save money for the future

OK so this sounds dumb but I don’t have a saving account currently. So I guess the first step to saving money is to have a place to save it in. so that’s what I’m going to do. then plan from there.

I guess I can mark this as done. I am doing everything I can to save money and will probably be doing more in the future, since this in ongoing. My hours at work just increased so I will be able to put more money aside every month. Woohoo! :D

I’ve been working for almost 2 years. unfortunately i didnt save any money. in the next 6 months, i want to prove to myself that i can save money.

I am now eligible for the pension program at my work. Yay. I put 5% (or less – we put what we want or can) of my paycheck into this program and my work puts 5% too.

This guy I worked with (few years ago) once told me that you can find jobs on cruises. You’re fed so all you have to pay is your rent if you have an apartment back home or nothing if you still live with your parents and bills, like if you have pre-authorized payments, like cell, home phone, etc. You work like 6 months at a time or something like that and you save your money. When I told that to a friend of mine, she told me to be careful because some cruises can mistreat their employees, make them work incredibly long hours, etc. Also, she said to do my research (which I had already started, on the Internet and also asking people around, in case somebody knew how jobs like that work), because there are cruises that pay very well and those that pay barely nothing (the ones where you get mistreated). This other girl I talked to at work actually studied in that field (Agente de Voyage, I think she said). She told me about different cruises, like family cruises, cruises for senior citizens, cruises for young people who like to party (something like that). She’s supposed to bring me documentation she has at home next week some time.

If anyone out there knows about this kind of work, I’d love to hear what you have to say! Thanks :)

I just put money into 2 different RRSP’s (one with a yearly payment, one with monthly payments or payments when you feel like, or something like that) with ING Direct.

I did my taxes yesterday (April 20, 2005). I am getting more money than I thought I was going to get. Woohoo! RRSPs help a lot. And I also have more money taken off of my paychecks so that I either get money back or don’t have to pay a lot. I have to pay nothing this year. Woohoo!

I am also going to start putting money aside for retirement. There’s this program where you put 5% (or less or more) or your paycheck into retirement and you employer also puts in 5%.

I had been looking for this place where students cut your hair and it costs a little cheaper and I could not remember the name. I was pretty sure it was on Bank St., in Ottawa, Ontario (near where I live). So last week I took a walk down Bank St. and found it. I was so happy! The name of the school is Marvel Beauty Schools. Canada’s largest school of beauty. You can click “Contact Us” to find a “Marvel Hairstyling School” near you.

I finally paid off one of my credit cards and I cancelled it. Now I only have 3 left. One earns me PC points every time I use it and I can redeem them for food, 2 are store credit cards. One I only have one purchase on and it’s my bed, which me and my fiancée are paying for it – no interest until December and the other one, I also have little on and can also earn points every time I use it, which I can redeem.

1. I save all my change (pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters) and put them aside until I have enough then I put the money in the bank or buy something I need (instead of always using my bank card).

2. I ‘m lucky, I have at least 5 grocery stores near where I live and all walking distance. I go to every grocery store to get all the sales (only stuff I need though – not like some people that get things they don’t need just because it’s cheaper – in my opinion that’s stupid). If there is something cheaper at another store, that I need (vegetables, fruits, etc.) I would walk the extra 15 or more minutes just to pay less and be able to put more money aside for other important stuff. It’s worth it, after a while, the savings accumulate and I get my exercise. I also try to buy locally grown vegetables and fruits.

BARE MINIMUM

3. When I go grocery shopping I only buy what is necessary (fruits, vegetables, bread, rice, pasta, and other healthy foods, etc.), no junk food (pastries, soda, potato chips, etc. – maybe on a very rare occasion, everyone needs a treat once in a while), salad dressing (not something I need, and it’s less calories for me (March 24, 2006: I started using Flaxseed oil on salads – AMAZING AND SO HEALTHY.), no alcohol, sugar (white or brown), honey, or maple syrup (my teas do not need to be sweetened), dairy products or eggs. I’ll buy honey, maple syrup or other natural sweeteners when I need to bake healthy cakes, muffins, etc.

SALES & COUPONS

4. When I have coupons, I always look if it’s also on sale to pay even less. Just the other day, I bought a stick of women’s deodorant Arrid Total 4 in 1 protection (74g). I got it in the sales bin, and it cost 1,24$, plus I had a coupon, so really it only cost me .49¢. Also. another time, I bought TRESemmé conditioner, it was in the sales bin for 4,49$ (normaly near or more than 6 bucks), and I had a coupon for 1 buck off.

5. If I can I buy bigger, cheaper containers/packages that last longer (at least I think they do last longer).

6. Since I mostly walk everywhere (to stores, to work, etc.), I don’t buy a bus pass, which costs 65$ a month. When I do have to take the bus (which I don’t mind, it gives me time to read), I just buy bus tickets and I actaully pay less than buying a bus pass.

7. I started making a pricebook, writing down where the products I use are cheapest so when I need to buy them, I know where to go and when there are sales, I have something to compare it too.

8. I buy store brands, they are as good at national brands. Plus, they are cheaper and they have ”satisfaction guaranteed” or they give you your money back. I try to buy for natural products.

9. I try to buy second hand, such as clothing, books, computers and other electronics, furniture, etc. When me and my fiancée moved into our new apartment last October, in 2004, we bought a used lazy-boy for 35$ and a used freezer for 100$.

10. I go the the library to satisfy my reading needs instead of buying books. If I don’t like a book, at least I haven’t bought it.

11. I ask for money for my birthdays and Christmas as gifts, or other practical things, such as: gift certificates at grocery or drug stores, etc, or grooming or hygiene products, etc., or other things I need.

12. Bartering or trading

13. Mututal Funds and RRSPs (yearly and monthly payments) – March 24, 2006: I finally started! :)

14. I go to the dentist at the college I went to, the Cité Collégiale. It takes 2 hours or so because the exam and cleaning is done by the students, but it only costs 20$, and the students get their experience. Same thing for cutting my hair, I go to Marvel Beauty Schools, in Ottawa, Ontario, where students cut your hair and it’s cheaper.

15. Do garage sales.

16. Make a list of the things I buy, when I buy them and then I can see how long I’ve have them and then I try to make them last longer (example: using half a bounce sheet instead of the whole thing).

17. Make my own natural cleaners instead of buying cleaners from the store that use chemical that are bad for you and the environment. Also make my own organic bread, pasta, sauces, body products, etc.