May 2016 Frugal Chatter - ALL WELCOME

I am so stressed about the budget. DH has mentioned the possibility of a second car, but I've looked at the numbers. Besides the expense and insurance of a new car, his workplace has been making him purchase a lot out of his own funds. I haven't added it up, but I wouldn't be surprised if $10,000 has disappeared out of our after-tax income. Approximately half of it comes back, but the other half, POOF! I'm supporting our family of three on my income, but that means no retirement savings, no emergency fund savings, no car savings, etc.

Then, if I lose my job, we'll probably have to consider moving close to his job. He's tried searching for a new job, but just doesn't seem to be competitive in his qualifications in the big city, education wise. He has the experience, but everyone seems to screen for the education on the resume. Or some other reason.

I really don't want to sell our house and move up north. That's a whole other expense in itself, but would save the 4 hour commute for DH. The countdown to retirement begins....

Good morning, everyone. :)

Hope everyone is well. :)


So, we have some answers. Sort of.

The good news:
- there is now a definitive diagnosis of lung cancer, so we can get a plan going.
- we don't have to deal with specialist 3 anymore (hopefully forever!)
- the infection is clearing up (her taste buds are returning to normal, yay!)

The bad news:
- we don't have an appt with the oncologist (specialist 2) until May 24th
- we should have been told the diagnosis 2 weeks ago (was delayed because specialist 4 was on vacation) - rather miffed with the folks at the clinic, as well as specialist 3 (the cranky pants one)
- my Mom is getting weaker by the day (she still insists on being on her own and doesn't need oxygen, which surprised the doctors)
- true to our family history, the cancer is not manifesting in the usual way (instead of tumors or a large pocket of fluid putting pressure on her lungs, there are a whack of bubbles each filled with fluid - Dr showed us the ultrasound & my Mom's lung looked like an Aero)


So, that's where we are, for now.

Better get going, I have an appt this morning (for me, this time).

Hope everyone has a wonderful day. :)

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Originally Posted by sweet sparrow

I am so stressed about the budget. DH has mentioned the possibility of a second car, but I've looked at the numbers. Besides the expense and insurance of a new car, his workplace has been making him purchase a lot out of his own funds. I haven't added it up, but I wouldn't be surprised if $10,000 has disappeared out of our after-tax income. Approximately half of it comes back, but the other half, POOF! I'm supporting our family of three on my income, but that means no retirement savings, no emergency fund savings, no car savings, etc.

Then, if I lose my job, we'll probably have to consider moving close to his job. He's tried searching for a new job, but just doesn't seem to be competitive in his qualifications in the big city, education wise. He has the experience, but everyone seems to screen for the education on the resume. Or some other reason.

I really don't want to sell our house and move up north. That's a whole other expense in itself, but would save the 4 hour commute for DH. The countdown to retirement begins....

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Up North where? :)

Andi, sorry your mom has to go through that, hoping that treatments go well for her.

Today will be a few degrees cooler than yesterday, thank goodness. I sure don't like the 30s.

Yesterday, some Co-op shopping for staples, perishables, and some meat - so shouldn't have to get much next week.

Enjoy the day, everyone!

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G30N-3Mr3S...0/thursday.jpg

@Andit : I'm sorry to hear about your mom. It's a silver lining that they know what's what and have a treatment plan though. My mom is going in for a procedure in Toronto today so I have a taste of what you've experienced with all these delays and specialists. Sometimes, our healthcare system is so inefficient!

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Originally Posted by Frugalbigmama

Up North where? :)

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Howdy neighbour. Know of any nice properties for sale near you?

I'm sure it's lovely there. I've always been (walking) minutes away from Lake Ontario. Now I'm a drive away, but still in the area where multiculturalism thrives. Up where you are, you can get a parking spot at the mall in front of the doors on Christmas Eve. That is totally foreign to me. :-) Did I mention, I'm really not good with change? And I wouldn't want to travel far from my parents in their age.

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Originally Posted by sweet sparrow

@Andit : I'm sorry to hear about your mom. It's a silver lining that they know what's what and have a treatment plan though. My mom is going in for a procedure in Toronto today so I have a taste of what you've experienced with all these delays and specialists. Sometimes, our healthcare system is so inefficient!

It is a sellers market here! I am almost tempted to list my house and move in with my mom and wait for the market to crash!! Houses are selling as soon as the signs are going up. It is crazy! We have water and it is beautiful :)))



Howdy neighbour. Know of any nice properties for sale near you?

I'm sure it's lovely there. I've always been (walking) minutes away from Lake Ontario. Now I'm a drive away, but still in the area where multiculturalism thrives. Up where you are, you can get a parking spot at the mall in front of the doors on Christmas Eve. That is totally foreign to me. :-) Did I mention, I'm really not good with change? And I wouldn't want to travel far from my parents in their age.

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It is a sellers market here! I am almost tempted to list my house and move in with my mom and wait for the market to crash!! Houses are selling as soon as the signs are going up. It is crazy! We have water and it is beautiful :)))

Sorry about your Mum Andit-wishing her the best treatment and recovery possible!

SS-Sorry about your financial stresses-do you mean that all your husbands income goes on the commute and the company expenses? You had mentioned you were supporting the whole family-anyway hopefully you and your DH can come to some resolution of how to lower your stress/expenses however that might look for your family.

Andit.. so sorry about you mom. I hope the treatment goes well

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Afternoon all,

Well the 1st coat of paint is on the wall and he thought that would be it, I made it clear that I would prefer 2 coats, I'm paying for 2 coats, etc. Well just checked the paint job and well it definitely needs another coat.

Sadly the hardwood flooring we were given a few years ago which we were going to incorporate into the original hardwood flooring that was in our old room & Logan's old room, we were short because of no flooring under 2x4's for closets etc. The contractor said that "apparently" it does not have the same tongue & groove, I checked it out myself after he left and some do and some don't.....I think this means that we will lay the floor ourselves as contractor is not willing to install the "new to us flooring".

And that's fine because I'm really upset with him at freaking out at me on Monday, oh well we're almost done folks, I also told dh that I will not be asking his parents for anything, a ride, a phone number etc and he agreed. He agrees that the way I was spoken too is not acceptable and he will be dealing with that most likely on Mother's Day which is fine.

Wishing everyone a great day

@Andit so sorry to hear about your mom BUT I'm sure a sense of relief as to know that treatments will begin shortly (hugs)
@sweet sparrow It certainly understandable to be stresses especially when it comes to $, if only we didn't need so much of it to go around. (sending you a virtual box of chocolates)

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Originally Posted by Frugalbigmama

It is a sellers market here!

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That's not what I want to hear! It was a seller's market when we bought here as well and the bidding war after bidding war was just exhausting.

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Originally Posted by lizzie bargain

SS-Sorry about your financial stresses-do you mean that all your husbands income goes on the commute and the company expenses? You had mentioned you were supporting the whole family-anyway hopefully you and your DH can come to some resolution of how to lower your stress/expenses however that might look for your family.

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@lizzie bargain : Not all his income goes to the commute and company expenses, but I would say a fairly significant portion of it does. Last year, it was over 33% of his after-tax income.

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Originally Posted by jasperandchar

@sweet sparrow It certainly understandable to be stresses especially when it comes to $, if only we didn't need so much of it to go around. (sending you a virtual box of chocolates)

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@jasperandchar : Oh, I've eaten all of them already! :eek: I think my waistline has expanded in real life!

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Originally Posted by sweet sparrow

That's not what I want to hear! It was a seller's market when we bought here as well and the bidding war after bidding war was just exhausting.


@lizzie bargain : Not all his income goes to the commute and company expenses, but I would say a fairly significant portion of it does. Last year, it was over 33% of his after-tax income.


@jasperandchar : Oh, I've eaten all of them already! :eek: I think my waistline has expanded in real life!

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It does suck because I would like to downsize if I found the right place and the prices are just crazy. I get that I will do well on my house but still have to buy another and then moving/land transfer tax etc eats up at the profit. Think I will stay put and wait till retirement lol

I remember being in bidding wars years ago and it was frustrating. And we had no conditions (we were keeping our current home and renting it out) and kept getting our hopes up on a house (they would even take our offer and tell the people that had a condition to sell theirs 1st that they had 24 hours to firm up or move on- and a few times they took the risk of holding their original house to make sure they got the one we wanted) Finally we gave up and decided to build a house.

Good Afternoon Everyone,
Lizzie I have to admit yesterday I was thinking what have I gotten myself into when it came to the cooking as so much got left to the last minute. But honestly I enjoy it as much as it is for work my leadership coach has taught me to look at it as a me think since I like to cook and bonus is no added expense to my grocery budget. Plus we hold a lot of meetings at my Dad's house, he has set up the dinning room as a boardroom which even works for family events since our family is getting larger. So we want to give it that homey feel and I know the employees really appreciate it. My new goal is to get more organized so when things like this happen I have back up.

SweetSparrow Hope things turn around. I know how hard it is to live on one income and the unknown is always the worst part, if I can plan for it I can handle it but when I cannot plan I do not deal well. As for finding a new job I also feel this one, Mom has sent out who knows how many resumes, I lost count and not even one phone call.

Andit sorry to hear it is cancer hopefully now they can get the right treatment laid out and move forward.

That's great SA since you enjoy it!! Cold and a bit rainy here-wish we could send it up to Fort McMurray-such a disaster unfolding there-so sad with all the loss of homes etc! My friend came over for lunch with her 4 little ones-4 month old twins and a 4 and 6 year old. My Dh and I took them to the park while the Mum did a couple of errands-she is certainly busy so glad to help out.