No Budget?!

So, so far this month, I'm running blind. I haven't written down a budget, I haven't checked my bank balances, and I haven't even deposited a cheque that I've had in my possession for a week now!


You would think it would give me freedom to buy and spend spen spend... but actually...


It sucks.

A lot. I'm actually a bit surprised. I didn't think it would stress me out as much as it is. I really need to sit down tonight and make one, so here goes.

Currently in my TD Bank Account I have a balance of $2,114.43. This seems like a big number, but I'll explain why it isn't in a minute.

Currently in my ING Accounts I have a grand total of $10,012.20. This is, of course, seperated into several categories:

Some of these values are a litlle lower than usual. Technically, I owe $1,400 to Savings from last month as well as $1375 to the fun fund. I have $400 in cash that I need to deposit, as well as a $70 cheque from my mom. This still doesn't include the $1,400 I need to deposit for this month. So, thinking about the deposits from last month alone, I am sitting at a deficit of -$260. Yeeesh.

The good news is, is that I am making $2,356 this month, so I will have more than enough money to pay for all my, "bills". After I pay everything, I will still have $695 left this month. But no, I'm not going to spend it!


I've set myself a budget for $200 this month. The $400 I'll have left over is either going to act as a cushion for my future budgets, or to put towards my pre-trip savings. Yay!

The good news is, is that, if all goes well, I should have all my goals accomplished by the end of June!! Yay!!


Now, something I have pondered for a while, is, do I lessen the hours I'm working at my jobs to give myself a breather and take some extra time off to relax, or should I push through and continue to work my ass off to save all the extra dollah for London. I'm not sure...

We'll see. We will be hiring a new girl here at the office this comming Monday, so i've got to spend 2 weeks training her. We'll see how she turns out. If we don't get super-along, then I might consider leaving this job a little earlier than August 1st.


I'll be spending some time thinking about that.


The good news is, is that I get to go pick up my PASSPORT and VISA today at the Post Office!!

Wheee!!

So. Much. Planning.

I seriously cannot believe that everything is comming together. omg. omgomgomgomg. It's a little bit surreal.

Either way, I finally feel like I can go ahead and start planning! Everything was kind of on hold for a while because I didn't want to go and pack everything up and book a flight before I heard back, but now, I can do just that!

It's probably good timing, too, since Air Canada and some of the other jets have started increasing their prices because of the rediculous cost of fuel. So, hopefully by the end of next week I will have a flight booked.

I just have something I want to think over, first. My original thought was to fly or take a greyhound bus to Toronto, spend a couple weeks visiting extended family there, then fly to London from Toronto, which would be cheaper. On the other hand, that does mean that I have to get everything packed and sorted before I go, then cart it around while I'm in Ontario - something I'm not so keen about anymore. I'm thinking I will book a ticket from Calgary, and then decide later if i'd like to visit family for a week or so before I leave.

Now the question is, when do I want to fly out? Ideally I'd like to have an apartment and be settled by October... but how much time should I give myself to find an apartment? That I'm not sure. I doubt i'd need more than 2 weeks to find an apartment - but i'd hate to book a hotel for 2 weeks only to find something the first day. Maybe I'll book something for 5 days or a week and see what happens.

I'll also need either a place with Wi-Fi or be in proximity to a cafe or something that gets Wi-Fi. This will be important in my search for an apartment.

The only problem I can forsee is a phone. I'm not sure if places like Virgin Mobile allow you to buy prepaid cell phones if you are a tourist. If they did, this will be ideal. That way people can contact me as well.

Omg. I am so happy. And overwhelmed, but mainly with happiness. Here we go!

I GOT MY VISA!!!

(omgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomg).

Ahhhhhh!!!!!

Sleep

I currently have a much better outlook on life than I did 3 days ago. And it turns out sleep was all I needed! I've been a big ball of stress these last few weeks, and as such, everything has kind of fallen apart. I wasn't eating properly, wasn't sleeping properly, wasn't keeping on top of anything (work, money, relationships), and all I wanted to do was sleep.

Well, I did sleep. And it was awesome. In fact, I'm actually working nights this week (usually I work 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., which, while it's nice to leave so early, I hate mornings), and the nights are from noon to 8 p.m. Muuuuuch better.

I also got the e-notice from Canada Post and the VISA people saying that they have received my application. Yay! We'll see what the decision is.

Yesterday we went out as a family to celebrate my mother's birthday. It was Chinese food. Yum yum. It was actually nice to spend some time as a family, seeing as generally we are all so busy that we can't get a night out together to save our lives.

Mother's Day is Sunday and I have to find something nice to buy my mom. I can't think of anything, so we'll see what I come up with.

Today's Goals include:

• Staying on top of of workload.
• Making a new budget for this month.
• Take a full 1 hour lunch and spend at least 15 minutes out on the balcony enjoying the weather and the view.
• Do laundry tonight and make room at least 'walkable'.
• Wrap S's bday gift.

I am feeling 100% better, and it feels awesome. I hate what stress does to me. I need to learn better ways of dealing with it.