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 - value of my car
• ($9,658) - student loan debt
• ($3,211) - credit card debt

Through all the ups and downs - one year later my networth is $4,155. It has increased by $11,654:

• $5,949 in cash
• $978 in company shares
• $3,100 in retirement savings
• $2,000 - value of my car
• ($7,872) - student loan debt

My Story So Far

2009 commenced with fears of being laid off.  The first 8 months of 2009 was a very scary time.  I learned that I need to plan for unexpected expenses, that aren't really unexpected.  You supported me as a struggled for sooo long to pay off my credit card. You read as Jordan and i navigated combining our finances with the beginning of our joint house fund and later with a joint chequing account. 

I learnt how large of an impact $15/month can make.  I found a way to take a second job - without finding a new employer - when a started an overtime project at work.  As fears of lay off at work built, i created a budget based on EI benefits - and felt safer knowing that Jordan and I would get through whatever got thrown at us.  I started using Gails Magic Jars to knock some sense in my spending - and boy did that every help!

We've gone through roommate, after roommmate, after roommate, after roommate....

My horse, Starlight, moved to Calgary this summer - and that brought on some more unique challenges.  In efforts to find success, and to avoid more epic fails - in Mid August, i finally cut up my credit card and that's what really saved me from it's rampant use.

Jordan and I gardened, had date nights, and started planning and saving to buy my great aunt's home - and boy did we start planning for Christmas early.  We even learnt a lot about grocery shopping. 

In September, I became credit card debt free!

I got a raise in October - and we spent some heavy money in November (much to some readers disappointment) - but I hadn't lost my way.  We also negotiated a rent decrease in October and accomplished some serious savings.  Christmas went off without much of a hitch and I explored the true cost of Christmas Trees.

Early in 2010, you all helped Jordan with the first question he's asked in this forum - he loved reading the comments you left!   I actually bought shares and became a very small owner of the company I work for.

It's been an amazing journey so far - thank you!  Here are my top referrers, and some awesome bloggers - if you haven't read them already - i would highly suggest it.

1.  Saving For Later
2. Shaking The Money Tree
3. Frugal Dreamer
4. Gail Vaz-Oxlade
5. Give Me Back My Five Bucks 
6. Canadian Savings
7. Girl Makes Cents
8. Punch Debt in The Face
9. The Asian Pear
10. The Financial Catastrophizer