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 got 25$ of tips yesterday at work.

Old amount : 4379+ 25$ =
New amount : 4404$

Everytime I have my moments of wanting to talk about guys that I've seen which is rare but it often last for an hour max. My coworkers think I'm boy crazy. Well I like looking at guys because I'm a female and straight (obviously ._.') but I don't talk about them 24/7 and I rarely talk about them.

Anyways, I said I saw the back of a guy in my swimming class and he has a nice back. Then I talk about his athletic body and his good looks then I talk about another guy in the same class and his body is nice too lol... Well, I like talking about my little adventure with the (innocent adventures) once awhile but it doesn't make me boy crazy. Maybe talking for a least an hour is not such a good idea lol... But I swear that it's the first time I notice a guy body. It was so tone!! Okay I'll stop ^.^'!

So yeah... I got 15$ of tips today.

Old amount : 4364$ + 15$ =
New amount : 4379$

I didn't mention that I put 185$ in there at my solving clothing + room problems amount leftovers. The bad news is, I didn't buy too many clothes but I'm okay for now. I've been abusing my money so I'm putting a stop to it by dumping the whole amount in the challenge.

I'm currently back into my frugal ways. I made lunch today with the things I have in my house. I manage to make pasta with meat that I've found in the fridge where two days ago, my brother used a big chunk of the meat to make curry with rice. It's still good though =P. I enjoyed my lunch with a couple of friends today.

Time to get serious. So far, I add 450$ since my last challenge post which mean that I add 265$ from my paycheck today.

Old amount : 3914$ + 450$
New amount : 4364$

1636$ to go!! =D

I leave work earlier yesterday so I have 15$ of tips.

Old amount : 3914$ + 15$ =
New amount : 3929$

I made 25$ yesterday.

Old amount : 3889$ + 25$ =
New amount : 3914$

2086$ to go!!

I'm adding money for my christmas fund. Another 50$ for this week.

Old amount : 155$ + 50$ =
New amount : 205$

I'm adding 10$ on today tips.

Old amount : 3879$ + 10$ =
New amount : 3889$

I'm putting 15$ that I earned yesterday as tip.

Old amount : 3864$ + 15$ =
New amount : 3879$

My challenge amount is going up!

I got 25$ of tips yesterday and I add 10$ that I have left after going to eat lunch with my friends this morning.

Old amount : 3829$ + 35$ =
New amount : 3864$

I recently got my paycheck last thursday. It was 288$ instead of around 300$. Arg... They deducted 16$ now instead of a few dollars -.-". Ah well. I guess I reach the limit of earning more than 8000$ so that is why they charge more tax on me.

I took out 50$ in my paycheck to pay for the grocery (11$), repayback my friend (10$) and next week grocery. I transfer 128$ into my challenge money account and kept 140$ in chequing account for mutual funds (100$) and the 40$ where I'm going to keep this amount for awhile.

I'm adding the money in the challenge :

Old amount : 3701 $ + 128$ =
New amount : 3829$
New amount : 3829$

I'm going to take out all my clothes budget to put in my challenge money and my christmas present.

I'm going to put 40$ in the challenge money and 50$ in my christmas presents money.

Old amount : 3661$ + 40$
New amount : 3701$

Old amount : 55$ + 50$ =
New amount : 105$

*Sigh* These days, I feel like I'm sucking in a little in my saving account because I miscalculated the amount that I have in my chequing to pay my credit card. It's quite complicated now and I'm trying to fix it. If I put my clothes budget in there, it will fix everything eventually.

I need to find a way to fix my problems of spending on clothes. My only problem is the clothes area where I need to buy basic clothes and I have some unplanned spending. I'm still thinking of a way to make my clothing needs disappear for good and be satisfied with the clothes that I have. Although, I'm really lacking in sweaters for the winter! hmmm...I'm reading a few sites these days on how to find classic and good quality clothing.

There's also a need to buy hangers for my closet in my room and shoes rack. I gave all my old hangers for my brother and now I have none. All my clothes are in my dresser. So yeah... I'm thinking of taking my 1000$ in my first challenge money to spend on those things and yes... I'm going to try to spend it wisely. I already made a list on the clothing that I need and I'm going to buy a few of those things probably next week in my two days of study breaks.

I'm trying this out and I hope that it will solve my problem.

I work 3 to 9 pm today. I got 13$ of tips.

Old amount : 3648$ + 13$ =
New amount : 3661$

I'm getting near the 4k soon and it's only the second month that I started this challenge. Things are getting better and better. I'm waiting for my next paycheck to put in.

I work today and I got 23$.

Old amount : 3625 + 23$ =
New amount : 3648$

I got 21$ of tip today at work.

Old amount : 3604$ + 21$ =
New amount : 3625$

The supervisor called me today to go to work at another Tim Hortons at 3 to 9 pm.

It was pretty weird to work at another place other than the place that I'm used to but I learn pretty quick how to do certain things and the cash register is not hard to understand. The cash register is way way more advance than my work place lol. Well I like working there although everything is pretty small, especially the kitchen. I'm probably used to my place. Everything is far away and I always have to work to get it.

Today tip is 19$. The pay is really good at the place that I worked today. Better than where I work. I'm going to add it in my challenge money.

Old amount : 3585$ + 19$ =
New amount : 3604$

I made 24$ on tips yesterday and I count my pennies. I have 10$ in pennies! I'm going to split the 10$ in two because my sister has contributed in it. So I have 5$ more to put in my challenge money.

Old amount : 3556$ + 29$ =
New amount : 3585$

I got 26$ as tips today.

I'm going to add it in my challenge money.

Old amount : 3530$ + 26$ =
New amount : 3556$

I'm quite surprise that the tip was good today. There were'nt a lot of customers today. XD

I made 38$ tips in total this weekend

Old amount : 3492$ + 38$ =
New amount : 3530$

I spent food on Thursday and yesterday on food mostly. I spent 7.92$ on food with my friend yesterday because I went to the library with her and yesterday, I spent 14$ on dinner with a bunch of friends. I think I'm starting to enjoy my college life with friends... Although, we went shopping yesterday with a couple of friends and I didn't buy anything.

My mind was on my challenge money the whole time and my clothes budget which I'm planning to buy winter clothes with. I'm going to spend it in Nov and Dec, around that time. So yeah, I think I've improved in my spending urge. I prefer to go out to eat with friends then buy clothes which one girl in particular bought quite some things in expensive stores. Most of them are girls. They don't work so they have money that was given by their parents.

So yeah, I manage not to spend for four days. I'm quite happy that I can go that far but one week will be a lot better ^.^". Well... this week, I spend around 22$ on foods alone with friends. ^.^' I enjoyed my time though. I also met a lot of people too.

As for my challenge money, I still don't know what I want to do with my 4000$ and my life in college is getting hectic... I would like to spend time with friends in college because it's my last chance before I start getting serious in my life. One of my college is in University and she was telling me she didn't see one of her best friends for a really long time and she's pretty busy with her homeworks. So... If I want to make my life in college memorable which luckily, I don't need to pay for my books and other things related to school, I can spend a little with my friends on activity. Like on Friday, we go out to have fun then eat and go on trips together in the holiday. Like Toronto where transportation will not cost much, probably 20-30$ because we're going by car and motel/hotel. I'll probably spend 200$ for food/accomodation/etc or less... Man, I'm happy to have friends who wants to spend time with me... ^.^'

Anyways, I'm planning to put 3000$ in my Spain + Morocco. If I plan to save all over again with 492$, I'm scare of breaking away from my friends. I will try not to spend on uneccessary things. I think I'm going to exchange my 1000$ Canadian dollars with the US dollars if it gets close to 1.00$, like really close... Which is yesterday but I'm planning to find a place where I can exchange my money to a better rate. I'm still thinking about what I'll do with the 1000$ left.

Old amount : 492$ + 3000$ =
New amount : 3492$

It's my third day today of no spending and four days left. I hope I can make it.

I'm going to add my Saturday and Sunday tips from work to my challenge now.

Tips : 44$

Old amount : 448$ + 44$ =
New amount : 492$

I was looking for my favourite black tank top at home. I thought my mom took it so I went to her closet to find it and there was so much clothes that I had a hard time looking through it all. In her closet,I found two nice sweaters that still have tags on it.

I remembered a few years ago, my mom used to yell at me because I buy too much clothes... Geez, compare to my clothes to hers, it's like nothing... She hardly wear all these clothes! Sometimes, I don't quite understand my mom and her thinking, although, I knew somehow that she is pretty bored in her life and she needs something to entertain herself which is, shopping. Ah well... The clothes that she bought, there's bound to be something that I like =P !

I'm going to find my digital camera and I'm going to take the pictures of the two sweaters that I just found in my mom's closet.

Let me look at the amount I saved on those two sweaters ! ^.^'

17.99$ + 19.99$ = 37.98$

Round it up ~ 38$

I'm going to take it out of my clothes allowance.

231$ - 38$ = 193$

I'm going to put it in my challenge money :

410 + 38$ = 448$

I'm going to take a break on shopping this month and wait till the mid-December to buy clothes. I need to buy winter clothes because I'm lacking in them... Don't know where it all went @.@... I'm planning to check my closet to see what kind of clothes I like best when I have time.

I have 300$ for the fall/winter season. I spent around 46$ on boots .______." and I returned a pair of shoes where the money that I have back (23$) went into my challenge money. Now I have 231$ left and that money will be deduce again from my shopping online... Well the belt maybe won't be included because I want to give it as a gift for my cousin.

Anyways, I'm going to find good clothes that will last me a long time. I'm finding a way to change my clothes spending habit for good! This winter, I already have my winter coat still in very good condition and boots for winter. I might have to buy snow boots that don't have platform heel... .______." *sigh* Well, I'm going to make another category and this one in particular will be on clothes. I'm going to take pictures of the clothes that I bought and the price that I paid for it.

Oh yeah before I forgot...

I counted my piggy bank and I got 20$ change and I have 40$ tips from work.

Old amount: 350$ + 60$ =
New amount: 410$

Yesterday I returned the shoes that I bought last wednesday because I didn't like it. The shoes were hurting my feet and I didn't feel comfortable walking with it. I saved 22.78$ by returning it and I'm not going to put that amount back into my clothing budget but putting it in my challenge. I'm going to round it up to 23$.

Old amount : 327$ + 23$ = 350$

I also went to sport expert to buy googles for my swimming class. I spent 27.34$ on a Leader brand. It's more expensive than Speedo but it's a lot more comfortable. I want a good quality one so it will last me a long time. I also went out to eat and I spend 7.66$ on a meal with my brother and his friend. At the end of the week, I have 15$ left from my 50$ allowance this week. I don't know if I should put it in my challenge or not. .___________." I'm still deciding where the money will go.

I spent around 285$ on books for my first semester and I have saved 235$ from people lending me their books for the semester. ^.^

Dad is going to give me the amount that I have saved.

I'm going to add my tips money from last week. I earned 60$ for three days of work.

Old amount: 32$ + 235$ + 60$ =
New amount: 327$

I was cleaning my room today before work and to my surprise, I found 15$ in one of my shoebox. I don't remember what money was it for but I'm so darn happy!! I'm putting it in my challenge money. =P

Old amount : 10$ + 15$ =
New amount : 25$

Another surprise is that I found out that I have 7$ on my saving account along with my challenge money. I have 4017$ instead of 4010$!! I'm going to add it in my challenge too.

Old amount : 25$ + 7$ =
New amount : 32$


The third surprise is that I made 29$ tips at work today!! Woohoo!! I'll add the tips money later today.

Last month was my first year anniversary opening this blog and yesterday was my challenge money anniversary!

It been one year since I have decided to make a challenge to save 4 000$ for my trip to London. It's kinda hard to let go of that amount in two years... LOL It wasn't easy to save up until recently.

Anyways, I would like to save it for the future lol!! I dunno... I can't let go of that amount! My trip to Morocco and I'll probably visit Spain next year so I can start saving now. Wait... I have an idea!! I'm going to start a travel fund for 2008.

Challenge money #2 : Travel fund (Morocco and Spain)

Amount of $ to be achieved : unknown yet

Deadline : mid-June 08

Rules : Same

Recently, my amount of money put in there has went up pretty fast so I'm expecting to get to a nice amount next year before my trip.

By the way, I'm going to let you guys up-to-date on my budget by deducting the amount I have left on the left. So far, I have bought a bus pass for the month of september and I bought the Monteregie card (42$) which cost way less than the Montreal and Monteregie one (62$). I can't go to Montreal with my pass but that doesn't matter. I don't go to Montreal often and my school is located in my area.

I received my paiement today and I'm going to add it to my challenge money.

Paycheck : 230$

Old amount : 3780$ + 230$ =
New amount : 4010$

I'm staring at the amount in my bank right now and I couldn't believe that I have achieved it already!! In two days, it's going to be my first year challenge money anniversary. I don't know what to do with it now because I have achieved my 4K and I don't know if I want to go to London in 2009... I'll think about it! Oh yeah... I have to save for my Morocco trip. It's going to be my second 20$ challenge. I'll keep you guys post later.

I'm adding 5$ from my tip surplus last week.

Old amount: 3775$ + 5$ =
New amount: 3780$

I gave 40$ to my brother that we earned selling the guitar that belong to him. A cheap kind anyways. I even split our 52$ that we earned from the garage sale last Saturday.

I don't bother redocorating the house because the amount is too little and my brother asked me to buy something to put the shoes in and a bookcase with that money. The thing is, he doesn't care if it's cheap and made of bad quality. So I was like... Whatever, we are not buying anything. I earned 26$ and that is going toward the challenge money.

Old amount: 3749$ + 26$
New amount: 3775$

The reason why I didn't bother buying those stuff is because we will toss it away like it's nothing or my brother will criticized it and he will find a way to replace it then he's going to ask me to split the money for something he bought. I'm through with everything he proposes! He never sticks to his proposition. All he can do is talk! Where's the action? Yeah maybe a little then he gives up. I have been supporting his decisions and everything but I have enought... I'm not going to believe him anymore.

There's also another reason why I'm piss at him. Is the message he passes to everyone in his hi5 profile.

"There's no such words that are valid to describe about myself, my personality, physical appearance and mind are always on progress, so its up to you to know me at the time that is givin to you.

generally, from my point of view.. im a very out going person, im an economist and an ecologist, i save money for my present/future needs and i recycle for the community so nothing goes to waste, im a pretty fast forwarded person and relationship is never a priority to me, what are considered a priority to me are: first of all.. my family(including my cousins), my goals, my friends(only those who have a solid respect for me "

Economist? Ecologist? He is far far far from being an economist. I tried helping him by suggesting him on ways to save. He said that it's not worth it or that he can't help wanting the things now. Alright, but don't be putting economist as part of you because you are an impulsive spender and you don't bother to fix it! All you do is whine whine whine but never bother to do anything about it. I suggested him that it takes patience, go to sites to read some saving techniques or anything. He doesn't bother to do it. Okay fine but he is not an economist! I told him : So yeah... You claim to be an economist... His reaction? Wahahahahahahahhahahahahahaha! Yet, he doesn't change his ways or change what he said.

He is not an ecologist either although he got the word wrong... He means environmentalist. I reminded him often to close the light, he said that he doesn't have the time to close all and make sure it's all close on his way out.He contributes to pollution by putting smoke outside to kill little insects, buying stuff then dumping it in the garbage and he liters.

As I can see, he claims to be someone he's not and he gets wow by people because his speech is really convincing. I was influence by him but I'm actually doing something. I admit that I sometime say and never do although if I really really want to do something or change it, I will do something not whine and hoping that it will go away soon. My brother said that he admires that I am a good saver.

I was a natural saver when I was little and he was a natural spender. I remember he stole money from me to buy junk from my cousin. He got so desperated at buying his things that he even stole money from my family. It has gotten out of control that my dad was trying to get back the money but my cousin said he don't have the money anymore. Sometimes, I wonder how much money my bro stole from me.

Oh yeah, I even remember the first time I got my bank account. I was so happy and curious.I knew right away how to use it by myself. I was exploring this wonderful machine and it feels good to put money in there. My parents were proud of me and they trusted me with the money. They even let me keep my bank account. My brother never put a cent into his account... Hahaha... It was funny. My account was growing and his was staying the same amount... I think around 900$. I had over a thousand already... Even near two thousand. Then my early teeenage years came along and I was spending the money like crazy. In less than three months, I was spending around a thousand dollar. It has cause me a lot of problems with my parents and I so they took my card away. I suggested them to give me a brand new account where I can do whatever I like with it. My dad agrees. Well since there's no amount in it, I have to start filling it up. When I turn 16, I started working after my trip to Vancouver. I was putting 50$ each payday in there and I made around 600$ in my saving account. When I quit my job, I didn't have anything to fall back on so I was using my savings for my personal need and I was trying to make it last while I was searching for a job. I was determine to save save save. When I got the job... Well the journey to the saving world starts.

Maybe I know why I really feel the need to save. My parents traumatized me so much by talking about money all the time when I was a teen. Man, it feels good when parents don't bother talking about money with you anymore. Although, my dad wants me to save but he wants me to buy everything by myself. Isn't that a little hypocrite of him? I told him I'm saving for something important like a trip. I already taken care of 90% of my needs and wants. Compare to my brother, it's like nothing.

UUm.. I just realised that I'm out of subject again like usual.. Sorry @.@... Well I guess I compare with my brother but really... I would not be pissed off at him if he was responsible. He is 20 going on 21 soon!!

I'm getting closer to the goal and I still haven't found a CD or anything for it. Well I'm still thinking what I'm going to do with it but London seems like a good choice. I'm always confused at where I'm going when it comes to travel XD. I want to go everywhere!!

Morocco will be my next destination next summer to visit a friend that I had promised to see her three years ago. She is very excited and me too but I have to talk with my dad first. About my friend, I knew her since we were in sixth grade and after a year here, she has to go back home because her dad found a job there. She visited twice here around three years ago and we made rendez-vous to see each others at a mall and the last one, I couldn't go because my dad was forcing me to stay to work at his place. This is also one of the reason why I resent my dad so much, I never saw my friend again and we rarely talk on msn. My dad tried to bring me back to work for him but I refused, even if he pays minimum now, I will never ever work at his place... Just looking at the way he treats my brother, I don't want to go back. Anyways, I'm the only one in Canada who still keeps in touch with her after all these years. All the others don't bother to talk to her again and it's kinda sad... I mean... She made a lot of good memories here in Canada with them and they don't care... Well, I'm going to keep in touch with her as long as possible and I'm going to see her next year no matter what.

I guess I found my next challenge... Saving up for Morocco next year. It wouldn't be so hard to save at least 2500$ in less than a year right? XD I gotta work hard then.

Oh by the way... XD My friend and I saved 4$ at the movie yesterday with my coupon XD !! yay! It became 5$ each. I still owe him another movie because he paid for the dinner. I think I'm falling in love with him... LOL... I kiss him on the cheek yesterday night. He is a very simple guy and he likes me for three years already. He used to be creepy, always staring at the girls he likes, now he is more normal like and more enjoyable to talk to. I hope we will get along in the future.

Old amount: 3745 + 4$ =
New amount: 3749$

251$ left to go... =)