Finance Gets Personal

Lately, I’ve shared a lot of good news about my finances. I’ve paid off my credit cards, gotten a raise, increased my credit score and learned to bargain shop like a drugstore diva. But like the latest Batman movie, perhaps I’m the Dark Knight.

Take a look in my Quicken account, and you’ll see lines of red. I’m not actually in the negative, but I’m constantly flirting with disaster (is it really bad that I can’t say “flirting with disaster” without hearing a Rock Band song in my head?).

It’s not that I don’t have the money to cover my deficiencies, but I am constantly “borrowing” money from our emergency savings and paying it back with the next paycheck. I’m not really sure what the problem is, but I’m guessing it’s a combination of things. Like our mortgage and other major bills all coming due at during the same pay period. Or the child support being paid out on the 27th and reimbursed right before it’s due again. Or me seeing lots of “extra” money that only exists if things go *perfectly* for the next two months.

Well, I guess it’s been getting a little out of hand, because this paycheck I was set to have a $1,000 deficiency! Needless to say, my husband was not too happy (I had been doing the bills by myself for the past few months because he’s been so busy). Where did this particular hiccup come from? I don’t know, maybe a combination of “forgotten” expenses (football sign-up fees, license plate renewals, forgotten birthdays, etc.) and recent major expenses that we stretched to make happen (staycation, new mattress, house painting).

Whatever the reason, the point is we had to skip our $800+ extra payment to the student loan this paycheck to get back in black (yes, another song is playing in my head), and I’m NOT happy about it.

Any ideas for how to prevent this in the future? Is this a common problem?
Photo Credit: Payday Loan Place Window Graphics by taberandrew, used under Creative Commons licensing.

Money Saving Mom, one of my favorite bloggers, is offering an amazing deal on ebooks TODAY ONLY. I would normally highly recommend her Supermarket Savings 101 eCourse for $17.97, but today you can get that and her other 14 ebooks and downloadables for a total of $5.97 for everything! Check it out here: Click Here! Update: Although the $5.97 deal is now over, you can still purchase everything for $8.97 on Thursday, or $11.97 on Friday.

I have learned so many things that I never thought were possible from Money Saving Mom, and I’m now getting many household and grocery items for free or next to free (um, in case you haven’t noticed from my blog…). I’m really excited to take advantage of this deal for myself too, since some of the books cover things like growing your own groceries, inexpensive meal ideas and cutting your grocery bill in half.

I realize there’s a stereotype out there about coupon-using bargain-hunters all being stay-at-home moms or little old ladies, but as a 28-year-old who works full-time, I promise you it actually is worth your time!

My Washington Mutual credit card gives me free access to my FICO score, which is updated each month.

Here are my scores for the past 12 months:
Aug 07 - 784
Sept 07 - 787
Oct 07 - 783
Nov 07 - 787
Dec 07 - 787
Jan 08 - 787
Feb 08 - 787
March 08 - 787
April 08 - 793
May 08 - 793
June 08 - 796
July 08 - 842
842? And the highest you can get is 850? And I’m 28 years old?

Surely this is either a mistake, or this is actually one of those scores that goes up to 900 or something. But it says it’s my “FICO score,” “provided by TransUnion.”

Maybe they really liked me paying off my credit card this month!

Here’s what I bought at CVS today. I’ll probably go again on Friday when the new monthly deals come out…



Transaction 1:
Revlon Mineral Wear Lip Gloss
$9.99, received $9.99 ECB (there are also $2 off Revlon coupons from last week if you haven’t used them already)
Final Price = $9.99, $9.99 ECB (Free)

Transaction 2:
Band-Aid Ultra Strips
$2.99, used $1 off coupon, received $2 ECB
Final Price = $1.99, $2 ECB ($0.01 Overage)

Colgate Total Toothpaste
On sale for $1.77, used $1 off store coupon received from the card scanner last week, used $0.50 manufacturer’s coupon
Final Price = $0.27

Four Coke Zero 12-Packs
On sale for 4/$11
Final Price = $11.00

One Touch Ultra Mini
$19.99, used $20 coupon
Final Price = FREE (Plan to sell on eBay)

I used the $9.99 ECB, so total out of pocket was $3.27 plus tax and I have a $2 ECB for my next trip.

For more great CVS scenarios, visit Money Saving Mom and The “Cent”sible Sawyer.

I have been shopping so much this week, it’s crazy! But I can’t believe all the bargains out there. Here are the places I visited in addition to CVS this week.

WalMart:

4 One-Subject Notebooks - On Sale for $0.05 Each
2 10-Packs of Bic Cristal Pens - On Sale for $0.88 Each, Used $1 Off 2 Coupon = $0.38 Each
Herbal Essences Shampoo and Conditioner - $2.94 Each, Used $3 Off 2 Coupon = $1.44 Each, Plus a Free Pedicure!
Powerade Zero - On Sale for $0.60, Used $1 Coupon = FREE Plus $0.40 Overage
Muir Glen Organic Diced Tomatoes - $1.32, Used $1 Coupon = $0.32
Honey Bunches of Oats Just Bunches Cereal - $2.50, Used $2 Coupon = $0.50
Kashi Vive Cereal - $3.46, Used $2 Coupon = $1.46
Krunchers Potato Chips - $2.75, Used $1 Coupon = $1.75
Other Non-Deal Purchases (For the Sake of Full Disclosure): Roma Tomatoes - $0.50, Lettuce Head - $1.28, Mission Tortillas - $2.18, Great Value Shredded Cheddar Cheese - $2.68, Great Value Sugar Free Syrup - $1.48

Total Before Taxes: $16.59 ($8.47 Excluding Non-Deal Purchases)

Hen House:

2 Pillsbury Toaster Strudels - On Sale for $1.93, Used 2 $1 Off Coupons = $0.93 Each
Blue Bunny Ice Cream Sandwiches - On sale for $2.99, Used $1 Off Coupon = $1.99
2 Keebler Ice Cream Cone Packages and Blue Bunny Ice Cream - Cones On Sale for $1.50 Each, Ice Cream Was $3.55 and I Got a $1.50 Discount for Buying the Cones = $5.05 (This would have been a better deal if I hadn’t accidentally bought Blue Bunny instead of Blue Bell, which I had a $1 coupon for)
Coke Zero - On Sale for $3.34, Used $1 Coupon Redeemed at My Coke Rewards = $2.34

Total Before Taxes: $12.80

Walgreens:

Walgreens has some great deals on school supplies this week, but everything was sold out when I went on Wednesday. I still managed to pick up a couple things:
Reynolds Wrap Foil - On Sale for $0.89 with Walgreens Coupon, Used $0.55 Manufacturer’s Coupon = $0.44
Bic Comfort 3 Razors 4-Pack - On Sale for $2.99, Used $2 Coupon = $0.99 (Look for the Packs with 2 Bonus Razors!)

Total Before Taxes: $1.33

Target:

I heard the toys were on clearance at Target, so I got a few things for birthdays/Christmas.
Hulk Toy - Originally $9.99, On Clearance for $2.48
Star Wars Toy - Originally $9.99, On Clearance for $2.48
MXS Toy - Originally $14.99, On Clearance for $3.68

Total Before Taxes: $8.64

JC Penney: (Two Stores)


JC Penney is having AMAZING clearance sales right now! After this week’s sale shopping, my stepson is fully stocked for next summer.
4 Boys Shirts - Originally $24.99 Each, On Clearance for $2.97 Each
2 Boys Shorts - Originally $29.99 Each, On Clearance for $4.97 Each
Boys Swimsuit - Originally $25, On Clearance for $4.97 (Comes with Free Goggles)
Infant Pajama Set - Originally $22.50, On Clearance for $4.97 (Bought for a Friend’s Baby’s First Birthday Party)
2 Womens Blouses - Originally $30 Each, On Clearance for $2.97 Each
Womens Short-Sleeve Suiting Jacket - Originally $44, On Clearance for $2.97

I used a 15% off coupon on everything.
Total Before Taxes: $33.02 (Saved $279.92!)

Macy’s:

Boys Nike T-Shirt - Originally $16, On Clearance for $2.40
Boys Blue Shirt - Originally $24, On Clearance for $3.60

Total Before Taxes: $6.00

Children’s Place (Online):

5 Boys Shirts - On Clearance for Between $3.39-$4.24 After Additional 15% Off Promo Code
Boys Shorts - On Clearance for $2.54 After Additional 15% Off Promo Code

Shipping was $5.
Total Before Taxes: $27.05

Border’s (Online):

Use promo code BR41925 to get $5 off every book (making books under $5 free!). Read more details about getting this deal to work here.
Board Books for Babies (More First Birthday Presents!): Dr. Seuss’s ABC; Are You My Mother?; Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb; The Nose Book, Go, Dog, Go!; The Tooth Book; The Foot Book; Big Dog…Little Dog; Put Me in the Zoo
Books for My Stepson: The Day My Butt Went Psycho!; Guinness World Records 2008; How to Draw Pokemon; Football Nightmare; What’s Happening to Me: Boy’s Edition; Barfing in the Backseat: How I Survived My Family Road Trip; Who Ordered This Baby? Definitely Not Me!; Report to the Principal’s Office; Tsumanis and Other Natural Disasters
Books for My Niece’s Birthday: Camp Rock: The Junior Novel; Jammin’ with the Jonas Brothers

Free Shipping to the Store.
Total Before Taxes: $5.48

Ann Taylor Loft (Online):


I am not much of a bargain shopper when it comes to my own clothes, but I thought this was a pretty good deal considering the source.
Purse - Originally $49, On Clearance for $19.99, saved Another 25% with TEACHER20 Code = $14.99
Sandals - Originally $34, On Clearance for $16.99, Saved 50% on 2nd Sale Item, Saved Another 25% with TEACHER20 Code = $6.37

Shipping was $5.38.
Total Before Taxes: $26.74

In case you’re wondering…NO, I do not usually shop this much! If I did, I think I’d need a 12-step program! I’m just trying to get ahead of the seasons on gifts and clothes (to reduce spending) and cut my grocery/household item costs. All of the stores I visited are within a mile of my route to and from work. Please let me know if you have any questions about the deals!

I just ran the numbers for our “staycation,” and we came in at $999.37 - $0.64 under budget!

While $1,000 might seem a little steep considering we didn’t have to travel a long distance or pay for lodging, we were definitely able to enjoy ourselves for less than the price of a typical vacation (last year’s trip to Florida was $2,662).

I must admit that it’s hard to enjoy yourself when you’re so used to being frugal, but I’m pretty sure I could get used to it… I mean, eating out nearly every meal, visiting all the attractions, ordering a glass of wine with my dinner, not sitting in the nosebleed section at the baseball stadium and theatre… oops, back to reality!

I’ll post some pictures once Snapfish develops the film I mailed in (I can justify a “staycation,” but still can’t get over one-hour photo developing costs! Some day I’ll have enough money for that Canon Digital Rebel XTi…)

Before:


After:


At $1,130 for the bed and frame (minus the $75 delivery fee that will be refunded), it’s not the cheapest purchase ever, but definitely worthwhile in my opinion!

As you may know, I began visiting CVS regularly to take advantage of their Extra Care Bucks program last month. So far, I’ve *saved* $522.58.

Although I’m technically still on “staycation,” here’s what I snagged this week in case you’d like to play along at home…



L’Oreal Vive Pro Shampoo and Deep Conditioner
Originally $4.99 each, on sale B1G1, used B1G1 coupon from 7/13 SmartSource insert
Final Price = FREE

Revlon ColorStay 12 Hour Eye Shadow and LipGLIDE Lip Gloss
Originally $4.49 for the eye shadow and $8.99 for the lip gloss, lip gloss was marked as 50% off ($4.50), on sale B1G1, used two $2 off coupons from 7/20 SmartSource insert (purchased an extra newspaper earlier)
Final Price = $0.50 for Both

Almay Clear Complexion Concealer and Smart Shade Blush
Originally $6.99 for the concealer and $9.99 for the blush, on sale B1G1, used $2 off store coupon from in-store kiosk
Final Price = $7.99 for Both (Not a super deal, but I was out of concealer and don’t have any blush)

All Small and Mighty and Free and Clear
Originally $6.19 each, on sale B1G1, used $1 online coupon and $0.50 coupon from previous insert (not sure which one)
Final Price = $4.69 for Both

I also had a $3 off $15 store coupon (hurry, expires today!), so my total cost before taxes for everything was $10.18.

I didn’t have any Extra Care Bucks (ECBs) to spend today, and didn’t earn any for next week, but hopefully there are some better deals coming up!

For more great CVS scenarios, visit Money Saving Mom and The “Cent”sible Sawyer.

I’m *technically* not supposed to be on the Internet this week, since we’re on our “staycation.”

I should be back with a new post on Sunday or Monday!

I currently use AT&T U-verse for my high speed Internet and television service.

Last week, I received a referral offer from the company and would like to offer this deal to anyone who is shopping around for services or already planning on switching to U-verse:

If you sign up for AT&T U-verse TV and high speed Internet service, I’ll get a $100 Visa Gift Card, Starbucks Card or Amazon.com Gift Card. To thank you, I’ll send you a $50 gift card to Target, Starbucks, Barnes and Noble, or a national store of your choice (that I have easy access to).

If you add wireless service, I get another $25, and you’ll get another $12.50. If you add voice service (home telephone, I presume), I get another $50, and you’ll get another $25.

This deal is not just for new customers. You can also be rewarded if you add additional services. Here is the full rewards schedule (you will earn half of each amount listed):

Referrals Who Are Current AT&T Customers:
High-Speed Internet $25
Wireless $25
Advanced TV $25
High-Speed Internet U-verse Enabled $50
U-verse TV $50
U-verse Voice $50
PLUS get an additional $25 for NEW AT&T customers!

If you decide to sign up for service with AT&T U-verse, just email me your name, address and which gift card you’d like, and I will email you back with my referral code. Then, enter the referral code when you sign up at att.com/uverserewards. Once I receive my gift card, I’ll mail yours.

Sound like a deal?

p.s. I’m not sure about the exact pricing, but I have the fastest Internet option, TV and DVR for $89/month. There is no contract. If you’d like more details, you can probably find them at att.com/uverse.