savings

Price Drop

Posted on by Josef Havelka

Today the unexpected occurred. Gas prices dropped about 40¢/L. I was out get blood work done when I saw my first sign. Then I headed into Langley to do some shopping and get an oil change. That was when I realized the price of gas was not a joke.

JoeyKenobi sharing the gas prices.

As I sat in the line to fill up (surprisingly I was only the second car) I went on the “Gas Buddy” app. I was checking out the prices everywhere else. It seemed no one was updating them. So I logged in and added the price of the location I was at. When I hit submit, the app actually asked if this was correct because it was such a large price difference.

I am astonished that we feel this is a good price for fuel as well. It’s still far too high in my opinion. Not like the gas and oil companies are making it obvious that the price can be manipulated at will.

Anyhow, that’s the news for the day. And it’s something everyone I have met is talking about.

Healthy, Wealthy, & Wise

Posted on by Josef Havelka

This past year I have been doing my best to work on all aspects of my health. Drinking alcohol less, enjoying the fresh air more, and swimming almost daily. I’m looking better (Dad Bod is diminishing) and feeling better. This has helped in my mental health as well. This past weekend was time to work on one more piece of the puzzle.

The Dreaded Finances!

It sort of started at the beginning of August. My wife and I sat down and wrote out an updated budget for the household. We decided to use Google Docs so we can edit spending in real time so that we can keep on top of spending. This past Friday, we met up with our financial advisor and talked about our future, and the future of our family. I highly recommend an outside source for financial planning. Free advice with a knowledge of the industry. We have been using the same advisor for nearly twenty years, and feeling successful as we grow.

Yesterday we went through our old bills and paperwork. It was time to shred as much as we could. With everything going digital and paper free, there really isn’t much need to keep a physical copy any more. We have kept copies of vehicle maintenance and income taxes, but almost everything else turned into paper streamers.

That was a good feeling- shredding old credit card bills. It makes me feel bad for old me and how much my wife and I struggled at times to keep the debt load down. Using credit cards is a luxury and a curse. Getting back on track is a challenge.

So my health in all aspects is improving. Including my future financial health with my wife. I’m happy with how things are working out and where our future is going.

Pay It Down

Posted on by Josef Havelka

Once August is passed by, my paychecks seem to get bigger. All my taxes and Canadian Pension gets paid up for the year. It feels refreshing.

Today I paid off one credit card. That felt great. In two weeks I’ll be paying down another card. I figure by November I’ll be able to splurge a bit for Christmas. Although with the world the way it is, I may have to start ordering some gifts earlier for shipping.

I have always been the type of person who likes to pay bills as soon as they arrive. Not waiting until the due date. There are times that I will set the payment to come out on the day before the bill is due. Having access to online banking is one of the greatest things when watching your money.

I’m not good with money by any means. I honestly think our oldest is smarter with money than I am. She saves and squirrels away her hard earned cash for big ticket items. Like a laptop or schooling.

How are you with money? Ever feel the pinch of too many bills?

Daughter’s New Computer

Posted on by Josef Havelka

Back in January, our oldest daughter hit a New Milestone by getting her first job. Since then, she has done a fantastic job saving money. She only spends about $20/week for a couple lunches out with friends. The rest has been saved.

She has done exactly as we instructed. She has been setting aside 10% of her pay every month. She has also been saving separately for her big ticket item goal. On Monday she ordered it online.

She bought herself a new MacBook Pro. It cost her $4779.04. She bought the top end model in hopes that it will last her a few years. Especially going on to university.

She was excited to finally have something tangible in front of her after ten months of hard work. Even after spending a large lump sum on a new computer, she still has a lot left over. She is planning on spending some monthly on Adobe products for her passion in photography. I’m really happy for her that she experienced the first true sensation of what devoting her time at work can get her.

I have a feeling we won’t be seeing much of her this weekend as she sets the computer up the way she likes it.

More Than Just Making Dinner

Posted on by Josef Havelka

Last night our middle daughter helped me to make dinner. She peeled and cut the potatoes while I prepped the schnitzel. During that time we did more than just prepare dinner. We talked.

She had questions about credit cards, loans, mortgages, interest rates, RRSP’s, and taxes. Interesting topics for a girl about to turn 14. But ones that I tried to explain over dinner prep.

It made me realize that money is a topic that isn’t taught as well as it should be. Even I don’t always think clearly about my spending.

Sometimes I spend frivolously. Other times I save pennies. But the hunt for big payouts and wads of cash are long since behind me. I work because I enjoy my job and it pays very well. Our mortgage is being paid down and one day we should be debt-free.

Explaining to our daughter that some debt is “good debt” was important. Telling her to save up and buy products without going into debt is also important. Having to explain taxes, sucked, but is important as well.

I hope that our daughter understands a bit more about finances now. As well, she made good mashed potatoes for dinner.