Give Me Back My Five Bucks

RSS Feed Homepage

Articles: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Beefing up the Blogroll
2007-11-07 20:50:00
I've gotten an awful lot of e-mail lately from readers of this blog, and I'm sorry I haven't gotten around to replying to all of you yet, but that will be my blog priority today and this evening, so don't you worry!Also, I've added just a couple new blogs to the ol' Blogroll , and here they are:LifeEdit.net - a Canadian PF blog about frugality, productivity, organization and family living. There are a lot of great articles here, ranging from 5 Tips on Quitting Your Day Job, to Looking at your Financial Picture, to the latest article, How to Write a Great Resume.Frugal Noodle - a twenty-something journalist getting a handle on her budget and her future.NancyZimmerman.com - she also runs Your Money By Design! Nancy is a Canadian money coach set on helping middle-income Canadians take charge of their money and get ahead in life.If you're a new reader here (or a long-time lurker ... I know there are lots of you out there!), and you want to exchange links, you know what to do! :)

The times, they are a-changin'
2007-11-07 17:55:00
My Google horoscope today read:It may feel like your time is running out, but this is an illusion and it's important that you don't buy into it. It's time to consolidate the gains you've made over the past weeks and accept it that the times really are changing. You have all the time you'll ever need if you willingly change with the changing times. How appropriate and true.I contacted HR about that internal posting I didn't think I got short-listed for (it closed Oct 22nd), and she told me that they were just finalizing their short list now, and are looking at interviewing mid-late next week. So I figure if I haven't heard from them by Friday, then I definitely didn't get an interview. In the meantime, I've applied for a few more job postings that I think I have a really good shot at. Fingers crossed!I still haven't posted any new items to eBay, and I haven't written a PPP opp in a few days. Still feeling under the weather, but that's really no excuse. Gotta get on it.Als...
More About: Times , The Times , The Time

Dropped $275 yesterday on sunglasses. Again.
2007-11-06 18:45:00
As if things couldn't get any worse, I have officially lost my prescription sunglasses that I bought in May under the ex-BF's health plan. Haven't seen them in over a month. So yesterday, I went to the mall and bought myself another pair. For $275. And this time, they aren't going to be covered by medical (the plan only covers $200 for eye wear every 2 years).I'll be fine in terms of paying for them, but I'm frustrated and angry at myself for losing something so expensive ... and if it had been anything else, I probably wouldn't have replaced it ... but I need sunglasses for riding my scooter, and since I'm required to wear glasses while I drive, I had to get them prescription. Plus, I get really dizzy and nauseous on days when I wear my non-prescription sunglasses.The women at the store was nice enough, and said that if I found my old sunglasses (or if I didn't like my new pair), I could return them within 60 days for a full refund. They're being sent to the lab, and I sh...
More About: Yesterday , Sunglasses

Taking each day as it comes
2007-11-05 17:38:00
I'm finding it really stressful right now. I'm going through so many different emotions, and so much is happening ... yet, nothing is happening. The BF is still living with me until the end of the month, so he can find a place to stay. Obviously, this makes things awkward, and I can't really feel like this transition is complete until he leaves. So for the month of November, I'll be in limbo, and it's really an uncomfortable feeling for me.I applied for a few more jobs over the weekend in the city. They are more entry-level than what I was after, but I really want to stay here, and I don't want to move away. I love this city, my part-time job, my field hockey team, and I love my friends/family. Somehow it doesn't seem worth it to move out of the province just for a job, and in the process, give up everything that makes me happy.
More About: Taking

Update: Day 4 of November PPP Challenge
2007-11-05 03:15:00
A few days ago, I made it my goal to earn $300 during the month of November in PPP opps. It's the end of Day 4, and I've already made $84.00!!! I mean, that's not a lot of money, but it's still something ... and I really only have to buy Christmas presents for my dad and sister, since my mom is already accounted for, and the BF and I have split up ...When I update my PPP money on my sidebar, I still can't believe I've made that much money so far just for writing some posts every now and then. And it's not like I write a PPP opp every day ... sometimes I go a week without a single PPP opp, and then I'll do 2 in a day. It's a great way to earn some extra cash.
More About: Update , Challenge , Halle

Buying groceries and a life change
2007-11-05 00:46:00
So I just went grocery shopping by myself for the first time in a really long time, and even though I know I could have saved a bit more money (spent $7.99 on organic greens when they cost $3.99 at Costco, and $5.28 on asparagus, but I'm an idiot and didn't realize they were that expensive until I got home), I don't think I did too badly. For a week's worth of groceries, I spent $35.63. I also used coupons to save $4.79 on the bill, otherwise it would have been higher.I know I could have done better, but that's still only about $1.70 per meal. And if I had bought the greens from Costco and just said no to the asparagus, my week's worth of groceries would have only been around $26-27.I did browse through the flyer online before I went, and I did create a vague sort of grocery list, but I know I can do better than $35.63. That didn't even include any meat, because I have frozen chicken in the fridge.So maybe some of you caught on that since I'm shopping for one this week, some...
More About: Life , Buying , Change , Groceries , Erie

Looking for a lawyer in the LA area?
2007-11-04 19:07:00
Note: the following post is sponsoredWhen you're facing criminal charges (which I hope none of my readers are!!!), you need experts who are available to take your case quickly and confidently.If you're in the Los Angeles area, look no further than Los Angeles Criminal Attorneys | California Felony Misdemeanor DUI Defense Lawyer s Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin, LLP, a self-proclaimed "dream team" powerhouse criminal law boutique specializing in aggressive defense on all misdemeanor and felony cases.With over 50 years experience, Kestenbaum Eisner & Gorin LLP has been rated a Top 5% U.S. Law Firm. Firm partners are available 24/7 for an Immediate Confidential Consultation.
More About: Area

The part-time job
2007-11-04 18:02:00
Over the past 2 weeks, I've worked 23.5 hrs. at the part-time job. That's not a lot of extra cash coming in, and unfortunately it's not a job where I can ask for more hours either. But with the bills and expenses I have to pay each month, it'll be really tight but doable. I just won't be able to save any money. Fingers crossed that I start getting some job interviews soon for a full-time job.Speaking of the part-time job, I mentioned last week that my boss wasn't exactly doing a bang-up job, and last night I had numerous co-workers express their concerns about her to me. I'm not sure what to do at this point. I'm sure she knows that she's not doing a good enough job, but she's the kind of person who believes everything will just fall into place in the end, no matter what. I don't think she realizes how much extra leg work I have to do in order to cover up her mistakes and oversights. It's getting to the point where I'm getting really frustrated. My staff are unhappy wit...
More About: Time , Part

Where did you guys all go?
2007-11-04 16:42:00
Yesterday I had 92 feed readers, and now, according to the counter I have on my sidebar, I'm down to 42. Where did those 50 readers go? :(That seems like a pretty harsh jump.
More About: Guys

For free food and free electronics, I'll sit through anything
2007-08-23 17:24:00
Last week I got an invitation in the mail to go to some seminar about internet marketing. I could bring one guest, there would be lunch provided, and we would each walk away with an MP3 player (on the pamphlet, it showed the iPod shuffle, but it's probably some cheapo knock off). Anyway, it looked sketchy - like they were just going to talk to us about some pyramid scheme.I showed it to the BF, and he said we should go. I mean, it's not like we had any plans anyway. The presentation is only 90 minutes, and we get a free lunch out of it and a free MP3 player, so why not? We aren't obligated to sign up for anything. So I called the toll-free number and registered us to attend on Saturday for the lunch session. Free is free, after all. Will let you know how it goes.One of my best friends, her BF is currently living in France for 2-3 years because his company transferred him over there to train the European division of offices (or something like that). He's back in town for 3 weeks ...
More About: Electronics , Food

Who watches "The Office"?
2007-08-23 01:52:00
bahahaha!! I love The Office .
More About: The Office , Watches , The O

My best friend is officially my boss
2007-08-22 18:44:00
My friend got the job, so now she is officially my boss. How strange. My sister (who is one of the game day staff members that I manage) thinks that my friend is going to be calling me all the time with questions about the position, since I'm the only one who knows exactly how certain tasks are supposed to be done. We're having coffee later on this week to talk about her job. :) I'm really excited for her because it's a great opportunity to gain some experience and further her career.Now that the position has been filled, I have to confess that I'm really glad I ended up not taking the job. I thought my boss made a pretty crummy salary for all the work that she had to do, but it turns out my friend was offered (and has accepted) a salary $7,000 lower than what my boss was making!!! If you break that down, it ends up being worse than the hourly wage my sister was making last year working at KFC! And it's not like she's working a 40 hr. week either ... more like 50-65 hrs, mean...
More About: Friend , Boss , Ally

Spending money for a good cause
2007-08-21 22:12:00
Today and tomorrow at work, we're doing a sort of clothing swap - where everyone donates their old clothes, and you can buy items with all proceeds going to our charitable foundation. I think it's a fabulous idea because I was planning on cleaning out my closet and giving a lot of clothes away to goodwill. We have just over 150 employees here, so it'll be weird seeing people walk around, wearing castoffs from other people ... but I'm sure there's some good stuff because all the co-workers who work in my office, they all dress nicely and are around my age. I'm definitely excited to check out all the stuff and hopefully buy some new (to me) clothes!This whole clothing swap thing wasn't hard to put together, and it's a really frugal way to score clothes from your fashionable co-workers ... without having to put up with the secondhand store smell. :)Also, I've been eBaying lately and picked up a new pair of summer sandals for $35 including shipping! In the stores they were $130...
More About: Money , Spending , Good

Has your boss ever been one of your best friends?
2007-08-20 22:46:00
Remember when I posted about my boss leaving her job at the arena, and how I really wanted the job, but it just didn't pay enough? Well, it's been over a month now, and they still haven't hired anyone - but a very good friend of mine (who graduated college from the same program as me) has a job interview tomorrow for it! The season's coming up quick, so I'm sure they want to fill the spot ASAP.I'm excited for her because she's been stuck at a lousy job since we graduated, and she's been wanting to get out for the longest time. However, if she got the job, I think it would be really weird for her to be my boss. I've never been in a situation before where, not only would a close friend be my boss, but my boss would also be younger than me. It seems strange, and I know we work well together, but somewhere the line will have to be drawn between employer and employee, and that's never been done before with us. We've always been equals.Maybe I'm not making any sense, but it fe...
More About: Friends , Boss , Best friends , Been

Baking cookies and renting movies
2007-08-20 17:41:00
In an effort to get rid of those Belgian chocolate pieces (I was eating too many for my own good!), last night I baked chocolate chip cookies. Thankfully, I had everything I needed in the pantry so I didn't have to spend any money. I baked 2 dozen and then froze the rest of the dough to use later. As soon as the BF smelled the freshly baked cookies, he grabbed a glass of milk and started cramming them down his throat.I also noticed that I have about 6 or 7 bananas in the freezer, so that means I'll have to muster up the energy to bake banana bread sometime soon. Yum!Also, yesterday we went to the video store to pick up a few movies to watch: 300 (his choice) and Little Miss Sunshine (my choice). We both pretty much hated 300, but LMS was really cute. We paid $8 total to rent those movies, and I guess it was a shock to us that it cost that much! We rarely ever rent movies, but when we do, we usually only pay $2 for each new release, since our local video store only charges a toonie...
More About: Movies , Baking , Cookies , Renting , Cookie

If I could give just one piece of advice ...
2007-08-20 03:42:00
Well I was tagged by Loonies And Sense to continue Moolanomy's My One Money Advice (MOMA) Meme. The aim of this meme is to help promote financial responsibility and awareness in our hyper consumption society.The question: If you can give one advice, tip, or story related to money, what would you share?That's a hard question. After thinking about this for a while, my advice would be:"When you think you can't ... you can."For me, it was all about budgeting; for years I just stuck my head in the sand and did nothing about my finances. I let the debt pile up and just kept on spending. The debt seemed too big for me to handle ... that there was no way I could get myself out of my situation, so why bother trying?When I finally sat down and tried to figure out a budget, it was really hard for me because I never had a budget before. Every month, I would revisit my budget and see if there was any fat I could trim off. It became a game to me - how little can I spend each pay period? It was...
More About: One Piece , Give , Piece

Weekend spending recap
2007-08-20 00:40:00
If I was going to get sick during any weekend this summer, I'm glad it was this one. It's cloudy and gloomy, so the BF and I didn't end up going camping anyway. I'm really not wanting to go to work tomorrow, but I don't think I'm sick enough to not go. We'll see how I feel tomorrow morning.Friday evening, the BF and I went out for dinner with his parents, and another couple and their son. Maybe it's because I'm usually not one to splurge on dining out at fancy restaurants, but this place was expensive!! My meal alone cost $60, not including the multiple glasses of wine I had. It was a delicious meal, but I don't know if I would go there again, only because of the price. Whenever we go out with the BF's parents, we always go to such fancy restaurants. I usually don't even KNOW what the dish is I'm ordering. For example, I ordered lamb for my main course, but from the description, I had no idea what it came with or how it was being prepared. Anyway it ended up coming wit...
More About: Weekend , Spending , Recap

Sing your troubles away (and try to win $5,000!)
2007-08-18 00:26:00
Note: the following post is sponsoredAt GotTrouble.com, they are having a contest where you could win $5,000 just by shooting and recording a music video (under 3 minutes) about life's troubles ... upload the video to YouTube, and enter the "Sing Your Troubles Away" contest!With GotTrouble.com?s Video Promotion, I probably would choose Loans & Credit as my problem to sing about, since I have an RRSP loan to deal with. As much as I love music, I have no musical talent, and I'm not very creative ... so coming up with 4 lines of lyrics (as per the Contest Rules) would probably be pretty difficult for me. Here's what I did just for the purposes of this post:I went to the lender,Because I'm a big spender;Wanted to buy a home,Of my very ownClearly I have no talent, but I'm okay with that. :)

Make money online with ALGLOCO.com
2007-08-17 23:38:00
Note: the following post is sponsoredAgloco.com is the first internet-based network where you will get paid for all of your online activity. When you download their Viewbar, members benefit from engaging (yet unobtrusive) content tailored to their individual interests. You can also get paid by referring friends to the community (and those friends who refer their friends).So basically once the Viewbar is installed, it automatically records the time you're actively online. With referrals, you are paid at an hourly rate when the people you recruit are using the Viewbar.Using their members calculator, I estimated I could directly refer 3 people a month, and those people would directly refer another 3 people a month. With an average of 5 hours of internet surf time per month, that would give me $458.75/month in earnings.It's something to think about, because let's face it, free money is the best kind of money.
More About: Money , Make Money , Make Money Online , Online , Make

I've blocked out those awful jr. high french classes for a reason
2007-08-17 21:52:00
Every woman in the office is literally tripping over themselves to get the attention of the new French guy. Not me. Nope, it's not going to happen. What's the point of trying to get the attention of someone when the only French phrases I know are snippets of what I remember from watching Telefrancais (oh the sweet memories of the dancing skeletons and talking pineapples) during French class when I was a kid? I highly doubt "Je suis un ananas" is going to impress anyone.For all my Canadian readers out there, here's a flashback to your childhood:Sorry this blog hasn't been as focused on money and finance as it could be ... everything is on autopilot right now in terms of saving and meeting my financial goals. But don't worry, I'll have actual content posted up here before you know it. So just sit back, relax, and enjoy the Telefrancais!P.S. don't forget to check out the skeleton rock concert near the end of the last video. I nearly choked on my salad as I was watching it. What ...
More About: Classes , Reason , High , Awful

If you had to choose between chocolate or sex for the rest of your life ...
2007-08-17 21:43:00
Today at work they were selling these 25 oz tins of Belgian milk chocolate pieces for only $3 (regular price $25). No, I'm not kidding. So now we're all going around the office clutching our open tins, the smell of chocolate in the air and on our breath.Not even the French guy, with his gorgeous smile and his persistent winking, can deter us from the chocolate.So, which would I choose, chocolate or sex?I'd better go see if I can buy a couple more tins.
More About: Life , Chocolate , Rest , Choose , Chocolat

It took 10 minutes to spend $2,500+
2007-08-17 18:55:00
Don't worry, it's not what you think. Today is pay day, and between my two jobs I brought home $2,582.93. It only took about 10 minutes to spend all of it through online banking. :)My sidebars are now updated to reflect the new amounts.$1,200 RRSPs ($700 money market, $500 t-bill)$250 Condo Down Payment Fund$25 ING "Treat Myself" Fund$160 Emergency Fund$750 RRSP loan repayment$98.41 Visa bill$69.79 Mastercard bill
More About: Minutes , Utes

Just wondering ...
2007-08-17 17:29:00
For those doing PPP, have you ever checked off the "donate to charity" button when you submit a new opp?I never have, and I feel a little guilty about it ... but not guilty enough to donate. I'm always suspicious of businesses that "donate" to charity, because who's to say they actually are? And how much of that is actually going to charity? I'm sure it's in the fine print somewhere on the site, but regardless, I prefer to physically go down and volunteer at the soup kitchen or the homeless shelter ... somewhere I can see that I'm helping out and making a difference. I volunteered at a retirement home for 7 years, was a Big Sister, did my internship with a not-for-profit HIV/AIDS awareness organization, and have been volunteering at my local homeless shelter for the past 3 years. Not that I think I should be applauded for any of that ... I think everyone should do their part to pitch in and help those less fortunate.Anyway, the point of this entire post was just to see if I was...
More About: Erin

All the cool people are doing it
2007-08-17 00:40:00
Note: the following post is sponsoredCan I tell you a secret? Well, I guess it's not really a secret since I'm posting it on this blog, and I've already mentioned it once in a comment on NIUiceprincess' blog ... but I met my boyfriend of 2 years on an internet dating site. That's right, I said it.In fact, I love online dating sites, and here's why:It's time-efficient. I'm too old, and I don't have the time or patience to deal with the bar scene, where maybe once in a blue moon you'll be able to strike up a conversation with someone that's even worth something. With online dating, you can browse through people's profiles from the comfort of your own home, and you can judge within seconds whether you're going to be attracted to that person or not.It saves on money. What's the point of going on a date and spending money on drinks, dinner, entertainment, etc. only to find out that you aren't compatible? With online dating, I have the luxury of "screening" potential applic...
More About: People , Cool , Doing

Is it almost over yet?
2007-08-16 23:42:00
I had coffee with a friend the other night who told me he lost $4,000 this week alone with his investments, the BF has lost hundreds in the supposedly "safe" stocks that he has, and after reading the CBC article, "TSX slump becomes a correction," I am utterly depressed.All the new money I'm putting into my RRSPs are into MM or T-Bill funds, but I still have about $4k stuck in funds (in both my RRSP and non-registered accounts) that have been sliding downhill for an entire month. I'm now officially in Negative Return Valley, where everything is red, as far as they eye can see. I should have taken that money out earlier, but wanted to avoid the 2% fee because most of it hadn't been in my account for the required 90 days. In hindsight, that 2% fee would have been peanuts compared to what I've lost. And now it's just too late to even think about moving that money around. I might as well wait it out and try and gain some of my money back. After all, it can't get much worse than thi...

Looks like I'm extending my stay in Negative Return Valley
2007-08-16 23:41:00
Well, it's not as bad as it could have been. Did anyone check out the TSX this morning when it was down almost at -600 pts? I think I nearly had a heart attack at work!I wish I had more room to invest this year, because like people were saying in yesterday's post, it would be a good time to buy cheap. But I can only invest a max of $15,200 this year towards my RRSPs, and I'm going to need to put all of that away in safe funds for the HBP.I was thinking of investing some pocket change into my non-registered mutual funds. I've left those largely untouched for the past two months or so, but it might be a good time to throw just a bit in there while everything is so cheap.
More About: Return , Negative , Stay , Valley , Looks

British Gas Launches Greenest Energy Tariff
2007-08-16 23:31:00
Note: the following post is sponsoredI was given the opportunity today to read a press release that British Gas is launching a new green energy tariff called Zero Carbon, which will apparently be the greenest tariff available on the domestic market. I've heard of this before, and basically by agreeing to this charge on your bill, you will be leaving absolutely no carbon footprint from the energy supplied by British Gas .While this seems like a great idea in theory, I don't know how many people will be willing to spend the extra money to make this a reality. Especially those people who are on a tight budget as it is. I'd like to think that I'm somewhat environmentally conscious (we recycle, use a compost, and I ride scooter) ... but if I were faced with an optional added charge to my invoice, I'd like to say that I would agree to it and pay it, for the good of the environment ... but some part of me seems think I wouldn't. Would you?BRITISH GAS LAUNCHES GREENEST ENERGY TARIFF9 A...
More About: Energy , Greene , Riff

Do you use any sort of personal finance software?
2007-08-15 07:13:00
Note: the following post is sponsoredIn your opinion, what is the Best Personal Finance Software ? I've personally been using Quicken since last November, and it's worked wonders for my budget, and has saved me hours of inputting numbers into the complicated Excel spreadsheet I was using beforehand. In fact, I'm not sure where I would be without Quicken. It has made my life so much easier.I love how the program creates graphs and reports to determine how my money is spent. It's user-friendly and it's so easy to manage all my financial goals, plan expenses, manage taxes, graph out my investments, create a debt reduction plan, and monitor my spending patterns.If you don't already have a personal finance program that you're using, or if you're thinking of switching to a new one, I would definitely recommend Quicken.
More About: Personal Finance , Sort

That coat is nowhere to be found ...
2007-08-15 00:30:00
So, I pretty much spent the majority of last night and this afternoon searching desperately online for that cream-coloured Kenneth Cole coat. Not that I would have bought it (I might have), but it would have been nice to at least have the option to buy it.Nope, it wasn't in the cards for me.Bluefly.com is apparently the only online seller that even has that coat for sale (I think it was from last year's fall collection), and the smallest size they have is an 8. I'm a 4, so I couldn't even buy the 8 and put a bulky sweater on underneath and pretend that it fits. That would require at least a size 6.Oh well, it was probably for the best. Buying a pricey coat right now really isn't in the budget. That being said, if any of you guys find it, be sure to let me know! :) Maybe I should make it into some sort of blog contest ... where whoever finds a size 4 (online or in stores, doesn't matter) gets a prize from me. Although I don't have much to offer, and now I'm just borderlining ...

I'm dreaming of a winter coat ...
2007-08-13 23:46:00
SavingDiva and I are totally on the same wave length, because just as she posted about the coat she would buy if she weren't on a budget, I was fantasizing about the winter coats I'd buy if I weren't on a budget.The cream coloured one is by Kenneth Cole, and it is simply gorgeous. It retails for $590 US and is on sale at Bluefly for $300.99.The olive-green one is by Via Spiga, and I love it as well. It's regularily $490 US, and is on sale at Bluefly for $228.99.Eventually I will have to buy a winter coat, as I don't actually have one (last year I wore a thin black cotton jacket with a sweater underneath). Maybe not this year, but I'd like to. It's usually not cold enough over here to warrant an actual winter coat, but last year it snowed long enough for the snow to stick around for a few days (which got mighty chilly!), so perhaps it's time to take the plunge and buy a coat. If I can save up enough, I wouldn't mind investing in a lovely coat like the ones I posted pics of (...
More About: Winter , Dreaming , Ming