Rambling (and a bit of whining).
This is the first weekend rambling that I did a Saturday (vs a Friday). Sorry it’s late, guys. This week was so incredibly busy for me, got home at 10pm-ish each night. It’s great to have a life and friends to meet up with and all, but sometimes people need a little downtime. I decided that I can’t do an entire workweek without having some time to “veg” and hang out by myself (or with my blog and you guys lol).
Yoga.
My $37 one month yoga pass ended and I had thought perhaps I should renew it, but decided against it. It’s just wayyy too time consuming (but that’s just me). I would prefer to do yoga in the comfort of my own home, on my own time, and without paying ludicrous amounts of money. I did really really appreciate the expertise of the instructors in helping me correct my yoga poses and stances, though.
Worrying.
The news of the tsunami and earthquake in Japan that happened late on Thursday was terrible. First New Zealand and now Japan. Japan is one of the most advanced countries in terms of earthquake preparedness, but this colossal 8.9 magnitude quake is just so large and devastating. My thoughts are with those affected by the devastation in Japan this week. I think we should all take a few moments to become more earthquake prepared ourselves (just a 4L jug of water just won’t cut it, I don’t think).
Taxes.
They say that there are only two certainties in life. Death and taxes. So I did finally manage to do my taxes last weekend (Echo, your reminders prevailed! 
). And was sorely disappointed at the small amount of tax refund I am getting (about $1300). I haven’t even put in my capital gains into the tax software system yet… and there might be more T3′s or T5′s in the wings waiting to reduce my tax return even further near the end of March.
I did make sure to claim my First Time Home Buyer’s Tax Credit. You get a $5000 tax credit (worth $750) if you bought a first home in the aforementioned tax year.
Speaking of tax software! Here are the winners of the H&R Block Tax Software Giveaway drawn by random.org! Thanks to everyone for subscribing, there are now over 300 subscribers to youngandthrifty.ca!
- Grace
- Anne Marie
- Bekki
- Cassie
- Haley
I think the majority of entrants were female (roughly 75%), but it’s pretty cool that random.org picked all female winners, must be in celebration of International Women’s Day this past week. 
Girls, I will be emailing you the codes today. Look for it in your email!
PF Blog Love
- This one has to be number one, because yours truly was mentioned lol. Financial Uproar does a second edition of his Hot Personal Finance Blogger Chicks and I’m one of them. Woohoo! I am thinking of maybe doing a Hot PF Blogger Men of 2011- what do you think? PS Financial Uproar is FRIGGIN HILARIOUS. It’s always an amusing read. Go subscribe
- Krystal at Work has an insightful post discussing whether the job you are in right now is your passion, and would you take a pay cut to follow your passion?
- Fabulously Broke give us the quick and dirty run down of what she does as a consultant
- Mike from Money Smarts Blog gives us a great list differentiating between the different types of financial advisors (eg. the difference between mutual fund salespeople and financial planners)
- Saving Mentor confesses about something he did regarding a recent purchase of a Cold FX bottle, and wonders if it’s morally wrong. A great discussion ensued!
- Passive Income Earner talks about Children and Money- and how to teach them the value of money by giving them an allowance.
- Sustainable Personal Finance gives us a peak of their house, and also gives us some tips to think about when considering a home purchase.
- Financial Samurai shares with us a little boy who inspired him and reminds us all how lucky we are to be able to carve our own paths in life, and live in a free country.
- Sandy from Yes I am Cheap has a great rant on Direct Student Loans.
- Retire by 40 talks about how $1 can get you a chance to win the $151 million lottery. Which begs the question, do you buy lottery tickets?
I’m glad my reminders prevailed. I always end up doing my taxes in late February.
Too bad you didn’t get more back…guess you make too much money now
Have a great weekend!
@Echo- Hehe.. guess that’s not too bad of a problem, I suppose. Thanks again for the reminders
Thanks for the mention.
I’m still waiting for some more tax receipts.
@Money Smarts Blog- You’re welcome, Mike. You’re not tempted to do a ‘test run’ without those tax receipts?
Thanks for the mention. Have a nice weekend. Hope your renos are doing well. I am painting the kids room this weekend.
@The Passive Income Earner- they are indeed going well, thanks PIE! Almost done- thank goodness. What colour are you painting the kids room? Did you let them choose the colour?
Thanks for the mention about our home! We’re loving it (though I should have done work today!)
@SPF- It is indeed gorgeous! Are you going to show us some pics of the inside soon?
Thanks for including me in your blog love and for joining in the discussion this week!
Being one day late is perfectly OK
@SavingMentor- Thanks for the confirmation
I’ll try not to be so hard on myself 
Congrats on being one of the hot pf ladies
Also, I agree on your point about being prepared for disasters. I think we PF people talk a lot about being prepared for a financial disaster (emergency funds, insurance) but we forget to prepare with water, food, first aid, etc.
@Stephanie- Thanks! You’re right- financial disasters are nothing compared to natural disasters….
Just be thankful you don’t OWE any taxes!
As for being prepared, I think you are so right. However, if the case of what happened in Japan, having a stockpile of food and water isn’t really helping them as they are either flooded or buried. that is when it is up to us – the world community – to pitch in and help.
Went through a very small earthquake last year. it was spooky but caused no damage. Can’t imagine what those poor people felt with this one!
@Denise- You’re right
I should be grateful I don’t owe any taxes. I do get gouged throughout the year though! Where were you when you went through the earthquake? I was in Asia during a small earthquake and was completely freaked out. I can’t imagine what an 8.9 magnitude quake would feel like, nor do I ever want to try it!
I think everyones week has been a little stressful with all the bad news that has been coming out. While there are sad times it never does us any good to dwell on them.
On yoga you may want to look into some DVDs. I’ve used them before and they are a great resource.
Hope it helps, and have a great day!
-Ravi G.
@Ravi- Thanks
I do have some DVD’s at home- and I surprisingly don’t get tired of the same routine 
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG
Thank you so much!!!!!! You have no idea what this means to me right now!
Thank you thank you thank you!!!
(You totally deserve to be on that Hot Personal Finance Blogger list
)
@Cassie- You’re welcome Cassie! You should thank random.org