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Monday, January 28, 2019

The month of January 2019: budget in review

Good past Friday for the TSX. My non-registered portfolio closed at $125 241.11, my TFSA portfolio at $59 940.28, and my RRSP portfolio, stocks only, at $39 843.56. I had proceeded with the contribution in kind of my Canadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce (CM) and TFI International Inc. (TFII) shares from my non-registered to my TFSA portfolio. Today was even better, the TSX closed at 15 378.62 points. And today, my non-registered portfolio closed the session at $125 506.45, my TFSA portfolio at $59 851.50, and my RRSP portfolio at $39 995.58

My margin usage is currently at $45 443.10. Last week, we had extreme bad weather in Montreal and on that bad weather day, I had no choice other than to go work at my workplace. It was awful, it was raining and the sidewalks were disgusting, with an unhappy mix of ice and rain, just enough to make me feel completely miserable. I already had not so great waterproof winter boots, I knew that, but I actually received the confirmation of it on that day. I decided to bough a new pair of winter boots, I got Sorel ones, which cost $200 after taxes. And I also had to buy a pair of socks... But the good news is, those Sorel boots are probably going to last me for at least 4, if not 5 years. It's unfortunate because its kind of destroy my super tight budget for this month. I had worked super hard at spending little as possible, allowing myself just a few coffees and for the eating out, just a few small sweet treats.

Here are what had been my fix expenses for January:
Cable & Internet: $98.18
Gym: $14.38
Banking fees: $3.45
Insurance: $7
CraveTV: $11.49
Cell: $40.24
Rent: $680
Total: $854.74

At $98.18, that cable and Internet bill is quite high. And it was actually almost the double of that amount in December! I got f by Videotron, I was promised a $71.79 deal, but my first bill didn't match at all that amount, and same thing for the second bill. I had to call Videotron to fix that mess, I asked them to listen to the telemarketer call that I received, I told them how pissed off I was not to be giving what I was promised. I finally was offered a deal, but the offer I got is only valid until May, and after that, I will cancel my cable. I really got fool by Videotron and I should have never had accepted the telemarketer offers for the cable. I should know better. I didn't respect my own rule: never trust Quebeckers, too many of them are big time liars. Learn from my mistakes. Anyway, don't worry, I won't ever let any Quebeckers mess up with me. I am a super mean wild bitch and I hate those morons next to their bones. I should received a credit on the next cable and Internet bill, so my fix expenses should get lower next month. I also cancel my subscription to CraveTV, but it's on until February 22.

There had been 5 long weeks in January. Two expenses kick in and completely destroyed my really tight budget: I bought a suitcase at $81.92, and as you know now, a pair of winter boots at $202.34. But both items should last for a couple of years. It doesn't take much to imbalance a budget, that's why it's important to spend less on things you have control over.

Other expenses for January:
Suitcase: $81.92
Sorel winter boots: $202.34
Taxi: $15 - on that extreme bad weather day on January 24, I call a taxi to go back home from work
Socks: $10.35
Credit card payment: $20.47
Grocery for January: $204.25
Coffees and eating out for January: $53.73
Sunscreen for Cuba: $14.45
Stuff for Cuba, medication: $34.08
Little gifts for Cuba: $43.98
Laundry tickets: $40 (for 20 loads)
Optometrist: $50 - ($20 return from insurance): $30
Qtip: $1.43
Mouthwash: $15.57 (I got 4, it should last for a little while)
Coffee filter: $2.50
Donation to OSM: $10
Birthday card to a relative: $1
Duplicate keys: $5.98
9V battery for my alarm clock: $3.50
Dishcloths: $2.88
Kitchen tool: $2.87
Shampoo: $5.74
2 blush powders: $35.62
F pads: $14.92 
Nair: $24.81
Gap clothes: $51.73
Total: $929.12

Total money spend in January, 2019: $1 783.86
-$92.50 (exchange of rolling pennies at the bank) :-)
TOTAL: $1 690.89
Money save: $929.11, and that amount doesn't include my dividend income!
Not too bad, let see now if you can do better!

I wish I could say that I am going to save more money in February, but sometime in February, I already have a trip plan to Cuba.

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