CVS Haul: 22 April 2011
On this trip I paid $7.31 out of pocket for $34.97 worth of items. My goal for 2011 is to not spend any money out of pocket, while using coupons and ECBs to get tons of items at CVS, with an initial gift card of $50.
Today I actually messed up because I ended up spending money out of pocket due to not planning for this trip. I had some ECBs from the last time that were expired and I was so excited when the cashier smiled at me and said that she would accept them that I just lost my mind. I used up all of the gift card so I will need to be on the lookout to redeem some more points for another gift card…even though I fell off the wagon by using my own money to pay for items today.
I Pulled My Credit Report…Oops
It is usually a good thing in the personal finance world when you pull your credit report so why am I mad that I pulled mine this time? Well I was not thinking clearly when I went to annualcreditreport.com and pulled TWO reports on the same date.
I am now left with only one report that I can pull for the rest of the year and we still have TEN months left!!!! A friend of mine recently had his identity breached, with someone trying to open multiple accounts using his information. This had me spooked and pulled out my spreadsheet of credit report requests only to find out that I had not requested any official reports last year.
Tracking My Finances In 2011: April Week 3
I have decided to post my weekly spending for the previous week on Fridays so you know how my cash has been flowing for the week. Please note that I get paid on the last day of the month so my cash flow net effect will usually be negative until the last day of the month.
This does not mean that I am adding to my debt, it just means that the money coming in is less than the money going out because bills are due starting on the first but I don’t get paid until the last day.
The RIF Is Official And I Will Be Losing My Job
I recently wrote about how my workplace was putting a Reduction In Force (RIF) in place and they would be closing my school down. I was just informed that the program has definitely been closed down and will no longer exist at the end of the year.
This means I need to step up my game big time to find another job before the new school year begins. This is so frustrating and I wish they had given us a definitive answer before plastering it all over the newspaper. Nothing is worse than having your students come tell you that they saw that would be losing your job in the newspaper.
My Sinking Fund Accounts
A Sinking Fund account is one where you put money into a savings account to pay for future expenses. I did not know that was what they were called, even though I have been using sinking fund accounts for a long time now.
I still question the use of the word ‘sinking’ because the money is actually growing until you decide to use it but there must be some explanation that I am too lazy to look for right now.
Here are the various sinking fund accounts that I use:
Splurge Fund
Tracking My Finances In 2011: April Week 2
I have decided to post my weekly spending for the previous week on Fridays so you know how my cash has been flowing for the week. Please note that I get paid on the last day of the month so my cash flow net effect will usually be negative until the last day of the month.
This does not mean that I am adding to my debt, it just means that the money coming in is less than the money going out because bills are due starting on the first but I don’t get paid until the last day.
12 Weird But Thrifty Uses for 3 Household Items (Guest Post)
Don’t waste money on expensive face scrubs, deodorizers, or insect deterrents. Easy tools in reducing your out-of-pocket expenses are already in your kitchen cabinet.
Oatmeal
- Neutralize odors by putting a small, open container of it toward the bottom of the fridge (baking soda works, too). Some people line their ash trays with oatmeal, too.
- Treat acne, sunburns, or otherwise irritated skin by running 2 cups of uncooked, plain oatmeal through a food processor until it becomes powdery and dumping it in your bathwater. Add 1 cup of milk and a tablespoon of honey for a more luxurious spa experience.
Creative Commuting (Guest Post)
Whether they are high or low, gas prices are going to get you. Cars in general can be just a complete money pit. Yet because of the society we live in, everyone is almost forced to purchase one of these dollar bill vacuums. There seems that there is always work to be done whether it is an oil change or a new battery, the more you drive your car, the more you will have to fork out for various services. However, there are some things you can do to avoid putting miles on your ride, and keeping more cash in your pocket. This begins with time management many of you drive your cars to work or to a store for the convenience. Yet if you were to give yourself a few extra minutes, you could open a can of other commuting possibilities. Public transportation has been around forever, and there is a reason for the title it’s open to all of the public. Taking a bus or train to your desired location may not be the most direct route you can take, but it is cheaper.
