Funny Friday

credit: http://icanhascheezburger.com/2008/11/04/funny-pictures-depressed-econo...

Then & Now

I started this blog late in January, 2009 - at the time because i just really liked the tracking bars on Give Me Back My Five Bucks.  I started reading Krystal's blog quite a bit, then started reading others - and before long, I had one of my own. At the time, I had next to nothing in savings and had quite a bit of debt.  My networth was ($7,499): $1,500 in cash $1,870 in retirement $2,000...

Tenant's Insurance

This post is for all of the renter's out there. Landlords have very few legal obligations to compensate tenants for damage to or loss of personal posessions.  Tentants are repsonsible for harm they may cause to any part of the building where they live. Renters insurance provides coverage for your...

Homemade Bread - I Did It!

Back in October I had mentioned I wanted to learn how to make my mom's bread.  Well, at Christmas - I got the KitchenAid I so desperately wanted, and just this weekend I finally made my first loaf of bread! I'll share with you this experience, in pictures! After mixing all the ingredients...

Joint Chequing Gets a Boost

Yesterday I wrote that we might help new roommate out by letting his spare friend stay here for a couple of months - well we met him tonight and we're a go.  The guy seems pretty decent, just down on his luck - girlfriend kicked him out. We chatted for quite a while, then did a tour and talked about money.  We said that in the interest of being fair to new roommate and because we don't...

Budget Booster Potential

As you all know, Jordan and I recently had to find a new roommate.  Well, Roommate Number 4 gave us a call last night - he did not, surprisingly, say he couldn't move in.  He has a friend who is a student, and recently broke up with his girlfriend - he's down and out, trying to find somewhere to stay.  Girlfriend had all the furniture, and the place they were renting, and now he's got...

Where the money's at

I feel tight, strapped in, restricted. It's only been two and a half weeks since I was in crisis mode when my grandmother fell and broke her hip.  I had felt like things were going to be okay, but now I feel like stressed out again. I think what has happened is that after wracking up almost $700...

Back to work

I'm sure that some of you know, the province of Alberta just enjoyed a lovely long weekend.  Monday was a statutory holday for us: Family Day. We had a pretty fantastic weekend.  I got the pleasure of taking my dad to the Flames vs Ducks game on Saturday night - where we won 3 to 1.   It was his first NHL game EVER - and it was pretty cool to watch him/be with him during...

Programming Change

About five months ago, I spent some time exploring our utility bills in great details.  In particular, I was looking to reduce costs of our TV (Bell) bill.  At the time I wasn't able to find a better deal for the programming we were receiving, and we were splitting the bill 5 ways - which significanly reduced the individual expense. Shaw has been trying to woo exisiting phone/internet customers...

We should install a rotating door...

Seriously - there would probably less wear and tare on the place. Those of you who follow me on twitter, you know that we have found another roommate.  This one, let's call him....Aaron - had a look at our place the afternoon after the last person backed out and showed up the next day with TWO CERTIFIED CHEQUES.  I'm super impressed with this guys style, and I beleive he's set a new standard...

Joint Benefits

Jordan and I have finalllly put each other on our employer paid benefits! It tooks us long enough, but we'll start to reap the rewards very quickly.  From everything to prescription drug coverage to dental care - we're now doubly covered. I put together a summary of Jordan's and my benefits below,...

Mileage - What's yours?

When buying a new/used car, often one of the first questions people ask is 'how good is the mileage' - meaning how many km's (or miles) can I drive per liter (or gallon) of fuel. I've done a lot of driving over the last while, so I thought I'd explore this question a bit. I currently drive a 1997...

Parking - Saving Money

Not too long ago I told all of you that my parking rates were set to go up in February. I had hinted when I posted my 2010 budget that my parking situation would change but now the time is actually here! I called the folks who manage the lot where I park and it seems that I am fully paid for the month of February - I thought I had to pay for this month still, whoohoo!. At the end of the month...

January Utilities - Bills are In

I'm staying with my family this weekend while visiting my grandmother in the hospital and got to talking about the utility bills with my mom.  In the spirt of that conversation I thought that I would post this months bills.  When I say this months bills, I actually mean last months usage. ...

Bi-Weekly Budget

Here is this pay period's bi-weekly budget: You'll notice quite a few changes as a result of the last few weeks that were in turmoil.  I wrote yesterday about my praise for emergency funds and that I decided that instead of taking ~$650 from my emergency fund account, I would just adjust my budgets...

Hurray for Emergency Funds

As you all know, last weekend I was in crisis mode. I had a family emergency that pulled me away from Calgary and had me driving all over BC and spending a few nights in a hotel.  My grandmother (thanks to all who asked) is doing well; however, there are still risks and next steps that the family...

Roommate Wanted...follow up

Earlier today I wrote about our options when it comes to looking for a roommate and asked for a bit of help. Thanks to those folks that replied to the post, and to those that comment via twitter: eemusings @jessiesmoney personally? flat rate, assuming its realistic and reasonable. if i was...

Roommate Wanted...

I feel like I've written this post a hundred times before....well - this is actually the third time. After I got home the night before last, Jordan and I got talking and realized roommate, B-rad, hadn't left a rent cheque.  Jordan called him to ask if he had left it somewhere we couldn't see.  He say's something to the effect of ...'umm... about that' Apparently he and is on-again, off-again,...

Crisis Mode

We have gone from one crisis to another and then slapped with another. wow, am i ever tired. my whole family is tired. My grandmother fell on Thursday night. She broke her hip pretty badly. She was rushed to hospital, which is where I rushed to on Friday morning after I found out (a three hour drive). By the time I got there they were loading her up to take her to a different hospital (another three...