Are You Middle Class?

A friend on Facebook posted this article about the shrinking middle class. I'm sure you've heard the issue being discussed, but I liked this article because it listed benchmarks...how do you know if you're middle class? This article gives six criteria. Here's how I measure up:

*Home Ownership-nope. And I sometimes wonder if I can actually achieve this as a singleton, given where I live.

*Automobile Ownership-yes! I am still paying off my car, but I do have one, and it will be paid off in less then a year.

*College Education for the kids-N/A. I don't have kids.

*Retirement Security-Sorta. If I teach long enough, I get a pension. And after the car is paid off, I'm going to open a Roth IRA (I think. Or a 403b. Or something.)

*Health Care Coverage-yes! I am very thankful for this one, as I know many people who don't have it.

*Family Vacation-yes! I just got back from Bryce Canyon with my fam, and I've gone camping and visited Portland this summer. I've got this one covered.

I was surprised how many I met...though if I were attempting to support a family on just my income, I'd certainly have some different answers. I also like that at the end of the article it says that in order to have all that, you have to work hard and budget. A middle class lifestyle isn't an entitlement, it is something to work for. Though there are circumstances that make middle class status harder to obtain, it is possible for many with work and realistic expectations.

Thoughts?

Top Referrers for August

I have my doubts about referrers being a word.

Anyway, this is the first month I tracked stats on where people come from to view my blog. Below are the top four blogs that send readers my way. (There was an everyone else tie for fifth, so we'll leave it at these four.)

1. Shaking the Money Tree
2. The Grass is Greener
3. TeacHer Finance
4. High Class Low Income-who is new to the LBC!

I'm a big fan of all of these blogs...check them out! And thanks to these lovely lady bloggers for sending readers my way!

Just Kidding!

The other day I posted about losing my iPod...well I had asked my mom to double check her car, since she picked me up from the airport. She said she didn't see it, so I assumed it was gone. BUT, my mom just texted me this morning telling me she found it! YES! I am excited to get it back and to save $150 next month! That's more money that can go towards my car loan. :)

Hurray for Vision Insurance

On Monday I went to Lens Crafters for my annual checkup/new lenses. Last year right after I got my new frames my purse was stolen. Luckily, I kept my old ones as a backup, so I made do with those until my insurance covered something again. Fortunately my vision is pretty good-I only use the glasses for driving at night, baseball games, and church (I sit in the balcony). So, my old prescription was fine and I waited it out.

Anyway, Monday I got my eye exam and new lenses in my old frames out the door for $40. My old DKNY case also broke (the frames are three years old), so the nice guy at Lens Crafters gave me a new case, free of charge. The lenses alone would have been $190 without insurance, plus whatever the exam would have cost. So, while I spent $40, today I am thankful for insurance. And for the fact that I picked out some cute durable frames back in the day, since they now have to last for four years.

Here's why I'm lame.

So, I flew home from Portland with only two hours of sleep...I had an earlyish flight and we were out super late the night before. One of those, so late it's now early kind of nights. Anyway, I had my iPod shuffle in my sweatshirt pocket while on the plane. Then once I landed in Long Beach, I took off my sweatshirt and draped it over my purse while waiting at the baggage terminal. And, if you haven't guessed it yet, my iPod is now gone. LAME. I am blaming it on my lack of sleep, normally I'm really careful.

So, I am now planning on getting an iPod nano in September. I have a $60 rebate coming in from my cell phone (any day now), so I will have to spend about $90. I had thought about buying a new laptop and getting the iPod free in the past, but I think I'd rather wait until next summer when my car is paid off to make that big of a purchase. If I get an iPod then, I can sell it to pay for part of the laptop.

I'm excited to get a new iPod, though I wish I hadn't lost my other one...grrr!

The cost of optimism...

...is apparently $19.95 per month. I got a discount though. It would have been more, but I used the promotional code. This bout of optimism is scheduled to last for three months, though it's possible to extend it. Luckily I already took the long questionnaire required to be an optimist. And wrote about myself in chipper, humorous ways. And uploaded six flattering-but-not-enough-to-disappoint-when-someone-meets-me-in-real-life photos.

Yes, if you haven't figured it out, I rejoined Eharmony. Because despite the astonishing number of bad dates I've been on (seriously. You have no idea.), I still somehow believe that it is possible to meet a nice normal guy, whom I can build a relationship with. And I am even more optimistic in believing that perhaps he too is loitering on the internet.

I tend to go into the whole online dating thing with a "well, why not?' sort of attitude. You never know, and believe me, I've gotten my money's worth in entertaining stories. And free dinners. (Being a girl is good.)

So, someone remind me to cancel on November 22nd, or else they bill me for three more months at full price. And here's to adventures in dating!

Adventures in Cooking at Home-Crockpot Quiche

I got this recipe from my friend Kari, who calls it Spinach Spoon Bread. I changed the name to Crockpot Quiche because I think it more accurately describes it. Also, I forgot to put the salt in it, because I always forget salt. And, it calls for a stick of butter...anyone have a suggestion on how to lighten that up a little? I'd like to make it a little healthier (though it is delicious!) Here's the recipe:

Spinach Spoon Bread

1 package (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 red bell pepper, diced
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup cottage cheese
1 package (5 1/2 oz) cornbread mix
6 green onions, sliced
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 1/4 tsp seasoned salt

1. Lightly grease slow cooker insert; preheat on high
2. Combine all ingredients in large bowl; mix well. Pour batter into slow cooker. Cook covered with lid slightly ajar to allow excess moisture to escape, on High 1 3/4 to 2 hours or on Low 3 to 4 hours or until edges are golden and knife inserted in center of bread comes out clean.
3. Serve bread spooned from slow cooker. Or, loosen edges and bottom of bread with knife and ivert onto plate. Cut into wedges and serve.