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Home > Archive: November, 2014

Archive for November, 2014

Thanksgiving Etc.

November 30th, 2014 at 01:37 pm

A belated Happy Thanksgiving to all. We had one heck of a snowstorm. It was the wet and heavy snow and we lost power. We were out from 8:30pm Wednesday until around 11am on Friday. Luckily, it wasn't too terribly cold sleeping (I am in an apartment so no generator). Even better is my office didn't lose power so I put the important food in the fridge there and we charged our phones and laptops there. I also washed my hair in the kitchen sink so I didn't feel too gross without showering.

My brother in law was hosting Thanksgiving (only five of us) and he lost power too. His girlfriend had power so she offered to let us all go there. I was grateful. It was nice to get out and warm up and be where there was power. He had all the food too, so we were thankful it wasn't wasted.

Friday I went shopping with a friend. We do so every year, but we aren't in it for the craziness. We go around 8am when the mayhem settles. We are there to get clothes and shoes discounted (money we save up). I was able to purchase clothing for my teen and new shoes/boots for my hubby and myself. I spent $125. I would have never got all that so cheap any other time.

Unfortunately, we did hit the crowds because of so many without power. People were out all day just to get out of their houses. I almost wish I had money to blow. The huge deals that were out on Thursday were available on Friday because the stores were without power until the early AM (on Friday). I seriously considered a TV (we still have an old tube TV), but fought the urge.

When my husband was moping about the less than stellar holiday, I put him in his place. I reminded him a local family in town lost their 16 year old son Monday. He was a good kid and somehow lost control (doesn't appear he was speeding or distracted by his phone) and flipped the car into a pond and drowned. To top it off, this family lost power during the storm as well. I can't even fathom going through this. I don't know them personally, but they will remain in my thoughts and prayers.

Capital One 360 Black Friday

November 18th, 2014 at 04:32 pm

Has anyone been able to find a leak as to what the deals are this year? Last year I opened an investment account for my son and grandson. They deposited $100 and the only requirement was to let it sit a minimum of four months (We aren't touching it). This year I am hoping for the same for my baby granddaughter.

I can't seem to find out what the exact deals will be this year thus far.

More Car Trouble

November 8th, 2014 at 11:15 am

Less than three weeks ago I replaced the battery in my car. Yesterday, I leave the mall and it won't start! It was the starter. As I wrote in a previous post, I have mechanical breakdown insurance through Geico. My repairs no matter how large, will not cost me more than a $250 deductible. Well, the battery was $200 (dealer rip off in my opinion) and the starter was $280 (probably too much as well, but I literally broke down across the street from the dealer). It wasn't worth making a long, drawn out call to Geico for the $30. However, the dealer said the two are related and encouraged me to see if Geico will reimburse me anything. They said they will back me up however necessary.

So, if all goes as planned I should get a refund of $230. Keep your fingers crossed for me! My sad looking savings account could use that refund, but I am so grateful I had it!

It Boggles My Mind

November 7th, 2014 at 12:54 pm

My ex and I are far from friends, but I have to say we have always been civil. It just isn't worth the drama to be jerks to each other and it certainly would not be good for our son 's well-being. Anyhow, my ex is TERRIBLE with money. He used to pay child support by check and I put a stop to that about a year and a half ago because every other check was bouncing. I told him if he didn't start paying me via Paypal, I would be forced to go through the court system. Mind you, he is paying almost a third less than the court would order.

Anyhow, this has worked well until yesterday. He emails me that support will be a week late. The support was due yesterday, thus I had no advance warning. I emailed him back politely explaining this was unacceptable and why.

He emailed me back and said, "I will figure something out. Thanks for the compassion." That was sarcastic of course. Anyhow, the money was in Paypal this morning when I checked and he never bothered to let me know.

What boggles my mind is how he can get in such a financial mess that he can't come up with $277 (every two weeks). He makes 82k a year, lives alone, has no car payment, and rents an apartment. That being said I would bet my last dollar he has massive credit card debt based on his behavior. His debts really aren't my business, but when he isn't paying his obligation, I get a little upset. I certainly am quite careful with every dime I receive from him.

Anyhow, had to vent a bit. I am over it. I simply will never understand how he or anyone who makes decent money can not have a dime in savings (I am 99% sure he doesn't and probably borrowed the money to pay me). The good thing about this is our son is 15 and sees how much money his father wastes. Not good that he sees the waste necessarily, but is learning that it is negative behavior. My on is very big into personal finance and already has a plan on what he will save, spend and invest when he gets his first job. I am quite proud of him!

October Mystery Shopping Income

November 1st, 2014 at 11:29 am

It was lower than anticipated. I have three payments that were expected by the 31st that haven't rolled in yet (probably in today or Monday's mail). The grand total is $752.77.