July 2017 – Stretching My Money

Iceland: 9 days for $2,152.

A place where you can pretend you’re Matthew McConaughey.

15325176_10154410977802912_5212586703674054520_o — Chilling at the top of a volcano in Vestmannaeyjar.

Last summer, I was looking desperately for something to do for vacation. Up to that point, I was an under-traveled 27 year old who had never left North America in his life.

Things in life were also trending up: I had a full-time job finally, a travel partner in my girlfriend, and some savings dedicated towards travel. Iceland also made sense as a first “big” trip. It was an English-speaking nation, had a good safety record of travelers, and offered cheap flights. Plus I had two colleagues who went and came back alive with rave reviews.

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Staying Entertained in Toronto on the Cheap.

How I keep my entertainment expenses in check.

are-you-not-entertained-plate

Last month, my company had a staff event: dinner followed by a Jays game – all expenses on the attendee of course, since we’re in the public sector.

As the ambitious worker bee who understands the value of networking (it’s how I’ve literally gotten every job I’ve worked), I woefully signed up. By the end of the night, I had spent close to $60 combined on the ticket, one concession item, and dinner and a drink at the fancy Rec Room. $60! My girlfriend then reminded me that really isn’t that much relative to other people.

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Got plans for retirement? Don’t wait till 65.

hospital

My girlfriend’s parents are lovely people. They did everything right. They worked hard, raised a wonderful family, and saved and invested diligently. They met all of their financial goals, having saved enough to retire, send their kids off to their own lives, and travel the world.

Then the worst news imaginable happened.

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London, England – 8 nights for $1875

Back in November, I lived a theatre nerd’s dream: 6 shows, 8 nights in London, and stops at almost every major heritage/tourism site in the city.

IMG_20161111_164004 — A lovely view in Bath during one of my day trips out of the city.

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June 2017: Financial Update

Summer and a three pay check month.

Summer is officially here and June means it’s a three pay check month – not that I’m spending any more than I need to.

Blue Whale Exhibition at the ROM. Got free tickets from EQ Bank!

In fact, even though in a three pay check month I technically saved over ~~66%~~ 69.55% of my income (this number has been revised to include pension deductions at reader advice), I’m still not doing as well as I’d hoped, overspending to $2,135.41 for the month. What did that look like?

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