Daylight saving time - falling back

I like when we fall back an hour. I get to sleep in.

On Saturday, I finally saw Chang-Shi at my local movie theatre. I loved it. It's even more special when I used a voucher and didn't have to pay a thing.

Long nap and later meeting start

I took a long nap after work on Monday. I did so much that I crashed after my workday was over.

Here's hoping that I can sleep well tonight.

Every month, I normally have a ridiculous meeting at 7 am that goes for four hours. Since Daylight Saving Time happened in Europe, and not in Canada, my meeting starts an hour late. So, I start at my usual time of 8 am. Sweet!

Daylight Saving Time glitch on my phone

The weekend has come to an end. I appreciate weekends more as I get older.

With Daylight Saving Time, my Google Pixel phone didn't automatically flip ahead an hour. Luckily, I spent the day at home, so it didn't really matter. The issue was fixed by Google by asking users to reboot their phones.

Weird. All is well.

Pickle fries

I had pickle fries for the first time. They are fries made out of potatoes, but are seasoned with pickle juice and salt. I enjoyed them.

I am not a pickle person. I don't like them in burgers. I love sweet relish and cucumbers, but have never been thrilled with the sourness. For some reason, I was fine with the pickle juice on these fries.

On a different note, it'll be Daylight Saving Time soon. I'm up way too late!

A different Halloween

Halloween was different this year. Our government (local and provincial) recommended not having kids trick or treat this year. It was eerie not seeing any kids out and about.

I bought Halloween candy, as I do every year. Since I didn't give any out, I have the arduous task of eating it.

It's now November 1st. It's also Daylight Saving Time. Oh, joy!

Starting a conversation with a condescending tone doesn't get far with me

It's interesting dealing with various departments and people to get things done. Well, sort of done.

Let's start with getting my retirement savings accounts (RRSPs) transferred from one bank to another. I need to open two new accounts with my primary bank. One is a regular RRSP account. The other one is a locked-in RRSP account where the money can't be touched until I retire.

I had to deal with another financial representative who called me after I was done work. The conversation did not start off well.

"Do you know that you have a locked-in retirement (LIRA) account?" he asked.

"Yes. I don't appreciate your condescending tone," I replied.

The day before, I had sent two completed forms back to my bank. One was for my regular RRSP account. The other for the LIRA. I knew exactly what I was doing. He had all forms in his position. He was just too lazy to look at them. 

I did a questionnaire a couple of days ago to determine what type of LIRA account would suit my needs. He did the same thing again, but did a cross reference between my answers over the phone and a previous one from a week ago for my regular RRSP account. I didn't get it. Wouldn't you want the get the results for the LIRA questionnaire that I did recently, as they are for this new LIRA account? It didn't make a whole lot of sense.

I was civil. I did say that we should get things over with by doing this questionnaire and thanked him at the end. He did apologize for being condescending. I think he let up when he asked me how much was in my LIRA and I told him right down to the cents.

I have more to unleash about my manager and our human resources department. I'll save that for tomorrow.

A surprise connection dealing with my retirement savings accounts

On Thursday, I decided to call my bank to make an update to my retirement savings account. I got a nice man on the phone who took the time to explain everything to me.

I am doing a couple of moves. I'm updating my savings portfolio within my retirement savings account. I am also transferring two other RRSPs (Registered Retirement Savings Plans) from a bank that I despise over to my current bank.

At the end of our call, which was the first phase, he noticed my place of employment and said that his son had finished a year of his internship at the same company. I asked what the his son's first name was. When he said it, I was delighted. I worked with him closely over the past year. We were on the same software development team.

He let me know that his son has a job lined up after he graduates from university next April. I was thrilled, as he was concerned about getting a job and asked me for help. His dad was appreciate.

Small world, huh?

Update on my debt reduction and fizzy drinks

Being in a pandemic for months has been unnerving and uncertain. One positive that I have mentioned in the past is that I'm not shopping all that much, other than for essentials (groceries and medication), and the odd need (computer eyeglasses).

Because I haven't been commuting to work, I have saved time, money, and aggravation. With money, I have saved so much that I have been putting that money towards my emergency fund and retirement savings (it's called a Registered Retirement Savings Plan or RRSP in Canada), and paying off my debt.

For a few years now, I didn't have an emergency fund. Either my paycheque was that fund or I'd have to dip into my RRSP. I was not proud of doing the latter, but it did help. I am so pleased that I have an emergency fund for unexpected expenses at long last. I hope that I don't have to dip into my RRSP again.

I have been building up my RRSP. I have regular monthly payments that I contribute to my own plan. I also have a certain amount put into my RRSP plan with my employer. I have contributing a bit more, which makes me feel good.

I have also been paying my credit cards in larger amounts. I'm extremely happy. Progress is good.

Even though I haven't been shopping that often, I decided to treat myself by buying a Sodastream machine. It basically makes tap water fizzy.

Why? Well, I drink tea and diet pop. With the latter, it's time to reduce the number of cans and bottles that contain pop. Instead, I can make my own carbonated drinks and reuse bottles.

I pick up my Sodastream machine later on today. I am looking forward to figuring out my new hobby!

Debt reduction update

I haven't written about my debt reduction progress for a bit, other than continuing to save money staying at home. Commuting to the office is gone. I don't fill up my car with gas all that often. I go out twice a week for groceries, essentials, and takeout to help my favourite restaurants out.

As a result, I have more disposable income. It has been great contributing to my retirement saving and regular savings accounts. I had to dip into the former when my debt situation wasn't great. I didn't have an emergency fund. My regular savings account is that emergency fund that I have wanted and needed.

I get paid this week. It's a huge turning point. I will be paying off my line of credit completely. I am thrilled.

I do recommend having a budget and sticking to it, no matter how great or grave your debt situation is. I have been using an Google Sheets spreadsheet for a while and it does wonders. It's a question of being disciplined sticking to your budget, which is the toughest part.

Two more loan payments to go and I'm done!

I am two payments away from completely paying off a major loan. I am so pleased that I can see the finish line.

I have envisioned reaching this stage for a while, knowing that it's a huge milestone for me. It feels good. I will be able to allocate some money towards savings while continuing to get my credit cards paid off.

Things are looking great. Sticking to a budget has been tough, but it does work with a ton of hard work and support.

Optimism with finances

Things are looking good with my finances. By the end of this month, I should have paid off a credit card that started my debt issues. It has been a lot of hard work to pay it off. I am glad that I'm nearly there.

I have a loan that should be paid off by late May or early June. It's difficult to predict when the last payment day is. I made extra payments, which is throwing off how the last day is being reported. I dislike how inflexible computer systems are.

Anyway, I estimate that sometime in June, I will have more income to build up my emergency and retirement savings, and continue paying off more of my existing debt such that I don't need to care about maxing out my credit cards.

I'm so happy with my progress.

Tax return and financial health

On Sunday, I filed my tax return. It's nice to get it out of the way. I am roughly 1.5 months early filing it.

I am pleased with how things are going with paying off my debt and getting back on track. This year has some exciting changes:

• Number of credit cards paid off: 2
• Number of loans paid off: 1

I will also be focusing more on saving money. It's sad that I have had to abandon this practice for a while to pay off debt. It's important to have a decent reserve for emergencies. These days, it's my retirement savings and I don't want to dip into it.

I'll need to build up my retirement savings, which I am looking forward to. I'm optimistic and excited! It's nice to feel good about how far I have come.

Cold and Daylight Saving Time

Last night, I woke up in the middle of the night cold. Ir's rare for me.

My guy typically needs more blankets. First, he likes rolling himself in them. Second, he gets cold faster than I do.

On the other hand, I tend to be warm to begin with. He calls me the furnace because I am that warm body-wise. It's rare for me to feel cold.

Luckily, I have some throws by my bed. I used one over my comforter and went back to sleep. I didn't stir. I woke up six hours later.

It's Daylight Saving Time soon. Note that Saving does not have a letter s at the end. The clocks go ahead by an hour. We'll see how that works with my biological clock!

Optimistic outlook on my finances

It's a long weekend for folks here. Let me tell you that it's much needed.

I am optimistic about my finances this year. A loan that I have had for nearly five years ago will be paid off at either the end of May or early June. This loan was to consolidate a large amount of debt. It frees up money to put towards other debt, which won't be a whole lot when I get there.

The toughest part is getting through the next three months. Last year, my debt situation required that I dip into my retirement savings. For years, I did not touch it. I had no choice last year. You get dinged for taking this money out before you retire, which will be reflected in my income tax return. My thinking is that I had to deal with being behind with my debt payments that it was worth the risk taking money out of my retirement savings.

With the loan payments being over in early summer, I will be able to put money back into my retirement savings and build it up. This plan makes me happy.

I have come a long way. It will be nice to get back to having my finances back in check.

Bonuses have finally been reinstated

For the past three years, all employees in my department at work have not got a yearly bonus. The company went through a rough patch and decided to halt paying out bonuses for this long.

Needless to say, it doesn't help morale. I work hard. Every performance review has been positive. Yet, I don't have a bonus to show for it.

Last year, all of us did not get a standard of living increase on our base salary. Within the next seven days, three women colleagues will be leaving the company. All are talented and well-liked. Gone.

We got the news on Friday that we will be getting a bonus. That's encouraging news. I am thrilled. However, the damage has been done and many have already left the company.

I look forward to getting my bonus. Naturally, it will go to both savings and debt payoff.

This year will be a transformative one, which I am excited about. I have been working hard reducing my debt and increasing my credit score. I am seeing results, which motivate me.

It would be nice to get my bonus soon. I could do so much with it.

Sleep and snoring

I didn't sleep all that well a couple of nights ago. Muscle spasms in my toes on my right foot would not cease for a couple of hours. I took four Ibuprofen tablets during this period and I finally went to sleep.

I only had three hours of sleep that night. On Thursday, I had a full day of work. I came home and was fine. I didn't need a nap.

On my phone, I have a sleep app that I use. It monitors how long I'm asleep, when I'm in a deep sleep, when I snore, and more. I like when it records my snoring. I am not a loud snorer and I tend to snore when I am exhausted.

Sure enough, I looked at my snoring statistics from last night. I was snoring for 25 minutes. I was snoring louder than I typically do. It's fun hearing my snoring!

I felt absolutely refreshed when I woke up on Friday morning. It was wonderful.

I get to set my clocks back an hour on Saturday night. I love getting an extra hour of sleep. 

Dropping in at 6 am to cuddle and kiss

Last Sunday, my guy knocked on my hotel room just before 06:00. I opened the door and liked seeing him smile at me.

"I'm sleepyhead," I said, which made him smile.
"I know," he replied.

He got plenty of sleep on the plane. This time around, he found the bathroom just fine. Last time, he thought the closet was the washroom.

We sat on the couch and cuddled. I got him some powdered peanut butter. It's great for travelling. You just add water, stir, and you get peanut butter. It has practically no carbs, which made him happy. I also got him sugar-free mints from Sweden.

He thanked me. He moved in to kiss me on the lips. I loved having his lips pressed against mine. It was nice.

We held hands. He admired my pink nail polish. He loved looking at my hands. He then enjoyed looking at my wrist.

"You're wearing the evil eye bracelet," he observed.
"Yes, I have been wearing it since you got me it. I love how when light hits it, the blue changes to purple," I said.
"Nice! It looks good on you," he said.
"Thanks! I love it," I replied.

It was my time of the month. He was also a bit tired from his travels, so it was nice to chat and cuddle.

"Is your shirt new?" I asked him, snuggling up to him.
"Newish. I got it at our favourite liquidation outlet for $5. My pants were $10," he said proudly.
"I love you, CB," I said.

I love when my sweet Cheap Bastard takes pride in saving a ton of money while looking stylish.

Hinting at being punished

I like how fun conversations between my guy and I become:

"I am looking forward to being on vacation. It's nice to be a tourist," I said.
"I agree. I can't wait to be with you," he said.
"I have ideas on where we can go. It's a question of packing everything in, including our favourite liquidation place," I noted.
"Yes, it's a must," he agreed.
"I love being trampled over by aggressive money-saving people," I pointed out.
"Someone likes punishment," he observed.
"I like a different form of that, done by a good-looking guy," I replied.
"All in good time, my dear," he said cheerfully.
"Yay!" I exclaimed.

We miss each other. He returns home in a couple of days.

Back from vacation

Hello! It has been a while. I am well-rested from my week-long vacation and am back.

I had a good time. I met up with a couple of friends and we saw the ballet a couple of times. We ate our way around town and shopped.

I was in the same timezone, so all is well as far as energy goes, even after Daylight Saving (no s at the end) Time. I went back to work on Thursday and brought back chocolates to my entire team.

I always like the first day back at work. It's a question of reading up on e-mails and catching up. I am now looking forward to Easter!