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Monthly Archives: November 2008
The method to my madness
OK – I was going to start my “Latte Factor” countdown next week, but there’s never been a better time than right now – mostly because I got paid yesterday and I feel like I have a clean slate to work with. Also, since it’s a new paycheck and the end of the month, it’s time to do some bills. As it sits right now, I have $890 in checking and $30 in savings. This is a $100 more than … Continue reading
A humble holiday
I remember a couple times earlier this year when I found myself with pocket change or a negative balance in my checking account, I would hum the following line in my head: “Things been a little tight, but I know they’re going to turn my way.” That comes from Bruce Springteen’s song “Girls In Their Summer Clothes” and if there were times that I panicked about my financial future, I’d keep that line running through my head. That line occurred … Continue reading
Coming next week!
I’m sitting here pre-coffee, but I’m pretty excited about what I’m thinking about writing for next week. I’m reading David Bach’s “Smart Couples Finish Rich” right now – it’s just been by my bedside stand for about three weeks now – I have to get it back to the library by Dec. 2, so I’m feeling the urgency. In his chapter called “The Couples Latte Factor,” he urges couples to track what they spend for seven days and they will … Continue reading
Her Eggo Might Be Preggo
“Dude, can I bug you for a second?” Considering that I was spending more time reading about Obama’s picks for various members of his Cabinet on CNN than actually working, I “minimized” my Internet browser and looked up expectantly at my co-worker. “What’s up?” “I think I’m pregnant.” I pause momentarily. “Seen “Juno” yet?” “I love that movie.” “Well, then that’s one doodle that can’t be undid, homeskillet,” I said, masking my shock and potential worry for my much younger … Continue reading
Making do with what we’ve got
When Future Husband and I shopped for our first home together, FH managed to get the most bang for the $120,000-130,000 price range that he was shopping with. We spent $123,000 on a 1967 ranch-style home that boasts 2,200 square feet. Not as new as some of the other homes we toured on one particularly warm Saturday when our realtor took us through about 8 houses that were in our price range. But this house was bigger, had a garage … Continue reading
Fighting temptation everywhere
After stepping on the scale recently, freaking out that my wedding dress wouldn’t fit and being sick and tired of my general health anyway I decided to join a gym. Smart? Probably, if you look at it as an investment into my long-term health. Frugal? Well, I went and took advantage of a special that they had – no joining fee and $29 a month. Does that count as frugal? Does that count as frugal if you ignore the fact … Continue reading
Avoiding office politics
OK – I know this is a “debt reduction” blog. But for me, a big facet of my debt reduction journey has been my employment. If I don’t work, I don’t have money to pay my debt, ergo – work is a big deal to me. As I’ve said before, I work a full-time job in the finance industry and my part-time “hobby” is schlepping weekends at the cab company as a phone operator. I’m trolling various websites this morning … Continue reading
Posted in Debt Reduction
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One dollar a day
It’s been a quiet day today at the cab company, allowing me to catch up on the many emails in my inbox, look through my municipality’s weekend newspaper and just basically veg out for eight hours. As my work day winds down, I’ve spent the past hour engrossed in this site. This California-based couple took a month and decided to try an experiment where they lived on $1.00 a day for food. Amazing.
Time is money
May I have a moment to boast? OK, thank you. For all of my faults when it comes to my personal finances, I am one hell of a worker. OK, well maybe I’m not perfect, but I like to think that I’m one of those people that companies really want to hire. I’m relatively cheap, I can figure out almost anything (that doesn’t involve numbers, ahem – personal budget!), I’m reliable, good with deadlines, etc. I like to think that … Continue reading
Announcing a freebie
Dr. Pepper is honoring a promise to give Americans a free soda. Why are we graced with free pop? Because Axl Rose finally got his … uh, act! … together and released the “Chinese Democracy” album. Just thought I’d share.
Posted in Debt Reduction
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