I AM CONSUMER DEBT FREEEEEE!!!!!!!!

Pardon me for a moment while I go do a HAPPY DANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok I'm back.  THE CONSUMER DEBT IS GONE!!!!  The credit card debt, the student loans, the line of credit, all that stressful, interest incurring consumer debt!!!  Car loan - next it's your turn!

Money, Money, Money

Well I checked my tax refund online today and I found this:

Your 2011 return was assessed and a refund of $1,069.92 will be deposited on March 5, 2012. 

YAY!!!  I'm getting some of my hard earned money back.

I will put this together will my end of Feb pay and my budget will look basically like this:

God's Money $220
Car Payment $372
Insurances $122
Bank Fees $4
Groceries $60
Gas for car $60
Pets $130
Entertainment $65 (Church Comedy night with friends and supper with work friends)
Race Registration $60
Gifts $460
Emergency Fund rebuild $720

And that will be that.  You will noticed there is NO consumer debt repayment in there!  :)  Plus I haven't spent this much in entertainment in over a year!!!  Two nights out.  I'm spoiling myself.  Especially with registering for a race at the same time.  Gifts is high because back a few months ago I decided that I wanted to thank a few important people in my life for all their support. 

Can't wait to be consumer debt free!  Only a couple of days now!!!

Gas Prices in North America and Australia

I was curious how much gas was selling for in other places and decided to do some research.  Here's what I found using Gasbuddy.com for North America and FuelWatch for Australia.

Conversion is 1 US gallon = 3.785 litre  or 1 litre = 0.264 US gallon


Current Exchange Rates are as follows according to XE.

1 USD = 0.998 CAD (reverse 1.002)
1 AUD = 1.071 CAD  (reverse 0.934)
1 USD = 0.932 AUD (reverse 1.073)

 USA - A few random spots

Portland, OR
Low - $3.63/g = $0.96/l
High - $4.09/g = $1.08/l

Philadelphia, PA
Low - $3.49/g = $0.92/l
High - $3.99/g = $1.05/l

Santa Barbara, CA
Low - $4.03/g = $1.06/l
High - $4.69/g = $1.24/l

Tampa, FL
Low = $3.54/g = $0.94/l
High = $3.89/g = $1.03/l

High amount converted to CAD -  $1.24/l
High amount converted to AUD - $1.33/l

CANADA - A few random spots

Halifax, NS
Low $1.35/l  =  $5.11/g
High $1.365/l = $ 5.17/g

Toronto, ON
Low $1.247/l = $4.72/g
High $1.329/l = $5.03/g

Saskatoon, SK
Low $1.149/l = $4.35/g
High $1.23/l = $4.66/g

Vancouver, BC
Low $1.259/l = $4.77/g 
High $1.49/l = $5.64/g

High amount converted to USD -  $5.65/g
High amount converted to AUD - $1.39/l

AUSTRALIA - NSW

Low $1.379/l = $5.11/g
High $1.564/l = $5.92/g 

High amount converted to CAD - $1.68/l
High amount converted to USD - $6.35/g

Interesting?  What do you think?

Gas here went from $116.6/l to $129.6/l in one big jump.  That's what inspired this post.  I'm a little surprised at how much cheaper it is in the US and at how much more expensive it is in Australia.

A Picture Worth 98%

Today I decided that I would take the LOC payoff amount out of my EF ($682.74).  I've been thinking about doing this for a little while.  I wanted to save the hassle of the interest since it incurs daily and tomorrow is the day it is all added on.  I still have money in my EF and will be fully funding it back to $2000 over the next month. Since I used the EF money it has been somewhat anticlimactic.  But I will be consumer debt free in one week.  The only thing left owing is the balance on my SISIP loan ($242.87) which automatically comes off my pay.   :)

Today I ...

Went to see the movie "The Vow".  I REALLY liked it.  But I am a sucker for a sappy chick flick.

A friend and I decided that we will train for a marathon (42.2km or 26.2 miles) which is in October.  This will be our first Marathon.  We will also being doing a half marathon at the end of April.

 

Did some couponing and price matching at Wally World.  This was my biggest so far.  Just trying my hand at it and easing myself into it.  It's fun though.  Just have to figure out how to get more/better coupons.  

(I realize this photo is confusing!  I used 2 (yep 2 whole big ones) coupons and did some price matching.  Somehow a picture of 2 coupons seemed too pathetic to post!  Sorry, Gill.  You are a coupon queen to me!  I have LOTS to learn.)

Shoveled some snow... not too much but enough.

 

Ran 11km with friends.

Those were the highlights of my day.  How about you?

Less then a Grand!...

...is what I now owe!  My outstanding balances on my LOC and SISIP loan are $676.43 and $242.87.  That equals $919.30!  92% of my debt is gone!  I have paid off $10,479 of debt in just under a year.  With the interest added in there I will probably have averaged about $975 a month for 12 months to pay off my debt. 

If you take that $975 and add in the $363 I paid a month on a car loan that means I was paying $1338 a month to debt.  That is about 41% of my take home pay.  Boy I am glad I am almost at the finish line for this marathon!

Hope you are all training for the debt free dash, it's getting close!

May 2011 - Each ring represents $100 of debt

Today - There are 10 rings ($919.30)

Versatile Blogger Award

Well I've been honoured to receive the Versatile Blogger Award from Debby over at Nanny's Place.  Thanks so much Debby! I really enjoyed reading your answers. 

The rules of the prize are:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award
2. Link back that person
3. Select blogs that you've recently discovered (and think deserve it!) and nominate them
4. Tell the person who nominated you 7 things about yourself 

So 7 things about me.... hmmmmm 

1)  I am the youngest of 3 children and the only girl.  I love my brothers very much!  They have always been there for me and are great guys.  

2)  I prefer my pizza with just cheese!

3)  I grew up swimming at the beach that used to be featured on the back of the Canadian $50 bill.

4)  I was married for a whole two months before my ex cheated on me and that was the end of that.

5)  I'm not looking for Mr. Right anymore..... although I'm secretly (not such a secret now is it?!) hoping he will find me someday.  Either way I'm happy. 

6)   I was an extra in a Demi Moore movie and got to meet her (she autographed my copy of "Ghost").  She bought the whole crew pizza on her birthday.

7)   I have lived in 6 of the Provinces of Canada.  

Ok some recently discovered, deserving blogs that I would like to pass this award on to are:

Frugal and Thankful

Almost Rock Bottom

Confessions of a Resolutionist 

 

Ok I think I've been reading the rest of your blogs for far to long to be "recently discovered" but please feel free to play  along!  I love learning all this new stuff about my blogging friends!

 

Developing Discipline

Do you find that you are great at disciplining yourself in certain areas and fail miserably in others?  I'm struggling with this so much right now.

If you read yesterdays post you saw that I got my lazy butt out of bed to go running in freezing cold temperatures.  And honestly, it's not that much of a struggle for me to do it.  Perhaps it's because I have a great group of friends that I run with and I really like their company.  Whatever it is, I don't struggle with making myself go very often at all.  And as you can see from my sidebar (or you know if you are a regular reader) I've done fairly well kicking my debt to the curb.  I'm not calling myself a superstar at all and yes I did have my challenges with it but overall it wasn't too hard to say no to myself most of the time.  I focused on what I want and I was ready for the debt to be gone.

Why can't I apply this self-discipline to other areas of my life then?!  I'm so frustrated with myself for this.  There are a number of areas where this applies but I'm specifically thinking of spending time reading/study the Bible and spending quality time in prayer.  I want to do it but I don't.  It's like when Paul (I believe) wrote about being frustrated about doing the things he shouldn't and not doing the things he should.  The other thing is when I do get out my Bible or take time to pray my head goes everywhere else and I can't concentrate!!!

I know all of us struggle with this in some area or another, be it spiritual or not.  I know I'm not alone or else there wouldn't be millions of resolutions broken every year.  

I don't understand how I can feel so on top of somethings and so lacking in others.  Am I too focused in some areas?  I don't feel like running and PF are overtaking my life.  I do feel like I have some balance in my life. Do you feel the same way about some areas of your life?

What has helped you develop a spiritual discipline (or other discipline) in your life?  How can I stop feeling frustrated and start taking action?  I feel like that ING commercial.. the one that says if you want to stop paying chequng fees then stop paying checking fees!  I know it's a simple as doing it but at the same time it's not that simple!!!!

Running, shovelling, reading and laundry

Well that's basically my day.  I went running this morning with the group.  It was COLD out there!  -25 (-13F) with the wind chill but it was kind of nice once you got going.  Just the really windy spots weren't pleasant.  It was a great leg workout though because it had snowed last night and was it was challenging getting traction in lots of places.  Well 10km (6.2miles) done for the day so that's good.  I just registered for the half marathon (21.2km or 13.1miles) yesterday so I'm committed now. 

I made a stop at the library because I book I requested was in and waiting for me.  It's Gail Vaz-Oxlade's "It's Your Money, Becoming a Woman of Independent Means" (the newest version).  So I got home and shovelled my driveway and my neighbours and soon I'll be enjoying an afternoon of reading.  And I'm going to do my best not to feel guilty about doing it too!  My house is clean and I only need to do laundry.  So I'll put that in the washer and I think I'll pull out the breadmaker and get some bread on the go and then go and read. 

I am impatiently waiting for payday and income tax refund (still need papers so I can file).  It's tough being so close but having to wait for payday!!!  Changed my sidebars so they only reflect the total amount of consumer debt and now the outstanding amount (approx) on the car loan.  Since I will be tackling that next I thought I should put it up there. 

Hope everyone is having a great weekend so far!

I've Been Tagged!

Jessie at Confessions of a Resolutionist tagged me in this fun question post.  A good way to get to know other bloggers a little more.

Here are the rules...

#1 - Post these rules.

#2 - Answer the 11 questions from the person who tagged you.

#3 - Create 11 new questions for the people you tag.

#4 - Tag 11 people and link them to your post.

#5 - Let them know that you tagged them.

My Answers to Jessie's Questions

1.) Where is someplace you have always wanted to visit?
I would love to visit Australia.  It's been something I've wanted to do for many years.  Plus I could visit Louise too!

2.) How would you have classified yourself in high school? (geek, jock, band nerd, etc)
I'm not sure I would have a "label" in high school.  I came from a very small high school and although there were certainly people that fit some classic labels I'm not sure I would have fit well in any of them. 
 
3.) What would you wantserved for your last dinner?
Turkey Dinner with all the fixings!  Or pizza, I LOVE pizza!

4.) Do you get sick often?
Nope not generally.  Thankfully!

5.) If you could live next-door to anyone alive or dead, who would you want to live next to?
I would like to live next door to my Nanie.  I miss her lots and wish I could spend more time with her.  She's a great lady and I would love to help take care of her.  Even though I'm not much of a cook, I would be able to take her meals and give her some company.  I could just help her out in whatever way she would need. 

6.) Where is your favorite place to shop for clothes?
I haven't shopped for clothes in so long I'm not sure I can even answer this!  I like Eddie Bauer (although I don't like their prices usually).  Somewhere I can buy jeans and cotton shirts which are my go to clothes.

7.) What are your hobbies?

I love running and photography.

8.) What is your favorite place in your house?
I'm not sure I have a favourite place.  My home is very small so there aren't alot of options.  I guess the living room.

9.) Do you have any pets?
I do.  I have 2 bunnies (Chloe and Dallen) and a dog (Bella).

10.) What is your favorite genre to read?
Currently, I am all about anything Personal Finance.  Apart from that I'm probably more into some type of romance story but certainly not the Harlequin type.  I actually enjoy Janette Oake's writing and those type of books.
 
11.) If you could choose only one TV show to watch during the week, which one would you choose?
I would probably choose Gail Vaz Oxlade's show Princess.



The questions I'm asking.

1) What do you think is the biggest financial challenge you currently face? 
2) What is the best money saving tip you can share?
3) What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your life and how did you overcome it?
4) What is your proudest accomplishment?
5) What is the best piece of advise you have been given during your life?
6) What is the best cleaning tip you can share?
7) Do you clean a little each day or save it all for a specific time?
8) What chore is your least favourite and how do you make it more pleasant?
9) What do you wish you did more often?
10) What is one important thing about you that you would like to share?
11) What did your mother (or other loved adult) used to do that you always said you would never do yet somehow you do it too?!

Here are the peeps I am tagging:

Louise at My Journey to Eliminate Debt 
Makky's Mom at Milestones

Kim at Out My Window

Cassie at Digging Out and Up

Lisa at Cents To Save

Judy at Finally frugal and happy

Gill at That British Woman

Jane at Life DOESN'T Begin at Retirement - LIFE Begins TODAY!!

Tanner at Working for a Goal 

Judi and Amy at Livin' Large - Tales of a Blended Family

Canadian Saver at Saving4Later
 

Looking forward to hearing from you all!  :)

Trying to be Patient

Jane, this is for you.  :)

I know I sound like a broken record here on the blog and in real life.  I'm trying not to obsess over finishing off this portion of my debt but to tell you the truth I can't stop thinking about it.   I do bite my tongue a lot because I know it's not as big a deal for other people as it is for me and I want to be a respectful. 

I sit down with my budget almost daily.  I play with the numbers of my next three pays and I play with the numbers after that.  I play around with numbers for my income tax refund.  It's very exciting.  Once this portion of my debt is gone I will be incorporating $1000 a month into my budget.  Well actually I am planning to incorporate $225 into my variable expenses, pay $475 toward my car loan and put $300 into savings. 

I will be getting a promotion and a raise later on in the year (around June or July).  Not a huge one but about $100 a month in my pocket.  I will probably put that towards my savings.  That savings will be used to fund Christmas, birthdays, regular expenses that don't occur monthly (oil changes for the car, car registration and things like that). 

So in three pays (or earlier if I get my tax refund before) that burden is gone.  Actually it's 40 days.  :)  Now just to be patient.