Escaped that potential fiasco!

So reading a few things - Asian Pear's recent blog and a couple of other blogs lately about the Security Breach with the Canada Student Loan's Program.

So I called the number, as I had student loans during the time they've identified the loss.

And, lucky for me, I was not affected.  So, I asked why?  Since it seems likely I should have been.  It seems that this breach may be only affecting those people with Student Loans that they are actively still paying.  Or recently paid off.

I paid my loans off Christmas 2003.  I graduated December 12, 2003.  There was no interest incurred don my loans because I paid them off before the end of the month I graduated it.  So, the government was returned their money at a 1:1 ratio for every dollar I borrowed from them.  So there government!

It took me the entire year of 2004 to pay back the money I borrowed to do this - again at a 1:1 ratio, dollar for dollar. 

I know that I am fortunate to be able to tell people this.  I know that I am fortunate to have already paid more than half of my total borrowed loans off the summer before my last semester.  A little thing called an audit found that I had made too much at my co-op position and part-time job (yep, that's me working 70 hours a week for 16 straight weeks to bring in the bank I needed to live on while at school.)  I worked my butt off, and as such triggered an audit by the government and a subsequent need to repay $9,000 in over payments first.  That left a mere $10,000 to give back to the government after graduation. 

I managed to make enough money that summer to pay off the entire $9,000 AND still have the money to live, pay tuition, get my books, eat, and have a life while at school my last semester.  It also helps that at that time I was happy being a saver and socked away almost 1/3 of each loan the government gave me.  Sure it was tight.  Sure I made sure to use every free resource I could find.  And I absolutely made sure to accept every offer I was given of food, entertainment, dining out etc. when someone offered to pay for it.  Maybe it was a little greedy, however when the offer presents itself, I graciously and humbly accepted. 

So - now that I've broken my inner-saver, and I'm working to revive her, I understand, through looking back, that I had it right and then I went wrong. 

I digress.

I am happy to know that my information has not made it into the security breach, and am thankful it's most likely because I paid it off before the government got a red-cent more than they gave me. 

Cheeky government!

So, as I move on in my future, I am happy to report my ability to be happy with what I have, be humble with my fortune, and be thankful for the abundance in my life is beginning to become more apparent in my life.  I love opportunities to give back, and will be exercising another such opportunity Feb 6th, at my University (well the one I attend).  The Leadership and Mentorship Program has asked me to be a part of a professional panel speaking to the current cohort about how to progress from student to job applicant and other like issues.

I've been making a list of things in my possession that I can use to entertain myself for the year of 2013.   I have 3 free movie passes to use for the year.  I have so many books I wonder how my shelves simply haven't fallen down under their weight.  I have DVD's, and Videos (remember those!) and games to play and enjoy.  I have the ability to host tea and potlucks with my friends.  I have ladies brunches, and sister days, date nights, and family visits to give me a variety of other activities.  I have 2 feet, 2 legs and a brain to move myself with.  I have a bicycle to ride every which and where.  And I have school until the end of April. 

I'm thankful for the fact that my information remains save.  I am thankful for the help I had on paying that loan off and the parameters surrounding that money.  I am thankful that I am a worker and a hustler and will get it done no matter what.  I am thankful that that drive is returning in me.

And, I am thankful for all the free, fantastic forms of entertainment I will be experiencing in the coming year.  So many wonderful things are about to happen that I know I will sit at the end of the year and just marvel at all the experiences I've been involved with in 2013.