jump to navigation

January 2010 Monthly Goals December 30, 2009

Posted by gmbmfb in : monthly goals , 5comments

Can you believe it’s 2010 already? If you haven’t already checked out my goals for 2010, you can click here to read them.

Below is my budget for January 2010, as well as my monthly goals. I was hoping that it would be a nice, inexpensive month … but due to some (poor?) last-minute planning, BF and I are headed up to Whistler to go skiing and ring in the New Year with some friends. It will be more expensive than I had anticipated, but we will be sharing accommodation and we have free ski passes. So it shouldn’t be too tragic.

The Whistler costs are in the Travel category, and I’ve set aside $225. That includes accommodation, as well as food and drink. Hopefully the other people we’re going with are budget-conscious as well, because I really don’t want to be going out to eat every meal. I could have taken the money out of my Travel Fund and have it not affect my budget, but I think I can deal with it from my regular pay cheques.

January Goals:


I haven’t blogged in 5 days!?! December 30, 2009

Posted by gmbmfb in : miscellaneous , 1 comment so far

Wow, I think this is the longest I’ve ever gone without blogging. It’s been really nice having this extra time off. Yesterday BF and I went skiing for the day at Grouse with 2 of my friends. We all had a great time, and I can’t wait to go back when the snow is better.

As for Christmas, I got completely spoiled. From my parents, we got a 2-inch Serta memory foam mattress topper (LOVE it), a new down duvet, and 800-thread count duvet cover & 2 pillow cases. Plus some lotto tickets and chocolates. :)

From my sister, I got the Wii Fit & balance board (woo hoo!), 2 books, a merino wool cardigan, and a SLAP CHOP (stop having a boring tuna, stop having a boring life!).

My sister’s boyfriend got me 2 headbands from Lululemon that I’ve been wanting.

Also, even though BF and I weren’t exchanging presents this year, he bought me a super cute Pillow Pets penguin. If there are 2 thing that everyone knows about me, is that I sleep with a mountain of pillows (at least 4, preferably 5 or 6), and I heart penguins.

When I was leaving work on Christmas Eve, the President gave me $100 as a Christmas gift from him and his wife. :) So since I saved my $500 bonus from work, I decided to spend the $100 on myself on Boxing Day. I ended up buying Super Mario Bros. for Wii, 4 scarves, and some Calvin Klein undies.

I also really really enjoyed being with family. A lot has happened in 2009. Lots of changes. 2 loved people have passed away, an aunt has moved back to China, a cousin has moved to Africa, and another cousin has moved to Halifax. Thankfully Chinese New Year is right around the corner so hopefully I’ll get to see everyone again.

Now, I’m off to tackle that Holiday TO DO LIST that I ambitiously made for myself.

How were your holidays!?


Happy Holidays! December 25, 2009

Posted by gmbmfb in : blog , add a comment

Dear GMBMFB Readers,

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Wishing you and yours a safe and happy holiday season.

Sincerely,
Krystal. :)


Christmas bonus December 24, 2009

Posted by gmbmfb in : annual goals, job, saving money , add a comment

Yesterday with my regular pay stub, I got notice that I would be getting a $500 bonus. :) Totally unexpected, because last year they didn’t give out bonuses at all. And this is on top of the paid week off we get in between Christmas and New Year’s.

So, here’s what I am going to do with the money:

And you know what THE BEST part is!? Last week I was lamenting about how I didn’t think I was going to reach my 2009 goal of making an extra $5,000 above and beyond my FT income. Well, with this bonus and a few other side income projects over the past week, I’ve made it! You’ll see exactly how much I was able to make when I fully recap my 2009 goals next week.

Yippee!!!


Lunch Challenge accomplished! December 24, 2009

Posted by gmbmfb in : saving money , add a comment

Whoa. I just realized that since I have all of next week off, I have officially accomplished my goal of not buying my lunch for the last 11 weeks (would have been 12 weeks if I was working next week). I feel good, and have certainly spent less money on food each month than I would have if I allowed myself to buy lunch occasionally.

Starting in January, I think will go back to treating myself to lunch on pay day Fridays. I enjoyed it, and as long as I only do it twice a month, I think that’s a good compromise.


Vacation TO DO List December 23, 2009

Posted by gmbmfb in : miscellaneous , 1 comment so far

I’m excited because tomorrow I’m going home, AND it’s the start of my 10-day vacation. :) Tonight I need to pack my bags, finish organizing my Christmas presents, and load up the car. I also need to go to the library to pick up 2 books I have on hold – gotta have something good to read over the holidays!

With only 1 week left in the year, here is a list of tasks that I’d like to get accomplished over the holidays:

Are there any goals that you hope to accomplish by the end of the year?


Wednesday: Surfing the internet December 23, 2009

Posted by gmbmfb in : miscellaneous , add a comment

Here are some random things for today … just because.

I freaking LOVE penguins. Seriously. I want to go down to Antarctica, steal a couple of them, and make my own frigid aquarium just for them to play in. Happiest day of the week was yesterday, when March of the Penguins was on.

Stuff White People Like: #130 Ray-Ban Wayfarers – hilarious because I love my Ray-Bans! :) Oh, and my sister has a pair too, but hers are knock-offs. Anyone else want to fess up about owning a pair?

Roy Halladay’s thank-you note to Blue Jays fans – he took out a full page ad in the Toronto Sun, thanking Toronto fans for 15 years of support. He is the greatest pitcher we’ve ever had, and the classiest to have ever put on a Jays uniform. The note was great, and helps me in the healing process, because I still can’t stand the sight of him in a Phillies uniform. It just ain’t right!

Single Ma tweeted about her cute rain boots with hearts all over them. Well, here are my similar cute rain boots with whales all over them. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, yes. I also have whales on my pajamas as well. And no, I did not plan to wear them while I was taking a picture of my rain boots. It’s just an (un)fortunate coincidence. :)


Christmas is in 3 days!? December 23, 2009

Posted by gmbmfb in : miscellaneous , add a comment

I spoke with my mom on the phone today. She informed me that there was no Christmas tree, no decorations, or anything Christmas-y at the house. It’s been a rough year with Grandma passing, and my Aunt passing as well just a couple of weeks ago. So she’s not in the Christmas spirit. Which would also probably explain why I’m not really in the spirit either. All I want is to be with family and those that I love over the holidays. Our first Christmas without Grandma will be really hard. Especially because it seems like my sister is going to be spending most of the holidays with her boyfriend and his family. I wish BF was coming over for the holidays, but he has elected to stay on the mainland instead.

Last night we went to the mall. I bought my friend a gift from The Body Shop (a pedicure set for $25 – am thinking about returning it), a card for my mom, and wrapping paper (50% off at London Drugs). When we got home, I wrapped most of my presents, but am still waiting for my last shipment from Amazon (should get it tomorrow), and then I will officially be done. I am really excited for my family to open the presents I got them. I know my mom will be thrilled to get her kayaking trip!

It’s been a Christmas tradition to go Boxing Day shopping, but I don’t think I’m going to go this year. There’s nothing I really need, so anything I buy would just be wasted money. Last year I bought a new digital camera and a purse. This year, the only things I really needed were a GPS for my car, a professional-looking purse, and black flats – all of which I’ve been able to get through additional streams of income. And you can’t ask for anything more than that!

1.5 more days of work and then 10 glorious days of FREEDOM!