It feels really good to have paid my MC in full. I intend to still use it for most of my purchases since it is an AirMiles card but every day that I make a purchase I transfer the money out of my chequing to the MC and it will only be used for planned spending (groceries, gas, etc., - things that have already been budgeted for).
So I faxed off my resume today (what company in this day and age does not accept emailed resumes??) and then I went into a meeting. I get out of my meeting and my boss is asking to see me. So I find out that the fax did not go through and it spit out an undeliverable sheet that also shows the first page of my fax being my cover letter stating the position I was applying for and it is now in my boss' hands. I don't know who gave her the fax as she didn't say but at least one other person in our office knows as they are the ones that took it off the fax machine and gave it to my boss. Talk about uncomfortable. Ugh.
She has only been my boss for 2.5 weeks as she just joined us after they fired my boss 3.5 months ago, after I had only been there a week. I am not looking for a big raise or anything. That is not at all what it is about. It's about the work as I'm not really enjoying it. She and I talked and she told me how happy she has been with me these past two short weeks and that she'd hate to see me go. We talked about aspects of the role that I don't enjoy and we decided that some pieces will be delegated to the staff who report to me (I'll be starting those discussions tomorrow). She also asked me to let her know what would make this an ideal position for me and then she'll see what she can do to work toward some of that. She really is a great boss and I told her that my looking elsewhere was in no way a reflection of her.
Still. Uncomfortable!
I set out this day determined it would be a "No Spend Day" and it was and it feels good. If I tell myself the day before or the morning of, that this will be a no spend day, I am really conscience of this and make a concerted effort to not spend.
Since Aug. 17: 2 NSD
I have had many no spend days in the past but never due to a concerted effort. Yesterday I promised myself that today would be a No Spend Day and it was. I really need gas as my car is on empty but I held off and will get gas on the way in to work tomorrow. It felt good to not spend money today after making the effort not to. I cooked all three meals today and that really feels good as well as I very often have take out on the weekend.
I am going to aim for a set number (# yet to be determined) of No Spend Days each month and really strive for it.
Since August 17: 1 NSD
Today I came home to a $120 photo radar ticket in the mail. That is just money down the drain and makes me so mad. I know I have a heavy foot and I recall the day the photo was taken that I was rushing back to work from lunch and was running late so in a real hurry.
I guess I know where my mystery shopping money will be going.
GRRR!!!
Today I finally got paid for the mystery shopping assignments I did back in June. It's not a lot of money but every little bit in my pocket helps. I won't get paid for July's assignments until September and that will be a larger payment as I did more assignments.
I find that the larger dollar stores like Everything for a Dollar and Dollarama in particular have some great bargains to be had. Now, of course there are some things that I would not pay $1 for as the quality just isn't there but here are some of the things I regularly buy at the $ Store:
The weekends are the hardest time for me to keep spending and eating right in check.
Since going to Dinner Revolution Meal Assembly a week ago and bringing home good, nutritious meals that just need to be taken out of the freezer and cooked, my eating has been a lot better. It is quick and for someone like me who works two jobs, quick is of utmost importance. I had thought of trying out these meal assembly places before but always thought they would be too expensive. Then I saw Gail, TDDUP, recommend these places to one of the couples on her show and I knew they couldn't be that bad if she thought it was a good idea. Thanks Gail!
On the spending front it has been a good weekend. I worked yesterday and did buy food ($12) as I just didn't feel like eating the lunch I brought with me. I don't expect to spend much today either as the only things I need to run out for are produce from the local produce market, which is considerably cheaper than the supermarkets, and coffee filters from the Dollar Store.
I'm thinking of maybe taking in a cheap movie at the dollar theater this afternoon for something to do.
I was so very surprised to see that Gail from TDDUP posted on my blog with some very sound advice. I respect her so very much and to have her take the time to write means a lot to me. I don't know if she'll ever be back to see my reply.
Her concern was that I may be allocating too much money to debt repayment and not enough to the emergency fund, fun category and savings. I have a large, 6 figure, retirement nest egg and continue to put 10% of my income toward my retirement each month. I have over one full month's worth of expenses in my chequing account at all times as I live on last month's money (month-end pay for July will be for September's expenses as August's money is already in the bank) and I have a misc. emergency account of $1000. I do allow room in my budget for "fun" such as dinners out with the girls, taking in a movie from time to time, spending a fun Saturday morning with a friend at the Farmer's Market with brunch to follow, a monthly facial, etc. I actually think I might allow myself too much "fun" money and may need to trim this back a bit. I also have a savings account that I put $75/month into that is not earmarked for anything in particular, though could become my vacation fund.
I do agree that the emergency fund could and should be larger and this is something I will concentrate on, likely by trimming back the "fun" money, while still allowing myself room for entertainment.
