This morning I got up, grabbed my bike, and headed over to the library to pick up my Alaska book. Then, I biked to Fresh & Easy where I used my $10 off $50 coupon, spending $44 for a LOT of groceries. As in, it was a little tricky biking them home. I think I was imagining my basket as much bigger than it really is. But I did it!
I love when things work out to form the Green Triangle. Good for the environment-I didn't use my car, or buy a book so I saved a tree. Good for my health-I got some exercise. Good for my wallet-I didn't spend money on gas, or the book, and saved on groceries.
Have you experienced the Green Triangle recently?
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
This Week...
...I switched my disability insurance to a different company, which will save me $45 per month starting in July.
...I emailed my financial dude in charge of my 403(b) to tell him that I wanted to put $150 more per month into my account starting in August. That will be my first month of my seventh year(!) of teaching, so my annual raise shows up then. I want it put straight into my 403(b) before I even see it on a paycheck! I put $220 per month in the account right now, so this is a good sized increase for me.
...I accepted a job working at a brand new high school in my area. Same district, but brand new school! I'm excited about the opportunity, though it's bittersweet to leave the school I've been teaching at for six years.
...I got my first migraine headache. It was horrible.
...I made my millionth breakdown of what to do with my extra money each month after my car is paid off and BF moves in. Still not sure what I want to do. Shall I post my options now or wait 'til the car is officially paid off?
...I emailed my financial dude in charge of my 403(b) to tell him that I wanted to put $150 more per month into my account starting in August. That will be my first month of my seventh year(!) of teaching, so my annual raise shows up then. I want it put straight into my 403(b) before I even see it on a paycheck! I put $220 per month in the account right now, so this is a good sized increase for me.
...I accepted a job working at a brand new high school in my area. Same district, but brand new school! I'm excited about the opportunity, though it's bittersweet to leave the school I've been teaching at for six years.
...I got my first migraine headache. It was horrible.
...I made my millionth breakdown of what to do with my extra money each month after my car is paid off and BF moves in. Still not sure what I want to do. Shall I post my options now or wait 'til the car is officially paid off?
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Living Social: A Pyramid Scheme I Can Get Behind...
Today's living social deal was two Fandango movie tickets for $9, which is an AMAZING deal. BF and I each bought one last time this deal came up, and it was fun to go to the movies for so cheap! In fact, we haven't been to the movies since.
I bought one off of a link on Facebook. Then I posted it to my Facebook, since if you can get three people to buy it from your link, it's FREE for you. SCORE. Two friends bought it and then BF used my link. :) He just posted it to his account, and we're keeping our fingers crossed that three of his friends will buy it. If so, we'll get to go to the movies twice for FREE.
Normally schemes like this sort of annoy me, but I'm just excited that this is working out! I would have bought it anyway, since $9 is a great deal for two movie tickets, but this makes it even better. I'm honestly more interested in Living Social now that I realize how it works.
Do you do Living Social? Any great deals you've gotten for free?
I bought one off of a link on Facebook. Then I posted it to my Facebook, since if you can get three people to buy it from your link, it's FREE for you. SCORE. Two friends bought it and then BF used my link. :) He just posted it to his account, and we're keeping our fingers crossed that three of his friends will buy it. If so, we'll get to go to the movies twice for FREE.
Normally schemes like this sort of annoy me, but I'm just excited that this is working out! I would have bought it anyway, since $9 is a great deal for two movie tickets, but this makes it even better. I'm honestly more interested in Living Social now that I realize how it works.
Do you do Living Social? Any great deals you've gotten for free?
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Planning for my Trips
Being the organized, Type A, planner type, I've already started planning for my two trips this summer. I requested a travel book about Alaska and another about Chicago from the library. I'm going to read through them, make lists of what I most want to do and see, and either photocopy pertinent pages or if the books are amazing, buy them on Amazon.
I've also started thinking about packing. Not what I'll bring (even I'm not that crazy), but the luggage itself. For Chicago BF and I have to pay $25 per bag each way. Which is so ridonculous I have to use a made up word to describe how ridiculous it is. We talked about bringing one carryon and checking one bag together. We also talked about just using carry-ons, which I want to try to do. It's annoying to not be able to bring all the toiletries I want, but it's even more annoying to spend $50 on checked bag fees. I'd like to do the same for my trip to Alaska with my sister.
The problem? I don't actually own carry-on luggage. Possible solution? Swagbucks!
I can get a $40 gift cards to Amazon for 3,600 Swagbucks. I want to get this luggage, which has the traditional carry-on and a small overnight bag that matches. I saw the same luggage on Overstock, but the gift cards on Swagbucks are more expensive, so I looked at Amazon and saw the exact same luggage. Score!
This does end my Swagbucks hoarding for now, since I'll actually use some of them, but I think it's a good decision. As of today I have 8,440 Swagbucks, so I'll still have plenty if I want to pick up other necessities or save for a big goal again. And it will be great to get something I need for free!
I've also started thinking about packing. Not what I'll bring (even I'm not that crazy), but the luggage itself. For Chicago BF and I have to pay $25 per bag each way. Which is so ridonculous I have to use a made up word to describe how ridiculous it is. We talked about bringing one carryon and checking one bag together. We also talked about just using carry-ons, which I want to try to do. It's annoying to not be able to bring all the toiletries I want, but it's even more annoying to spend $50 on checked bag fees. I'd like to do the same for my trip to Alaska with my sister.
The problem? I don't actually own carry-on luggage. Possible solution? Swagbucks!
I can get a $40 gift cards to Amazon for 3,600 Swagbucks. I want to get this luggage, which has the traditional carry-on and a small overnight bag that matches. I saw the same luggage on Overstock, but the gift cards on Swagbucks are more expensive, so I looked at Amazon and saw the exact same luggage. Score!
This does end my Swagbucks hoarding for now, since I'll actually use some of them, but I think it's a good decision. As of today I have 8,440 Swagbucks, so I'll still have plenty if I want to pick up other necessities or save for a big goal again. And it will be great to get something I need for free!
Monday, June 6, 2011
Is that a kickstand or are you just happy to see me?
I mentioned a few weeks ago that my bike was stolen out of my back yard. Boooo.
That's the annoying part of living in a semi-urban area. I'm sure there are some of you who live in rural places where you don't lock your doors and leave your car keys on the seat with the windows down or something, but alas I do not. The great thing about living in Long Beach is that it is very bike friendly. There are bike paths all over the place, the beach path, and traffic lanes that are painted green to show you have to share the road with cyclists. Honestly, it's difficult to NOT have a bike here. Parking is a pain, so there are times where I don't want to drive to the library or the grocery store to pick up one thing and lose my spot.
So, I need a bike. As did the person who stole mine, apparently.
Luckily, my mom told me she had an extra bike in the garage that I could have. It's a beach cruiser (yes!) with no gears (boo) that my dad picked up for $8 at a yard sale several years ago. I picked it up yesterday and brought it home. I knew it needed new grips and that something was rubbing the wheel when I rode it, so I did some yelping and found a bike place.
I rode my bike to Bikestation, where they do repairs and where you can also park your bike for free all day. It's close to the metro station, so it's a great resource. The guy sold me new grips, installed them, lubed my chain (I almost giggled when he told me he was going to do that. I should've asked him to buy me dinner first) and put on a new kickstand from his salvage pile for me. I thought the kickstand was rubbing on the tire, plus it didn't really work to hold up the bike.
He charged me $19, which wasn't too bad. I got about a block away and braked, and suddenly the bike went all wonky on me. I actually have no idea what happened. Something broke on the back tire. This is where my blog would be much more interesting if I knew anything about bikes or mechanics. But I can tell you that some metal thing broke and it seemed loose. So, I walked it back in and he fixed it with another salvaged part for free!
It rides much better now and I'm relieved to have a new bike for less than $20. Thanks Mom and Bikestation!
That's the annoying part of living in a semi-urban area. I'm sure there are some of you who live in rural places where you don't lock your doors and leave your car keys on the seat with the windows down or something, but alas I do not. The great thing about living in Long Beach is that it is very bike friendly. There are bike paths all over the place, the beach path, and traffic lanes that are painted green to show you have to share the road with cyclists. Honestly, it's difficult to NOT have a bike here. Parking is a pain, so there are times where I don't want to drive to the library or the grocery store to pick up one thing and lose my spot.
So, I need a bike. As did the person who stole mine, apparently.
Luckily, my mom told me she had an extra bike in the garage that I could have. It's a beach cruiser (yes!) with no gears (boo) that my dad picked up for $8 at a yard sale several years ago. I picked it up yesterday and brought it home. I knew it needed new grips and that something was rubbing the wheel when I rode it, so I did some yelping and found a bike place.
I rode my bike to Bikestation, where they do repairs and where you can also park your bike for free all day. It's close to the metro station, so it's a great resource. The guy sold me new grips, installed them, lubed my chain (I almost giggled when he told me he was going to do that. I should've asked him to buy me dinner first) and put on a new kickstand from his salvage pile for me. I thought the kickstand was rubbing on the tire, plus it didn't really work to hold up the bike.
He charged me $19, which wasn't too bad. I got about a block away and braked, and suddenly the bike went all wonky on me. I actually have no idea what happened. Something broke on the back tire. This is where my blog would be much more interesting if I knew anything about bikes or mechanics. But I can tell you that some metal thing broke and it seemed loose. So, I walked it back in and he fixed it with another salvaged part for free!
It rides much better now and I'm relieved to have a new bike for less than $20. Thanks Mom and Bikestation!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Vacations in the Works!
Well, I decided to listen to everyone's advice and buy plane tickets. In fact, I listened so well, I decided to book two trips this month. :)
I talked to my sister and I am going to buy my ticket for Alaska as soon as she finds out information on when she can get time off and details about traveling to Seward together. She can get discounts on tours and hotels, so we're working on that. I hope to buy my plane ticket in the next few days!
I also bought tickets for BF and I to go to Chicago in August! I'm so excited to travel to a new city! We got round trip tickets for $235 each, which isn't too bad in my opinion. I'll also get to cross two states off of my list. (I want to visit all 50 in my lifetime.)
I'll let you all be excited for my trips before I tell you the part where you are going to shame me.
Okay, so it makes sense to buy tickets now, though I don't actually have all the money to do so right away. So, I'm dipping into my Emergency Fund until July 5th when I will be able to replenish it and pay off my car.
I know plane tickets are not an emergency. But....I'm doing it anyway. I'm trying to take out as little as possible, so I'll post an update to my savings when I get the second ticket. I figure it's better than using my credit card, which is how I used to pay for all my trips.
So, anyone have any advice on what to see and do in Chicago and/or Alaska??
I talked to my sister and I am going to buy my ticket for Alaska as soon as she finds out information on when she can get time off and details about traveling to Seward together. She can get discounts on tours and hotels, so we're working on that. I hope to buy my plane ticket in the next few days!
I also bought tickets for BF and I to go to Chicago in August! I'm so excited to travel to a new city! We got round trip tickets for $235 each, which isn't too bad in my opinion. I'll also get to cross two states off of my list. (I want to visit all 50 in my lifetime.)
I'll let you all be excited for my trips before I tell you the part where you are going to shame me.
Okay, so it makes sense to buy tickets now, though I don't actually have all the money to do so right away. So, I'm dipping into my Emergency Fund until July 5th when I will be able to replenish it and pay off my car.
I know plane tickets are not an emergency. But....I'm doing it anyway. I'm trying to take out as little as possible, so I'll post an update to my savings when I get the second ticket. I figure it's better than using my credit card, which is how I used to pay for all my trips.
So, anyone have any advice on what to see and do in Chicago and/or Alaska??
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Dilemma
Okay bloggy friends, I have a dilemma. It's a good dilemma though. :)
Today I got paid for the month of June. So, I moved the extra $57.22 leftover from my May budget to my car loan. Then, I made my regular payment for June. That leaves me with a balance of $585.82 on my car. Which is AWESOME. I also have an extra $387.32 on my June check that is not being used in another budget category. So, if I apply all that and really push it, I could conceivably get my car paid off this month.
OR
I am planning to go visit my sister in Alaska at the end of July. I need to buy a plane ticket for that trip. I can use the extra money from my budget (plus a little of my cushion money) to buy my plane ticket now. I will still look for any extra money in my budget areas to apply to my car payment, but it will not get paid off until next month. If I wait, my regular payment plus about $50 will do it in July, which will be no problem.
Honestly, I think it makes more sense to buy my plane ticket now to make sure I get a deal (and hopefully a direct flight) and know the dates. But, the goal-oriented part of me wants to meet my original goal of paying my car off a year early, in June. Not eleven months early, in July.
What would you do?
Today I got paid for the month of June. So, I moved the extra $57.22 leftover from my May budget to my car loan. Then, I made my regular payment for June. That leaves me with a balance of $585.82 on my car. Which is AWESOME. I also have an extra $387.32 on my June check that is not being used in another budget category. So, if I apply all that and really push it, I could conceivably get my car paid off this month.
OR
I am planning to go visit my sister in Alaska at the end of July. I need to buy a plane ticket for that trip. I can use the extra money from my budget (plus a little of my cushion money) to buy my plane ticket now. I will still look for any extra money in my budget areas to apply to my car payment, but it will not get paid off until next month. If I wait, my regular payment plus about $50 will do it in July, which will be no problem.
Honestly, I think it makes more sense to buy my plane ticket now to make sure I get a deal (and hopefully a direct flight) and know the dates. But, the goal-oriented part of me wants to meet my original goal of paying my car off a year early, in June. Not eleven months early, in July.
What would you do?
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