Give Me Back My Five Bucks

Earlier this year, Amber and Eemusings got me thinking about how much value we put into “finding a career we can be passionate about.” You hear about it all the time: people staying in school for years, or drifting through life, never really finding what it is they can be passionate about. They ponder what their true calling in life could be, and how to turn that into a “dream job.” But for some people, a job will always be just that – a job. Another one you hear a lot is “do what you love, and the money will follow.” … Continue reading →

Monday 28th + $80 freelance/side income $45.94 gas $8.80 postage Tuesday 1st No Spend Day! Wednesday 2nd No Spend Day! Thursday 3rd No Spend Day! Friday 4th No Spend Day! Saturday 5th + $275 freelance/side income $7.99 iTunes $22.80 Subway (for BF and I) Sunday 6th $5 field hockey tape $10.61 Wendy’s (for BF and I) $32.99 groceries TOTAL EXPENSES: – $134.13 TOTAL EXTRA INCOME*: + $355 WEEKLY TOTAL: + $220.87 We went out to eat twice this week – Saturday night we ate at Subway to celebrate BF finally completing his paramedic licensing testing. A year ago, we probably … Continue reading →

About 3 weeks ago, I mentioned my desire to join a local Toastmasters club in order to conquer my fear of public speaking. Well last Tuesday, I went to my first meeting. I HATED IT. It made me uncomfortable, and nervous, and I couldn’t wait for it to be over so I could go home and never go back again. But that’s how I know that this is the right place for me to be. It’s not just a career skill I’m trying to gain, it’s a life skill. Whether it’s going to a panel job interview, presenting in a … Continue reading →

You know, I’ve never done a weekly round-up of my favourite personal finance posts before. So I’m thinking from now on, this might be something I can do on Sundays. Brett Wilson is leaving Dragon’s Den Brett was my favourite on Dragon’s Den, and the only one of the Dragons that really understood the bond between philanthropy and entrepreneurship. Without him, I think the show will lack the heart that Brett brought to the group. And apparently I’m not the only one that thinks so either! I’m sad to see him go, but I absolutely agree with his decision because … Continue reading →

On March 5, 2007 I wrote a post entitled, If you won $1 million, what would you do? It was interesting to read it again, four years later. And it’s really nice to know that while my life has changed a lot, my values really haven’t. My goals have always been to eliminate all debt, save money, invest in myself and my passions, and save for the future. Here are my answers today, side-by-side with my answers from 2007: 2007: Pay off all debts. ($7,000) <– this was my student loan debt 2011: Pay off all debts. ($18,000) <– this … Continue reading →