September In Review

September is the first month since I've been back from traveling that I've started to make progress on my goals. It feels good to be back on track. I have nothing to compare to from August so these will be my starting numbers. I did start my RSP and TFSA. Go me! Lets check out those numbers:

Savings for September

TFSA (New) $250

RSP $70 (1/2 employer match)

Travel Fund $250 - I will need $500 saved before Nov 4th for BF's birthday

Secured Credit Card $0

House Fund $0

Chipotle Fund $100 - His next visit in 3 weeks will be about $400

In the past I would usually have a monthly goals update but since I did not have any set for September I have nothing to report sadly. Check in tomorrow for Octobers goals :)

So Far So Good

So I got my ING pin code in the mail and used the card yesterday to pay for groceries. It went thru without any problems. Yay. I'm wondering when I will recieve my free cheques though.

Another bonus? I got the $100 yesterday in my account as promised and without me having to inquire about it. I love ING.

So what shall I do with this $100? Well I think its time to start those retirement savings. Something that is long overdue.

Inspector Gadget

Hmmm, I guess I've been out of the savings game for a while because interest rates seem soooo low. Is it just me? Boourns. Oh well, I am still excited to start setting up new savings goals and pushing to meet my numbers.

I've been trying to figure out with bank to set up my TFSA and start my RSP investments with and I'm thinking for now its going to be good old ING. I seriously love that bank. I figure the first step is to just get started and they seem to offer the best rates so far. Also I have never had any hassles with them and find them super helpful whenever I've had to call in.

I was pretty excited when I heard about the THRIVE chequing accounts a few months back but I'm not sure if I'm ready to switch over. I currently pay I believe $8/mo for my chequing account with CIBC. I could be saving some major dough if I paid say.. no fees and earned interest on top of that.

So I'm curious. Are any of you set up with an ING chequing account? If not, are you considering?

Looking Ahead

When I returned home from my year of traveling I was lucky to have a good friend to stay with for a few days in Vancouver before heading home to the Island. When I walked in the door I was immediately presented with a gift. Knowing my passion for all things Gail, my dear friend Nathaniel gave me one of her books that I've been lusting over. I am now a proud owner of "Never Too Late". Yay!

The gift was totally unexpected. Also, its not only thoughtful to give me something I enjoy, it will also hopefully make an impact on my future through some sound retirement advice.

It comes at a great time too because now that I'm debt free and realized an important life goal of traveling before settling down I'm ready to take the big step of saving for retirement.

I've known since I was a teenager that saving for retirement early was key. I preached it to my friends. So what happened? I wasted the opportunity. Thats what.

Well thats all about to change. In April I will have three paydays and my finances will start getting back on track. Its time to start investing in my future.

$275 Added to the Australia Fund

Today I set up another xfer to ING for $275 to be added to my Australia Fund. I now have $600 saved in that account. I wish it was more but being sick earlier this month hit my pocket hard. Darn sickness!

Total savings for all accounts in 2009 - $900

I was hoping for $1200 and would have done it but as I said.. the sicko bug hit me hard. I may be making some changes to my financial goals for the year soon. My work is offering a match program for RRSP contributions so once I have my paperwork in order I'm going to find out what the max they will match is and go from there.

Worried about my 2008 goals :(

This morning it kicked me in face. I haven't been thinking about my 2008 goals. Well thats not really true I think about that sort of thing all the time. I guess I just haven't noticed how fast this year has gone by. It's the end of August already and it appears I will only be able to complete one of two goals.

My two biggest goals for 2008 were to:

A) Start my retirement savings

B) Pay off my student loan debt

I just cannot afford to do both on this wage. This year has been so rocky financially. It's got me already worried about saving enough for Australia, retirement and other things next year. I feel pretty behind and I need to take action quick!

I really wanted to get a secured credit card in the next few months because you have to have it one full year before they return your deposit and viola you have a credit card again. The reason this is important to me is I want to have it for an emergency during our year long trip. Not as back up money but in case I need to book a flight or something that requires the use of a CC. I just don't have the $500 to do it right now.

I have 4 months left until the end of the year. I'm not going to be able to pay off my debt by the time of my birthday in October but I'm still hoping to finish it off by the end of the year!! So its going to be about $500 a month. Wow, its going to be more than a squeeze on my income. I think I'm not going to have an option regarding looking for a new job and maybe possibly a second job for a few shifts a week. :(