I've been starting to analyze how I can save money in various areas of my life. I feel like I'm pretty comfortable with my budget, but if I get laid off, I'm going to need to make some changes in order to make ends meet. One area I tend to have problems with is portion control.
For example, I might buy ingredients for soup and think, "This will be dinner all week!" But then, I actually serve it up and somehow it only adds up to three servings. Or, more likely, I buy some sort of snack food. Caramel rice cakes come to mind, along with hummus and crackers. Ideally, these snacks could work for three or four days at work. But more often than not, I grab the bag and polish them off in one sitting. Maybe two for the hummus.
I'm sure you see where I'm going. If I actually worked on not overeating, I would save a significant amount of money each month. And I'd lose weight. Clearly, a win/win. Obviously, this is a willpower issue, but I am determined to work on this not only for my health, but for my wallet. Maybe remembering how much more I'll spend if I overeat will be another motivation to stick to correct portions.
So, I am back on the Weight Watchers bandwagon (I have to cancel on June 7th, so I'd like to get to my goal by then). I am counting points and portions in order to make sure I don't overeat. Hopefully, this will result in saving money on my grocery bill, since all those foods will last me longer. I really think this can make a difference if I stick with it and change some of my bad habits. Wish me luck!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Lost Rewards-Found!
I moved a few months ago, and even though I did lots of address changing, there were a few things lost in the shuffle. One of them was my Ralph's Rewards certificate, worth $12. I've been meaning to call for a while now, but finally got myself to call this week. After confirming my information the nice woman on the phone loaded the $12 onto my Ralphs card. So, next time I grocery shop there, it will automatically deduct $12 off of my bill. Score!
My goal is to use some creative couponing to parlay my $12 into as many groceries as possible. I'm not the best couponer, but I'm going to get out their sale ad and steal the BFs newspaper coupons next weekend to try to make some magic happen. Stay tuned for a post on my free haul from Ralphs.
Any more experienced couponers want to give me some tips on how to stretch my $12?
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Saving Money on Insurance
My auto insurance bill arrived a few days ago. I have insurance through Mercury because they're the cheapest. My credit union offers a service to find you the cheapest insurance, and even though I feel pretty satisfied with my rates, I decided to give them a call to do a little price comparison. I also wanted to ask about renter's insurance, because I know you can get a discount for having that too.
Turns out Mercury was still the cheapest, and adding renter's insurance will save me money! I save 15% on my auto insurance if I get the renter's insurance. For me, that's $197.07 per year. The renter's insurance is only $121 per year. So, I actually save $76 a year by adding extra insurance to my account. Nice!
I'm going to pay the car insurance on the three payment plan I've been using. Even though I'd like to pay it up front, that would mean breaking into my E-fund big time, and with the layoff possibilities, I'm not willing to do that right now. But, I am going to pay my renter's insurance in one lump sum. I'm hoping to absorb that into my May budget, and if I can't I'll just take a small amount out of my E-fund to cover it. I'll be able to replace that amount in my June paycheck.
All of these costs, plus my registration that I paid this month is slowing down my car payoff plan. :/ I definitely need to have it done by July so that I can pay it off before I have to start unemployment (worst-case scenario). I am looking for ways to stretch my various budget categories, so hopefully I can make it happen! I am SO ready to have my car paid off!
Turns out Mercury was still the cheapest, and adding renter's insurance will save me money! I save 15% on my auto insurance if I get the renter's insurance. For me, that's $197.07 per year. The renter's insurance is only $121 per year. So, I actually save $76 a year by adding extra insurance to my account. Nice!
I'm going to pay the car insurance on the three payment plan I've been using. Even though I'd like to pay it up front, that would mean breaking into my E-fund big time, and with the layoff possibilities, I'm not willing to do that right now. But, I am going to pay my renter's insurance in one lump sum. I'm hoping to absorb that into my May budget, and if I can't I'll just take a small amount out of my E-fund to cover it. I'll be able to replace that amount in my June paycheck.
All of these costs, plus my registration that I paid this month is slowing down my car payoff plan. :/ I definitely need to have it done by July so that I can pay it off before I have to start unemployment (worst-case scenario). I am looking for ways to stretch my various budget categories, so hopefully I can make it happen! I am SO ready to have my car paid off!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Shopping for Necessities on Amazon
As the months go on, I am preparing myself for being laid off as much as I can. One of the ways I try to direct my energy is to plan for how I can survive on my Unemployment budget. Today, I did some number crunching and figured out that by the end of June I should have approximately 9,000 Swagbucks, which can translate to $100 in Amazon gift cards. This is the most bang for my buck...the other option I was pondering was getting cash via Paypal, but that would only translate to about $65.
Obviously if I'm unemployed I'll want to use my Amazon card for needs, not wants. And so, I did some research on some of the items I can buy on Amazon, along with their prices. That way, if/when the time comes I'll know how to get the most bang for my Swagbucks. The tricky factor will be shipping, as most of these do not qualify for free shipping on Amazon. Anyway, onto my list!
Organix Shampoo/Conditioner: $5.99 each
54 count box of Tampax Pearl Tampons: $9.36
8 pack Venus Razor Blades: $19.55
24 Rolls of Charmin toilet paper: $11.99
Lysol Cleaning Wipes 3 pack (330 wipes): $14.69
48 Swiffer Wet Jet pads: $23.85
There are a few more items I've come up with, but that's the short list. I know I can get better prices on these items in various stores, but since this would be free money, it still seems worth it to buy them on Amazon. I shared this because I know some of you do Swagbucks and are on a budget...what items do you buy to help ease the burden on other areas of your budget? Where do you get the most bang for your buck?
Obviously if I'm unemployed I'll want to use my Amazon card for needs, not wants. And so, I did some research on some of the items I can buy on Amazon, along with their prices. That way, if/when the time comes I'll know how to get the most bang for my Swagbucks. The tricky factor will be shipping, as most of these do not qualify for free shipping on Amazon. Anyway, onto my list!
Organix Shampoo/Conditioner: $5.99 each
54 count box of Tampax Pearl Tampons: $9.36
8 pack Venus Razor Blades: $19.55
24 Rolls of Charmin toilet paper: $11.99
Lysol Cleaning Wipes 3 pack (330 wipes): $14.69
48 Swiffer Wet Jet pads: $23.85
There are a few more items I've come up with, but that's the short list. I know I can get better prices on these items in various stores, but since this would be free money, it still seems worth it to buy them on Amazon. I shared this because I know some of you do Swagbucks and are on a budget...what items do you buy to help ease the burden on other areas of your budget? Where do you get the most bang for your buck?
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Get to Giving...the Free Edition
Lately I've been wanting to focus on ways to give, thus my "Get to Giving" posts. Today, I gave in a very substantial way and it was absolutely free. In fact, it took about half an hour and I was rewarded with juice and cookies. If you haven't already guessed, I went to the Red Cross and gave blood today.
My BF is really good about donating. He gives platelets every two weeks, which takes a few hours. I am a little afraid of needles, so I'm going to have to work my way up to that. But, I finally went in and gave blood. I was told that giving once can save up to three lives, which made my slight squeamishness worth it.
I know a lot of you, dear readers, are in debt payoff mode and don't have a lot of extra funds to donate to charitable organizations. But, this is a way to give that is absolutely free! You can give every 56 days, and I encourage you to find your local Red Cross chapter and give. Click Here to find your local Red Cross Chapter.
I am also going to talk to my principal about doing a Blood Drive at my school before the year is over. Our students are too young, but we have a huge staff and I think it would be great to participate in that together. Click Here to see details about organizing a blood drive.
My BF is really good about donating. He gives platelets every two weeks, which takes a few hours. I am a little afraid of needles, so I'm going to have to work my way up to that. But, I finally went in and gave blood. I was told that giving once can save up to three lives, which made my slight squeamishness worth it.
I know a lot of you, dear readers, are in debt payoff mode and don't have a lot of extra funds to donate to charitable organizations. But, this is a way to give that is absolutely free! You can give every 56 days, and I encourage you to find your local Red Cross chapter and give. Click Here to find your local Red Cross Chapter.
I am also going to talk to my principal about doing a Blood Drive at my school before the year is over. Our students are too young, but we have a huge staff and I think it would be great to participate in that together. Click Here to see details about organizing a blood drive.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Happy Earth Day!
 |
| Note the natural light from my windows, the not blow dried hair, and the reusable cup. Go Green! |
Today I am walking to happy hour, let my hair air dry, and bought this reusable cup and straw for my breakfast smoothies and other cold drinks. I used a reusable bag at Marshalls, where I purchased it, and I unplugged all my unused appliances before I left the house this morning. That's five easy, green things I did. What did you do to be green today?
A Case of the Judgies
Last weekend I was talking to my cousin, who is a 21 year old college student. She works almost full time and she's a full time student at Cal State Long Beach. We were talking about how she had joined a sorority to make friends, and how there were parts of sorority life she didn't like and wasn't involved in. One thing that came up was how a lot of the girls don't work and have a seemingly unlimited allowance from their parents. We were talking about how both of us have worked since high school, and from talking to her it seems that she is ahead of where I was at 21 in my financial wisdom. She saves, is careful with spending, and seems to have her act together in ways that took me years to learn.
As we were talking she said something that I've thought many times. "You know, I actually sort of look down on rich people. Like, I judge them for having more and not having to work as hard for it. Which is wrong, because I wouldn't want someone judging me for how much my family has."
She articulated exactly how I feel. I didn't grow up in abject poverty, but I certainly wasn't rich, and I wasn't spoiled in material ways. I've worked hard for what I have, and things like my car, furniture, and pretty much all my belongings are mine because I worked to buy them. And I'm glad for it. I would much rather have the pride of ownership over my car than know that someone just bought it for me. And I know that many wealthy people have worked hard and saved to be in that position. I hope to make good choices and be able to have a stable life and be there for my family. But I'll be honest, I judge people who haven't had to work for what they have. When I know people who own homes because their parents gave them the money for a down payment, part of me judges them. I call this sort of pride "the judgies." But again, my cousin spoke aloud the truth.
"Honestly though, that judgement is partly jealousy. Because if someone offered to buy me a car, I wouldn't say no."
Bingo. I judge them because I don't have that. And if I did, I would probably accept it. When my grandma calls and offers to buy me a new vacuum as a housewarming gift, I don't tell her no because I want the pride of ownership. I accept, and write her a thank you note afterward.
I know it's not right to judge other people. Their finances are not my business, and every family is different. But I think this is an unspoken issue for a lot of people. I want to be financially wise so I will have more later...but I was jealous of homeowners my whole life, so part of me doesn't want to become one. I know in the long run it's better to be responsible, so I'm doing that...but there's a self-hating part of that too.
Does anyone else have this struggle? How do you deal with the judgies?
As we were talking she said something that I've thought many times. "You know, I actually sort of look down on rich people. Like, I judge them for having more and not having to work as hard for it. Which is wrong, because I wouldn't want someone judging me for how much my family has."
She articulated exactly how I feel. I didn't grow up in abject poverty, but I certainly wasn't rich, and I wasn't spoiled in material ways. I've worked hard for what I have, and things like my car, furniture, and pretty much all my belongings are mine because I worked to buy them. And I'm glad for it. I would much rather have the pride of ownership over my car than know that someone just bought it for me. And I know that many wealthy people have worked hard and saved to be in that position. I hope to make good choices and be able to have a stable life and be there for my family. But I'll be honest, I judge people who haven't had to work for what they have. When I know people who own homes because their parents gave them the money for a down payment, part of me judges them. I call this sort of pride "the judgies." But again, my cousin spoke aloud the truth.
"Honestly though, that judgement is partly jealousy. Because if someone offered to buy me a car, I wouldn't say no."
Bingo. I judge them because I don't have that. And if I did, I would probably accept it. When my grandma calls and offers to buy me a new vacuum as a housewarming gift, I don't tell her no because I want the pride of ownership. I accept, and write her a thank you note afterward.
I know it's not right to judge other people. Their finances are not my business, and every family is different. But I think this is an unspoken issue for a lot of people. I want to be financially wise so I will have more later...but I was jealous of homeowners my whole life, so part of me doesn't want to become one. I know in the long run it's better to be responsible, so I'm doing that...but there's a self-hating part of that too.
Does anyone else have this struggle? How do you deal with the judgies?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)