Although I had a few extra expenses - ink cartridges for our printer ($82), oil change and new air filter for the car ($67.00), the final payment to Reliance for new pipes to connect our new hot water tank ($302.00), a new Netflix charge ($7.99) and a wildly insane $27.00 splurge at Giant Tiger two days ago (a shower liner, a $3.00 hat, $6.00 for new socks and a $10 summer top for MOI!) I still have about $110 left for the month!! I usually NEVER have $$ left at the end of the month so I think I'll celebrate by putting more gas in the car and doing a little extra grocery shopping! My life is so thrilling these days!
I had a few little "bonuses" this month that helped me pay for those other expenditures: my Line of Credit interest was lower than anticipated, my Union Gas was $22 less than budgeted for, my condo fee was a little less than I thought, my London Hydro was $6 less than budgeted for, Kazi and Michael helped out with the printer cartridges and gas for the car, AND I stayed out of TALIZE (my neighbourhood thrift shop) AND out of CHAPTERS (my local bookstore)!! I really did have good control over my spending this month!
Oh, and I almost forgot!! I put an extra $88 on my mastercard this month - it was my financial goal for Carla's Double Challenge and I did it! I will put $88 on my mastercard every month til June which is when we'll pay off our new TV that we purchased at Tepperman's. So Carla my dear - I have met all of my challenges for February. My challenge for March is just to stay on budget for the month. And hopefully get my taxes finished. Just waiting for Kazi's tuition credit. My refund will be around $1,000 and I plan to pay down my line of credit with it. This time next year it will be completely and utterly PAID OFF leaving me with only a small mortgage on my PEI home as debt. I have NO car payment and NO credit card debt and NO mortgage on my current home. I am in the final couple of years before retirement and am right on track with debt reduction and savings. Come September my SEVEN year plan becomes a TWO year plan.
I'm getting there!
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| Early morning mist at Crofters Lane, PEI |
Yay! Everything is coming up roses! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI just love that house.
ReplyDeletethanks, me too :)
ReplyDeleteThat house has me GREEN with envy, it looks so cozy and peaceful. Congrats on your 7 year plan!!!! Debt free and retirement all rolled into one is a sweet place to be.
ReplyDeletePut on your party pants and prepare to dance!
ReplyDeleteAwesome all around!!!
ReplyDeleteSo once your in that house we are all invited to visit..right..I mean I wont stay long...I will only stay a week..or four.
ReplyDelete2012 just keeps rocking along
Jane I got quite teary when I read your post, how awesome to be in such a great place. I am not naive to think it all just fell into place for you, I know it was all b****y hard work, so hats off to you
ReplyDelete2 years from September...you are so close to PEI!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on all you've achieved and injecting us all with a great sense of positivity.
Sft x
You have worked so hard to get to this point Jane! I am so happy for you!! These next two years will go by so fast, and all your dreams will be realized. Good for you :)
ReplyDeleteI sure hope so Lisa! One of my worries is that teachers will go on strike this year. Our contract is up in August and there is a big battle brewing between our union and the gov't. I'm probably one of the few who would be happy to remain with my current salary. Keeping my fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteAnything is possible - I had a dream and have stuck with it. There have been many sacrifices along the way but that just makes it all the more precious. Right now two years seems like a loooooooong time, but I know it'll fly by.
ReplyDeleteThanks Maureen, it makes me teary too! I'm not there yet and I am very aware of all the things that could potentially go wrong but I'll stay positive and having Michael now to share it with helps give me confidence. I think the success of my dream is that it's realistic - my farmhouse is not fancy and it's not expensive. I read an article in a newspaper this morningabout women wanting to have it "ALL", but "ALL" means different things to different women. Some want houses in different cities, world travel, cruises, mink coats, fabulous jewelry, whereas "ALL" to me means living near the ocean, having a bit of land to call my own, having a workshop to create in, having strong relationships, a bit of travel, love in my life, a front porch on which to watch the sunrise, beaches to explore.Sounds like a good topic for a post!!
ReplyDeleteI think we'll have a blogger's reunion!! I have enough space for many many tents, campers and trailers! Wouldn't that be a hoot!!
ReplyDeleteI think we'll have a blogger's reunion!! I have enough space for many many tents, campers and trailers! Wouldn't that be a hoot!!
ReplyDeleteThanks LL!!
ReplyDeleteHeehee! One of the reasons we love our farmhouse is because no one lives near us and we can really blast our music! We LOVE to dance!
ReplyDeleteI can't really put into words what that house and land means to me. From the time I left home at age 20 I've lived in apartments, duplexes etc til I was 36 and was able to buy the condo I currently live in. So to have the freedom and the space to run around in, a forest to wander through, a huge bamboo patch with a pathway through it, incredible views of the bay, forests, farmer's fields - well, it just doesn't get any better than that!
ReplyDeleteYou ARE getting there - I'm so happy for you :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura, slow and steady wins the race!
ReplyDeleteJane, you are really an inspiration. No line of credit, credit cards and only a small mortgage!! I can only dream at this point but congratulations to you making it your reality.
ReplyDeleteJane,
ReplyDeleteGood for you!!! I share your feelings of retirement and not wanting to have huge debt over your head when the day finally arrives.
You have really come out on top this month by actually having money left over. You also did have a lot of extra expenses so you really did do a fantastic job. I would give you a gold star if I lived close by * this will have to do.
You're doing utterly amazing, Jane!! You're my hero this month! My month as we know was a flop financially, but i'm starting fresh for March with goals made that I *WILL* reach!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty broke this year as well. I was planning to get insurance for my daughter and for my car. Living these days have become way expensive. Thanks to the internet though I get to look for answers and suggestions. I found some pretty interesting advices as well http://reallycheaphealthinsurance.com/category/car-insurance-tips-and-resources/ and http://money.cnn.com/2012/02/23/pf/expert/financial_planning.moneymag/index.htm?iid=SF_PF_Lead
ReplyDeleteAnd of course, thank you to this post that it gives me a sense of hope that I will be able to survive financial problems my family are going through right now. Thank you for the inspiration Jane!
I'm pretty broke this year as well. I was planning to get insurance for my daughter and for my car. Living these days have become way expensive. Thanks to the internet though I get to look for answers and suggestions. I found some pretty interesting advices as well http://reallycheaphealthinsurance.com/category/car-insurance-tips-and-resources/ and http://money.cnn.com/2012/02/23/pf/expert/financial_planning.moneymag/index.htm?iid=SF_PF_Lead
ReplyDeleteAnd of course, thank you to this post that it gives me a sense of hope that I will be able to survive financial problems my family are going through right now. Thank you for the inspiration Jane!
Good luck Jane!
ReplyDeleteWohoo!! That's always great to have some money left. We had a pretty good month too( I was VERY tight with our money) but March doesn't look as good for us. But we'll all get there eventually!
ReplyDelete