My day and a half off in the middle of the week was wonderful. I slept in, made myself a huge breakfast, did my cleaning chores, and ended up taking a nap (!) before heading out to a friend's leaving do. After the 'do,' another friend and I met up with my old roommate for a spell, then headed over to the Eden Cloakroom, which is pretty popular place for dinner and drinks. The food was great, and so was the company.
Today, I slept in, then headed to work. But I didn't actually work on any projects: I cleaned out my paper files and drawers instead. It's the first time in 3 years that I've done that. For such an electronically-based research position, I had oodles of papers to recycle! Tomorrow, my shelves are going to be attacked, as well as my electronic files.
I didn't get a lot of my personal to-do list tasks done at all, but that didn't matter. My roommate actually had a replacement toaster already that she moved in with, so that is crossed off of the list! Going through my work papers, I actually found a beautiful card that I could send to my Mom for her birthday! Score!
The biggest, best thing that I noticed during my day and a half off is the effect of not checking my work email while at home. I think I am going to continue this trend, even though it means I will be greeted with over 50 emails in the morning each day! I need that balance, and so when I go home, I'm off duty. No checking emails when I am not specifically 'working.' I've been giving away so much time just so I can appear to be diligent and on-call 24-7. Guess what? I am NOT on call all the time. Not until I get paid for that, specifically, at least!
So: no checking work email from home, unless I am actually working from home.
Deal.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
A REAL Day Off
As you read this, I will be taking the whole day off of work to do absolutely nothing.
Well, of course I have a to-do list. I wouldn't be me if I didn't! I need to catch up on nagging life stuff:
Well, of course I have a to-do list. I wouldn't be me if I didn't! I need to catch up on nagging life stuff:
- a trip to the library (always a pleasure, although lugging the ten books I get isn't)
- I need to get a new toaster (last one fritzed out on me Monday AM; the last, cheapest one lasted 3.5 years, not too bad!)
- I really want a full length mirror for the bathroom/my room
- I want to buy a few snacks
- I need to get a birthday card for my Mom
- I need to make sure my dental insurance in the US is definitely canceled. I've written them 3 times and my parents keep getting bills.
- I want to buy contents insurance.
- I need to do my house cleaning chores.
- I should do my US taxes.
My only major goal for the day, though, is to NOT think about work. I purposely took this Tuesday and Wed. AM off because I have to start a new project on March 1, and I wanted to finish up my old projects and have a bit of mental breathing space afterward before the new ones start. Tomorrow is a no work email day. That is a little scary...I constantly check my work email; it is a compulsion, like a nervous tic. I've had to stop myself twice just this evening (it is Monday as I type this).
Funny enough, I'm not doing work tonight but I am perusing blogs that focus on my chosen career field for pleasure. It seems that I can't tear myself away... :)
Monday, February 27, 2012
2011 Spending
It's been a month, but a crazy one, and it's time to do my annual assessment of my spending. Yay! (Ugh.)
According to my budget spreadsheet, I spent the following on my budget categories:
Rent: $11,340 (budget: $910 monthly; spent: $945). Over budget by $420 due to paying an extra two weeks of rent at the end of December while my mom was using the 2nd bedroom.
Groceries: $3,876.83 (budget: $450 per month); spent: $323.07). Under budget by $1,523.17. No doubt due to my many vacations (vacation spending doesn't count towards normal monthly categories) and work trips.
Internet: $714 (budget: $100 per month; spent: $59.56), Under budget by $125.23. I scored a deal in October-ish, lowering our bill but locking us into a 2 year contract.
Electricity: $762.12, Under budget by $617.89. Guess it was a cheap winter?
Eating Out: $1,231.47, Over budget by $31.47. One of my social goals for 2011 was to eat out with friends more often. I think I did this. Either that, or this explains my mysterious 10 lb weight gain in the latter half of the year!
Charity: $575.69, Over budget by $275.69. Happy to do that.
Cell Phone: $340.64. Under budget by $619.36. Uh oh. I guess I didn't talk to people as much as I wanted to in 2011.
Medical: $535.41, Under budget by $244.59. I could have done more here.
Misc: $6,229.77, Under budget by $370.23. Frankly, I surprised myself by being under budget in this category. I don't really pay much attention to what I spend anymore, but I guess my internal spending counter keeps me on an even keel most months.
Savings: $5,060, over budget by $80. This overage went to bonus bonds.
According to my spreadsheet, my income was $43,475.40 after taxes, including $40 from selling something on TradeMe, $320 from AECT dividend, and $648 from subletting my garage. Total earned income from my job was $42,377.40, a 3% raise from last year.
Spending and long-term saving, after taxes, was $30,666.70, which freed up $12,808.70 for short-term savings goals. Long term saving included:
$3060 to my Roth IRA fund
$960 to my Europe fund
$960 to my House Downpayment fund
During 2011, I completed many many savings goals:
$3K to a 2012 US Trip Fund
$2.5 to my Wants fund
$3K or so to my Move Back to US fund
$2K Travel Slush fund
$2K Mom/Sis NZ Fund
$2K or so, Vanguard fund
Obviously some of that was mixed up and transferred around from other sources. I have to start keeping track of how much I actually put away each year so I can do the math easier!
I also spent quite a bit on travel (all budgeted for/saved up in the year prior to the trip):
$3,936.17 NZD on my Australia road trip (budgeted $4K).
$3400 USD during my US trip (budgeted $3.4K)
$5K USD plus ~$3000 USD more on my mom's trip (budgeted $5K USD plus $2K NZD). I had enough in my bank account to cover it all, so obviously there is a flaw in my tracking methods...the NZD to USD transfer for credit cards is my downfall, as is keeping track of spent funds that I saved up for the year before, or earlier in the year.
As for Net Worth, on 10 January 2011, I had:
$20,024.93 in NZD in long-term funds ($10K EF, long-term Roth, House Downpayment, Europe Funds, Kiwisaver)
and
$10,796.59 in USD in retirement accounts (Vanguard Traditional IRA, Roth IRA)
and on 15 January 2012, I had
$29,682.87 in NZD long-term funds ($10K EF, long-term Roth, House Downpayment, Europe Funds, Kiwisaver, Vanguard Fund Fund)
and
$10,400 in USD in long-term retirement savings (Vanguard Traditional IRA, Roth IRA).
The US markets did not treat me very well in 2011, as per usual, and I am losing money out of my retirement accounts, but my NZD makes up the difference by my hard work on my long-term savings goals. That's nice to see! I am still saving up for short-term goals like crazy, and then spending all of it, but at least at the end of the year, the long-term savings has increased! A little less like a hamster on a wheel...
According to my budget spreadsheet, I spent the following on my budget categories:
Rent: $11,340 (budget: $910 monthly; spent: $945). Over budget by $420 due to paying an extra two weeks of rent at the end of December while my mom was using the 2nd bedroom.
Groceries: $3,876.83 (budget: $450 per month); spent: $323.07). Under budget by $1,523.17. No doubt due to my many vacations (vacation spending doesn't count towards normal monthly categories) and work trips.
Internet: $714 (budget: $100 per month; spent: $59.56), Under budget by $125.23. I scored a deal in October-ish, lowering our bill but locking us into a 2 year contract.
Electricity: $762.12, Under budget by $617.89. Guess it was a cheap winter?
Eating Out: $1,231.47, Over budget by $31.47. One of my social goals for 2011 was to eat out with friends more often. I think I did this. Either that, or this explains my mysterious 10 lb weight gain in the latter half of the year!
Charity: $575.69, Over budget by $275.69. Happy to do that.
Cell Phone: $340.64. Under budget by $619.36. Uh oh. I guess I didn't talk to people as much as I wanted to in 2011.
Medical: $535.41, Under budget by $244.59. I could have done more here.
Misc: $6,229.77, Under budget by $370.23. Frankly, I surprised myself by being under budget in this category. I don't really pay much attention to what I spend anymore, but I guess my internal spending counter keeps me on an even keel most months.
Savings: $5,060, over budget by $80. This overage went to bonus bonds.
According to my spreadsheet, my income was $43,475.40 after taxes, including $40 from selling something on TradeMe, $320 from AECT dividend, and $648 from subletting my garage. Total earned income from my job was $42,377.40, a 3% raise from last year.
Spending and long-term saving, after taxes, was $30,666.70, which freed up $12,808.70 for short-term savings goals. Long term saving included:
$3060 to my Roth IRA fund
$960 to my Europe fund
$960 to my House Downpayment fund
During 2011, I completed many many savings goals:
$3K to a 2012 US Trip Fund
$2.5 to my Wants fund
$3K or so to my Move Back to US fund
$2K Travel Slush fund
$2K Mom/Sis NZ Fund
$2K or so, Vanguard fund
Obviously some of that was mixed up and transferred around from other sources. I have to start keeping track of how much I actually put away each year so I can do the math easier!
I also spent quite a bit on travel (all budgeted for/saved up in the year prior to the trip):
$3,936.17 NZD on my Australia road trip (budgeted $4K).
$3400 USD during my US trip (budgeted $3.4K)
$5K USD plus ~$3000 USD more on my mom's trip (budgeted $5K USD plus $2K NZD). I had enough in my bank account to cover it all, so obviously there is a flaw in my tracking methods...the NZD to USD transfer for credit cards is my downfall, as is keeping track of spent funds that I saved up for the year before, or earlier in the year.
As for Net Worth, on 10 January 2011, I had:
$20,024.93 in NZD in long-term funds ($10K EF, long-term Roth, House Downpayment, Europe Funds, Kiwisaver)
and
$10,796.59 in USD in retirement accounts (Vanguard Traditional IRA, Roth IRA)
and on 15 January 2012, I had
$29,682.87 in NZD long-term funds ($10K EF, long-term Roth, House Downpayment, Europe Funds, Kiwisaver, Vanguard Fund Fund)
and
$10,400 in USD in long-term retirement savings (Vanguard Traditional IRA, Roth IRA).
The US markets did not treat me very well in 2011, as per usual, and I am losing money out of my retirement accounts, but my NZD makes up the difference by my hard work on my long-term savings goals. That's nice to see! I am still saving up for short-term goals like crazy, and then spending all of it, but at least at the end of the year, the long-term savings has increased! A little less like a hamster on a wheel...
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Blogger Problem Quick Solution
(For those of you not on Blogger, please ignore.)
Since blogger decided to make the url's of each blog country-specific (my web address now ends in blogspot.co.nz, instead of blogspot.com, for example), my quick edit pencil and gadget wrenches have disappeared. They've been gone for months. I don't do a whole lot of editing (twice a month?), but it is still very annoying. I hope they fix it soon, but for those of you with the same problem, here is a quick fix:
After logging in, physically change your specific country suffix (.co.nz, co.au, whatever) to .com/ncr (dot 'com' slash 'ncr') by typing in the URL bar--ncr is 'no country redirect' or something. Vi-ola! Problem patched for the time being. Credit to suzilm on the google help support page: http://www.google.co.in/support/forum/p/blogger/thread?tid=1aa58567d40046c1&hl=en for the temp fix.
Since blogger decided to make the url's of each blog country-specific (my web address now ends in blogspot.co.nz, instead of blogspot.com, for example), my quick edit pencil and gadget wrenches have disappeared. They've been gone for months. I don't do a whole lot of editing (twice a month?), but it is still very annoying. I hope they fix it soon, but for those of you with the same problem, here is a quick fix:
After logging in, physically change your specific country suffix (.co.nz, co.au, whatever) to .com/ncr (dot 'com' slash 'ncr') by typing in the URL bar--ncr is 'no country redirect' or something. Vi-ola! Problem patched for the time being. Credit to suzilm on the google help support page: http://www.google.co.in/support/forum/p/blogger/thread?tid=1aa58567d40046c1&hl=en for the temp fix.
CD's cashed in! (And Other Money Tasks)
Now that my job schedule has cleared a bit, I can get started on my money work:
--I need to do my taxes for 2011.
--I need to finish my 2011 spending update.
--I need to invest $3K USD in my Vanguard non-retirement investment account.
--I need to buy life, disability, and contents insurance.
--I need to revise my 2012 budget based on 2011 spending.
A few of my CD's through Raboplus here in NZ matured last week. I have about $350 to add to one or several of my funds. Or not. :) So I need to decide what to do about that.
With that little influx of cash, it's looking like I'll be able to tackle my Life Upgrade Fund of $1.5K in February. On to the next! But therein lies the problem...
My $4K Car Fund goal has pretty much been rendered moot. I've joined Cityhop, NZ's answer to Zipcar, for 6 months. We will see how it goes first before I decide to make the plunge with a real live car, but between the initial outlay, gas, parking, maintenance, etc., I actually come out ahead each year with the $195 annual fee (there is a $100 insurance fee or something on top of their listed price of $95/year, I believe), and renting the car for $15 an hour. I will probably end up renting the car for a whole day once a month or so--so an additional $75 per month? If the rate stays the same for the next 3 years AND I rent the car for one day a month for the next 3 years, I will spend about $3200, about what I'd probably spend on a used car initially. And I will want to use it to do things like go to my dentist, for example, or get a haircut at my new favorite place in the far-away mall, Kess! In some instances I'll be able to use it for work, further writing off the costs.
My $3K 2013 US Trip Fund goal will probably be mostly filled up by my 2012 fund, because I am using airmiles to go home instead of money. So that fund probably won't be necessary, either.
Once again, I need to identify more goals. It's what keeps me itching to save. I feel lost if I'm not trying to reach a goal...maybe I need to increase my long-term goal monthly payments? But I'm not good at sutiaining motivation to save for goals more than 3 years in the future!!
My Roth Fund will be done in March, however my Europe and House Downpayment funds are looking pretty sad. Maybe I'll increase my monthly contributions to my Europe Fund until I think of a more short-term goal to save for. I can definitely get psyched about Europe!! Especially if I start researching...oooh, ideas!!
I could also make another goal to save to contribute to my $100K goal in a Vanguard non-retirement investment account in 2012. It's not quite as exciting, but if I break it down in chunks ($2K here, $1K there), it may seem more manageable and realistic.
I'll need to think about this...what places would you recommend or be most excited about seeing in Europe (Yes, the whole thing...I don't discriminate!)?
--I need to do my taxes for 2011.
--I need to finish my 2011 spending update.
--I need to invest $3K USD in my Vanguard non-retirement investment account.
--I need to buy life, disability, and contents insurance.
--I need to revise my 2012 budget based on 2011 spending.
A few of my CD's through Raboplus here in NZ matured last week. I have about $350 to add to one or several of my funds. Or not. :) So I need to decide what to do about that.
With that little influx of cash, it's looking like I'll be able to tackle my Life Upgrade Fund of $1.5K in February. On to the next! But therein lies the problem...
My $4K Car Fund goal has pretty much been rendered moot. I've joined Cityhop, NZ's answer to Zipcar, for 6 months. We will see how it goes first before I decide to make the plunge with a real live car, but between the initial outlay, gas, parking, maintenance, etc., I actually come out ahead each year with the $195 annual fee (there is a $100 insurance fee or something on top of their listed price of $95/year, I believe), and renting the car for $15 an hour. I will probably end up renting the car for a whole day once a month or so--so an additional $75 per month? If the rate stays the same for the next 3 years AND I rent the car for one day a month for the next 3 years, I will spend about $3200, about what I'd probably spend on a used car initially. And I will want to use it to do things like go to my dentist, for example, or get a haircut at my new favorite place in the far-away mall, Kess! In some instances I'll be able to use it for work, further writing off the costs.
My $3K 2013 US Trip Fund goal will probably be mostly filled up by my 2012 fund, because I am using airmiles to go home instead of money. So that fund probably won't be necessary, either.
Once again, I need to identify more goals. It's what keeps me itching to save. I feel lost if I'm not trying to reach a goal...maybe I need to increase my long-term goal monthly payments? But I'm not good at sutiaining motivation to save for goals more than 3 years in the future!!
My Roth Fund will be done in March, however my Europe and House Downpayment funds are looking pretty sad. Maybe I'll increase my monthly contributions to my Europe Fund until I think of a more short-term goal to save for. I can definitely get psyched about Europe!! Especially if I start researching...oooh, ideas!!
I could also make another goal to save to contribute to my $100K goal in a Vanguard non-retirement investment account in 2012. It's not quite as exciting, but if I break it down in chunks ($2K here, $1K there), it may seem more manageable and realistic.
I'll need to think about this...what places would you recommend or be most excited about seeing in Europe (Yes, the whole thing...I don't discriminate!)?
Friday, February 24, 2012
I made it!
Oh boy, has February been busy!! My busy time is over now, though. I get to do 8 hour days, 5 days a week again.
I have been working sooooooooooOOOOOOOO much lately. My energy tank is on fumes. I had to basically take Thursday morning off to rest up while my conference was going on, left in the hands of my capable assistants. I was able to top up like that every week, and that has sustained me this long. But, like an aging battery that loses its charge too quickly, every time I 'topped up', my energy level was sustained less and less. This weekend I get to get a full nights' guilt-free sleep and socialize for the first time in weeks.
But all was a success! I triple-threated my triple-booking, getting accolades on my talk and conference organization skills, as well as rocking my fieldwork and getting all the data I needed. I knew I would, as I always do, but it was still very stressful.
I decided that that supervisor person that was so inappropriate to me just doesn't know all that I do to appreciate me. I certainly don't flaunt it around, and I rarely share what I do with my other co-workers (partly out of modesty and shyness, and partly because I'm generally too busy at work to take 5 minutes to socialize; unfortunately, I also do not particularly like many of them (not true--more like...I have nothing in common with them, rather outright dislike) so I'm not keen on taking that 5 minutes). His rudeness is certainly his fault, but I am at fault for not participating in the company culture like I should. I have vowed to myself to start participating more at work, contributing to staff meetings, and when I cannot make it, contributing at least a written email of my activities. That should go a long way. Once a month, I'll make a point of socializing with my coworkers. Next month, I'm going to one of my favorite plays with some of them.
Have you heard of personality profiles? Apparently I am an INTJ, which has no patience for anything that isn't results-oriented. This guy I'm talking about is the ultimate in fluff and pomp and faffing about with no purpose except to hear himself talk. It. drives. me. nuts. Consequently, I have no use for him, nor anyone else that doesn't help me with my work at work. Gosh, I swear I am a nice person, esp. in my personal life, but I can be very blunt when I have a task at hand. Sometimes I write emails that are just one question because I don't realize that I have to greet the other person, etc. And sometimes I go to people's offices (after knocking, of course), and blurt out my question after a very perfunctory, 'Hi.' I just want an answer!! As quickly as possible!! In the emails, I'm able to stop myself every time and write a nice greeting and sendoff, but it is painful and I feel like I am wasting my (and their) time. And I've gotten much better about small talk instead of assailing folks with my needs in person, but again, I feel awkward and painful. Personally, I HATE it when people interrupt me in my office and clearly want to ask a question but insist on chatting first. HATE. WASTE OF TIME. GO AWAY QUICKLY.
Ok, so this has devolved into the usual brain-dump. How do you deal with long periods of stress at work? What is your personality type and how does it fit/compliment/hinder your job? ...I'm off to sleep and catch up on life!
I have been working sooooooooooOOOOOOOO much lately. My energy tank is on fumes. I had to basically take Thursday morning off to rest up while my conference was going on, left in the hands of my capable assistants. I was able to top up like that every week, and that has sustained me this long. But, like an aging battery that loses its charge too quickly, every time I 'topped up', my energy level was sustained less and less. This weekend I get to get a full nights' guilt-free sleep and socialize for the first time in weeks.
But all was a success! I triple-threated my triple-booking, getting accolades on my talk and conference organization skills, as well as rocking my fieldwork and getting all the data I needed. I knew I would, as I always do, but it was still very stressful.
I decided that that supervisor person that was so inappropriate to me just doesn't know all that I do to appreciate me. I certainly don't flaunt it around, and I rarely share what I do with my other co-workers (partly out of modesty and shyness, and partly because I'm generally too busy at work to take 5 minutes to socialize; unfortunately, I also do not particularly like many of them (not true--more like...I have nothing in common with them, rather outright dislike) so I'm not keen on taking that 5 minutes). His rudeness is certainly his fault, but I am at fault for not participating in the company culture like I should. I have vowed to myself to start participating more at work, contributing to staff meetings, and when I cannot make it, contributing at least a written email of my activities. That should go a long way. Once a month, I'll make a point of socializing with my coworkers. Next month, I'm going to one of my favorite plays with some of them.
Have you heard of personality profiles? Apparently I am an INTJ, which has no patience for anything that isn't results-oriented. This guy I'm talking about is the ultimate in fluff and pomp and faffing about with no purpose except to hear himself talk. It. drives. me. nuts. Consequently, I have no use for him, nor anyone else that doesn't help me with my work at work. Gosh, I swear I am a nice person, esp. in my personal life, but I can be very blunt when I have a task at hand. Sometimes I write emails that are just one question because I don't realize that I have to greet the other person, etc. And sometimes I go to people's offices (after knocking, of course), and blurt out my question after a very perfunctory, 'Hi.' I just want an answer!! As quickly as possible!! In the emails, I'm able to stop myself every time and write a nice greeting and sendoff, but it is painful and I feel like I am wasting my (and their) time. And I've gotten much better about small talk instead of assailing folks with my needs in person, but again, I feel awkward and painful. Personally, I HATE it when people interrupt me in my office and clearly want to ask a question but insist on chatting first. HATE. WASTE OF TIME. GO AWAY QUICKLY.
Ok, so this has devolved into the usual brain-dump. How do you deal with long periods of stress at work? What is your personality type and how does it fit/compliment/hinder your job? ...I'm off to sleep and catch up on life!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Busier and busier...
Somehow I've triple booked myself this week with all of the work I have to do...not only am I organizing an international conference taking place this week, I'm presenting at it, and I'm finishing up field work all at the same time. It had to be done this way, unfortunately, but that doesn't make it any easier!
If this is what it is like to be 'successful', I am not sure I want to continue this way! I'm not working out, I can barely get my weekly chores around the house done (I skim-vacuumed while my pasta was boiling for my dinner tonight at 10 pm), and I haven't even started on my taxes. Usually my taxes are done by the second week in January! What is wrong with me this year?! What on earth do people with children do?? Let alone children, relationships! I have no time to even keep up with my best friends, let alone a significant other.
I have spent $200 on eating out in the past few weeks alone. I can't bear cooking after even a 10 hour day, so I immediately hit up the nearby health restaurant for food each evening after 14 hours of work. Yikes.
I am hoping for a reprieve in March. I am also hoping for a raise. If I don't get at least one of those two things, I will be quite upset.
If this is what it is like to be 'successful', I am not sure I want to continue this way! I'm not working out, I can barely get my weekly chores around the house done (I skim-vacuumed while my pasta was boiling for my dinner tonight at 10 pm), and I haven't even started on my taxes. Usually my taxes are done by the second week in January! What is wrong with me this year?! What on earth do people with children do?? Let alone children, relationships! I have no time to even keep up with my best friends, let alone a significant other.
I have spent $200 on eating out in the past few weeks alone. I can't bear cooking after even a 10 hour day, so I immediately hit up the nearby health restaurant for food each evening after 14 hours of work. Yikes.
I am hoping for a reprieve in March. I am also hoping for a raise. If I don't get at least one of those two things, I will be quite upset.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Got a car...kinda
I have a car now! Well, sortof. I'll have to explain later because today was a really looooonnnngggg day. But I'm excited!
Snapshot
Life Upgrade fund increased by $328.62, to 45% full. I used the leftover savings from the $4K Vanguard fund goal to move the next goal fund forward.
In a few days, $3K will be in my US bank account and ready to transfer to the investment fund at Vanguard...
...whenever my work schedule clears!
Also! I may have a car soon! More later on that.
In a few days, $3K will be in my US bank account and ready to transfer to the investment fund at Vanguard...
...whenever my work schedule clears!
Also! I may have a car soon! More later on that.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Strike That
Rain has delayed my work, so I'm freeeeee this weekend! (for the most part)
I am getting more and more concerned about my position, though. A copy of the salary list was left on the printer with projected costs for the year at my company last night. I took a peek (who wouldn't?) and my row has $0 as the total. I am the only employee like that.
...yikes.
It doesn't even matter if they have just cause or not, because I know 'they' will make something up if they don't have proof of misconduct. They have done it before.
ETA: I just noticed a lot of errors in the sheet. It lists the wrong salary for me for this year, for one. I don't know what all that sheet means, but I am hoping for the best and preparing for the worst. I am putting together my annual performance review in March, just before the new financial year, so that EVERYTHING is documented. Oh yeah.
I am getting more and more concerned about my position, though. A copy of the salary list was left on the printer with projected costs for the year at my company last night. I took a peek (who wouldn't?) and my row has $0 as the total. I am the only employee like that.
...yikes.
It doesn't even matter if they have just cause or not, because I know 'they' will make something up if they don't have proof of misconduct. They have done it before.
ETA: I just noticed a lot of errors in the sheet. It lists the wrong salary for me for this year, for one. I don't know what all that sheet means, but I am hoping for the best and preparing for the worst. I am putting together my annual performance review in March, just before the new financial year, so that EVERYTHING is documented. Oh yeah.
Thursday, February 09, 2012
Hiatus til March
Work has me busy with 14-18 hour workdays for the next three weeks, including weekends! So obviously this blog will take a backseat...I dare anyone to challenge my loyalty and integrity to my company right now!
See you all in March.
See you all in March.
Monday, February 06, 2012
2012: Earth Goals are Easy
Okay. In my last post I mentioned that I somehow was able to absorb all of the costs from my mom's trip to NZ and Oz. In January, I added nearly $600 to the Vanguard fund goal, bringing me 56% of the way to my goal. And then I looked at my bank balance, and realized I could fund my Vanguard fund to 100%! AND since I never used the $2K Supplemental Mom/Sis to NZ Fund, that could go straight to Goal #2, Insurances Fund!
I will knock on wood, but I am well on my way to kicking my goal's butts by the middle of the year, yet again. Maybe even the stretch ones...
But wait! In cheesy infomercial style, there's more! Since $4K NZD is slightly in excess of $3K USD, I should have several hundred dollars leftover for another fund, to my 'Life Upgrade' Fund. However, since my post about having enough airpoints to fulfill my 2012 US Trip--without touching the $3K I've saved up for it, I now do not think this fund is necessary. I will have $500 in gift cards plus whatever is leftover from that $3K, which should be a substantial amount, seeing as the flights home are free, food is mostly free, and I only pay for gas and weekend trips to see friends, where my lodging is covered. There should be life upgrades a plenty from that amount. So I probably need to scrap that goal and start on the Car Fund, but I'm not quite ready to do that yet. It feels too sudden. I'll wait til it feels right, probably after I go home and see how much I end up spending.
This is weird. Where'd all this money come from? (Hmmm...how come I'm more paranoid when there's "too much" money vs. when there is not enough? I need to go check all my accounts to make sure everything is paid in full...and donate a bit to charity, seeing as I am feeling so blessed.)
All systems go...And the hardest part of Goal 1 on my 2012 list is complete! Now to just transfer $3K USD worth over to buy that Vanguard fund!
(Note to self: $3,700 of that $4K xferred from Rabo to Kiwibank (to = $3K USD); Need to use XeTrade to xfer to BoA for Vanguard. $300 plus any leftover (undetermined) to go to Life Upgrade Fund. *Need to make sure Xetrade moves $598.82 back to Kiwibank by the 16 Feb.*)
I will knock on wood, but I am well on my way to kicking my goal's butts by the middle of the year, yet again. Maybe even the stretch ones...
But wait! In cheesy infomercial style, there's more! Since $4K NZD is slightly in excess of $3K USD, I should have several hundred dollars leftover for another fund, to my 'Life Upgrade' Fund. However, since my post about having enough airpoints to fulfill my 2012 US Trip--without touching the $3K I've saved up for it, I now do not think this fund is necessary. I will have $500 in gift cards plus whatever is leftover from that $3K, which should be a substantial amount, seeing as the flights home are free, food is mostly free, and I only pay for gas and weekend trips to see friends, where my lodging is covered. There should be life upgrades a plenty from that amount. So I probably need to scrap that goal and start on the Car Fund, but I'm not quite ready to do that yet. It feels too sudden. I'll wait til it feels right, probably after I go home and see how much I end up spending.
This is weird. Where'd all this money come from? (Hmmm...how come I'm more paranoid when there's "too much" money vs. when there is not enough? I need to go check all my accounts to make sure everything is paid in full...and donate a bit to charity, seeing as I am feeling so blessed.)
All systems go...And the hardest part of Goal 1 on my 2012 list is complete! Now to just transfer $3K USD worth over to buy that Vanguard fund!
(Note to self: $3,700 of that $4K xferred from Rabo to Kiwibank (to = $3K USD); Need to use XeTrade to xfer to BoA for Vanguard. $300 plus any leftover (undetermined) to go to Life Upgrade Fund. *Need to make sure Xetrade moves $598.82 back to Kiwibank by the 16 Feb.*)
Sunday, February 05, 2012
January Bills
| Category | Spent |
| Rent | $1,050 |
| Groceries | $484.35 |
| Internet | $85.78 |
| Electricity | $62.70 |
| Eating Out | $115.55 |
| Charity | $25.00 |
| Cell phone | $13.33 |
| Medical | $0.00 |
| Misc | $332.69 |
| Savings | $500.00 |
| Total | $2,669.40 |
Rent: Overage because I was covering the second bedroom the first 9 days of the year. I was SO LUCKY that I found a roommate so easily and so quickly while I was on vacation!! It worked out so perfectly...and it still is going very well.
Groceries: I started shopping at the new Countdown Metro. It is SO much easier, and is free using the City Link bus to/from home. The only problem is that Countdown is insanely expensive...Oh. Well. It is worth it not to have to deal with shopping time limits to catch buses or paying to catch buses and spending over an hour on the commute to/from the grocery store each week. The grocery stores aren't even that far...but using the buses takes FOREVER. I've been waiting for the stores to move into the CBD for a long, long time.
Internet and Electricity costs are higher than usual this month because I am the only one paying December bills.
Eating Out: High because I'm lazy and I'm trying to eat healthier, which, for me, means going to the healthy restaurants and buying takeout. :)
Charity: to the Heart Association, as usual...
Cell phone: topped up my skype
Medical: thank goodness.
Misc:
$25 on alcohol at Cable Bay vineyard. Lovely!
$121 on entertainment: David Sedaris tix, paddle boarding rental, the movie Hugo in 3D
$66 on goods and wants: Sedaris book for him to sign, tennis balls, 2012 diary, wisps, a canvas for decoration, and a throw blanket
$32 on transportation: buses, taxis
$43 on travel: waiheke ferry and bus pass on waiheke
Income was $3,268.22. Leftover is $598.82. That will go to my Vanguard Fund goal, bringing it from $1,744.09 to $2,342.91 (goal is $4K).
Savings ramped up to $500 each month, to go to long term savings goals. ALMOST done with that Roth IRA contribution fund! When that is done I'll have to find another home for that $300/mo. I'm thinking of just moving it into my long-term investment fund goal...a daunting $100K, of which the first $3K will be filled when I use my $4K NZD Vanguard Fund goal to buy shares of the FTSE All World ex US Index Fund (minimum investment $3K USD). My first taxable investment account will have been born!
Somehow I had enough in my bank account this month to completely cover all of the credit card bills arising from the trip with my Mom. No small feat, as I covered all of the costs for the two of us while she was here. It was about $3500 NZD. I don't know how I had enough money for that, except things got muddled toward the end of the year last year--even though, according to my spreadsheet, I should have had enough $$ leftover in my bank account in October and November to contribute to short term goal funds, I never did. Plus, I had a lot of work expenses which only just got reimbursed in late January ($1K worth). I don't know specifically the hows or whys, but I now owe myself some money from those months--I should have reached my $4K goal for the Vanguard fund a while ago.
Yeah, so OK. I'm pretty bad at figuring out how to account for my travel costs each year. Do I lump it in with the monthly spending? Or do I keep it separate? If separate, where do I put it? Oh so many details...
Saturday, February 04, 2012
Yet Another Credit Card...
I am seriously racking them up, aren't I?
I stalk the flyertalk.com's 'MilesBuzz' forum every few months to see if there are any new credit cards with a substantial amount of airmiles offered. For some arbitrary reason, I consider any amount < 50K not worth the hassle of opening up another credit card, fulfilling its requirements, and keeping track of whether the bonus miles post, and when to cancel so as not to incur the annual fee. Call me a credit card snob...
So far, so good. I was able to get last year's flight to the US for (almost) free--I decided to pay for the CA -> East Coast legs myself because it would take less time, and when you have already been traveling for 13 hours, the last thing you want to do is add another 12 hours when you can add only 7. $700 or so total for the return flight from NZ isn't too bad, I don't think...
I decided to make it my goal to earn enough points to go home each year for free, or at least substantially supplemented by airmiles. So far, it hasn't been too difficult. I've applied for several in the past year. It all goes in my spreadsheet (the one that lists everything for emergencies).
The latest is Chase United MileagePlus Explorer. I was able to get the 50K bonus offer instead of the 25K one floating around. No minimum spend, I get priority boarding (I am always jealous of those people!), and two free passes to their lounge. Never been in a lounge...
When I go home this US summer, I'll have lots to play with:
80,000 United airmiles through various cc's. That is enough for my free return flight home.
$500 in gift cards from Citi bank.
Either $550 in cash or 55000 airmiles to upgrade to business class to/from the US.
Plus 50,000 airmiles from this new card.
Here's the hard part: MATH!
I can either use the 80K United points that I already have and use that to go home this year, and the 105K points from the cc's to go home next year, OR I can use it all up this year in cash and upgrades and hope that I can find offers like this throughout the year to build up more points for next year.
I really, really want to try flying business class on that horrid overnight flight to/from NZ. I have the worst time on those red-eyes. To be able to get sleep on the plane would be, well...a miracle. I can't even imagine how awesome that would be! I simply cannot sleep in those tiny economy seats. I was born for first class. Didn't you know?
Options:
1) use 80K points for economy, 105K points leftover for next year's flight, and $500 gift cards
2) use 135K points for business, 50K points leftover for next year's flight OR $500 cash, and $500 gift cards
I think I have to try my luck and fly business class this year...it's just too tempting.
I have saved up $3K to allocated towards my flights home in 2012 already, but hopefully I won't need it, and it can be used toward something else. I'm a big fan of using it to 'upgrade' my clothes, electronics, etc., but $3K seems excessive, esp. when I just did that last year, and I'll have $500 in gift cards to spend already. I may use it to visit friends on the East coast or Vancouver, or help out a friend with her field work on a Caribbean island (if she needs my help). Work should pay for my time on that island, but I would probably have to pay my own way to get there. I wouldn't mind...it's not that expensive from the East Coast of the US, anyway. So I guess I'll just have a grand old time with it and see how much is leftover at the end, a sort of reward to myself for keeping track of all these offers.
I stalk the flyertalk.com's 'MilesBuzz' forum every few months to see if there are any new credit cards with a substantial amount of airmiles offered. For some arbitrary reason, I consider any amount < 50K not worth the hassle of opening up another credit card, fulfilling its requirements, and keeping track of whether the bonus miles post, and when to cancel so as not to incur the annual fee. Call me a credit card snob...
So far, so good. I was able to get last year's flight to the US for (almost) free--I decided to pay for the CA -> East Coast legs myself because it would take less time, and when you have already been traveling for 13 hours, the last thing you want to do is add another 12 hours when you can add only 7. $700 or so total for the return flight from NZ isn't too bad, I don't think...
I decided to make it my goal to earn enough points to go home each year for free, or at least substantially supplemented by airmiles. So far, it hasn't been too difficult. I've applied for several in the past year. It all goes in my spreadsheet (the one that lists everything for emergencies).
The latest is Chase United MileagePlus Explorer. I was able to get the 50K bonus offer instead of the 25K one floating around. No minimum spend, I get priority boarding (I am always jealous of those people!), and two free passes to their lounge. Never been in a lounge...
When I go home this US summer, I'll have lots to play with:
80,000 United airmiles through various cc's. That is enough for my free return flight home.
$500 in gift cards from Citi bank.
Either $550 in cash or 55000 airmiles to upgrade to business class to/from the US.
Plus 50,000 airmiles from this new card.
Here's the hard part: MATH!
I can either use the 80K United points that I already have and use that to go home this year, and the 105K points from the cc's to go home next year, OR I can use it all up this year in cash and upgrades and hope that I can find offers like this throughout the year to build up more points for next year.
I really, really want to try flying business class on that horrid overnight flight to/from NZ. I have the worst time on those red-eyes. To be able to get sleep on the plane would be, well...a miracle. I can't even imagine how awesome that would be! I simply cannot sleep in those tiny economy seats. I was born for first class. Didn't you know?
Options:
1) use 80K points for economy, 105K points leftover for next year's flight, and $500 gift cards
2) use 135K points for business, 50K points leftover for next year's flight OR $500 cash, and $500 gift cards
I think I have to try my luck and fly business class this year...it's just too tempting.
I have saved up $3K to allocated towards my flights home in 2012 already, but hopefully I won't need it, and it can be used toward something else. I'm a big fan of using it to 'upgrade' my clothes, electronics, etc., but $3K seems excessive, esp. when I just did that last year, and I'll have $500 in gift cards to spend already. I may use it to visit friends on the East coast or Vancouver, or help out a friend with her field work on a Caribbean island (if she needs my help). Work should pay for my time on that island, but I would probably have to pay my own way to get there. I wouldn't mind...it's not that expensive from the East Coast of the US, anyway. So I guess I'll just have a grand old time with it and see how much is leftover at the end, a sort of reward to myself for keeping track of all these offers.
Thursday, February 02, 2012
Changes are Afoot
With everything going on at work, I am starting to wonder if it isn't time to pull the plug before I get to the point I was at in my last job, gasping for air but drowning nevertheless. I hated that last job, and it never even made me feel as low as I feel now. I don't like the fact that I can let someone make me dislike going to the job I love so much, but everything has changed. I feel like I'm constantly being watched, my every move judged , and they are just waiting for me to screw something up so that they can get rid of me. Or berate me again. How do you tell the difference between a rough patch and the start of a permanent decline?
Aside from my personal issues at work, the financial situation there has made it necessary for big changes. I may not even have a place there if certain happenings occur. Whatever is going to happen, things are going to change.
And I'm ready for that, anyway. My pattern has always been to make a trans-oceanic move every 4 years or so. That 4 years is up in July. Am I about to move back home to settle in, with a car and a dog and a yard, like I've been wanting to the past 6-7 years? I'm itching to get back to the US, and closer to my family. And if my job isn't worth staying for anymore...I have a reason to make that happen.
But not so fast. There's another option. My favorite boss may be able to finagle me a position with her, and only her. She has also offered me a PhD position with her, which I could mold to my liking. I have to see how that all works out before I move along. The actual content of my job is still a dream come true; it is still just too good to pass up.
For now.
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
New TV and Vacuum!
I think I've mentioned I have a new roommate. (She's fantastic.) When corresponding with my landlord about her, I also let slip that our TV and vacuum was on the fritz. The TV has been broken for a long time, but I don't use it enough to matter. Roommate mentioned it, though, so I felt I needed to rectify the situation. And why not slip in the bit about the vacuum, too? It has many annoying quirks and I was getting tired of dealing with them.
For example, the hose cord keeps unraveling. We have duct and electrical and masking taped it up in 4-5 patches along the hose length, but one day it is going to disintegrate. Also, the cord won't stay unraveled, which means it constantly unplugs itself as you are vacuuming. And the clip that the dust bag goes on is broken. I could go on and on...
These items came with the apartment, but I never thought that the landlord would actually replace them. I let her know that they were going to be thrown out, though, because I thought she'd like to know. She ended up giving us a $100 allowance for the vacuum and a $40 $70 allowance for a new TV! Best landlord ever!
I found a vacuum for half off at the Warehouse last weekend, for $75. It's a huge upgrade from the last one. We'll get a TV off of Trademe.
And my grad school friend needs a vacuum, so I'm going to give the old one to him for free. He's super grateful and we don't end up throwing a perfectly working (but annoying) vacuum cleaner away. Plus, he is an engineer so probably will be able to fix/replace the problems anyway. Win win!
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