I really haven't been in the mood to blog much this week, I literally forced out stuff cause I felt like I needed to, don't know if you can pick up on the difference but I sure felt it. I am not sure why I felt this way, it could be the morning shift, getting up early and sleeping not long after I get home, I haven't been tired per say, just didn't have much to do and sleep felt like the best thing.
On top of everything, it is Friday night. 10 mins to midnight as I write this and I am inside on my computer, a lot has really changed with in the past few years, not long ago, up to around the middle of last year, every Friday night my friends and I would hang out, mostly in my gallery(porch is what I think is the appropriate name) and just talk and chill out, we would go out sometimes but mostly just hang out and talk. Those were the days and I kind of missed them. After a while the conversations repeated themselves and one person out of the group nodded off to sleep early but I still enjoyed being with them.
I miss being outside but like I said a lot has change, most of them signed up for university and now have all sorts of exams and stuff and I began work and some Fridays I have to work nights. I don't know where life is going but I know I am happy.
I'll just continue on this journey. I hope to be back in action properly next week. I am already feeling it strangely. Got some great ideas for post starting with my net worth and then probably why I chose work over university.
Enjoy your weekend everyone.
Toodaloo
Saturday, 30 April 2011
Thursday, 28 April 2011
Contemplating A New Budget System
I'm actually considering trying out a new budget system of sorts. Due to the looming threat of me having to pay for withdrawals in the future if I continue to use my debit card as I do, and also the fact that I have to pay for direct debit swipes I am thinking of doing one cash withdrawal a month, most likely at the beginning.
I got this idea from Fabulously Broke. It was this post to be exact. I am actually considering using her BF's system, withdraw $500 in cash and when it's gone, it's gone. I am actually thinking to start with $500 as well. I'm not sure if that is too much but it definitely can not be too little. If that is too little that would mean I spend roughly more than half of my salary every month.
I was thinking, out of that $500, I would use it for going out, groceries, bus fare, snacks, and generally most of my spending. The only things I won't take out is my cell bill for now which is roughly $120 give or a take a few every month. All of my savings are practically automated so I never worry about those. Also I am not going to withdraw $500 every month, if some is left over I will just top it back up. After a few months I will know if it is safe to decrease the amount.
I am also hoping to be able to get approved for my own credit card come June. Banks have been giving me problems because of job stability and we don't have co sign options here on the island. If I do get the credit card I will severely drop that amount and just make most purchases on the credit card.
I would like to start this system next month but that is only a 3 days away and I once again had some unexpected expenses this month, I will know Monday for sure if I am going to go ahead and start this system or if I will put it off till June. Usually when I decide on something I go at it and I go at it with full force so I won't be surprised if I start Monday even if I start with a set back.
Thoughts?
P.S If Victoria Taylor happens to drop by, I did see the comment you left but I couldn't find it on the site at first. I finally found it today and I responded. Sorry it took so long.
Toodaloo
I got this idea from Fabulously Broke. It was this post to be exact. I am actually considering using her BF's system, withdraw $500 in cash and when it's gone, it's gone. I am actually thinking to start with $500 as well. I'm not sure if that is too much but it definitely can not be too little. If that is too little that would mean I spend roughly more than half of my salary every month.
I was thinking, out of that $500, I would use it for going out, groceries, bus fare, snacks, and generally most of my spending. The only things I won't take out is my cell bill for now which is roughly $120 give or a take a few every month. All of my savings are practically automated so I never worry about those. Also I am not going to withdraw $500 every month, if some is left over I will just top it back up. After a few months I will know if it is safe to decrease the amount.
I am also hoping to be able to get approved for my own credit card come June. Banks have been giving me problems because of job stability and we don't have co sign options here on the island. If I do get the credit card I will severely drop that amount and just make most purchases on the credit card.
I would like to start this system next month but that is only a 3 days away and I once again had some unexpected expenses this month, I will know Monday for sure if I am going to go ahead and start this system or if I will put it off till June. Usually when I decide on something I go at it and I go at it with full force so I won't be surprised if I start Monday even if I start with a set back.
Thoughts?
P.S If Victoria Taylor happens to drop by, I did see the comment you left but I couldn't find it on the site at first. I finally found it today and I responded. Sorry it took so long.
Toodaloo
Things I Own
Work and Sleep has been getting the best of me these past few days, to the point that I am now up at 2a.m doing a blog post, When I got home yesterday, I just went straight to bed and set an alarm for about 10.30p.m but that didn't help one bit. Anyways, not much creativity flowing so I thought I would do a post of things I own as a reply to the things I want post I did not to long ago.
A Sony Vaio 14' laptop. It also took a lot of planning before I ended up with this. I kind of explained why I ended up with it before when I mentioned I want an ipad. At first I wanted a mac but I still can not justify the purchase as my needs for a computer just don't justify a mac. I did want quality and that led me to Sony, I would say the quality of their items is equal to apple. It is more expensive than it's competitors Dell or HP but less expensive than a mac of equal specs. I have used laptops from almost all of the major brands, my one before this was a dell. Once again I wanted something small and neat so I knew I wanted a 14". It isn't too small so I can still enjoy watching a movie on it and it isn't overly large that it is trouble to travel with. I was going to go for one without a built in disc drive to get it lighter and slimmer but an external drive just cost way too much so I just took the extra weight of getting one built in. I also opted to have a dedicated graphics card so I can watch HD pictures if I chose to and play games without too many hiccups. Lastly I had my name engraved in it. I know that is a poor choice as it means I can't return it and I will have a harder time if I wanted to sell it but I plan to keep this beauty for years to come. It's only been 2 months but I am in love. Just like my smartphone.
What can I say, I am a gamer at heart. A good role playing game is like an interactive book and I love them. We(my sis and I) but mostly me went with the xbox because one, it was cheaper than a PS3 at the time and it didn't demand a HDTV as much. We still have one of those big CRT sets. Our first one was stolen but we got a new one after a year. Recently though I've been wishing I went with the PS3 just for the free online play. Not only does xbox charge you a fee to play online, a lot of the features like Netflix aren't available where I live and on top of that, they won't accept local credit cards since they don't have a US address so I still can't pay for it, I would have to order one of the pre-paid cards but you don't get discounts or deals on those.
Believe it or not, that is the end of my list. Outside of tech and gadget stuff, I have the basics like clothes and likes so I don't want to mention those. I had a Nintendo DSi but I gave it to my sis and I don't use it so I won't count it. I don't own a car or anything of the sorts, so that really is the end of my list. Oh I own a lasko standing fan haha. I'm using it all now.
It is only 3 things compared to my wants list of 7 but I am still grateful for the things I own. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I have a lot of stuff(may be a little to some people but I know I have more than others) and these are things that I use daily(excluding the xbox) but they all bring some sort of value to my life. Everyone has wants but you should always remind yourself of what you do have.
It's 3.40a.m now. I am going back to bed, have to be up in a little more than an hour to prepare for work. Have a great day everyone.
Toodaloo
This is the phone I chose after a lot of planning. It is a Nokia 5530. It is a smartphone, it has wifi but no 3G. I went with this being as I have been a Nokia user for years and they have never let me down. Also we don't have 3G connection on the island, fastest we have is Edge and it isn't too stable with either of the two carriers on the island so I didn't see the point of buying a phone with features I can't use. I also wanted to try the touchscreen thing. It is also quite small for a smartphone and I have a fondness for small neat things. I've had it for about 8 months now and I love it, it has not let me down.
Believe it or not, that is the end of my list. Outside of tech and gadget stuff, I have the basics like clothes and likes so I don't want to mention those. I had a Nintendo DSi but I gave it to my sis and I don't use it so I won't count it. I don't own a car or anything of the sorts, so that really is the end of my list. Oh I own a lasko standing fan haha. I'm using it all now.
It is only 3 things compared to my wants list of 7 but I am still grateful for the things I own. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I have a lot of stuff(may be a little to some people but I know I have more than others) and these are things that I use daily(excluding the xbox) but they all bring some sort of value to my life. Everyone has wants but you should always remind yourself of what you do have.
It's 3.40a.m now. I am going back to bed, have to be up in a little more than an hour to prepare for work. Have a great day everyone.
Toodaloo
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Discipline
Yesterday Ninja over at Punch Debt In The Face posted about his flight home from Germany. While he was at the airport, there was an offer to upgrade to business class for $99 since it wasn't sold out as yet. He opted not too.
Out of the 39 comments(when last I checked), only 5 people would have taken that same decision. I'm not included in those 5. My first thought was, what a deal, your finances are in order, you have good habits and you have good discipline especially financially, above all else your net worth is kicking butt left, right and center.
This was the comment I left
He listed some pro's and one con to the upgrade and he didn't even list all the pro's but the one con he listed was "be $99 poorer". If you looked at that list with a glance, it was only one con and your first thought would be(at least mine was) this stuff is well worth $99. Only when I was thinking back on it that I noticed, even though they were a lot of pro's, you would still be $99 dollars poorer.
If his train of thought was like mine, it would show a lack of discipline, which I have, if he used to take small opportunities even though they don't come too often, there would be a good chance he wouldn't be where he is today and his net worth wouldn't be that high.
I know everyone has their own little areas where they splurge a bit and everyone likes to jump on a good deal but I know if all of us look back on a lot of times we splurged, no matter what excuse we had, so long as it wasn't a necessity in your life, you can admit to a lack of discipline. Most of those little splurges no matter how good they were, are probably holding you back from bigger goals. If we all showed a bit more discipline, not only financially but overall, I'm sure we would soar to much greater heights in our life. Ninja showcased exceptional discipline with this post, discipline, which from my judgement a majority of people lack.
I'm not bashing on splurging, in fact I encourage people to splurge a bit so long as they cut back on a less important area. Nothing is wrong with a little instant happiness, no one should be forced to suffer through hardships just for future gratification. I believe we still have to live for today. We should live for what we couldn't do yesterday, live for today, and live for what tomorrow could bring.
I'm just saying most of us could do with a bit more discipline in our life. A lot of things in this world are just wants, nothing more, you don't even need them for the enjoyment they will or you think they will bring. A bit more discipline would help us see this. It would keep us out of debt for one thing, it would make us arrive early at work everyday, it would help us do our work on time and not at the last minute, it would help us to focus on what is important and it would also give us more freedom believe it or not.
Just my opinion... Hope everyone is doing good.
Until next time.
Toodaloo.
Out of the 39 comments(when last I checked), only 5 people would have taken that same decision. I'm not included in those 5. My first thought was, what a deal, your finances are in order, you have good habits and you have good discipline especially financially, above all else your net worth is kicking butt left, right and center.
This was the comment I left
If it really wasn’t a problem I would have gone with the upgrade. It’s like a treat plus comfort is the way to go. Managing your finances so well allows you to enjoy small treats like that, it’s not something you would do often so I personally would have paid for it and enjoy it all the way. Plus it was such a long flight, it wasn’t your average 2 hour flight so it was well worth it.So for a while now I've been thinking about discipline, and the train of thought brought me back to what I said about his post. He has good financial discipline, and it would take a hell of a lot of discipline to pass up a $99 upgrade on a 9 hour flight. In his situation I would have jumped on that so long as I had no financial worries, a.k.a debt.
He listed some pro's and one con to the upgrade and he didn't even list all the pro's but the one con he listed was "be $99 poorer". If you looked at that list with a glance, it was only one con and your first thought would be(at least mine was) this stuff is well worth $99. Only when I was thinking back on it that I noticed, even though they were a lot of pro's, you would still be $99 dollars poorer.
If his train of thought was like mine, it would show a lack of discipline, which I have, if he used to take small opportunities even though they don't come too often, there would be a good chance he wouldn't be where he is today and his net worth wouldn't be that high.
I know everyone has their own little areas where they splurge a bit and everyone likes to jump on a good deal but I know if all of us look back on a lot of times we splurged, no matter what excuse we had, so long as it wasn't a necessity in your life, you can admit to a lack of discipline. Most of those little splurges no matter how good they were, are probably holding you back from bigger goals. If we all showed a bit more discipline, not only financially but overall, I'm sure we would soar to much greater heights in our life. Ninja showcased exceptional discipline with this post, discipline, which from my judgement a majority of people lack.
I'm not bashing on splurging, in fact I encourage people to splurge a bit so long as they cut back on a less important area. Nothing is wrong with a little instant happiness, no one should be forced to suffer through hardships just for future gratification. I believe we still have to live for today. We should live for what we couldn't do yesterday, live for today, and live for what tomorrow could bring.
I'm just saying most of us could do with a bit more discipline in our life. A lot of things in this world are just wants, nothing more, you don't even need them for the enjoyment they will or you think they will bring. A bit more discipline would help us see this. It would keep us out of debt for one thing, it would make us arrive early at work everyday, it would help us do our work on time and not at the last minute, it would help us to focus on what is important and it would also give us more freedom believe it or not.
Just my opinion... Hope everyone is doing good.
Until next time.
Toodaloo.
Monday, 25 April 2011
I'm Not Broke. I'm On a Budget.
I went out with some friends last night, something I haven't done in a while due to our schedules,(most of them are at university where as I chose the path of work). Anyways so when I left I was thinking that a problem we always faced in the past was one of us was always broke, or claimed to be broke or generally broke or just being cheap. I think I can fit myself into all of those descriptions at some point or the other, I've been broke, I've been cheap and most recently if I told anyone I am broke, I would be claiming to be when in reality I am not.
A lot has change for me within the past 1-2 years, and even more accurate within the past few months, I now have money in the bank, I have an emergency fund and a small amount in savings. I generally have money I can spend so if I was to say "nah, I pass, I broke" I would be lying.
For starters I don't like lying and I also want to take a new approach to money and how I talk about it around people.I want to be a baller and spend money and show off....... Actually I just don't want to be claiming I broke anymore. When something comes up, I don't want to tell people I am broke so I was thinking I would tell them "I'm not broke, I'm on a budget" if it is something I don't want to attend for whatever reason, and all of us PF heads know budgets are sexy.
I've been thinking about it so much I was going to rename this blog that. I like Upendilife better so that didn't last. I like saying it though because, one it is the truth, and secondly it can open up more money related topics. People hate to talk about money but if I say I am on a budget they may ask why. Or at least it should do more than just saying I am broke.
Sadly I didn't have a chance to test it out last night as nothing where I could specifically invoke it came up but I plan to use it from now on. I am not broke, I'm on a budget.
Money and the way I view it has change so much for me and so much for the better and it's all thanks to this world of Personal Finance I discovered.
Toodaloo
A lot has change for me within the past 1-2 years, and even more accurate within the past few months, I now have money in the bank, I have an emergency fund and a small amount in savings. I generally have money I can spend so if I was to say "nah, I pass, I broke" I would be lying.
For starters I don't like lying and I also want to take a new approach to money and how I talk about it around people.
I've been thinking about it so much I was going to rename this blog that. I like Upendilife better so that didn't last. I like saying it though because, one it is the truth, and secondly it can open up more money related topics. People hate to talk about money but if I say I am on a budget they may ask why. Or at least it should do more than just saying I am broke.
Sadly I didn't have a chance to test it out last night as nothing where I could specifically invoke it came up but I plan to use it from now on. I am not broke, I'm on a budget.
Money and the way I view it has change so much for me and so much for the better and it's all thanks to this world of Personal Finance I discovered.
Toodaloo
Sunday, 24 April 2011
Happy Easter & Here's Some LinkLove
Happy Easter everyone. If you don't celebrate it. Happy Sunday.
Had to work today so I will just be sharing my regular linklove. Nothing else to say today.
When Does Bargaining Become Taking Advantage Of (@ Budgets Are Boring)
The Fear That Feeds The Obsession (@ The Whole Guacamole)
My Emergency Fund Is Finally At $5000 (@ Give Me Back My Five Bucks)
If You Could Go Back To Past And Kick Yourself Would You? (@ Counting All My Stars And Saving It)
His Debts, Her Debts, Or Our Debts (@The Simple Dollar)
Choosing The Right Career (@ hithatsmybike)
You Signed Up For It. (@ Punch Debt In The Face)
Investment: More Than Just Money (@ Two Degrees Of Unemployment)
Only The Poor Or Super Rich Say Money Can't Buy Happiness (@ Financial Samurai)
It's All In Your Head (@ ItStartsWith.us)
Stop Loss Pay (@ ND Chic's Cents)
Lessons From My Mother (@ Money Rabbit)
Why I Won't Buy A Used Car Ever Again (@ Frugal In My Forties)
No insight from me today. I'm Tired. You will just have to trust my judgement that these are all superb reads or judge from the title if you think you will find it interesting.
Toodaloo
Had to work today so I will just be sharing my regular linklove. Nothing else to say today.
When Does Bargaining Become Taking Advantage Of (@ Budgets Are Boring)
The Fear That Feeds The Obsession (@ The Whole Guacamole)
My Emergency Fund Is Finally At $5000 (@ Give Me Back My Five Bucks)
If You Could Go Back To Past And Kick Yourself Would You? (@ Counting All My Stars And Saving It)
His Debts, Her Debts, Or Our Debts (@The Simple Dollar)
Choosing The Right Career (@ hithatsmybike)
You Signed Up For It. (@ Punch Debt In The Face)
Investment: More Than Just Money (@ Two Degrees Of Unemployment)
Only The Poor Or Super Rich Say Money Can't Buy Happiness (@ Financial Samurai)
It's All In Your Head (@ ItStartsWith.us)
Stop Loss Pay (@ ND Chic's Cents)
Lessons From My Mother (@ Money Rabbit)
Why I Won't Buy A Used Car Ever Again (@ Frugal In My Forties)
No insight from me today. I'm Tired. You will just have to trust my judgement that these are all superb reads or judge from the title if you think you will find it interesting.
Toodaloo
Friday, 22 April 2011
I'm Afraid Of Debt
Yesterday's post about me wanting a car is a firm reminder that I actually never really want to be in debt. I don't want to owe money to anyone really unless I am dead certain I can repay it. All of it. I guess this is because of a number reasons and I will try to list them out
- I'm afraid I lose my job and then I have no means to meet my obligations
- I don't want to pay a large set of interest
- I don't like the idea of my cash flow taking a hit every month
- I read a lot of PF blogs so I have seen the ugly side of debt
- I want more than just one thing and somehow I have developed the train of thought that if I finance one thing I will be sacrificing everything else.(I think this is because once I have one obligation I would want that gone before I begin to focus on anything else)
- I generally don't like the feeling of owing people large sums of money
- My income is only 18k a year
- Nothing I want is a need and is not worth financing
Those are just the few I could think of right now but I know they are more. Probably I share something on my list with all of you readers, or maybe I have a reason that is on your list.
That being said I realize I am much more inclined to take on a small debt, 5k, 6k, maybe even 7k and I wouldn't feel to uncomfortable depending on how useful that want is(a good example is a vehicle), I wonder if that is related to my income level. Something I will have to explore.
Is anyone cool with borrowing money up to a certain amount?
If so, is that amount relative to your income level?
This post seems a bit deep for a Friday but that's what is on my mind. Enjoy your weekend everyone. Happy Easter
Toodaloo
Thursday, 21 April 2011
I Don't Know What To Do. Vehicle Debate
So recently I've had more than just my regular urge to get my own vehicle, which would also be my first, I even sat down and decide I would finance it because if I didn't I would have to wait a few years to get a good, reliable vehicle even though I am shopping for something used, on top of just regular waiting I am still at the impatient stage in life where I want everything now but I am doing my best to control it.
So my uncle buys and sells cars, usually cars from auctions that are slightly damage. He was the person really looking for something for me but I never have the money, I'm saving very very slowly and sometimes I have to spend the money I have on other things. Anyways, he has a 2001 mazda, and he said it cost him around $14000 and he was willing to sell it to me. ince I really want my own vehicle now so I was willing to borrow the money, but first he advised me to get an insurance quote so I did and due to my age and being male and just generally being a risk I was quoted at roughly $4000, at that price I could probably find a really old car but heck, that's the price for my age. Due to my job I was able to get it down to $3200 but that's still quite an amount and I would also need to find out if I can add that on to the loan.
Basically I am looking at borrowing $18000 to finance a 2001 used car. I still really want my own vehicle so I was willing to bite the bullet but then this morning I went playing around with loan calculator and now I feel all iffy again about financing a vehicle at that amount especially since it is used. This is what the calculator outputted:
So the interest rate is 10.75% and I used $200 a month as a safe repayment amount but of course I would be paying more. Still at $200 it would take me 15 and a half years to pay off that loan and the total interest would be $19000. Man that was enough to break my heart and tell me it's not worth it. I don't want to be paying off a used car for 15 years. It won't even last that long I could bet.
Right now I kinda feel like crap cause I don't feel like I will ever get myself a car with my slow savings progress and loans that would take forever to pay off, it is just not worth it. My only options at this time is to either look for something extremely cheap and might come with a few problems, I'm talking about a car at less than $6000 or just do with out.
With the way things are going and my fear of debt I think I will just do without and try very hard not to be disappointed. Knowing me, this disappointment won't last long, it should be gone by weekend and I will only feel bad during those times when I am reminded why I want a car(which is quite often but nothing I can't brush off).
Almost didn't have anything to write about today since I went to the dentist this morning then started thinking about a car and didn't feel inspired to write anything. Guess this will do and the ability to share this on my blog has already began to life my spirits.
Have a great day everyone or night depending on where you live and when you read this.
Toodaloo and thanks for dropping by.
So my uncle buys and sells cars, usually cars from auctions that are slightly damage. He was the person really looking for something for me but I never have the money, I'm saving very very slowly and sometimes I have to spend the money I have on other things. Anyways, he has a 2001 mazda, and he said it cost him around $14000 and he was willing to sell it to me. ince I really want my own vehicle now so I was willing to borrow the money, but first he advised me to get an insurance quote so I did and due to my age and being male and just generally being a risk I was quoted at roughly $4000, at that price I could probably find a really old car but heck, that's the price for my age. Due to my job I was able to get it down to $3200 but that's still quite an amount and I would also need to find out if I can add that on to the loan.
Basically I am looking at borrowing $18000 to finance a 2001 used car. I still really want my own vehicle so I was willing to bite the bullet but then this morning I went playing around with loan calculator and now I feel all iffy again about financing a vehicle at that amount especially since it is used. This is what the calculator outputted:
The minimum required savings for this loan is $2,250.00.To repay the $18,000.00. in 5 years . It will take 59 payments of $390.38 and one payment of $390.08.The amount repaid is $23,422.50. The total interest paid is $5,422.50.Using the selected amount of $200.00 it will take 15 years and 7 months to repay the 18000 after making 186 payments of $200.00 and one payment of $83.46.The amount repaid is $37,283.46. The total interest paid is $19,283.46.
So the interest rate is 10.75% and I used $200 a month as a safe repayment amount but of course I would be paying more. Still at $200 it would take me 15 and a half years to pay off that loan and the total interest would be $19000. Man that was enough to break my heart and tell me it's not worth it. I don't want to be paying off a used car for 15 years. It won't even last that long I could bet.
Right now I kinda feel like crap cause I don't feel like I will ever get myself a car with my slow savings progress and loans that would take forever to pay off, it is just not worth it. My only options at this time is to either look for something extremely cheap and might come with a few problems, I'm talking about a car at less than $6000 or just do with out.
With the way things are going and my fear of debt I think I will just do without and try very hard not to be disappointed. Knowing me, this disappointment won't last long, it should be gone by weekend and I will only feel bad during those times when I am reminded why I want a car(which is quite often but nothing I can't brush off).
Almost didn't have anything to write about today since I went to the dentist this morning then started thinking about a car and didn't feel inspired to write anything. Guess this will do and the ability to share this on my blog has already began to life my spirits.
Have a great day everyone or night depending on where you live and when you read this.
Toodaloo and thanks for dropping by.
Wednesday, 20 April 2011
A Dangerous Word - 'ONLY'
(Warning. This post can be a bit confusing, when "only" highlighted in red. It is to be taken as the subject of the sentence and not as part of it)
Not long ago I blogged about myvery strong dislike hate for overtime. Don't get me wrong, I still very much dislike it but I want to show you today how one little word can talk you out of doing beneficial stuff and/or talk you into trouble.
That word is "only". For my example I will go back to me and the overtime debate. They are many reasons I dislike overtime but one of the excuses I was making for myself not to do it was that it wasn't worth the money. It was time and a half at 8 hours so I was telling myself after taxes and such I would "only" bring home $100 for a full days work. Mind you that's 1.5 times the amount I get for a usual day but my problem was it was cutting into my personal time and my personal time(to me at least) was worth more than a measly $100 dollars and well worth more than time and a half.
Fast forward to pay day and that extra $100 on top of my regular salary made so much more the difference. Not "only" did it make the money seem like so much more. It made me think that the extra work I put in was worth it and that I should work more overtime... Haha that thinking "only" lasted a couple minutes though. I started thinking back to how I had to get up and go to work when I didn't want to and I still hold my regular stance on overtime.
You know how a lot of people say sacrifice now for the future, work hard now to work less in the future, don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today. I agree with them to a point and I want to point out that the word "only" can talk you out of bettering your future and achieving your goals. I honestly didn't like the overtime but it wasn't "only" $100 dollars, it was $100 plus my usual salary and it didn't "only" make a difference. It made a hell of a difference, that word "only" made the $100 seem so trivial and not worth it when indeed it was. $100 can stretch so far but saying "only" would never let you see it that way.
Look at it this way. It "only" takes 10 of those $100 to make $1000 and if getting $1000 is that easy, it "only" takes 10 of those $1000 to make $10000. And easy like that you have half your down payment for your house. In this situation "only" can still be a very dangerous word but using it as a motivator will benefit you more in my opinion.
That word "only" can not just stop you from earning money it can make you spend money too or put off stuff you should do now.
That pack of candy "only" cost a dollar so you buy it once a day for a total of $5 by the end of the week.
That assignment "only" has 10 questions so I will do it later, then you find yourself scrambling the day that assignment is due.
This house cost 1 million but the monthly payment is "only" $200, then you end up in debt for the rest of your life or realize you can't make the payment for one reason or the other.
Do you see the damage that four letter word can do? You should try removing it from your vocabulary sometimes and say your sentence without it. It can make a huge difference in your life. Do you notice some of the most powerful words are "only" four letters. Another one is h-a-t-e. I also want to remove this word from my vocabulary, it has such a powerful meaning and nothing good comes from brewing negativity. I will try to use dislike more often. On the opposite end we have another powerful four letter word. L-O-V-E and the world needs more of this.
Any more words that you know can be harmful? And while you are going about your day, think about one thing that you LOVE, post it in the comments if you wish. Cut down some of the negativity.
I'll go first. I LOVE blogging(can't believe I am saying that) and so she doesn't get mad at me. I love P more than anything in this world.
Toodaloo.
Not long ago I blogged about my
That word is "only". For my example I will go back to me and the overtime debate. They are many reasons I dislike overtime but one of the excuses I was making for myself not to do it was that it wasn't worth the money. It was time and a half at 8 hours so I was telling myself after taxes and such I would "only" bring home $100 for a full days work. Mind you that's 1.5 times the amount I get for a usual day but my problem was it was cutting into my personal time and my personal time(to me at least) was worth more than a measly $100 dollars and well worth more than time and a half.
Fast forward to pay day and that extra $100 on top of my regular salary made so much more the difference. Not "only" did it make the money seem like so much more. It made me think that the extra work I put in was worth it and that I should work more overtime... Haha that thinking "only" lasted a couple minutes though. I started thinking back to how I had to get up and go to work when I didn't want to and I still hold my regular stance on overtime.
You know how a lot of people say sacrifice now for the future, work hard now to work less in the future, don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today. I agree with them to a point and I want to point out that the word "only" can talk you out of bettering your future and achieving your goals. I honestly didn't like the overtime but it wasn't "only" $100 dollars, it was $100 plus my usual salary and it didn't "only" make a difference. It made a hell of a difference, that word "only" made the $100 seem so trivial and not worth it when indeed it was. $100 can stretch so far but saying "only" would never let you see it that way.
Look at it this way. It "only" takes 10 of those $100 to make $1000 and if getting $1000 is that easy, it "only" takes 10 of those $1000 to make $10000. And easy like that you have half your down payment for your house. In this situation "only" can still be a very dangerous word but using it as a motivator will benefit you more in my opinion.
That word "only" can not just stop you from earning money it can make you spend money too or put off stuff you should do now.
That pack of candy "only" cost a dollar so you buy it once a day for a total of $5 by the end of the week.
That assignment "only" has 10 questions so I will do it later, then you find yourself scrambling the day that assignment is due.
This house cost 1 million but the monthly payment is "only" $200, then you end up in debt for the rest of your life or realize you can't make the payment for one reason or the other.
Do you see the damage that four letter word can do? You should try removing it from your vocabulary sometimes and say your sentence without it. It can make a huge difference in your life. Do you notice some of the most powerful words are "only" four letters. Another one is h-a-t-e. I also want to remove this word from my vocabulary, it has such a powerful meaning and nothing good comes from brewing negativity. I will try to use dislike more often. On the opposite end we have another powerful four letter word. L-O-V-E and the world needs more of this.
Any more words that you know can be harmful? And while you are going about your day, think about one thing that you LOVE, post it in the comments if you wish. Cut down some of the negativity.
I'll go first. I LOVE blogging(can't believe I am saying that) and so she doesn't get mad at me. I love P more than anything in this world.
Toodaloo.
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Things I Want
Time left me behind today so I will just post a list of things I want and give them a rating between 1 star(lowest) to 5 stars(highest) on how much I want them:
Yip. Last month I had started wanting the original ipad more and more then the 2nd one came out. Before I bought my new laptop in Jan/Feb I was using my little sisters netbook, It was so small and light it made reading enjoyable, I could hold it in one hand and wave it around and just generally get comfortable, it made reading blogs more enjoyable. Fast forward to today, I now have a 14" and it's not so easy getting comfy and I definately can't hold it in one hand, it always has to be resting on something. I chose the ipad because I've always wanted an apple product but can never justify the price and I am a tech person so I know I will use it beyond mere internet browsing. Rating - 4 stars.
An hdtv. For starters I wanted my own personal tv for a while, I have an xbox 360 now since then and I actually have one game for it that I just can't play on our family's current tv cause I have to strain my eyes to see the words. Anyways, I'm looking at a Sony 32inch. Rating - 3 stars.
A model train set. I love trains. We don't have any on the island but I have found them fascinating. I've always wanted an electric train set to set up in my house and just turn it on and watch it run every once in a while. Especially at Christmas. I actually want this more than anything else on this list but it wouldn't do as much as the rest so I don't think it will be the first thing I get. Rating - 5 stars.
I want a properly organized wardrobe. My current system sucks and I don't even want to describe it. With that in mind though, just yesterday I sorted through my clothes and threw some in the trash and have some left to give away. I had a crap load of shirts and I hardly use to get to wear any. What's funny is I don't shop for clothes. Most of those are just gifts people(mostly my mom) gave me over the years And I hate being disorganized even though laziness and time let it slip through now and again. Rating - 4 stars
Enough said. I haven't found one I like yet though and she still doesn't know when I am going to do it so this won't ruin the surprise. Rating - 5 stars
A camera. I don't know much about them(yet) but I know when I start traveling I will want one even more as I regret not having one for any of the trips I made so far in my life. I think I want one of those slr cameras as I have seen a few bloggers take pictures with them and they look so much better than a regular digital camera shot. Plus I might take it up as a hobby. Rating - 1 star.
A car. I really want one and I am wanting it more and more each day. I don't want to list my reasons as it always comes down to a debate on why people want a car. Just know that I will most likely be buying one soon(will discuss in future post). It will most likely be used, and the model doesn't matter for now, I just want something to get me from point A to point B that is fairly clean looking and a well kept engine, don't want to many car problems. Rating - 5 stars.
A bed. I want a new bed. I have an old hand me down. If I could get that tree bed that would be awesome, never saw one like that till just now when I went looking for a picture to use. Rating - 2 stars.
Now that I have a new computer I want to start over my music collection the right way. For now I just use youtube to get my fix till I start buying my music. Stuff like itunes and amazon mp3 store isn't available to my country so I will have to buy albums and I will have to order them so its going to be a slow process but I do miss my music. Rating - 3 stars.
That's it. Just a list of wants. If I rated them on needs they would all be zero or in fairness one star. Is there anything on my list that you want for yourself, do you have a list? You can do a blog post about your list of wants and send me a link or just post a quick list in the comments. These are all material wants by the way. I want to travel and such but these are just tangible wants I listed.
Toodaloo
Monday, 18 April 2011
Linkloving
I've found a couple great blogs to add to my reading list and on top of that I've read so many posts worth linking to that I was actually thinking that instead of posting anymore I could just turn this into a blog that just links to other great posts I read. They are quite a lot but realistically I could probably keep it up for a week or two at most. Anyways it was just a funny passing thought but I will continue spreading some link love at least once a week. On to the loving:
First off, borrowing money from parents. A no no unless in DIRE need. Grow up, get an emergency fund and take care of yourself. Your parents have a life too. (@ ND Chic's Cents)
In today's world you can easily be fooled into thinking you can afford something. That is your reality check. (@ hithatsmybike)
Here is what blogging can do for you, has done for Frugal Forties and has done for me. It can be such inspiration and motivation and so much more. And it's only been around 5 weeks for me as well. (@ Frugal In My Forties)
I love originality and the back story behind names and anything in general. Money Rabbit has a great one. I kinda wish I was a little more original in mine but I do love the Lion King. (@ Money Rabbit)
Here are 24 quick actions you can do today. It doesn't have to be today, you can just bookmark it and implement one or two at some point at least within the current year. (@ Man Vs. Debt)
This is ingenious marketing. get a tattoo, save 20% for life. Someone mentioned 50% off gas in the comments, now I would seriously consider that cause I couldn't think of anything before. (@ Budgets Are Boring)
Just a quick note about my link love. I will usually only link to sites in my blogroll as I use my blogroll basically as a bookmark for my favorite blogs(the ones I read the most). The only times you might find a link outside of my favorite blogs is if those blogs link to a blog not already on my list and I like what I read, or I am bored and go through my favorite bloggers blogroll looking for something fresh to read and I like it. The new blogs I discovered last week was through Two Degrees and and her share of the love.
Hope everyone has a great week.
Toodaloo
First off, borrowing money from parents. A no no unless in DIRE need. Grow up, get an emergency fund and take care of yourself. Your parents have a life too. (@ ND Chic's Cents)
In today's world you can easily be fooled into thinking you can afford something. That is your reality check. (@ hithatsmybike)
Here is what blogging can do for you, has done for Frugal Forties and has done for me. It can be such inspiration and motivation and so much more. And it's only been around 5 weeks for me as well. (@ Frugal In My Forties)
I love originality and the back story behind names and anything in general. Money Rabbit has a great one. I kinda wish I was a little more original in mine but I do love the Lion King. (@ Money Rabbit)
Here are 24 quick actions you can do today. It doesn't have to be today, you can just bookmark it and implement one or two at some point at least within the current year. (@ Man Vs. Debt)
This is ingenious marketing. get a tattoo, save 20% for life. Someone mentioned 50% off gas in the comments, now I would seriously consider that cause I couldn't think of anything before. (@ Budgets Are Boring)
Just a quick note about my link love. I will usually only link to sites in my blogroll as I use my blogroll basically as a bookmark for my favorite blogs(the ones I read the most). The only times you might find a link outside of my favorite blogs is if those blogs link to a blog not already on my list and I like what I read, or I am bored and go through my favorite bloggers blogroll looking for something fresh to read and I like it. The new blogs I discovered last week was through Two Degrees and and her share of the love.
Hope everyone has a great week.
Toodaloo
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Facebook and Me
O.K so I am not a fan of Facebook. I don't like it. Period. Don't get me wrong, Facebook does have its good points or at least a couple things I like about it and those are:
But don't be fooled.... this post is not to uplift Facebook. This is about me not liking it and why I am not a member.
After all of that I am not against joining Facebook, I just won't until there is a dire need. that being either my job or some major income source requires that I be a member or I can properly use it to market myself in some beneficial way.
In regards to my dad I do enjoy simulation games but I wouldn't use Facebook as my portal. Another con against Facebook is that I think FarmVille totally stole from one of my all time favorite games which is a coincidentally is a simulation game Harvest Moon.(I know it kind of makes me double standard against my dad but I don't have any pets)
And to make clear, I have never used myself or been a member of Facebook. Everything I mention is just from me viewing other people's uses of it or from reading and is total speculation and assumption on my part. I could very well be wrong. If I am let me know. If you think you can convert me to see the light, you are welcome to try. Whatever your stance on Facebook is I would like to know.
Toodaloo
- I like the Facebook connect thing that you can use to sign up for sites. Its like having one login to the entire web. I don't know how many websites use the feature because I only really saw it on videogame websites I have visited but if a lot of sites use that feature it can be sweet. I'm hoping Google rules the web and not Facebook though. haha.
- I also like that it can help you reconnect with people you haven't heard or seen in a while but that depends on how you use it.
- I also like that larger companies like Coca Cola for example have a Facebook page, I know it is probably used mostly for marketing but i do hope that they use it wisely to talk to their supporters and get feedback and overall make a better product.
But don't be fooled.... this post is not to uplift Facebook. This is about me not liking it and why I am not a member.
- When Facebook first came about a lot of people from my country, the people who I would first and foremost connect with, they were using the social networking site hi5, and what they were usually using it for was mainly for viewing and posting pictures. I had and still don't have any interest in taking much pictures of myself and sharing them with a tonne of people. Yes you meet more people but you very rarely ever 'met' them.
- I feel like Facebook, and not only social networking sites, but the internet and technology on a whole are taking away real world social interactions, from what I can see and my own experiences, a lot of people don't really go outside to socialize anymore and those who do hardly detach themselves from their cyberselves as with cellphones and tablets and the like there is hardly a need to sign out or disconnect from whatever you are doing online.
- My dad asked me a time back if I use Facebook. He heard from a friend you can raise fish and birds and whatever else on some game. He wanted to join so he can do the same, he has real fish, real birds and dogs at home in the yard, yet he wanted to raise virtual animals.... for the life of me i will never understand why... Dam you Facebook... happy to say though he never joined. My dad isn't what you would call computer saavy to begin with.
- I have never heard of Facebook gaining anyone employment except for if you work there. I have heard stories of people losing there job or not gaining one because something inappropriate was discovered of them on Facebook.
After all of that I am not against joining Facebook, I just won't until there is a dire need. that being either my job or some major income source requires that I be a member or I can properly use it to market myself in some beneficial way.
In regards to my dad I do enjoy simulation games but I wouldn't use Facebook as my portal. Another con against Facebook is that I think FarmVille totally stole from one of my all time favorite games which is a coincidentally is a simulation game Harvest Moon.(I know it kind of makes me double standard against my dad but I don't have any pets)
And to make clear, I have never used myself or been a member of Facebook. Everything I mention is just from me viewing other people's uses of it or from reading and is total speculation and assumption on my part. I could very well be wrong. If I am let me know. If you think you can convert me to see the light, you are welcome to try. Whatever your stance on Facebook is I would like to know.
Toodaloo
Friday, 15 April 2011
I loaned out $500
Remember on my last and also first net worth update I mentioned that I had an unexpected $300 expense and I mentioned it was school related. Well that total just went up by $200.
Right now P is overseas at school and she has ran short of money, I won't go into the details cause it's not in my right to post her business. Long story short I sent her money to the total of $500 dollars to date. Should be the last as she is coming home soon. I didn't loan her the money, I basically gave it to her, without wanting it back or asking for it or anything. She is the girl I intend to spend the rest of my life with(Please don't tell me I am to young to make these decisions).
Anywhoosie. The girl is so stubborn it is unbelievable. She technically needed more money being the $200 but she was being so hard about taking it, I just can't get her to accept that my money is OUR money. I opened a joint account with her already and she still doesn't get it. I will say it out right here. I do love her so money doesn't bother me, yes i'm a nerd and it excites me when my net worth goes up, yes I would be ecstatic if it could have gone up by the unplanned $500 I "loaned" her but nothing can bring me the happiness she brings and not meaning to make her an object but she is the greatest investment a man could ever have. Ever heard the saying behind every great man there is a great woman? Well who do you think made me what I am today, if it wasn't for her I wouldn't even have the extra money in the bank.
So getting back on track, in order to get her to take the money, I had to tell her you will owe me $500 dollars and I won't fight it or avoid taking it back or any of the things I usually do whenever she offers me money she thinks she owes me or tries to one up me and pay for stuff. She had the audacity to try paying for our first meal.... Can you believe her????
I know we are not married yet so technically it's still a yours and mine thing but we will be in the end so I don't bother with it, I will just take back the $500 and watch my net worth grow. Plus more than half will be going into our account anyways(the joint account) and when we are married she won't be able to debate the mine and yours even though we already have been at heads over what system we will use. She wants joint accounts and personal while I just wanted full joint but we will be going her route as it has benefits I will explain in the future.
Also my trip to Jamaica for this year is canceled for various reasons so I will be replacing that bar to reflect the money I "loaned" her(her idea not mine). That way we can track how much she has "paid me back".
Women???? They can be so difficult(no disrespect intended). I must add though that I love her independence, it is one quality I admire in a lady. If this goes beyond independence and stubbornness you are welcome to share your thoughts on it....
Thats me for today and I got her permission to post this before I did just so you know. I wouldn't just put up a post like this without permission.
Toodaloo.
Right now P is overseas at school and she has ran short of money, I won't go into the details cause it's not in my right to post her business. Long story short I sent her money to the total of $500 dollars to date. Should be the last as she is coming home soon. I didn't loan her the money, I basically gave it to her, without wanting it back or asking for it or anything. She is the girl I intend to spend the rest of my life with(Please don't tell me I am to young to make these decisions).
Anywhoosie. The girl is so stubborn it is unbelievable. She technically needed more money being the $200 but she was being so hard about taking it, I just can't get her to accept that my money is OUR money. I opened a joint account with her already and she still doesn't get it. I will say it out right here. I do love her so money doesn't bother me, yes i'm a nerd and it excites me when my net worth goes up, yes I would be ecstatic if it could have gone up by the unplanned $500 I "loaned" her but nothing can bring me the happiness she brings and not meaning to make her an object but she is the greatest investment a man could ever have. Ever heard the saying behind every great man there is a great woman? Well who do you think made me what I am today, if it wasn't for her I wouldn't even have the extra money in the bank.
So getting back on track, in order to get her to take the money, I had to tell her you will owe me $500 dollars and I won't fight it or avoid taking it back or any of the things I usually do whenever she offers me money she thinks she owes me or tries to one up me and pay for stuff. She had the audacity to try paying for our first meal.... Can you believe her????
I know we are not married yet so technically it's still a yours and mine thing but we will be in the end so I don't bother with it, I will just take back the $500 and watch my net worth grow. Plus more than half will be going into our account anyways(the joint account) and when we are married she won't be able to debate the mine and yours even though we already have been at heads over what system we will use. She wants joint accounts and personal while I just wanted full joint but we will be going her route as it has benefits I will explain in the future.
Also my trip to Jamaica for this year is canceled for various reasons so I will be replacing that bar to reflect the money I "loaned" her(her idea not mine). That way we can track how much she has "paid me back".
Women???? They can be so difficult(no disrespect intended). I must add though that I love her independence, it is one quality I admire in a lady. If this goes beyond independence and stubbornness you are welcome to share your thoughts on it....
Thats me for today and I got her permission to post this before I did just so you know. I wouldn't just put up a post like this without permission.
Toodaloo.
Thursday, 14 April 2011
One Month And Going - To Infinity And Beyond
Can you believe it? It passed by and I didn't even notice. Yesterday marked one full month I have been blogging. An entire month has passed since my First Post. In it I had said I would write something at least once a week, turns out I posted something like six days a week. I really have been enjoying this blogging thing, it's only been one month and I know it doesn't call for a bottle of wine but I can still celebrate and not only for me, let me highlight some of the great bloggers whom I've been following since I started.
Counting All My Stars turned one month back on Tuesday. Here is her First Post.
Skye will be hitting the one month mark come Monday. Her First Post.
Two Degrees is a little older since she started in February/January so that makes it two months for her when the 6th passes this month. Given she only went public in March does that mean she is only one month like the rest of us... hmm.. Her First Post.
The Whole Guacamole started January 2nd so that makes her three months. Her First Post.
ND Chic is a bit older than all of the above, she's been in the game from October last year which makes it half a year for her. Now that's a land mark worth a bottle of wine. Her First Post.
hithatsmybike has been here for six months as well when the 25th comes and this is her First Post.
These are all bloggers who have been in the game for less than a year, but came in to this huge huge blogging world with a spark of magic. They all have great blogs with lots of great stuff to read, I practically read everything and you will see the links popping up from time to time. They all continue to bring me enjoyment and I will keep following so long as they keep blogging. Keep it up everyone and good luck on your journey.
You can also find all of them on my blogroll at any time cause like I said, these are the blogs I follow and enjoy. They are so many blogs out there that I honestly rarely get past the ones on my blogroll but I am glad that these few I mentioned today are the ones I have found.
The reason I linked to everyones first post is because from a first post you get to see a lot. You usually get insight as to why they started, a little info on the blogger and the best part is you get to see how much they have grown since that moment. Everyone learns, everyone makes mistakes, everyone succeeds at one of their goals and they all share that experience. It's worth more than you know.
Anyways that's me for today, if I am not too tired I will pick back up regular posting tonight but I feel really good about this week already.
Toodaloo.
Counting All My Stars turned one month back on Tuesday. Here is her First Post.
Skye will be hitting the one month mark come Monday. Her First Post.
Two Degrees is a little older since she started in February/January so that makes it two months for her when the 6th passes this month. Given she only went public in March does that mean she is only one month like the rest of us... hmm.. Her First Post.
The Whole Guacamole started January 2nd so that makes her three months. Her First Post.
ND Chic is a bit older than all of the above, she's been in the game from October last year which makes it half a year for her. Now that's a land mark worth a bottle of wine. Her First Post.
hithatsmybike has been here for six months as well when the 25th comes and this is her First Post.
These are all bloggers who have been in the game for less than a year, but came in to this huge huge blogging world with a spark of magic. They all have great blogs with lots of great stuff to read, I practically read everything and you will see the links popping up from time to time. They all continue to bring me enjoyment and I will keep following so long as they keep blogging. Keep it up everyone and good luck on your journey.
You can also find all of them on my blogroll at any time cause like I said, these are the blogs I follow and enjoy. They are so many blogs out there that I honestly rarely get past the ones on my blogroll but I am glad that these few I mentioned today are the ones I have found.
The reason I linked to everyones first post is because from a first post you get to see a lot. You usually get insight as to why they started, a little info on the blogger and the best part is you get to see how much they have grown since that moment. Everyone learns, everyone makes mistakes, everyone succeeds at one of their goals and they all share that experience. It's worth more than you know.
Anyways that's me for today, if I am not too tired I will pick back up regular posting tonight but I feel really good about this week already.
Toodaloo.
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Pumping My Best Posts
I was thinking about my blog at some point and this came to me. What happens if I pump out all my best blog post now so early? I won't have anything good to say when I get a following. I know it seems like a dumb thought but I honestly was thinking about it. I was telling myself I should save some of my better stuff for later.
To explain what I mean, I have many ideas for blog post in my head and some I deem better than others. My train of thought was to save the best for later but then it hit me. If I have nothing interesting for people to read now, how will I get them to return? That realisation punched me in the face.
I was also afraid that I would run out of stuff to write about, I might lose this passion I have burning right now. I really was afraid that I might get a following and then run out of stuff to write about. True I am blogging right now and only have one dedicated reader, true I may never get a following, true I am not necessarily writing for a following but also true is the fact that I would love people to read my stuff, for me to make a small benefit to someone, to know that my stuff helped or inspired someone.
Despite what the future holds so long as I have this passion I will continue to write. Not for money, not for a following, not to be famous, not because I have to, but I will write because I want to and I enjoy it.
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So this wasn't what I intended to post today, I had actually written up an article about loans and cash flow but I just don't like something about it and I don't want to post it. I'll take a swing at it and write it over at some point. This is actually something I had written a while back when I had first started blogging but also didn't publish, not because I didn't like it, just that I never posted it.
Does that happen to anyone else? Do you write stuff you don't like and end up trashing it or did you ever post something and didn't like it after?
Toodaloo
To explain what I mean, I have many ideas for blog post in my head and some I deem better than others. My train of thought was to save the best for later but then it hit me. If I have nothing interesting for people to read now, how will I get them to return? That realisation punched me in the face.
I was also afraid that I would run out of stuff to write about, I might lose this passion I have burning right now. I really was afraid that I might get a following and then run out of stuff to write about. True I am blogging right now and only have one dedicated reader, true I may never get a following, true I am not necessarily writing for a following but also true is the fact that I would love people to read my stuff, for me to make a small benefit to someone, to know that my stuff helped or inspired someone.
Despite what the future holds so long as I have this passion I will continue to write. Not for money, not for a following, not to be famous, not because I have to, but I will write because I want to and I enjoy it.
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So this wasn't what I intended to post today, I had actually written up an article about loans and cash flow but I just don't like something about it and I don't want to post it. I'll take a swing at it and write it over at some point. This is actually something I had written a while back when I had first started blogging but also didn't publish, not because I didn't like it, just that I never posted it.
Does that happen to anyone else? Do you write stuff you don't like and end up trashing it or did you ever post something and didn't like it after?
Toodaloo
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
I Hate Overtime
Believe it or not I do. I am fortunate enough to not only have a job, but have a job where there is an abundance of overtime available. Problem is, this means that I give up my off days a.k.a MY TIME.
First off the environment makes me feel as if I have no choice but to work overtime. For everyone else with the same position as me which we will call machine operator(to avoid getting into details) they make it seem like they have no life other than work, a typical conversation goes like this.
Supervisor - "work this weekend, you coming?"
Workmate1 - "that is a question?" - he answers in a sarcastic way as to say yes he is coming
or like this
Supervisor - "work this weekend, you coming"
Workmate2 - " I ain't got nothing better to do"
And the thing is this is the general response from almost everyone and I can't understand for the life of me how they work so much overtime or why, some even beg for it when it is not offered. A few of them are married with children so I just can't understand why you wouldn't want to spend time at home with your family.
And you know what upsets me more, when I say no I staying home. People say stuff like
"oh he still live at home with his mummy, he ain't got no responsibilities"
"youngsters don't like to work"
"you got someone who going leave you stuff when they pass on"
"you don't have any goals"
and one that most recently upset me was
"why?"
What you mean why? I have a life outside of the company and really it is none of your business(not intending to be rude). Other than that I am tired, I want to do stuff I want to do, I want to hang out with my friends, I just want my time to be my time. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against working extra but the situation with my job is, I like my job, I don't love my job. If I was doing something I love I probably wouldn't mind as much but I still wouldn't work the amount of time they work.
This is another reason why money management is so important to me, I want to work less but if I spend my money foolishly it will end up costing me more. In this case time. I try very hard to make do with what I get so I wouldn't have to work overtime to get more money to make up for it.
Yes there is the argument that overtime can help me achieve my goals faster but people fail to understand it is not a cost I am willing to pay. I prefer to manage my money and get things a little later than trade my little free time that I could be spending with P or on me.
They are 24 hours in a day and if I sleep for 8, and then work the next 8, only 8 are left for me and the thing with my 8 is that I have to spend some of my 8 preparing for the 8 that belongs to work which is making lunch, or travel to and from work and still fit any other personal matter into my 8. So I want my off days. I only get 2 out of the 7 days in a week and those are the days I hope I can sleep in late sometimes and get up and do nothing if I want or do what I want. I don't want to spend them at work.
Time is the most valuable thing on earth. At least to me it is. And my time just isn't worth the time and a half pay.
I don't mind helping out the company I work for every once in a while if need be but I think they over do it and what sucks for me is I don't want to lose my job. Reason I am posting about this is because I had to work overtime this past weekend and it upset me because I lost out on so much time. I will admit I really didn't have any plans but I would have still liked to be home relaxing. I still try and show that I care about my job so I decided every once in a while to work an off day or two. What's even more upsetting is that we have 4 bank holidays coming up and the company seems to want all of them..... Sigh
I'm sorry if this post is all over the place, I had wanted to do it for a while but I've been working a graveyard shift(11pm - 7am) and my sleep is messed up. I will try and do a follow up post if need be this week cause I don't think I got everything out.
Hakuna Mutata
Toodaloo
First off the environment makes me feel as if I have no choice but to work overtime. For everyone else with the same position as me which we will call machine operator(to avoid getting into details) they make it seem like they have no life other than work, a typical conversation goes like this.
Supervisor - "work this weekend, you coming?"
Workmate1 - "that is a question?" - he answers in a sarcastic way as to say yes he is coming
or like this
Supervisor - "work this weekend, you coming"
Workmate2 - " I ain't got nothing better to do"
And the thing is this is the general response from almost everyone and I can't understand for the life of me how they work so much overtime or why, some even beg for it when it is not offered. A few of them are married with children so I just can't understand why you wouldn't want to spend time at home with your family.
And you know what upsets me more, when I say no I staying home. People say stuff like
"oh he still live at home with his mummy, he ain't got no responsibilities"
"youngsters don't like to work"
"you got someone who going leave you stuff when they pass on"
"you don't have any goals"
and one that most recently upset me was
"why?"
What you mean why? I have a life outside of the company and really it is none of your business(not intending to be rude). Other than that I am tired, I want to do stuff I want to do, I want to hang out with my friends, I just want my time to be my time. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against working extra but the situation with my job is, I like my job, I don't love my job. If I was doing something I love I probably wouldn't mind as much but I still wouldn't work the amount of time they work.
This is another reason why money management is so important to me, I want to work less but if I spend my money foolishly it will end up costing me more. In this case time. I try very hard to make do with what I get so I wouldn't have to work overtime to get more money to make up for it.
Yes there is the argument that overtime can help me achieve my goals faster but people fail to understand it is not a cost I am willing to pay. I prefer to manage my money and get things a little later than trade my little free time that I could be spending with P or on me.
They are 24 hours in a day and if I sleep for 8, and then work the next 8, only 8 are left for me and the thing with my 8 is that I have to spend some of my 8 preparing for the 8 that belongs to work which is making lunch, or travel to and from work and still fit any other personal matter into my 8. So I want my off days. I only get 2 out of the 7 days in a week and those are the days I hope I can sleep in late sometimes and get up and do nothing if I want or do what I want. I don't want to spend them at work.
Time is the most valuable thing on earth. At least to me it is. And my time just isn't worth the time and a half pay.
I don't mind helping out the company I work for every once in a while if need be but I think they over do it and what sucks for me is I don't want to lose my job. Reason I am posting about this is because I had to work overtime this past weekend and it upset me because I lost out on so much time. I will admit I really didn't have any plans but I would have still liked to be home relaxing. I still try and show that I care about my job so I decided every once in a while to work an off day or two. What's even more upsetting is that we have 4 bank holidays coming up and the company seems to want all of them..... Sigh
I'm sorry if this post is all over the place, I had wanted to do it for a while but I've been working a graveyard shift(11pm - 7am) and my sleep is messed up. I will try and do a follow up post if need be this week cause I don't think I got everything out.
Hakuna Mutata
Toodaloo
Monday, 11 April 2011
Guilty! For Having No Budget.
Believe it or not, I actually do not have a budget. Let me repeat. I DO NOT HAVE A BUDGET. Nor do I have the drive or need to implement one. At least not yet.
They are reasons for this though, and I will go on to explain them starting with probably the main one. I do not have any major fixed expenses. Right now I still live at home with my mom. I have no rent, utility bills, mortgage, car payment, credit card bill, student loans or any kind of major financial responsibility in general.
I finished my Associate Degree about 1 1/2 years ago at our local community college and have had 2 full time jobs since then. As I live at home my expenses aren't that high, I just have my personal cell bill, transport to and from work and bi weekly supermarket trips for breakfast and lunch stuff being my highest expenses (and as of right now dentist appointments for my on going root canal).
I don't make a truckload of money(18k rounded off) and if I had to live on my own I would actually be scraping by. This is not to say that I don't have any plans to move out on my own, I actually plan to be married in the next 4-7 years. Sooner if possible. I've had my current job going 10 months come Thursday and I am now starting to see a very small set of savings build up, had quite a few road bumps right up to here but after 10 months I am finally seeing little progress. Hopefully it continues upward from here.
When I think about it, my major reason and practically only reason for no budget is no fixed expenses or much expenses that aren't personal, such as going out, food and buying stuff that I want not need. Basically I have an idea of how much I spend where and I average it out in my head. Along with that I am not a compulsive shopper, I deny myself things quite a bit, even small things like snacks, I don't always succeed but about 80% of the time I do go without whatever it is I wanted. Some people may call that a budget but for my definition it is far from.
For all those who are guilty like me for not having a formal budget here is your sentence.
SPEND LESS THAN YOU EARN & NEEDS BEFORE WANTS.
I preach that a lot but really and truly it is the only way I know of to avoid debt, especially when you don't pay much attention to your finances.
Here is another PF blogger who doesn't really have a budget but for different reasons. Same principle applies. A formal budget may not be for everyone but whatever you do try not to spend what you don't have.
Toodaloo.
They are reasons for this though, and I will go on to explain them starting with probably the main one. I do not have any major fixed expenses. Right now I still live at home with my mom. I have no rent, utility bills, mortgage, car payment, credit card bill, student loans or any kind of major financial responsibility in general.
I finished my Associate Degree about 1 1/2 years ago at our local community college and have had 2 full time jobs since then. As I live at home my expenses aren't that high, I just have my personal cell bill, transport to and from work and bi weekly supermarket trips for breakfast and lunch stuff being my highest expenses (and as of right now dentist appointments for my on going root canal).
I don't make a truckload of money(18k rounded off) and if I had to live on my own I would actually be scraping by. This is not to say that I don't have any plans to move out on my own, I actually plan to be married in the next 4-7 years. Sooner if possible. I've had my current job going 10 months come Thursday and I am now starting to see a very small set of savings build up, had quite a few road bumps right up to here but after 10 months I am finally seeing little progress. Hopefully it continues upward from here.
When I think about it, my major reason and practically only reason for no budget is no fixed expenses or much expenses that aren't personal, such as going out, food and buying stuff that I want not need. Basically I have an idea of how much I spend where and I average it out in my head. Along with that I am not a compulsive shopper, I deny myself things quite a bit, even small things like snacks, I don't always succeed but about 80% of the time I do go without whatever it is I wanted. Some people may call that a budget but for my definition it is far from.
For all those who are guilty like me for not having a formal budget here is your sentence.
SPEND LESS THAN YOU EARN & NEEDS BEFORE WANTS.
I preach that a lot but really and truly it is the only way I know of to avoid debt, especially when you don't pay much attention to your finances.
Here is another PF blogger who doesn't really have a budget but for different reasons. Same principle applies. A formal budget may not be for everyone but whatever you do try not to spend what you don't have.
Toodaloo.
Sunday, 10 April 2011
Linklove On A Sunday - All about Time
Just in case you are just lounging on a Sunday, catching up on blogs you didn't read during the week or just looking for something to read that you haven't, here are some good reads I have found. Some new, some old. Today I tried to link to articles related to time as I find myself in a constant battle with time. Some days I never feel like I have enough time. My time management is horrible but it's still far from good or better put, satisfying, with my major problem being making adequate time for sleep and still doing everything else.
On to the articles :
Krystal can actually set out a time table for her schedule and manage her day/week accordingly, I wish I could do that.... Actually I will be trying that soon. (@ Give Me Back My Five Bucks)
Trent did a superb article on leisure time vs idle time and most people could do well to understand the difference. It is hard to spot the difference sometimes. (@ The Simple Dollar)
Star was/is having a conflict on choosing stay at home mom vs keeping a job. Time vs money. A never ending battle. (@ Counting All My Stars And Saving It)
Kimberly has three personality traits that can all be attributed to time management. (@ The Whole Guacamole)
Skye gives some insight to her busy week schedule and how she handles it. (@ Sky's The Limit)
And this last one is just interesting. It's entitled Taking Control As A Woman and it was pointing out that men are more often than not are the financial decision makers in the household. Quite honestly men usually lead in a lot of things but the world is changing and I completely believe its for the better. Equality is the way in my books. Plus I wouldn't mind if my lady handled the house's finances.... More free time for me :) (@ Two Degrees of Unemployment)
For me, Sunday is meant for relaxing so kicking back and relaxing is great, weather you do some reading or watch a movie just enjoy it. If you have to work that sucks but just try to let it bother you. Hakuna Mutata
On to the articles :
Krystal can actually set out a time table for her schedule and manage her day/week accordingly, I wish I could do that.... Actually I will be trying that soon. (@ Give Me Back My Five Bucks)
Trent did a superb article on leisure time vs idle time and most people could do well to understand the difference. It is hard to spot the difference sometimes. (@ The Simple Dollar)
Star was/is having a conflict on choosing stay at home mom vs keeping a job. Time vs money. A never ending battle. (@ Counting All My Stars And Saving It)
Kimberly has three personality traits that can all be attributed to time management. (@ The Whole Guacamole)
Skye gives some insight to her busy week schedule and how she handles it. (@ Sky's The Limit)
And this last one is just interesting. It's entitled Taking Control As A Woman and it was pointing out that men are more often than not are the financial decision makers in the household. Quite honestly men usually lead in a lot of things but the world is changing and I completely believe its for the better. Equality is the way in my books. Plus I wouldn't mind if my lady handled the house's finances.... More free time for me :) (@ Two Degrees of Unemployment)
For me, Sunday is meant for relaxing so kicking back and relaxing is great, weather you do some reading or watch a movie just enjoy it. If you have to work that sucks but just try to let it bother you. Hakuna Mutata
Friday, 8 April 2011
Hakuna Mutata. It Means No Worries
Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phraseHakuna Matata! Ain't no passing crazeIt means no worries for the rest of your daysIt's our problem-free philosophyHakuna Matata!From The Lion King
When you are faced with a problem today. Say it. It just might make you smile. Worry and panic help solve nothing. I firmly believe if an accident happens and you watch it happen without even trying to avoid it, it wasn't an accident. If you see a car coming at you and you stand up like a deer in the headlights, is it really an accident?
If you are faced with a problem today, or any day for that matter, or you are feeling hurt, upset, downtrodden, worthless, or if you think life would be better if you were a clam. Go to your happy place. I don't know if you watched Happy Gilmore but that would be the perfect example of going to a happy place.
I don't believe anyone could have gone through life without once smiling, and if throughout your entire life you only smiled once then I can most certainly bet you will remember that one time. That my friend would be your happy place. Your happy place can be anything once just the thought of it brings a smile to your face. It can be your significant other, your children, a joke, someone's else misfortune(like if you saw someone trip up but didn't hurt themselves), a hope, a memory, your pet, a movie, a goal, a song, free willy, a dream. Anything. It can be anything once it can bring a smile to your face.
Once you can smile you can think clearer, you can function better, you are more friendly to interact with, you are more motivated. Yes your life can be bad. Yes they are people in the world worst off than you. Yes in your own world you are the worst off but still. Hakuna Mutata.
You may be struggling with something. You might be drowning in debt, you might be hungry(one of the worst feelings in the entire world), you might be lonely(another candidate for worst feeling in the world), you job may be stressful, school may make you cry, your car may have gotten repossessed today, you might have lost your job or someone may have splashed you but before you sink to despair and hopelessness or anger. Go to your happy place.
Hakuna Mutata.
Thursday, 7 April 2011
Conflict Resolution, A Peaceful Solution
Ok, so I got to the bank on Monday this week to deal with those backdated charges, turns out the bank had one branch that opens later than all the rest so I made it my business to get there.
Only thing I can complain about is the long wait I had in line even though when I got there only one person was ahead of me. Other than that, I had really good help from the bank representative.
The charges he told me were for using my card at POS(point of sale) services. Which is basically swiping my card for a direct debit to my account. In my account description there is nothing saying I am to be charged for this nor anything saying I should not be but he did tell me that it is a fee that they don't generally wave. So it turns out I made six POS swipes over the month and they were charged at a dollar each so that answered the backdated charges.
On the account I was using being changed up, he informed me that "generally"* and he emphasized the "generally" they let customers keep the old versions of the accounts unless they ask for it to be changed or they open a new account since the change so from what it looks like I may still have my old account be he wasn't 100% sure because from his side of things, my account name at least had changed. I haven't received any charges but the name has changed. Basically my account may still have the old settings but with the new name which can work for me but I will have to monitor it this month to see if I get any service charges.
Overall I was able to have my problems explained in a quite peaceful way, no need for me to go into the bank and keep a whole set of noise(which isn't my nature in the first place) and the customer service was outstanding. I did file a couple of complaints though not necessarily to complain but I want to give my feedback to the bank. Have to wait and see if they follow up on that.
So for now I will be keeping my business within that very bank and I will see how long I decide to remain with them. Like I said as of now, in my opinion, they are still the best bank on the island. No one is perfect so no use getting to worked up. I just have to learn not to get worked up until I get things explained me properly. That is one thing I have to work on. And thanks for all the support.
Toodaloo.
Only thing I can complain about is the long wait I had in line even though when I got there only one person was ahead of me. Other than that, I had really good help from the bank representative.
The charges he told me were for using my card at POS(point of sale) services. Which is basically swiping my card for a direct debit to my account. In my account description there is nothing saying I am to be charged for this nor anything saying I should not be but he did tell me that it is a fee that they don't generally wave. So it turns out I made six POS swipes over the month and they were charged at a dollar each so that answered the backdated charges.
On the account I was using being changed up, he informed me that "generally"* and he emphasized the "generally" they let customers keep the old versions of the accounts unless they ask for it to be changed or they open a new account since the change so from what it looks like I may still have my old account be he wasn't 100% sure because from his side of things, my account name at least had changed. I haven't received any charges but the name has changed. Basically my account may still have the old settings but with the new name which can work for me but I will have to monitor it this month to see if I get any service charges.
Overall I was able to have my problems explained in a quite peaceful way, no need for me to go into the bank and keep a whole set of noise(which isn't my nature in the first place) and the customer service was outstanding. I did file a couple of complaints though not necessarily to complain but I want to give my feedback to the bank. Have to wait and see if they follow up on that.
So for now I will be keeping my business within that very bank and I will see how long I decide to remain with them. Like I said as of now, in my opinion, they are still the best bank on the island. No one is perfect so no use getting to worked up. I just have to learn not to get worked up until I get things explained me properly. That is one thing I have to work on. And thanks for all the support.
Toodaloo.
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
Future Direction of Upendilife
So I've been doing some thinking about this blog, and I realize I have been really lacking in posting finance related topics. I put in the description that the blog is to help with personal development and finance, in truth I put development as a safety measure since I know I didn't want to write exclusively about finances.
A big part of good personal development is having control over your finances, to put it blunt, without proper control of your finances, your life will always be out of control and hence limit your overall development.
I must admit that a lot of my motivation for this blog comes from PF bloggers and I too have my fair share of PF related post floating around my head but I just haven't pumped them out yet, timing just doesn't feel right, I felt at the given time that everything I posted up until now was to be posted but as I look back I really am lacking in the PF genre. I also want to start writing post that can more connect with people in my home country Barbados and help them improve their lives and their finances.
So far my action plan involves coming up with some sort of plan and schedule for posting
How many times a week to post?
So far I think I can handle once a day and skip Saturdays.
How many finance related post should I do?
I don't know, but I think a good balance would be 3 if I plan to post 6 times a week
On helping my local people?
I think at least one day a week I should do a finance related post that can be directly applied to a situation here in Barbados, not sure if that is included in the 3 a week plan.
The problem with all this planning is the restrictions it brings. I just want to write for now, I enjoy what I write but I still want this to be at least a quasi PF blog. I also don't want to know that every Monday I have to post something on finances, I guess I can work around that by just doing the 3 finance posts a week but don't put them for specific days.
To anyone who reads this and more specifically to the people who have read more than one post, if I am not asking to much can you give me your opinion thus far on the blog? Also some advice on the PF front on what I should do or be doing? Can you point out any specifics that would appeal to you? Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thank you so much.
I may not post tomorrow so as to give this post an extra day upfront hopefully allowing more people time to read and comment and for me to really think about how to go forward with the blog.
I've been enjoying it so far but I honestly feel like it is straying to far from personal finance and I want to get that on track.
Toodaloo
And I got to the bank yesterday to deal with those backdated charges, will talk about it later this week.
I've been enjoying it so far but I honestly feel like it is straying to far from personal finance and I want to get that on track.
Toodaloo
And I got to the bank yesterday to deal with those backdated charges, will talk about it later this week.
Monday, 4 April 2011
Not Mclovin. Linklovin
Actually call me Mclovin cause I am here to share some sweet sweet Linklovin
If it is one post your read today from this list please make it this one. It's not finance related but if you can share any advice please do. (@ Loss Journey)
Take a minute to be glad for something today. Anything that makes you smile. (@ Sky's The Limit)
For all those couples out there, you need to dive into that rift and have the TALK. (@ Counting All My Stars and Saving It)
Comfort and Motivation. Interesting article but I think the lack of motivation has to do with lack of responsibilities. (@ Two Degrees of Unemployment)
Nothing is wrong with wants, it is just how we balance them vs. our needs. (@ Girl Makes Cents)
I still live with my parents(my mom specifically) but I wouldn't say I depend of my parents, at least not to that extent. I actually told my mom if I am not out by 25 to kick me out. (@ Little Miss Moneybags)
Some nice shots of Germany if you have never been there like me. (@ Punch Debt In The Face)
Trent took some heat in the comments for this post about wants vs. needs but it is a really great article. (@ The Simple Dollar)
I've been doing some thinking on the future of this blog and I was going to mention it here but it became too long and this post is about sharing some love to those bloggers above so check back tomorrow please. And more importantly check out those links if you haven't read them already. Good stuff.
If it is one post your read today from this list please make it this one. It's not finance related but if you can share any advice please do. (@ Loss Journey)
Take a minute to be glad for something today. Anything that makes you smile. (@ Sky's The Limit)
For all those couples out there, you need to dive into that rift and have the TALK. (@ Counting All My Stars and Saving It)
Comfort and Motivation. Interesting article but I think the lack of motivation has to do with lack of responsibilities. (@ Two Degrees of Unemployment)
Nothing is wrong with wants, it is just how we balance them vs. our needs. (@ Girl Makes Cents)
I still live with my parents(my mom specifically) but I wouldn't say I depend of my parents, at least not to that extent. I actually told my mom if I am not out by 25 to kick me out. (@ Little Miss Moneybags)
Some nice shots of Germany if you have never been there like me. (@ Punch Debt In The Face)
Trent took some heat in the comments for this post about wants vs. needs but it is a really great article. (@ The Simple Dollar)
I've been doing some thinking on the future of this blog and I was going to mention it here but it became too long and this post is about sharing some love to those bloggers above so check back tomorrow please. And more importantly check out those links if you haven't read them already. Good stuff.
Sunday, 3 April 2011
Of Course You Realize, This Means War!
My personal Bank, the bank I have been praising for quite a while now, just turned around and screw me in the rear. I am not sure if I am at liberty to name them outright on this blog so I will avoid that for now.
Anyways so I was checking my account online yesterday and saw a backdated service charge of 6 dollars. I don't even know what for as the account I have was a no fee account, it isn't the first time I have seen one but I let the other one slide because I did a transaction that month that I knew I should have been charged for....
What has me super pissed is that I won't be able to look into this until Friday because of my work schedule. So after I saw this backdated charge I began surfing their website to see if anything had changed and lo and behold the account I was using is all changed up, it was split into two different accounts and all sorts of fees and stuff pop out of nowhere. I might explode when I get into that bank Friday. Trust me.
I am seriously considering packing up my bags and taking my money elsewhere but the major problem with that is even though this bank has underhanded me, they still offer some of the best services on the island. Especially the internet banking which I use most often. Out of my options, I only have one bank I am willing to take my money to at this time, well technically 2 banks (I already have an account with one that I don't use but never closed) just that the second bank isn't to innovative and doesn't offer much besides an account. The bank I am considering though has one major problem. No internet banking. I don't really want to give that up but I am not about to pay a bunch of underhanded fees just for that service.
In the terms and conditions, the bank holds the right to change accounts, interest rates, fees or anything without notice but to do it underhanded like that just totally pisses me off. I hate being stabbed in the back by people I trust and I not willing to let a bank do it either. If they had just sent me a letter or some form of notice stating effective from this date we will be doing so and so, I would have taken it easier and probably even still want to remain a customer and probably even put up with the fees cause all the competing banks charge fees for something or the other, but they did it underhandedly and I will not settle until this is rectified.
After I get to chat with the bank I will make the decision on weather I move or stay. I'll let you readers know what went down. I may not be their richest customer so me pulling my money won't affect them but at least I will feel like justice is served and I will let them clearly know why I am doing so. Plus I kinda hope I end up some big shot invester and I get to rub it in their faces I wont be doing business there because of how I was treated.
Sadly I may still end up using them as my bank of choice since my options are so limited. We only have 5 banks on the island and about 3 major credit unions and none of them are up to grade or at least my grade so I at least hope if I have to stick with this bank we can come to a mutual understanding and agreement of some sorts.
Oh and this particular bank won bank of the year for Barbados by TheBanker and best internet bank by Global Finance for the year 2010. If you doubt me Google it.
It's amazing what kind of things upset me.
Hope everyone had a great weekend. I going have to carry this anger with me for the entire week but I will lock it in a box till I can deal with it.
Anyways so I was checking my account online yesterday and saw a backdated service charge of 6 dollars. I don't even know what for as the account I have was a no fee account, it isn't the first time I have seen one but I let the other one slide because I did a transaction that month that I knew I should have been charged for....
What has me super pissed is that I won't be able to look into this until Friday because of my work schedule. So after I saw this backdated charge I began surfing their website to see if anything had changed and lo and behold the account I was using is all changed up, it was split into two different accounts and all sorts of fees and stuff pop out of nowhere. I might explode when I get into that bank Friday. Trust me.
I am seriously considering packing up my bags and taking my money elsewhere but the major problem with that is even though this bank has underhanded me, they still offer some of the best services on the island. Especially the internet banking which I use most often. Out of my options, I only have one bank I am willing to take my money to at this time, well technically 2 banks (I already have an account with one that I don't use but never closed) just that the second bank isn't to innovative and doesn't offer much besides an account. The bank I am considering though has one major problem. No internet banking. I don't really want to give that up but I am not about to pay a bunch of underhanded fees just for that service.
In the terms and conditions, the bank holds the right to change accounts, interest rates, fees or anything without notice but to do it underhanded like that just totally pisses me off. I hate being stabbed in the back by people I trust and I not willing to let a bank do it either. If they had just sent me a letter or some form of notice stating effective from this date we will be doing so and so, I would have taken it easier and probably even still want to remain a customer and probably even put up with the fees cause all the competing banks charge fees for something or the other, but they did it underhandedly and I will not settle until this is rectified.
After I get to chat with the bank I will make the decision on weather I move or stay. I'll let you readers know what went down. I may not be their richest customer so me pulling my money won't affect them but at least I will feel like justice is served and I will let them clearly know why I am doing so. Plus I kinda hope I end up some big shot invester and I get to rub it in their faces I wont be doing business there because of how I was treated.
Sadly I may still end up using them as my bank of choice since my options are so limited. We only have 5 banks on the island and about 3 major credit unions and none of them are up to grade or at least my grade so I at least hope if I have to stick with this bank we can come to a mutual understanding and agreement of some sorts.
Oh and this particular bank won bank of the year for Barbados by TheBanker and best internet bank by Global Finance for the year 2010. If you doubt me Google it.
It's amazing what kind of things upset me.
Hope everyone had a great weekend. I going have to carry this anger with me for the entire week but I will lock it in a box till I can deal with it.
Friday, 1 April 2011
I'm Finally A Thousand Dollar Baller
Hip Hip Hooray. It's that time when most PF bloggers do a net worth update so here is mine.
Assets
Liquid Cash - $975.35
RRSP - $325.00
Stock Fund - $360.00
Misc. Shares - $120.02
Liabilities
I technically don't have any.
Explanations
Monthly Progress update
Okay so I made an overall increase of 3.32% which isn't bad, it could have been better but I had some unexpected expenses. They weren't emergencies but they definitely were not planned. I also had one planned expense for the month.
The planned expense was a dental appointment.
The first unplanned expense was tickets to the John Legend concert in May. I can't believe he is coming to Barbados. He is my second favorite artist overall and my favorite R&B/Soul artist. I've always wanted to see him perform live and lucky for me he is coming to Barbados so I won't have to travel to see him perform. Double awesomeness is that I will be attending the concert with P. I never dreamed that would happen. Two tickets cost me $300.
The second unplanned expense was a school expense to the amount of $300. Can't say anymore than that.
Quarterly Progress Update
So we are also at the end of the first quarter of the year and even though I am not at the quarter mark to achieving my net worth goal for the year, I am still quite happy with the progress.
My biggest major set back for the year is my on going root canal that will end up costing me a total of $3000 give or take. Can't remember the exact amount quoted to me right now. $3000 for one freaking tooth, I should have just pulled that sucka. So far I've only shelled out $600 towards it. Like I said it's ongoing.
Anywhosie that's it for today. Hope everyone was able to increase their net worth for last month and for those who didn't you have a goal to meet for this month of April.
Toodaloo.
P.S Just remembered, any questions ask away in the comments and a reminder, all monetary figures posted on my blog will be in my local currency unless otherwise stated.
Assets
Liquid Cash - $975.35
RRSP - $325.00
Stock Fund - $360.00
Misc. Shares - $120.02
Liabilities
I technically don't have any.
Explanations
- Liquid Cash - This includes all my money that I can access. Savings, Emergency Funds, etc.
- RRSP - Registered Retirement Savings Plan. This Speaks for itself
- Stock Fund - Money I set aside with my employer to purchase shares in our parent company.
- Misc. Shares - I was required to purchase shares in the institution that I use for my RRSP
Monthly Progress update
Okay so I made an overall increase of 3.32% which isn't bad, it could have been better but I had some unexpected expenses. They weren't emergencies but they definitely were not planned. I also had one planned expense for the month.
The planned expense was a dental appointment.
The first unplanned expense was tickets to the John Legend concert in May. I can't believe he is coming to Barbados. He is my second favorite artist overall and my favorite R&B/Soul artist. I've always wanted to see him perform live and lucky for me he is coming to Barbados so I won't have to travel to see him perform. Double awesomeness is that I will be attending the concert with P. I never dreamed that would happen. Two tickets cost me $300.
The second unplanned expense was a school expense to the amount of $300. Can't say anymore than that.
Quarterly Progress Update
So we are also at the end of the first quarter of the year and even though I am not at the quarter mark to achieving my net worth goal for the year, I am still quite happy with the progress.
My biggest major set back for the year is my on going root canal that will end up costing me a total of $3000 give or take. Can't remember the exact amount quoted to me right now. $3000 for one freaking tooth, I should have just pulled that sucka. So far I've only shelled out $600 towards it. Like I said it's ongoing.
Anywhosie that's it for today. Hope everyone was able to increase their net worth for last month and for those who didn't you have a goal to meet for this month of April.
Toodaloo.
P.S Just remembered, any questions ask away in the comments and a reminder, all monetary figures posted on my blog will be in my local currency unless otherwise stated.
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