Help Wanted © by 91st Customs™ 2012

This week I am tackling the job hunt. Last week my childcare services for the families I worked with all of a sudden were no longer needed as their place of employment was hit with large layoffs. So all of a sudden my source of income is gone.

So this week I hit the job hunting trail running. I am treating my fulltime job hunt as a fulltime job, and if you are a job hunting so should you.

What else am I doing, and how can you my readers possibly help me?

1. Attitude is everything. I am starting my day with gratitude for the small things that I do have. I have a little journal and I am writing a short list of what I am grateful for in the moment.

2. Staying healthy. One can’t job hunt well if you are sick. Eating well, resting, moving are all important. I am also taking my vitamins and trying to get over a cold that I have had for weeks.

3. Networking. Because I have an active online presence I have put it out there I am hireable but more important, I am looking for ways I can help and encourage others. I have found that is what works best is me is when I am giving, sharing, caring, which is who I am naturally that good things come my way.

4. I have a spreadsheet, every day I am entering my to do list, brands, people I want to connect with to see what might be possible. At the end of the day I check my list. Yesterday and today it was all about connecting with people in my past for references, and applying for 2 open jobs with 2 of my favorite places.Staying organized is a key for a successful job hunt.

5. Taking time away from the job hunt to enjoy the little moments life brings. Having a wee bit of me time will be a key to my sanity.

6. Adjusting the budget. With the loss of income I am down to the bare minimum money wise. I have to be more than careful with every penny. Reality is I have 6 weeks to find a job or I have an empty wallet and that is the harsh reality. 6 weeks folks.It can be done.

7. Asking you my readers, do you know of an open job that you think would be perfect for me?

I am leaving a link here to my Linkedin Profile, just incase you are hiring so this is what I am tackling what about you?

*I am participating in 5minutesformom’s Tackle Tuesday

I had dark roots, as I hadn’t cut or colored my hair since October, so I was long overdue.

I needed to do it on a budget.

I think most of like to save but love to pamper ourselves still. So I saw a sale at Walmart on the Belle Color on just the shade I wanted to give a try. It only cost me $4.96 for the color which I did on Saturday morning.

I loved how the color brightened me up. Now it was time for the cut and there was no way I would take a pair of scissors to my own head so I decided I would head to Marca Beauty School at Dufferin Mall as they too had a special on.

You paid for the wash, and cut and got the blowdry which you normally pay $8 for free.

I got there about noon, and since it was Saturday they were uber busy. I had to wait almost 2 hours to get in a chair but the final result was so worth it.

Now my question to you how do you save when it comes to pampering yourself? Do you color your own hair? Cut your own bangs? Make your own scrubs?

Here is the end result..

Total amount spent $15.00

So I won twice a new hairstyle and saved as well.

a winter coat for $7

There isn’t a parent out there that wouldn’t agree that kids are expensive. There are always things to pay for and stuff to buy. And that is especially true when it comes to clothes. Kids never seem to stop growing.

I have two girls. They are two years apart and so I have been able to recycle clothes. There are a lot of hand-me-downs for my youngest daughter. I try to keep budget in mind when I buy clothes for the kids. I am not the kind of parent who runs to the store to get the newest, fanciest or most expensive thing. I think I get that from my parents. I am one of five children and so my parents just couldn’t afford getting everyone new clothes all the time. So we got a new outfit and new shoes at the beginning of the school year and then the rest of the year things were only purchased when absolutely needed. So as a parent, now I am always looking for ways get the best bang for my buck  and buying second hand for some things is a good way to do that.

I have a couple of places I like to check out every once in a while, especially for seasonal clothing and essentials. Once Upon A Child, Value Village and a local independent second hand clothing store for children and youth called Revolver Resale Clothing.  What I like about Once Upon A Child and Revolver is they are selective about what they buy and you can find name brand clothing at a much reduced price. When shopping at Value Village I find you have to be much more careful about what you buy, it takes time to find a gem but it is possible. One of the best things I ever purchased second hand was for my youngest daughter. I needed to pick up a winter coat for her. It was late in the season and so most retail stores have very little selection so we decided to check out Value Village. And we struck gold. We found a beautiful light weight ski jacket in her size. It clearly had never been worn and it clearly looked like a second. It had a defect in the hoodie portion of the jacket. The zipper that attached the hood to the main jacket was not sewn properly. No problem. My mother sews and it was a  pretty simple repair for her. The best part? The price. I picked up this fantastic new coat for a bargain basement price of $7. Yup you read that right. It was only $7.

So there are gems hidden in those racks of second hand clothes. You just need to have a keen eye. I don’t shop second hand for everything but it can really help keep our family on budget, especially when we are close to the end of a season and just need something to get us a few weeks until the change of weather. It is also great because it helps the environment, not just your pocket book. You get to give clothes a second life and keep them out of the landfill and that is something we all need to do more of.

This post was written by Christy Laverty:

You can find Christy at :

Her Blog: http://frecklesthemom.blogspot.com

or do as I do and follow her on Twitter:

www.twitter.com/ImFreckles

Thanks Christy so much for sharing your story of second hand shopping and you are right it gives clothes a great second life and it does keep them out of the landfill.

If you have a thrifting story you would like to share on Common Cents Mom let me know.

Budgeting © by RambergMediaImages

One of best things I ever did for myself was learn what a budget was and how it could help me.  A budget got me on track and moving towards my goals. A budget today keeps me on track.

So where to begin.

Begin where I began.

1. Know where you are at. You have to know what you have and don’t have. When I had to sit down and face my reality, it helped me to be more realistic. Track your habit for 30 days, gather up those bank statements, and look at what they are showing you. Do you notice any trends. If you are bouncing checks, not saving, not paying the bills, yet spending on junk you know you have an issue and that is where I was.
2. So now you know, Get the resources to help you. For me this was forced on me with my bankruptcy, there were forms to be filled out every month and I had to keep track of how I spent every penny. Now, one of my mentors while I was going through all this was the amazing wonderful Gail VazOxlade. On her blog she has some excellent resources for tracking, and doing the things that will help you like office in the box. Gail’s guide to building a budget takes you through it step by step. I highly recommend it. These days I have been using Mint.com to track my budget.
3. Got the resources, Set a date. We all like to put off those chores we don’t like and many people see a budget as just that a chore, so set a date. Plan a time when you can sit down and get to work. Setting a deadline often helps you get to a goal as well.

So you have your budget. Great, now comes the hard part, keeping it. For me my budget is like a roadmap that is keeping me on the road I want to travel. I have a destination I want to reach and my budget is a tool that will help me get there. Budgeting works for me, it helps this scatterbrained spendthrift stay on task, it focuses me. What does budgeting do for you?

Recently another blogger talked about being healthy physically was just like being healthy fiscally. Boy were they right.

Many of you who have followed my journey know I am trying hard to be fit, fiscally and physically. I have my 3 words for 2012: create, connect and cultivate. Part of the creating in the deep down desire to be healthier physically and fiscally. I am working on both of these just as I was last year.

Last year I was getting it. I started with a loss of 32 pounds. I was happy and looking better, I was getting fiscally fit as well. Then the craptacular fall happened and there was a lot of stuff happening behind the scenes that drove me in a downward spiral. I wasn’t looking after me as I should. I was quitting.

I started to realize the damage I was doing to myself as I sat at Blissdom Canada, getting my nails done beside Teresa Albert, who I consider an angel and friend. We were having a very real conversation about health and how crappy I was feeling. I had been having chest pains for weeks and hadn’t even gotten it looked at. The look on Teresa’s face, told me enough. I had to get back on task and I couldn’t quit. I needed to look after my health.

As December loomed I thought hard about past events, I thought about the things that brought me to where I am. I have a past. We all do. Choices made that weren’t the best, projects left unfinished. Bridges burned. I went from a healthy, active young woman to a mom who was barely hanging on over time, a lot of time. To undo the damage of those years will take time as well. I have to be patient with myself, but I can not longer quit. I need to own Hollie again. I need to create, connect and cultivate.

To stay on task, I joined the #12in12 community on Twitter. We are committed to using the working hard muscle. It by the end of the year should be a well-worn and used muscle. I will be creating the healthier me, the fitter me, the fiscally responsible smart me. No more quitting, the journey is really beginning and I pray you will join me on it. I need encouragement at times, reminders of the task at hand, I need to celebrate the process, slowly over time, pound by pound, inch by inch, dollar by dollar I am doing the work. Are you working or quitting? and what have you done when you have found yourself quitting in the past?

Value Village © by bradley j

Do you shop in thrift stores?

I do.

There are 3 Canadian ones that I love to hit up quite regularly: Value Village, Salvation Army and Goodwill.When my daughter was younger there was also a consignment store Ages and Stages (it is on the Danforth if you are in Toronto).

I have shopped second-hand stores for as long as I can remember. Think of it like going to a garage sale without having to rummage through someone’s garage or backyard. I find it is a great way to be eco-friendly and save more than just a few dollars and if you are a vintage designer you love a good thrift store, there are so many things that can be tweaked and upscaled for your home.

Because of my love for the second-hand I have decided to start a new regular feature called Thrifting Thursday to my blog. I will be sharing what I found, how things can be reused (upscaled), and discussing thrift in general. Why be thrifty? Think more money to do the other things you want to do and love.

I also want you my readers to share your great finds, and I will be looking for guest bloggers to write about their great finds, upscales, frugal decor, etc on Thursdays.

Now about one of my most recent finds. Right before Christmas I really wanted to have lanterns on my new mantle. Yes, in the new apartment, there is a beautiful fireplace mantle that is the focal point of my living-room. So I really wanted to decorate it with lanterns, but every lantern I saw was out of my budget. Then one day, at the Goodwill store at the end of my street, I spotted 2  lanterns, silver, weathered and perfect for my mantle. Best part I got both for $3.I love when I find what I am looking for in a thrift store. What about you? Have you thrifted lately and are u willing to share your story?

Bank Safe Combination © by Todd Ehlers

Have you ever been frustrated at your bank? Ever thought of switching banks but didn’t want the hassle or headaches? Did you know it is easier than ever to switch financial institutions?

“A new, national survey conducted by FirstOntario Credit Union, one of Canada’s leading member-owned financial cooperatives, reveals that the average Canadian has been with the same bank for more than 15 years, yet more than 40 per cent of those surveyed are unhappy with the high service fees their bank charges them. “ They asked 2500 hundred Canadians this question and this is what they found.

Canadians like me are so very tired of bank fees. We are all looking for ways to save, and reducing or even eliminating bank fees is on the mind of many. Most Canadians put up with the bank fees simply because they think it will a hassle to change banks.

Let me make it clear: changing banks can be very simple!

In that same survey 42% of Canadians said they weren’t happy with were they were. I think all the banks need to look at that figure. An other 10% said that even though they thought of switching they simply did not want the headache, or thought it would be too hard.

How wrong they are, switching banks here in Canada can be simple and painless.

First Ontario Credit Union today released 5 steps that you can use to switch banks, even if a credit union is not for you, it is a simple process.

5 STEPS TO LEAVING YOUR OLD BANK FOR GOOD

There are serious misconceptions among Canadians about what is involved in switching financial institutions, and for many people even the thought of switching can be daunting. The reality is that switching is simple and straightforward and we can even help you switch. Here are five simple steps to get you started.

1. SET A DATE

Any big decision requires a bit of planning and getting organized. Setting a date will give you time to plan according to a timeline that works for you.

There is nothing like a deadline to get most of us moving!

2. TELL A FRIEND

As simple as this might sound, it may surprise you how many people you know have actually switched banks or gone to a community-based credit union. Their experience may prove useful, and they can point out shortcuts or give you tips that could come in handy.

More than 10 million Canadians are members of an affiliated credit union or caisse populaire across Canada, drawn by lower banking fees and the ability to have a voice in how their financial institution is run.

3. OPEN YOUR NEW ACCOUNT

Generally, you are able to open a new account with an initial deposit. Plus, at a credit union you will also become a member and co-owner at the same time.

At FirstOntario Credit Union, getting started is easy. Click here to find out how we can take care of most of the details – free of charge.

4. GET YOUR NEW ACCOUNT IN ORDER

Ensure your new account is fully functioning:

* Order new cheques and a new credit card

* Reroute your direct debits – we can help! Click here to find out how.

* Reroute your direct deposits – ask the credit union for a direct deposit authorization form that includes your new account information. Give this form to your employer and anyone else who makes direct deposits to your account. It may take one or more pay cycles for the change to be made, so keep your old chequing account open and watch for the switch.

If you have direct deposits for payroll or government cheques, FirstOntario will also provide you with a form to assist you with switching over any incoming deposits you may have on the old account.

5. SET-UP ONLINE BANKING

Online banking has become a standard offering by most financial institutions. FirstOntario provides Members with a number of easy, convenient ways to bank and access your money. You may even want to use more than one type of access, depending on your location, the time of day, and the type of service you need.

Now even if you are not thinking of a credit union, these steps will work no matter where you are thinking of.

I want to add an extra step here:

6.DO YOUR RESEARCH

Find what is going to work best for you, and your money needs. Honestly, being with a credit union served me well for years but at this time it doesn’t work well, so I found a solution that did. The reason a credit union doesn’t work at this time, I can’t get face time with a teller close by. For me location was an important element in deciding.

*this is a paid post by First Ontario, and #myownbank. Even with it being a paid post, my opinions and thoughts remain my own. First Ontario is also the paid sponsor for the #cdnmoney chat on Jan. 11, 2012. They will not have input at the conversation, but will be watching the feed to see what thoughts real Canadians have about banking.

Bank © by 401K

How did you decide where you bank? What were or are you looking for in your financial institution? How do you know recognize a great bank?

These are just some of the questions we are going to talk about this Wednesday as part of the #cdnmoney chat on Twitter.

For me I have personally banked with a few credit unions along the way, and 3 of Canada’s big banks. Most recently I’ve been banking with BMO, Desjardins, and ING Direct. I am new customer to the last one on the list.

I was first attracted to BMO because of their partnership with Airmiles, and over the years I have seen several dividends from it. But I also love my little home branch on the Danforth. Most times when I have to visit a branch I get good service and when I have had a problem with the account I can call 24/7 and get an answer. In the almost 10 years I have been with them I have only once ever had a bad customer service experience. But I pay through the nose. I hate the fees upon fees at the BMO. So because BMO charges so much to look after my money I started to look at other banks and do the comparisons.

Last year I paid out over $300 in fees, and I am a small customer, so I wonder what others had to pay. As well the interest rates are not the best at BMO.

I started banking with Desjardins, the largest credit union in North America quite by accident. I had been banking with the Province of Ontario when they had their own financial institution which they then sold to Desjardins. My little branch in Hamilton, and then my branch on the Danforth( which they closed) served me well for many years. I loved the service. I loved the low fees and they knew me. Even when I was a welfare mom, and this is where I banked during those hard years I always was treated with respect. I was very sad when they actually closed the branch on the Danforth. The staff there were wonderful. My account there has been practically dormant because I no longer find in convenient to get to the location, and I don’t want to get dinged with an ATM fee.

When Desjardins closed the Danforth location I started looking at other banks on the Danforth and decided on BMO because of the partnership with Airmiles at the time, as I look back not necessarily the best reason for choosing a financial institution.

This time around as I am looking to rebuild credit, and save for a future. I looked a little more carefully, and with an agenda in mine. I will be honest if I had found a credit union nearby I may have chosen one but decided on ING Direct. Why?

Here is what I was looking for:

1. Low fees or nonexistent fees for accounts with even less than $1,OOO that allow for a number of debit transactions for free, I use debit quite a bit.

2. A fair interest rate.

3. Smart, friendly customer service, make me feel like you care about my money.

4. As I rebuild I will be looking at things like perhaps RRSP, mortgage etc so they had to have good products for these areas of my life as well.

5. Since I am a digital mom, a decent online presence.

6. ATM’s where I need them.

I think when we look at banking and what we want and need we have to know we can change banks if you aren’t getting what you need, you can find a lower rate, higher rate, better customer service, whatever the key elements are for you. Remember though banks can change fees, products etc. so it is important to keep up to date on what your bank is doing. If you don’t like what you are getting you can find often a bigger bang for your dollar, meaning you spending less, and getting more value. How about you? What is important to you when it comes to banking? and choosing a bank?

Well to sum it up you can tune in this Sunday to CBC Radio’s The Sunday Edition to see how it all turned out. Here’s the aperçue from the Sunday Edition web site:

There are four million mommy bloggers in North America, women sharing with other women the trials and tribulations of bringing up babies and making more and more money at the same time.

In the past decade, social media for mommies has gone from a nurturing, supportive, chat-across-the-back-fence virtual village to a massive marketing vehicle for everyone from toy companies to the makers of minivans.

On the CBC site there is even a brief promo. Thanks to Judy Gombita on Google+, here’s a list of some of the others featured in the documentary:

Postcards from the Mothership – Danielle Donders http://danigirl.ca/blog/
PhD In Parenting – Annie Urban http://www.phdinparenting.com/
5 Minutes for Mom – Janice Croze http://www.5minutesformom.com/
Common Cents Mom – Hollie Pollard http://commoncentsmom.com/
Crib Chronicles – Bonnie Stewart http://cribchronicles.com/
Mom Central Canada – Cora Brady http://www.momcentralcanada.com/
Fisher Price play panel http://www.fisherpriceplay.ca/moms/
Child’s Play Communications –Stephanie Azzarone http://childsplaypr.com/
Blissdom Canada http://blissdomcanada.com/

When I saw the list of bloggers that were interviewed I am the small blog in the mix, these other women are among the goddesses of blogging Canada and if you want a new blog to read I recommend any of them and all of them.

Now the show is scheduled to start at 9:13 all depending on what is going on in the news world. So tune in and see what is said about mom and blogging and advertising. You can even stream it online.

I love the Egg Timer App not only because it helps me get that great egg every time but it also is filled with good recipes and great tips. My favorite recipe is for french toast, one of my favorite foods since childhood.

Now Common Cents Mom and The Egg Farmers of Canada have partnered with a giveaway to help promote the new app.

You can download the FREE Egg Timer app (on itunes here or Android here). Got to love a free tool that will help you in the kitchen.

Now for the contest part:

You can win this:

The baskets include:

a Rafflecopter giveaway