Not everyone is ‘good’ at math but all of us should be able to do our 1,2,3’s. The post secondary school year or a trade, technical or diploma program face similar challenges in that the money flows in and outs in an abnormal pattern. This makes it difficult to budget. The traditional monthly budget doesn’t […]

To me, the Labour Day weekend will always signal the wrap up of summer, the start of a new school year, the IPE and Armstrong Rodeo. Major events! This week our 5 year old began her school career…Kindergarten. Gradual entry (2 weeks no less before the first full day) is very, very gradual but it […]

If you finished the ‘Building a Budget in 3 Simple Steps’, you’re ready to take it to the next level! A budget is the best place to start but don’t leave your plan behind. Adding a plan to your budget is straightforward.Planning is the fun part because most of us know what we want and […]

Finally, Step #3. Use your budget A budget is only valuable if you use it. It is a guideline to ensure that your monthly income covers your monthly expenses. The simplest way to use your budget is to monitor your actual income and expenses against your planned/budgeted income and expenses. At the beginning, it may […]

Step #2 entails a little bit of math. Now that you’ve gathered and reviewed the information, it’s time to do something with it. Your budget will have 2 sections. One for income and one listing expenses (It’s generally easiest to work with monthly numbers). Make sure that all monthly expenses are included. Subtract the expenses […]

Does everyone dread having a budget? Most of us do. Creating and managing a personalized budget can be done in 3 steps. The first step is probably the most difficult and takes the most time but it is the foundation of a solid budget. Gather your financial information including pay stubs, tax returns, bills, bank […]

A recent trip to the Okanagan brought back memories and satisfied the taste buds. Memories of trips to the garden for vegetables or fruit for the dinner table. Many items could be plucked, washed and eaten while a few like peas and corn took a tiny bit more effort. I have very clear recollection of […]

It’s common sense that you pay extra for convenience but sometimes buying quality doesn’t cost more. A few shopping experiences over the last week has given rise to some gems. Here are some smart shopping tips: High-end salon promotion: Buy $100 of products (I bought bulk shampoo & conditioner – lasts the year) and receive […]

How much do you budget for food each month? A simple question but the response ‘it depends’ is based on the following: Are you a household of 1 or more? Adults, teens and/or kids? Do you eat at home on a regular basis? Do you take your lunch? Do you eat prepared/packaged foods or make […]

The first plus is that it’s a summer day in a not so summery Vancouver! It’s the end of July and finally a good day to go to Granville Island water park. The kids had a ball and free! It took a little effort to bring some food and drink which serves 2 purposes…food on […]