jump to navigation

I’m trying not to worry May 30, 2008

Posted by gmbmfb in : fitness, relationship , add a comment

I haven’t gotten a SPOT message from BF since Tuesday. It’s Friday now, and I’m a little worried. He said that they would send a message out every day. BF’s mom wrote me a nice little e-mail though and told me that BF is experienced and knows what he’s doing, and not to worry. She thinks that the weather is probably bad up on the mountain or something, so maybe they just haven’t moved from their last spot yet. Hmm.

I had a great hike yesterday with my friend, and we’re going to try to get in an evening hike every week or so. We’re going again next Wednesday, and we’re going to try something a little more challenging – with more elevation. It should be another 5 hr. hike, so I’m stoked for that! After our hike last night, he took me around on a little tour of North Vancouver, since I haven’t spent much time there before. It was a good time indeed. :)


May Grocery Challenge – Week #4 May 30, 2008

Posted by gmbmfb in : monthly challenge , add a comment

Well it’s Week 4, so that means we’re done the May Grocery Challenge! Hoorah!

How did you do this week? Did you learn anything from this challenge?

I learned that without even trying very hard, I was able to shave my monthly grocery spending from around $150 down to under $125. $25/month may not seem like much, but over the course of a year, that’s $300 that I could be saving instead of (literally) flushing it down the toilet. :) So I’m going to keep on trying to spend $125/month on groceries from now on … but if one week I want to buy chicken, or something special, I know I’ll be able to afford it b/c I’m used to budgeting $150/month.

This is also the last call for participants in the June Dining Out Challenge! :)


This is just what I needed this afternoon May 29, 2008

Posted by gmbmfb in : miscellaneous , add a comment


Where did I put my credit card!? May 29, 2008

Posted by gmbmfb in : credit card , add a comment

Ugg. I can’t find my Visa card. I know it’s here somewhere. I remember throwing it in my purse or in a pocket or something, and thinking to myself that I must remember that I put it there, and not in my wallet! And now I can’t find it. It’s been about 3 days.

Damnit! Nevermind, I found it in the pocket of my hoodie. The hoodie that I’ve worn every single day since I misplaced my Visa. I’m a dork. :)

On another note, I grabbed a tea, and then went out for dinner with my old high school friend tonight. I spent $20, but it was worth it. I haven’t seen or talked to her in about 5 years, and it was like nothing had changed. We are totally on the same page with everything. She also finds it difficult to live in Vancouver, and even though she’s been here for about 1.5 years, she hasn’t made many friends. So needless to say, we’re happy to have reconnected. In fact, we’re going to see the Sex and the City movie next Tuesday night. Which is good, because BF refused to take me to see it. :)

I’m really, really happy that I saw her again. I feel a lot less lonely now that I have 2 friends here in Vancouver (besides BF), and this is the second day that I haven’t cried over missing him (out of the 6 days he’s been gone). It’s not a nice feeling, being pseudo-single … but keeping myself busy with friends doesn’t make it seem so bad.


May Goals: My Review May 28, 2008

Posted by gmbmfb in : monthly goals , add a comment

May Goals (end of month review):


How I know my BF is safe May 28, 2008

Posted by gmbmfb in : relationship , 1 comment so far

So BF and his 2 mountain climbing friends have a SPOT Satellite tracker with them. It uses the GPS satellite network to acquire its coordinates, and then sends an e-mail – with a link to Google maps – and a pre-programmed message to its recipients. These messages are super simple: OK and HELP. There’s also a 911 button if they are in serious trouble. And that gets linked to some sort of emergency response unit. I’m not really sure what happens, I hope I never find out.

So far, I’ve gotten 5 or 6 SPOT messages from them since Friday, saying that they’re OK. He said that they would send a message out almost every day. It’s comforting to know that they’re okay, and that I can see exactly where they are via Google maps. It’s also kind of amazing that this technology exists to be used by the everyday person (it’s relatively inexpensive, considering what it does). And because it uses 100% satellite technology, SPOT works around the world – even up on Mt. McKinley, where cell phones don’t work.

This post has nothing really to do with personal finance, but I just wanted to share. :)


Mystery shopping May 28, 2008

Posted by gmbmfb in : mystery shopping , add a comment

Yesterday after work I completed my first mystery shopping assignment ever. I would say that I spent about 30 minutes in the store, and another 30 minutes at home completing the reports. So for an hour’s worth of work, I made $75. Pretty good! Especially b/c I needed to go to that store anyway to pick up a few things (a new mascara and a bread knife).

The woman who gave me the assignment told me that I would be paid out at the end of the month via Hyperwallet, which can be then transferred directly to PayPal. I’ve never used Hyperwallet before, but it seems easy enough.

As long as the payment process goes smoothly, I would definitely do this again. It was so easy, and it was actually really fun too. I liked talking and being friendly with people, and I actually got a lot of useful information on products that I was researching into anyway. And if I do only a few assignments a month, plus the occasional PPP opp, I think I can bring in a fair amount of extra cash.


This week isn’t looking so bad afterall May 27, 2008

Posted by gmbmfb in : entertainment, fitness, spending, travel , add a comment

Another way I think I’m going to try and keep myself busy is going running and working out. I’ve stepped away from that lately, but with all this extra time that I have, I might as well. A friend and I are going for a 5 hr. hike on the North Shore right after work on Thursday. I’m excited! Apparently it’s a beautiful 15km hike with a nice waterfall. It’s not going to cost me anything, and it’ll be a great work out and a chance to catch up with an old friend.

Tomorrow I’m meeting up with an old high school friend for coffee at Metrotown. I also want to pick up a book that my cousin was raving about. It’s $13. Normally, I would go to the library and borrow it … but I just checked online, and there’s a wait list about a million people long … and I want to read it now, while I have the time. Not the most frugal thing to do. I still might change my mind.

Saturday, my friend was coming over from the island, and we were going to head down to Seattle to catch an evening ball game. Unfortunately, it looks like the Mariners are playing an afternoon game instead! Boo! So she’s not coming anymore … but I think I’m going to head down myself anyway. Not for the game though. There’s something I want to pick up at a store (only available in the USA – no online ordering available), and I really think I could use the drive. Saturday is supposed to be sunny … I’m still not sure if I will actually end up going, but I would really like to.

Then, Sunday I’m heading back to the island just for the day to see Cirque du Soleil. My friend got 3rd row tickets … it’s going to be rather expensive, but my mystery shopping assignment from tonight will more than cover the cost.

Also, you have 4 days left to sign up for the June Dining Out Challenge. So far, we have 32 37 participants! :)