About sixteen years ago, I met him for the first time. My trainwreck sibling brought home this adorable puppy he had no business adopting because he had not one thing in his life that wasn’t a mess. I was furious at my sibling – he didn’t even take care of himself, how could he drag
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January 9, 2010
My best bud, Robin, was up for a promotion at work. But he’s not getting it.
They’re considering sending him to another level over the one he was proposing!
This new promotion’s gone through most of the C-level execs for review and approval and it’s awaiting final approval and parameter-setting.
I’m so proud of him! He took the initiative, wrote a proposal, and he took a risk in sending it off without consulting his current manager. It was such a good proposal that upper management recognized that he was proposing great ideas, and told his current manager that his proposal saves the company at least $25,000 which makes that manager look *really* good.
Please cross your fingers for Robin! 🙂
January 8, 2010
TGIF! Does everyone have exciting weekend plans? I might, a few of us might meet in the middle and visit with a friend back in town from one of the Dakotas.
It’s funny, back when I was working 60-, 70-, and 80-hour weeks, I had completely forgotten what leisure looked like. My hobbies were eating and sleeping until I worked again. Nowadays, I spread out my fun throughout the week since I’m living a somewhat freelance life. In no particular order ….
1. Hulu
Instead of watching real TV, I poke around on Hulu for a few shows to eat watch while I’m eating lunch or dinner at my desk. Sadly, the selection has been poor lately. It might just be because we’re between seasons or post-holiday or some such but I also wish they would have more past seasons available.
2. Library
I’ve been a regular at our local library these past months for the free wi-fi when my internet was down, and for the books. Our library is pretty populated during the days, more than I would have expected, but then again I was never in there when I still worked full time.
3. Fighting with the TreasuryDirect site
I always forget my password, I hate checking on my bond there. I should never have bothered to convert, cashing out the bond or checking on the current price online was so much easier when it was paper.
4. Job Hunting, related jobby activities
It’s only mildly entertaining but I do it every day. And it’s free. So there you go. (Actually it doesn’t belong on this list at all since I don’t do it for FUN.)
5. Blogging, twittering, reading online
Major time killer, and I’m even mildly productive. Some days, wildly so.
6. Coupon clipping
Yes, it’s a precursor to spending, but not always my spending. Sometimes I’m just collecting coupons for MoneyMateKate’s Robin Hooding. I only CVS/Walgreen’s Rewards if my deals are all-inclusive: the coupons cover what I need and the rewards generated are used for another upcoming deal for something I need. My attention span’s short these days so I don’t commit to big deals and rounds.
7. Walking
If I have to run errands within a 1.5 mile radius, I’ll walk to and from. As I work on my stamina, the amount of time spent in transit will improve.
8. Playing with my finances
Most everything’s automated really, so I take the pulse every few days and keep an eye out for possible improvements or possible revenue generators.
9. Grooming the dogs
Very gently and very carefully; that dog’s a walking fluff-ball and loves to be loved on.
10. Pro bono work
Friends and family often call on me for assistance in my areas of expertise: organizing moves, bargain hunting, setting up relatively new tech (not that I’m any expert, but I do have the time to figure it out), vetting college or med school applications, drafting official letters for Causes, spending time with lonely folk, etc.
As you can see, it’s not terribly exciting over here, but I keep pretty busy without spending much money. I am getting itchy feet again, though, I had a quick Chuck-style flash about spending some time overseas last night. If that could be managed while avoiding airports and flying entirely, I’d totally be in.
January 7, 2010
I’ve always heard that Craigslist was a great place for bargains but is notoriously populated by flaky people, buyers and sellers alike so I was more than a little trepidatious when I embarked on this furniture buying adventure with my New Home friend who needed to furnish a new 2-bedroom abode. It sounded like we could look forward to spending way too much time to try and save money, followed up by spending way too much money.
I’m eating my fears now: it was well worth it financially to sift through the offerings, even though I bored of furniture shopping weeks ago!
We found the following deals on pieces (targeting those made by CB2, Room and Board, and West Elm).
A deep set sofa designed for sitting IN and not sitting ON
Retail price: $1,199.00
Store delivery fee: $79.00
Total: $1385 after tax
Craigslist price: $250 (bargained down, it wasn’t in pristine condition as claimed)
Slipcover bought new: $300 (had to be custom-made to fit)
Rental truck fee: $20
Total paid: $597
An extendable dining set: table with four chairs
Retail price: $1,399.00 (table) + $199-299 x 4 (chairs)
Store delivery fee: $79
Total: $2477-$2913
Craiglist price: $250
Truck Rental: $20
Total paid: $270
There was a lot more in the way of appliances and furniture purchased in good, or almost new condition, but I was only allowed to share these two as the best of the bunch.
The shopping strategy was as follows:
1. Make a list of the absolutely necessary needs of each room: seating, sleeping arrangements, storage
2. Brainstorm how to make the most of each piece. If you can, opt for either a futon/daybed style sofa for the second bedroom/office, or choose a sofa that includes a fold out bed, so you can minimize the amount of space filled. Use a bench in place of (some) chairs, so it can be stored under the table.
3. Browse retail stores in your area so you can actually inspect the furniture in person. Things that look great online aren’t always going to be as soft, comfortable or supportive as you imagine. Target pieces that aren’t too new: you’ll have better luck finding the used counterpart on Craigslist if they’re about to replace that collection in stores than if it’s brand new.
4. Take your wish list to Craigslist, and search by location and store name. This will narrow down your search considerably and very quickly.
5. Spend 30 minutes a day checking for the best deals. People post every day, and postings change constantly.
6. Understand your market: Depending on how metropolitan the area you’re perusing, you may have the luxury of picking the best quality for the lowest price. Conversely, you may have to jump on a posted item immediately to have a chance to even look at it.
Most importantly: Have patience. If you’re on a tight budget and buying new isn’t an option, this process could take some time. It helps to have a friend to bounce ideas off of during the selection period, too, because when you get burned out it’s tempting to just buy that table, or any table, and be done with the whole mess at the cost of your budget or your sanity when you have to replace the rickety, broken or ugly thing.
January 6, 2010
To be fair to the objects in question, they themselves actually do serve a purpose. They’re not tchochkes, per se, not dust-collectors like those small, poorly formed animal statues with questionable faces and even more questionable beady eyes. Folding stools and wee little plastic chairs, little packets of bamboo sticks and such, they each and all serve distinct and perfectly justifiable purposes. For other people. But I can’t actually name one instance in which I wished I’d picked up one oddment or another from 99 Ranch, that ubiquitous Asian market, so why am I always become possessed of this nearly atavistic need to purchase a dozen small plastic bowls, or spoons?
My first reaction is to blame the prices: “$8 for a folding stool? It’s a steal! You can always find a use for a stool – people need to sit! Never ye mind which people. Or where.” But that’s not it because it’s even worse with Tupperware. I yearn for the snapping lids, the squareish, roundish, stackable plastic containers with an almost palpable need – I’m not safe alone in a Target and their aisles of plastic containers. And those things are not cheap, so this whole problem of mine can’t be dismissed as simple bargain-basement fever.
I am convinced that this is a close cousin to the hoarder’s syndrome: a pathological grasping after items that serve fine purposes in anyone’s household but your own because you really don’t need the darn thing. It’s not that farfetched, I’ve definitely got the hoarding blood. Even as a five year old, I was more preoccupied with collecting practical items like finger-sized glasses that no one could ever drink out of than I was with using them to play with dolls. Incidentally, the dolls were always hidden in the bottom drawer as punishment for creeping me the heck out. Like clowns: good idea, poor execution.
My parents laughed at my refusal to get rid of any container, paper or plastic, or any wrapping paper because I might reuse it someday. “Just like Grandma,” they said.
Guys, my favorite pastime at age 17 was to drive to the local bargain shop and bring home table settings or sets of glasses! Besides being a waste of money, didn’t they have an analog version of Intervention or Hoarders back then? Didn’t they know this could become full blown madness?? It wasn’t until, years later, a friend’s mother had formed precarious towers of bargains that turned into pillars which solidified into walls that blocked them out of rooms, that it seemed like a good idea to cut back on the “steals.”
For lack of (much) outside reinforcement, I’m left to police myself. And wonder why on earth I know better, but still can’t stop walking up and down the aisles petting the household goods.
I’m weak.
January 5, 2010
Readers’ successes:
SS4BC – I was shopping at REI for some shoes. I had a $50 giftcard that needed to be used (this was a rebate giftcard from buying merchandise from them the year before).
I found a beautiful pair of Merrells that I wanted. With my $50 GC, I would pay around $36 out of pocket for them. Not too bad.
I went up the the cashier and smiled. Then I said “Hi, I would like to buy these shoes, but I don’t want to pay full price.”
To which he replied (I kid you not): “How about a 20% discount?”
Me (astonished that this actually worked): “Sure! That sounds great!”
He rings them up – $86 with a 20% discount, we’re down to $63. I hand him my $50 giftcard. I pay $13 for my $86 pair of shoes. And could not have been happier.
All because I ASKED.
RainyDaySaver – Today alone, I got a free cupcake because it was my birthday and had a jeweler take links out of my too-big watch for free. And a follow up post here.
Sense to Dollars – When I complained about my dental visit a little while ago on this blog, I also put my sentiments into a letter written on the Lumino site feedback form. I very nicely explained my disatisfaction with my visit, and how horribly inept I found the dentist’s technique to be.
Read the rest here: Complaining pays off in more ways than one
Success! There were issues with my seats (reading light out, sound was out) to and from HNL last month. I emailed United informing them of the malfunctions, and left it at that. I suppose this doesn’t really count as asking, so much as speaking up. They replied with an apology and a $150 courtesy gift certificate good for a one-way or round-trip fare, expires in a year.
Success! I’ve been helping a friend move into a new place. When we picked up furniture in the city, we had to park in a neighboring structure to go into the store. It wasn’t until we were committed to the $6 parking fee that we found out that the folks in the storage area would be willing to carry out and help load our packages in the car only if we pulled up front. They wouldn’t help if they were brought out onto the sales floor. I asked the parking attendant to let us pull out and pick up the stuff, and then come back and park, explaining that we had no idea they’d only help us if we were pulled up out front. The attendant decided to be kind, giving us the first hour free so that we could leave and come back after loading up the car.
Success! My missing rebate finally arrived.
It’s fun keeping track of these wins, big and small. If anyone wants to join in the fun, or submit their own for inclusion, please email me!
January 4, 2010
A belated recap
‘Twere the hours before dinner,
and strewn along the cushions,
all the people were lounging,
including this lout:
These gorgeous cuts of pork and fish were our main entrees in what I thought was a slightly ambitious menu.
It turns out that I completely underestimated the other cooks in the family because their post-Christmas dinner was worlds away better than mine.
Had I known they were going to serve tri-tip, baked green bean casserole, jalapeno cornbread, red mashed potatoes with a shrimp sauced noodle starter and two kinds of soup, no matter how much of it was pre-made or from the box, I might have insisted on something more elaborate than my all-from-scratch meal followed by my first homemade pie ever.
Actually, my peeve was that despite my careful coordination of the cooking and plating, the dinner guests milled about so long that the food all got cold. And I hate cold food.
The pork needs a little more work the next time we make it; lower heat and longer cook time should do the trick, but the apple with pancetta topping was an absolute hit. At least two people went back for seconds and thirds of the topping to go with the quinoa or the Crescent rolls we served.
I hope everyone had at least one good holiday meal. We might not be big on traditional Christmas around here, but we do believe in good company, good food, and sometimes good wine.
January 3, 2010
(Don’t worry yourself!)
It’s that time again for some year’s end/year’s dawn clearing out.
In an effort to keep my nomadic lifestyle from derailing my money lifestyle, I had to take a day to clean up and keep up after the past two weeks of running about.
Paying Bills
— Yodlee insists on mucking about with improvements that don’t help functionality like adding the option to mark a bill “Skipped.” Real responsible, Yodlee, encouraging skipped payments.
— Remember that it doesn’t really matter when the money goes out. Interest rates are negligible, late fees are not. I used to pay bills for a 7-day period, but I’m changing to a 14-day period since my focus sitting in front of the computer isn’t on mundane stuff like paying bills.
Health
— Once a month, I’ll do a meds check to make sure that I’ve always got enough on hand.
Financial Records
— Two more Citi cards were canceled due to inactivity. They weren’t my top tier rewards cards so it doesn’t matter to me. I just removed them from the online interface. The credit cards will be scanned for my credit report records check (I’ve had a lot of cards, and it’s easy to forget which ones I had. Should probably Excel spreadsheet this too.)
— Doublechecked to make sure an erroneous subscription to Credit Protector was for the canceled card. That saves me a follow-up phone call.
— I had three sets of promotional credit card offers: The Chase Sapphire reqs have been fulfilled and I’ve gotten my reward ($100); Citi FWD reqs were just fulfilled recently so I’ll be claiming those Thank You points at the end of the next statement (11k points); and the AMEX reqs were also recently fulfilled. All three cards have been removed from my wallet to prevent further confusion.
Examine new offers
— Citi FWD: Cell Phone Protection; pay your monthly cell phone bill with your Citi Forward card & receive:
• Automatic cell phone protection from damage or theft
• Coverage on phones and PDA
• Up to $250 per eligible claim (with a $50 co-pay)
This might be worth switching over my autobilling. Maybe.
Housekeeping
— 3 loads of laundry, lest the temptation to chuck it all and buy all new overwhelms and send me screaming to the mall. Not very likely, but you can’t take chances.
— Vacuuming
I think that’ll do for starters.
