Saturday, September 22, 2012

Link Love: Best Posts This Week

Here are some of the best blog posts I read this week. Check 'em out and I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Enemy of Debt- 7 Habits of Debt-Free People
My Alternate Life- Fun Money is Important!
Fashionably Broke in the City- Reaching "Financial Independence"
Get Rich Slowly- 15 Things You Need To Know About Financial Aid
Fabulously Broke In The City-  18 Free (and too often) Forgotten Ways To Beat Boredom

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Paid Off!: Medical Bill


Yay! I'm so excited that this medical bill has been paid off! We owed a local hospital $389.24 from an Emergency Room visit at the beginning of this year. Yep, we have insurance. Good insurance too. But that's how much we still owed for x-rays, tests, doctor fees, etc. Sheesh. It took 7 months of small payments but it's paid. Finally!

If you get a medical bill that you can't pay upfront, call the billing office for the hospital or doctor's office and tell them you can't pay all at once. Ask to work out a payment plan and they will usually be glad to set one up for you. When we got this bill we certainly didn't have a extra few hundred dollars lying around and very little extra per month, so I asked for the smallest amount we could pay monthly which turned out to be $50ish bucks. Yeah, we could probably have paid extra on it but we had other expenses that took priority so we just kept the payment plan on track. The good thing about a payment plan is that they don't usually charge you interest so you aren't going to owe less if you pay it sooner, hence there is less incentive to pay it off quickly. To counter this, the hospital will usually require that an automatic debit come out of your bank account every month so that they ensure that they get their money and that you don't default on your agreement.

The alternative is for you to throw away the bills and overdue notices, the hospital tries to recoup some of its losses and sells the bill to a creditor who starts calling you, and your credit report and score gets dinged, sometimes heavily. You would still owe that money and now you have creditors calling and sending you letters, as well as a lowered credit score. Not good.

It's just easier to work out the payment plan.

So now what?: So what happens to that $50 bucks we were throwing at this bill every month? It becomes part of our debt snowball. I don't operate exactly like Dave Ramsey's plan (I pay attention to interest rates and try to pay over minimum payments wherever possible), but I subscribe to the principle of it. This doesn't become extra money that gets blown on movies and pizza. Nope. It's still debt money and is now applied to another bill that need to be paid. So now we will start making larger monthly payments to pay down other debts faster.

Have you had to work out a payment plan for a medical bill? Have you paid off any bills lately? What do you think of the debt snowball method?

Why I Don't Want to Be A Millionaire

A while ago I was reading A Practical Wedding (one of my favorite blogs and yes, I still read it although I've been married for two years now), and I ran across this quote:

"and by 'doing so well' I mean able to eat"- Meg Keene, APW

It got me thinking. What does doing well mean? Does it mean you are a millionnaire? Does it mean you have cash you can throw at problems, a Porshe, a horse, and a vaction home? Or does it mean having enough money to live off of, not worrying about how you are gonna pay the bills and eat, and having enough money to live, travel, and enjoy life (not to show off)?

I personally fall on the side of wanting enough money to not have to worry about money but it doesn't really matter that much to me what that magical number is. Of course, that amount will vary depending on where you live (New Orleans v. New York), how big your family is, whether you have chronic health problems, etc.

I completely agree with Meg here. "Doing well" is a headspace not a bank account number. It's the place where you have enough that you don't have to worry about having enough, especially worrying about our most basic needs like food or shelter.

I think that it also includes being content and happy with the life I lead. I can find and be happy with life's real value in friendships, experiences, love, memories, etc. That doesn't have a dollar sign on it but it costs some money to have those experiences. I have to be able to travel to see my friends and family and it costs money to share a tasty meal (even if it's pie at the Tastee Diner). These costs can be big or small but they are still costs.

I read a lot of personal finance and other blogs and am often struck by how often financial advice veers into the lonely miser category. Sure, I can save money on my wedding by only inviting a few people, but I have so many people I love that I want there! Sure, I can decline invitations to dinner with my friends but then I miss out on that experience and opportunity to tighten those bonds of friendship. Sure, I can never take a vacation and work two jobs so that I can max out my yearly IRA contributions, but I would be bone-tired and cranky. What's life without vacations, friends, family, and dinners together?

Does that mean that I have to have millions of dollars to live a happy and full life? Nope. I can still live within my means and live frugally while still experiencing all life has to offer. That means for me that although I have debt and very little money in savings, I am planning to pay a small amount to go on a weekend spiritual retreat with some of my good friends later this month and I am planning a trip to visit my husband in Louisiana in November. It's why I scrimped and saved and mystery shopped to get money together to spend a week in California for my sister's wedding. It's why I got to attend and help throw two bridal showers this weekend. Because I love the people in my life and I value the experiences.

So for me, yep. I'm broke. But I'm doing well. Not a millionnaire and probably will never be, nor do I really strive to be. But I am rich in friends and family, even if all I can afford some nights is a grilled cheese sandwich. I don't have to complain. Besides, I love grilled cheese sandwiches.


Saturday, September 15, 2012

I joined the Yakezie Challenge!

I just joined the Yakezie Challenge and boy am I excited! Yakezie is a cooperative of personal finance and lifestyle blogs and websites that are chock full of helpful advice and experience for how to save money, get out of debt, and live frugally. I'm trying to grow my Alexa ranking so my blog can get out into the blog-o-sphere more and I can make more connections with other personal finance bloggers through Yakezie.

Wish me luck!

Proud Member of the Yakezie Challenge

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Harris Teeter Super Doubles Coupon Matchups: Sept 12-18


Oh wow! I love the Super Doubles promotions at Harris Teeter! So many free groceries!

Harris Teeters in the DC area normally double coupons up to $.99 but occasionally they run super double promotions which double coupons up to $2.00 with a limit of 20 doubled coupons per day per VIC card (that's their savings club card). So you may end up going multiple times this week as I plan to.

Harris Teeter has e-coupons and store coupons available on their website and you can stack their store coupons with manufacturer coupons. Also, be sure to sign up for their email newsletter and eVIC club because that will offer you special discounts each week that aren't normally advertised in the circular.

Here's some of the best deals for this week at Harris Teeter:
**eVIC Items**
Kellogg’s Pop Tarts, 12 ct- $1.97 (limit 4)
Use 3 $.70/1 Pop Tart printable
and $1.00/3 Harris Teeter ecoupon
Final Price: $.24 each wyb 3

General Mills Cereals, 8.5-11.25 oz- $1.77 (limit 4)
Use $1.00/1 Total Whole Grain printable
Final Price: Free

**************************************

Silk Soymilk Fruit and Protein Drink, 32oz- $2.00
use $1.00/1 Silk Fruit & Protein printable
or $.75/1 Silk Fruit & Protein printable
Final Price: Free to $.50 each

8th Continent Soymilk, 64 oz- $3.55
Use $2.00/1 8th Continent printableFinal Price: Free

Pure Protein Bars, 1.76 oz- $1.59
Use BOGO Pure Protein Bars printable
and use $1.00/1 Pure Protein Bar printable

Final Price: 2 Free


Glade Decor Scents Holder- $2.99
Use $1.00/1 Glade Decor Scents Holder or 2 refills, SmartSource 7/15
or $1.00/1 Glade Decor Scents Holder or 2 refills printable
and get $1.00 back in your SavingStar account from ecoupon
Final Price: Free

Lysol Power & Free Multi Purpose, 22 oz- $3.59 (BOGO, rings at $1.79)
Use $1.00/1 Lyson Power & Free printable
Final Price: Free

Stayfree Maxi Pads, 14-24 ct.- $3.89
Use $2.00/1 Stayfree, SmartSource 8/26
Final Price: Free

Snapware Airtight Med Rectangle Container, 1 ct.- $3.74
Use $2.00/a Snapware storage item, SmartSource 8/26
Final Price: Free

Reach Floss, 55 yds- $1.45
Use $1.00/1 Reach Total Care floss, Red Plum 7/29
Final Price: Free

Mueller’s Spaghetti, 16 oz- $1.75 (BOGO, rings at $.87)
Use $.55/1 Muller's pasta printable
Final Price: 2 for Free

McCain Baby Cakes and Sweet Potato Fries, 20-22 oz, $2
Use $1.00/1 McCain frozen potato items printable
and get $1.00 back in your SavingStar account from McCain Sweet Potato Fries ecoupon
Final Price: Free + $1.00 Money Maker on Sweet Potato Fries!

Wholly Red Tomato Salsa, 10 oz- $2.49
Use $1.50/1 Wholly Salsa printable
and use BOGO Wholly Salsa coupon, SmartSource 8/26
Final Price: 2 Free

Wholly Guacamole Classic, 7 oz – $2.79
Use $1.50/1 Wholly Guacamole, SmartSource 8/26
Final Price: Free

Pringles MultiGrain Cans – $1.49
Use $1.50/2 Pringles Multigrain, Red Plum 9/9
Final Price: 2 Free

Ken's Desssing or Marinade, 16oz- $3.45 (BOGO, rings at $1.72
Use $1.00/1 Ken's product, SmartSource 8/12
Final Price: Free

Texas Pete Hot Sauce, 6 oz- $.99 (BOGO, rings at $.49)
Use $.40/1 Texas Pete Hot Sauce, Smart Source 5/6
Final Price: Free

Eat. Think. Smile Bars- $1.50
Use $1.00/1 Eat. Think. Smile. single bars printable
Final Price: Free

Select Candy, 1.44-2.13 oz- $1.19 (BOGO, rings at $.59)
Use $1.50/3 M&Ms, Twix, Milky Way, 3 Musketeers or Snickers, Red Plum 9/16 (coming this weekend)
Final Price: 3 Free

Blue Diamond Almonds, 1.5 oz- $1.25 (BOGO, rings at $.62)
Use $1.00/2 Blue Diamond products printable
Final Price: Free

Welch’s Fruit ‘N Yogurt Snacks, 4.25 oz- $1.99 (BOGO, rings at $.99)
Use $.50/1 Welch's Fruit Snacks printable
Final Price: Free

Wacky Mac Veggie Spirals, 12 oz- $1.99 (BOGO, rings at $.99)
Use $1.00/2 Wacky Mac Pasta printable
Final Price: Free

Maruchan Yakisoba – $0.59
Use $1.00/2 Yakisoba, SmartSource 8/29
Final Price: Free

Nissin Cup Noodles, 2.25 oz- $.59 (BOBO, rings at $.29)
Use $1.00/4 Nissin Big Cup Noodles, SmartSource 9/9
Final Price: 4 for Free May be able to get 8 for Free since coupon doubles!

Hormel Compleats, 10 oz- $1.97
Use $1.00/1 Hormel Compleats printable
or this $1.00/1 Hormel Compleats printable
Final Price: Free

Gerber 2nd Foods Organic Pouch – $1.50
Use $.75/1 Gerber 2nd Foods printable
Final Price: Free

Neutrogena Make Up Remover Cleansing Towellettes, 7 ct- $2.50
Use $2.00/1 Neutrogena Face Product printable
Final Price: Free

Dawn Dishwashing Liquid, 9 oz- $.99
Use $.50/1 Dawn products, P&G 8/26
or $1.00/2 Dawn products, P&G 8/26
Final Price: Free

Feline Pine Cat Litter, 7 lb- $5.99 (BOGO, rings at $2.99)
Use $1.50/1 Feline Pine printable
Final Price: Free

Ocean Spray Juice, 4 pk and 48 oz- $4.19 (BOGO, rings at $2.09)
Use $1.00/1 Ocean Spray Sparkling 4pk printable
Final Price: $.09

Ore-Ida Easy Fries, 4.25-4.75 oz, $1.39
Use $1.00/2 Ore Ida Product printable
Final Price: $.39 each wyb 2

Rotel Tomatoes, 10 oz, $1.25- Buy 2 get 1 free
Use $1.00/3 Rotel Diced Tomatoes, SmartSource 9/16
Final Price: 3 for $.25

Hershey’s Simple Pleasures, 5.6 oz, $4.15
Use $2.00/1 Simple Pleasures 5.6oz, SmartSource 8/19
Final Price: $.19

Pillsbury Pie Crust, French Loaf or Breadsticks, $1.99
Use $1.00/2 Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crusts printable
and use $.75/2 Harris Teeter ecoupon
and get $.75 back in your SavingStar account from ecoupon
Final Price: $.24

Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Bars, 4.6 oz- $2.50
Use $1.00/2 Nutri-Grain Bars printable
and use $1.00/2 Harris Teeter ecoupon
Final Price: $.50 each wyb 2

Betty Crocker Potato Mix, 3-3.3 oz- $.87
Use $.50/2 Betty Crocker Boxed Potatoes, SmartSource 9/9
Final Price: $.37 each wyb 2

YoCrunch Yogurt Cups, 6oz- $.70
Use $1.00/4 YoCrunch, SmartSource 9/9
Final Price: $.20 each wyb 4

Yoplait Go Gurt, Yogurt, or Trix, 12-18 oz, $2
Use $.75/2 Yoplait Go Gurt, Kids Cup, Splitz, or Trix, SmartSource 8/5
or $.75/2 Yoplait Go Gurt, Kids Cup, Splitz, or Trix printable
and use $.75/2 Harris Teeter ecoupon
and get $.75 back in your SavingStar account from ecoupon
Final Price: $.50 each wyb 2

Gerber Graduates Grabbers- $1.65
Use $.75/1 Gerber Graduates Grabbers printable
Final Price: $.15

Zone Perfect Bar, 1.58 oz- $1.39
Use BOGO Zone Perfect Bar printable
and $.55/1 Zone Perfect Bar, Smart Source 7/15
Final Price: $.29 for 2

Met-RX Protein Bars, 3 oz- $2.29
Use $2.00/2 Met-RX Protein Plus Bars, Red Plum 8/5
Final Price: $.29 for 2

Veet Wax Strips, 20 ct- $4.49
Use $2.00/1 Veet Product printable
Final Price: $.49

Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner, 24 oz- $2.89 (BOGO, rings at $1.44)
Use $1.00/2 Lysol Power & Free Toilet Bowl Cleaner, SmartSource 8/19
Final Price: $.44 each wyb 2

Brut Deodorant, 2.5 oz- $2.07
Use $1.00/1 Brut fragrance or deodorant, SmartSource 9/9
Final Price: $.07

Alka Seltzer Plus Allergy, 24 ct- $4.29
Use $2.00/1 Alka Seltzer allergy relief, Red Plum 5/06
Final Price: $.29

Viactiv Calcium Dietary Chews, 60 ct- $4.99
Use $2.00/1 Viactiv Soft Chews, SmartSource 5/13
Final Price: $.99

Vaseline Body Lotion, 10 oz, $2.99
Use $1.00/1 Vaseline Lotion 10oz+ printable
Final Price: $.99

K-Y Personal Lubricant Jelly, 4 oz- $4.79
Use $2.00/1 K-Y Product printable
Final Price: $.79

Gerber Graduates Puffs, 1.48 oz- $2.00
Use $1.00/2 Gerber Graduates Puffs printable
Final Price: $1.00

Dean’s Heat ‘n Eat Dip, 11 oz- $2.79
Use $.65/1 Dean's Heat 'n Eat Dip printable
and get $.55 back in your SavingStar account from ecoupon
Final Price: $.94

Chobani Little Champions, 4 pk- $2.99
Use $1.00/1 Chobani Champions 4pk printable
Final Price: $.99

Smart Balance Milk, 64 oz- $3.99
Use $1.50/1 Smart Balance milk, SmartSource 8/5
Final Price: $.99

Nestle Coffee-Mate Creamer, 6 oz- $2.19
Use $.55/1 Coffee-Mate printable
Final Price: $1.09

Magnum Ice Cream Bars, 3 pk- $3.99
Use $1.00/1 Magnum Ice Cream Bars printable
Final Price: $1.99

V8 V-Fusion Smoothie- $2.69
Use $1.00/1 V8 V-Fusion Smoothie, SmartSource 9/9
Final Price: $.69

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Cinnamon Bread- $2.99
Use $1.00/1 Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Bread, SmartSource 9/9
Final Price: $.99

Pepperidge Farm Jingos Crackers- $2.99
Use $1.00/1 Jingos Crackers printable
Final Price: $.99

Kraft Natural Shredded Cheese – $2.00
Use $1.00/2 Kraft Shredded Cheese, Smart Source 8/19
Final Price: $1.00

Always Infinity, 12-18 pk.- $4.99
Use $2.00/1 Always Infinity 12+ ct, Proctor & Gamble Insert 7/29
Final Price: $.99

Visine Eye Drops, .5 oz, $4.99
Use $2.00/1 Visine Product .5oz+, Red Plum 6/10
or $2.00/1 Visine Product .5oz+, Red Plum 7/29
Final Price: $.99

Palmer’s Skin Conditioner with Vit. E, 8.5 oz, $4.99
Use $2.00/1 Palmer's Facial Item printable
Final Price: $.99

Clean & Clear Astringent or Medication, $3.99
Use $1.50/1 Clean & Clear Product, Red Plum 7/29
Final Price: $.99

Mrs. Paul’s Flounder or Fish Sticks, 8-10.1oz- $5.55 (BOGO, rings at $2.77)
Use $1.00/1 Mrs. Paul's seafood item printable
Final Price: $.77 each

Pop Secret Popcorn, 6 ct- $6.15 (BOGO, rings at $3.07)
Use $1.00/2 Pop Secret, Red Plum 9/9
or $1.00/2 Pop Secret printable
Final Price: $1.07 each wyb 2

Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage, 14-16 oz- $3.33
Use $.75/1 Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage, Red Plum 8/12 (exp 9/15)
Final Price: $1.83

You can find these and other great deals at Capitally Frugal and Southern Savers.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Half Priced Starbucks!

You will want to hurry to grab this great deal! Right now Living Social is offering a $10 Starbucks card for just $5! The card is delivered in the form of an e-gift card and you can print it and use it in store (you don't have to use it all at once, it will store the value) or transfer it to your Starbucks card. Very nice. And just in time for Pumpkin Spice lattes.....mmm.....

You can snag this great deal here or by clicking on the picture below.



Tuesday, September 4, 2012

I Got Paid!


Online surveys and mystery shopping get a bad rap. Many people think that they are just scams but there are really some great (and legitimate) companies out there that will pay you for your time and effort. And to prove it, here's what I earned from online surveys and mystery shopping last month, among other endeavors. I completed these mystery shops and surveys in the previous month (or earlier) and received the payment this month. Some of these mystery shops required me to pay something out of pocket to purchase a good or service (which I get to keep) but I was reimbursed for my purchase and was usually paid an additional fee.

August 2012
Hill's Science Diet Ideal Balance dog food rebate- $12.99
Reward Port Surveys- $25.00
Opinion Outpost- $10.00
Olay Rebate- $10.00 prepaid Mastercard
CVS- $10.00 Shell Gift Card
Marketforce- $23.72
Sinclair Customer Metrics- $25.73

Total Earned in August: $117.44
Total Minus Out Of Pocket Mystery Shopping Expenses (which were reimbursed): $95.97

August was a slow mystery shopping month for me because it was a busy month. I finished my Master's thesis and travelled to California for a week for my sister's wedding. But I made up for it by completing and cashing out surveys online. I also got some rebates which I used coupons for so my out of pocket was less than the rebate amount. I would have purchased these items without the rebates so I consider the rebates and the gas card to be extra money for that month.

What did I do with this small bit o' extra income? Well, some went to offset costs associated with travelling to help me stay within my budget, namely the extra gas money spent on the rental car in California, and some went to paying for a parking ticket (ugh!). Another third went into savings to pay for my trip up to Pennsylvania for my good friend's wedding later this month. Hooray for weddings!

Monday, September 3, 2012

Frugal Tips My Mom Taught Me: Pack a Snack

My mom is a frugal woman. Growing up in a post-WWII household in Northern California with parents who had just weathered the war and the Great Depression, she knows how to make a dollar stretch. Over my life I have learned a lot from my mom and those tips have molded me into the thrifty and yes, cheap, lady I am today. This post series explores those tips my Mom has given me over the years that may help you too.


Pack a Snack
Growing up, my Mom always packed a snack in a Garfield-themed tote bag (I believe my 6 year old self picked that out) for myself and my two sisters. Yes, that's terribly common for a Mom with three young kids, but the principle applies. Why not bring a healthy snack with you from home rather than buy one while you are out?

I practice this today. I always have popcorn or granola bars in my desk in case I have to work late and I am starving. I try to keep a granola bar in the glove compartment of my to stave off hunger-induced road rage and late night trips to the drive through for a "snack" of a double cheeseburger and fries.

Planning ahead and bringing food with you allows you to continue with your plans and not have to stop to get food, and it also saves you money. If I bring a banana and a granola bar from home as well as a reusable bottle of water, I'm good to go all afternoon with groceries which cost around $.50 (less if I bought the granola bars with coupons). If I was out and needed a snack, a Luna bar at the Seven Eleven would set me back $2.50, plus another dollar for a banana. Add on another $1.50+ for a bottle of water. That's a $.50 snack vs. a $5.00 snack.

You're always gonna need to eat and God has blessed this world with an abundance of granola bars and coupons with which we can buy them cheaply. So throw a granola bar or two in your bag and go out into the world!