personal finance

It’s Saturday at 3PM. I just “finished” getting tax information for my father. I don’t enjoy doing taxes as my father and I have different ways at getting at things and numbers are not my strength. We have improved how we work together and this year, for the second year in a row, there wasn’t any yelling (from either of us) or crying (on my part). It only took me 10 years to figure out what information he needs. There were still some mistakes on the numbers I gave him but relatively minor compared to other years past. I just

How to Raise Cash Fast (thank you Sympatico MSN for these tips) Start Your Own Sell-Off ~ Selling possessions is a quick win. Go through attics, closets, garages, kitchens and spare rooms. Anything you don’t want any more can be sold. If this doesn’t raise enough cash, think about selling things that you don’t need – all the things you thought you might use but don’t. If you still need more cash, think about selling things you can live without: could you get by without your car for example? Ask Your Boss for More Money ~ If you need cash

I love to watch Gail Vaz Oxlade on “Til Debt Do Us Part“. I stumbled across her blog. She has great worksheets too. I can’t seem to find her relationship rescue worksheets though. I think this would be great to ensure the dialogue between partners is there and that the “right” things are being discussed. I love her budget worksheet. I use a similar one myself. I love how she tells you how much to put in your cash jars too.

I still have openings in my home day care. I was hoping to get at least one or two school-aged kiddies for March Break (that starts on Monday). But no. I was also hoping to fill the empty spaces; out of a potential for five charges in addition to my own two, two are filled with full-time children and one of those has given their notice. I have another full-time to start at the end of May and then I have two more starting full-time in September. I really need to fill the spaces now and am getting extremely anxious.

This recession is starting to effect my home daycare business. There is such a slow-down for clients. I suppose this is because of lay-offs and people being home with their own children. It is this way with all of those in my Home Childcare Providers Network. I can’t wait for it to turn around or I don’t know what I will do for extra money. How is the recession effecting you, if at all? What are you doing about it?

I set Friday’s to file papers in the office and pay bills that have come up through the week. I am also working towards becoming more knowledgeable of personal finances, budgeting and investing. I had CBC Radio One on today and they talked about an interesting challenge called Bank Town CBC explores “the history behind Canadian banks’ stellar reputation and ask what the implications are for Toronto as a banking headquarters.” There is an exercise where you can “imagine that you’re a banker with deep pockets and decide among three local companies” that you would invest in. Definately intriguing. Let

I did it. Yesterday I set a 5-year plan to pay off student loans. I’m sick of them and I just want them done with! I know a lot can change in five years but if there is a plan then it’s closer to getting done. Now I just have to follow it. I found this neat template on Microsoft templates. It’s a loan amortization schedule with extra payments. I also updated my budget for November, December and January with projected expenses (and actual for this month thus far to ensure it’s realistic).

I’m being financially responsible by taking pro-active steps to learning about personal finances and important documents or steps I need to put into place to secure our family and plan for our future. I am following Suze Orman’s Women and Money monthly strategies and I am on Month Two. The problem I am having is finding the Canadian FICO score for free. Suze Orman is from the United States and so a link she has provided in her book to obtain three free annual credit reports www.annualcreditreport.com does not apply to Canadians. I’m going crazy how to find a Canadian

Oprah has a smart cookie money investment program where she encourages women to meet and become more knowledgeable about personal finances and investment or other financial options. I am in a local group and have learned a great deal from the guest speakers who have presented to us. I am now organizing the book club to be held every other month and I must admit, I am extremely excited to be facilitating these sessions. I just hope the turn-out makes it worth my while. As attendance isn’t always a guarantee, it is my hope to also start an online book