May 24, 2007
In my experience, scrapbooking is not a frugal hobby, what with all the nifty gadgets and doodads like the stamp punches, 60-jillion types of scissors, and then of course the necessary papers, cardstock, stickers, letters, etc. The cost stalled my scrapbooking efforts for a while.
Luckily I have a friend who has purchased way too much of that stuff and doesn’t use it anymore, and wants me to borrow it instead of buying my own, so this can be affordable! At least, it’ll amply supplement my stash of paper, stickers and borders that I haven’t used because I have a horrible fear of (glue to paper) commitment.
All I have to do is go get it, or perhaps she’ll even bring it to me! And this Sunday, I’m planning to meet up with a few train friends to make a few more pages for my Italy scrapbook. We’ll pool our resources and tools so we don’t all need our own shape-cutter, blades, and cutting mats. At this rate, I may finish the book in time to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of my one vacation to Italy, way back in ’02! (Aw geez, I just realized I only have 5 more years until that date, better get hoppin’!)
May 23, 2007
My Banana Republic gift cards arrived last night! Now that I don’t have to feel guilty for “wasting” those Thank You points! Mmm … *rubbing hands together* … now for a good rousing SALE.
Happily, BoyDucky and I simultaneously reached the conclusion that $650 each in traveling expenses is too much for a Friday destination wedding. Vancouver would have been beautiful, I’m sure, but having to take two days off in a month I’m already taking three days off makes my skin crawl, and the costliness of the trip topped up my apathy. Thankfully, he’s not extremely close to his brother’s friend, the groom, so he doesn’t feel bad about sending a gift and regrets.
So my awards points and miles are safe, for now. 🙂
May 21, 2007
BoyDucky asked me to go to a wedding with him and his brother/sis-in-law in Vancouver this July. A looksee on Farecompare.com, Orbitz.com, AA.com and United.com later, it seems that the airfare is not just ‘spensive, it’s pretty ridiculous.
I went through the whole process of agonizing over whether I can really afford to spend $450 on airfare and another $200 on the hotel. You can, however, can skip the agonizing: that’s a no. Or at least I couldn’t possibly justify it. And then the epiphany hit me: If I had just held off on redeeming all those points for another week, redeeming them for gift cards I won’t need anytime soon after all, I could have my ticket! And I could have probably redeemed more points for the hotel stay! *groan* Now how am I supposed to learn my lesson about the evils of hoarding when this sort of coincidence occurs?
I feel like a prize just slipped through my fingers.
I’m still 3k United Miles shy of the required 25k, or 6k Thank You points short, looking over all my rewards accounts. I suppose I could look into converting some Starwood points (20k points –> 25k miles) into United miles, if I want to give up on my Starwood points for now.
Right about now I’m not sure if it would have been better to consolidate and focus my rewards earning on just one or two accounts, or if I should be grateful that there may still be some point gyrations that would save me $450-650.
Yar, I say! Thar be fist-shakin’ in the Ducky household tonight. (There also be some consideration of asking Big Boss if he couldn’t spare a few, oh, say, 25k miles. What? It could be a “creative” perk!)
Ah well. I could always not go.
Edit: Holy cow! The only award flights available are 50k miles!
May 17, 2007
I’m so excited, my first requested Paperback Swap book came in today, and I’ve sent two out! Practically free books in the mail, what could be better? (Well, you know, other than checks and great coupons, of course 😛 )
May 16, 2007
Q: Shall I buy your Comic-Con tickets when I buy mine?
A: Sure, "or I could just buy 'em myself but I know how it pains you to know that
I'd be purchasing them with my debit card. Might as well let you
get some points outta it."
BoyDucky gets it! He DOES see me wince/twitch/grimace horribly EVERY time he
buys something with a debit card! I'll have him converted yet, my pretties ....
=D
May 10, 2007
Though I rarely get to watch television, I’ve been known to enjoy tidbits of Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, on occasion. I happened across this hilarious little segment of last night’s Colbert Report. THE most important segment, really:
And the best comment posted has to be:
“Well, Evelyn [Mrs. Colbert] ought to be okay with it. She just won every fight for the rest of their lives, with a handy visual aid. “Oh, really, Stephen? [Flips on large screen tv with freeze frame of appropriate moment.] Fonda. Take out the damn garbage.”