I've started making progress bars for my blog. It is great to visually see how much you have paid off/saved. EG: I've been thinking I've barely made a dent in my credit card debt, but I have paid off almost 14%. That isn't to be sneezed at.
A huge thanks to Stacking Pennies, who posted a blog entry on how to make the progress bars. (I'm pretty incompetent when it comes to html!)
Monday, May 4, 2009
Swine flu
Unless you been living under a rock for the last week, you will have heard of Swine Flu, which from what I understand from watching Sixty Minutes last night, it is combination of a pig (swine) virus; a bird virus; has been passed from pigs to humans and now can be passed from human to human.
It is officially known as Influenza A(H1N1) and more information can be found on the World Health Organisation website.
Obviously any new disease is a concern, particularly when there is no vaccine. But this is a time when I think the news is doing more harm than good in terms of causing panic.
According to the WHO, as at 06:00GMT 4 May 2009, 20 countries have reported 985 cases. There have been 25 deaths, all in Mexico. There haven’t been any deaths in any other countries.
Obviously it’s upsetting that people have died, but in the grand scheme of things – and this will sound callous - but 25 people really isn't that many. My hearts go out to the families of the people who have died, but the way it is being discussed on the news/current affairs, you would think there are people lying dead in the streets worldwide.
In 2006 there was Bird Flu; and in 2004 there was SARS – and yet we have survived.
In the last week signs have gone up in all the toilets at the uni I work at, saying protect yourself from Flu by covering your mouth when you cough; using tissues; disposing of tissues properly; and washing your hands. Shouldn’t people be doing that anyway? I mean, I work at a university – if people are university students and don’t know to wash their hands and to use tissues – heaven help us.
So far the WHO hasn’t released any information on the economic impact of Swine Flu, but with the economy the way it is, and even just the flu season in general, I think people will be going to
work even when they are sick.
If you are a casual employee and take a sick day, you don’t get any pay, I’ve already heard of a lot of casuals getting their hours reduced so they won’t want to lose any more.
Even if you get sick leave, if you are concerned about redundancies, you may not want to take any sick days in case your boss thinks you are just “chucking a sickie”.
It is officially known as Influenza A(H1N1) and more information can be found on the World Health Organisation website.
Obviously any new disease is a concern, particularly when there is no vaccine. But this is a time when I think the news is doing more harm than good in terms of causing panic.
According to the WHO, as at 06:00GMT 4 May 2009, 20 countries have reported 985 cases. There have been 25 deaths, all in Mexico. There haven’t been any deaths in any other countries.
Obviously it’s upsetting that people have died, but in the grand scheme of things – and this will sound callous - but 25 people really isn't that many. My hearts go out to the families of the people who have died, but the way it is being discussed on the news/current affairs, you would think there are people lying dead in the streets worldwide.
In 2006 there was Bird Flu; and in 2004 there was SARS – and yet we have survived.
In the last week signs have gone up in all the toilets at the uni I work at, saying protect yourself from Flu by covering your mouth when you cough; using tissues; disposing of tissues properly; and washing your hands. Shouldn’t people be doing that anyway? I mean, I work at a university – if people are university students and don’t know to wash their hands and to use tissues – heaven help us.
So far the WHO hasn’t released any information on the economic impact of Swine Flu, but with the economy the way it is, and even just the flu season in general, I think people will be going to
work even when they are sick.
If you are a casual employee and take a sick day, you don’t get any pay, I’ve already heard of a lot of casuals getting their hours reduced so they won’t want to lose any more.
Even if you get sick leave, if you are concerned about redundancies, you may not want to take any sick days in case your boss thinks you are just “chucking a sickie”.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
April Summary
My credit card debt as at 1 May is $22,016.77, meaning I paid off $540.29 in April.
My bank accounts/savings as at 1 May are $5,790.02, an increase of $274.53.
My income for the month was: $4,341.57 (primarily salary, and also the $900 bonus).
My expenses for the month were $2,954.41, consisting of:
My bank accounts/savings as at 1 May are $5,790.02, an increase of $274.53.
My income for the month was: $4,341.57 (primarily salary, and also the $900 bonus).
My expenses for the month were $2,954.41, consisting of:
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Day is getting worse
Well after neglecting my blog for a bit I'm posting up a storm. Of course, most of it is rants!!
I mentioned the Dylan Moran concert tonight in an earlier post. Well, my brother just called and said he can't go because of a work event. I'm p*ssed off, because I bought the tickets a while ago, and he did mention about a month ago that a work event had changed dates and was now on the same night of the concert, but he was not going to go to the work event.
It annoys me, because he's the type of person who when I said what was happening with my study expenses and work, he said, "just demand they pay for it or you will quit". And I'm doing a lecture this week which I'm not getting paid extra for because it's in work hours, even though it's outside my job description, and he said "that's not your job, demand you get paid extra". Yet with something like this, he told work he had a pre-existing engagement (after all, it was his work that changed the date), and now he's turned around, the day of the concert and said to me, "comments were made that I wasn't going and I'm expected to go".
Now I'm the first person to put work ahead of all else. (I'm not saying that's a good thing, and probably do it less now, but in my old job, work was my life). If I had plans and then something came up at work, work would come first. But everyone of my friends and family knew this about me. (Once again, not saying it's a good thing, I certainly neglected friends). But my brother is such a hypocrite. He is so gung-ho about "demanding" this and "demanding" that, and at the end of the day he's as bad as me!!
I mentioned the Dylan Moran concert tonight in an earlier post. Well, my brother just called and said he can't go because of a work event. I'm p*ssed off, because I bought the tickets a while ago, and he did mention about a month ago that a work event had changed dates and was now on the same night of the concert, but he was not going to go to the work event.
It annoys me, because he's the type of person who when I said what was happening with my study expenses and work, he said, "just demand they pay for it or you will quit". And I'm doing a lecture this week which I'm not getting paid extra for because it's in work hours, even though it's outside my job description, and he said "that's not your job, demand you get paid extra". Yet with something like this, he told work he had a pre-existing engagement (after all, it was his work that changed the date), and now he's turned around, the day of the concert and said to me, "comments were made that I wasn't going and I'm expected to go".
Now I'm the first person to put work ahead of all else. (I'm not saying that's a good thing, and probably do it less now, but in my old job, work was my life). If I had plans and then something came up at work, work would come first. But everyone of my friends and family knew this about me. (Once again, not saying it's a good thing, I certainly neglected friends). But my brother is such a hypocrite. He is so gung-ho about "demanding" this and "demanding" that, and at the end of the day he's as bad as me!!
Textbook frustration
Back at the end of March, I posted about how I spent $311.95US on U.S. Tax Textbooks.
Well now I'm p*ssed off. I bought two books - essentially a "Basic Principles" and a "Comprehensive Topics" book. Well, it turns out that all bar two chapters of the Basic Principles Book (and not two chapters I need) are reproduced EXACTLY in the Comprehensive Topics book. So buying the Basic Principles book was completely unnecessary and a complete waste of money.
And although I work at a university and there is a big market for second hand textbooks, there really isn't a market for U.S. Tax Textbooks.
Very frustrating.
Well now I'm p*ssed off. I bought two books - essentially a "Basic Principles" and a "Comprehensive Topics" book. Well, it turns out that all bar two chapters of the Basic Principles Book (and not two chapters I need) are reproduced EXACTLY in the Comprehensive Topics book. So buying the Basic Principles book was completely unnecessary and a complete waste of money.
And although I work at a university and there is a big market for second hand textbooks, there really isn't a market for U.S. Tax Textbooks.
Very frustrating.
Goals for May
May for me is about 4 things:
- Studying
- Working
- Losing weight
- Saving money
Studying
- With my Masters & Grad Dip, May is a very busy month. I have 7 assignments and 2 exams. Eep!!
Working
- We are putting out an issue of the Journal I am production editor off. First one I have worked on, so I think it is going to be a steep learning curve.
- I will also have more marking to do (in good news, I put in my time sheet for the other marking I did, is about $470 before tax. Yay! :)
- I have a conference paper to write
- And my normal other 50 million duties!
Losing weight
- This week I went to the gym 3 times, which for me is pretty good! But I haven't been losing weight as often as I would have liked because I keep having bad days in between good days.
- I want to keep up the gym, keep on with the healthy eating and hopefully I will lose around 5 kilos.
Saving money
- I haven't done my April summary yet, but I know it wasn't a good month. I realise that although my finances are in a better state than last year, I'm keeping track of everything I'm spending, paying my credit cards off (slowly!), I'm really not living frugally or living like I'm on a budget. That has to change.
- With May being all about study, work and losing weight - I really shouldn't have much of a chance to spend money!
Weekend things to do
I have a fun-filled weekend of work, study and household chores. Actually, that's a lie, I am going to see a Dylan Moran concert tonight. Love his work. I bought the tickets back in January for myself and a birthday present for my brother, so already paid for. I'm getting a bus to where the show is, and I already have a prepaid 10-trip bus ticket. The concert doesn't start until 8pm so will eat before I go... overall cost should be $0.
But seriously, I have so much to do this weekend.... making a list ....
Study
Prep for trust accounting exam
Sit trust accounting exam (online - must complete between Sunday 9am and Monday 9pm - aim to do it Sunday night)
Catch-up on reading for Commerical Law Practice
Work on Tax Course 1 assignment - mainly reading
Work on Tax Course 2 assignment - reading/notes
Reading for Tax course 2
Work
Prep for lecture next week (my first one ever!!!)
Houshold
Washing/ironing - I hadn't ironed for about 2 weeks. Did a basket this morning but have a load of washing on which will also need ironing.
Quick apartment clean - mop/vaccum/wipe surfaces (shouldn't take too long - times like this I like living in a smallish apartment!)
Other
Gym - body pump class
Dylan Moran concert
Financial
List a minimum of 4 things on Ebay (some things I already have photos for so hopefully won't take too long)
Update blog with April summary/expenses
I think that's it! Don't think I'm going to get through all of it but will see how I go.
But seriously, I have so much to do this weekend.... making a list ....
Study
Prep for trust accounting exam
Sit trust accounting exam (online - must complete between Sunday 9am and Monday 9pm - aim to do it Sunday night)
Catch-up on reading for Commerical Law Practice
Work on Tax Course 1 assignment - mainly reading
Work on Tax Course 2 assignment - reading/notes
Reading for Tax course 2
Work
Prep for lecture next week (my first one ever!!!)
Houshold
Washing/ironing - I hadn't ironed for about 2 weeks. Did a basket this morning but have a load of washing on which will also need ironing.
Quick apartment clean - mop/vaccum/wipe surfaces (shouldn't take too long - times like this I like living in a smallish apartment!)
Other
Gym - body pump class
Dylan Moran concert
Financial
List a minimum of 4 things on Ebay (some things I already have photos for so hopefully won't take too long)
Update blog with April summary/expenses
I think that's it! Don't think I'm going to get through all of it but will see how I go.
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