I am super pumped because I just found out one of my flight segments was upgraded to First Class courtesy of Skymiles!
Not all of my flights are eligible as some classes of planes do not have a first/business class cabin. I place this perk in the "getting free stuff" category. I paid for economy.
The other segment of this westbound leg has been upgraded to economy comfort. Normally you would have to pay $100 for this. And I'm not even going to bother checking what it would have cost to fly first class because it is likely in the $1000s.
Not bad at all for a free program.
I'm off for the next couple of weeks. Happy Easter Everyone!!!
Showing posts with label good news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label good news. Show all posts
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
You Never Know...
In the category of "You never know unless you ask...",
- I got flight miles credit for 2 flights I wasn't supposed to get but the agent made an exception for me! I was supposed to have been a member of their program prior to the flights.
- I received a discount of $400 on my trip to Norway when I decided to call and ask if I was eligible for an advertised price reduction. Turns out if the final payment date has not occurred, you are!
What a great way to start the weekend.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Travel Priviledges
Whenever I take a flight where I am expecting to earn points, I keep an eye out for the points to show up in my account.
This last flight turned out to be extra special because I have finally managed to reach a frequent flyer status whereby I get free upgrades and early boarding privileges.
Not having to pay to be in business class is a big deal to me, especially the eastbound leg when I'm hoping to get some sleep. Getting reduced rates for preferential seats in economy comfort class is great.
Not having to weed my way through the throngs of people who are standing there by the check in aisles when their rows haven't been called yet would be excellent.
I am anxiously awaiting my luggage tag to arrive in the mail. D is pretty excited too because my companion gets to receive the same privileges. He hasn't flown enough yet but eventually he will.
We are still fairly young and are committed to more travel in our futures. He is rationing the last of the Turkish delight supposedly until I return to buy him some more...
This last flight turned out to be extra special because I have finally managed to reach a frequent flyer status whereby I get free upgrades and early boarding privileges.
Not having to pay to be in business class is a big deal to me, especially the eastbound leg when I'm hoping to get some sleep. Getting reduced rates for preferential seats in economy comfort class is great.
Not having to weed my way through the throngs of people who are standing there by the check in aisles when their rows haven't been called yet would be excellent.
I am anxiously awaiting my luggage tag to arrive in the mail. D is pretty excited too because my companion gets to receive the same privileges. He hasn't flown enough yet but eventually he will.
We are still fairly young and are committed to more travel in our futures. He is rationing the last of the Turkish delight supposedly until I return to buy him some more...
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Great Turn Bad Turn
I got a second opinion on my winter tires from the tire guy at the dealership and he gave me better news. The front set is 50% worn and the rear set is pretty good.
There isn't need to buy new tires for this season after all. I was concerned the difference would not be good for the car but he didn't seem to think so.
Should I repeatedly see my traction control light come on to assist, then I can consider replacing the 2. Great news! I had already mentally prepared myself for the expenditure.
The winter tires don't do curves (or maybe hugged too well) as well I noticed yesterday. Tried to do a sharp turn at 80 km/hr (possible with my summer tires) and ended up locking my brakes and maybe skidding? slightly.
Didn't come close to losing control or anything but I probably shouldn't have tried that on dry pavement...silly girl...note to self...I told D upon arriving home and he told me he wouldn't have tried that to begin with and shakes his head.
I have a few more office loose ends to tie up before the packing starts. Cheers Everyone, back in a week or so!
There isn't need to buy new tires for this season after all. I was concerned the difference would not be good for the car but he didn't seem to think so.
Should I repeatedly see my traction control light come on to assist, then I can consider replacing the 2. Great news! I had already mentally prepared myself for the expenditure.
The winter tires don't do curves (or maybe hugged too well) as well I noticed yesterday. Tried to do a sharp turn at 80 km/hr (possible with my summer tires) and ended up locking my brakes and maybe skidding? slightly.
Didn't come close to losing control or anything but I probably shouldn't have tried that on dry pavement...silly girl...note to self...I told D upon arriving home and he told me he wouldn't have tried that to begin with and shakes his head.
I have a few more office loose ends to tie up before the packing starts. Cheers Everyone, back in a week or so!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Interesting Turn
The mechanic's estimate for my car came to $1200 taxes in consisting of my rear brakes, a new battery, and a couple of tie rods with alignment after.
None of which are really pressing. I brought my car home to think about it and paid the $35 check up bill.
D gets a call from the mechanic yesterday inquiring if I wanted to sell my car as he has a customer looking for something his son can drive for the next 4 years at university.
This was a long time customer who trusted the opinion of the shop keeper who thought of us as he knew my car. We suggested a price of $2500 and I'd throw in my set of 4 Blizzaks (no rims) which are good for another season or 2. He said he was interested.
I felt pretty flattered. D thought it was a sign I needed to finally let go of my old car and move onto my next vehicle.
It made me sad to think of giving her up. Mind you, I was sad too throwing out my long time favourite pair of pants a month ago.
If I can muster up some time today, I'm going to test drive a few more used cars.
None of which are really pressing. I brought my car home to think about it and paid the $35 check up bill.
D gets a call from the mechanic yesterday inquiring if I wanted to sell my car as he has a customer looking for something his son can drive for the next 4 years at university.
This was a long time customer who trusted the opinion of the shop keeper who thought of us as he knew my car. We suggested a price of $2500 and I'd throw in my set of 4 Blizzaks (no rims) which are good for another season or 2. He said he was interested.
I felt pretty flattered. D thought it was a sign I needed to finally let go of my old car and move onto my next vehicle.
It made me sad to think of giving her up. Mind you, I was sad too throwing out my long time favourite pair of pants a month ago.
If I can muster up some time today, I'm going to test drive a few more used cars.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Vacation Begins Soon
In a few hours my last work day of the week will begin and so will my weekend and week's holiday to France. Yeah, we made it!
D passed his exam yesterday! He is so relieved to wrap up 2 months worth of studying and review. This designation he has earned is recognized worldwide so who knows where it will take us someday?
A colleague of his has done that line of work in Greece, Brazil and Portugal. I say bring it on! I'm ready to give living elsewhere a go!
When we were in the States for D's marathon last weekend, I used my Blackberry to take some pictures. You probably know where I'm going with this. I saw a charge online for roaming. So I get on the phone to get some explanation about all that as I'm a neophyte.
Turns out I can turn off the roaming if I wanted and because my phone received a voice mail and some emails, I was charged for that. Then he proceeded to give me the prices for all the different data and voice options when I'm out of Canada.
This was an important phone call because I do not want to get charged just for using the camera on my phone. Now that I know how to disable it, we are good. The emails and voice mail that got loaded in the States will probably cost less than $1. Cheap enough lesson. I wouldn't have wanted to learn that lesson in Europe.
Back in a week and a bit! Have a great weekend Everyone!
D passed his exam yesterday! He is so relieved to wrap up 2 months worth of studying and review. This designation he has earned is recognized worldwide so who knows where it will take us someday?
A colleague of his has done that line of work in Greece, Brazil and Portugal. I say bring it on! I'm ready to give living elsewhere a go!
When we were in the States for D's marathon last weekend, I used my Blackberry to take some pictures. You probably know where I'm going with this. I saw a charge online for roaming. So I get on the phone to get some explanation about all that as I'm a neophyte.
Turns out I can turn off the roaming if I wanted and because my phone received a voice mail and some emails, I was charged for that. Then he proceeded to give me the prices for all the different data and voice options when I'm out of Canada.
This was an important phone call because I do not want to get charged just for using the camera on my phone. Now that I know how to disable it, we are good. The emails and voice mail that got loaded in the States will probably cost less than $1. Cheap enough lesson. I wouldn't have wanted to learn that lesson in Europe.
Back in a week and a bit! Have a great weekend Everyone!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Mortgage Update
We are officially done with this year's prepayments on our main mortgage -- to the tune of $23100. We won't be allowed to start again until end of Sept. So, I'll be channelling available monies to our other mortgage in the meantime.
The goal with the other one is to pay it down enough such that the amortization matches the remaining term. Right now it is 2 yrs 9 months and we are at 3 yrs 6 months. We started with a 12 yr amortization 3 yrs ago and it is through prepayments we have been able to knock off the time remaining.
With the main house, it is a much bigger job. We sit at 4 yrs 2 months and aiming for 2 years 1 month. In order to achieve this we have sacrificed any rsp savings this past yr and for the next 2 years.
We will be hitting the maximum allowed on the smaller mortgage by the end of Sept. just in time to start on the bigger one again.
I'm still confident that we ought to be very close or bang on finishing both in time to avoid re-mortgaging. D and I were discussing just how much we've been through this year so far, with both of our jobs changing.
Getting through all that has made us feel stronger and I do not stress as much with the above like I used to. It will all get sorted out.
The goal with the other one is to pay it down enough such that the amortization matches the remaining term. Right now it is 2 yrs 9 months and we are at 3 yrs 6 months. We started with a 12 yr amortization 3 yrs ago and it is through prepayments we have been able to knock off the time remaining.
With the main house, it is a much bigger job. We sit at 4 yrs 2 months and aiming for 2 years 1 month. In order to achieve this we have sacrificed any rsp savings this past yr and for the next 2 years.
We will be hitting the maximum allowed on the smaller mortgage by the end of Sept. just in time to start on the bigger one again.
I'm still confident that we ought to be very close or bang on finishing both in time to avoid re-mortgaging. D and I were discussing just how much we've been through this year so far, with both of our jobs changing.
Getting through all that has made us feel stronger and I do not stress as much with the above like I used to. It will all get sorted out.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Potentially Great News!
We got some potentially great news from the "fine print" of D's full time job information booklet. I say potentially because D cannot access that part of the employee computer system until his 3 month probation ends in mid Nov.
The news is in regard to his pension. We were under the impression that he is taking part in an defined contribution plan whereby his work will pay a percentage of pay into an investment account and he would contribute a percentage as well ie. 6 and 6.
But the fine print is saying he is now a part of a defined benefit plan whereby the pension is determined by a formula that takes into consideration number of years worked, maximum salary years and some other factor.
This is the type of pension everyone wants to get. It is what I consider to be a real pension. The kind that teachers, public servants, police officers etc. get.
I'm still in shock. D doesn't think his pension will be as good as a police officer's but I say anything will help and once confirmed, it will change the amount we have to put away for retirement. This has the potential of freeing up a lot of our cash flow.
What we have planned when the mortgages are paid off in a couple of years was to kick into heavy retirement savings gear. If we can pare down the amount we have to save by 30 - 40%, heck, even 20%, that changes our world significantly. Fingers are crossed for good news.
The news is in regard to his pension. We were under the impression that he is taking part in an defined contribution plan whereby his work will pay a percentage of pay into an investment account and he would contribute a percentage as well ie. 6 and 6.
But the fine print is saying he is now a part of a defined benefit plan whereby the pension is determined by a formula that takes into consideration number of years worked, maximum salary years and some other factor.
This is the type of pension everyone wants to get. It is what I consider to be a real pension. The kind that teachers, public servants, police officers etc. get.
I'm still in shock. D doesn't think his pension will be as good as a police officer's but I say anything will help and once confirmed, it will change the amount we have to put away for retirement. This has the potential of freeing up a lot of our cash flow.
What we have planned when the mortgages are paid off in a couple of years was to kick into heavy retirement savings gear. If we can pare down the amount we have to save by 30 - 40%, heck, even 20%, that changes our world significantly. Fingers are crossed for good news.
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