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I heart Quicken September 1, 2010

Posted by gmbmfb in : budget , 4comments

So I’ve switched all of my expense tracking over to Quicken Home & Business. I really liked my Excel spreadsheet that I was working with, but Quicken is SO much easier to split up my business expenses and help me prepare come tax time. Plus, I already had the software from before so I didn’t have to spend any money.

And because of the switch, that means I have to figure out how to show my monthly budget reports here. Quicken has some really cool charts and stuff, but I calculate my expenses differently through Quicken than I did through my Excel spreadsheet, so the budget isn’t going to be accurate for the purposes of this blog. I think I’ll be able to figure it out tonight, and will have my August recap and September goals up for tomorrow. :)


BF is officially a student June 14, 2010

Posted by gmbmfb in : budget, relationship, saving money , 2comments

On Friday before BF and I headed back to my hometown, he got news that he has been officially accepted into his program and he starts today (Monday). So this time next year, after his classes and internship, he should be fully certified to start his career. He’s very excited (except for being a poor student), and I’m happy for him.

He’s probably going to get a part-time job, but because his program is only 1 year long, it’s super condensed and requires a huge amount of group study and reading. So he won’t be able to work too many hours.

Which will probably mean a shift in my budget and in the amount I’m saving as I take over a bit more of the expenses. And that’s fine. It’s only for a year, and I know he’d do the same for me if I ever wanted to go back to school. Plus, it’ll be worth it once he’s finished. He’ll have a career of his own and we’ll be on our way.

I’m not sure what that’s going to mean financially, or how I’m going to set up my budget. I have no clue when he’ll be able to find a job or how many hours/how much money it’ll bring in. So my budget is going to have to be very flexible.

At the very very very minimum, I will be saving $500/month. So I guess every month my savings will vary between $500-$1000.

I’m also hoping to get a part-time job (all the income would go right into savings), and I do have a lead on something that could turn into a pretty cool opportunity, but I don’t know many details right now so I’d rather keep it on the DL. But I will say that it does involve this blog. :)


Weekend home June 11, 2010

Posted by gmbmfb in : budget, travel , 1 comment so far

BF and I are heading back to my hometown this weekend. His parents have flown into town, and my parents want him to completely re-do their deck while we’re in Mexico, so he’ll have to go take a look and quote on the job.

Here is my budget for the weekend:

Friday
$14 ferry
$15 parking

Saturday
$50 hair cut (haven’t gotten my hair cut in almost 5 months)
$12 movie (friend begged me to go to SATC2 with her, even though I already saw it. Got suckered in.)

Sunday
$15 lunch with friends
$14 ferry

TOTAL = $120

Typical weekend home spending. I’m going bathing suit shopping with my mom and sister as well. I have a bikini, but over the last year or so I’ve gotten more conservative with my beachwear, so I might look for a one piece or a tankini. Something with a bit more coverage so that I’m more comfortable. If not, I’ve got board shorts and tank tops I can throw over my bikini while we’re in Mexico.


Quicken Essentials FOR MAC!!! February 26, 2010

Posted by gmbmfb in : budget , 5comments

I just got my paws on something that I have been waiting for FOR YEARS: Quicken Essentials for Mac. I almost didn’t switch over to Mac because I hated the last version of Quicken for Mac. True story! That version was awful. So I ended up installing Parallels on my Mac just so I could run Quicken for PC (and Rollercoaster Tycoon – what!?). Well, Parallels broke for me a few years ago (can’t figure out how to fix it – I think I need a Windows XP disc), so I’ve been using an Excel spreadsheet. Which is all fine and good, but nothing beats Quicken IMO.

I’ve done the initial set-up and downloaded my transactions from my bank accounts … will do a full review once I’ve used it for a few weeks.

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On a Quicken-related note, don’t forget to enter to win a copy of Quicken Cash Manager (for PC)!


Going home this weekend February 11, 2010

Posted by gmbmfb in : budget, spending, travel , 6comments

Yesterday I treated BF to Chinese for dinner ($26.10, including tax + tip). We both had a huge craving for it, which is silly because we’re going to absolutely feast on Chinese food on Friday evening (going home for Chinese New Year with the family). But it was good anyway. And we had enough leftovers for BF to bring for his lunch today, and for me to have for dinner tonight. :)

As for the weekend expenses at home, here is my rough budget:

Friday
$10 – lunch. We’ll have to grab lunch on the way to the ferry terminal.
$15 – my share of parking at the ferries.
$14 – ferry to the island.

Saturday
$6 – gym.
$15 – lunch with my sister. There’s a new pho place right by our house. Yum!
$20 – gift for friend’s new baby. I’m thinking something cute from Baby Gap, or Smoking Lily.
$5 – coffee with friend. May or may not happen, but best to budget it in!
$15 – Avatar date with my mom. Finally going to go see this movie! Very excited.

Sunday
$6 – gym.
$14 – ferry back to Vancouver.

TOTAL COST = $120

So, not bad for a weekend home. Again, the costs are about average – around $100. I haven’t been back since Christmas, so I’m really excited to see my family and friends. Especially my friend’s new baby boy. :)


Calgary: A Spending Recap January 19, 2010

Posted by gmbmfb in : budget, travel , 9comments

Well, according to my January budget, I had $225 to spend while in Calgary. Here’s how I did!

January 13
$38.50 – dinner & beers at the Flames game.
(-$22 BF)

January 14
$5.75 – cost for 2 hours of parking in downtown Calgary.
$34.41 – lunch downtown Calgary.
(-$20 BF)
$66.04 – Chinese dinner for 4 adults & 2 kids (we treated BF’s brother’s family to dinner).
(-$33 BF)

January 15
$15.74 – bought The Lovely Bones b/c I finished My Sister’s Keeper on the plane.
$21.80 – lunch at the mall.
(-$10 BF)

January 16
$43.24 – lunch with 2 of my friends at a pub.
$6.20 – bought cupcakes to share with
$4.77 – Starbucks while shopping w/friend.

January 17
$141.25 – parking for 5 days at the Vancouver Airport (did you puke?)
(-$70 BF)

TOTAL SPENT = $227.70

I think I did pretty well. :) Just a couple dollars over budget, even with the ridiculous cost of parking (hmph!). We had such a fabulous time, and hopefully we’ll be able to get out there again before the end of the year.


What should I do? December 18, 2009

Posted by gmbmfb in : budget , 2comments

A client gave me a Christmas card yesterday with $50 inside! :) So unexpected and generous! What should I do with that money?


Back from a weekend home December 14, 2009

Posted by gmbmfb in : budget, spending, travel , add a comment

Well I’m back from my trip home to the island. My boss let me take a half day on Friday so I could be with my family while the funeral was taking place down in San Francisco. Not exactly the same as being down there, but it was the best we could do.

Here’s what I spent:

Friday
$20 parking at the ferry terminal.
$0 ferry cost. BF paid my way because I paid for parking.

Saturday
$0 coffee with friend. Starbucks gift certificate!
$0 lunch with sister. I paid the last time, so she treated me.
$11 for 2 drinks at the bar. We went out with a bunch of co-workers from my old job (her current job). One drink for me, one for my sister.

Sunday
$0 coffee with friend. Starbucks gift certificate!
$0 ferry cost. BF paid, and I would pay for dinner …
$23 dinner for BF and I. We went to our favourite Vietnamese place. Mmmm!

TOTAL COST: $54

I’m pleased that I was able to basically spend half of the $100 I anticipated spending over the weekend. That gives me a bit more breathing room in terms of travel costs for going back home for Christmas, and for whatever we have planned for NYE.