Its The Little Things That Count

We did our annual family Christmas picture with Santa last week and hit a couple of milestones.

We of course started doing a Santa picture when our oldest was a baby, but it wasn't until we were expecting our third that we decided to have all of us in the picture with Santa.

Of course, this is because I realized how few pictures we had of Dave and I with our kids - as any parents knows, once you have kids ALL your pictures are of just them.

So a tradition was born.  We had the same "mall" Santa for 13 years until this year.  Don't get me wrong "new" Santa was wonderful too, but there was something special about seeing the same Santa year after year and have him be a part of our growing family.

When we got home and I placed the newest picture into it's frame laughing with a tinge of sadness of pictures past.  I place the new one on top so that you can't help but look back and see how the kids have changed and grown and yes multiplied.   (Dave and I of course don't change at all!! HA).

Having three teenagers now, they stood back as the younger ones have their turns telling Santa what they wish for.  My 14 year old told me how she tried to whisper in Santa's ear once so that Dad could not hear her.  She wanted to see if Santa truly knew something Dad didn't.

I treasure these years now so much more as our oldest gets closer to 18 years and her life gets busier and busier.  I hope that this tradition can continue with spouses and their kids (I am sure technology will keep up to fit us all in the picture) included.

But for now our tradition with "new" Santa begins and I whisper a thank you for the six blessing I have.

Interview with a Billionaire

I was contact by "The Gatekeepers Post" Jeff Rivera and he has been wonderful about getting my blog out in the open and giving me some great contacts.

He mentioned my blog to Mark Cuban - an entrepreneur billionaire who became interested in my blog. I finally had a chance to post the following interview with him.

Mark was also kind enough to send two free movie ticks for HD netmovies kids scene https://www.facebook.com/hdnetmovies  Enjoy, and I hope it gives you all some sound advice.


There are many mommies out there that dream of creating their own business
but haven't a clue where to start. What advice do you have for them?


Find something you love to do, can do on your own and doesn’t require
any more capital than you can afford to lose personally. The most
valuable asset you have is your time, talents and ability to
communicate. Focus on those strengths and what you can do rather than
what you can’t do.



There are many young moms who are just beginning their lives and can relate to
you when you said you were sharing a small apartment with 6 people and
sleeping on the floor.  How can someone keep their eye on the prize when they’re
living on Ramen noodles?


Who cares how you are living today? I loved every minute of living in
that dump. The low rent and utilities and eating Mac n’ Cheese all the time allowed me to afford the startup of my business. Instead of
paying myself much, I could put it in to my business.


One part in your book I loved and my heart sank at is when your fiance
lost your $7500 ring.  What's your advice for those moms out there who are distracted by a relationship? How do you balance a real life with your dreams?


I never was able to balance. Each person has to make their own
decisions. But remember, your competitors aren’t sitting by idly
waiting for you to have a nice dinner with your significant other.
They are trying to kick your ass. So choose wisely.


You encourage entrepreneurs not to hire a public relations firm, Mark. How did you get the word out about your eBook?


I tweeted, posted on Facebook, [used] Google Plus and responded to emails. Nothing more.

Where can we get a copy of your eBook, How to Win at the Sport of Business?
Anywhere eBooks are sold: Amazon, BN.com, and sites that support independent bookstores too.

Stay on Budget this Christmas!

I know you say that to yourself every year.  January arrives and your dreaded credit card bill (hopefully it is only ONE!) sits in your mailbox waiting to mock your promises.  You quickly run figures through your head and guesstimate what you are sure it not as bad as you think.

OPPS, you are wrong AGAIN.  How did it get that bad?

Well, this year will be different.  Why?  Because you are going to use CASH, and CASH only.  Take out what ever your budget is per person and spend that - and only that.   You may have to be more savvy on what you spend and think things over a bit more but I guarantee you will have a much happier new year if you keep to "cash is king".

I know things do come up.  We went shopping last week and was shocked at how much we spent at the liquor store.  When company is a plenty this season, stuff does add up.  But where one can save......

Remember, that kids don't need everything they ask for - pick one main present that you know they want  the most and stick to it.  It does not need to be the most expensive thing either.

If you give them everything they want, they have nothing to work towards right?  You appreciate things more when you have to work for it.

Power of 72

Every heard of it?  Very important number.  Power of 72 is the magical number that you divide the interest you are making on your money by the number 72 and this will give you the amount of years it will take you to double your money.

So if you make 10% on $1000.  It will take you 7years 2 months to double that to $2000.

Pretty cool, I think.  A friend of ours was getting frustrated with how little interest he was making on his Mutual funds once everyone else took their cut.  This money he has had been sitting with them for over 10 years and was told that it would be making 8% (72 divided by 8 = 9 years) so by now his money should have doubled.  But once everyone took their 1-2% cuts he realized that he was only making about 4%  - which would be 18 years that his money would double.  Big difference, right?

That is why if you have someone else managing your money be sure to find the "actual" percentage made.  The there are no unrealistic expectations.

We had recommended to him to take out this fund and put it in a dividend stock that pays 6-8% (which their are alot of.  Then not only will he double his money in the 9 years but compound interest takes place along with reinvesting his dividend!  Adds up pretty fast  - with out paying any money to a fund manager.

Just a little thought.....

Happy Thanksgiving

As the tradition goes, on Thanksgiving we all go around the table and say what we are gratefull for.

I am trying to refocus on my thoughts this year since my mind keeps wondering back to LAST year, when we were getting ready to go to Disney Land!!  Wow, time goes by way too fast.

So with that being said - here is my list of so many things that I am thankful for:

Living in the moment - not thinking about what happened last year ( yes, ehm, Disney Land)

My fabulous husband,  who always makes me feel smart and beautiful.  Who else gives their wives a present on HIS birthday?

My awesome six kids.  For making me appreciate playing hide and seek again.  Seeing life through a teenager's eyes again.  Young love.  Simple hugs and an "I love you".

I thank those kids for making me take my own advice - not focusing on those negative people and comments.  Focus on those that wish you well with nothing asked back.  AND to wish those thoughts on others.  We can have 10 positive things said, but for some reason we seem to pour our energy on the negative.  Switch that around and to those that are negative - maybe they need more positive in there lives?

We are all healthy and happy.  Even after managing those bumps in the road, we come out stronger and hopefully wiser.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

School Daze!

Every year I am shocked at how much I have to spend to send my kids to school!  And every year I complain that when we were little going to school I KNOW my mom never had to spend any money.

When did it get that we not only have to fully supply our kids with every little eraser to binders and a variety pack of duo-tangs  - that by the way I always get back half used at the end of the year (yes, I reuse them).; but then spend at least $100 dollars per child (that increases or doubles when they reach junior high and high school) at the beginning of the year BUT also through out the year you are dinged $5 - $10 dollars!!

Now this is excluding indoor runners, back packs, lunch kits  - oh, and don't get me going on lunch supervisor fees, out-door runners and of course the kids always want or ok, "need" at least one new pair of jeans for the beginning of the year.  I swear I get nicked and dimed to death!

I wonder what my tax dollars actually pay for.

Ok, I am done ranting and raving - well not quite....But every year I just never feel prepared for so much money flying out of our pockets just to get the kids to go to school.   I at least now save on busing fees, as I refuse to pay the annual increase and then have half my kids NOT allowed to ride the bus because they are now in junior high (same school still).

At least a few years ago they allowed them to ride if they had younger siblings taking the bus (which they did).  Even though I paid the maximum fee they changed the rules.  So now I drive them every morning and pick up with all the hundreds of other parents tired of getting empty pockets.

So the count down is on... two days to go and bags of school supplies filling up my kitchen.

I'll look at it this way....my oldest graduates this year...wow, will I be able to complain about university!!

Hold Those Stocks! But add that Stop-Loss

Last week we watched the stock market have quit a roller coaster ride.  As in life we have our ups and downs.  It's those downs that make us appreciate those rides up!

Don't get me wrong, I did have a moment of panic, wondering how low it was going to go and if I missed it.  It is never a good day when 14 out of 15 of your stocks are showing RED/LOSS!  It is down right scarey.

My husband was one that wanted to sell all - but I just could not justify selling all our stocks at a loss would help.  Especially when the majority of them are good blue chip stocks that pay a nice dividend.  If anything I wish I had more money to buy those stocks at a much lower price and average down a bit.

Thankfully two days later things started to climb up and a got my dig in - sorry, tacky - but "I told you so" did slip out of my mouth.  It could have gone the other way - where I was banging my head on my computer saying "Why, why, didn't I sell?"

I did do alot of researching to ease my mind.  It just wasn't justifiable to sell at this point.

But one major thing that I will add to my portfolio is "stop-losses".  We do have some penny stocks that I know we will hold until we make a decent amount of cash (though I am hoping for ALOT more) on.  But seeing how low they can go and knowing that for some of them, I really don't want to add anymore money - even to average down.

Learning to add a stop loss at a point of either 5% loss and then buy back or whatever you are comfortable with is sooooo important in ending up on the winning end of these things.

So on that note I have not done my part.  Now I am at the point where I am below that so I want to hold out and seriously crossing my fingers and having enough research and belief in those companies that they will come back a bit.

Hard lesson to learn, but a good kick in the butt!

The Tape has Come Off - The Stove That Is......

My husband's favorite story to tell people is how clean our stove is..."It's so clean that it still has the tape wrapped around it." He laughs at this and I roll my eyes.

Yes, at the beginning of our marriage I must admit that I didn't know a hole lot about cooking.  But after having six kids, there was no way that we financially could order out so I had no choice but to "ripe off the tape" of the oven and live and learn.

The reason this comes to mind is in the midst of summer holidays there is something that I have learned from visiting family and friends; something that I never would have imagined...inspiration!  To cook that is.

Yes, the company and conversations are great with stomach aching laughter, but it is the food that is served and how it is served that always inspires me.

From our week long visits to my in-laws cabin - I've learned how to make three meals out of one kind of meat (lunch, dinner and mid-day snack), how putting out a plate of pickles and hot peppers can change the look of a dish and that left over hotdog buns make great garlic toast for a pasta dinner.

My youngest sister-in-law showed me how to make the most delicious cheese, pizza, and apple pie desserts over an open camp-fire with a cool devise called a Camp Cooker (for various breads). YUM! To quickly feed twelve people a fabulous egg breakfast with a muffin tin, sliced ham and cheese.

I honestly can't write how many cooking ideas I have taken away from all the visiting we have done throughout our 18 years of marriage.  Enough, I guess to enable me to have an eighteen year marriage without my family starving and living on pre-made meals.

So to all those who are taunted through early relationships thinking that they have to read recipe book after book - all you have to do is visit and learn...then go home and RIPE THAT TAPE OFF and start  cooking!

CHEERS!

Turning the Ugly Duckling to a Swan.

Stressed about your money?  Who isn't lately when stocks just keep on going down, down, down.  It is hard to stay optimistic.

All the financial articles speak of taking advantage of the lows from those stocks that were always out of reach before.  Makes sense, but I struggle with how low is the low?

For example, RIM (Research in Motion) the poor blackberry just can't seem to catch a break.  My dad loves this stock but I have been avoiding it.  But when it started trading in the low $25 range a couple weeks ago, my husband wanted to snag himself some.

I used a free trail on Stock Pointer and they had a great chart where it compares what the stock is currently at and what the stock SHOULD be at based on financials.  It was an eye opener.

The chart showed that RIM is valued at $120 but actually was at $26 at the time.  Wow, talk about a stock doing the opposite what all the research says it should be.  I then had to check my Lululemon (LLL).  A stock that has made no sense as far as a retail store goes.  It showed the opposite.  Before the stock split (back in July) it was sitting at $115, but showed the stock only worth in the $30???

I figured Lululemon is like the Prom Queen.  People love it.  You are seen wearing it around town with the "prom queen" wrapped around your bottom or top and everyone will smile at you.

Sometimes you just have to understand the company and what the people see or don't see in a product.  Financial reports just don't mean much.  It's just a popularity contest.

So I took the dive and bought him some at $25.  I was feeling great.  Thinking I had hit it's low.  Opps,  it went down to $23.11!!  I was kicking myself, but realized maybe there is something to be said about financials.

The stock has slowly crept back up after the announcement of new products, but I am still in the red. I am hoping that the stock screener will at least meet me half way.  The popular kids will see the potential and "coolness" of the blackberry and start buying again.

I will hold for now and hope that my ugly duckling will soon turn into a swan.

Time to "Air" the Kids

I am a child of the '70's era where children ate dinner with their family then were sent outdoors to play on the street with neighbouring kids.

We would play tag and various games that took us from one persons back yard to the others.  Then as dusk came we would hear my dad's loud whistle from our front porch to summon us home.

My kids get out after dinner, but are lucky if they can find one friend to play with (if they live on our block) as most kids are curried off to soccer, ballet or any other organized sport.  Long gone are the days where great games of street hockey or skipping games are played without a parent organizing and planning it.

I finished reading this great article that was in the Globe and Mail this week comparing the life of a 70's mother to now.  Believe me from what I remember as a kid and the pressures I feel as a today's parent, my mom had it pretty good.  Though if I were to ask her, she would defiantly believe otherwise.

True, there are parts of life today that are easier.  My mom never had a vehicle and was stuck at home and would have to wait for my dad to do any shopping.  Compare today, you would be hard pressed to find a SAHM that does not have a vehicle to herd her crew from play-dates to the zoo and baby and me classes.

The drawback is that we never get to know our neighbours.  I've lived in our current home for nine years now and I only know six of my neighbors names and from that I am not fully confident as to the names of there husbands.  (Doesn't say much for my social memory skills).

I love the quote made in the article I read.  An associate professor who has written numerous books on motherhood gave this example of when she was little growing up in the 1970's "My mother would have me in a playpen, my sister in the pram and my brother tied to the front tree" (I laughed out loud on this), "She would be inside doing the laundry, and we would be outside 'airing'".

Your would never see that nowadays.  If you see kids in there front yards without their parent present you can't help but take a second look, you will find them searching in the garage for the sidewalk chalk to help their kids learn their ABC's.

I know my mom will insist that fathers nowadays have such a greater role in their children's lives.  I would have to agree with her.  You would have never seen a SAHD (Stay at home Dad) at the park in the 1970's.  My mom would tell me stories of how she would have to feed, bath and dress us kids for bed before she would go over to her girlfriends house across the alley.  She would arrive home with the house a mess and my sister and I still awake and crying.  My dad complaining about how long she was gone. (My dad is awesome by the way).

But that was then, this is now.  Yes, we have way more freedom and choices nowadays, but with that freedom comes pressures.  The pressure of not only perfect grades for our kids but they must excel in some sort of sport be it a promising prima ballerina or NHLer.

I will take the 1970's thank you.  I would love to sit inside with a glass of wine in my hand or martini as was the choice in the 70's and hear that one word hollered from the front yard, "CAR!!"

Wants and Needs

So I do have a great reason for not writing for three weeks.  It's not because we have had company for those three weeks...we loved having my parents and my sister's family visit.  It's the "unwelcomed" visitors that tag along with us from Florida late last year.

Bed bugs! Nasty little things I must say and something I thought never existed any more but for only an old  quote I would say to my parents when I was younger before heading for bed, "good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite"!

If I knew about how easily those things can travel on your luggage I would have brought along my tiny flashlight and spotted those creatures in the home we rented while in Disney World.

TIP:  Before travel read up on how to spot them and NEVER place luggage on your bed or on the floor.

So I have been busy bagging EVERYTHING in the house, clothes, toys, nic nacs and such so that our house could be fumigated.  That was the easy part.  The hard part is bringing things back in and not re-contaminating.

This brings me to the title of this blog.  WANTS VS. NEEDS.  While our garage is now filled with floor to ceiling garbage bags of stuff knowing that I have to wash everything in there or bag it for 3 months it made us analyse what we really needed.

Clothes that haven't been worn for the past 6 months to a year... OUT.  Items that have been looking sad as of late...OUT.  It actually became quit cleansing.  Even with all the stress it brought along there was a part of me that felt a weight lifted by getting rid of bags and bags of nothing but STUFF!

There is something to be said about spring cleaning.

My washing machine is calling me... got to go.

Share the Wealth or at least the Knowledge

Money is still such a "hush hush" issue.  It seems even more of a personal issue than discussing sex.

There are some details I wish that my girlfriends have kept closer to there chest...haha

We don't seem to have a problem with complaining about how little money we have or how much things cost.  Do we do that for sympathy?  To see if our friends and family are struggling like us?  Or is it to find some sort of common ground.

But when it comes to truly helping people make any sort of money - above and beyond their salaries we suddenly shut down and shut up.

Are we afraid that if we tell them about our current great investment that it will fail and we don't want to be at fault or feel responsible for any loss to them?  That is sweet, but when it comes down to it - isn't it up to those that we inform to do their own due diligence?  True, and if they make money on it we are heros - if they lose it is our fault.

Or is it that we are being selfish, don't want them to succeed as we have succeeded?  I would hate to see that happen.  Honestly, does it affect you at all if your friends and family are successful?  Does it not make you proud to see others succeed?

What this comes down to is the type of person you are speaking with.  There are those who are open, willing and excited to tell you about their investments.  You can take their knowledge or leave it but either way I have found those people a joy to talk to.  I feed off of their enthusiasm and always respond in kind.

Then there are those that seem to just want to impress but never really give you any info or details.  Within the last 2 months we have meet two of the latter who both so happen to be salesmen at the same electronics store.

We were having a great time with this one guy and of course we love to bring up TFSA and using RRSP.  We were impressed at first, he knew what we were talking about and we were excited for him and ready for a great chat.  But just as quickly as he asked detailed questions from us he shut down.  His statement being that he would have to "charge" us if he were to give us any "info".   Laughter followed???? What???  He is NOT a financial advisor, (we love the one we have) and he just kept on throwing out all the courses he is taking and how well he does.

He kept on asking me questions, I believe trying to trip me up to see if I truly knew what I was talking about - I think I disappointed him and caught him on a few things that he technically should have knowledge about.  Hmmmm

I'm not trying to put the guy down, but seriously, come on.  What is that about?  It was like he was in a competition with us in some ways?  Why?  Who knows.  What I do know is that kind of attitude will get you nowhere fast.

The saying is the more you give the more you receive.  How true is that.

Use the Red to Make Some Green

It feels so petty when we complain about a little bit of water surrounding our sidewalks, when parts of Japan are completely under water.  Tsk, tsk.  I pray for them.

It seems even more pathetic when we whine and complain about where the market has been heading...down.  Maybe it's just the stocks that I hold but the last few days it has all been red.  It sucks to see your portfolio that just a couple weeks ago was doing so well, to some at a loss.

I think this is the time when you are tested.  It is so easy to be scared and to sell when things go down.  But if you set your portfolio up with nice strong companies with good dividends, then it should not matter as much when the stock fluctuates so much as you are still getting your dividends.

I found this a good time to go over what I have and discovered I need more of those stocks.  Luckily those strong stocks (blue chip stocks) like Johnson and Johnson, GE and Kraft are currently down and with our stronger dollar would be a great time to buy in.

There are lots of websites like Reuters that help you with researching if the company is a good buy, hold, or sell.  They tell you how much of a dividend you get - quarterly or monthly and any financials that you would need.

I don't quit understand the whole financials yet, I am trying to use more of the Price/Earning ratios but still not 100% sure on how that affects things as just looking at that does not give you a good picture of the company.

So instead of looking at my red as negative I am looking at it as a time to take advantage.  Granted you have to have the money to purchase these stocks also - so I will have to sell something off (profit only) sooner than expected to free some cash up.  I am watching my Lulu slowly climb back up to the 80's!!

Be smart and do your research and try not to panic.  Things can always be worse...Pray for Japan.

Put That Money Down

What would you do if you came into some money?  Inheritance, bonus, lottery win?  Many of you would be saying, "Well it would depend on how much of a windfall it was."

Many of us say that we would pay our debt off, be it credit cards, cars, or mortgage which is the biggest (liability) we have.  But when we say this, we are all thinking millions of dollars.   We picture paying all of our debt off AND still have some left over to play with.

But the majority of us - if we do come into some "extra" cash (a few thousand dollars) we spend it.

Why not/  That would certainly be the fun thing to do.  We work hard, we deserve to finally get some pay back.

Even though that idea of a big screen tv or that long awaited trip to Mexico sounds good and is now within reach - if we search deep we know what we should really do.

Pay down our debt! IF you have it.  Honestly, who dosen't?  Very few of us, who are in our child rearing years don't have at least a mortgage.  But if you have consumer debt on top of that - that bonus money should go straight to paying that down (if your lucky) pay it off.

I know it seems like you are just throwing that money way on nothing - if feels like you get nothing out of it.  Well, maybe nothing "physical" but the interest and stress that you save are huge.

Do you have that TFSA yet?  Have you started contributing to your RRSP?  Why not use that money to start that up?  If you put (up to $15,000) away in your self directed TFSA, meaning you can buy and trade your own stocks you could be going on that trip TAX FREE and be DEBT FREE.

Dosen't that sound better?  You may have to wait a few months to get some dividend from your stocks and to see some profit in your stock your choose, but this is all stress free money.

Pay yourself first!  You deserve it.  THAT is the best present you could buy yourself and your family.

Happy Valentines Day! It's Great To Give

 I grew up with my dad always bringing home a dozen red roses for my mother and some candy or toy for my sister and I.

Having that kind of up bringing brought with it high expectations once I was old enough to date.  My boyfriends were never a disappointment, flowers, bears and even the odd piece of treasured jewellery too.... ahh things were grand.

Once I married the anticipation of getting those flowers delivered to me at work while all my fellow colleagues would oh and ah over them was the highlight of my day.  But the odd thing was these beautiful perfumed blossoms arrived not on this day of love but in the middle of August!

Long story to this one which I will tell another time but....

It was the best feeling in the world.  He didn't buy me those flowers because the calendar told him to.  For some reason those flowers held so much more power.

The first year after I was married, my boss and I shared an office.  From the early morning of February 14th and on wards all I heard from him was how much he hated this day and how he HAD to buy his wife some stupid over priced flowers so she wouldn't be pissed off at him.

I remember thinking, if his wife knew his attitude towards buying into this "day of love" she would never have wanted those flowers.  That moment changed my outlook on that day from then on.

Don't get me wrong.  I still love this holiday.  We celebrate it with our six kids and take them out for a special dinner (early of course to beat the rush).  I do buy them valentine cards for their friends and a box of chocolates for each child along with a traditional pair of socks.

But we discovered a new way of giving on this day.  My husband and I were at a pub on Saturday and had a nice chat with our waitress and she was asking about our Valentine Day plans.  We intern asked about hers and she mentioned that her boyfriend wasn't much into the whole thing (been there, done that).

I said that I would love to go to Crave and pick up some of there yummy cupcakes for the kids.  She mentioned how much she loves their stuff, but that we had to hurry since it closes at 5.  Thanking her, we rushed to get to the heavenly cupcake store before closing.

We arrived with 5 minutes to spare and only a handful of mini cupcakes left with various shades of pink icing swirls and candied toppings.  The decision was made.  We bought out the remaining luscious cakes and beelined it back to the pub and presented out waitress with the pink ribbon tied cupcake box.

Her surprised smile and gratefulness made our Valentines one of the best.

I think we might have started a new tradition.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!

Reality TV and Money? Say What?!

I always say that I am not a big fan of "Reality T.V.".  When a new show comes on, I boo and hiss at the previews sure in my faith that everyone else sees the stupidity of this new concept.

Not surprising, I am wrong.

My subtle love for certain shows began the premier summer of Survivor about three episodes in.  At first I couldn't get into it.  I didn't know the cast members, therefore had no investment in who won or loss.  But once I got to know and love/hate some of the castaways I was hooked.  Since then I count down the days till the next session begins and set my PVR to be sure I don't miss a single episode (admittedly, there are always some parts I enjoy rewinding some in slow motion....).

So when the Bachelor came along I was determined not to watch.  How desperate are these women to want to via for one mans attention and put all the power in his hands?  Never...ever...ok, ok, once they came along with Bachelorette and I saw her not only have the control herself but to actually get married to the man she chose AND have kids... I was impressed.

Maybe this is not so bad.  I wasn't hooked right away.  I found my interest would peek when it came down to the final four.  Nothing beats a good proposal at the end right?

I don't know if it is because I now have two teenager girls to scream and yell at the t.v with and a husband who enjoys it just as much as we do - Mondays have changed from Monday blues to "yell"-ow.  The thrill we get from picking and choosing the ones we love to cheer on, picking our favourite dresses and gag at the sappy bachelor moments has become the highlight of our evenings.

There always has to be some psycho every season (aka "Michelle" if you are a fellow watcher) and sweetheart (Emily) and we have all decided that the Bachelor HAS to keep the crazy women on as long as he can so that the ratings stay up.

But we secretly love to hate Michelle since we discovered her wearing none other than Lulu Lemon jackets and pants.  Maybe she watches Oprah too.

Which brings me to the money...its all about what you love - If you have been paying attention since last week LLL went from $66.82 to $72.79 as of Feb. 1.  So now you have an investment in what you love - be it the Bachelor or a great pair of yoga pants that make yours and Michelle's butts look great.

Enjoy.  Hope your making some money.

Darn Tennis

Ok, I have already broken my promise.  I lost a week and thankfully, got called on it.

No excuses, but I have been obsessed with watching the Australian Open (Tennis).  I love it, but I especially love my pvr!  We didn't have one last year and I missed half of the games because of the time. Problem is that I end up far behind in watching and have to try not to read or hear any sports news as they ended up ruining it for me by telling the winners before I watch them.   Nothing worse.

We've been busy with kids being in swimming twice a week, January Christmas parties and school functions.

I've been trying to spread the word out to open up a TFSA - to anyone willing to listen to me.  Great listeners - but no sure if any action has taken place.  Keeping my fingers crossed for them.
 
Let's not forget about your RRSP's too.  With tax session in the air there have been tons of articles about TFSAs and RRSPs in the papers lately.  It can get pretty confusing.  But the jest of it was that if you are in a lower tax bracket your best focus would be on the TSFA.  Since your RRSP would not bring you a good enough tax break.  Not that you shouldn't contribute to those especially if your company contributes also, but hold off using it till your making a higher salary.

Trying to do some research on some new stocks for the new year and I have been watching General Electric (NYSE:GE) with the Canadian dollar being above par it seemed to be a good time to buy before it hits the $20 mark.

Of course my favourite (I know better than to get emotionally involved with stocks, but...) LuLu Lemon (TSE:LLL) is sitting in the high 66's (which I missed) would be a great buy.  The 52 week high being $75.60 I know (this is just me btw) will go higher when the next quarter comes out.  That store is always busy and of course getting a plug from Oprah doesn't hurt either.

It's a bit overwhelming and I do get lost sometimes and the amount of stocks I am interested in. Trying to just keep it to ones I'm familiar and comfortable with and of course stocks with a great paying dividend.

I will sleep soundly tonight (kids are old enough now, thank goodness) with my choices.  Hope you do the same.

To next week....

Happy New TFSA $5000!

Yes, you should be excited.  It is a new year and with that new year comes another $5000 contribution room to add to your Tax Free Savings Account!! (TFSA).

I know you all have been busy bees shopping and running around getting ready for the holidays  - so I will forgive you for not getting to the bank to open up your TFSA (if you haven't already done so).

But we are well into the new year and along with that comes our NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS.  Which should be PAY MYSELF FIRST.

I know, I know, those bills are coming in and your eyes bulge out of your head in shock and surprise wondering how the hell you managed to go way over budget (because I know you all made a budge for the holidays right?) Hmmm.....

This should give you even more incentive to toddle off to your bank and open up your TFSA.

Set up an automatic weekly/bi-weekly/monthly withdrawal and I promise you, you will not miss that money.  Not one bit.

Find yourself a decent blue chip stock that has a dividend of at least 3% and you are set.  No worries if the stock goes up or down since you will have that quarterly dividend increasing your account every year and bonus... you can use those tax free gains to pay for next Christmas.  How great is that?


I cant' wait to hear back from you all to tell me that you are thinking ahead and making some positive plans towards a debt free, asset full life.  


It just takes a little time and energy, but it is all worth it.  I am certainly looking forward to a great "bullish" year.

P.S  My aim is to write at least once a week.