My little saving blog

So far, I've been doing pretty good by not going shopping for awhile.

I've brought my lunch to school and when I have classes in the afternoon, I eat at home. Also, my friend Kiwii doesn't make me spend anymore so it's all good.

I've been experiencing strange things about my dad again. He seems to know that I save a lot of money in the bank because I left my bank statement open in the table sometimes and now he is forcing me to spend my money on some stupid stuff again. I am losing my trust in this blog because this site is log in my dad's laptop. What I am afraid of is that he will make it worst if he start to see this blog. Plus, another reason is that I'm not into blogging anymore. I just read the forums sometimes and the daily news posted.

So yeah... I'll come back by another name someday. Hopefully, my goal will be more longterm than shorterm and I will have a lot more to say about what I do in my life.

Well I only work for my dad right now and I don't have any incomes anymore because I decided to accumulate my hours at my dad's place by working there and take my pay before my trip to Morocco.

I've been having problems with my own money and it's mostly because of the people I hang out with who influence me to spend. My dad isn't helping me either, some days he just randomly dumps some things that I need to pay for my own. Anyways, I really don't know what the heck he is thinking and it is frustrating us that he just randomly tells us to pay this and that.

Basically, I'm trying to stand up for myself now as I realized Kiwii have been influencing me to do things that I don't want to do which involves spending my money. Anyways, I will stand up for myself and not feel bad when I hurt her feelings. I can't make everyone happy!

From now on, I'm going to follow my plan B by not working that much and to concentrate on my studies. Studying have become a lot easier because I am more stress free and I don't need to work that much anymore.

As for my money challenge, I'm going to save my money first on my Morocco and my other trips with my dad in the summer. When I come back, I'm going to concentrate on my Japan trip. I realized that in order to do this, I should be here more often. I will try to update it as often as I can.

My allowance will be 200$/month with my dad.

Here what I need to pay for each month:

Bus pass: 42$
Phone bill: 51$(I'm trying to lower it)
Beauty: 20$
Emergency: 52$

Left to save: 35$

As for going out and all sort of things... I don't know yet. I have to track my expense.

It is quite hard to live a simple life when everyone around you are into the spending life.

I have found a guy that is simple and I love him. On February 14th, it will be our first month together and he asked me what I want to do that day. I told him that I will just visit him in his school and after school, we can go do our homework together and talk. I don't want to go eat dinner or anything because there's too much crowd and I don't feel like spending any money anymore.

Sometimes, I just wish I have someone who can propose me simple activities instead of me. My friend Kiwii is starting to save a portion of her pay for our Japan trip in 2011 but I know she still doesn't know the difference between wants and needs. She gave me a Winnie the pooh cell strap with my zodiac sign. You know those cell strap from the 2$ machine. She spent 60$ in there just to get her boyfriend his zodiac sign and he didn't like it in the end because it was too girly.

Anyways, I will try to update this as much as I can. I have finally made a budget and I will update it later on tonight.

I've been having a hard time copping with my new lifestyle which also affect my travel fund because I didn't plan on any emergency money or anything. It results in me spending my money in there and I completly lost track of it again... Another thing which bother me is that I don't have any warm enough sweaters in my closet and it's getting colder and colder where I live which mean that I have to go shopping again. The good thing is the January big winter clothing sales.

I was embarrased to write everything down for the year 2007. However, I've been doing pretty good in 2006. I came to realized today that I must face this before it's too late. I know I need a budget... But how can I make one that I will stay committed to? I guess I need to figure it out myself. All I know is that I need to priorize some things before the others.

Maybe I need to put the money that I have left in my travel fund in a mutual fund. I'll talk with my financial advisor tomorrow about it. I'm feeling the need to start all over again. I need to feel poor again. XD

Here is what I jot down that I might put in my budget #2.

Budget #2

Things that I need:

- School bus pass: 42$
- Phone bill: 37$
- Go out and stuff: 30$
- Beauty: 20$

Things that I want:

- Jewelries : Need a new one at least once a month but can do without (~10$)
-Yoga class : Take one at local place 2nd semester
-Dance class : Take it with friend at the 2nd semester
Language class: Take it at the 3rd Semester

I don't have anything to talk about these days... All I do is work and hang out with friends (usually at my house).

Dad wants to pay me once a month instead of twice per month because it costs him 0.87$ to deposit my paycheck. I don't mind at all because I don't need the money for the time being and most of it will go into my travel fund.

For the moment, I want to concentrate on how I'm going to make a reasonable budget and my plan B part 2.

Okay I guess I have many surprises this month... I need to repay my dad the cellphone bill from last month which is 37$, my new cellphone which cost me 104,99$ + tax (I lost my old one last Christmas and my plan is not over yet), I went shopping yesterday to buy two t-shirts for Morocco which was 10$ each and snowboots for 40$. I don't have any money put aside because... well I put it all in my challenge money.

I think I have to pull myself out of the 20$ challenge and make a budget or some sort. I also need to make appointement for vaccination in the travel center and... I have to buy a few conservative clothes for my stay in Morocco when summer comes. All my clothes are form-fitting and a lil revealing in their point of view from what I read in the book and internet.

Anyways, I don't feel like I'm failing in saving my money. I have new responsabilities and I'm not going to try to avoid it or ask my parents to pay it for me. Don't worry guys, I'm still going to blog here. You'll be hearing from me often from now on. =)

Today around 2-3 pm, I'll be finalizing my payment for my plane ticket. I took the one which was 105$ more which was to avoid changing plane twice and spending the night in Paris which will cost me in the end.

Wednesday,I paid 1000$ in cash to my travel agency, I have 305$ left to pay this afternoon and I will get my ticket on Saturday. So far so good. I'm contacting my friend through email and I'm starting to read some things about the country.

Called in at my dad's friend agency this morning, I got a slightly cheaper price ticket(1210$) with the same itinerary. I figure... Well I already make a deposit at another travel agency which was a mistake! Need to visit the different travel agencies next time I want to buy a plane ticket.

My #2 mitake was that I didn't think about paying just a little more. I could have got a better itinerary and I don't need to stay overnight at the airport. It was only 50$ more!! Aaarg... I'm going to try to change my itinerary at the same travel agency that I made a deposit for. Hopefully next time, I will remember this mistake and the other one.

My final decision well... I'm going to buy the ticket at the travel agency that I made a deposit at. It is the second cheapest price that I encounter. Not bad at all!

I made a 50$ deposit to a travel agency for my ticket to Morocco. I have till next Saturday to pay in full. My ticket is 1275$ and I am paying with my own money!! =D

I look around the travel websites and most of the tickets are around 1300$ to 1500$. I'm looking at another travel agency tomorrow to see if they have a cheaper price.

I'll be going for three weeks from June 30th to July 22nd. It's a high season and I think the ticket is pretty cheap already. I heard that I have to book early because it will get quite expensive later on. I doubt I'll get the chance to find a better deal where as London,Paris and other major destination often have great deal at the last minute.

The reason why I want to go to Morocco in a high and hot season is because I want to see my friend whom I've known her since grade 6. Almost four years ago, I made a promise that I'll visit her one day. Now, it is time to make this promise comes true and it is this year. When I come back, I'll have around a week to rest because I'm going to Vancouver (1 week) and Alaska by cruise (1 week) with my parents before going back to school. I really can't wait and I bet this summer will still be a blast even though I won't visit Barcelona which I don't want my dad to pay for my Spanish lesson... It's way too expensive!

Anyways, I'm still working on my plan B. I'll get back to you guys later on my plane ticket and my plan B.

Plan B :

2nd semester (January through May 08)
1. Take 7 or 8 courses

2. Work if I have time, if not, I don’t work.

4. Try to not go out often

5. Don’t go shopping too often and follow my list.

= Concentrate on my studies and save my money


Summer 08:
1. Go to Morocco to visit my friend in July (3 weeks)

2. Go to Alaska with my parents in August (2 weeks)

3. Take back English class in June (4 weeks) + Try to take an extra course
so I’ll get less course next semester.

4. Work part-time at my dad’s place

5. Try to take dancing class.

= Save as much as I can and try to find time with friends.

3rd semester (September through December 08)
1. Find a part-time job at a clothing store.

2. Take 7 courses.

3. Take dancing class or language class like Japanese.

= Save as much as I can

Winter 08-09:
1. Try to get a full-time shift at my new work place.

2. Try doing winter sports on my spare time.

= Save as much as I can

(To be continued)

Finally!! I'm adding money in my challenge money.

Although I've used some of them to pay for my 2 days Toronto trip and some birthday gift.

My paycheck is 782$.

Old amount: 4404$ + 294$
New amount: 4598$

Aaaw, I just realized I spent most of my money this holiday. I guess I have to write all my expense like in 2006. I guess I have to find a way to restrain myself.

I just realized that I have to stop wanting to travel to many place this early. I want to see the whole world but I can't with the amount of money I save. I'm not saying I'm quitting traveling. Just saying that I need to have more specific goals and stop changing my mind too often about where I want to be. It is good to be ambitious but I am more than I could handle and my money can't follow my goals.

That mean I'm going to make a plan B soon which will be less ambitious than the first.

Anyways, let's look at my winter 08 goal in my plan A.

Winter 07-08:
1. Work at my dad's place and the sushi's stand.

Now: I'm currently at my dad's place and my dad doesn't want me to work at the sushi's stand. I'm working five days a week and I have Thursday and Friday off. My hours of work are from 9:30 am to 9:00 pm.

2. Do the things that I want to do in my goal 2008. (Will put up a list soon, currently writting it)

Now:
1. I want to improve my English and French by reading more book and asking my English teacher to tutor me.

2. I also want to improve my Cantonese and Hokkien language by talking to my family more. Since I'm working at a Chinese grocery store, all I need to do is talk with the customers.

3. Learn to ski or snowboard. I don't think I will have the chance this winter because my dad's will mess up our plan next week. He will force my brother to work and I'm suppose to go with him.

4. Improve my writting skill. I'm asking my English teacher to help me on that.

5. Find time to exercise at least twice a week. It is important for my health.

6. Learn to cook. I started to buy the ingredients already. This time is real.

7. Save my money which I fail a little bit hehe... Well I will catch up!

3. Enjoy life with friends and try to reconnect with old friends.

Now: I'm making plans with some friends already.
4. Go to Toronto with friends instead of New York City for two days.

Now: Went to Toronto for two days and bought many things for family like food and DVDs.

5. Visit my financial advisor and my English teacher.

Now: I've contacted my English teacher yesterday and I will call him tomorrow to find a day where I can meet him so he can tutor me. I'm planning to call my financial advisor this week or next. I'm having difficulty reaching her these days.

6. Learn to live a simple life.

Now: I have a very simple life. Just that I work and stay home these days which is very simple but I don't feel satisfied.

7. Be happy overall.

Now: I am getting irritated because I haven't exercise for a while.


I'll post my Plan B later tonight, I promise!

I've been on vacation for two weeks already starting today.

For my first week of vacation, I was working at my dad's place for 8 days. I had a christmas party with a bunch of friends and I went to Toronto for two days where I came back yesterday. Today, I took a day off so I could relax and bum around a little.

The worst thing about having a dad as your boss is that he lives with you. It means that he will force me to work everyday. I remember on Christmas eve, he asked me where is my cousin who was just here a few min ago. I said he is bringing food for grandma. My dad asked me to tell him to work and I said that he doesn't feel like working today. He got pissed and he threathned him to not let him eat lunch. Sure my dad is under pressure but since I was a kid, he doesn't understand that using threat will not make us work for him. It's annoying and very selfish of him. After many accidents similar to this,I really don't feel like working for him when school ends. I thought things will be better now but I just figure out that working with family will bring in more drama. I don't care if my dad doesn't want me to find another. It's my choice.

I should find a job this summer but, I want to travel. mmmm... At the same time, I have to commit to my new job. Anyways, I plan to work for my dad till my aunt comes back from her operation somewhere in March. I'm going to concentrate on my second semester by having little to no work because I'm planning to try to take 8 courses after the holiday.

About my challenge, I'm going to put more money in next week because that's where I get my paycheck.

In two weeks, I'm going to be done with school and I'll have around a month off. That is so awesome although, there's so many things to do and there's no much time... Arg... I have to finish my essay by tonight so I can hand it in to my English teacher so he can correct it. Not to mention I have one exam on Thursday and one on Friday.

I'm making many decisions concerning money. The boss said I won't be working many hours now because she is sick and someone replaced her at work on the weekend with another girl with her. I guess I will try to be there for her when she needs me but I will be hard to reach because I recently lost my cellphone this Monday.

My cousin suggested me to work for my dad this coming January for 8$/hour (yes they pay minimum wage now ^.^') with her. I figure, since I have one month off. What the heck. I can save the money for my trip in Spain and Morocco this summer.

I also talk to my dad about my future plan. He asked me if I want to stay in Barcelona and learn Spanish for a month or so. I said yeah!! I suggested him to pay for my education there and I pay for the flight,food, activity,etc there. He is not too happy that I still want to go to Morocco. What the heck, it's my choice!! I'm thinking of going to Spain for a month and two weeks then go to Morocco.

About finding or staying at my current job. Well since I stopped working at Tim Hortons now. There will be less income for me and I might work at the sushi stand for like once a week or when they need me. I decide that I have to deal with less money now. It will probably help me by being more frugal and I have my cousin with me who like to do things the cheap ways since she's not working.

So yeah... On to my quest of living a simple life. I have develop my plan A for my current stay in College. Wanna know my plan A?

Plan A :

Winter 07-08:
1. Work at my dad's place and the sushi's stand.
+
2. Do the things that I want to do in my goal 2008. (Will put up a list soon, currently writting it)
+
3. Enjoy life with friends and try to reconnect with old friends.
+
4. Go to Toronto with friends instead of New York City for two days.
+
5. Visit my financial advisor and my English teacher.
+
6. Learn to live a simple life.
+
7. Be happy overall.
= Try to reconnect with the people.

2nd semester (January through May 08)
1. Take 7 courses/week
+
2. Work (7h min) or not work (Have to see it works out in the end)
+
4. Try to not go out often
+
5. Stop shopping and do with whatever I have.
+
6. Learn Japanese with a friend.
= Be more relax and have more time to do whatever I want.

Summer 08:
1. Go to Barcelona. (1 month and two weeks)
+
2. Maybe visit Switzerland if I have enought $ to visi my Swiss friend. (1 week)
+
3. Go to Morocco to visit my friend. (2 weeks)
+
4. Go to Alaska with my dad (? week, probably 1 week)
+
5. Hang out with friends while I can.
= Have the best summer of my life!

3rd Semester:
1. Take five courses.
+
2. Find part-time job in retail shop. (Maybe work 20 hours/week)
+
3. not go out not too often.
= Save up for my future trip and for my future. Try to have fun with less money.

Winter 08-09:
1. Work full-time at my new work place.(If I still like it)
+
2. Try doing winter sports.
+
3. Take two weeks off to go somewhere South.
= Have fun while saving my money for my future trip and my future while try not to overspend.

4th semester:
1. Take five courses again.
+
2. Work at the same place if I still like it and still not sick of that place.
+
3. Not go out too often.
+
= Save up for my future trip and my future. Try to have fun with less money.

Summer 09:
1. Work full-time
+
2. Take two weeks off to travel somewhere in Europe or somewhere. Not sure yet.
+
3. Hang out with friends before they go to University.

= Enjoy one of my last moment with the people in my college school.

5th semester:
1. Take back classes that I drop in my 3rd and 4th semester.
+
2. Work at the same place if I'm still not sick of it.
= Enjoy my last college life and my last few months in Montreal.

Winter 09-10:
1. Try not to work too many hours in December.
+
2. Enjoy my last month in Canada overall.
+
3. Hang out with friends and family as much as possible.
= I decide to go to China to study Mandarin for 7-8 months there with all the money I save that concern future trip mostly.

Beijing January through May-June-July 2010?:
1. Learn Mandarin as much as possible.
+
2. Visit how many places as I could including Hong Kong to visit relatives.
+
3. Don't forget to call people in Canada to tell them how I'm doing.
= Learn about my culture and prepare myself in the future.

May-June-July 2010?:
1. Go to Japan with a friend for a few weeks.
+
2. Pratice our Japanese skills with other Japanese.
+
3. Learn about the culture by visiting many places.
= Visit our dream country. =D I have to wait till my friend is 20 years old to go with him because he wants to be legal there to do whatever he wants.

Mid-August 2010:
1. Reconnect with friends.
+
2. Relax and enjoy home.
+
3. Read English book to reconnect myself with the English world =P.
= Prepare myself to University and to study hard.

After that... I dunno =)

This is plan A guys! ^.^ Although, life is unpredictable. I can always form a new plan. Making plans help me motivate myself. =P

I'll be changing some of my habit for good.

I know that it won't be as easy as it seems but I have to think this thoroughly over the week or possibly before the beginning of December.

P.S: Thanks guys for making me feel better. I love you guys too! =)

Why am I crying for? There's nothing to cry for. I may not have friends whom I can trust very much but I have a goal in my life that I would very much like to achieve.

Why should I critisize others when I should concentrate on my own life? I haven't reach my goals yet. I have not achieve my level of potential yet. Why should I critisize when I should look at myself first.

Why should I be more concern for their life than mine? I have better things to do.

Why should I lose my faith in myself? I am still young and I have a lot to learn.

From this day on, no more crying, no more hating on myself, no more fear of the unknown... I need to wake up and see the light again!

I'm comming back in. I'm pretty behind on saving but this time, I'm comming back in full force.

Ever since I came to college, I've met some friends who are spenders. Kiwii haven't change her habit even though she made a blog a month ago.I'm disappointed in her by not trying to learn how to use her blog by herself and she forgot the website name. This is a clear sign that she is not that willing to save. I try giving ideas on how to save when we went out for breakfast at the beginning of the year by buying her a termo cup so we don't need to spend on drinks. Yet,she always find a way for us to spend our money on unessecerities such as going to a metro station to buy breakfast at Dunkin Donuts. I don't have a Montreal pass to go so it will cost me 4$ for a round trip! Which make 4$/week just to go eat breakfast at the metro station. Thank god we don't go there anymore or we rarely go there.

There's also other factors that make her a spender. She claims she knows how to save but her ways of doing it is totally irrational sometimes. I mean why do you need so many earrings when you have some at home? Her excuse: " Well I don't have this color at home to match with my certain outfit." Why not buy a classic kind of jewelries where you can match with everything instead? She criticizes my earrings for being puny and boring looking. Hey, I look good in every outfit with my little round size earring so I'm happy with it. Plus, I'm least likely to get tired of it in a few months or so. Since it's my signature jewelries,not many people wear those kind of earrings and it fits me well. If I compare my jewelry box to hers, I have 1/10 less than hers. She has a box full even a drawer full of accessories. Although, I don't mind her buying jewelries and accessories but her forcing me to buy something which I don't need is annoying. My weakness is that I gave in too easily. I don't mind going shopping with her again but I have to stand up for myself and not give in anymore unless it's necessary.

Yesterday, I want to tell her about our shopping experience. We got into a little argument at a shoe store because I told her not to try the high heel shoes. It's about 5 inch and it looks awfully uncomfortable for the feet. She said that she is used to it because she wore it often at her house and she buys them because it's for her family. One thing that got me worry about a 5 inch boots is that they are dangerous for the feet. You could seriously damage your feet if you fall or something. I didn't tell her that because she is a hardhead person so it's hard to get the message through her at the first try. I tried calling her at night about it but she was having a serious talk with her mother so I wrote an email to her instead.

Her shopping habit is cheap though, she's not the type to spend on expensive things but she gets suck into the so called fake bargain in the shopping store. Where it's buy 1 sweater and get the second half price for sweaters. She said that she has to buy two sweaters because it is on unexpensive. My other friend was telling her that she doesn't need to buy another sweater because it said you'll get 50% off on the second one. Her response was irrational. I guess it's the bargain trick in the store that make us think irrationally.

I guess that's all for my rant. I have made a comment on her about that also but it's hard to get through her. She has a lot of clothes in her closet and most of them seem hard to make multiple mix and match. I taught her that if you can make three outfits then buy it. Her response was simple but it doesn't make a different three outfits so I gave up. Maybe someday, she will decide to join this forum and read up some interesting thing. For now, I rather watch myself and try not to get absorb into the spendthrift world again.

I spent 20$ on Kiwii's gift, she chose the hat by herself and she likes it very much.

I also spent 20$ on my cousin's gift. Two belts online. It should come soon in the mail.

Initial amount: 300$
Amount spent: 40$
Amount left: 260$

I'm adding 75$ on my New York fund.

Old amount: 80$+75$=
New amount: 155$

My brother is so unreasonable especially with money. I bet that 5 years from now, he still won't be saving any money except his 50 cents a day where he plans to buy something expensive when he accumulates a lot and he is almost 21 years old.

I still remember that he said that parents are suppose to pay for everything for the kids in order for them to succeed. Eum... Excuse me? Dad pays for our education and gives us 50$ a week. What did he not pay for us in order for us to succeed? He pays for our education and that is the most important thing.

Today, I asked him if he has save for the New York trip yet. He said no. Disappointed. He has around a month to save yet he did nothing. His excuse? "I don't have any money because I have to buy lunch, buy books, buy a bus pass and pay my phone bill! How do you want me to save?" So basically, he is expecting me to help him save money by making him lunch and help him by force. Well no. I just give him advices and he won't take it.

Another thing that is bothering me is that he doesn't do anything to face his problems like my dad owes my brother his last paycheck that he works a few weeks ago. My dad refuses to write him a paycheck so my brother doesn't want to work at my dad's place anymore. If I was my brother, I would have gone to the grocery store and demand my dad to write my paycheck. About the paycheck part, it's a long story! Well basically, my brother always feel hopeless in bad situations. My dad and brother have something in common, they don't know what to do in bad situations and they whine about it like it's not their fault or that the person should've done something. I wish they will grow up for once and face reality! *furious*

Today, I worked at Tim Hortons which may be my last time because next week I'm taking a day off from work so it makes two weeks. My boss said that the week after next, if he needs me, he'll let me know.

Technically, I might not work at Tim Hortons anymore starting today. I could always come back since I'm already well trained. Anyways, I don't see that comming anytime soon.

I went to train at the sushi stand today at 4 to 5:30pm. I couldn't stay longer because I have to go to a charity event.

I learn a few things here and there. The boss's husband said I'm good especially with customer. Also, I am always smiling and willing to learn. It's pretty funny. All the tedious jobs that I had done in the past has pay off. I have many experiences!

I started working at my dad's place since I was 7 years old till 16 years old. I worked at a fruits and vegetables stand at age 16 for a month next to my aunt's motel. I worked at a cashier in a restaurant for six months. Then, I work at Tim Hortons for a year and a month. That's a lot of experience acquire through the years. Man, I can't wait to attend the charity event as a volunteer next Saturday and Sunday!

Yes!! I called my boss to tell him I'm quitting the job. He was okay with that. He asked me if I can give him two weeks notice and if I'm going to work this weekend. I'm okay with that.

I guess he doesn't appreciate my service or he knows that I'm busy with school and that I don't represent much to him. Ah well. Screw him! I'm free! The hours are good but the pay will not be much since I'm working only Saturday at my soon-to-be-new job from 10 am to 5 pm.

From now on follow readers, I will be the girl who sell sushis! =P

Follow me in my new journey!!

Last Tuesday, I saw someone who I just met a few days ago at her workplace. She worked in a sushi stand at a shopping mall and she asked me if I want to work there. I was interested in making sushis so I told her okay. I met the boss and she likes me. She fired one today just so she could hire me.

Why she wants me? Well, I can speak French and English well enough. I'm also 18 and act pretty mature. She is willing to give me friday 4 to 9 pm, Saturday 10 am to 5pm and Sunday 12 to 5 pm. I'm really intested although I'm quite scare of telling my boss that I want to quit. I already asked him to give me once a week and I also asked two days off next weekend. If I tell him I'm quitting. He might get angry. I mean, I work at his place for a year already so it is a good reference in my cv.

Mmmm... I guess I'll tell him that my dad wants me to work somewhere else where the hours are more flexible. It is true by the way. ._." But who can beat the 3 to 9 pm on a Saturday?

Another thing is, the boss is really nice. I'm going to be working in a little stand so it will be a big change for me. I'm used to work in a big place and wearing their uniform. At the sushi stand, I can wear jewelries and wear some of my own clothes. The pay won't be as good as Tim Hortons but it is more relax. Not to mention I get to make sushis!! XD

You can't have everything you want Christina.

I think it's time to be more realistic. I'm becoming the person whom I hate the most. A spender!! I spend on things because at home there's nothing to eat, not even leftovers.

My parents are always working so their only solution for us is to buy food with our weekly allowance at the cafeteria. I tried eating at home as often as I can but there's only pasta and instant noodles. My mom stock up on instant noodles and that is really disturbing that she is encouraging us to eat unhealthy.

I can't have a family who buy us good healthy food. They don't know the difference between eating healthy and unhealthy. All they see is food. No wonder their health is declining. I wish I could help but I'm in the middle of the end of my term so I have many essays to write in two weeks. Even if I help, my parents will not learn from me, they will rely on me to keep the family healthy which make me feel more stressful.

Another thing is that I am stress about my challenge. I know I have around two months to achieve the christmas fun but I'm not working much anymre. How can it be possible to achieve all? I need to come up with a lower amount of christmas money. I know I can't give present to everyone though because I have plan it pretty late already. Even though if I take my hours back, it won't do me any good because I will still feel like I'm not making much. So yeah, I'm reducing my christmas fund to 300$.

Since I work only once a week now. I can't put any money in my challenge until the month of December. By then, I will come back in full force.

I'm going to continue to put my paycheck and my 50$ a week from my dad in my christmas fund and New York fund. I have to promise myself to not organize any trip later on or to shop too much lol... I still have a few sweaters and a pair of shoes to go. So far, I didn't go shopping for a little while. I promised Kiwii that we're going to go shopping at Smart set with my 20$ off coupons. I have four of them and I decide to split with her.

I don't want to put off the New York trip because the Canadian dollars been going up lately and it is likely that it will reach 1.10$ by January next year. So why not go shop there? I might have a more easier time finding nice clothes there. The things in Canada are far more expensive. @.@" They are not willing to lower the price so a lot of Canadians are going south to do their shopping.

I'm putting the 50$ that I just received yesterday into my christmas fund.

Old amount: 255$ + 50$
New amount: 305$

I count my changes again and I have 80$ for my New York trip!

Today at work, a coworker of mine usually work in the mornings. She told me about a girl who worked for 5 years at Tim Hortons that thinks she's superior then the others.

The funny thing is, she said to her that another coworker of mine and I, we work very slow but the fact is, that girl never really work with us. The last time we worked together was when I first started in October through January and that was in the morning. That makes three months that we had work together. After that, I start working in the afternoon till now. So my type of work is very different than the morning. In the afternoon, we have to do everything by ourself and in the morning, there is usually a baker, a dishwasher and a bunch of servers doing a specific task. Her feeling that she is better than us is langhable because she never work in the afternoon shift or the night shift.

Another funny thing that she told me about that girl is... She is afraid of change. She works at the same place and same schedule for five years. Last time she found a job, she stayed there for a week and she came back at her old job. Her excuse is that she doesn't want to leave the people she works with. My coworker said she is afraid of change. I could see that... I mean she worked at Tim for five years and she is really losing her patience with the customers. By then, I would have done something no?

It also made me think about myself. I'm afraid of change too but I would not lose my patience with the customers or complain. I have done it before and I didn't feel like the customers deserve it. So yeah. I worked for Tim Hortons for a year already and I feel that soon, I will have to change to another job. I would very much like to work at a clothing store. It looks cool and I feel like I could learn a thing or two about that particular area. I hear is hard but doesn't matter, I want something new and challenging.

I have to give myself a time frame I guess. I would like to quit my job when summer comes. My decision will be final later on. I'm going to concentrate on my homework first.

You guys might be wondering how my clothing purchase been going lately. It's good. Now, I feel like I have a new look in my wardrobe. I don't have much winter sweaters but they are pretty versatile. I need a few more things such as a few thin sweaters so I can layer it with something and I would like to have a few jackets. Maybe a blazer too... And a pair of comfty shoes, either black or brown. Not sure yet.

Anyways, I'm not going to shop for all of these things at the same time. I have school to think about too and my challenge money.

How would I describe my new look? Quite clean actually. LOL! Well, I dress in rich colors such a brown, black, dark green,dark and pale blue and bright red which give me a confidence look. I borrow two sweaters from my cousin so I can wear it next week. I'm totally addicted with finding a new look. When I look into my closet, I feel like there's something to wear everyday. =P

I'm going to try to find time to take pictures of my look around November. I hope I won't be too busy by then.

Today at supper, I said to a friend that he is mean for replying back to his customers when they called him : Hey kid. Kiwii said I'm meaner. Haha! I guess it's true. I'm quite direct but that's my way of being true to my friends.

I said what I think so I don't feel the need to hide what I think. I guess it's from my past experiences. Although, it has wrecked my friendship with some people in the past or they are afraid to tell me things without me judging them. I don't call them idiot or anything, I just tell them straight away what I think whether they like it or not.

Now you know a little more about Christina XD.

I'm going to make way less than I did from now on. I'm working 6 or 8 hours a week so basically, I have more free time to study.

I notice that I have difficulty keeping most of my paycheck money these days. Oh course... I used my 1000$ reserve money but it's not enough. It proves that no matter how much I got, it'll never be enough.

I'm not going to add anything on my 20$ for a little while. I'm going to organize myself a little bit and concentrate on school.

By the way, I count my piggy bank again and I have 20$ more in there.

Old amount: 44$ + 20$ =
New amount: 64$

64$ for New York.