February 27, 2008
I’m expecting a $75 statement credit in the next 8-10 weeks on my Citi PremierPass card. I have a few options, listed in order of practicality, for what to do with that money.
*edit: Since I composed this, the statement credit has already hit my account!*
***I would not use it for gas, groceries or drugstore purchases because I get 5 points per dollar spent on those categories from another card.***
***I would not use it for cell phone bills either, my AmEx gives 5 points per dollar for those as well***
1. Request a refund check.
2. Try to spend exactly $75 on the card on upcoming utility bills. It’d be pretty close, or a little over, depending on what I’m paying. Either way, I’ll get another 150ish Thank You points from the transaction because I have a ton of Flight Points that can’t be freed without Purchase Points.
3. Buy a $75 Target gift card so that I can use it for other miscellaneous necessities that I hate spending “real” money on. Would have to be careful not to go on a mini spending spree because you know how dangerous shopping at Target can be!
4. Spoil myself: Buy a $75 gift card to Macy’s, Nordstrom or Theory (for use in their outlet, someday).
Since #4 falls under the category of instant gratification, and I’m all about delayed gratification to get the most bang for my shopping buck, it’s the least likely.
What would you vote for?
February 20, 2008
Sad people do spend more money. I’ve been in Las Vegas since Sunday working crazy hours.
Meetings run from 7:30 am to 3 p.m. and continue again from 6 p.m. until 11 or later through cocktail hour and dinner. All this professional socializing, while sick, has been taking a major toll on my energy, and I’ve also been stressed by relationship woes.
So, I bought this gorgeous red thing last night because I’d only packed modest, comfortable clothing, and nothing worthy of going out like we decided to do at the last minute. Shops here are RIDICULOUS expensive, and I couldn’t believe that I thought, “Well. $36 for a dress …. uh …. isn’t … that … bad?”
Ack! Thoroughly defeated my own scheme of making sure that I spend nothing while away on this trip to alleviate the crushing weight of bills waiting for me back home. Doh!
January 1, 2008
Most shops are closed today, New Year’s Day, and I’ve already managed to spend $14 on groceries: cough drops, OJ, milk and eggs.
I was going to review the week’s spending because I’d forgotten that A) it’s Tuesday, and B) it’s already next week. Yeah, I’m totally ready to go back to work tomorrow!!
Last week’s spending, then:
Monday – spent the morning at the cemetery, no spending in the afternoon or evening.
Tuesday – Christmas! Spent the day family-hopping, eating too much good food, and opening way too many presents. Loot: three books, a lovely necklace, two cute bead bracelets (one of which snapped the next day, doh!), a fantastic, made in Florence, journal. From BD: A Maxtor external hard drive, and a Green Lantern ring that’s hugenormous. I love it.
Worked on Wednesday, and forgot to eat breakfast or bring lunch, so I spent $4 on lunch.
Thursday – most of the day was spent at the cemetery visiting A’s grave and eating lunch with the family. No spending.
Friday – used some SW credit to purchase one leg of my flight to see BD for our 3-year anniversary. We then went to Ikea and spent about $220 on office supplies that I’ll be reimbursed for, and $25 on a bathroom rug (for Ma) and ergonomic pillow for me. That was a great $8.65 spent on the pillow, I’ve been getting GREAT sleep. I treated BD to Pho at a restaurant my family frequented when I was a kid: $18, tip included.
Saturday – no spending!
