week.

That's it for now. More to come.

A few days ago I sold a broken trumpet. I know, strange, eh? I listed it on kijiji and specifically said it was for decor or for a prop. This was a no name brand trumpet that was good for nothing. But a guy came by who fixes them for an amateur concert band. He plans to fix it for some of his fellow musicians. So another $40 went onto the Capital One balance. Who'da'thunk?

Hey there. Does anyone have any experience on Ebay? What sells? Do you try to sell lots of small things or a few big things? Any ideas and advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

I paid another $105 to the Cap 1 card today. It's money I made doing a neighbour's planters. I sold another $10 worth of perennials as well. Will update the with the new balance when I get the next bill. I've also started a new jar that one blogger suggested and it's just for found money. I'd like to find out just how much money I do find in a month.