Written by Adam Sullivan on July 8, 2011.
We pulled together a little more than $1,000 to add to our cash savings this month. After taking out the cash for the crib, stroller, bassinet, and other baby items, we had a gain of $800 in our savings.
Sadly, this may be our last big step month since our roommates are moving out and we will no longer have rent income.
My Debt Original Debt: $38,495.86 Added Debt: $1,781.50 Total Debt: $40,277.36 Paid: $31,928.65 Remaining: $8,261.18 Cash Savings: $3,500.00
Broken Down Auto Loan 1: $0.00 Credit Card: $0.00 Student Loan: $8,261.18 Auto Loan 2: $0.00 Vet Loan: $0.00
*As a reminder, cash savings is in preparation for costs of time missed from work and from any hospital fees. All remaining funds will be applied to debt.
**Cash savings is in addition to our emergency fund. The amount actually in savings is $4,500.
Written by Adam Sullivan on July 8, 2011.
”It’s like the heart of Terwillegar-Riverbend finally came alive.” Edmonton Journal.
The Terwillegar Riverbend Farmer’s Market opened in May and has run every Wednesday night since from 5:30-8pm. It’s the culmination of years of effort from many volunteers, and brings a real community feeling to a sub-urban part of our city. According to their web site:
The Southwest Edmonton Farmers’ Market is a not-for-profit, volunteer run organization committed to creating a community gathering place for the residents of southwest Edmonton. We connect local farmers, producers and artisans who provide fresh, locally grown and made food and hand-made goods with our citizens, fostering relationships that create a greater sense of community and a stronger local economy.
Together with the new Recreation Centre, shops, schools, a transit centre and more, Terwillegar Riverbend is becoming a town onto itself. Ri
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Written by Adam Sullivan on July 7, 2011.
Every four months I check my report from one of the three credit agencies. If I keep an organized rotation, I never have to pay for this service (free once per year from each agency).
Not only does this prevent your credit from being misused, it also gives you a clear picture of where you stand financially.
If you’d like to join me, head to www.annualcreditreport.com or www.ftc.gov/freereports and choose:
Trans Union – My least favorite. Trans Union is difficult to maneuver and they don’t easily sell you a onetime credit score for $8 like the other two.
I’ll remind you again in four months! Happy Credit Score!
Written by Joseph Perry on July 6, 2011.
Renters insurance is a necessity for anyone renting or subletting a home or apartment. It’s a budget friendly insurance and protects so much.
Renters insurance is both very affordable and very necessary for anyone renting or subletting an apartment or home. If you take a close look around at the valuables you’ve purchased over the years, the thought of losing everything in one day is hard to imagine, but it happens every day. Theft, fire and natural disasters happen all the time.
The landlord only has coverage for the structure itself, not your personal property within. This is why it’s so important that you take a moment and put together an inventory of items you own with values and pictures. Doing this will give you a good idea how much coverage you need and will serve as a good record if anything should ever be stolen or destroyed. Renter’s policies cost on average $10 a month, sometimes less. With your renters policy you don’t just have coverage for your stuff.
P
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Written by Scott Barnes on July 6, 2011.
Washington – Facing an Aug. 2 deadline, Congress and the White House are stepping up face time to avert what the Treasury Department has called “catastrophic economic and market consequences” of a default on the national debt.
President Obama on Tuesday invited congressional leaders to the White House on July 7 to “drive toward a final agreement” on raising the national debt limit, now set at $14.3 trillion. Debt talks led by Vice President Joe Biden broke down on June 23, after GOP negotiators walked out in a dispute over tax increases.
The Senate canceled its July 4 recess to continue work this week on the issue. That shift gives both bodies 13 days in session together before the Aug. 2 deadline. Aides to House majority leader Eric Cantor of Virginia renewed offers Tuesday to cancel the House break, now planned for the week of July 18, if needed.
Despite a sense of urgency acknowledged by both sides, partisan positions are still far apart.
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Written by Adam Sullivan on July 5, 2011.
The REALTORS® Association of Edmonton released the final numbers for Edmonton’s real estate market in June today. They pointed out a number of economic indicators from various sources, including:
- Statistics Canada reported that Alberta boasted the highest spike in population in the first quarter with a 0.4% increase.
- Although the Bank of Canada seems reluctant to raise interest rates because of the negative impact on exports, CMHC reports that Canadians are budgeting for an interest rate hike.
- While housing prices nationally are up by 8.6% (May figures) Edmonton prices are tracking predictably in a stable market.
- CIBC is of the opinion that Alberta home prices are over-valued by 17% yet RBC names Edmonton amongst the most affordable major metro markets in Canada.
- A report by Peters and Co. f
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Written by Joseph Perry on July 5, 2011.
Do you think that managing money is quite a difficult task? If yes, then you should know that it is not as difficult as it seems to be. All you have to do is manage your finances in a way so as to avoid debt and saving a substantial amount for your future. Go through this article and make yourself aware of 6 easy money management tips, which you can follow to avoid debt and manage your finances better.
- Plan a realistic budget – Budgeting is the fist step in each and every money management strategy regardless of whether you’re planning to buy a home or want to pay off your existing debts. Without a budget, you can never know how you’re spending your monthly income. While planning a budget, it is important that you plan one which you’ll be able to follow. So, take into consideration your income and expenses and see whether you can cut down your expenses so as to save more every month.
- Set your financial goals – To manage you money in a better way, you need to have financial goals. You shoul
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Written by Adam Sullivan on July 4, 2011.
I’m not very good at accepting gifts (or help for that matter) from others. It’s a horrible pride thing and a genetic trait according to my father. When my husband and I got married, I HATED putting together a gift registry. It seemed presumptuous to assume folks were buying gifts and something else altogether to tell them what to purchase. But I listened to my sweet mother who said, ‘Well how else will they know what you need?!?’
Registering was no romantic or joyful occasion. We didn’t dance around the store choosing dishware. It was more of a, ‘No honey, you can’t put a lava lamp or camping gear on the list. Necessities ONLY’ shouted to my poor husband to be.
My sister-in-laws are throwing me a baby shower and asked if I had created a registry yet. A feeling of dread filled my brain. Fortunately, I’
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