Trying to find that happy medium

I was cleaning out some papers which cropped up during my move to my new place. In the pile of receipts I found the receipt for my first digital camera. I still remember buying this camera in preparation for my 3 months internship in Finland. It’s a Canon A86 and cost $416.23. Also another receipt which I got a 256MB Flash card and a battery charger for $119.32 to go with the camera.

Aside from the shock at how dated the electronics is now, I’m really surprised at how changed my attitude towards spending is. I didn’t research for this purchase. I didn’t look for sales. I basically picked a camera I liked at the camera store. Paid for it. Then I hopped over to the electronics store and bought the accessories to go with. $500+ with no prior planning or thought of how it affected my future budget.

It’s not that I wasn’t money conscious at the time. I’ve been brought up to save money for as long as I can remember. However, back then my spending was less controlled or planned. There were two sides to my money philosophy
which didn’t quite mesh. There was the side that saved as much as possible. But then there was the side that saw what she wanted, and bought it as long as there was money in the bank. I never carried a balance on my credit card, but I never had long term savings either.

Funny how perspectives change. Back when I made less than half of what I made now but I was more free with my money than I am now. Back then I dropped $500 in a day without much thought. Whereas, I’ve been agonizing more than two months over a couch because $1000 is so much money. Of course back then I wasn’t thinking about mortgage payments and RRSP savings etc.

That being said. I don’t want to be ruled by money. I think I need to find a happy medium between the then me and the now me.

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No more late fees

I've decided. I am not going to spend any more money on library late fees.

No it's not that I can't spare the small amount of money. It's just the fact that it's so avoidable. Like speeding tickets. I'd rather splurge the money on something I like than use it to pay fines.

It's easy to avoid late fees to. All I have to do is return the stuff on time or renew it online. Yet the last three months I've paid approximately $10 in late fees.

There. I'm putting my foot down. I'm determined. No more late fees.

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2009 Clothing expenses

Last year I totaled up what I spent on clothing, accessories, shoes etc. Well most of it because I didn't keep all the receipts. Total for 2008 was $1808.50.

This year, I tried to keep all the receipts (probably about 90% made it) and here is the total.....

$1223.7

Not bad right? About $100 of that is for my bridesmaid dress for a wedding in April.

One of my favorite deals of the year would have to be a purple strapless dress which I totally rocked during my company party. Bought on sale for $21.67.

This year's goal is to buy quality (classic style and good materials) while keeping cost down.

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Tiffany & Co.

I don't have expensive taste...usually. But I went shopping with a friend of mine, whose taste is. Since I was there, I tried a few things on. I really, really like the medium Sterling silver Elsa Peretti Bean pendant. It's very simple and elegant.

Since I started working, I wanted to treat myself to a nice piece of jewelery to signify my transition into a responsible adult. I know that was awhile back, but I never could find the right one. I think this is it though.

However, it almost feel a little anticlimactic to just go out and buy it. So I am going to put a little PF blogger/woman-on-health-kick twist to it.

The bean is $280. For every time I bring my lunch and skip going out for lunch at work, I will put $2 (a toonie) in the Tiffany jar. For every time, I go out for a run I will put another toonie in the jar. Progress bar is going up. I'm excited.

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How much are you wearing

I went out for a walk with a few people from work today. I don't work in the same group so they don't see me much outside of work. One guy recognized the brand for my Soia & Kyo coat. It's a really discrete marking but he noticed because his girlfriend is a big fan.

Then it turned into a conversation about how guys can't understand the amount of money girls spend on clothing. As I was thinking about this on my walk home, I did a quick mental tally of how much my ensemble for the day cost. Here it is. Jacket $250. Blue short sleeve shirt $30. Grey vest to wear over top $30. Black pants $70. Heels $60. Purse $100. Eye glasses $250. Total $790.

It's shocking to see it all together. Good thing I buy quality stuff that I can wear over time. For example, I've had the jacket for over a year, the heels for 2 years, and glasses always last a long time for me. Point is? I admit it. It's a lot of money. Because it is, I make less purchases and choose them carefully with style and quality in mind so I can wear it for a long time.

It's an interesting exercise though. Really puts spending into perspective. Next when you have some time waiting for the subway, or walking to work, do an inventory of how much you are wearing, just for kicks.

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Free time is not cheap

It's really refreshing not having to work on the weekends. But it seems to mean I spend more money though. I woke up at the leisurely hour of 8am (that's late considering I usually have shift at 7am). I put in the laundry. I did some web surfing. I thought I make myself breakfast and went by the grocery store. Grocery trip cost me $18.

I went by the library to borrow some books. Between my late fees and having to renew my membership I spent $19 at the library. Note to self, remember to return books on time.


It's barely noon and I've already spent $37!

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Seeing it all together

A combination of long periods of not cleaning up my wallet and papers, and too many espressos one late night meant I had most of my receipts from the last year of shopping in chronological order. It's something seeing it all at once. Here is a summary of all the shopping I did between February to end of December 2008. Keeping in mind, this is probably just a portion (if I have to guess: 70%) of the spending since I didn't keep all of the receipts.

Clothing: $843.27
Shoes/Boots: $426.11
Outerwear: $408.44
Accessories: $130.68

Total: $1808.50

I'm not sure if this is good or bad. What do you think?

I think this year I will keep all my receipts to see how much I spend on clothes.

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The Bad

Yesterday I posted about all the good stuff I did as a money conscious PF blogger. Today I have to write about the bad.

First I was too busy (maybe a little lazy) and didn’t return my books to the library. My fines are now at $7. Completely defeats the purpose of saving money by going to the library.

Then I didn’t have enough time to make anything to bring for two of the Christmas dinners. So I spent way too much buying bakery and wine.

Lots of my friends from Europe made it home for Christmas. This last couple of weeks, I’ve been going out for dinner and drinks a lot. I haven’t been tracking what the damage is but it’s pretty bad.

Also because it’s the holidays we get a little break at work, which means we are going out for lunch everyday.

I don’t feel too bad about all this though. It’s the holidays, and I spent it being social. But I’m going back on the frugal wagon in January.

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Navigating Sales

After my post about Linen n' Things, I felt I wanted to elaborate on my last sentence. I know a lot of people (myself included) who make this mistake: buy things we don't need or things that aren't really good deals, because it was a great sale. So here are some things to keep in mind when going to a sale.

Have a plan. When you see a great sale, think about what you would like to get and then decide at what price is it a good deal. This way you are more focused and avoid two pitfalls.

Pitfall #1, see a super marked down item that you don't need, but it's too good a deal to pass up. I don't care if it's 95% off and only cost 25 cents. If you buy something you don't need, you spent 25 cents buying clutter for your home.

Pitfall #2, buy an super marked down item (because it's a steal at 50% off!), even though the sale price is still unrealistic in terms of what you should spend. I was looking for a cardigan this weekend. I found a Kenneth Cole cashmere cardigan marked down from $300 to $150. I was seriously tempted. I really needed one for work. This one was the right style and right thickness to warmth ratio (super warm and not too thick). AND it was 50% off, a steal! It is. But the $150 is still way, way over my budget. Sometimes emotions gets the best of people. In a sale situation it's also the urgency, and the fear that if you don't buy it now you will regret it. I walked around with that sweater for 15 minutes. I left and came back. I called my friends. Finally, after thinking back to similar situations before, I put down the cardigan.

I realized that buying it didn't make my life fuller, and leaving it won't leave my life lesser. Missing a 'great deal' opportunity won't fill my life with regret (unless I let it), sales will happen again.

What if you can't think of what you want from the store? It's a big sale. There might be super good deals of things you need/want but can't think of on the spur of the moment? I for one would go in for a look. Key is to treat this like any regular shopping trip. Don't think about how great a deal you are getting. Don't decide your purchase on how many % off it is. Decide by asking questions like do I need this? How will I use it? How often will I use it? Is this price right for me? If you are buying gifts, you can come up with similar questions.

Happy Shopping.

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Gas Money

I’m doing my part at Elections Canada this Federal Election. I found out about this from my neighbor and thought it would be a good way to be involved in a non-party specific way.

It’s not volunteering. I actually will get paid. However, because I have a full, full schedule these last couple of weeks, I’ve only been there a couple of times for the total of a few hours. As I was driving to work this morning, I realized the money won’t even cover my gas bill this week.

I’ve become increasingly dependent on my car this last year. It started when I got a laptop for work. When I started bringing work home with me, I just had too much stuff to lug onto the train, and do a bus transfer. Before that I already had three bags of stuff: purse (big), breakfast/lunch/snack bag, and work out bag. Then I got this job, I became even more dependent on the car since it doesn’t even have a direct bus route.

I wish I could walk/bike/ride one train to work.

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Soia & Kyo coat

In the Spring I bought a Soia & Kyo Spring/Summer coat. Everyone who has seen it loves it. It was a luxury purchase, about $250. This weekend, I was browsing Winners with my friend who was looking for Matt & Nat bags.

I didn’t have any specific plans to buy anything because I was in a lazy, don’t want to try on clothes kind of mood. Then she finds this cute little Soia & Kyo coat just my size. I tried it on and it was love. Regular retail was about $300. For that price, there would’ve been major indecisiveness on my part until my friends, my family, and myself finally convince me to buy it. However, the Winners price tag is $150, which made the decision a lot easier. Just the regular ‘Oh do I want more stuff to clutter up my closet and when will I wear it’ kind of indecisiveness. Of course it’s not from this year’s winter collection but who cares!

Moral of the story, Winners has some good stuff if you have the patience or a good friend to help you look.

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It's easier when it's not your money

I got my new glasses today. I love it.

Now I’m not a super brand girl. I won’t spend a fortune just for a brand name purse or designer clothes when regular stuff will do just fine. Still a brand name like LV or Gucci excites me just as much as the next girl. When I went into the store to choose glasses I wanted to get a pair that looked best on me. It just so happened that was a pair of Gucci frames at $300+.

This is where it comes in that when it’s not your money, it’s easier to part with it. Normally, if it’s a purse or clothes, I’d think about that $300+ coming out of my account and settle for the second choice (non brand name, maybe not on the same level of love but only a little less love and a much smaller price tag). However, my employer has 80% vision coverage and a health spending account (aka money that is ear marked for expenses like this and I will lose if I don’t spend it).

It was such freedom buying what I love (brand name no less) and not thinking about deals and savings for a change. Wait, I did choose the generic lenses instead of brand name Nikon lenses. The gap between extra benefit compared to the extra price was too big and not worth it. Can’t get rid of the PF blogger in me completely.

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NS trip spending

Finally, the numbers are in for NS trip. Everything is posted on the credit card and my friend send me my share of the bill. Here it is. My share of the bill came to $166. I spent $125 in cash and $100.73 on credit. Total came to $391.73 and that includes the fee I had to pay after missing my flight. Not bad.

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Gift done

Well, I have today off. I went into the electronics store and bought the BF's gift. I couldn’t find exactly what I wanted in the stores where he lived. I’m shipping it to him. With shipping, taxes, etc. I spent about $130. I hope he likes it. But boys and electronics seem to get along pretty well.

While in the store I also looked at the laptops. $800 is about right for what I wanted. I’m only half way to that amount (you can see on my side bar). However, I will probably be needing this laptop sooner than later.

I’m debating what to do. Ideally, I want to save up the full $800 before I buy it. However, I do have the room to take it out of my savings. Also, if I am to leave my job soon (likely), I will be spending a lot of time on it, sending out resumes and cover letters etc. I need to have a setup that will make it as enjoyable (less painful) as possible. The old computer with the broken keyboard just won’t cut it.

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Shopping for gift

It is the BF’s birthday in about a week. I’m giving him a digital photo frame loaded with the photos of me (possibly him if he’s good). I will send him his gift in two parts. First I will send a birthday card with a SD card loaded with photos. I won’t tell him what for. Then I will order the frame online at a store which is located in his city so he can pick it up.

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Another thing to save for

Right now I have three computers available to me. A desktop and a laptop from work, and a laptop at home. The laptop I have at home is pretty run down. The key board doesn’t work and I make do with a USB keyboard. The battery died months ago. When I leave my current job this laptop alone will just not do at all.

I don’t need much because I don’t do any gaming or graphics. I also like small screen for the portability. I noticed that some small screens laptops are actually cheaper. I had a look around and $800 would be sufficient for a laptop I want to buy. I will try and fund this account by saving from my regular budget.

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Too much flying!

Well, I just booked my flight to Halifax for this summer. My friends (from Toronto) who were coming to visit me decided it’s too expensive. So we are going to Halifax since none of us have ever been except for L. His family lives there.

I know. It’s a little unfair. To save them money my summer expense just went way up because of a $850 flight ticket. The friends thought they’d make it up to me by chipping in a couple hundred dollars for my flight. However, I couldn’t just take money from them for no reason.

Now there is a new saving goal. $850 to pay for flight to Halifax. I’m really looking forward to seeing them though.

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There are only so many things to buy for a kitchen/garden

Mother’s day is this weekend, and I haven’t a clue what to get for mum. She is very hard to buy for because she doesn’t like anyone spending money on her. Sometimes her exclamations over how much her gifts cost sound very close to criticism.

Anyway, Sis and I always try to get her things that are useful but she normally wouldn’t get for herself. This means two options: cooking or gardening.

Gives us lots of options right? Not really. I mean between Mother’s Days, Birthdays, and Christmases, you run out of things to buy fast. Maybe Sis has some ideas.

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Lost urge to shop?

I went outlet shopping at San Marcos. It was huge! By far it is the biggest outlet mall I’ve seen. There was a new Gucci opening and people were lined up to get in. The most crowded shop I saw was the Coach store.

When I first got there I was afraid I’d spend a fortune. But other than a couple of things from Ann Taylor for Sis, and perfume for a friend, I didn’t buy anything at all. Every time I thought of buying something, I thought “I don’t need it right now. It’s only going to mean more clutter and spending money. I don’t have to buy something just because it’s a good deal”

I wonder if it would work out the same (amount of money spent/saved) if I just get things on the occasions when I need them instead of stock piling things on sale for the possibility I might need it in the future. I have a lot of things in my closet that I don’t wear and eventually end up giving away.

It’s hard to tell. I’m just glad I didn’t spend a fortune today.

photo by santacroce

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Friday night shopping

Do you like these earrings? I bought them at a craft show yesterday. They are handmade by this woman from Nelson, BC. She has the cutest stuff. I also saw the nicest gold leaf earrings but I limited myself to one thing. Maybe next time.

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