This Week in Living Rich On The Cheap

Courtesy The Graphics Fairy

My life in bullet points:

- My Mother's house sale appears to be speeding ahead full throttle.  The conditions come off Friday, a mover is booked for Dec 18th which is Wednesday.  The new owners are wishy washy as to if they want to move possession date up from the 31st to 21st.  Either way, Mom will be cozy in her new condo on Wednesday.  We were going to clean the old place out but based on timing that is not going to happen so we are hiring someone to do a quick clean.  Lots of stress flying around - apparently my Mom went out and bought a bottle of rum yesterday (*she rarely drinks alcohol), likely in anticipation of our packing sessions scheduled for this weekend.

- My credit card company called and someone tried to use my credit card fraudulently today.    Apparently the dumb**sses(excuse the language but I am extremely mad about this) used a number from several months ago which immediately triggered the fraud squad.  In October my credit card company issued me a new number with upgraded security features.  The charge was for $10.50 against the old number.  The good news is that my current card/information is not in jeopardy and they had rejected the charge. Check your online statements regularly!  All other charges appear to be valid so I am not that concerned.

-Christmas cards were mailed today.  The USA ones might not get there on time but then again, my American relatives usually mail theirs late as well.  I wouldn't send any at all but I still have elderly Aunts and Uncles who are relatively internet free and still like to get a card.  For now, the price is worth it (the cards were bought many years ago, still using an old stash).

-Along that note Canada Post is reducing service and increasing prices.  Big shocker.  A letter within Canada is going from .63 to .83 effective January 1 and if you want to buy just 1 stamp they will charge you $1.  You have to buy a booklet to get the .83 cent price.  We will no longer have door to door mail services.  Any neighborhood built in the last 15 years has superboxes, all old neighborhoods will be getting them soon.  Just another money grab from a government organization.  I can only imagine what parcels will cost.  This might put some online sellers out of business, as high postage rates was one of the primary reasons that I didn't end up opening an Etsy store.  You suck Canada Post! ( I am a little fired up tonight).  I feel sorry for some of the employees as people will lose jobs but the organization itself needs to die a slow death.

-90% of the Christmas Shopping is now done.  Thank goodness the house was decorated and I was somewhat organized before this fast move threw us a curve ball.

- Charity - this year we are giving two hampers at work to two local gentlemen who would otherwise fall through the Charity cracks.  We heard of them through friends and family.  Both have cancer, little to no family, and both are financially ailing.  One is 42 and just started a new job when he was diagnosed.  Unfortunately he did not qualify for disability and will likely have to go on welfare to get through to the end of chemo.  The other is in his late 70s.   I also have just heard of the brother of my Realtor - being burned very badly this week.  Fund-raisers are being held for him and his family as they take off work to try and cope with this devastating accident.  I saw a man walking down the road today without shoes (was hovering around freezing today).  I was so sad, what his life must be like.  Charity is for year round - not just the holidays. Lets try and remember that in the new year.

-I wrapped the rest of the purchased gifts today.  We are now just waiting on something in the mail and have to purchase two small gifts - we should then be done.

I hope everyone is having a good week - thanks for all your well wishes for my Mom.  Cheers!