Toronto Hydro has pissed me off. Anyone else?
When I called to open an account with them last May, they insisted that I give them a deposit of almost $100, because I didn't have a history with the company. I was quite taken aback, especially since they could have just run a credit check on me and found out I pay my bills on time, but felt reassured when the woman explained that after about 9 months of being a good customer, I would get the money back.
So, 9 months go by and I get a bill that doesn't reflect a repayment of my deposit. So I call.
No, no, I have to wait a full year.
So I wait. I get one bill just after the year mark, but I figure that since I am paying for months within the first year that the next bill will reflect a reimbursement.
Not so. I got a bill this past week. It's been well over a year. I call them back and explain the situation. They're very pleasant and agree that it's time I get my deposit back, so they're sending a note to the billing department right away. But they recommend that I call next week to make sure it's gone through, so that I'm not penalized if I miss paying my current bill.
WERE THEY NEVER GOING TO TELL ME!?
I'm pretty organized and on top of things that concern money, because I need every little bit I can get. But what about the people that forget that they've put down a deposit? Does Toronto Hydro just hang on to the money, praising themselves for stealing from unorganized customers? And why do I have to follow up?
Where has my money been? Where would it go if I didn't call to complain? In fact, shouldn't my bill reflect the fact that I've made a deposit with them? And shouldn't their billing system be designed to automatically factor in a deposit after 12 months?
Seriously. When it comes to essential services, there's no one you can trust in this world and that makes me sad.
On a much happier note, a couple of my most recent freelance articles just went live, so I thought I'd share them with you. If you've been thinking about adding fresh figs to your diet, read this one and if you want some tips on negotiating a salary, try this one.
Total debt: $3564 and a bit (LAST DAY FOR THIS NUMBER!)
Spent today: $6.36
Weekly total: $86.37 (I feel like I must have missed something here, but I only have a twoonie left in my wallet!)
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Tammy has shed her blood for Russia
Sorry I didn't get a chance to post yesterday, but I have a good excuse. I was at a FOUR HOUR OPERA! No joke. In fact, if you tried to make a joke and said, "What was it based on, War and Peace!?" Well, that wouldn't be funny. Because it was. I was at War and Peace: The Opera.
Don't misunderstand my consternation - it was really good. I thoroughly enjoyed it. But DAMN it was long! I said to my lovely partner in crime, who was also the person who secured the *free* tickets to the epic event, that we were really going to feel like we'd accomplished something by getting through the whole thing.
And we did. Plus, we figure we never have to read the book now that we know the story. Which is this:
Act 1
Young, nubile Natasha is the object of everyones affections, including a recent widower, the caddish brother of a promiscuous Francophile, and the husband of the same promiscuous Francophile. She gets engaged to the first one, but his family doesn't think she's cool enough, so they send him away for a year to test their bonds of love. She gets bored and is easily swayed by the cad's kisses, with whom she tries to flee in the night for a forbidden elopement. (More forbidden than she knows, since said cad is already betrothed.) Her maid (or cousin or someone) tells on her, therefore foiling the plan. The third guy (who is known as an all-around good guy married to a slut, albeit an attractive slut) is called in to talk some sense into Natasha, while secretly grappling with his own feelings.
WAR IS DECLARED!
Intermission. At this point we were only 1 hour and 45 minutes in, so we were glad that we stopped and stocked up on Tim Horton's cookies before arriving.
Act 2
Ummmm...war stuff. Lots of it. The Russians sing about how they're going to fell the French. And then Napolean and the rest of the French soldiers sing about how they're totally going to crush the Russians.
Rinse and repeat.
I'll admit, it got a little old, especially since it was almost two hours of it. Again - great performances, but I was daydreaming about being at home in my loungey pants.
Oh, at the end Natasha was reunited with her original fiance, who forgives her and then dies. And then the nice guy married to the promiscuous Francophile finds out that she's alive and he's dead, so it ends with him seeing the possibility of future happiness with Natasha. (I can't remember what happened to the cad and his sister, but they probably died.)
Right! And Russia wins, but the whole place is burned down.
The end! Home to bed!!
So that's where I was. And tonight I should be at my choir rehearsal, but a very busy week and a some trouble sleeping has left me unbelievably exhausted. Plus I had some freelancing that I needed to finish. So I'm tucked away at home and will have my head on the pillow at 10pm sharp!
Total debt: $3564 and a bit
Spent yesterday: $14.52
Spent today: $16
Don't misunderstand my consternation - it was really good. I thoroughly enjoyed it. But DAMN it was long! I said to my lovely partner in crime, who was also the person who secured the *free* tickets to the epic event, that we were really going to feel like we'd accomplished something by getting through the whole thing.
And we did. Plus, we figure we never have to read the book now that we know the story. Which is this:
Act 1
Young, nubile Natasha is the object of everyones affections, including a recent widower, the caddish brother of a promiscuous Francophile, and the husband of the same promiscuous Francophile. She gets engaged to the first one, but his family doesn't think she's cool enough, so they send him away for a year to test their bonds of love. She gets bored and is easily swayed by the cad's kisses, with whom she tries to flee in the night for a forbidden elopement. (More forbidden than she knows, since said cad is already betrothed.) Her maid (or cousin or someone) tells on her, therefore foiling the plan. The third guy (who is known as an all-around good guy married to a slut, albeit an attractive slut) is called in to talk some sense into Natasha, while secretly grappling with his own feelings.
WAR IS DECLARED!
Intermission. At this point we were only 1 hour and 45 minutes in, so we were glad that we stopped and stocked up on Tim Horton's cookies before arriving.
Act 2
Ummmm...war stuff. Lots of it. The Russians sing about how they're going to fell the French. And then Napolean and the rest of the French soldiers sing about how they're totally going to crush the Russians.
Rinse and repeat.
I'll admit, it got a little old, especially since it was almost two hours of it. Again - great performances, but I was daydreaming about being at home in my loungey pants.
Oh, at the end Natasha was reunited with her original fiance, who forgives her and then dies. And then the nice guy married to the promiscuous Francophile finds out that she's alive and he's dead, so it ends with him seeing the possibility of future happiness with Natasha. (I can't remember what happened to the cad and his sister, but they probably died.)
Right! And Russia wins, but the whole place is burned down.
The end! Home to bed!!
So that's where I was. And tonight I should be at my choir rehearsal, but a very busy week and a some trouble sleeping has left me unbelievably exhausted. Plus I had some freelancing that I needed to finish. So I'm tucked away at home and will have my head on the pillow at 10pm sharp!
Total debt: $3564 and a bit
Spent yesterday: $14.52
Spent today: $16
Monday, October 6, 2008
Stuck!
Guys, I'm getting kind of worried. Even though I've technically given myself until March 8th, 2009 to pay this debt off (Hence the 33.5 part of the title, because that's my half-birthday), I was really hoping to have it gone before we ring in 2009.
Yet things seem to be stalled!
Please send me some happy money vibes. The number should definitely change at the end of this week. If Canada Post is good to me, it could be a lovely big change. If not, it will be a less wonderful change, but still a change.
Even though I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, sometimes it feels just as hard as it did back in January.
Reality check: Only six more paychecks left this year. Boooo!
Good news: There are three paychecks in January. Yaaaayy!
Total debt: $3564 and a bit
Spent today: $9-ish (A belated catch-up dinner with a wonderful woman!)
Yet things seem to be stalled!
Please send me some happy money vibes. The number should definitely change at the end of this week. If Canada Post is good to me, it could be a lovely big change. If not, it will be a less wonderful change, but still a change.
Even though I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, sometimes it feels just as hard as it did back in January.
Reality check: Only six more paychecks left this year. Boooo!
Good news: There are three paychecks in January. Yaaaayy!
Total debt: $3564 and a bit
Spent today: $9-ish (A belated catch-up dinner with a wonderful woman!)
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Weekend's end
Oh Sunday evening, how I wish you would never end. (Better yet, I would rather you didn't arrive in the first place!)
A little more of a weekend recap for you, as promised.
Friday evening was a spent with a wonderful group of smart, funny women. My favourite kind! We ate, we debated, we shared and we watched a mediocre romcom. ("Made of Honor" with Patrick Dempsey. The best part was Michelle Monaghan's wardrobe. Full of adorable outfits!) 'Twas a perfect end to the week.
(And even though we all contributed to the evening, our host insisted on giving me $3towards the rental, even though it was part of my contribution. She's an avid reader - Hi there! - and knew that this coming week would be tight. A sincere thank you.)
Saturday was a whirlwind of activities, starting with an early morning gym visit, followed by laundry and groceries. Then we went to see the concert, so you already know that part. And then the DP took me for dinner, which was yummy, before we hit one of the Nuit Blanche exhibits, which was disappointing. But we consoled ourselves with a Julia crepe (Raspberry jam and dark chocolate) from the excellent Crepes a Gogo, which we ate while walking all the way home. My feet were tired by the time we arrived, but the DP indulged me in a foot massage to make up for it.
Today was a day for work, but in a good way. I had some freelancing stuff to do, plus a bit of tidying around the house. And the DP and I made about a million cookies for his coworkers. They're very busy now that the show is in full swing, so homemade cookies are a good way to keep morale high.
Now it's time to think about making some dinner and packing up for tomorrow. Alas, weekends can't last forever. (Although next weekend can last for three days!)
Total debt: $3564 and a bit (I'm stuck! But I'm waiting for money...)
Spent Friday: $20.49 (The $15 I had already spent on Thursday, plus the food for the potluck, minus the friendly movie contribution.)
Spent Saturday: $20 (Groceries! We were very frugal, since neither one of us will be home very much.)
Spent today: $0 (Although I charged over $70 at the drugstore. Sadly yesterday was 20X the points, but I didn't get around to realizing how much stuff I needed until today.)
A little more of a weekend recap for you, as promised.
Friday evening was a spent with a wonderful group of smart, funny women. My favourite kind! We ate, we debated, we shared and we watched a mediocre romcom. ("Made of Honor" with Patrick Dempsey. The best part was Michelle Monaghan's wardrobe. Full of adorable outfits!) 'Twas a perfect end to the week.
(And even though we all contributed to the evening, our host insisted on giving me $3towards the rental, even though it was part of my contribution. She's an avid reader - Hi there! - and knew that this coming week would be tight. A sincere thank you.)
Saturday was a whirlwind of activities, starting with an early morning gym visit, followed by laundry and groceries. Then we went to see the concert, so you already know that part. And then the DP took me for dinner, which was yummy, before we hit one of the Nuit Blanche exhibits, which was disappointing. But we consoled ourselves with a Julia crepe (Raspberry jam and dark chocolate) from the excellent Crepes a Gogo, which we ate while walking all the way home. My feet were tired by the time we arrived, but the DP indulged me in a foot massage to make up for it.
Today was a day for work, but in a good way. I had some freelancing stuff to do, plus a bit of tidying around the house. And the DP and I made about a million cookies for his coworkers. They're very busy now that the show is in full swing, so homemade cookies are a good way to keep morale high.
Now it's time to think about making some dinner and packing up for tomorrow. Alas, weekends can't last forever. (Although next weekend can last for three days!)
Total debt: $3564 and a bit (I'm stuck! But I'm waiting for money...)
Spent Friday: $20.49 (The $15 I had already spent on Thursday, plus the food for the potluck, minus the friendly movie contribution.)
Spent Saturday: $20 (Groceries! We were very frugal, since neither one of us will be home very much.)
Spent today: $0 (Although I charged over $70 at the drugstore. Sadly yesterday was 20X the points, but I didn't get around to realizing how much stuff I needed until today.)
Saturday, October 4, 2008
It pays to be friendly, because you just never know...
So, the DP and I headed down to the Cabaret Festival in the Distillery District this afternoon, specifically to see Sarah Slean play her set. We're sort of new fans, you see. Anyway, we made our way into the theatre, which had been set up with tables and chairs, and were trying to figure out the best place to sit so we could see both her face and her hands on the piano, since I like to watch people play piano. We decided which table we wanted at the exact moment that this older couple also chose the same table. Since there were six chairs around the table and only four of us, we all agreed that sharing the table would be lovely.
Then we proceeded to chat with these random people. First about the festival itself - they had already seen several shows and were planning to see a bunch more. And being the name-dropper that I am, I mentioned that I had a friend appearing in one of them. They asked if they might know her and so I said her name (the remarkable Shannon Mercer, once again). They made that noise of recognition that people make and declared that not only did they know her, but that she'd been to parties at their home. And that they'd seen her in a concert last weekend. Why, WE were at that concert, we replied. Then there was a bit of chit chat about the concert and the gentleman mentioned that his son, Don, was part of the concert.
Wait. What? Don? As in Don McKellar? As in the screenwriter of that big movie that just opened this weekend? As in Tony Award winner for "The Drowsy Chaperon"? As in BIG CANADIAN STAR!?
Okay, I'm not going to bore you with how the rest of the conversation went - not that it wasn't wonderful conversation. I'm just going to tell you that we were indeed sitting with Don McKellar's charming parents. And it came out that his father is a lawyer by trade who produces theatre as a "hobby." He, in fact, is the Chair of Soulpepper and, therefore, one of the producers of the cabaret series we were all there to see.
Crazy cool person to talk to. I only wish I could have excused myself for a moment, run to a computer and googled him, so we could have had an even cooler conversation. Because now that I've done that, it's evident that this man's "hobby" keeps him fairly busy. Apparently he's also the Chair of the Toronto Arts Council and has his own charitable foundation that seems to have funded every theatre and dance company in this town. He's also one of the producers of "The Drowsy Chaperone" and the "Anne of Green Gables" sequel "Anne and Gilbert."
And to think that I downplayed my performance past when they asked me about it. I just sort of mumbled that I used to sing. (Listen, when you're sitting waiting for an amazing singer-songwriter to take the stage, you don't brag that you used to tour across Canada in children's shows wearing a horse costume that had to be inflated just before you went on stage, because it had a slow leak and you didn't want the ass to be dragging on the ground before the scene ended.)
That's my story. Sarah Slean was INCREDIBLE! Charming and gorgeous and full of such originality. We were already big fans of "Get Home" and now my new favourite is "Looking for Someone," which is so simple and perfect. And she had the audience sing along with the chorus, which was haunting and poignant, since it's a song that everyone can (or could have) relate(d) to at some point in their lives.
Oh, and her encore was "Nightingale Sang in Barkley Square," which I love and I used to sing.
All so good. Get thee to iTunes and do some downloading.
Okay, I'll talk about my fun Friday night and the latest money numbers tomorrow. I'm done for the day!
Then we proceeded to chat with these random people. First about the festival itself - they had already seen several shows and were planning to see a bunch more. And being the name-dropper that I am, I mentioned that I had a friend appearing in one of them. They asked if they might know her and so I said her name (the remarkable Shannon Mercer, once again). They made that noise of recognition that people make and declared that not only did they know her, but that she'd been to parties at their home. And that they'd seen her in a concert last weekend. Why, WE were at that concert, we replied. Then there was a bit of chit chat about the concert and the gentleman mentioned that his son, Don, was part of the concert.
Wait. What? Don? As in Don McKellar? As in the screenwriter of that big movie that just opened this weekend? As in Tony Award winner for "The Drowsy Chaperon"? As in BIG CANADIAN STAR!?
Okay, I'm not going to bore you with how the rest of the conversation went - not that it wasn't wonderful conversation. I'm just going to tell you that we were indeed sitting with Don McKellar's charming parents. And it came out that his father is a lawyer by trade who produces theatre as a "hobby." He, in fact, is the Chair of Soulpepper and, therefore, one of the producers of the cabaret series we were all there to see.
Crazy cool person to talk to. I only wish I could have excused myself for a moment, run to a computer and googled him, so we could have had an even cooler conversation. Because now that I've done that, it's evident that this man's "hobby" keeps him fairly busy. Apparently he's also the Chair of the Toronto Arts Council and has his own charitable foundation that seems to have funded every theatre and dance company in this town. He's also one of the producers of "The Drowsy Chaperone" and the "Anne of Green Gables" sequel "Anne and Gilbert."
And to think that I downplayed my performance past when they asked me about it. I just sort of mumbled that I used to sing. (Listen, when you're sitting waiting for an amazing singer-songwriter to take the stage, you don't brag that you used to tour across Canada in children's shows wearing a horse costume that had to be inflated just before you went on stage, because it had a slow leak and you didn't want the ass to be dragging on the ground before the scene ended.)
That's my story. Sarah Slean was INCREDIBLE! Charming and gorgeous and full of such originality. We were already big fans of "Get Home" and now my new favourite is "Looking for Someone," which is so simple and perfect. And she had the audience sing along with the chorus, which was haunting and poignant, since it's a song that everyone can (or could have) relate(d) to at some point in their lives.
Oh, and her encore was "Nightingale Sang in Barkley Square," which I love and I used to sing.
All so good. Get thee to iTunes and do some downloading.
Okay, I'll talk about my fun Friday night and the latest money numbers tomorrow. I'm done for the day!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Oh money, wherefore art thou?
Good news! I was just going through my wallet, looking for my receipts from today, and I was about to toss my bill for the expensive water I ingested yesterday when the light bulb came on over my head:
I can claim the fancy water! I was at a networking event to further my freelancing career, so I can claim it!
Thank goodness.
Anyway, back to my muddled money day.
I forgot to mention one of my purchases yesterday, which was some pre-choir rehearsal food that came to a total of $7.78. I didn't have enough actual cash on me (or left in the weekly cash allowance) to pay for the food, so I paid by interac, because I knew I had a tiny cushion in my account. However, when I got home and checked my account online, I realized that I had put myself in danger of being overdrawn by 60 cents or something if my TTC pass money came out. I have overdraft protection, but I really didn't want to pay for the charge.
Keep up. This is confusing.
SO, I transferred my money for this coming week a day early, meaning it would land in my account today. (I keep my budget for the non-payday week in my high-interest savings account, which requires a day to process any transactions.)
This morning I purchased some bad-habit treats from the change I still had in my wallet. No problem! But on my way home I stopped to get a couple of things from the grocery store that I convinced myself I needed for dinner. And then I stopped to pick up a dvd for girl's night tomorrow, but I reasoned that that could come out of next week's budget.
All this to tell you that I've already managed to spend $15 from next week's allotment. It's particularly disturbing, because I have several social events to attend next week... I'm just going to have to be very frugal at the grocery store this weekend, which will only make sense, because the DP has been working late constantly and I will be out on the town, buying meals.
And I'm determined to stick to this damn budget thing! The number seems to be stuck. But part of that is because I've been waiting on a big freelance check for a while now. Maybe it will come tomorrow. That would be helpful.
Total debt: $3564 and a bit
Spent today: $3.73
Weekly total: $93.68 (Mmmmmm? I must have missed something somewhere.)
Already spent from next week: $13.47
I can claim the fancy water! I was at a networking event to further my freelancing career, so I can claim it!
Thank goodness.
Anyway, back to my muddled money day.
I forgot to mention one of my purchases yesterday, which was some pre-choir rehearsal food that came to a total of $7.78. I didn't have enough actual cash on me (or left in the weekly cash allowance) to pay for the food, so I paid by interac, because I knew I had a tiny cushion in my account. However, when I got home and checked my account online, I realized that I had put myself in danger of being overdrawn by 60 cents or something if my TTC pass money came out. I have overdraft protection, but I really didn't want to pay for the charge.
Keep up. This is confusing.
SO, I transferred my money for this coming week a day early, meaning it would land in my account today. (I keep my budget for the non-payday week in my high-interest savings account, which requires a day to process any transactions.)
This morning I purchased some bad-habit treats from the change I still had in my wallet. No problem! But on my way home I stopped to get a couple of things from the grocery store that I convinced myself I needed for dinner. And then I stopped to pick up a dvd for girl's night tomorrow, but I reasoned that that could come out of next week's budget.
All this to tell you that I've already managed to spend $15 from next week's allotment. It's particularly disturbing, because I have several social events to attend next week... I'm just going to have to be very frugal at the grocery store this weekend, which will only make sense, because the DP has been working late constantly and I will be out on the town, buying meals.
And I'm determined to stick to this damn budget thing! The number seems to be stuck. But part of that is because I've been waiting on a big freelance check for a while now. Maybe it will come tomorrow. That would be helpful.
Total debt: $3564 and a bit
Spent today: $3.73
Weekly total: $93.68 (Mmmmmm? I must have missed something somewhere.)
Already spent from next week: $13.47
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
The water crisis
I'm going to keep this short and sweet, before I fall asleep at my desk.
Worst money moment of the day: I went to this networking event for editors at a pub after work and I didn't want to have a "drink" drink, since I had to head to choir from there, so I ordered a bottle of water. A $4.17 bottle of water.
I should have had some wine.
Total debt: $3564 and a bit (Aha! There's the dreaded interest.)
Spent today: $8.90 (Tea, really expensive water, and a quick pick for the $35 million 6/49 draw tonight. Don't judge! You can't win if you don't buy a ticket!)
Worst money moment of the day: I went to this networking event for editors at a pub after work and I didn't want to have a "drink" drink, since I had to head to choir from there, so I ordered a bottle of water. A $4.17 bottle of water.
I should have had some wine.
Total debt: $3564 and a bit (Aha! There's the dreaded interest.)
Spent today: $8.90 (Tea, really expensive water, and a quick pick for the $35 million 6/49 draw tonight. Don't judge! You can't win if you don't buy a ticket!)
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