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Archive for October, 2014

Please check your auto policy-Mine may have saved me big today!

October 20th, 2014 at 04:54 pm

My car has had a few weird issues lately. The key was periodically getting stuck in the accessory position a couple of weeks ago. I made an appointment to get it looked at, but ultimately cancelled. I switched to my spare key and it started working fine.

Today I started the car with no issues. I pulled into the next apartment building to check my mail. I turned off the car because my mailbox key is on my chain. I get the mail, go back out and the car won't start. I called the dealer and they don't think it is the battery because it started so readily the first time. They won't know until they look at it.

First and foremost, I have towing through Geico so I am all set there. But, what I wanted to point out is I also have a not well-known piece of coverage: mechanical breakdown insurance. Even if my transmission or engine went (which of course won't be the issue, but wanted to point out expensive issues) it is covered. I only have to pay my $250 deductible. I know in the past when I shopped insurance not every company had this. All I can tell you is through Geico, the car has to be purchased new or if used, have 15k or less on it. This coverage costs me $3 a month. This is exactly why I won't shop for another insurance company.

I am happy with Geico anyhow. I pay $78 a month for full coverage on two cars. Since it broke down one building over, I am not having it towed until my husband gets home so I am not stuck sitting at the dealer all day. I am stuck at home, but I can deal with that. I will let you all know how it works out. My main point was to let you all know to check your policies and to know this is available.

Just Checking In

October 16th, 2014 at 12:52 pm

Just checking in. Tutoring is okay, but not great. I could write a novel on the ups and downs of the business. I have been toying with the idea of shutting it down in June. I am so tired of people paying late and changing schedules. Long story short, I could make more doing the mystery shopping/evaluations if I didn't have to rush back to tutor in the afternoons. I am going to evaluate the decision over Christmas vacation.

Spending has been kept to a minimum. However, the next two weekends there will be more spending involved. We are going to a pumpkin fest with friends who want to go out to eat as well. I am going to tell my friend we will join them for the fest, but opt out of the dinner. Therefore, it should only cost a few dollars in gas. I suppose I need to double check if there is a cost for admission to the fest.

Next weekend I am going to Connecticut for two reasons. I will visit a friend who will put me up overnight and will be meeting my boss who I work for as a virtual assistant. He is flying into NY for 10 days from Vietnam. My friend lives about an hour north of NYC, so he can take the train to meet me for dinner. I am budgeting the cost of dinner, but I suspect he will pay. However, I don't want to rely on it. He asked me to choose the restaurant, so I will pick something budget friendly so no matter who pays, the cost will be reasonable. I put the cost of a half a tank of gas, dinner, and lunch the following day with my friend in the budget for next week. Since the main reason for the trip is business, I can write most of it off on my taxes.

Pinecone Research

October 6th, 2014 at 02:34 pm

I dont think I was supposed to publish the actual email. If you need a referral, let me know.

September Mystery Shopping Income

October 1st, 2014 at 12:25 pm

My September mystery shopping income was $790.15, but I was missing a payment of $30. I will have to call about it if it doesn't arrive by Friday. This is much lower than the August total of over $1300. I did not shop as much (back to tutoring more). My goal is $800 per month so I am happy.