well played...

So I was browsing online when I noticed something.

$558.  holy cow that's almost a month's rent for me. 

I paid (yes I occasionally fall off my budget wagon) less than $40 for these:

so I guess the lesson here is that if you're admiring a shirt or dress at DVF or a pair of Lanvin shoes (which I hear are actually amazing flats) but can't afford it, then go to Forever 21 (constantly being sued for allegedly copying designs like DVF) or the Gap. You'll actually be saving a few hundred bucks (I'd probably do this even if I was debt free anyway. Rich people love deals).

Energy Saver or my mother incarnate

The old me would see the below and walk by it without thinking twice. These days when I see an electrical outlet with something plugged in that isn't being used, I rush over (or run) to unplug.

I noticed a $30 difference in my electricity bill when I started doing this. So yes, I have become my mother. Great. 

Mad Max

Another manic Monday

Back!

Sorry for the lack of posts but in the last month I made a few changes in my life which were:

• quit my job
• moved to Chicago
• returned to school to pursue an M.S.

and all of the preparation for the above consumed my thoughts and left me unable to do much else except sit gazing blankly at my computer screen. But I made a chart today! a pathetic attempt to make up for lack of posts perhaps? ; )

Here is a chart comparing my January 2010 and January 2011 credit card debt:

As you can see I began 2010 with 9 credit cards and I rang in 2011 with 7 credit cards! ::Gleeful laughter::

Admittedly, only one of the cards I paid off was a large one but I believe in the debt snowball effect (pay off smallest balances first and apply extra $ towards the next smaller balance card next and so on).

Side story: 

The funny part about the Mastercard I paid off last year (using my tax refund) was that 4 business days after my balance was $0, the account was closed by the bank! When I called to ask why (since I used my entire tax refund and didn't put any funds in savings (bad move!)) I was told the account had been closed because my credit report reflected high utilization of credit! I calmly explained I was aware of my appalling balance: available credit ration which was why I had paid the card off to help tilt the scale and asked if they could reopen the account. The end result? One less open account and a lifelong grudge towards Chase. Live and learn! 

2010 monthly credit card payments: $494

2011 monthly credit card payments: $400

Small change but still a positive factor!

Hope everyone is having a fantastic year thus far! ::more gleeful laughter as tax refund deposit envisioned::

Friday!

Color me surprised!




2 months ago that arrow was in the orange "not good" part.

If you buy your score on myfico.com, use promo code "fico25" for 20% off.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Mad Max Monday

Friday

As I refill my stapler, I can only think

Pooch Wednesday

Can your dog read?

Mad Max Monday

Trying to shove me out of the way so he can play games on my laptop.

Water Bottles

Tired of wasting money on water bottles all the time? Hard to believe just a few years ago most people didn't buy tons of bottled water all the time. 

Not sure which reusable water bottle to buy or worried about pollution? After all, the EPA doesn't monitor or regulate the water in water bottles so if you so desired you can sell swamp water with a nice label slapped on.

Well check this out:

apparently you can now find water bottles that have an internal purifier inside so you don't have to constantly refill your Brita.

These bottles are a bit pricey but I think a great investment if you take into account how much money is wasted on individual water bottles ($1.75 for a water bottle at a restaurant that doesn't even have a/c!)

TGIF

Bank coupon

after much waiting, Chase is back with their coupon!

This coupon is available on their website. As much as I hate all banks, gotta love free money.

November 26, 2010

Black Friday.

2 words meant to accelerate your heart rate and pulse, making people do crazy things like wake up, get dressed, and stand in long lines for hours in the dark clutching a wrinkled ad with a crazy glint of determination in their eyes.

If a person were to really think about it, the whole day is crazy and goes against human nature. After all, when finished with a large meal a human being is usually tired and wants to sleep for long periods of time (think polar bears).  But not in this society.

I am ashamed to admit I did not fully resist the sales of the day.  In an effort to control the urge to run out and buy diamond earrings at 4 a.m., I called my mother and took her to lunch. I presented her with a $50 Nordstrom Rack coupon (obtained for $25 online).  Then she suggested we go to this place and my resolve cracked (a resolve that was shaky due to seductive emails from Amazon with insane discounts on dvds). 

This very afternoon I have to go back to Nordstrom Rack and return some of these items because I don't need them (unless I plan to show up to work in a cotton jersey dress that is too loose around the top) and because it's crazy I even bought this stuff. Though I did need seasons 1 and 2 of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia ($10.47 on Amazon) for mental health reasons because when I'm feeling down this show always cheers me up.

At least I didn't get the diamond earrings.

Though little Max has no idea I spent the funds earmarked for unmanning him and runs innocently around (testicles intact and testorone running high for now).

Lesson learned? To leave my wallet at home and have less than half a gallon of gas in my tank at all times.

Mad Max Monday

While we're all hard at work (or finding it hard to be at work), Max is sleeping like only the cute and insane sleep.

TGI BLACK FRIDAY

Top 5 favorite holiday gift ideas under $50

1. Belle Hop Travel Door Alarm

It's a great gift for anyone you know living alone or for anyone concerned about safety in general. It hangs on your doorknob with the sensor between the door and doorframe. If anyone opens the door (like a serial killer) it will immediately sound. You can also use this nifty little door alarm for hotel rooms and dorm rooms. When I saw this at The Container Store I immediately snatched it up (my fear of serial killers has led to a ban on Criminal Minds).  

2.  Itunes Gift Card

Yes you were expecting a suggestion that was a tad more personal for someone.  Well Apple is everywhere.  An itunes gift card enables someone to buy anything from songs, books, audio books, movies, tv shows, etc. What's not to love?  If the person you gift this to is far away, well you can just email them the gift card and ensure they not only receive it but save an additional 44 cents in postage. 

3.  12 Volt Jump-Start and Power Supply

Jumper cables belong with the cassette tape era. You charge it once for 24 hours and voila! You are set to go. You can not only jump start your car with a simple push of a button (the one in the photo is similar to mine and lets you know when it needs to be charged again) but you can also use the adapter to provide light (has a built in flashlight) and use as a small generator for your computer, cell phone, etc. when the power is out. If you don't use it that often (I've used mine once in the last 2 years) just charge it once every 3 months. Less than $50 and basically all around awesome.

4.  Digital Photo Frame

Your loved one can look at your smiling mug all day long. This Friday I know Target is going to have a digital photo frame on sale for less than $25 and I plan to buy it, load with only pictures of myself and give to my mother. She can't escape me!  Very thoughtful if you load it before you gift it with special photos. 

5.  Mini Camcorder

Cheaper than the Flip, some companies like Coby and Kodak offer mini camcorders as an alternative to the bigger camcorders, which offer great video recording and are easy to download onto your computer (have usb). This would be great for a teenager who doesn't necessarily have a cell phone with a video camera (I'm sure they exist out there. I wouldn't give a teen a car much less a $400 cell phone) or for you wanting something a bit more easy to use and with a zoom function to record your memories. 

Pooch Wednesday!

Financial Mistakes

Financial mistakes I've made this past month that I am correcting:

1. Bought expensive dog harness that I am now going to return. After all, there's nothing wrong with Poochi's current harness except being old. The $30 could be applied somewhere else (like an existing credit card balance. I battle spending impulses often.

(offensive expensive harness)

2. Bought many packs of bottled Fiji water thinking "I can't possibly drink Zephyrills!" This reasoning changed after 1 fitness boot camp session where I drank an entire bottle of Fiji water, remained thirsty and bought a store brand bottled water sold at boot camp. I wouldn't have cared if it was from a rusty tap at that point.

Goodbye many bottles of water, hello environmental & fiscal conservation!

 

(water bottle courtesy of boot camp)

3. Bought books from the itunes bookstore. Now I just read them at the bookstore without purchasing. If you're wondering why I don't go to the public library it is because when my car was stolen 9 years ago I had library books in the trunk and the public library refused to absolve the costs (though I was a victim of a crime and had a police report itemizing these books!). I refuse to pay these fines as I see it as a matter of principle. If my public high school was willing to absolve the cost of an expensive video camera (don't leave anything in your car folks) then why can't the public library?!

4. Bought too many lunches instead of packing it from home. Goodbye $4.51 a slice pumpkin cheesecake.

(I know it looks good and tastes even better) 

My biggest obstacle was making lunch in the mornings, till I got the idea to make it in bulk on the weekend and just have the sandwiches waiting to be grabbed in the fridge before the work week begins. So this week I have 3 roast chicken and provolone cheese sandwiches waiting to be eaten. Why roast chicken? My boot camp instructor insists this is healthier than deli meat. No picture of the sandwiches because it doesn't look as great as the food porn above. Though its healthier!

Many of my mistakes are simple common sense errors yet I know many make the same mistakes. I heard water bottles are taking up the most space in landfills these days. And as for the cheesecake, well take a look at that photo! Only the blind can resist!

Mad Max Monday

Before:





After:





Just call him Mr. Polished

TGIF