Keeping It Frugal

On Thursday I got a mypoints offer for 50 points to open a bank account with Compass@Bank. Also, part of the offer was a free ipod.

Well, I don't particularly need an ipod, because I've got a perfectly good mp3 player of my own. But . . I'd been thinking about getting something similar for my dad for Christmas. I'd planned on getting him one close to what I have, but when you see something for free . . .

So I decide to bite the bullet and go ahead and open the account. There's a number of choices you can make to "build" your free checking account. I don't remember all the choices available, but one of them was something about "earning" and extra $25 for each year the account was open.

So . . I get my dad's Christmas present, I get 50 mypoints, AND a year from now I'll get a $25 credit? Ok. I'm game.

I start going through the application process - for the most part it's fairly typical.

Then I get to the fun part. They require address verification via a phone bill, utility bill or bank statement.

Well . . . I only have a cell bill now (which they don't accept), I don't have utility bills (paid for by apt), and almost all of my banking statements are online.

So, I had the most recent statement from my BofA IRA cd account. I faxed that in on Monday after receiving an anxious Nellie email from them telling me my account can't be approved without address verification. (At this point I was thinking - Are we overanxious here or what?)

I called Monday afternoon to verify that they had received the fax, and was told that there had not been any note of one yet. But as soon as they had it, I should get an email.

So, Tuesday afternoon, no email. I call again and am told that they had received my fax, but that it wasn't acceptable. What?! Two reasons: 1) Not current enough (March 31, 2008 statement) and 2) not a bank statement. Um . . . okay, so Bofa isn't a bank?

Now we're to this morning. I print out the first page of my ING June statement, white out all the currency and account info, then fax it in. Late this afternoon I finally receive the email telling me my address had been verified and my account approved.

Oy Vey! Here I thought opening an account with HSBC was a pain in the patootie.

Now, as soon as my opening balance transfers, I can then complete the process for getting the ipod. Then it's just a waiting game to see how long it takes to actually get here.

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I think I now have a few too many bank accounts open. I have two which I think I'm going to go ahead and close to help streamline myself a bit - especially after adding this new one. Luckily I am NOT required to have a direct deposit to this account - so I'll probably just keep the $25 opening deposit in there until I get my $25 credit ( a year from now).

I sure hope my dad likes his Ipod (and that I can help him figure out how to use it!)

Like I mentioned in a previous post, I listed a number of items on Craigslist this weekend.

One t.v. already sold - Yay!

But what is getting really annoying is the Spanish language materials. First, I had posted an ad with the Computer CD Roms + the various books/dictionaries in the Computer/Tech section.

I got flagged and deleted.

So, I went to the help forum and was told that I needed to separate the computer stuff from the books. Ugh! So, I did that, then reposted the computer part of it in the computer section, and posted the book part in the book section.

The computer part was flagged/deleted!!

I'm about ready to say forget about it!

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Today I went to CVS and used my ECB's to buy cereal. They had Shredded Wheat 2 for 1 ($4.29), so with my $2.50 ECB, it came to $1.79 for two boxes of cereal. Not too shabby.

I also filled up my car. A bit less than 10 gallons for $38.97.

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I checked on the progress of my rebate from AT&T for the phone I bought in the beginning of June. The rebate has been approved and should be arriving "SOON".

As for the rebate I'm owed from the company who handles our company's insurance policies (thanks to my salary being reported incorrectly) I am STILL waiting to see that money. If it isn't here by Thursday, I will be calling them again to find out what is taking so long.

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I have my 19" TV/VCR listed for free on Craigslist. I've listed it before on freecycle as well . . but no takers. I really need to go by the tv repair shop and ask them if they'd take it. Part of me hates to part with it, since it was a Christmas/birthday gift from my family back in 96, but it doesn't work (I imagine it'd easily be fixed though) and I have another t.v. that fits my entertainment center perfectly. I don't need more than one t.v.!

Friday I spent most of the day doing various projects around the house - one of which included doing a deep cleaning of my kitchen.

Saturday I slept in and didn't go to church (thanks to fireworks going off by my window till 2 a.m. in the morning!) I spent most of the late morning/afternoon working on some projects + a nap.

My dad arrived about 5:30 p.m. and we headed over to the baseball game. Of course, he had NO idea where we were going or what we were doing. Once he figured it out, he was beyond estatic.

Our parking pass put us within a stone's throw of the main gate. Our seats were in the front row on the left hand side of home plate. We had FOUR places to go find food at. First was a barbeque place. We got salad, potato salad, beans, chocolate chip cookie, and Dr. Pepper. Then we headed over to the next spot, where we got nachos w/cheese sauce -- and I saw one of my co-workers with his family.

After that, we decided to give our stomachs a chance to settle down a bit, and headed to our seats.

At the top of the sixth inning, we decided to go check out the last two places. At the JC penny lounge we got salad, baked apples (really supposed to go on the pork), cheeses, and a chocolate chip cookie +soda. Last, we headed over to the Sports Bar where we each got a cup of ice cream w/fudge and varous toppings. We both got water that time! Neither one of us finished our ice cream.

After the game was finished (home team won!) they had a terrific fireworks display. I told my dad they did it just for him - to celebrate his birthday.

What an awesome evening of free entertainment and food!

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Today I made pancakes for us both, and then he helped me out with some more projects around my place. We also went to Walmart and picked up my tv converter box. It's still updating right now, and I'm not sure how to use it yet.

My dad left to go back home around 4 p.m.

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After he left, I made my frozen smoothies for my after workout meals, my oatmeal for the week, and a cottage cheese roast.

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One of the things I did on Friday was to list a number of items on Craigslist. I decided to list my spanish learning materials - all for $100. If they don't sell for that much by the time the listing expires, I'll go down to $75.

I also listed my non-working 19" Tv/Vcr for free.

I also listed my 20" working TV for $15 -- which I think may have sold. I'm actually about to go meet the person (at a McDonald's parking lot). I'll see if it actually pans out.
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More later

Woo Hoo! I just got back from my first ever Craigslist sale!

Ka Ching! $15 going to my Downpayment fund!

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Friday and Saturday were no spend days.

Today I spent:
$24.75 at Walmart (converter box, new laundry hamper, vacuum bags, etc)
$4 at Sonic (drinks for dad and I)
$1 late fine at library ("There Will Be Blood" very very strange movie.)

Friday was a no spender.

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Well, I really enjoyed my day off from work yesterday. I slept in, then putzed around on my computer for awhile before getting busy with some projects.

One major project was doing a deep cleaning of my kitchen. As part of it, I also reorganized my big freezer, as well as my combo fridge/freezer. It was long overdue.

Another project I tackled was shredding my HUGE shred pile. I have my shredder next to my desk, and just toss credit card offers, etc. onto the shred pile. My shredder had needed to be emptied, so I hadn't shredded in a LONG LONG time. I emptied the shredder, and got through the whole pile (had to empty it again in the middle of my job!)

While doing the shredding job, I noticed my shelf full of Spanish language learning tools. About a year ago or so I was really wanting to learn more Spanish, so invested in a number of programs and books. Unfortunately, my interest in it didn't last very long.

So, I'm trying to decide if I should ebay or craigslist most of it, or if I should keep it in case I get motivated again.

I really don't see myself getting too motivated to pick it up again, plus there's some things that I wouldn't be able to sell anyway that I *could* use if perchance I did. . .

I still need to find out what Sam's Club's return policy is. I'm hoping it's 90 days w/receipt (although I may be over that already. Procrastinator!)

Question: I have a number of various sized refillable water containers which are mostly just taking up space. I hate to just throw them away -- any ideas on what I could do with them?

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Today I weighed in - lost another 3 lbs! That's a total of 12 lbs in two weeks.
Woo hoo!

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Tonight I'm taking my dad to a local baseball team's game for his birthday. My company has been giving away free tickets (which include food/drink and parking) for all the home games. I grabbed up the July 5 tickets as soon as I saw the notice!

He has NO clue what we're doing tonight. He just knows that it'll be outside, and that casual clothing is a good idea.

Update!

This afternoon my brother called me to tell me about how it went Saturday night. First of all, the name of the show filming at his resturant is Housewives of Orange County, not Desperate Housewives: 90210.

Second of all, the ladies, and the production person LOVED him. Remember about the shaved head? One of the ladies said something to him about looking like Justin Timberlake! My brother responded by saying that he can sing like Justin, but can't dance like him. SO . . . the ladies insisted that he sing for them!

He sang "In The Still of the Night" which is the song he sang for the talent show on the cruise our family took in Dec 04 (which he won First place!)

The producer told him that he came off so well, that they are probably going to feature him as part of the show!!!!

He doesn't know when this particular episode will air, because they still have to put together all the material they've filmed and decide on episode order.

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Today I went grocery shopping. I keep finding these recipes calling for a leek, but I've never had one, nor knew what they looked like. So, I decided that I was going to get one and try it out.

OMW!!! How about $4.79 for two leeks!! You couldn't even just get one, you HAD to buy two because they were bundled. Needless to say, I decided to pass on this particular vegetable.

I also have this cookbook (from the library) which has a number of recipes calling for grapeseed oil. I checked to see the price of a bottle of it -- $9.79! It *was* a pretty good size bottle of it, but why couldn't they have a small bottle of it available?

I did buy some sea salt. It was a bit more expensive than regular salt, but not too bad.

Last week I bought a butternut squash - which was $4.49. Today, they had spaghetti squash and butternut squash for $1.49/lb. I bought a spaghetti squash which ended up being 2.12 lbs - so almost as much as my butternut squash from last week. I almost bought an eggplant, but all of the ones they had were pretty small and had soft spots and/or brown spots - for $2.59, it just wasn't worth it.

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I'm doing this eating plan where you cycle your carbs. You have two high-carb days a week, then 5 low-carb days. Each day you also cycle through what kind of carbs you eat, plus make sure you eat a lean protein with each carb. So far I'm liking it (especially with the 9 lb loss last week!)

To help me keep track of what I'm supposed to be eating, plus to help make meal planning easier, I made a google spreadsheet.

If you want to check it out . . .:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pQv1EPln7uI6MInnd6HpCVw&gid=1

Happy 4th everybody!

This morning I made Cottage Cheese Oatmeal Banana Pancakes. Besides the obvious ingredients, I added flaxseed, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and chocolate flavored protein powder. My batter made 16 1/4 cup pancakes and were high in protein, but low in fat.

Best of all, I was able to freeze 12 of them for 3 more Sunday morning breakfasts (nice and easy ones!) *If you're interested in actual measurements, let me know.

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At the end of May I had disconnected my land line and then gotten dry loop DSL. This apparentally caused my previously combined bill to be uncombined.

Last week I got a "Final Bill" from AT&T that was due upon receipt. So I went ahead and paid it, thinking I was done for July.

Nope. Today I got a bill from AT&T wireless due July 11. I called to find out what was going on. The wireless part of At&T charges a month in advance. When my bill was combined, I guess the parent AT&T company paid the Wireless part, then billed me.

The end game is that instead of having lower phone expenditures this month, I'm having an extra months cell phone bill + activation fee!

Now I'm just waiting to see how I'll get billed for my dry loop - and if I'll have to pay in "advance" for them too. Ugh!

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I was comparing my credit card statement (online) and my Ing account today.

I have three accounts other than a couple sinking funds - which I use each month. One is my Orange Checking which I have direct deposit each month. Then I have my "Coming Month" account which is where I transfer my paycheck to each Friday from Orange. Then I have my Credit Card Payment account which is where I transfer whatever the balance is at the end of my last statement, then transfer it to Orange to pay the card off in full by the due date. (The idea is to get as much interest as possible before departing the money. The interest from all my ING accounts gets transfered to my ING Downpayment account.)

Well, this past month I had a number of expenses that just kind of kept on coming. This was of course after my trip to CA, where I spent more than I really should've.

I had to replace my cell phone, then I bought a new DSL router, then I bought two tickets for the Beach Boys concert in September (mom's birthday), then I signed up at this website I'd been thinking about for over a year, then I bought a Brita filter + filter replacements from drugstore.com, then I mail-ordered a 3-month supply of one of my meds (saved $20). . . . etc. etc. etc.

Some of the things on that list are things that were unavoidable. Some, I should have just waited on or thought about a little longer, some are things that will save me money in the long run.

Long story short, this month, after subtracting the total amount of what is on my credit card from what I have in ING, I officially no longer have a One-month buffer. (I could transfer it from savings (EF/Car Fund), but I DON"T want to touch it!)

This means that for July and August, I am going to really have to watch my spending very carefully so that I can get my buffer back ASAP! I might be getting a second job in August, so that will help a bit - but I also plan to see if I have anything I can sell.

(P.S. The credit card will be paid in full both this month, as well as the coming month. I'm just going to have to use some of my July income to pay it instead of using June's income.)

---Anyone know Sam's club policy on how long they'll take an unopened item back w/receipt??

Today I was at the grocery store getting ready to checkout. Across from where I was, was an item I needed but hadn't seen before getting in line. There wasn't anyone behind me, so I thought it'd be no problem to quick step it over there and back to my cart.

Guess I forgot what shoes I was wearing. 1 . . 2. . 3 twist ankle, scrape elbow and knee, get a couple bruises along side body -- worst bruise though to pride.

I'm a major klutz. Always have been. When I was younger, my parents put me in ballet classes from when I was in Kindergarten until the 5th grade to help with my coordination. At work, I'm constantly catching myself from tripping. In high-school, my senior year, I tripped over my own feet while practicing for a running race and broke a small bone in my left foot.

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Enough about Miss. Klutz's history here, let's move on to the truly exciting news!

My brother called me tonight (that's exciting in its own right!) He is a waiter at a 4 or 5 star resturant in Napa Valley, CA. He is GOOD at what he does.

Tonight, his service to a particular group of people will be recorded for posterity. In other words, HE is going to be filmed for a television show that is on Bravo called Desperate Housewives: 90210. The cast members will be filming some scenes in the place he works, and HE will be the server!!!

The really funny thing though, is that yesterday he SHAVED his whole head. So, he will be sporting a completely bald head, with sideburns and a goatee. LOL!

We're alerting everyone we know who might have Bravo to see if they can catch the episode whenever it airs. It will be SO COOL!

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I'd been getting pretty frustrated with my weight situation lately. Had even gained back to higher than I was when I started going to our office gym in October.

Last weekend I decided that enough was enough, and started to get back on making healthy eating choices. I also signed up for this website where they will help you with a customized food plan - using the foods you like/enjoy, and help you do something called carb cycling.

I haven't started really doing the plan yet, because it's taken most of this week to get it put together. But I have my plan set for this next week.

But, on my own this week, just by going back to making healthy food choices + my regular exercise routine . . (drum roll please) . . I LOST 9 lbs!!! Most of it I think was water weight, because I'd been eating some pretty high-sodium foods in the past few weeks, but I have to think that some of it at least was REAL weight.

Ok. I'm off now to relax on my couch and watch "Brigadoon". This movie was highly recommended to me by E, my Personal Trainer. He also had highly recommended "Across The Universe" to me, and I really liked that . . so I have a good feeling about this one.

I've been pondering on what I could do to bring in a little extra money to help my car fund grow faster, etc. Babysitting, etc., seems to only happen once in a very long while - so can't really hope for too much from that.

Anyway, this morning Eric, my PT was at the gym in the morning. (Usually his dad is there in the morning.) We were chit chatting a bit when it hit me. At least 3 evenings a week I go home after work and . . . watch t.v., read, goof on the net, etc. Why not put one of those evenings each week to good use?

So I uncharacristaclly (sp?) blurted out and told him that if he had any evening hours openings (for watching the desk/gym) available, that I'd be very interested in one evening a week.

**He said that he thought he would very likely be able to find me some evening hours!** Better yet - at the same gym I already work out in (where my office is located) - so no driving to get there!

I'd still be able to read, or perhaps even do some strength training (while keeping a close eye on the front door) but I'd be getting paid! Woo hoo!

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I'm going with my best friend T tomorrow night to see Sex and the City! It will be so great to get to spend some time with her again (sans kids) as well as to see SATC.

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There has been a very definite environment/relationship shift at my workplace. It's been VERY noticeable to me since coming back from vacation. My good friend and co-worker has also noticed this.

Maybe I'm noticing it more now because I'm looking for reasons to either stay a Texan or try out being a Californian again, or if it truly had a major shift about the time of my vacation.

I know I shouldn't have let it upset me so much, but on Thursday I heard something that made me realize just how far out of the loop I was - not to mention the news itself could be something very sad.

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Very cool thing at work today. We moved into the 21st century! We got a color copier!!! Our Landman was so cute with how excited he got when someone made a copy of a land plat (sort of a map) he'd colored in - and it came out looking better than the original!

I'm just so excited because now whenever DW our engineering manager asks me to print out the production for various wells, I'll be able to print the black and white pages along with the color curves -- together!! --- at the same time!!! No more having to match up the b&w pages with the color curves!!

Yesterday I went to CVS to use my $5 off $25 coupon. One of the items I picked up was a $20 Blockbuster gift card. I went up to the register and checked out with no problem. But then when I got to my car I looked at my receipt a bit more closely and realized that I hadn't been charged for the gift card!

So I went back in to the same cashier. He was puzzled as to what had happened because the gift card had scanned - so it could've been used! He rang it up for me again, and I handed over a $1 CVS ecb which made it $19. Then I swiped my gift card (from mypoints.com) and it wouldn't work. He tried getting it to work - no can do.

Finally got a manager over who tried to get it to work. She finally asked me exactly what I was trying to buy. When she saw it was a gift card, she told me I couldn't buy a gift card with a gift card! So I just left - didn't even bother seeing if I could get my $1 ECB back.

I could've walked out of there with a $20 free Blockbuster gift card (for my brother and sil for Christmas I was thinking) but instead I was honest and ended up losing $1. Oh well - maybe I'll have some good repercussions come my way for doing the right thing.

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I checked my mail this afternoon, and was VERY happy to see that my Stimulus check had arrived. Now I just have to wait till Friday after work to deposit it. Then probably Monday or Tuesday for it to finish clearing. Then the following Monday or Tuesday for it to be fully in my Ing checking. Then probably another week for it to be deposited in my HSBC account and start earning the 3.5% interest their offering right now.

I need to check if there's a way I can just send the check directly to HSBC rather than messing with all the transfers, etc.

That was the question in my head last night when I picked up my mail.

There was flyer from the local $.99 stores advertising that for their 5 year anniversary celebration that they were selling a Wii and Wii Fit to the first 9 customers at one particular location. This location just so happens to be on the way to work.

Unfortunately, they don't open till 9, and I'm supposed to be at work by 8:30.

Am I the owner of a Wii and Wii Fit? Nope. The responsible Laura kicked in and reassured me that this wasn't worth being late to work for -- not to mention figuring out how to explain it to the lady who carpools with me.

So . . what would you do if faced with this choice? Be 45 minutes late for work and get a Wii/Wii Fit for $.99 (or some other item you really desire); or forego the Wii/Wii Fit and follow your normal schedule?

Warning: Long post ahead.

As I mentioned in my last posting, la familia de California are seriously trying to get me to move out there. They've tried to get me to go out there before, but I previously had great resistance. My resistance now is not so great.

All of this may be a moot point if my two requirements don't happen - namely (1) situation w/family member resolved; and (2) have a better salary + comparable benefits job lined up.

** If I do decide to go, it most likely would not be till after Feb. 15. Three reasons - 1. 3-yr anniversary at job (looks good on resume and just feels more finished) 2. My apt lease isn't up till March and 3. My brother would most likely be able to fly out here and help me move (slow season for him).

Okay . . so a very preliminary Pros and Cons list. -- I welcome questions and comments to help me flesh out things I haven't thought of. --

Pros for staying in Texas:

- Stay in same apartment

- Freedom and privacy

- Very familiar with surroundings (i.e. don't get lost very often anymore)

- One of my best friends lives here, along with her two children

- My mom lives within a 45 minute drive

- Comfortable with my job

- Job pays me enough to pay my bills and put some in savings

- I like my coworkers

- I have easy access to a gym in the office building

- I have a great personal trainer with whom I have developed a good friendly relationship

Cons for staying in Texas:

* In regards to job and life in general I have been feeling very much at a stand still.

- As much as I hate to say this, I really think that my job is a dead-end. I doubt seriously that I will ever see another raise in the next five years, and if there is one, it probably wouldn't amount to more than 1/2 tank of gas a month.

- While I won't say I hate my job, nor even that I dislike what I do . . . I will say that the thought of doing this for the next 30+ years gives me nightmares.

- Although I do have good health insurance benefits, and my salary does pay me enough to pay my bills and save some -- that is only with being pretty frugal. If my rent were to go up my very much, or if the prices of other essentials were to go up much, etc., etc., then the small bit of money I am able to put to savings now would be gone.

- Although I have big plans and hopes of being able to save enough to replace my car if needed, as well as for a house downpayment -- on what I make + with rising costs, sometimes I feel like it's a lot of bluster without any substance - i.e . impossible.

- I like my coworkers. For the most part it is a good work environment. But sometimes, especially the past few months, I have felt more and more left out. I think this is due to a number of factors -- 1) Two new employees closer in age to another coworker -- 2) My eating and drinking habits i.e. vegetarian and no beer/wine, etc. -- 3) I think sometimes that I talk too much -- 4) other - not really sure.

- My best friend - When we are able to get together, its great! But that's just it. She is married, a teacher, and has two young children. Hence, we don't get together very often.

- I've allowed myself to grow unhappily comfortable in preferring my own company. What do I mean? Even when I do go to church/Sabbath School I have to force myself to make small talk with people. I think in some ways I've forgotten how to really connect or make friendships. -- So, I more often than not excuse myself from even making the effort of going in the first place. There have been many, many weekends where I've cocooned myself in my apartment from Friday after work til Monday morning without leaving it once.

- I'd like to get married someday - but not to just anyone. Here in TX, single men in my age range, who don't drink or smoke, have a good head on their shoulders when it comes to money, share similar views/beliefs about God, and connect with me in the other ways that matter - just don't seem to be here.

Pros about CA:

- Greatly reduced expenses by sharing household with dad and Grandma

- Be able to spend a lot of time with my Grandma who will be 88 in Sept.

- Grandma has mentioned that she'd be ok with my having a cat -- one of the main reasons I have not gotten another cat is that I'm gone so much during the weekdays - there, in CA there would usually be at least one person in the house most of the day - so the cat wouldn't be lonely.

- Have 24/7 access to washer/dryer

- Possibility of much larger salary

- Very good possibility of being in a work environment where my lifestyle choices aren't looked on as odd or different

- Be an inexpensive and short plane ride away from my brother

- May be able to use part of larger salary to actually do some traveling

- Live in an area where being vegetarian is normal and easy to accommodate

- Live in an area where there is a MUCH higher likelihood of meeting someone with similar values/lifestyle

- Give me a bit of a fresh start - maybe feel renewed energy for life

- ???

Cons for CA:

- MOVING

- Sharing space with my grandma and dad (would need to lay down MAJOR ground rules)

- Uncertainty about what kind of work situation/environment I may find myself in

- Leaving the familiar

- Leaving my best friend, as well as another good friend who's moving to Houston soon.

- Not being able to see my mom very often (would involve a longer plane trip)

- Uncertainty that I would actually be able to connect with anyone there better than I have been able to here.

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Overall, I think the main reason(s) I am even willing to look at this as a possibility is that I feel at such a standstill with my life. I've been feeling for awhile that something really needs to change.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, yet expecting something different. I wonder, if by staying here in Texas, by staying in a job that I really don't see room for growth in, and by hoping that somehow, someway, something will happen to give me the life I dreamed of when I was 12 - if that just isn't a bit insane.

I made it into DFW Saturday night right abou t 10 p.m.

I had a really great time in CA. There really wasn't any downsides, but I would say my two biggest highlights was getting to ride a couple of carnival rides with my brother, and having the chance to get to really know my sister in law.

I've spent the better part of three hours today updating YNAB. I really was in denial this month of my spending - I hadn't entered ANYTHING since May 6. Ooops!

My grandma and aunt each gave me enough money that completely covered my airfare and shuttle trips for the trip to my grandma's house, then back to my brother's house. That helped out a great deal.

One really big thing that came out of my trip --- the CA family is *really* wanting me to move out there -- specifically to Loma Linda. I'm considering it.

There's a number of things that would have to happen for me to go. The first has to do with a particular situation with a family member here. The second would be that I would have a job with much better pay and comparable benefits lined up *before* going.

I'd possibly be sharing a house with my grandma and dad -- with the intention to save most of my income for two years and purchase a home of my own.

I'm working on a pro and con list for this idea. In another post I may share some of my list and see what ya'll think.

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My computer is driving me nuts. Whenever I click on one of those click boxes I have to double check that it actually got checked. Also, I can't sign in to HSBC because when I try to do the security key my mouse keeps double clicking the letters! I've ran a spyware and a virus scan, and am not sure what else to do!

Woo Hoo! I am all packed and ready to go.

All I need to do now is go to work in the morning and somehow make it till 1:30 when I leave to go to the airport.

Can you tell I'm a bit excited?

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The lady who rides with me to work in the mornings gave me $20 today -- for me to go out to eat with or pay for a day's use of the fitness center at the hotel. Wasn't that sweet of her?

I stopped by the gym today to drop off "Rainman" and "Good Will Hunting". A few weeks ago my PT Eric and I were chatting and during the course of the conversation he mentioned he hadn't seen either of those. I felt strongly that situation needed to be rectified.

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Guess what management was giving out today?!

FREE tickets to a local baseball team. These aren't just any tickets. These are Executive Level tickets - you get front row seating + FREE food in the Executive lounge. Hot dogs, burgers, nacho's w/cheese, ice cream, cookies . . .

The tickets also include parking passes.

There were about 10 different dates with 4 tickets/4 parking passes available.

I asked for two tickets for the July 5 game -- My dad's birthday!! Plus, because the game is so close to the 4th, they're going to have a fireworks show!

What a great way to treat my dad for his birthday -- and NO out of pocket expense for me (other than gas to get there.)

It will help make up for what I'm doing for him for Father's Day -- we're going to see the new Indiana Jones movie. Mmmm mmm Harrison Ford.

Phone Musings:
I checked my latest phone bill yesterday. I saw that I had again been charged the $25 price for my DSL.

Last month I had called to find out why it had gone up ($5). They'd told me a notice had gone out that all the levels would be going up. So I had asked what I could do to bring the price down - was there any kind of contract, etc? Nope. So then they let me know that I *could* go down one level to the very basic DSL and save $5. Told them to go ahead and do that!

So yesterday I called them again to find out why I was still being charged the higher price. I was told that I had made the change two days after the end of the previous billing cycle, but I'd get a credit in my next cycle. I again asked if there was anyway for me to get a better deal - and was again told no.

So, I asked how much would it be to go to dry loop DSL (no landline). I was told it would be the same price - $20/mo -- but that I would lose my $5/mo discount for having the landline bundled with DSL.

I decided to go ahead with the dry loop DSL. With landline DSL I pay $20/mo + $6/mo measured landline + ~$15/mo taxes and fees for landline service. So, I figure that I'll save ~$21 - $5 discount = $16/mo by going to dry loop.

I am going to have to either get my Linkysys wireless router working again, or buy a new router/modem combo so I can continue to get updates for my Tivo. All I need for my Linkysys I think is the installation CD (don't know where it is) and to make sure I have all the necessary cables to connect to my modem.

I think I'll ask my stepdad if he knows how to set up the wireless router and encrypt it so all my neighbors can't use it. Also, need to make sure I can let my Tivo connect to it.

The dryloop won't start till the 26th, so if it takes a few weeks for me to get it figured out, it won't kill me - since there aren't any must see shows to record in June.

Food Musings:
I think I am going to have to go to a cash basis only for food. I continually am spending way too much money on food/groceries - buying things I really shouldn't be buying in the first place.

I'm not going to start this this month, due to my upcoming trip. But for June I believe what I'm going to start doing is do my beginning of the month shopping stock up (generally $40 - 50) trip via credit card. Then I'll take out $60 cash for the remainder of the month. My credit card will be left at home, along with my debit cards - unless I know I'll be needing it to fill up with gas or some other planned expenditure.

I will lose out on the points I could earn on my credit card for those purchases - but it would only be 60 points per month lost. Much better to lose those 60 points per month, and then have the possibility of having the unwisely spent grocery money to be sent to savings and not the hips!

Reading musing:
I've always enjoyed James Patterson's books. Until recently though, I hadn't realized just how many books he had written - and how many of them I haven't read. I am planning on rectifying that glaring mistake as quickly as my library card allows me to.

Two books of his I read recently - which I couldn't put down - "Seventh Heaven" and "Beach Road."

I also have found that the books that have the "Red Dress" emblem on them are quite enjoyable, light, fluffy reading. But I'd found them more by trial and error at the library. This weekend however I googled that term, and found a website listing all the authors of those types of books. Again, my library card is getting a workout.

Vacation/Work musings:
Only 4 1/2 workdays till I get on the plane and head off to sunny San Francisco. I really hope I have more energy by then than I do right now.

There has been quite a lull as far as things for me to do at work this past week. Which has been good in a way, seeing as though I'm still not feeling great. But I do hope things pick up a bit this coming week. I hate feeling like there really isn't much reason for me to be there - doesn't make for a very good feeling of job security.

I was quite annoyed to find out that the hotel I'll be staying at *charges* $15/day for the use of their fitness facilities. It didn't say whether the pool was included in that or not. They also charge $15 to have a small fridge in the room. Ugh! Guess I'll be sticking with lots of walking for my exercise while in SF.

Other musings:
I really need to do a trash run, and run the dishwasher. It is so easy to let some things just kind of slide when its just you.

I was talking with a friend of mine who is going through a divorce. She and her soon to be ex-husband have the arrangement of having their two boys (5 and 11) one week on, one week off. The dad mainly is able to do his work out of his house. The mom works away 8-5 plus an hour commute each way. The boys are both going to be in some kind of summer camp for 5 different weeks. This leaves her with 4 weeks to find care for them.

She has three options: 1) An activity loaded daycare type place $190x2 per week; 2) A run of the mill day care place $110x2 per week; or 3) Her soon to be ex has offered to watch them during the day.

When *I* look at the options, I personally would go for #3! But she doesn't want to go for option #3 because ... "It's not fair! It's my week to have the boys and he'll get to see them all day! I'll only get to see them for a few hours between getting off work and putting them to bed."

I SO badly wanted to point out that no matter which option she went with, she STILL would only be seeing them for a few hours a day! But, I think she already realized the fallacy of her complaint - but isn't willing to give in. So, she's talking about putting the 5 yo in the day camp, and letting the 11 yo be home alone.

Not having kids of my own, I am keeping my mouth clamped shut.

So I get off work today at 3. Made a couple stops, then got home around 5. I'm still not feeling very good, so decided to take a nap. About 6 p.m. the car alarm from he** began to go off.

It is now 1:11 a.m. and the car alarm is STILL going off and on, off and on.

About 12:15 out of desperation I called the police. They sent someone - I saw the pv parked by the offending car. I'm not sure exactly what they did, if anything. Because that (*&(*&(&^(*^%%&^%* car alarm is STILL going off!

So much for trying to get some extra rest.

My definition of he** - a single car alarm going off and on in a continuous loop with no end in sight.

---
What good are car alarms anyway??? No one pays any attention to them other than to roll their eyes and then ignore them. Any thief worth their salt knows how to get in and out of a car without worrying about an alarm. Aren't they a drain on your car's battery - making it's life shorter?

So, what say you . . .

Do you have a car alarm?

Do you think they are worth it?

Have you ever been driven to the point of wanting to take an ax to the stinking car with the alarm that won't stop going off?! (Ok, ok. No ax is available to me - so don't worry that I went off the deep end.)

---
1:21 a.m. The alarm hasn't sounded in almost 7 minutes. Dare I hope that my nightmare is over?

Update: 1:50 a.m. It seems safe to say now that the car alarm nightmare has finished for tonight. I am now going to try and get some rest.

I have 9 days till my trip. My cough is NOT getting better - even with the so-called miracle shot the doctor gave me on Monday.

In fact, I felt worse today than probably I have in the past three weeks.

I have to wonder if it's that the antibiotics aren't working (although I'm not hearing the rattle when I breathe) or is it just that after a day and a half's dose of it, enough is built up to make you feel a whole lot worse before you feel better?!

I left work early today because I felt so crummy. I probably wasn't really safe to drive - but somehow managed to get home.

Arghh!! I HATE being sick! It is costing me so much - both in real money and in opportunity cost.

This weekend I went to my mom and stepdad's. Saturday night I made quinoa for supper - neither one of them had ever had it before. My mom liked it plain, my stepdad experimented with numerous concoctions -- including melted chocolate and raisins. (He and I both share a love of chocolate.)

While I was working through my laundry, we played Uno. We played a total of 9 hands, and in the end, all of us had won 3 hands. At that point we agreed it was a good stopping point.

The plan was for me to make breakfast on Sunday as my Mom's day gift. I was going to make aebleskivers. (pancake balls). I had brought everything I needed (or I thought I had!) While in the middle of emtpying the dryer, I realized that I had forgotten one very important item -- the aebleskiver pan!! ARghh!

So my mom ended up putting soybeans on to soak so we could make soybean/oatmeal waffles instead.

I gave her a raincheck on the abelskiver's.

She was just happy that I spent the night with them.
-----

I've been on the fence for the past week deciding if I should go back to the doctor or not with regards to my congestion/cough. I really didn't want to go and be told I just needed to give it more time - and then be out the copay.

This morning all waffling was set aside when I woke up and heard the lovely rattle in my chest. NOT.

I was able to get an appointment with my regular doctor's co-worker and was diagnoised with bronchitis. So then received the "miracle shot" and a prescripton for $35 antibiotics, along with a different kind of allergy medicine, and something for my cough.

Only 11 days till I get on that plane to San Francisco! I HAVE TO BE WELL!!!

My brother called me yesterday afternoon to finalize what my plans are for my week-long vacation. It had been talked about that maybe I'd use my grandma's station wagon - but as we discussed that idea, we realized that it would mean driving two hours to get to where the car is, then driving another six+ hours to get to where she lives, then before I'm ready to leave, I'd have to drive it back to where it belongs. That's a whole lot of driving - a whole lot of gas - and a whole lot of chances for me to get lost or have something happen to the car.

So . . we came up with a better plan.

I'll get into San Francisco on Friday night (May 23rd). I'll stay at the hotel through Monday morning. (Free tickets to San Francisco and back, plus 3 nights free hotel stay due to a trip my dad won.)

Then, on Monday, my brother and perhaps my sister in law (if she can get off work) will take the ferry over to San Fran and we'll spend the day there doing sights. (One place in particular - Ghiradelli's Chocolate store for a Hot Chocolate!) Then we'll take the ferry back to their car, and I'll spend the night at their house. (Get to meet their furbaby's and play their Wii!)

Then, on Tuesday my brother will drive me over to San Jose where my Aunt lives. I'll spend the night there.

Then on Wednesday I'll fly from San Jose to the Ontario airport where I'll catch a shuttle to my Grandma's house in Loma Linda. On Friday, I'll catch a shuttle to the airport, and fly from Ontario to the Oakland airport.

My brother will pick me up at the Oakland airport, and I'll again spend the night with them. Then Saturday afternoon he'll take me back to the San Francisco airport and I'll catch my plane back home.

Whew!

I've budgeted $400 for my trip. So far, between the two extra flights + 2 shuttle trips, I've already spent $207. But -- I was able to book my flights through mypoints.com which netted me 2 points per dollar + of course I used my rewards card, so that is an extra point per dollar.

My dad was supposed to go on this trip, but it is looking like he won't be able to go. So, he is going to take me to the airport on Friday, and probably pick me up again on the next Saturday. If that doesn't work out, then I found a shuttle that will pick me up from work, and take me home for $64 roundtrip. (Cheaper than parking at the airport for 8 days + gas.)

So at any rate - I'm going to have Saturday (24th) and Sunday (25th) in San Francisco all by myself. I'm hoping the hotel will have a nice fitness center and pool, but that won't take all my time.

Any ideas of things I can do that won't cost much? (I'm not sure what hotel I'll be staying at yet - should know by the end of this week - I hope.) Also - any ideas on how I can keep my food costs down? What grocery stores would be easy to get to via bus or streetcar, etc?

All I can say is UGH! I HAVE to reign in my grocery spending!



Rent: Self Exp.

Renter's Insurance: Sinking Account

Charity: Pledged amount

Groceries: I have done extremely poorly this month with not giving into cravings, etc. Giving into my cravings + not exercising due to having an upper respriatory infection most of this month equaled 5 lbs weight gain. NOT GOOD!

Eating Out: This includes a trip I took with my best friend and her daughter - she paid for the entrance fees, so I treated us to drinks. Also included is a meal I took my dad out for to thank him for his time and effort on getting my car fixed (from when I backed into a pipe sticking out the front of a truck.) Also, I went out to IHOP on my own just for a treat.

Doctor: This is two copays -- first one was diagnoised with an ear infection and sinus infection - second one was dxd with upper resp. infection. Fun.

Prescriptions/OTC: Reg meds + antibiotics/antihistimines etc.

Misc: IRS, Library Fines, and printer ink.

Toiletries: I may end up taking back two of the items in this category because the third item is something that can replace them permenantly. If you know what a keeper is, then you'll figure out what I'm talking about.

Fitness: Remainder of Personal Training fee, registration fees for two 5k races (one of which was supposed to be today, but due to sickness, am not doing).

Entertainment: Treated my dad to a $1 movie (Fool's Gold - good movie). Bought a book.

Car Insurance: Six-month premium

Gas: This was a lot more than usual - due to my dad and I trading vehicles while he took my car to Wayne's to get the rear bumper part fixed - he filled up my car once (I'd given him my credit card) and then I filled up his vehicle. Plus I'd already had to fill my car a 3rd time this month BEFORE we'd traded vehicles. UGH!

Car Repairs/etc: While dad had my car, he took it in for an oil change.

Tolls: Ugh.

Cable: Would really like to get rid of this - just have to decide if I'm willing to let go of my Tivo as well.

Phone/Internet: After a bunch of deductions due to spam text messages plus the phone ordeal with my ds neighbors.

Extra Income:

Carpool: Even though most of one week she didn't ride with me - due to both of us being sick, she still paid me like normal.

Giftcards: I cashed in some of my mypoints for a $50 CVS giftcard (it was cheaper than a Walgreens giftcard) so will be able to get 3 months worth of my meds for FREE (still have the $30 gift card from transferring prescriptions).

Other Income: I did a babysitting job, plus I got a $5 bill in the mail as an incentive to complete an extra survey.

Interest Income: My HSBC interest was down this month - due to the reduced rate and the daily balance being lower. But I moved most of my funds in ING to a savings account, then just transfered it as needed to checking. So, I earned a good bit more interest there.

MAY:

This coming month I had to adjust my budget alot due to overspending in a lot of categories in April. However, I'm still sending a good amount to long term savings, and have a good amount to spend on my vacation.

My vacation is starting to look like it is going to cost me a pretty penny - even though the airfare is free and I have 3 nights in a hotel free + probably free accomondations the remainder of the time. I have the possibility of using my grandma's extra car to get around - but that means a lot of gas money. I also am having to figure out how I'm going to get to the airport, and then back -- both here at home and when I'm out in CA.

I guess this is why I only do this once in a great while!

About six weeks ago I got a bee under my bonnet to finally *do* something with my retirement funds from when I taught in the public school system.

A few years ago I received a notice that my money had stopped earning interest. For some reason, they stop giving interest on your money after 5 years. I really was going to do something with it, but just never got around to it.

So, anyway, about six weeks ago I sent in the form to say I wanted my money. They then sent me another form to fill out showing where that money was going to go to (my company's 401k plan.) I got that filled out - had our representative sign it, and mailed it.

Today I got the check in the mail! So, on Monday I'll get all the paperwork together and mail it off with the check. Then fairly soon afterwards, my 401k will jump by about $1300 -- effectively doubling it.

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Now I can only hope that in April 2009, when my Traditional cd IRA at BOFA comes due, that I'll have this same bee under my bonnet to move it somewhere to actually MAKE money for me!

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In other news . . this week I took two sick days. One of my own volition, and the other after being told to go home (after the president heard me coughing.)

I have the strongest feeling that I am going to have to skip the 5k on May 3rd. Unless the cough/upper resp congestion goes away REALLY fast . . .

Never thought that I'd be one saying that I miss going to the gym.

Oh well - I still have another 5k I'm signed up for in July. I wonder if I can get a refund of my registration fee for the May 3rd one??

I saw this interesting story today on msn.com about a man who'd been trapped in an elevator for 41 hours!

Trapped!

The video itself is pretty interesting, but what is even more interesting (to me at least) is the New Yorker article. The article talks about the psychology of elevators and about the history of them, along with giving a lot more details on the man who'd been trapped for 41 hours.

I found it just fascinating and thought y'all might too.

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It seems as though I'm sick again. I was really hoping to not have to have another doctor copay or meds copay this month . . but it looks likely that I'll have both. A few weeks ago I was dxd with an ear infection and a sinus infection and given antibiotics. I thought I was on the mend, so started back on my exercise program once I finished the antibiotics.

Sunday I started coughing. Monday after work when my PT Eric heard me cough, he bluntly told me that he didn't want me to do cardio for at least a couple days. Today, even with dosing myself with Dayquill, I sounded like a wounded Seal (according to one of my coworkers.)

So, I'm off to the doctor tomorrow morning.

I just hope that I'll be over whatever this is in time for the 5k on May 3rd. I may have to walk most of it even if I am, seeing as though most of April has been a loss as far as training goes.

Oh yeah - the budget? It's in sad, sad shape right now. Groceries is out of the roof -- and after tomorrow, medical will be out there as well.

And theres still 9 days of April to go.

I am a library donor. Not of my free will, unfortunately, but due to the copious amounts of books that I tend to keep checked out ( at least 10 -15+ at any given time), when I forget to renew my books, it is a costly mistake.

So after the last time where I had to part with $15, I set upon a fool proof way of never paying late fees again. Yep - foolproof.

I set up a reminder with yahoo calendar to perpetually remind me to renew my library books every Friday. I have it also set at work in my Outlook. So every Thursday night I get my first reminder email. Then several times on Friday I get a reminder popup at work.

Foolproof, right?

Apparantaly not.

This past Friday, despite all the reminders to check my library books return time, I didn't do it. Yesterday I went into my account to look for a book, and realized quickly that I was going to need to make a trip to the library.

So, today after work (and my workout) I stopped by to find out what the damage was. $30.50 UGH! Thankfully they take credit cards, so I was able to earn some points (plus I only had maybe $2 cash on me.)

An expensive lesson reminding me to NOT ignore my reminders!

Last weekend I made a crockpot of pinto beans. Unfortunately, I never got around to putting it into serving size portions to freeze. So, today I had to throw out 2lbs (less one serving I ate during the week) of pinto beans. That was enough beans for 33 work lunches -- gone.

Fortunately, I do have several cans of refried beans in my pantry. So, instead of running to the grocery store (which I'm trying to stay out of until Friday) I will use one of those.

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I just returned from my first outside trial run. Wow! Running outside is WAY different from running on a treadmill. I'm not sure exactly what distance I accomplished in my 40 minutes - thanks to the nifty little sportwatch/pedometer NOT working, but I have a feeling it wasn't much to speak of. I reverted back to what I did when I first started training on the treadmill - run for a minute, feel like I'm dying, then walk for a minute. Repeat and rinse.

Hopefully next Sunday's run will go better. I am planning on returning the sportwatch and taking my personal trainer up on his offer of a free pedometer.

--
Last night babysitting went really well. I had SO much fun with the kidlets. We made mud brownies and mud pumpkin pie. We also raked up huge piles of leaves around the backyard (but didn't jump in them because their dad had told them not to.) We also tossed a football around for a bit and played chase. Then we went inside and I was shown all the new toys and dress up outfits. Finally we had evening worship, then watched "Alvin and the Chipmunks." Both kidlets were in bed with teeth brushed by 9 p.m. Then I had the next three hours to read and relax.

I told my friend when they got home that I almost felt like I should be paying them for the privledge of getting to play with their little ones!

I found out today how I did in our church's 20 week fitness challenge. Out of the 39 remaining contenders, I placed third. The top 5 individuals were all women, which really surprised me.

I'm not sure why they did this, but they gave cash prizes to the top 3 teams, instead of just the top team. But then they gave a cash prize just to the top individual, and gave *bath sets* to the 2nd and 3rd place people. Um . . not to complain or anything, but I think I'd have preferred whatever cash they spent on the bath set . . .

I was a bit embarrassed though - two reasons. One is that as I was walking up front to accept my "prize" one of my shoes fell off! The other reason is that they had a graph/slide listing the top ten individual weight loss amounts with the names next to the amounts - showing to the whole church!!

I am dissapointed that I didn't win the $200 first place money. But I do know that I had more than one occassion of slacking off during the 20 weeks, so coming in third is still doing pretty well.

Now I'm about to jet off to my babysitting job where I'll be coming home with cash in my pocket - not $200, but still more than I'll be arriving there with.

Wednesday night I called one of my best friends to tell her about the 5k race I'd signed up for. She was very excited for me, etc. Then she told me that she had been about to call me!

A good friend of her and her husband had texted them saying that he was going to be in town this weekend and would like to get together with them and go out. The last time he was here was nearly 3 years ago!

The last time he was here I babysat my best friend's kids. And now, I'll be babysitting them again. Yay!

I'd mentioned to her when we went to the Jim Brickman concert last month that I am looking for babysitting opportunities to help make a bit faster progress on my savings goals. She told me that she'd keep me in mind if she heard of anyone needing a babysitter.

I'm looking forward to being with her kids. They are two of my favorites. I've known both of them since they were less than a week old. I babysat the oldest while my friend was in the hospital having the youngest. He was just a bit over two years old at that time. Now he is in second grade, and his sister is in pre-k!

Tomorrow morning I'll be finding out about the results of the 20 week fitness challenge. I'm kind of nervous and excited about it. It would be so awesome if I won the individual prize.

I spoke with my carpool rider on Wednesday about a bit of a schedule change. I want to go in earlier on Tue and Thurs so I have enough time to run 3 miles on the treadmill. Tuesdays don't affect her because she has a doctor's appt every Tuesday and her daughter brings her to work later. She was okay with leaving 15 minutes earlier on Thursdays.

So, I'll be doing my training runs for the 5k on (treadmill) Tuesdays, Thursdays, and then either Sat or Sun (outside) will do a longer run/walk (60 minutes). Mon and Fri will probably be the recumbent bike, and Wed the elliptical. I also spoke with my personal trainer today about putting together a workout program card for Wednesday's after work - I'm going to start doing a 3rd strength workout each week on my own. So I'll be getting around 240 cardio minutes, plus 3 45 minute strength training sessions in each week.

As of today, I have less than 4 weeks to go till my first 5k! I can hardly wait!

Last night I did something that I never in a million years dreamed I would actually do.

I registered for a 5 k race. It's on May 3rd in the morning.

I never thought of myself as a runner, or even as a person who would be any good at running. But for some reason over the past few months I have started to look forward to my "treadmill" days.

With the end of the 20 week fitness challenge I also knew I needed something else external to keep myself challenged and focused.

So, right now I am able to do about 2.3 miles in 30 minutes. Over the next four weeks I am going to try to get that to 2.6 miles in 30 minutes. I'm also going to try to get at least two 40 minute runs in a week - to see if I can do 3 miles in 40 minutes.

I am both nervous and excited about this. I still haven't done an outside run - so that is something I MUST do before May 3rd.

My dad has already promised that he'll be there for it - he's even going to spend Friday night with me so he can do all the driving.

I actually signed up for a second 5k as well that is in July.

Two registration fees - 1 $25 and 1 $15.

I'm going to need to replace my Sportbrain because it fell off my waistband into some water. It really stinks because I'd only used it maybe 4 times.

I'm also considering joining the local running club. There is an annual membership fee of $20. But included in that fee is being able to run in 9 races free, plus other member get togethers throughout the year. I'm thinking that maybe this might be a way for me to both be motivated to keep up with my fitness, as well as maybe meet some new people and have something constructive to do with my time (other than sit in front of the computer or tv all the time.)

Yesterday marked the end of the 20 week fitness challenge I was participating in at my church. I succeeded in losing 10% of my starting weight. I won't know where this puts me in terms of prize money ($200) until this coming Saturday. Whether I win or not though, I am still quite happy about the 10%.

I also got my haircut yesterday afternoon. I was going to go for 10 inches to be able to make another donation to Locks of Love, but in the end only did 6 inches. Another 4 inches would've just been too short for me.

A coworker of mine also got her hair cut this weekend. She came out much better than I did financially -- she had a coupon that made her cut only cost $5! I guess she really has listened to me ramble on and on about saving money.

This afternoon I had my Personal Fitness Assessment Reevaluation. I started training with Eric in the middle of October, 2007. The two big numbers that changed are my RHR (resting heart rate) and the 3 minute step test.

In October, my RHR was 72. Today, my RHR was 53. According to Eric, Lance Armstrong's RHR is 48.

In October, after completing the 3-minute step test, my HR was 131. Today, my HR was 117.

I also did a 12 minute run today - which I had not done in October. I completed 1 mile in 12 minutes.

Compare that to January 07 when I did a 12 minute walk/run fitness test and had to walk at least half of it.

Now, the strength numbers did not increase much to speak of (leg press went from 315 to 330, but otherwise no changes.)

So, overall I think that the time and money I have spent on hiring Eric as my PT, as well as using the gym has been more than worthwhile.

I definitely want to spend some extra focus on the strength training though. I really should have improved more in strength . . . and my body fat % only went down 3% from October.

I found this nifty print screen device, and am about to test it out here.



Yay! It worked.

Ok, lets take a look at this month.

Rent: Last month at this rate.

Renter's Insurance: This is going into a sinking fund - so not really spent.

Charity: I only did my pledge this month. Next month I am probably going to start sponsoring a child through Children's International - maybe two.

Groceries: I totally and completely blew my grocery budget this month. But thanks to the nifty YNAB tool where you can see all your spending transactions for a category, I can see that approximately $90 of this spending are for things that will last me through the end of May, and one item which will probably last me through July.

Laundry: Went to a different laundromat. Their dryers were a minimum of $1.25. So 3 loads wash, and then put them all in one dryer load (added a quarter.)

Clothing: Bought a new pair of pants, a couple tops, along with some needed necessaries from Ebay.

Meds: The actual spent is less due to the $25 gift card. Just my allergy med and other normal med.

Haircare: I had six-inches cut at Fanatastic Sam's today. It was 25 for the cut, plus an extra $5 for the length. Then I gave the stylist a $6 tip. Before my CA trip I want to get highlights. Now that my hair is a bit shorter, hopefully the highlights will cost less.

Misc: I am grandfathered in the Delphi Advanced member plan. It is another forum I frequent often. This is the yearly subscription fee. If I let it expire on me, my cheapest option would be $39.95 a year for a lot of stuff I wouldn't even use.

Fitness: $250 is part of the Personal Training session; $18 is for the Sportbrain pedometer.

Car Insurance: This wasn't really spent this month - it's more just an accounting thing for me.

Gas: Only 2 fill ups this month! Yay!

Tolls: Ugh

Cable: Back to normal.

Netflix: I did go ahead and put this on hold. I may end up just canceling it altogether, time will tell.

Phone/Int: This bill was before all the phone tapping mess.

Earnings:

Carpool: My rider was out sick one week.

Giftcards: My CVS giftcard - used to pay for prescription.

Reimbursements: $298 from Root Canal; $68 from Geico.

Interest Income: $100 - Chase Account Bonus; $26.54 from ING, HSBC and TDAmeritrade.

About a month ago or so I got on the ball and got my defensive driving certificate number from the place I took it at and called it into Geico for the 10% discount.

I'd already paid the 6-month premium upfront, so on my account it showed as a credit. I figured that they would just take it off my next six-month premium. Nope.

Last night I got in the mail SEVEN of those fold and tear envelopes from Geico.
All of them contained a check.

Each envelope cost them $3.12 to mail - or a total of $21.84.

5 of the checks were for $3.17, 1 check for $3.15, and one for $49.00 (a total of $68.)

I really wish I knew what their reasoning was for doing it this way!

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I made a mistake this week that cost me $3.00. A few weeks ago I opened up a Chase checking account (mainly for the opening bonus.) I had deposited a number of checks into it, as well as taking out enough cash to pay the remainder of my PT session.

Somehow though, I ended up making TWO transfer requests via ING from this checking account. I made one I think on Friday, and the second on Sunday. My big mistake was not writing down the one I did on Friday.

Both transfers went through on Tuesday and overdrew my account. I saw what had happened Monday night and had written an email to Chase about it. But when I saw it had gone through on Tuesday, I spent a frustrating 25 minutes going through voicemail hockey sticks before getting through to a live person.

I was told that if I could deposit enough cash into my account to cover the overage, that there would be no fees. So I went to the nearest ATM and drew out enough to cover the fees, and deposited it.

The ATM fee was $3.00. If I wouldn't have gotten the overage taken care of that day, it would have been at least a $35 fee.

*Mantra* MUST WRITE DOWN ALL TRANSFERS!

I am feeling sad this morning. About two years ago our family’s Maltese Reggie headed off to the Rainbow Bridge. Then about 10 months ago my precious cat Monkey joined him.

This morning I received an email from my dad telling me that the decision had been made to send our family’s chocolate lab Brutus to play with his pals Reggie and Monkey.

I knew Brutus’s health was failing, and that it didn’t look like he’d last all that much longer. But I really thought he’d still be there for me to hug one last time when I go out to CA in May.

It’s the right decision. In my heart I know it. He’s gone mostly deaf, nearly blind in one-eye, and his limp has gotten progressively worse. I spoke to my grandma this morning and she was telling me how she even has to help him get in the car – this is one dog that absolutely LOVES car rides.

My grandma put the phone up to his ear so I could talk to him for one last time. I’ve “talked” to him that way many times before. I don’t know if he really could hear me or if he was remembering from previous times where the phone was held to his ear – but grandma said he perked up a little bit and was licking the phone.

This morning I was remembering the first time I met him. It was my sophomore year of college, and I had come home for a weekend. My family had rescued him from this other family who were getting divorced and had pretty much kept him tied up in their back yard for the past year (I won’t go into what I think about THAT!)

I’d had maybe a day to make his acquaintance when we found ourselves alone in the house together. The doorbell rang, and when I opened the front door, Brutie zips out (In our family, we have INSIDE dogs). He’d only been with our family for a few short weeks. I was shoeless and sockless (normal mode for me) and ran out after him.

The chase lasted several hours, going all over our neighborhood, and even out on the main street for a short while. The whole time I was thinking that if something happened to that dog how mad my brother would be at me. (He started out as my brother’s dog – until his junior year of college when he went to CA when he became more of my dads dog.)

Finally, completely exhausted, I sat down on the edge of the curb and put my head in my hands. No sooner had I done that, than I feel a cool, wet nose nudging my arms. The game was over – he had won, not only the game, but my heart as well.


My brother, Reggie (Maltese), Brutus (Choc Lab)



My brother and Brutie - the goofballs.