Each year I am still astounded that cheques are still in use in this day and age. Inconvenient, slow to process and costly are what cheques are.
With technology in place such as Interac e-transfers offered by major banks, why on earth would anyone pay with a cheque?
What is an e-transfer?
I could have swore I wrote this blog years ago since I'm a huge advocate of financial well being and one of the steps to being finically savvy is to be aware of everything. Every year I request my 'free' credit report (yep, free) from Equifax. Why do I do this? A few reasons:
After several failed attempts to use my debit card that was looking a bit worse for wear, I decided to stop in at the bank to get it replaced. Instead of the usual debit card, I was handed a shiny one of these:
At first sight I said, "Oh no, I do not want another credit card!" and I was as…
Have you ever watched that show on TV called "Extreme Couponing" If not, here is a YouTube
video:
This show leaves me with two emotions:
1. ENVY! I would love to get all that free product and have enough stockpiled in my basement to last 4 wars.
2. SADNESS. While these families are going …
Today marks the end of my 1st trial month tracking my income & spending. While income I always was aware of (who doesn't love watching that money come in?), I never fully tracked where it was going.
I had all my bills listed (the important stuff) and then I had a black hole for the 'other' stuf…
It feels like Monday morning and I wish it was. When you are not working, every day is Saturday. Well, with better shows on tv. Not a day goes by where I'm not thinking of my resume, applications and how to find that perfect workplace for me.
I'm finishing up month two of searching an…
While managing my money
has always been my strong point, I will admit I skipped over the tracking every cent going in and out. My budget looks like this.
Income vs fixed debts and a total amount allocated for variable which was more of a 'suggestion'.
When you live extremely frugal like I…
As I was *trying* to fall asleep last night my mind was consumed with thoughts of things I *should* have done while in my 20's. Just out of high school, moved out of my parents home, armed with 1 empty credit card, brand new credit rating and a part time job. This was the start of my life.
Obvio…
I think I drive quite a bit. I'd say at least 10k a year. I drive to work [Bby to downtown], I drive to the Island [minus the ferry boat] and I drive to Alberta [sometimes in my own car]. I like driving. My car is a 5 speed so it's fun! Especially when I have the right song on the stereo.
I …
Long story short, my financials did not balance after I decided to get laser eye surgery and then unexpectedly I was laid off. Maybe poor planning on my part but it was booked and I couldn’t get out of it and I lost my job meaning that instead of it being paid off in two months, the balance owing w…
I have to admit, I have been obsessive with my debt reduction lately. I know I’m in the minority but I just like to think that I’m focused and will relish in the fun when it’s time and not on credit.
Watching that consumer debt # decrease monthly is my inspiration and the feeling that I g…
Goodbye Visa. You’ve been an instrumental part of my life. Your function seemed like such a necessity way back when I applied for you however I abused you (yes, I’m ashamed) and it got me into trouble. Not until I was in my early 30’s did I really understand what you were ‘meant’ for and so now I…
I just did a scary thing.
I consolidated my debt. Why is this scary? Because I took my ‘liquid’ emergency money (aka LOC) and PAID off my Visa. No congratulations yet as no debt really got paid, it just got moved. I did this a a result of viewing my recent Visa statement and discovered my rate wh…
It’s a debate that’s been going on in my head for a while now. Why? As I get laser focused on eliminating my debt, it is one of two things on my expense list that I can reduce in cost (the other being rent). Everything else is non negotiable.
I’ve had a cell phone since hmmm when they were b…
Since I've been doing a lot of posts on food, I thought I would switch it up to finance. Yes, that fun topic we all love to talk about. Well I personally do love talking about it as it's the only thing in my life right now that I feel like I have total control over.
It hadn't started that way th…
The Dispenser in my bathroom
I remember when this product first hit the market, all the germophobes quickly jumped on the bandwagon as having the new ‘it’ product. I thought it was great for when your hands are covered in ick (changing a diaper or rolling dough) where you can’t exactly use yo…
I have to admit that after I turned 30 (which was quite the un-joyous occasion, I cried). I stopped celebrating my birthday. I just wasn't into arranging an event and I didn't have any volunteers to set up a surprise party for me. So it was pretty low key.
This year isn't a milestone, I hit 34…
Insurance. Savings. Common Sense.
These three things will help you along in life. I'd say most of my friends only buy mandatory insurance. Car. Maybe those who own a home have house insurance or even mortgage insurance.
I'd say 90% of my friends who rent do not have renters insurance. …
I am not having a very good day.
So with that said, I'm going to rant to you about my day on the phone.
SOLO -Signed up with Solo because I went on Mat leave and they took my Blackberry away. Got a cute little orange phone and everything was fine until I discovered that my plan was changed to NO…
I have no money in my bank account. Zero, zilch, nada. And I'm okay with that? No, I haven't lost my mind. I did something amazing for my future and my well being. I created a budget! I started a Money Group back in January and became friends with 16 wonderful women. We meet twice a mon…