August 11, 2006

Insane Energy Bill: 130% increase to SCE

Holy mackeral. Our damages from the breathtaking heat waves of July have finally been tallied. We used the a/c at night only, for a few hours, if that, to allow us to sleep. And we didn’t even use it every night, at least not if the night air was cool enough.

July 11-August 09: $236.94


*twitch*

Needless to say, this is one of the two bills I pay each month, aside from the rent. This and the water bill.

*ting!* =)

The thought that someone’s actually getting something from this blog, even if it’s just from one post makes me smile.

August 10, 2006

Bank of America: $100 + $125

Daniel, wait a sec! get a $100 BofA check when you open any new, personal checking account with a Check Card. Get an additional $25 when you open any new, personal savings account.
This is actually targeted to existing customers, so you should do both, your other one first and this one just for the bonus!

This deal says you must respond by December 31, 2006.

Ok, so you didn’t have to come see this first, I just couldn’t remember the details and didn’t want you to miss the greater bonus if this wasn’t targeted to existing customers.

Oh, wait a sec, yes you did, check this out: Receive $100.00 – when you open your new checking account online.
The fine print on this one says you have to keep your money in there for the approximately 50 days it should take to credit your account.

Open this one online first, you’ll still get checks and ATM cards, and then the other one up there for a total of $225. A wee bit more than the $35 for a little more work. Whatcha think? =)

I haven’t done either yet, but now that I’ve done the legwork for you, I might just do it too!

August 9, 2006

10k, One Day, One Store

What would you do?

I just can’t make up my mind — practical? Frivolous? And then there are degrees of practicality, clothes are practical but also frivolous … the comics and comic accessories I could get boggle my mind! (I would not just stock up on the long boxes, bags ‘n’ boards, but I could go for a spinner or two.)

But, spending without trying to squeeze the value out of every single penny with coupons, rebates and sales? I don’t know if I could do that. In all honesty I would probably take the money, throw it into a savings account and crow Victory! Or buy a large chunk of airline gift cards so that BoyDucky and I can visit/travel more frequently without worrying about the monthly expenses, or just plan a nice vacation and shopping trip for MaDucky.

Do you know, in all her life, she has yet to go on a vacation or shop without paying attention to how it’s going to affect the budget? It’s always been survival and raising the kids and giving them what they need, want or should have. Piano lessons, private school, books, clothes, cars. Maybe they weren’t needs but they were definitely sacrifices that she made for us. Scratch that, she didn’t buy me a car, but she did provide for most of her family (6 sibs, 2 parents) none of whom thanked her, much less paid her back.

Hm. Today’s question should have been fun, but I got sidetracked on Guilt Highway, carpool lane.

August 8, 2006

Question of the Day 6

is up over at Single Ma’s!

In terms of your annual gross salary, what percentage do you save? Are you happy with that amount or do you think you could do better?

August 7, 2006

Wow, Citi: Train your CSRs!

I just spoke with a Citibank Online rep who, upon ending our call, asked if he could make a small suggestion regarding my accounts. “You have,” he says, “quite a lot of e-savings accounts.”
“Yes?”
“Yes, you have a lot of e-savings accounts, were you aware that if you do not have e-savings accounts linked to your checking account, you will only be getting the 5% annual percentage – that is 4.75% monthly, on the one account and the other accounts will not be getting the high interest rate?”
*interest piqued, does this guy know anything?* “Really, that’s interesting, do you mean to tell me that if each of my e-savings accounts are not linked to their own separate checking accounts I will not be getting the high interest rate? What rate would I be getting?”
“Yes ma’am!! You would only be getting the day to day interest rate and I can check and tell you what that rate would be!”
“Really, because I specifically checked if there were limits on the number of e-savings accounts I could have at the advertised rate.”
“Oh, uh, er, yes let me check on that please could I put you on hold for just a short minute ma’am?”
“Sure..”
a minute later:
“Oh, uh, I checked that and you’re absolutely right ma’am, yes, you are getting the full high interest rate that you seem to be getting ma’am.”
“Yes,” as I peer at my statement with each account’s interest earned and rates looking kosher, “yes I do believe I am right. Thank you, good night!”
“Thankyougoodnightma’am” *CLICK*

Which leaves me wondering, what on earth kind of money-making opportunity did he think he saw? Or did he actually think he was really actually helping me out? What an odd fellow.

August 3, 2006

Just for laughs: Guinea pigs are lovers, not fighters

Hope you can read this!