Honeylioness
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Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:09:59 GMT -5
Posts: 244
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Post by Honeylioness on Nov 1, 2012 16:17:25 GMT -5
A few months back Honeylioness had an impassioned plea to get us back to the focus of our thread. The fundamentals. The basics. Plus the friendship. Did y'all know we've successfully planned vacations together? Life keeps on going with new babies, relationships, homes, challenges, jobs and financial hurdles but we stick to it. So, get sticky!
Here are some way to get your goals to stick:
#1. Post your numbers - just put it at the top of a post in bold and let us know how you're doin' and what you need help with #2. Track your numbers - technically this should be #1 but you know it. If you need ideas for tracking post and ask the veterans for guidance #3. Share your life but please keep it somewhat financially related - we know that everything influences finances especially when we're stressed, tired, excited and busy. BUT this is a financial accountability group, not a therapy session If you want to go off topic consider starting a fresh thread and posting a link so those who are interested can support you there.
For the new people there are no real set rules here, you set your own. The basic goal most if not all of us have are to keep track of the days we don't spend and hopefully by that work on saving money. Some are looking to put it into savings others to pay down debt.
For some they only count the day as a no spend day if they spend nothing at all. Others will count it if they keep their total under $5. Some count all spending others only count a certain part of their budget. For example MittenKitten personally take $400 out of the the bank in cash for everything that is not related to vehicle expenses (like gas, oil changes, insurance etc) or the house (mortgage, utilities, HOA) If I spend out of the $400 I count it as a spend day (although if it is less then $5 I usually count it as a no spend day.) You set your own rules. Any questions feel free to ask.
You can post your no spend days daily or whenever you want, just put it in bold at the top with the first number being the number you want me to record. If you are doing daily then: Today (or yesterday) $0 Spend day
More then one day at a time: 4/31 days $0 Spend Which translates into 4 out of 31 days in July have been no spend so far. Some use the bigger number as their goal number so do 4/15 No spend Days which means they have a goal of 15 no spend days this month.
Here's a handy guide to some of our terminology: NSD: No Spend Day CSD: Controlled Spend Day BFF: Best Friend Forever DH/DS/DD/DSS: Dear Husband, Dear Son Dear Daughter, fiance, boy friend, Dear Step-Son DIL, MIL, BIL, SIL: Daughter in law, Mother In Law, Brother in Law, Sister In Law NKCW: No Killing Co-Worker Day (could also be no kill DH NKDH etc) NS or NSD: No Spend or No Spend Day NEO: No eating out HTH: Hope This Helps KWIM: Know What I mean FWIW: For What It's Worth IMHO or IMO: In my Humble Opinion or In My Opinion Having a Startsmart Day is referring to when you have 20+ things on your must get done in a day and you accomplish them. Single Mom-KY aka Smokey; MittenKitten aka MK; Pt_In_NY aka Pointy; The Boy is Sheila in Cali's son. Blue is Red_Wagon's DH TBear is MizBear's older niece. ZBear is MizBear's younger niece.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Joined: Dec 23, 2010 9:40:57 GMT -5
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Nov 1, 2012 17:24:05 GMT -5
Hi all, I'll be back in this month! There's no travel in my plans for November, so hopefully it won't be too big of a spend month. As the first weekly captain, I'll be posting a QOTW this weekend.
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mizbear
Senior Member
Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:12:46 GMT -5
Posts: 3,958
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Post by mizbear on Nov 1, 2012 18:49:28 GMT -5
Rocky- All you have to do is check in on everyone (I have been lax in that dept the pasy week and a half or so), post a QOTW/COTW and help kind of mediate. Since we self-mediate it's not a difficult job- although I did find that counting the NS/CS by the week was helpful.
Honey- Again, thank you for starting the board, as I was going to flip it this weekend.
I will put all final numbers up either Saturday or Sunday, schedule pending.
I am in for November with a goal of 25 NS/CS and 5 EO
Everyone please stay safe in this nutty weather. I will be PM-ing those on the X-mas card list soon to make sure I have correct addresses.
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mizbear
Senior Member
Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:12:46 GMT -5
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Post by mizbear on Nov 1, 2012 18:51:45 GMT -5
mizbear- 1/25 NS/CS, 0/5 EO
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reeneejune
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Post by reeneejune on Nov 1, 2012 19:54:56 GMT -5
I'm in for the month. Since I'm moving, and for the moment still commuting, I'm going to set a low goal of 10 NSD for the month. I'm going to budget $20 for vending machine/daily cola/forgot my lunch stuff for each 2 week period. Anything I take out of that money doesn't count toward spend days. I'm also not going to count gas or other car related expenses as a spend day.
I know I'm going to have several spend days surrounding moving, but I'm hopeful that by being organized and not running out and buying things the second I think of them, I can keep that under control.
Today will count as my first NSD! ;D I packed my lunch and snacks, spent $1.25 in the vending machine, and $25 in gas (payday is tomorrow and I just needed enough to get through).
1/10 NSD
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sheilaincali
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Post by sheilaincali on Nov 2, 2012 8:44:24 GMT -5
I'm not sure how much official tracking I'll do but I do have budgets established for the big spending. Going on vacation with my mom and sister next week (heading to mom's vacation home in Palm Springs). Should be pretty cheap- mom got companion fare tickets for $99. We obviously have access to the kitchen at the house so we'll eat breakfasts there every day and probably most lunches and dinners. DSis wants to go to one of those LA bus tours things so that will run us about $60 each. Otherwise we don't have anything else really $$ planned. Mostly relaxing in the pool and hot tub.
Holiday Shopping- I have the one niece DS has for the name swap done. Have to pick up P's guitar and some Thomas stuff for her little brother. No clue at all what we are getting DS. He is so not materialistic and when we ask him what he wants he just shrugs and says "IDK, a video game maybe?"
Otherwise the month should hopefully be pretty mellow.
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Honeylioness
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Post by Honeylioness on Nov 2, 2012 9:55:33 GMT -5
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Single Mom-KY / SMOKEY !!!!!!
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singlemomky
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Post by singlemomky on Nov 2, 2012 10:13:04 GMT -5
Thanks Honey!
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3catslady
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Posts: 1,122
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Post by 3catslady on Nov 2, 2012 13:16:04 GMT -5
6 birthday's this month but I don't think they are all on this board: Smoky-2nd toasty-4th gin1987-6th beej-7th muttleynfelix-27th sapphire-30th
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dakota4600
Familiar Member
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Post by dakota4600 on Nov 2, 2012 13:26:41 GMT -5
I'm here but swamped at work. Will try and post from home, cause there is a new regime at work kind of unexpectedly.
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Honeylioness
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Post by Honeylioness on Nov 2, 2012 16:19:19 GMT -5
Dakota - hmmmm, that "regime change" sounds a bit ominous. Be Carefule
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mizbear
Senior Member
Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
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Posts: 3,958
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Post by mizbear on Nov 2, 2012 20:38:58 GMT -5
mizbear- 2/25 NSD/CSD, 0/5 EO
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reeneejune
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Joined: Dec 20, 2010 19:49:40 GMT -5
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Post by reeneejune on Nov 2, 2012 20:42:34 GMT -5
Well, today was definitely not a NSD, but I'm completely ok with that. I needed to buy a new battery for my laptop, I haven't been able to use my laptop in almost 2 weeks because of the bad battery. Luckily I found one from a reputible dealer on ebay for about $20, so I'm ok with the expense. I also bit the bullet and ordered a custom printed fabric that I need to finish 2 christmas projects. Luckily I only needed a yard, so I went ahead and splurged on it. Honey, have you seen spoonflower.com? $18/yd for quilting cotton, but the ability to get any print you can imagine... I ordered a print with handguns on it for projects for two friends who are into shooting sports. Both are things I really needed to get ordered sooner rather than later.
On the packing front, I'm very glad I cleaned out my closet a couple of months ago. Now I've just got to tame my craft shelves (a book case that holds no books, but plenty of random craft stuff) and I really need to get a paper shredder for my backlog of mail and papers that I didn't want to into the trash. I have some packing help coming on Sunday, a friend who can't be there on moving day but still wanted to help. I'm a little at a loss of what to have him do... probably pack up my holiday decorations that are stored in the cubby under the stairs.
Speaking of holiday decor, I need some opinions. Last Christmas I was given a fairly nice (used) fake tree. It does have a fairly large section of lights that don't work, but it's otherwise in great condition. I prefer a real tree, and so does my roomie, and we plan to get a real tree this year. So, if you were me, would you pack up the nice fake tree that isn't going to get used in the next year or more and take it along on the move, or would you donate it to the local charity second hand shop? At this point I'm not worried about the cost of replacing it in the future.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Nov 2, 2012 21:06:12 GMT -5
Argh, proboards ate my post. Anyway, Renee, hope u are surviving the moving process. The good thing is that moving forces us to sift thru our stuff. . As for the tree, I wouldn't move it if you aren't likely to use it. Less to schlep to your new place.
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Nov 2, 2012 21:20:44 GMT -5
Hey ladies. thanks for your concern and kind thoughts. Last Monday I had itchy hands which, when I mentioned to my doctor Thursday along with my high blood pressure (preeclampsia) led to the twins being born on October 25th. they were both over 5lbs and 19 inches long. They are both absolutely adorable and have stolen my heart. Unfortunately Elianora (Nora) had low blood sugar so she went into the NICU that night. She also had jaundice and had to be tube fed because as is common with preemies, she was a bit lazy with eating. Everything has resolved, except the other day her heart rate dropped below 80 so she needs to have 5 days without it happening before they will release her. so Monday at the earliest.
On top of all of this, Sandy knocked out our power Monday night (and took some siding and fencing and half the trees in the nieghborhood, but none of ours this time thank goodness). We felt baby Antonio (Nio) was warm enough for a while, but we bailed on Halloween and headed for SIL's house, where we will remain until we get power again at home. My poor mother is also a refugee with us but has taken it in stride, and my niece and nephew absolutely love her (and she them).
A big issue has been the lack of gas. We have to go to the NICU daily to feed her to prove we can get her to eat, which takes gas. Most gas stations are closed due to no power or no gas. We drove for hours last night, got almost to an empty tank and thankfully found a gas station with gas. Two hours in line and we had a full tank. We should be good to visit Nora until they get things up and running again, but we'll be filling up again if we get to half tank and see a station available. It's just nutty. I was crying thinking we'd run out of gas and have no way to get to our girl.
So yeah, a bit of a stressful week. But both babies are mellow, loving, and seem to be good sleepers (knock wood). We're so glad they are with us and that being early didn't bring major complications, however much it sucks having Nora in NICU. Can't wait to see the two of them together! And to have them home, whether at SIL's or a powered house. Can't express my gratitude enough to her. I know with her two crazy kids, being pregnant, and the menajorie of us here she must be at her wit's end lol.
Only problem is I feel guilty leaving the kitties in our cold house. they have fur and we visit when we can and I hope they don't hate us. They were really good with Nio until we left, just circling him and sniffing him out and watching him. So adorable. Feel free to check out the kids thread for some pictures, or my blog (which has a more detailed rundown of the past week's events).
I hope everyone else is doing well, and I'll try to check in when I can.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Nov 2, 2012 21:51:57 GMT -5
So glad to hear that the whole family is doing well, given the circumstances. It sounds like a good decision to go where there was power. Hopefully Nora can come home Monday and things can start getting back to normal. New normal, that is! ;D
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Nov 2, 2012 23:27:17 GMT -5
and happy birthday Smokey!
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moneysquirrel
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Posts: 1,915
Member is Online
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Post by moneysquirrel on Nov 3, 2012 8:12:51 GMT -5
Update: 1 NSD
Red -- Thanks for the update on the family. Also, if you have not already done so, please clean out your freezer. Several days without power will spoil whatever is in there and with newborns yóu don't want to deal with that smell.
Honey -- Thanks for your update as well. How did the girls cope with everything?
3cats -- Thanks for updating us re cards, etc. I think I still have my listing from previous years if you need them.
Renee -- Glad to see you back with us.
mizbear -- Glad that things are beginning to work out with you.
I have another busy week ahead so I will check in as I can. Take care all.
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dakota4600
Familiar Member
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Post by dakota4600 on Nov 3, 2012 8:56:59 GMT -5
Okay here is what is going on with me. My boss announced her retirement in September for early 2013. We had meetings with the board and had a search committee in place and working on finding a replacement. So on Thursday our board finance chair showed up a little after 9 and asked if she could work from one of the small rooms until a meeting later in the AM. Then she asked if we could meet for a few to go over budget. I said I'm sorry but I have to get billing done, but would have sometime in about an hour, she said no problem and I went back to work. So when I got billing handled I told her I was available, she said she'd let me know when she had a few. About 10:30 she came and asked me to round up all staff in the building and come see her. When we got there the board chair was there as well and they announced that my boss's retirement plans were accelerated and effective immediately the finance chair was the interim CEO. They said there was no wrong doing on the part of the CEO and that it was a mutual decision, but the CEO wasn't there. So I spent yesterday setting up stuff for the new person and cutting off access of the old one. The old boss came in yesterday to clean up her office and was in a great mood. She told me she was just really burned out and this was a good thing. The interim CEO was barely in the office the last 2 days, but has scheduled a staff meeting on Monday at 9am. So we'll see after that.
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mizbear
Senior Member
Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:12:46 GMT -5
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Post by mizbear on Nov 3, 2012 16:35:47 GMT -5
mizbear- 3/25 NSD/CSD, 0/5 EO
red- Glad to hear you, blue and the babies are safe! Been worried.
Still trying to get things straight here.
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pointy
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Post by pointy on Nov 4, 2012 7:39:21 GMT -5
In for November - 21 NS and 25 No QVC days... Congrats redwagon!!
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3catslady
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Post by 3catslady on Nov 4, 2012 12:14:09 GMT -5
goal for November; 25/30 NSD/CSD, 25/30 NEO
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Nov 4, 2012 17:53:58 GMT -5
money - we cleaned out the fridge and freezer today. We salvaged the meat because it was still very very cold, as if we'd put it out to thaw for a few hours. Cooking it up at SIL's tonight for dinner. The fridge didn't even smell bad, surprisingly, perhaps because the house is so darned cold! I feel so bad for my cats but they seem to be doing okay.
Nora is still in the NICU although they seem to have a fix on what's causing her problems. Hoping to have her home Saturday... all our gas is being conserved to get to visit her. Gas lines are insane here.
Hope all are doing well!
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Honeylioness
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Post by Honeylioness on Nov 4, 2012 18:21:18 GMT -5
Hello ladies,
Well I suppose I should try and be accountable for this month as I feel as though I have had two months of spectacular fails in this area. In September and October I felt as though I had no real control over the funds flowing out of the accounts.
*********************************************
Okay - feel free to ignore this if it seems too much like a whine-fest.
Today is the one year anniversary of my losing my job through a company lay off. Actually it was the sixth company lay off in about a two year period. Needless to say I am stressed, depressed, angry and panicked. I have NEVER been out of work this long in my entire life. not even when I was in college as I worked all through school to pay for it - since my parents were not able to.
To date I have attended countless "networking" meetings, seminars, out placement meetings, training sessions, read articles, signed up with over 30 agencies, spoken to anyone I can think of letting them know I am looking, done the Linked In "thing", tried to keep up with volunteer commitments, routinely send check in e-mails to recruiters I have met or know and applied to over 315 specific positions with cover letters and follow up e-mails or calls as I had the information.
And what do I have to show for this? An almost depleted savings account, 20 phone screen calls, 18 in person interviews and seven call back interviews. When I don't hear back from a recruiter who tells me they will let me know in a week or whatever .. I pursue them. And when I ask them for feedback as to why they chose to not move forward with me as a candidate - I get NO feedback at all. Usually I just see the job re-posted somewhere.
I am incredibly fed up with being told not to take this "personally". How else would you take it? Apparently I have done something so heinous they will not even send me a "thanks but no thanks" note. So then you mind starts going sideways ... is it my age? my voice? my body shape? my salary history? Was I too friendly? Too remote? Too personable/outgoing? Too businesslike? I always make sure to brush my teeth, do my hair, put on deodorant and dress appropriately. No ripped jeans or cleavage to my navel.
Some people have said that "things will move once the election is over" ... REALLY??? What was the reason then last Winter, or Spring? I am feeling as though I am just hanging on by my fingernails and the cliff edge is starting to crumble away. I try to be calm, keep pushing forward, watch my spending and pray. Just not sure what else I am supposed to do???
To top off today's stress my unemployment claim has expired so I need to call the department tomorrow and plead for an extension.
I tried to go to the quilt show today in Manchester but that exploded in my face as well. First because I got waylaid at church and got home almost an hour later than I wanted. Then traffic was awful, and at the exit off Rte 3 it came to a complete standstill for seven cycles of the light at the end of the ramp. Seems there was some sort of marathon/road race on the streets surrounding the hotel where the show was being held. So first you had to wait for the police to let one or two cars by - then when you went to turn onto the street where the hotel is it was barricaded. And you could not just turn around because that side of the street was blocked as well. By the time I figured out where I even was in Manchester and how to get back TO the venue it was almost 1:30 - and the show closed today at 3:00 pm. Not really worth the money to park and go in for just over an hour.
Dammit.
And because of my stress I have not sewn anything in over two .. or three ... weeks. Which is a problem especially since two of the current projects are paying projects.
Sorry for being such a downer. I am just really struggling at the moment.
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Nov 4, 2012 19:54:54 GMT -5
honey - more hugs. what type of job are you looking for/experience do you have? I have friends in the Boston area and if I hear anything I can let you know.
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Honeylioness
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Post by Honeylioness on Nov 4, 2012 21:16:30 GMT -5
Red Wagon - I have been a secretary / executive assistant / office manager for over 20 years. I have worked HR for the past 8 years. I am not committed to any one industry and I also have some project management and records management experience. I have been trying to "think outside the box" - it is just so hard. Seems for every job I apply to there are 300 other people who applied as well.
But thanks for the thought - I will take any/all networking connections I can.
p.s. - Have really been enjoying the pictures of the babies on FB. I hope Nora can come home soon - but of course when you have power again
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Nov 4, 2012 21:50:56 GMT -5
I'll definitely let you know if I hear anything!
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reeneejune
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Post by reeneejune on Nov 5, 2012 1:33:55 GMT -5
I had two wonderful friends come over today and help me do most of my packing. Including one incredibly brave friend who when asked to pack my closet, ended up attacking my entire bedroom. And she's still speaking to me. That's friendship. And my guy friend jumped right from packing up the under-stairs cubby to packing up my dishes. It was a little nerve wracking to have a guy packing my vintage china that I love so much, but I took a deep breath and went with it. So for the next 5 days I'm living off what's in my fridge, a small selection of food I didn't box up, paper plates/plastic cups and utensils, and take out. Because that's what happens when you're away from home 12 hours a day because of work and you're moving on a Saturday. In short, this week will be very spendy.
On another note, I discovered today that buying boxes at Wal-Mart is actually a lot cheaper than I would have expected. Why not dumpster dive after free boxes? I live in Oregon, so unless I can convince a place to save boxes for me without putting them in the dumpster, they're damp. And the boxes I got from my former work are ginormous. Huge. pack-them-full-and-give-someone-a-hernia. But I was out of boxes and it was late, so I just ran to wally world and bought some medium size boxes. And they were only $0.68 each!
I have also discovered today that getting rid of a huge bag of Hot Tamales candy is a lot harder than I originally thought. At this point I'm probably going to toss them. I don't like them and I can't get anyone to take them.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Nov 5, 2012 9:25:54 GMT -5
Happy Monday, everyone! Sorry to be MIA over the weekend. I still haven't replaced my laptop, so I'm relying on the library and my work computers. Gotta get to researching computers at some point... Dakota, I hope your work situation evens out once the transition is over. Hopefully it'll be a good change for the whole office! Red, so glad to hear that the house wasn't too badly messed up. Great to hear that they've figured out what's keeping Nora in the hospital. Although, I still think you're braver than I about the meat! LOL Honey, I wish I had more to offer than just . Reenee, sounds like you have some great friends there. Your story reminded me of something I've heard... Good friends will help you move; great friends will help you move a body. QOTW: Anyways, I thought it would be a good time post-Hurricane (and pre-winter season) to discuss insurance this week. Specifically property insurance. How do you feel you are insured -- overinsured, underinsured, or appropriately insured? How do you know? How often do you assess your insurance needs? When was the last time you did so? How do you go about valuing your needs? Do you have any special insurance for your area? Or do you need to get some? Does anyone who's dealt with major property damage have any coverage-related tips for the rest of the class? COTW: Take a look at one aspect of your insurance coverage. Do you know what your policy covers? Do you need to adjust the levels? Are you still paying to cover an asset you no longer own? Or do you need to increase to cover things you've bought since? Do you need to have anything appraised or valued? How about your vehicles - any old vehicles being over-insured?
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Nov 5, 2012 9:31:40 GMT -5
While I'm at it, I'll update my CSD's. I only had one NSD over the long weekend. Sigh.
Rocky Mtn Saver: 1 NSD/0 CSD (<$5).
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