Comments on: The Fabulously Broke in the City Year 2009 in Review – $55,516 http://www.fabulouslybroke.com/2009/12/fun-final-year-end-in-review-budget-blog/ Just a Girl trying to find a balance between being a Shopaholic and a Saver Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:24:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com http://www.fabulouslybroke.com/2009/12/fun-final-year-end-in-review-budget-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-33447 FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com Sun, 03 Jan 2010 14:35:13 +0000 http://www.fabulouslybroke.com/?p=7449#comment-33447 I wish I knew that 6 years ago!!!! :) But I do have an old hard drive kicking around I ought to test this on. What a great tip. Thank you!!!! (I actually own about 7 drives now.. heh... data corruption is no longer an issue when I back everything up twice) I wish I knew that 6 years ago!!!! :)

But I do have an old hard drive kicking around I ought to test this on. What a great tip. Thank you!!!!

(I actually own about 7 drives now.. heh… data corruption is no longer an issue when I back everything up twice)

]]> By: Weekend reading: On 2009 and 2010 http://www.fabulouslybroke.com/2009/12/fun-final-year-end-in-review-budget-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-33328 Weekend reading: On 2009 and 2010 Sat, 02 Jan 2010 12:59:58 +0000 http://www.fabulouslybroke.com/?p=7449#comment-33328 [...] money bloggers wrote more personal reviews of 2009, including Amateur Asset Allocator, Fabulously Broke and Get Rich Slowly, while Len Penzo did his own inimitable [...] [...] money bloggers wrote more personal reviews of 2009, including Amateur Asset Allocator, Fabulously Broke and Get Rich Slowly, while Len Penzo did his own inimitable [...]

]]> By: jbc http://www.fabulouslybroke.com/2009/12/fun-final-year-end-in-review-budget-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-33282 jbc Fri, 01 Jan 2010 18:09:18 +0000 http://www.fabulouslybroke.com/?p=7449#comment-33282 I know you always talk about having tons of back ups for hard drives and I have had corruption issues too before I got a second backup. I was determined to get my old info off the corrupt drive since it was about 100 GB of all my info. I wound up using Data Recovery Wizard from Easeus (found a link to get it for free - a full version - they seem to pop up now and again). Anyway, I was able to get off all my old pictures, files, taxes (oops), etc. I'm anything but a computer ace but I'm a pretty good googler and was able to figure it out so I figure anyone can. Since you throw things out pretty regularly you might not have your old drive to try this on but I thought it was worth letting you know on the off chance you still have the broken one. Now I have 2 large drives, just in case. :) I know you always talk about having tons of back ups for hard drives and I have had corruption issues too before I got a second backup. I was determined to get my old info off the corrupt drive since it was about 100 GB of all my info. I wound up using Data Recovery Wizard from Easeus (found a link to get it for free – a full version – they seem to pop up now and again). Anyway, I was able to get off all my old pictures, files, taxes (oops), etc. I'm anything but a computer ace but I'm a pretty good googler and was able to figure it out so I figure anyone can.

Since you throw things out pretty regularly you might not have your old drive to try this on but I thought it was worth letting you know on the off chance you still have the broken one.

Now I have 2 large drives, just in case. :)

]]> By: Jazz http://www.fabulouslybroke.com/2009/12/fun-final-year-end-in-review-budget-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-33248 Jazz Fri, 01 Jan 2010 02:16:06 +0000 http://www.fabulouslybroke.com/?p=7449#comment-33248 it was pink and it had the letters written on a separate page ( idk if im describing it correctly ) or the olive green background it was pink and it had the letters written on a separate page ( idk if im describing it correctly ) or the olive green background

]]> By: FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com http://www.fabulouslybroke.com/2009/12/fun-final-year-end-in-review-budget-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-33238 FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com Thu, 31 Dec 2009 23:46:33 +0000 http://www.fabulouslybroke.com/?p=7449#comment-33238 Congratulations for feeling empowered to handle your money on your own! It was really overwhelming at first, but everyone here (readers, bloggers and on twitter) are really helpful, and there's tons of blog literature out there to help you. As for PF software, I use Excel myself, and found it to be the best (See here: http://www.thebudgetingtool.com/ ), because I can adjust and organize it just the way my brain thinks, which is something I felt was lacking in other software. Plus it's now FULLY automated!! No need to learn any pesky formulas or to be sure you caught all the cells when adding up expenses. :) If you are looking for something free, I have heard great things about Mint.com, Quicken, MS Money, or Pear Budget. Honestly, the only reason why I am NOT with Mint is because I'm a security freak, and I live in Canada. So that means that I don't like putting passwords or letting software (online software especially) access my banking information, and they don't have my banks properly set up from Canada. It's mostly for Americans. I also used MS money and I liked it, but it was so frustrating because I wanted to track and organize a couple more areas on my own, but they wouldn't allow any blank columns for me to make notes, or to adjust it... so I quit using that. I also tried Pear Budget, but that's an Excel sheet too I think. And it was too simple. :\ Anyhoo, give Mint a try or stick to what you've got! :) Congratulations for feeling empowered to handle your money on your own!

It was really overwhelming at first, but everyone here (readers, bloggers and on twitter) are really helpful, and there’s tons of blog literature out there to help you.

As for PF software, I use Excel myself, and found it to be the best (See here: http://www.thebudgetingtool.com/ ), because I can adjust and organize it just the way my brain thinks, which is something I felt was lacking in other software.

Plus it’s now FULLY automated!! No need to learn any pesky formulas or to be sure you caught all the cells when adding up expenses. :)

If you are looking for something free, I have heard great things about Mint.com, Quicken, MS Money, or Pear Budget.

Honestly, the only reason why I am NOT with Mint is because I’m a security freak, and I live in Canada. So that means that I don’t like putting passwords or letting software (online software especially) access my banking information, and they don’t have my banks properly set up from Canada. It’s mostly for Americans.

I also used MS money and I liked it, but it was so frustrating because I wanted to track and organize a couple more areas on my own, but they wouldn’t allow any blank columns for me to make notes, or to adjust it… so I quit using that.

I also tried Pear Budget, but that’s an Excel sheet too I think. And it was too simple. :\

Anyhoo, give Mint a try or stick to what you’ve got! :)

]]> By: FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com http://www.fabulouslybroke.com/2009/12/fun-final-year-end-in-review-budget-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-33234 FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com Thu, 31 Dec 2009 23:36:53 +0000 http://www.fabulouslybroke.com/?p=7449#comment-33234 Well I do split the rent with BF, so that really helps cut down on the cost. Furnishings can also take a beating out of you, my friend paid $6000 in appliances this year for his new condo! And I don't have savings because I used my savings to live, hence why I felt hard on myself for spending savings that I should have kept locked up except for Travel and such. :) Well I do split the rent with BF, so that really helps cut down on the cost.

Furnishings can also take a beating out of you, my friend paid $6000 in appliances this year for his new condo!

And I don’t have savings because I used my savings to live, hence why I felt hard on myself for spending savings that I should have kept locked up except for Travel and such. :)

]]> By: E_Z http://www.fabulouslybroke.com/2009/12/fun-final-year-end-in-review-budget-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-33210 E_Z Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:23:34 +0000 http://www.fabulouslybroke.com/?p=7449#comment-33210 Well, overall you have me beat, but stripping out savings, I beat you, and I had an expensive year with furnishings and an expensive hobby (haha). My stupid rent of $900...grrr... All in = $3,100 / month All - Savings = $2,150 / month Well, overall you have me beat, but stripping out savings, I beat you, and I had an expensive year with furnishings and an expensive hobby (haha). My stupid rent of $900…grrr…

All in = $3,100 / month
All – Savings = $2,150 / month

]]> By: FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com http://www.fabulouslybroke.com/2009/12/fun-final-year-end-in-review-budget-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-33196 FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:54:58 +0000 http://www.fabulouslybroke.com/?p=7449#comment-33196 Thank you! Which one? :) I have a couple of them on rotation. Thank you!

Which one? :) I have a couple of them on rotation.

]]> By: FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com http://www.fabulouslybroke.com/2009/12/fun-final-year-end-in-review-budget-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-33194 FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:53:07 +0000 http://www.fabulouslybroke.com/?p=7449#comment-33194 Well the rent is actually $384.50 x 2 = $769 a month. I split it with BF 50/50. I live in Montreal and in a little studio ( :) ) at the moment, so that's why it's cheaper. As for Toronto, I find that if you look out for apartments that are close to the TTC line, but not necessarily near Bloor/Yonge you will find better deals. OR living with roommates, another option... I like living close to Finch Station, there are a lot of apartment buildings in the area, and it was fairly safe the last time I was there 2 years ago. It's kind of ghetto, but nothing like Jane/Finch. :) Another area that might be all right is near St. Clair West (near Dundas West and St. Clair West Station). That area is a tad shady, but it's an area that's quite safe in my opinion. Most of Toronto is pretty safe. Just stay away from sexily named areas like Rosedale.... unless you can find a studio for VERY cheap. I had a friend who liked High Park as well. It's close to St. Clair West. Well the rent is actually $384.50 x 2 = $769 a month.

I split it with BF 50/50. I live in Montreal and in a little studio ( :) ) at the moment, so that’s why it’s cheaper.

As for Toronto, I find that if you look out for apartments that are close to the TTC line, but not necessarily near Bloor/Yonge you will find better deals.

OR living with roommates, another option…

I like living close to Finch Station, there are a lot of apartment buildings in the area, and it was fairly safe the last time I was there 2 years ago. It’s kind of ghetto, but nothing like Jane/Finch. :)

Another area that might be all right is near St. Clair West (near Dundas West and St. Clair West Station). That area is a tad shady, but it’s an area that’s quite safe in my opinion.

Most of Toronto is pretty safe. Just stay away from sexily named areas like Rosedale…. unless you can find a studio for VERY cheap.

I had a friend who liked High Park as well. It’s close to St. Clair West.

]]> By: Mel http://www.fabulouslybroke.com/2009/12/fun-final-year-end-in-review-budget-blog/comment-page-1/#comment-33198 Mel Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:47:48 +0000 http://www.fabulouslybroke.com/?p=7449#comment-33198 Better personal finance is definitely a goal of mine for 2010 (I don't do resolutions, more like goals :) ). I try to keep track of my expenses and where money is coming and going, but sometimes stuff slips by me. I got divorced this past year and it's actually impowering to handle all of my own money but also a little stressful at the same time. However, I'll be better for it in the long run. Can you recommend any good personal finance software? Right now, I've just been using Excel, but curious if there's something better out there. Better personal finance is definitely a goal of mine for 2010 (I don't do resolutions, more like goals :) ). I try to keep track of my expenses and where money is coming and going, but sometimes stuff slips by me. I got divorced this past year and it's actually impowering to handle all of my own money but also a little stressful at the same time. However, I'll be better for it in the long run. Can you recommend any good personal finance software? Right now, I've just been using Excel, but curious if there's something better out there.

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