February 2012 Networth and Goal Recap

February Expenses

Over budget – Epic FAIL

• Groceries  – I’ve been cooking a lot and have even had a few friends over, instead of going out to eat.
• Clothing – I bought a pair of winter boots, 2 pairs of shoes during the MySpringShoes sale, and also a pair of skinny jeans – that (finally!) fit!
• Entertainment – I bought an extra pair of movie tickets from my sister at a discount for use in March/April
• Transportation – I forgot to budget in for an oil change and buying washer fluid ~$60.
• Toiletres/Grooming – This was a bad month.  I got a haircut, serum and succumbed to the Revlon sale at Rexall and Shoppers Drugmart.
• Gifts – BF and I split gifts for weddings 25/75.  But we decided this the day of, and so it wasn’t in my original budget.  I also got a few baby books for my friend who is expecting!  (You guys should really check the Baby Owner Manual).
• Travel – Plane tickets for a spontaneous trip to Boston with BF in March.
• Career – Forgot about the sitting fee for my professional licensing exam.

I think my only saving grace (can I still say that when I am >$700 over budget?) is that I stayed within my eating out budget! 🙂

February Net Worth

Because this month’s budget had been shot to hell, and I also gifted my parents with bus tickets to NYC, I will only be able to contribute $305 – instead of $750 – towards my TFSA.

I hope that I budget better for March!

February Goal Recap

• Update my resume – check!  I’ve completed the first draft and am asking my friends to look over it. 
• Prepare to file my income taxes – check! I’ve completed a first draft (by hand) of my income taxes this year.  I’m expecting a refund of ~$1,600.
• Re-balance my Portfolio – pass. I’ve figured out my current asset allocation, but I want to move my RRSP money out of my current ING and my Manulife account to save on fees.  I am working on the allocation of those funds to my e-series funds.
• Make my shopping list– pass.  I made a list, but I haven’t published it, yet.  It’s long.
• No buying make-up – EPIC FAIL!!  I was really good up until the last week.  Rexall’s sale on Revlon products just got me really good.  The good news is, that I have enough lip glosses and lip butters to last me until next year.
• Walk for 30 minutes, 3 days a week – fail! I started doing this with a co-worker during our lunch.  But when the weather got cold, or work got busy, I flaked out.
• Get my credit report – check!  I got my free Equifax credit report and I paid $9.95 for my credit score.  Score is coming up! 🙂

On-going Goals Recap

• Pack my lunch everyday – check!
• Eat more fruits – pass… I’ve been having smoothies in the morning, and packing an orange with me for lunch, until this week.
• Exercise 3 times a week – fail! 
• Get off the computer by 10pm – fail!  I got off the computer by 10pm, but then, I’d check my iPod.
• Finish a book – fail!  I’m almost halfway through Jean Chretian’s autobiography.  I’m really enjoying it and hope to finish next month.
• $0 Budget – check!  I tallied up both my expenses and savings and figured out how much I could allocate to my TFSA.

I think I have too many goals.  I must prioritize which ones are most important and have 3 monthly goals, and 3 ongoing goals. Seeing all those red fails are getting me down and discouraged.

Whew.  That was tough.  Readers, how has your February?

Cheers,