Today was not too bad, I spent $532 on winter tires for my car. I wouldn't have, but the more I think about it, the better an idea that seems. I bought the Michelin X-Ice XI 2s last year in September, because the drive on Hallowe'en on Rogers Pass scared the ever loving shit outta me. Instead of using cash to get all seasons, I chose to keep the tires on all year. Because they're a winter tire, and therefore very soft, I expected that they would wear down at an insane rate on all that hot pavement because of all the drives I did to Kelowna over the summer. When I got to Canadian Tire this morning, I asked the guy to throw them out if they would be useless for even the summer, and as they were wrapping up, I saw them throw the tires into bags and put them in my trunk. Yes! One less expense!
I've been very careful with my money lately, and it's very strange how upset it's made me. Saving money is a GOOD thing, but for some reason I'm freaking out over it. I guess it's because I'm having a hell of a time finding a second job, and hanging around the house 4 days in a row has made me absolutely stir crazy, which is frustrating me like nothing else.
There's only so much time I want to work on Christmas presents, and once they're all in the mail I've got nothing to keep me busy. I used to play World Of Warcraft which kept me busy for hours (!) on end, but now that I'm done with that, and I'm finding that TV is not a good substitute for nothing to do, the frustration level is getting worse.
This is the first time I've had such a hard time finding a second job in a long time. People keep saying the economy isn't what it was, but I see the malls and WalMart parking lots filled to the brim during the week, so I know consumerism is certainly NOT dead, at least not in this town.
To date I've applied at Indigo (/Coles/Chapters), Starbucks, Superstore, Michael's, and a few other smaller local stores, and haven't received a call back. Ultimately my goal is to work at Indigo, I am a MASSIVE book lover and I know the discount they get thanks to my friend Tammy's job at the Coles in Fort St John, and I WANT IT. Plus, the smell of fresh books...mmmm.
Anyway, I've been using this budget worksheet to figure things out. Gail is an awesome lady, as anyone who has seen her show knows. She thinks the general Canadian public is fucking retarded, and so she should, you should see the high income that some people have who are living paycheque to paycheque! Insanity. Anyway, she's tough but reasonable on her show, which is exactly what I love. The one issue I have with her spreadsheet is that the areas you are filling out aren't really clear, and there's no spot for the average amount of money you spend on gifts, only clothes. I don't know about anyone else, but I have gifts I give every month depending on birthdays, get well cards, whatever, and I'd really like to have that added in. So, what I do is add the average onto my clothing budget (which is not easy to do, since I can go 6 months without buying any) and figure it out that way.
According to her spreadsheet, after paying $550 a month to debt repayment (I owe a total of $1700 on a credit card, and that's IT) I should still have $400 a month left! Uh....what?? That means I should be making double payments on my car, to get it almost paid off completely when I move back to BC to attend school.
I think I've got some more careful planning ahead. There are some very hard to resist opportunities to go for coffee to Starbucks, Timmy's, Mac's, where is closest. There are even harder to resist opportunities to go out for lunch with everyone, especially at this sandwich place near us (and WOW is their food good). I think the reason I have such a hard time resisting is because the lunches I have been making for myself lately aren't the best, that's for sure. If I made them more tempting (like this week's shepherd's pie) it may make the temptation easier to deal with.
Either way, I have many things to save for:
$5500 for tuition for my first year at UBCO
As much cash as possible for car payments should I not be able to pay it off before I move.
About $130 for gas for whomever decides they can move me (either my friend Jody in Kelowna, or my roommate here who's from Kelowna).
$400 for a NetBook
So, so much more. I am not getting my cats declawed, as it just plain costs too much money, and can be so painful!
