Sorry for the very specific content not meant for most of my readers, but I need to share this…

If you are currently on the path to acheiving your CFP® (Certified Financial Planner) Designation, the CSI routes (even if you took both, like I did because I’m crazy, ie: the WME & FP1 & FP2 routes) these courses DO NOT fully prepare you for the level and depth of material you will require knowledge on to be successful with writing the FPE1 and FPE2.

I’m writing the FPE1 tomorrow morning, and I don’t feel prepared enough despite a month of almost full-time study in my off-hours. I believed, incorrectly, that the prerequisites (specifically the FP track) would give me a good foundation, and that I’d just need to brush up on all the details of the course materials I’d already been successful with. When I opened up my exam prep books a month ago, my heart jumped. And, not in a good way.

I have aquired the Gobeil Handbooks, Gobeil 1000 Questions, and the Foran books as well as Foran practice exam questions for CFP preparation – these are a MUST-HAVE if you have only the CSI materials) The material is MUCH deeper, and far more specific than the courses I just finished. Also, get your hands on the SeeWhyLearning.com study guides for the FP courses, as they are a good basis to do review with.

So, if you are thinking you are going to be ready for the CFP® after a few weeks of study and review fresh after your CSI courses… You’ll be in for a shock. Put aside at least two solid full-time months of study with the exam prep materials after your CSI courses. Be prepared to let go of your social life entirely. If I knew then what I know now, I probably would have put off my first exam until next June.

Let’s hope I’ve learned enough to move on to the next and final exam, the FPE2, next June.

Your turn: Are you preparing for your CFP® designation? Are you crazy like me, and doing both the PFP® and CFP® at the same time?

Hi everyone. Yes, I’m the person you see buried under a pile of books. That’d be my hand flailing, too.

I’ll be able to dig out in two weeks, but in the meantime, I’ve now canceled all social engagements until my first critical exam next Saturday, December 1. The FPE1 for the CFP can only be written every six months, so I might lose my mind if I’m not successful writing it.

So, in the meantime – tell me… Are you finished your Christmas shopping yet?

After months of being FAR too busy to get on the weight maintenance / loss bandwagon, I’ve decided to shed these twenty(ish, maybe a bit less…) pounds I’ve slowly added back on due to bad eating, no exercise, and indulgences like enjoying wine with friends on the weekends (which I know causes this body to pack on the weight like crazy).

And, as usual, I’ve got a timeline in mind… (to get rid of most of the weight, not all of it, obviously) – In just over a month, I’m heading to San Francisco for fun and work, and I’d like to be able to fit back into all my clothes that are currently a little too tight to feel comfortable in.

So – The easiest way is to finally use the Visalus “Body by Vi” Transformation Kit that I ordered for Barry months ago, but he never ended up using. My second cousin sells it, and I’m sure she’d be horrified to know it’s been sitting collecting dust because I’ve just been too busy to put any effort into myself with all the study of the last several months.

Tomorrow’s the DAY, Melissa! I’ve heard so many awesome things about this product, that I’m really looking forward to seeing how it works for me. It seems like a no-brainer to get in all the nutrition I need, and still not worry about taking time out of my very tight study window I’ve got right now. I don’t know why I waited, actually…

After the jump, I’ve found 100 Blender Shake Recipes to share: (more…)

I’ve gone and done it. I’ve successfully factory-unlocked an iPhone 4S that I paid full price for January 1st. The backstory is that I really, really wanted the iPhone 4S (I had an iPhone 4 that I had upgraded to in July of 2010). But, alas, I got bad information, and sold my 4 thinking I could get a 4S around New Year’s Eve with no hassle. Hell, it had been months since the new model was out. But, I was wrong, and so, I was completely phoneless for two weeks.

I finally got fed up trying to secure one each evening at 9pm (who thought up this stupid freakin’ idea, anyhow? You have to pre-order an iPhone on Apple’s website for pick-up the next day, instead of just walking in the store and getting what they have in stock? Dumb!!) and so, I bought a brand new Fido-locked iPhone 4S from a guy off of Kijiji.

I did my homework, and confirmed the serial number and IMEI was not stolen, and brand new… and it was fine. And, the phone is awesome. Except, I was still paying over $110 a month for my Fido contract that I now have 9 months left on.

Screw that. I’m tired of being over-charged by Fido (err, Rogers?). I tried calling into Fido and letting them know that they had a very dissatisfied client on their hands, and that I was thinking of paying out my contract ($180) and moving to Telus. After speaking with 3 different pleasant, but completely useless retention agents on 3 occasions, I threw up my hands and sought out any BMO employee deals through other wireless companies.

Get this… I just ordered an iPhone 5 from Telus on a three year contract, paying… $40.50 for triple the airtime (600 minutes total daytime), all voicemail and text, call waiting, etc… AND long distance Canada-wide (to any number, as long as it’s within my plan minutes). Oh, and did I mention, I have scaling data to unlimited? For those months I’m not using much (right… like that’ll happen) I have 500 mb included, but it scales upto unlimited in increments for a maximum fee of $30! For LTE! The LTE coverage alone in Calgary is FAR better than that of Fido/Rogers, too!

I’m happy.

In just a few months, the switch fee will pay for itself. And, of course, I already have a buyer for my iPhone 4S that I paid to have carrier unlocked today.

Good riddance, Fido.

YOUR TURN: Have you had it with your wireless carrier? How much are you paying a month?

Last week, I was invited to a Toyota blogger event at Canada Olympic Park (COP) – it was a #ToyotaLove themed morning, based on things you should consider when choosing a vehicle.

Having recently bought a new vehicle myself (and a larger crossover to boot) I was impressed with the thought the organizers put into the presentation. The primary focus based on the family theme, of course, was on the larger vehicles in Toyota’s line-up, from mini-vans (which make all sorts of sense for families) to 8-seater SUVs.

The most important consideration, I thought while hearing the presentation, was consider what you are using a vehicle for, and shop with the accessories (like car seats, and other accessories) WITH you. This made all sorts of sense – and something I wouldn’t have thought of.

During the test-drives, surprisingly, it was Toyota’s largest vehicle shown – the Sequoia – that got my attention. It’s an 8 passenger SUV featuring a 3rd row of seating for those requiring extra towing capacity and more seating than their other models. I really liked the comfort of this SUV, and I really appreciated some of the cooler features like the side-view mirrors which automatically adjust when you put the vehicle into reverse. Granted, for a two-person family such as mine, there’s absolutely no need for the immense amount of space the Sequoia offered, but if I ever needed the 7,400 lb towing ability (double my CUV’s), I would definitely consider this vehicle.

Thanks for the fun morning @ToyotaCanada! I had a great time…

YOUR TURN: Are you shopping for a vehicle? What are you considering?

Don’t mind me… I’m officially in a state of panic, thinking about all the exams I have coming up.

At this point, there is zero room for bad results, as I need all three PFP designation courses behind me by October 23. (I can’t write my CFP exam Dec 1 unless I provide them passing marks for the other exams by Oct 31)

So… Here’s my upcoming exam dates, for everyone playing along at home:

• Sept 17 – PFSA (Personal Financial Services Advice) exam
• Oct 1 – FP1 exam (Financial Planning I) = Certificate in Financial Services achieved
• Oct 23 – FP2 (Financial Planning II) exam
• Nov 12 – AFP1 (Applied Financial Planning I) exam (PFP qualifier)
• Nov 26 – AFP2 (Applied Financial Planning II) exam (written, not multiple choice) = PFP achieved
• Dec 1 – FPE1 exam (**first test of 2 for CFP designation… these can only be written June/Dec!)

If all goes well, I’ll be a PFP designate by December 1st, and a FPSC Registered Candidate for the CFP (which requires one more gruelling exam in June 2013).

Now, how to balance life, work and study? This will be a challenge. Likely? I’ll push aside most personal balance in the short term, knowing that this is now months and not years away to finishing my accreditations.

Phew.

YOUR TURN: What are you looking forward to, coming up? Let me live vicariously through you for a bit!

Good morning kids! How are you this fine morning? Me? I’m excited!

Today is Apple launch day, and for a tech geek like me, it’s just like Christmas morning!! My husband thinks I’m weird, and that’s okay. I own that… I’m from Vancouver, after-all – Where everyone will be breathlessly gathered around computer screens reading live-blogs about the Apple event, while waiting for the much-anticipated launch of the new iPhone.

I personally have a theory… I don’t think that the 5 in the shadow is for “iPhone 5″ – I think they’ll be naming the new iPhone… wait for it… the NEW IPHONE. (I think this naming convention is stupid, but they must have this grand plan for how they are naming future products. Can you imagine the next iPhone name? The new, new iPhone? Or, the old one, the iPhone formerly known as the new iPhone? LOL.) Anyhow, I digress.

The number 5 in the shadow, in my opinion, represents 5 product announcements. Okay, call me crazy… but, with all the hype over the new smaller iPad coming out, and a new iPod, and even an interactive Apple TV, and so on – wouldn’t it make sense to surprise people with a large roll-out that is unexpected? Isn’t that what Apple is known for? Let’s face it – Apple has never given people the name of the products they were releasing in the past, so this would be a real departure if they started now.

But we’ll see in a few hours! (9am PT)

Here’s the link to the live blog coverage by Gizmodo.

Click here for the CNET Live Stream (Not sure if it’ll work or not).

YOUR TURN: Do you think I’m off my rocker (in more ways than one? heheh) What do you predict? Are you looking forward to the launch?

Wooohooo!!! It’s Friday!

Although it’s been a good week, with two of my workdays spent in a seminar (I love learning about stuff I’m passionate about), and a short work week to boot, it’s been a hectic week nonetheless. So, when four o’clock rolls around, and I’m stepping into a jam-packed Ctrain, I need tunes to put a smile on my face. Once those beats hit my ears, all the smell, overcrowding, and social dysfunction drop away… and life is GOOD.

For me, it’s an eclectic mix of Electronica, Folk-Reggae, some old-school beats, and even a few country songs which really make the transition from work-Tanya to woohoo-it’s-the-weekend-Tanya a quick one.

For example, today, I listened to the Sheepdogs, Dobb and Dumela (you probably haven’t heard of them, but they’re SO FUN!!), Four Seasons, New Order, and Brooks and Dunn on the way home.

I’m ready for an awesome weekend…

YOUR TURN: What’s some of your favourite tunes to get you going for the weekend?