Kim
New Member
Zatch Design 3.0 out now!
Joined: Feb 6, 2014 15:39:22 GMT -5
Posts: 26
Location: England
Favorite Drink: Fanta
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Post by Kim on Mar 9, 2014 18:26:52 GMT -5
I resisted putting a bet on online blackjack, the £10 can be used towards something I actually need.
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grits
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 17, 2012 13:43:33 GMT -5
Posts: 3,185
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Post by grits on Mar 9, 2014 18:29:48 GMT -5
I didn't go out to eat with friends. I came home, ate food I had on hand, and took a delicious nap.
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Blonde Granny
Junior Associate
Joined: Jan 15, 2013 8:27:13 GMT -5
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Today's Mood: Alone in the world
Location: Wandering Aimlessly
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Post by Blonde Granny on Mar 13, 2014 8:16:08 GMT -5
We enclosed our patio and have turned it into a sunroom. Yesterday was shopping day: 4 yellow drapery panels @ Target, 2 drapery rods and 4 packages of clips to hold the drapery panels. Only thing on sale was drapery panels. Also bought a lamp @ Target along with shade & light bulbs. Lamp was supposed to be 3 way, but it doesn't work like that, but I like it anyway, so not going back.
Off to Kirklands, if you don't have one near you, great accessory store similar to Pier 1 Imports. Found a cool lamp. Then to Hobby Lobby. Found a neat table that looks like it came out of a dumpster (just perfect for the look I wanted), and some other accessories, i.e picture, silk plant & mini beat up old looking suitcases.
40" TV is hanging on wall, ATT coming on the 18th to install U-Verse for it.
Saw an adorable wrought iron bistro set @ Pier 1 for $299, bought a similar in bright red @ Walmart for $99.
Oh, and indoor-outdoor carpeting was laid on Tuesday.
The whole room is cute & cozy. Most everything was bought on sale and we now have a great addition of living space to our little house.
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coffeegrl
Established Member
Joined: Dec 25, 2010 0:33:29 GMT -5
Posts: 383
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Post by coffeegrl on Mar 13, 2014 17:08:30 GMT -5
Put some more money in my savings account today and for the first time in, well, let's just say it's been awhile, I have over $100 in there. Yay! Next goal: $250. Baby steps, right?
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Iggy aka IG
Senior Associate
Joined: Oct 25, 2012 12:23:23 GMT -5
Posts: 12,421
Location: Good ol' USA
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Post by Iggy aka IG on Mar 14, 2014 10:56:18 GMT -5
Received more $$ from our former mortgage company ($800+!!!). It went straight into the EF. Am going to open up an actual savings account at the bank today. Similar to what coffeegrl says above, baby steps!!! Received a $28 refund from the endodontist, and put it toward my school loan payment. Monthly grocery shopping tonight. I have my stack of coupons and weekly ad at the ready.
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grits
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 17, 2012 13:43:33 GMT -5
Posts: 3,185
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Post by grits on Mar 15, 2014 13:48:23 GMT -5
I got up a lot earlier than I wanted too on my only Saturday off for 6 weeks. (Can you tell that I really wanted to stay in my warm bed?) I hit the local grocery stores. I got meat on sale, used a few coupons, and found unadvertised specials. At the moment, I have a meatloaf in the oven, roast in the crockpot, and I am stewing chicken breasts on the stove. I will make a second meatloaf later, and brown some ground meat. I can freeze most of it, and it will make meal prep time easy. The stores are all close together. In fact, two are across the driveway from each other. I checked out prices at each one on Johnson's baby shampoo. I have to use it to clean the inside of my eyelids. "Curse You Red Baron!". One of the stores had it cheap, and in store coupons. Kroger had some good deals on items being discontinued. I spent plenty but got a lot of good deals. I shouldn't need much from the store for a couple of months. The worst part was the price of the supplements I have to take for my back, knees, joints, and stuff. Arggg
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Iggy aka IG
Senior Associate
Joined: Oct 25, 2012 12:23:23 GMT -5
Posts: 12,421
Location: Good ol' USA
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Post by Iggy aka IG on Mar 17, 2014 11:03:01 GMT -5
I opened the savings account Friday! It includes auto transfer, and I asked for overdraft, just in case. I haven't over-drafted in quite some time (knock wood), but you never know! Monthly grocery shopping: Bought 5 boxes of DH's cereal for $2, regular $3.69, and a $2 box of the flavored oatmeal he likes. These 6 items qualified me for 2 free milks. I chose a gallon for DH and almond milk for me to try for the first time. We'll see. Grapes were on sale for $2.89/lb reg $4.45! Cucumbers were 2/$1 Corned beef $5.39 reg $9.46 HBA's: Manager's special toothpaste $1.29 reg $2.49 DH's deodorant: Reg $4.37 each, e coupon for $2 of 2 Halls: Reg $1.77 used a .60 ecoupon and $1 paper coupon for 2 Tums: Reg $4.19, had a $1.50 off coup Total 22% off for a savings of $69.62 Bought Irish beer for DH at 15% off. Bought fuel using my value card at .20 cents off per gallon. Used a Starbucks gift card Saturday morning on the way to niece1's soccer game. Received a clothing gift card as a belated BD present. Resigned/quit four different volunteer groups/clubs, which will help save in fuel, dues, and stress. Paid twice the amount due on my school loan this month. I want it gone already!
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snapdragon
Senior Member
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Post by snapdragon on Mar 17, 2014 11:33:48 GMT -5
I went grocery shopping on friday night and got chicken thighs for $1.29/lb which is a really good deal in my area. Overall with coupons and store deals I saved 25% off my bill!
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marvholly
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 11:45:21 GMT -5
Posts: 6,540
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Post by marvholly on Mar 18, 2014 5:59:18 GMT -5
Pat I bought a pair of cheapie readers only at the $1 store and it is SOOO much better. Just cannot read watch tv with them like I do with my progressives. New readers are +250. Old Rx is +200. Sucks getting old. I just realized I have been using glasses (at least reading ones) for 20 years.
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lazysundays
Familiar Member
http://triggur.livejournal.com/476376.html
Joined: Jun 27, 2011 21:14:01 GMT -5
Posts: 679
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Post by lazysundays on Mar 18, 2014 6:21:58 GMT -5
I made a major improvement in my finances last night. I started to tackle my cc debt. I transfered the 10k balance to a zero interest on transfers intro cc. It's 15 months but that should be enough time to pay it off in full at month 14. The 5k cc is now down to 1k. I juggled and empties my spare savings accounts and put the small tax return towards it. The hardest part was cleaning out the savings. It's all in the mind bc the true emergency fund has not been touched, I just like seeing extra money in different accounts.
So thank you YM
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nittanycheme
Established Member
Joined: Aug 8, 2011 14:26:36 GMT -5
Posts: 487
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Post by nittanycheme on Mar 23, 2014 21:14:45 GMT -5
I saw an ad on TV about att changing their pricing for family cell phone plans. Went to the website, and was able to switch over to the new pricing, saving $30 on the same plan. I was considering downgrading our usage, but I decided to keep it up because I am planning on changing over our sirius radio to all access so we can listen on our phones too, instead of paying for our portable radio. Now we have plenty of data to do that wherever. Wonder how long ATT would have let me keep paying the extra?
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ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ
Community Leader
♡ ♡ BᏋՆᎥᏋᏉᏋ ♡ ♡
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 16:12:51 GMT -5
Posts: 43,130
Location: Inside POM's Head
Favorite Drink: Chilled White Zin
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Post by ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ on Mar 23, 2014 21:31:10 GMT -5
Ugh, Pat - I can relate. When I'm trying to cut out a pattern, I usually have the fabric spread across the table to pin the pattern pieces in place. The cat jumps up on the table and sends everything flying. (I've since learned to lock him in the bedroom til all pinning/cutting is completed.
But then the "fun" starts over when I start to sew. He jumps up on the sewing machine cabinet when I press down on the foot pedal & the needle starts going up & down to start stitching. His little paws start grabbing at the moving needle. Once again, he has to get locked out of the sewing area - or one of these days, his little paw is going to get stitched into whatever it is I'm sewing.
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skubikky
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 7:37:12 GMT -5
Posts: 3,044
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Post by skubikky on Mar 25, 2014 9:03:43 GMT -5
Needed a new pair of sneakers for exercise classes. Was way overdue. Shopped at some brick and mortar stores and found a style that fit well. Found it on ebay, new, for 1/2 the price. Paid for it with money in my PayPal account I made selling things on e-bay. OOP = $0!
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marvholly
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 11:45:21 GMT -5
Posts: 6,540
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Post by marvholly on Apr 3, 2014 5:53:15 GMT -5
There is VERY wide variation in gasoline prices in my area depending on the town and county of purchase. Today I am headed to DD2’s (40 mi away-different county). Sat I am headed to DD1’s (15 mi away, same county). Even reasonably locally there is a BIG price variation: home station is 0.06 MORE than the same brand gas near where I grocery shop (8 mi away).
To determine the best place to tank up I went on gasbuddy.com. Well worth my 2 minutes.
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marvholly
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 11:45:21 GMT -5
Posts: 6,540
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Post by marvholly on Apr 3, 2014 6:24:44 GMT -5
Have 3 grands w/bdays within 2 weeks. Bought the same items for both boys ( going on 5 & 6) on Christmas sales with FREE shipping. They are oversized items & would eat up an entire roll of wrapping paper. I saved the Sun color comic sections for several weeks & used that.
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Iggy aka IG
Senior Associate
Joined: Oct 25, 2012 12:23:23 GMT -5
Posts: 12,421
Location: Good ol' USA
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Post by Iggy aka IG on Apr 3, 2014 10:13:19 GMT -5
There is VERY wide variation in gasoline prices in my area depending on the town and county of purchase. Today I am headed to DD2’s (40 mi away-different county). Sat I am headed to DD1’s (15 mi away, same county). Even reasonably locally there is a BIG price variation: home station is 0.06 MORE than the same brand gas near where I grocery shop (8 mi away). To determine the best place to tank up I went on gasbuddy.com. Well worth my 2 minutes. Our variation can be up to .50/gal between here and the Big City about an hour away. The gas company's excuse for our area is it's because we are in a tourist area, and it costs more to truck it here. Never mind the fact we are between the two large cities the trucks have to drive past anyway.
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marvholly
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 11:45:21 GMT -5
Posts: 6,540
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Post by marvholly on Apr 4, 2014 5:09:26 GMT -5
My actual savings on the gas was 0.19/gal x 10.26 gal = $1.95. It certainly does NOT pay to run that far (80 mi rt) to gas up but I was going there anyway. Also, turns out I had NOT bought gas in a month. Being retired and a bunch of nasty weather keeps my driving WAAAY down.
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coffeegrl
Established Member
Joined: Dec 25, 2010 0:33:29 GMT -5
Posts: 383
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Post by coffeegrl on Apr 11, 2014 13:24:40 GMT -5
This doesn't really save me any money right now but last night I sat down and spent an hour or so going over my budget/savings/etc and came up with a concrete plan to pay off my ~$15,600 in credit card debt (please don't judge me) in the next two years as well as ~$1300 in a private student loan within at least the next two years.
I also signed up for Swagbucks to help earn some gift cards. I used to do this several years ago and kind of got tired of it. So going to start again.
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Iggy aka IG
Senior Associate
Joined: Oct 25, 2012 12:23:23 GMT -5
Posts: 12,421
Location: Good ol' USA
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Post by Iggy aka IG on Apr 11, 2014 15:42:02 GMT -5
coffeegrl, so proud of you for coming up with a plan!! Lately I've: Now that the snow has melted, I've been picking up cans for DH to recycle I found 30 cents in the parking lot earlier this week Saved 20% on a mini-grocery store trip-it would have been more but I didn't receive credit for my e-coupons? I still need to check in with them about that. Am going to buy my own bottled water and snacks for my hotel stay next week And, I am very proud to announce: I broke the tradition of having low commission months in Feb and March. What a HUGE, blessed relief of not being upset when opening the commission statement. I am truly thankful things seem to be turning around here in the agency, and on a local economical front.
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snapdragon
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:56:55 GMT -5
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Post by snapdragon on Apr 15, 2014 10:48:39 GMT -5
I have been looking for covers for the kindles and on Sunday I went into Big Lots and found 2 covers for $5 and $6 each!!!! A much better price than $19.99 and up. I also managed to find a pair of jeans at Walmart for $20. I have needed to get some jeans but the price has put me off. I just can't afford $60 jeans at this time. Though I tried on at least 7 pairs before getting 1 that would work. Iggy - great news on the commission statement!
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Iggy aka IG
Senior Associate
Joined: Oct 25, 2012 12:23:23 GMT -5
Posts: 12,421
Location: Good ol' USA
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Post by Iggy aka IG on Apr 17, 2014 10:59:17 GMT -5
I have been looking for covers for the kindles and on Sunday I went into Big Lots and found 2 covers for $5 and $6 each!!!! A much better price than $19.99 and up. I also managed to find a pair of jeans at Walmart for $20. I have needed to get some jeans but the price has put me off. I just can't afford $60 jeans at this time. Though I tried on at least 7 pairs before getting 1 that would work. Iggy - great news on the commission statement!Thank you, snapdragon! Glad you found the covers and jeans deal! I've had luck at WW finding clothing, too. I love the fact we can find basics there such as $5 t-shirts. Back from agent meetings. Received not one, but two bonus checks! In true SS/YM fashion, I am going to save 10%, reimburse my travel account for the $100 cash I brought with me, and put the rest toward debt. I originally was going to take some $$ and buy new clothes, but would rather pay off the small remaining balances I have. This year is about debt repayment. Next is about funding the heck out of my retirement accounts.
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Iggy aka IG
Senior Associate
Joined: Oct 25, 2012 12:23:23 GMT -5
Posts: 12,421
Location: Good ol' USA
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Post by Iggy aka IG on Apr 19, 2014 17:38:46 GMT -5
Me again! Okay, despite the fact I said I wouldn't, I took 10% of my bonuses and bought some new clothes. I did use a $50 coupon, however. Last night at the grocery store, I redeemed 27 coupons, 11 of which were doubled up to $1. Total savings 28% for appox $118. I had coups for things such as smoked sausage, sugar free preserves, salad dressing, cheese, Folgers, Torani syrup, granola bars for DH, and HBAs. Even the cashier was impressed! Today, in order to save money on a new dishwasher or repairman, I am attempting to service the dishwasher myself. Have you ever? It's amazing what one finds....
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marvholly
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 11:45:21 GMT -5
Posts: 6,540
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Post by marvholly on Apr 21, 2014 5:55:01 GMT -5
I bought a home hair cutting set back in the fall of 2010. Since then I have only paid for 8 haircuts. Normally in the 3 ½ years I would have needed 18-22 haircuts. I saved $120-168. I have a family wedding to go to in 26 days so I did a home trim today. Any ‘mistakes’ will have a bit of time to grow out and be hand trim fixed.
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Iggy aka IG
Senior Associate
Joined: Oct 25, 2012 12:23:23 GMT -5
Posts: 12,421
Location: Good ol' USA
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Post by Iggy aka IG on Jun 16, 2014 13:59:10 GMT -5
To save money, lately I've: Bought a used patio set on Craig's List. 4 chairs, and a table with 6 pieces of granite for $250. Better than new crap at WW for $600+. I used 11 paper coupons at the store Friday night, 6 were doubled up to $1, and an e-coupon. Saved 21% off my total bill. DH wanted Nutter Butters for his BD. They were $5.49!!!!!! Instead, I bought him Nutter Butter bites for $2.49. I had a coupon. ETA: Oh, and I now have just over $28 in change in my penguin bank.
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MonicaLee5186
Established Member
Joined: Jan 17, 2011 22:04:30 GMT -5
Posts: 299
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Post by MonicaLee5186 on Jun 16, 2014 20:04:34 GMT -5
MAN it has been awhile for me!
Since finding out I was pregnant in February, I was terribly sick until 18 weeks. I didn't really much care a thing about couponing or sales flyers in that time, so our freezer saved us. I could only eat a select few things, so not much smart spending done during that time.
Since then I'm feeling better but just trying to stay afloat at work, keep the house straightened up, prepare for baby, and not fall asleep standing up!
My grandfather passed away in April. In order to stop the financial bleed my mom and her siblings agreed to let DH and I buy his vehicle for the balance of the loan on it, which was about $6000. The car is worth about $12,000. DH's car was paid off (this is actually his car that his parents helped him buy in college) but is a two door vehicle and not at all baby friendly. Since I commute 90+ miles per day, my car is tiny and good on gas mileage. We figured buying a car with that much equity in it was a good investment anyway, so we went ahead and did it. We just listed DH's original car for sale and I expect to get about $5000 for it.
I was dreading being pregnant in the summer but the bonus of it has been that I can still wear my summer dresses to work with no issues! I have had zero luck finding maternity dress pants that fit well (most seem to be so tight in the thighs and I'm only 5.5 months! I imagine my legs will only be getting bigger!) so dresses have been my go to item for work. Otherwise, my uncle's wife who is right around my age was kind enough to lend me her maternity clothes. Her daughter was born the same month that I'm due so everything is seasonally appropriate. I'm about 4 inches taller than her though so her pants are not going to work for me! I did invest in 2 pair of maternity jeans and 2 pair of summer shorts. Between the sales and a gift card my mom gave me for my birthday, I only paid $37.00 for all 4 items OOP. Since we will have at least one more baby, possibly a third, these will get plenty of use by the time I'm done. They will also be shared with my sister and girlfriends when that time comes for them.
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Iggy aka IG
Senior Associate
Joined: Oct 25, 2012 12:23:23 GMT -5
Posts: 12,421
Location: Good ol' USA
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Post by Iggy aka IG on Jun 17, 2014 12:50:56 GMT -5
MonicaLee5186, so good to see you! Sorry you were so sick for so long, and about your grandfather. Score at the grocery store last night! Puffs 3 pack $2.99. Bought on sale, used kroger's buy 5 get $5 off, and a coupon which was doubled to $1. 2 bottles potassium $4.99. BOGO, and $2 coupon Cascade $2.39. On sale, kroger 5/$5, $1 coupon 2 bottles Tums smoothies $5.19. $3 coupon Birdseye veggies $1.39. $1 coupon Kraft string cheese $4.98 for 2. On sale, kroger's 5/$5, $1 coupon 8 coupons total, 3 rounded to $1 for a total savings of 41% off my order.
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marvholly
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 11:45:21 GMT -5
Posts: 6,540
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Post by marvholly on Jun 18, 2014 6:51:32 GMT -5
I was wondering & looking for this thread just yesterday.
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dogmom
Well-Known Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 7:00:49 GMT -5
Posts: 1,094
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Post by dogmom on Jun 23, 2014 10:20:34 GMT -5
Between loyalty card and coupons saved 44% at Walgreens. Last week our insurance company sent a letter promoting a car insurance discount for On Star. We did get a new car six months ago that came "loaded" with it. Although it's not alot, we just got a 5% discount on our car insurance.
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MonicaLee5186
Established Member
Joined: Jan 17, 2011 22:04:30 GMT -5
Posts: 299
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Post by MonicaLee5186 on Jul 3, 2014 20:05:40 GMT -5
I reviewed my baby registry tonight and changed a few things like receiving blankets, swaddlers, sleepers, etc. to neutral so that we can keep stuff for the next baby in case it's a boy. I'm also super paranoid that even though they say we're having a girl, it's actually going to be a boy in the delivery room! So that makes me feel somewhat better I do have a few pink and purple girly things on there, because I'm sure if our next is a boy we'll want a few boy things too. This just minimizes the amount to buy next time if we do have a boy.
I didn't register for any clothes because I know people are just going to buy what they want, anyway. I did ask that people do varying sizes so I don't end up with 50 newborn outfits and nothing else!
All of the "equipment" (Car seat, stroller, high chair, etc.) that we registered for is ALL neutral. I'm getting as much mileage out of all of this as possible!
I'm also extremely blessed to have a huge family and great friends that are all so excited for us and are already hounding us on what they can buy. This baby will be the first grandchild/great-grandchild/niece/EVERYTHING for both mine and my DH's family. They are all anxiously awaiting her arrival. I'm hoping I actually get some quality time with my baby in the first few weeks! I guess that's what midnight feedings are for, right? I know that they are all just so excited and everyone means well, so I'm going to try to take people up on their offers to help as much as possible in the coming months!
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marvholly
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 11:45:21 GMT -5
Posts: 6,540
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Post by marvholly on Jul 4, 2014 5:59:52 GMT -5
Both my house & auto insurance renew in the summer. Over the last 4-6 weks I checked out a BUNCH of other companies.
For the house I did stay w/the same company BUT changed some coverages & increased the deductable. Saved $700.
For the car I am changing companies. I get MUCH higher limits on payouts that are MUCH more in line w/todays true costs for personal injury & property damage claims. Added road service & car rental. Increased deductable. Saved $300.
I am going to have to do this MUCH more frequently. It has been >10 years.
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