While I was in the hospital and the few days before I managed to compose a massive amount of posts ranging from product reviews, to finance goals, plans and thought, to personal posts about what I loved about being pregnant, and what I hated. Maybe the pain medication in labour contributed, maybe fate, but ALL those posts were lost. From a combination of my stubbornness about being hurt they were lost and distraction of a new baby finally coming home after long hospital stay, I choose not to write. Did I mention my computer had slowed to 45 minutes per (very short) post as I literally had to wait seconds for the words I typed to appear on the screen? I think I could also bake cookies while I waited as the temperature of my laptop would go up so high.
I am happy to say that this is my test post, and that my boyfriend is absolutely wonderful for fixing it! .It's old so he was limited in what he could do, but I was going to stick to my budget and not replace it until I felt I had paid off enough debt. Aka, no time soon. It's fantastic to live with someone who has skills! <3
Happy Thanksgiving to my american friends.
Friday, November 28, 2014
Saturday, October 4, 2014
6 month follow-up
Around April, when my pregnancy was beginning to get real, and all the legalities from the sale of my house had settled, I was able to total my debts. I was also starting to find some stable ground to stand on. Because I now had a tiny ticking time bomb inside me, I wanted to create a road map to get where I wanted to be to help the beautiful person-to-be inside me enter a more stable home. I love, love, LOVED my house, but it had become an anchor pulling me into financial terrority I did not want to be in. In addition to the value of my home dropping over 30%, I was losing money each month that it was rented out. I still feel confident that I had the capital to ride it out, in 7, 10 or 18 years the value of home would have risen, and the investment would have paid off well. Yet, at the time, I was struggling with credit card debt, lines of credit, and not making enough money to have a positive balance at the end of the month. At this point in time, I no longer had my home, and instead owed other people over $65,000.
My goals in May, 2014 were:
1. Pay off my $10,500 credit card balance transfer, at $4101 in May PASS - Paid in full :D
2. Pay $1800 of my line of credit FAIL - only paid off $1000
3. Pay $600 on student loan #1 PASS - Paid in full :D
4. Pay $300 on student loan #2 PASS - Paid $575
5. Pay $1500 on personal loan PASS - Paid $1500
6. Save $1000 for maternity leave PASS - saved $1500
7. Save 5750 as an emergency fund PASS - saved $750
May:
Total Debt: $58,425
Total Savings $5
October:
Total Debt: $46.000
Total Savings: $2250
Total debt reduction: $12,425
There were broken down month by month and pay by pay. I had to alter these goals in August (I may write a blog post about this) as it was becoming clearer that I would be induced prior to the end of October, and I had some financial targets I wanted to hit to feel "ready" for the baby. I highly recommend this for both long and short term goals. It's a great way to see if your goal is realistic, and how hard it may be to obtain. In my case, I was incredibly hard to stick to my debt repayment/savings budget but being 1) short term 2) a upcoming huge life event and 3) just prior to pay reduction (taking maternity leave) a good choice for me.
Between March and the end of October I've reduced my overall debt about $19,000 and increased my savings by around $2000 (which I will be using until I receive my EI and can complete another budget). I've had a lot of demons but .... that's none too shabby.
My goals in May, 2014 were:
1. Pay off my $10,500 credit card balance transfer, at $4101 in May PASS - Paid in full :D
2. Pay $1800 of my line of credit FAIL - only paid off $1000
3. Pay $600 on student loan #1 PASS - Paid in full :D
4. Pay $300 on student loan #2 PASS - Paid $575
5. Pay $1500 on personal loan PASS - Paid $1500
6. Save $1000 for maternity leave PASS - saved $1500
7. Save 5750 as an emergency fund PASS - saved $750
May:
Total Debt: $58,425
Total Savings $5
October:
Total Debt: $46.000
Total Savings: $2250
Total debt reduction: $12,425
There were broken down month by month and pay by pay. I had to alter these goals in August (I may write a blog post about this) as it was becoming clearer that I would be induced prior to the end of October, and I had some financial targets I wanted to hit to feel "ready" for the baby. I highly recommend this for both long and short term goals. It's a great way to see if your goal is realistic, and how hard it may be to obtain. In my case, I was incredibly hard to stick to my debt repayment/savings budget but being 1) short term 2) a upcoming huge life event and 3) just prior to pay reduction (taking maternity leave) a good choice for me.
Between March and the end of October I've reduced my overall debt about $19,000 and increased my savings by around $2000 (which I will be using until I receive my EI and can complete another budget). I've had a lot of demons but .... that's none too shabby.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Anxiety
It's amazing how much time just being sad can take up. I had a rather large moment of anxiety this morning. I thought it had only stumbled on a few moments of my day. The clock, however, indicated that over one hour of my precious morning time had been stolen. In the words of the Price is Right: "That's too much!". I'm concerned about what will happen to my finances, my relationships (including with the boyfriend and my daughter), my job, my routines, etc. when I begin maternity leave. Which could be any day now... Scary!
I feel like I am starting to get a good financial plan in, and I've been chucking money into my savings, hopefully to prevent me from having to use any credit until my EI comes in. I am also aware I can't do a complete budget until then, so I am thinking wisely, and make mental notes of what is a "need" and what is a "want". This can sometimes leads to spiraling because there are so many things I need to buy (food, gas, certain child care items, daycare, minimum loan payments, RRSP contributions, ...) and so many more that I want to buy (subscriptions, more food, birthday presents, household items, organizational items, ...). This sometimes leads to negative thoughts spiraling as I tend to focus on how I may have picked one or two "wants" in place of a "need" eventually becoming something along the lines of "I am such a failure, I don't deserve anything including happiness or respect. I am nothing but my failures which indicated by the amount of debt I have, and how little I am putting towards it". It can get as dark as "I don't deserve my child, she deserves someone better to be her mom.". Worse of all, awful negative sentiments from my daughter's father from when he wanted me to abort the baby will enter my mind and they are the most untrue and hard thoughts to get out! Keeping in mind that I have been put over 50% of my salary on debt, paid off $10,000+ credit card debt, and dealt with some major life changes in the past 24 months, I should have nothing but confident I can do this.
Obviously, I haven't been able to cope as effectively as I would like. I do not want to keep wasting my time (and likely my health) worrying this much about my financial future. I think I need to re-employ a few tasks that have helped in the past.
1. Set aside time for worry
2. Start journaling my worries
3. Follow with a list of three great things in my life
4. Focusing on the moment, and all the things I might be missing.
5. Revise my thought patterns. Stop spiraling before it begins.
For example, I am trying to turn it from.. "I am so in debt, I can't afford anything" to "I'm so thankful, I have had a change to pay off as much debt as I have". Or change "I wish I could buy that. Why did I make so many mistakes" to "I've made some hard choices, and I'm very glad I paid extra on my line of credit this month". Or "I'm going to be in debt forever. I should give up and buy this. Why does it even matter?" to "I'm not going to let myself still be paying off my student loans when I'm 40. I'm going to crush those suckers!".
Most of the time, I really do feel lucky. I am going to be proactive to make sure it stays most of the time. Life is beautiful. I intend on seeing it that way.
Are you able to tell when you anxieties are starting to interfere with your life? How to do change it around to focus on the good?
I feel like I am starting to get a good financial plan in, and I've been chucking money into my savings, hopefully to prevent me from having to use any credit until my EI comes in. I am also aware I can't do a complete budget until then, so I am thinking wisely, and make mental notes of what is a "need" and what is a "want". This can sometimes leads to spiraling because there are so many things I need to buy (food, gas, certain child care items, daycare, minimum loan payments, RRSP contributions, ...) and so many more that I want to buy (subscriptions, more food, birthday presents, household items, organizational items, ...). This sometimes leads to negative thoughts spiraling as I tend to focus on how I may have picked one or two "wants" in place of a "need" eventually becoming something along the lines of "I am such a failure, I don't deserve anything including happiness or respect. I am nothing but my failures which indicated by the amount of debt I have, and how little I am putting towards it". It can get as dark as "I don't deserve my child, she deserves someone better to be her mom.". Worse of all, awful negative sentiments from my daughter's father from when he wanted me to abort the baby will enter my mind and they are the most untrue and hard thoughts to get out! Keeping in mind that I have been put over 50% of my salary on debt, paid off $10,000+ credit card debt, and dealt with some major life changes in the past 24 months, I should have nothing but confident I can do this.
Obviously, I haven't been able to cope as effectively as I would like. I do not want to keep wasting my time (and likely my health) worrying this much about my financial future. I think I need to re-employ a few tasks that have helped in the past.
1. Set aside time for worry
2. Start journaling my worries
3. Follow with a list of three great things in my life
4. Focusing on the moment, and all the things I might be missing.
5. Revise my thought patterns. Stop spiraling before it begins.
For example, I am trying to turn it from.. "I am so in debt, I can't afford anything" to "I'm so thankful, I have had a change to pay off as much debt as I have". Or change "I wish I could buy that. Why did I make so many mistakes" to "I've made some hard choices, and I'm very glad I paid extra on my line of credit this month". Or "I'm going to be in debt forever. I should give up and buy this. Why does it even matter?" to "I'm not going to let myself still be paying off my student loans when I'm 40. I'm going to crush those suckers!".
Are you able to tell when you anxieties are starting to interfere with your life? How to do change it around to focus on the good?
Monday, September 22, 2014
Meme Box My cute wishlist #2 review
Meme Box, which many bloggers are calling the best thing in beauty boxes, is a buy as you like beauty box from Korea. Prices range from $19 - $39 and vary from themes to complete mystery to "naked" boxes where you know what you are ordering in advance.
I like cute things, and couldn't stop myself from ordering My Cute Wishlist #2. I had controlled myself and let the first one slip through my hands.
All products were full size and I love the pink boxes they ship in.
1. Sally's Box, Friendly Berry lip patch. I tried this out and couldn't get it to stick on my lips. Glad I didn't buy it myself! $3.
2. RoseMine, Perfumed hand cream. This both looks and smells like a grama. I think I might try to gift it to my mom, You know, a grama. $12
3. The Yeon, Style Y fruity swirl lip balm in Strawberry. It's a lip gloss, haven't tried it yet. $8.
4. SaintPeau, Collagen pudding sleeping pack. The pig is cute, but I'm not sure if I would call this product cute. Apply after cleaning, wash off in the morning. I have been afraid to try sleep masks as I don't want to get my pillow dirty. $36.
5. Evas, Vitamin cleaning dessert in red wine. This smells nice, more grape-like than wine-like. I didn't like the chocolate variety, so I'm unsure if I would use this. $18
6. It's Skin, Babyface Blusher. Finally something I would call cute! $7
Total cost $23 plus $6.99 shipping
Total value (according to Meme Box) $84
A great value, even if prices were inflated 50%. However, I don't really see how these items fit "cute wishlist". If you like Korean beauty products, My cute wishlist #4 was just announced today. Please use my link and check out the superboxes/value sets. You'll be able to sace $5 on orders over $100.
Fall Luxe Box Review
After being very disappointed in my first Luxe Box - you know the one that never arrived, and then the replacement that wasn't shipped, and the cheque for the amount I over paid that never arrived - I wondered what my second Luxe Box would have. I was tempted by a few of the promotional upgrade boxes, but I was/am still upset about the half-assed attempt to correct their many mistakes and unhelpful customer service.
I do have to admit the boxes are nice. I have one problem with the cardboard boxes they ship in. The glue is so weak, I can't believe more boxes just don't go missing. Perhaps Canada Post only hires staff with delicate hands.
I received seven products.
1. Loose Button, Fan Brush, $18
2. AG Hair, High and Dry Finish Spray, sample size 50 mL, $8.00
3. Lila Grace, Tropical scents body lotion, sample size 65 mL, $4.00
4. So Susan, Universal blush, full size, $17,50
5. Burt Bees, Lip gloss in "Ruby Moon", full size, $12.99
6. Amarte, Aqua Veil Pure Hydration Serum, sample size 5 mL, $4.50
7. Amarte, Aqua cream, sample size 5 mL, $10.00
I will probably use all these products, so no waste here. I like the brush, but to me it doesn't fit the $18 loose button value. I just don't feel wowed, and I'm still disgrunted from last month. I'll be pondering for the next few days if I want to continue this subscription or not. I subscribed to many boxes as I had "run out" of beauty products, but I think I have become well stocked again :)
Total cost $26 plus GST
Total value $74.99 (Pretty amazing!)
If you're interested, use my link and I think you'll get a discount for the winter box. The final day to sign up is December 3rd, and the link should be active until then.
What did you think of the Fall Luxe Box? Did you upgrade?
September Topbox. Review
This is my last month of double topboxes.
TopBox is a monthly Canadian beauty subscription box containing 4 samples for $12.00 plus tax a month. One of the features is a distinct mailing tube. I might use mine to wrap some Christmas presents this year.
My two boxes were very similar.
My first box contained:
Bioderma Sebium foaming gel. 15 mL sample, $19.95/20 mL. Value of sample $1.50
Amina perk-up dry shampoo. This seems very nice. Sample size 21.3 g, guessing value at $1.50
Illumalift brightening cream sample. Sample size.
Teeez nail polish in raging ruby. Full size, $15.
My second box contained:
Bioderma Sebium foaming gel. 15 mL sample, $19.95/20 mL. Value of sample $1.50
Amina perk-up dry shampoo. This seems very nice. Sample size 21.3 g, guessing value at $1.50
Lancôme genifique light-pearl. Sample size 5 mL, estimated value $22.
Essie nail polish in sand tropez. Full size, $9.99.
The value is good ($18 for box 1 and $35 for box 2) but the items I know I will use are the two lower end samples leaving me wondering if I should continue with the box or focus $12 on debt and introduce a few less things into my house.
I didn't update my August topbox. I received a special box (x2) of three ombrelle SPF 60 samples. A great size to pack around, and I hope I'll be able to use them up this fall.
September ipsy glam bag review
I looked at the sneak peak, so I knew what was coming at the beginning of the month. I don't have prices now, but I'll try to go back later and add them.
First, the Hikari lipstick in Cabernet. This is a gorgeous deep fall red. I'm not sure if this will match me, but it is a colour I would love to have the confidence to pull off. Full size.
UPDATE: Something in this lipstick causes an allergic reaction on my daughter's skin. I tried it out, saw it doesn't match my skin tone, and teased my daughter by leaving kiss marks on her belly. The rash was very mild, and cleared fast.
Pacifica 7 free nail colour in red red wine. Lovely packaging! I'm drowning in nail place polish, so I'll likely gift this to keep my makeup in one room of the house ;) full size.
Mitchell and Peach Floral no. 1 hand cream. This smells just like a hotel hand lotion, and feels similar. 30 mL.
Nourish organic face cleanser in cucumber and watermelon. True to its name, I can't smell anything. Organic and moisturizing. I'll add this to my shower. Size unspecified.
Be a bombshell smooth criminal powder. This was the product I was excited about and true to BaB, I can't get it out of the box. I look forward to trying this. 4 g.
Cost of this bag $11 plus $4.95 shipping. I'm not feeling rewarded with goodies this month, but I did get a staple and a fun product. If I have time, I'll go back and update the prices, I feel like the value is higher than what I paid. If you want to try Ipsy, please use my link.
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