I hate being sick. I always seem to get a cold whenever I have a bunch of crap to do and what do ya know, what’s what happened this time. The new site launches, and I’ve got lots of work to do on that, and I come down with a cold. Just perfect. Luckily it wasn’t too bad. Just a dry throat, stuffy nose and slight cough. I stayed in bed most of the weekend, which was annoying. I hate being confined. This is where notebook computers come in handy. Instead of watching hours of TV, I could have done work. Unfortunetely, I only have a desktop computer so blah blah blah I suck.

I’m feeling alright today, but still think I need to rest some more. I have a very bad habit of getting up and doing stuff around the house as soon as I start to feel just a little bit better. I hate to see the house in shambles, I hate knowing that my stockpile needs to be organized, I hate knowing that I have work to do online - and I just want to get everything done. I want it done and I want it done NOW. I’m a little demanding.

Anyway, speaking of rest, I need to get to bed. I can’t believe it’s midnight already. Why do I never let myself get to sleep at a reasonable hour?

After months of lots of hard work, frustration and… work - my new coupon project is FINALLY ready for the world to see! My good pal Boo (real name, true story) and I are partners and we’re really happy with how the site turned out and are very very VERY excited about it.

The site is www.thinkcoupons.ca and it is your one stop shop for all things coupon. It has printables, save.ca, gocoupons.ca, websaver.ca, online codes and deals - it has it all. The site is updated constantly with new coupons, so bookmark it and keep checking back for the latest ones.

I would really appreciate anyone who links this new site on their blog(s). We need all the help we can get with traffic right now and I do truely believe that this site will help many people. You can link us with a text link or the button below. Thanks guys and gals!

Off I go to add more coupons!

INCOME:
Moi: $517.47
DH: $2991.23
Benefits: $269.65
= $3778.75
+ Extra Income = $260.16 (selling things, etc.)
= $4038.91

EXPENSES:
Rent = $1500/$1500
Groceries = $237.43/$200 (over $37.43)
Entertainment = $25.66/$30 (under $4.34)
Bank Fees = $12.95/$12.95
Hosting = $63.97/$70 (under $6.03)
Cable/Phone/Net/Cell = $284.69/$197 (over $87.69)
Hydro = $64.12/$65 (under .88)
House Gas = $165.14/$150 (over $15.14)
Water/Sewage = $33.74/$30 (over $3.74)
DH Car Payment = $200/$200
Car Insurance = $140.49/$140.49
DH Car Insurance = $120.36/$120.36
Misc. = $127.03/$50 (over $77.03)
Yearly Expenses Accnt. (dentist, haircuts, pet shots, etc.) = $205/$205
Car Gas = $78.50/$100 (under 21.50)
DH Dry Cleaning = $0/$10 (under $10)
DH Train Pass = $186.50/$181 (over $5.50)
Allowance = $25/$25
DH Allowance = $25/$25
Clothing = 39.87/$50 (under 10.13)
Emergency Fund = $100/$100
RESP = $50/$50
Investment Account = $100/$100

Total Spent = $3810.45/$3613 (over $197.45)
Total Income - Total Expenses = $228.46

Cable/Net/Phone/Cell - Richard doesn’t need his cellphone anymore because he has one for work that he can use for free, so we tried to find the cheapest way out of the stupid Rogers contract. We decided to keep the phone for me to use for emergencies and the only way to make the plan cheaper was to eliminate the data package. This was $100 fee, that’s why we are over budget. We are going to be even more over budget in February because we just cancelled the phone altogether with Rogers and there is a $400 early cancellation fee. Ouch. The only reason we are doing that is because I will be using the phone on a PayAsYouGo plan with a different company and it will only cost about $10 a month. We WERE paying about $50 a month at Rogers for the cellphone. So I think it was wise to suck up the fee because now our monthly bills will be alot lower.

Misc. - We are over budget in this category because Richard decided he doesn’t want to pay for oil changes anymore when he can do them himself. So, we spent about $40 or so in the materials needed to do this. Oil changes should now only cost us $15-$20 instead of $30-$40.

EXTRA INCOME FROM NOVEMBER:
Freezer = $0/$200 (not yet purchased)
Extra Clothing = $265.39/$700 ($434.61 not yet purchased)

HOW TO SPEND CHRISTMAS BONUS:
Home Furnishings = $390.24/$1000 ($609.76 not yet purchased)
Tattoo = $0/$700 (not yet purchased)
Home Computers = $1822.88/$2000 (under $177.12)

Dear Elliott,
Today you turn six months old. SIX MONTHS! Where has the time gone? Everyone tells us how adorable they think you are. You are so very alert and active now. I just want to squeeze you all the time. You’re so smiley and happy and giggly. I wish I was more like you. Life would be so much better!

You started to get another tooth come in towards the end of this month. It’s on your top gums this time. I think this one is hurting you alot more than the two that came up on your bottom gums because you are much more cranky lately. I don’t blame you. I bet that hurts! I anticipate the tooth will be all the way through come seven months.

You started solid foods this month. Well, that’s if you consider mushy rice cereal to be “solid food”. You don’t seem to mind it, but you LOVE to make a huge mess with it. No matter how hard I try to keep you clean while feeding you the stuff, you always end up with it all over your face. And usually my shirt. Pretty soon we are going to start introducing other foods to your diet like fruits and vegetables. I hope you’re not one of those kids who ends up hating vegetables. They are delicious and I am NOT JUST SAYING THAT.

Another accomplishment you have acheived this month is sitting up on your own. You can’t do it for long, only a few minutes at best, and you always need someone or something around to hold on to, just in case. You’ll get it soon. I don’t think it will be very long until you are able to sit by yourself, unassisted, and play with your toys. And I will squeal and how adorable you look.

It hasn’t snowed too much here this winter so I haven’t been able to get all the pictures of you in the snow that I so desperately want. But you know what, snow sucks. And I’m secretly happy it hasn’t stopped by for a visit. I bet you will love snow and make me take you out to play in it ALL. THE. TIME. Maybe then I will start to love it.

I hope you continue to be as happy and friendly as you are right now. You’ve made my life so much better and I learn something new from you every day. Thanks for that.

Love, Mama

You know, I’ve sat down in front of this computer at least a dozen times since Sunday and every single time I told myself to blog. But them something would come up. I’d have to work on the site, I’d have to work on my new site (details soon, pinky swear!), I’d have to talk to someone online about our weekend get-together. I just had excuse after excuse to not post anything. And for that I apologize. I’m sure you were all saddened by the lack of posts this week.

So.. here’s the week in short form:

Sunday
- Visited my dad and sister, where Elliott watched cartoons (he loves TV!.. uh oh) and I took lots of photos, including this gem:

- Visited Richard’s mom and sister where we had a lovely dinner with THE MOST DELICIOUS POTATOES EVER.

Monday
- I have crazy burst of energy and clean the entire house. When I get this energy, I DO NOT IGNORE IT. Must take advantage!

Tuesday
- Richard stays home from work because he is sick.
- Erica comes over in the evening and I whip up french toast and maple bacon for dinner. Then bask in my awesomeness.
- We watch The Biggest Loser and cheer when that stupid chick gets voted off. Bye bye!

Wednesday
- Elliott is getting a new tooth and cries all day long. He has sore gums and mommy has a sore head.
- Garbage night is annoying. Did you know that 3/4 of our trash is poop? Baby poop/pee, cat poop/pee and dog poop. Awesome!

Today is Elliott’s 6 month checkup and the appointment is right smack dab in the middle of his nap time. This will be interesting…

Mommy and her boyfriend came to visit today. She treated us to dinner at East Side Marios and wow. I am officially a restaraunt snob. I don’t want to go to the cheap places anymore. After eating in more expensive restaraunts, the difference in food quality is quite huge. I do love ESMs’ salads and bread, and of course cheesy garlic bread is pretty much awesome no matter where you go, but as far as full course meals.. I think I will stick to my higher end spots (if you consider The Keg high-end - HA!). And you can call me Queen C.

After dinner we came back home, where I proceeded to take about 4396841 pictures of anything and everything. But of course, in the end I only kept a handful because I’m picky. And my therapist tells me THAT’S OKAY. Here’s a few of my faves:

Richard spent this evening researching computers. After much contemplation, reviewing and so many other annoying little things, we finally settled on what we wanted.

I’m not 100% happy with the look of my computer or monitor since I wanted them both to be solid black and they do have white on them, but they were $200 cheaper (and have way more RAM and space on them AND the monitor is 23 inches instead of the 20 I was going to get) so I will DEAL WITH IT. Wow, that was a long sentence.

Richard’s computer is pretty similar to mine except the video card isn’t as good and it doesn’t have firewire, both of which are not a big deal. He didn’t need a monitor because the one he currently has is still really good. We both got black mouses (mice?) and keyboards. I’m excited about that. My white mouse has turned a lovely shade of yellow and my keyboard has so much crap down inside of it that is impossible to remove (even when I pop all the keys off and try to clean it that way).

Here is mine:

I will be staring out the window each and every day just waiting for the delivery man to bring me my new toy! Weeeeooooowwwww!

We paid a total of $1822.88 and our budget was $2000 so that means we came in under by $177.12. CHA CHING! We’ll probably use that extra money for anti-virus software. Or a natural sleep aid. Or something.

I forgot to mention what we decided to do with the $5304.47 leftover from the last bonus Richard’s work gave him.

Here’s the plan:

$1300 into our emergency fund. We are well on our way to $15,000 and I couldn’t be more excited! I’m actually comfortable right now. If something bad were to happen, I don’t think I would freak out about money. That’s a good feeling.

$700 is for my new tattoo. It’s a birthday present from Richard and I CANNOT WAIT. It’s a half sleeve tattoo on my left arm that I have been wanting for at least 3 years now. I can’t give any details because it’s a secret (only my sister knows). CAN. NOT. WAIT!

$2000 will be spent on new computers for the both of us. My computer is over 10 years old, if you can believe that. She’s held up well, my dearest Bertha - but it’s time to move on. Richard’s computer is about 5 years old and is on it’s last legs as well. The $2000 will include 2 towers, a monitor and at least 1 keyboard and 1 mouse. I’m hoping it will be less than $2000 but decided to keep it at that number just in case. I don’t want to assume a lower number and then have it come out higher.

$1289 was used to pay for some work courses that Richard needed to do. He will be fully re-imbursed but not for a long time (close to the summer) so we used the bonus money for those and when he is re-imbursed, we will use that money as if it is extra money coming in.

And that’s that, folks!

I may need some online backup so I don’t lose all of my money files!

Oopsies, I forgot these Old Navy deals from the other day…

Old Navy:
1x Awesome Tee @ $1.97 (saved = $8.53)
1x Cabin Tee @ $2.47 (saved = $8.03)
1x Dad Onesie @ $1.97 (saved = $7.53)
1x Car Onesie @ $5.99 (saved = $3.51)
1x Cord Pants @ $12.97 (saved = $6.53)

Total = $25.37
- 50% off on clearance = $12.68 (saved = $12.69)
- 25% off coupon = $9.51 (saved = $3.51)

Tax @ .45

GRAND TOTAL PAID = $9.96
GRAND TOTAL SAVED = $50.33

Now I’m off to some destin condos to relax after all of this darn shopping.

HA! I wish.

No time to chit chat, folks. I’m tired. However, I wanted to post this now before I forget.

Today’s Shopping:

Walmart:
1x Glade Air Freshener @ $1.13 - $2.00 coupon = +.87 (saved = $2.00)
5x Fructis Hair Gel @ $1.44 each = $7.20 - 5/$2.00 coupons = +$2.80 (saved = $10.00)
1x St. Ives Face Wash @ $1.00 - $2.00 coupon = +$1.00 (saved = $2.00)
1x Infant Rice Cereal @ $4.77 (ouch)
1x Onion Powder @ $2.28
1x Celery @ $1.97
1x Carrotts @ .77 (saved = approx. $1.20)
1x Kidney Beans @ .87
1x Rice @ $3.47
1x Cauliflower @ $1.47 (saved = approx. .50)
1x Green Pepper @ $1.06
1x Apples @ $2.46
1x Red Potatoes @ .95
1x Milk @ $3.97
1x Bacon @ $1.66 (saved = approx. $1.30)
1x Sausages @ $3.00
Tax @ $1.87

TOTAL PAID = $25.25
TOTAL SAVED = $17.00

Old Navy:
1x ON Pants @ $7.99 (saved = approx. $2.51)
1x ON Pants @ $1.97 (saved = approx. $8.53)
1x Stripe Sweater @ $4.97 (saved = $17.53)
1x Red Hoodie @ $3.47 (saved = $11.03)
2x Furry Pants @ $3.47 each = $6.94 (saved = $22.06)
1x Mommy’s Bear Onesie @ $7.99 (saved = $2.51)
1x Hat @ .47 (saved = $6.03)
1x 2pk Boys Boxers @ $2.97 (saved = $9.03)
1x Boys Socks @ .99 (saved = $3.01)

Total = $37.66
- 50% off clearance = $18.83 (saved = $18.83)
+ Tax @ .94

GRAND TOTAL PAID = $19.77
GRAND TOTAL SAVED = $101.07

Walmart:
1x Mega Bloks Piano @ $5.00 (saved = approx. $29.96)
Tax @ .65

GRAND TOTAL PAID = $5.65
GRAND TOTAL SAVED = $29.96

PS. What are breeches?

Today is my birthday. It’s actually not my birthday for another 44 minutes, considering I was born January 13th at 11:56pm, but whatevs. Yes, I just said whatevs. Hi, Linds!

I spent most of the day doing regular mom things. Making Elliott’s food, feeding him, changing him. I also played with the animals. I’m pretty sure I fed them too. And let the dogs out to pee.. about six hundred times. I also avoided things I would normally do cause it’s my birthday and I CAN. No cleaning the kitchen, no vaccuuming, no tidying up of any kind. It was fabulous. And also somewhat scary because OMG I’M NOT CLEANING. I’m always cleaning. I like a tidy house, which is difficult with a baby and 5 animals. So cleaning is a constant, every day thing. Except it’s not just once a day. It’s ALL DAY. I can’t even sit still to watch Criminal Minds without doing something. Folding laundry, organizing coupons, dusting. When can I sit still? When can I do NOTHING AT ALL? Oh right - my birthday! So today I did exactly that - nothing. Except those things that I kind of needed to do, you know how it is.

ANYWAY. Richard had roses sent to the house today and they are beauuuuuutiful. I love red roses.

When he got home from work, we went to Tony Roma’s for dinner. I ordered potato skins because again, IT’S MY BIRTHDAY. I can eat what I want! Richard found a piece of styrofoam in the ranch dressing, so we told the waitress who apologized profusely and brought the manager who did the same thing. Apparently, some idiot in the kitchen thought it would be neat to scoop the ranch dressing from their big container with a take-out box and put it into the smaller container. Nice. Anyway, my meal was free because it was my birthday but the manager said she was going to give us everything for free because she felt so bad. Her and the waitress were the nicest service people I’ve ever met in a restaraunt. Hands down. Is that what they’re called? Service people? Or did I just insult them? Oh shit.

So a chicken salad, pulled pork sandwhich and two sides, delicious brownie dessert and two drinks - free! Oh and the potato skins too, I guess. Even though we only ate 2 of them. We gave the waitress a hefty tip because she was so awesome.

After my lovely birthday dinner we came home, fed Elliott and put him to bed, and then settled in to watch the latest Criminal Minds episode. SO GOOD. I love that show. Almost as much as I love potato skins. Almost.

I’m gonna need some fitness equipment to work off all that yummy food I ate. Happy birthday to me!

I forgot to mention… while I was out shopping for some groceries tonight, Richard drove off to pick up some toys that I “ordered” from Kijiji. We got a sweeeeet deal on those babies!

For $30 we got all of these toys:

We are using a few of them now, some when Elliott is able to sit up on his own (hopefully soon!) and some we are saving for his birthday in July. I still can’t believe we snagged this great of a deal on all of those name brand toys. I’m sure if everything was purchased new, it would have cost well over $150.

PS. Anyone need a dip bar?

So I’ve had a pounding headache for the last 2 days in a row and I’m blaming it on the fact that I’ve been drinking coffee in the mornings and then just stopped suddenly. Damn you, caffiene!

To make myself stop suffering, I decided to venture out and do a bit of grocery shopping tonight. I have about 12 places I need to go this weekend, so might as well do a few tonight instead of just sitting around eating cashews and watching CSI.

I went to Price Chopper and Metro and here’s what I picked up:

Price Chopper:
2x Grapfruit @ .20 each = .40 (saved = approx. .60)
4x Bananas @ $1.13
1x Sugar Snap Peas @ $1.00 (saved = approx. .67)
3x Margarine @ $1.00 each = $3.00 (saved = $5.37)
2x Danone Yogurt @ $1.00 each = $2.00 - 2/.75 coupons = .50 (saved = $5.48)

Total Paid = $6.03
Total Saved = $12.12

Metro:
2x 4pk LG Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast @ $7.96 and $7.84 (saved = approx. $10.00)

Total Paid = $15.80
Total Saved = $10.00

GRAND TOTAL PAID = $21.83
GRAND TOTAL SAVED = $22.12

Now I’m just waiting for tv stands to go on sale so I can get one for the TV in our bedroom. Yeah!

I don’t know what happened. One minute it was Monday night and I was making dinner, the next thing is Thursday afternoon and I’m on the computer wondering where all the time has gone. Oh right, to the computer! I don’t know why, but I recently became strangely obsessed with rewards programs. SWAGBUCKS, CHAPMANS KIDS CLUB, LOCKERZ… the list goes on.

So yeah, I’ve been spending alot of time playing games, searching for codes and WINNING STUFF. I’ve won $10 in Amazon giftcards and almost have enough points on Chapmans for a $5 coupon. Yeehaw! And no, this is not a post just to get me referrals (although that would be nice too, kthanks!). I really have been spending all of my time there the last few days.

And then there is this damn Brandsaver site that said new coupons would be online on the 6th and today is the 7th and THERE ARE NO COUPONS. So I’ve also been spending alot of my time refreshing the webpage and hoping for a miracle. Don’t these people know I need my coupons? NEED. MY. COUPONS. This is no joke! I have things to “buy”. Gosh darnit. I do not need to buy memory, though.

Although I have been on the computer quite a bit lately, I somehow have also managed to keep the house in pristine shape. I have this weird burst of energy every few hours and I always want to CLEAN. Hey, that works for me (and Richard, that lucky man). I’m hoping for some of that energy when Elliott goes for his afternoon nap so that I can hang some artwork/photos that I’ve been meaning to put up… oh, since we moved in 8 months ago.

Until then, I am off to refresh the coupon page some more.

And give Elliott a bath. Baby vomit isn’t exactly the nicest smell.

Richard and I sat down a week ago and started going over our goals for 2010. Here is what we would like to do:

$10,000 in Tax Free Savings Accounts (2): Definetely worth it with the tax break. We managed to do it last year so I’m really hoping we can do it again this year.

Completely fund Emergency Fund with 6 months living expenses ($15,000): We are more than halfway there. I’m very optimistic about this one, considering most of the money we put into our TFSA’s will be for the emergency fund. So this and the first goal are kind of one… I guess.

Pay off Richard’s Car: We have just over $8000 left on his car and it’s our only debt, so I’d love to get rid of it. His dad paid for the car so he wouldn’t have to pay interest on it, so we are just paying his mom now. No interest is great, but I’d still rather just pay the darn thing off so I can finally yell NO MORE DEBT from the rooftop.

$15,000 in Investment Savings Account by Dec. 31, 2010: Richard is very anxious to start trading, so this is more his goal than mine.

What are your goals (financial or not) for 2010?