Finance Gets Personal

Yes, today is Halloween. (Happy Halloween!)

But if you are truly frugal, your mind has already moved on to Christmas.

I know, I know, it’s sacrilege to begin thinking about Christmas before Thanksgiving, let alone on Halloween, but if you want to do some major Christmas budget slashing - get over it! And with that in mind, I present…

The Second Enemy of Frugality: Not Planning Ahead. (If you missed the first Enemy of Frugality, click here.)

Of course, this one is easier said than done.

But let’s look at an example of how not planning ahead can cost you:

Today, of course, is Halloween. Let’s say you have two kids that you’re taking trick-or-treating tonight. Your son wants to be Spider-Man and your daughter wants to be a fairy. So, on Tuesday night, you took the kids to Target on the way home from practice. Your daughter found a great Tinkerbell costume for $29.99, but the Spider-Man costumes were all sold out in your son’s size. You made some calls, but none of the other stores had one in his size either. “Are you sure you don’t want to be Batman this year?,” you asked. No dice. So, you grabbed 4 big bags of candy for $28, a pumpkin for $4.50, and two pumpkin pails for $2 each and headed home to order a Spider-Man costume online. The $24.99 Spider-Man costumes were all sold out at Target.com, but you found a “puffy muscle” version for $39.99, and paid $12.66 for 2-day shipping in order to get it in time for Halloween. Tonight, you’ll order pizza on the way home from work for $25, since you won’t have time to cook anything. Total cost of a “basic” Halloween (no decorations, no costume accessories, etc.): $119.14 plus tax.

Now, let’s consider what tonight would be like if you had planned ahead (and thus were able to start thinking about Christmas!):

A few days after Halloween last year, you hit up Target with your kids to look for this year’s Halloween costumes. Everything was 75% off (yes, you could have waited for 90% off, but then your picky kids probably wouldn’t have found anything!). You were able to purchase costumes for both kids for a total of $12.50. You knew better than to purchase Halloween candy a year ahead of time, so a month or two ago, you started watching the drug and grocery store ads for sales on Halloween candy, and began printing and collecting candy coupons. Between sales, instant rebates and coupons, you were able to get all of your Halloween candy for $3! Last week, you also scored free pumpkin pails and safety glow sticks for trick-or-treating at CVS! You talked to your boss on Monday about leaving work a little early today, and plan to pop in the D’Giorno pizza you bought on sale for $3.99 while the kids are getting their costumes on. Total cost of a “basic” Halloween: $19.49 plus tax, for a savings of $99.65!

Apply the plan ahead principle to anything, and you’ll soon find you can save money on EVERYTHING.

Photo Credit: The Tree’s Up by yvestown, used under Creative Commons licensing.

There are a million reasons to vote on Tuesday, but how about a few more?

Many restaurants are having Election Day promotions, so start planning your day now. Please leave a comment if you know of any others!

• Tell Starbucks you voted, and you’ll receive a free tall coffee (this should work for absentee and early voters too!).
• At Krispy Kreme, all retail customers with an “I Voted” sticker will receive a free star-shaped doughnut with “patriotic sprinkles.”
• At Ben & Jerry’s from 5-8 p.m., voters receive a free scoop of ice cream.
• At Eat’n Park locations throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia from 6 a.m.-11 p.m., any voter presenting an “I Voted” sticker or a voting stub will receive a free cup of coffee (for dine-in only).
• I’m not sure if this is a local promotion or a national one, but at Chick-Fil-A, customers with an “I Voted” sticker receive a free chicken sandwich (please call first to make sure your restaurant is participating).
• At Shane’s Rib Shack, customers wearing an “I Voted Today!” sticker receive a free meal consisting of 3-piece chicken tenders, fries and a 20-oz. Coca-Cola product.
  
  Democracy - Yum!
  

The last time I went to a Halloween party, my husband and I ended up spending over $100 on our costumes.

They weren’t really anything elaborate - I think we were both punk rockers. I wore an AC/DC shirt (yes I know, not very punk - whatever), a jean skirt, fishnets, Chucks, a spiky dog collar and a fake mohawk, and I think my husband also had a crazy wig and a band t-shirt.

I wanted us to be Napoleon Dynamite and his little sideways ponytail rubber-bracelet wearing girlfriend, but I figured that would be more expensive since we didn’t already have any of that stuff (soooo…I’m guessing this must have been in 2004!).

I searched around some local costume and “vintage” shops for cheap ideas, but everything was EXPENSIVE! So my costume idea that started with a cheap wig and a jean skirt I already owned turned out to actually be quite pricey.

Now that Halloween is on a Friday this year and my stepson is going to be at his mom’s house, we’re trying to decide what to do. A lot of our friends have kids and will be out trick or treating, and the Halloween party we’ve been invited to is a 30-mile drive from our house at a bar with a costume contest. And if anything’s worse than a costume party, it’s a costume contest.

Soooo…will we just stay home and pass out candy? I’m too cheap and lazy for this whole dressing up bit. I mean, are there even any original ideas anymore? I’m sure everyone is going to be dressed as: Amy Winehouse, Sarah Palin/Barack Obama/John McCain/etc., Michael Phelps, The Joker, etc., and I don’t feel like being clever.

At least my dog is getting some use out of the spiky collar from my last Halloween costume.

Photo Credit: Halloween Punk Rocker by rypmar7, used under Creative Commons licensing.

I’m sure I’m not alone on this, but taking my car into the shop usually ends with me feeling like I got screwed over.

About four months ago, I took my car into the dealer for an oil change because I had a coupon. They said that I needed to get new brake pads the next time I came in. OK, whatever, I figured I’d find some place else to do it cheaply since the dealer is always expensive.

So I’ve been saving coupons for auto repair shops, and decided to take my car into Express Auto Service with a $59.99 brake special coupon. Apparently, the coupon just covers either the front or rear brakes, and I didn’t know exactly what was wrong. So they look at the car and call me back (while I’m in the bathroom at a gas station, no less!) - the rear brake pads need to be replaced and something about the rotors needing to be resurfaced (maybe I waited too long to get the brakes done?). Oh, and your car’s manufacturer recommends ceramic brakes instead of the metal ones included in the $59.99 brake special. So it’s going to end up being $167, but you’ll get a free oil change. “OK, I’ll do it,” I said, secretly steaming.

What really bugs me is that I have no idea whether I got a good deal or got ripped off. I suppose I could call around and ask for quotes ahead of time, but when you don’t really know what the problem is, it’s hard to communicate what needs to be done.

I guess I should have taken that Women’s Automotive class in high school after all.

Photo Credit: Banksville Quality Auto by Macwagen, used under Creative Commons licensing.

Since we’ve been on the subject of clothing and wardrobes lately, I thought I’d pass on this great deal.

At 6pm.com, you can get ANY pair of RSVP brand shoes for $9.99 right now. These are selling fast, so you’ll want to hurry! Regular retail prices are up to $200 for some of these shoes, and there are boots and men’s shoes as well.

The search options aren’t set up very well - I would just suggest doing a search for RSVP, or if you want men’s shoes, Mens RSVP. AND, if you shop through Live.com, you can get 5% back on your purchase (it’s free). Shipping is $6.95, or free if you spend $100 or more. The prices will not show up as $9.99 until you click on the shoe, so even if it says $50 or something in the search results, click on it, and it will be $9.99. There are over 4,000 styles of shoes available!

Update: It appears all the shoes are now showing up as $9.99 now. Also, all pairs of PUMAs are now available for $29.99 (including the $200+ line and the $399 boots - though most of those have sold out by now).
10/25 Update: All Bandolino shoes are now $19.99, and all Nine West, Kenneth Cole Reaction and Steve Madden shoes are now $29.99.

With all the sales and promotions at Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft lately, I’ve been doing a bit of a wardrobe overhaul.

A few years ago, I bought The Lucky Shopping Manual, hoping it would provide me with a list of items that every wardrobe should contain. And boy, did it!

Here are the basic pieces (not including the “nice-to-haves”):

• 2 All-Season Work Skirts (Tropical Wool)
• 1 Day-to-Night Skirt (Dress it Up or Down)
• 2 Summer Work Skirts (Crisp and Structured)
• 1 Denim Skirt
• 2 Summer Weekend Skirts (Dress Them Up or Down)
• 2 Good White Tees (You Need a Couple, Because They’ll Stain)
• 2 Good Black Tees (Black Fades in the Wash - Always Have a Spare on Hand)
• 4 Tanks (for Beachwear and Layering)
• 1 Striped Tee (Wide or Narrow Stripes)
• 1 Henley or Polo
• 6 Work Tops (Your Choice of Shapes)
• 3 Fun Tops (For Going Out at Night)
• 4 Weekend Tops (T-Shirt Alternatives)
• 2 Summer Weekend Dresses
• 1 Summer Evening Dress
• 1 Summer Daytime Party Dress
• 2 Summer Work Dresses
• 2 Winter Work Dresses
• 1 Winter Weekend Dress
• 1 Winter Evening Dress
• 2 Fitted Pullover Sweaters for Work (V-Neck or Crewneck)
• 2 Cardigans (For Evening and Office)
• 1 Black Turtleneck (Thin and Fitted, Not Boxy)
• 2 Weekend Sweaters (At Least One that’s Really Warm)
• 1 Pair of Jeans to Wear With Heels
• 1 Pair of Weekend Jeans You Can Wreck
• 1 Pair of Jeans to Wear With Flats
• 3 Pairs of Winter Work Pants (Tropical Wool, or a Comparable Blend)
• 3 Pairs of Summer Work Pants
• 2 Pairs of All-Season Work Pants
• 1 Pair of Lightweight Evening Pants (Satin, for Winter and Summer)
• 2 Classic Suits (Serious for Work, But Versatile)
• 1 Skirt Suit (A Trendy Shape for Work or Nighttime)
• 1 Evening Suit (You’ll Wear the Pants All the Time)
• 1 Everyday Bag (Stick with Black or Dark Brown)
• 1 Small Work Bag
• 1 Work Tote or Briefcase (Whichever is Right for Your Job)
• 1 Casual Tote (Inexpensive and Washable)
• 1 Evening Bag
• 1 Small Going Out Bag (Just Big Enough for Your Wallet, Keys and Lipstick)
• 2 Pairs of Knee Boots
• 1 Pair of Good Office Shoes for Winter
• 1 Pair of Casual Shoes for Winter
• 1 Pair of Evening Shoes for Winter
• 2 Pairs of Good Office Shoes for Summer
• 1 Pair of Good Flat Sandals
• 1 Pair of Flip-Flops
• 1 Pair of Strappy, Sexy Sandals
• 1 Good Wool Blazer
• 1 Short Jacket (Lightweight Wool or Blend)
• 1 Denim Jacket
• 7 Pairs of Everyday Underpants
• 3 Everyday Bras (The Style You Always Wear)
• 1 Pair of Evening Hose
• 1 Black Bra with Pretty Straps (Under Sleeveless Black Tops)
• 1 Nude Stretchy Camisole (For Sheer Tops)
• 1 Silky Camisole (With Lace Trim You Can Show Off Under V-Necks)
• 1 Pair of Thin Wool Tights for Winter (Solid or Tweedy)
• 1 Convertible Bra
• 1 Cute Set to Sleep In
• As Many Pairs of Work Hose as You Need
• 2 Swimmable Suits
• 1 Top Cover-Up (Long-Sleeve for Sun Protection)
• 1 Bottom Cover-Up (For the Walk to the Snack Bar)
• 1 Overcoat (Classic Styling)
• 1 Fall Coat
• 1 Warm Parka (Long Enough to Cover Your Hips)
• 1 Spring Jacket
• 1 Raincoat (Functional But Fun)

Oh my gosh, just TYPING that was exhausting, let alone shopping and paying for all that!

Overall, I think it’s a good list, though perhaps a bit too dressy for my needs (four suits, including an “evening suit?”). But it’s a good place to start.

Still, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed. I mean, I probably own about half these things, and half of the things I own are items I don’t particularly like!

What’s a broke, stylish (ahem, that should probably be “stylish” in quotations) girl to do?!?!

Do I have the longest titles in the blogosphere, or what?

Anyway, I was looking through all my obsessive-compulsive lists on Tada Lists today, and I came across this one: New Year’s Resolutions.

Shit.

Uncensored, here they are:

• Pay off Mazda (I did that!)
• Pay off Citibank (Did that too!)
• Do yoga at least four times per week (Gave up on that in January)
• Paint house exterior (Hired someone instead)
• Install French drain (Hired a structural engineer who told us to regrade under the deck, which solved the problem, so the French drain is unnecessary)
• Organize Garage (I actually did this, but then we had a garage sale this summer and I haven’t been able to park in the garage since! Must.fix.before.snow.and.ice.comes!)
• Organize basement (Haven’t done much in this area, although it’s not looking so bad since we had a garage sale…or maybe that’s because all the stuff is now in the garage?)
• Caulk basement cracks and test with water (Also no longer relevant due to structural engineer’s advice - although we should have them professionally sealed before we finish the basement)
• Get a will (Absolutely no progress on this one)
• Fix ceiling crack (Absolutely no progress on this either - mostly because I have no idea how to get up to the cathedral ceiling, let alone re-attach the sheetrock. It’s a real shame my husband is afraid of heights!)
• Pay off student loans (Halfway there! I think we’ll actually accomplish this, though it might not be until the beginning of January.)
  
  Wasn’t that just fascinating? I’m sure you have/had a similar list.
  
  Did I actually think I’d accomplish all these things before midnight on December 31st? Well, I certainly thought it was possible. Plus, I’m good for a challenge.
  
  But no, certainly all these things are not going to happen.
  
  Given that it’s now October 20, I challenge each of you (and myself) to complete ONE unfinished New Year’s resolution before the end of the year.
  
  I choose finishing our will, because it’s the most important item. Plus, we’ve been paying extra for some legal benefits that I think might cover it through my husband’s employer, and it really pisses me off that we haven’t taken advantage of it yet (yes, I know you can make a will yourself with software, but our situation is someone complicated with my husband’s divorce - from his first wife, that is. Not me. That would make absolutely no sense!).
  
  What’s your Old Year’s resolution going to be?
  
  Photo Credit: Hogan’s Corner Laundromat by elisfanclub, used under Creative Commons licensing.

Just a quick note to let you know that I’ll now be posting the drugstore deals on the new “Drugstore Deals” page (upper right corner) from now on. So, if you’re interested, pop on over!

Last month, I did something I’ve never done before.

I transferred a prescription from CVS to Walgreens to get a $25 gift card. Actually it was more like a $25 Walgreens check, which I used to purchase a $25 gift certificate to Chili’s (that I gave away in my blog re-launch giveaway).

It was so easy, I think I’m going to transfer that prescription to a different CVS location this month, and get a $25 gift card there.

Do you see where I’m going with this?

I have a monthly prescription for my anti-depressants, and I probably have a prescription for some eczema lotion in my medicine cabinet somewhere. My husband also has two prescriptions from his dermatologist, and might be getting a third. Can we say $100-$125 in gift cards a month???

It should work if I transfer them from CVS near my house to Walgreens near my work to CVS near my work to Walgreens near my house, and back around again. Target also offers a $10 gift card, but I don’t think my insurance is accepted there.

Since a lot of people in my family asks for gift cards, and we have several “Chinese Christmas” exchanges as well, I’ll be able to shave at least $200 off the cost of Christmas presents this year. I’m not worried about the cost of the prescriptions because they seem to cost the same at each place, and we have extra money in our health care spending account to use.

I better get “shopping!”

Photo Credit: Prescription for Freedom by bondidwhat, used under Creative Commons licensing.

As I’ve mentioned before, my husband and I are addicted to Coke. Coke Zero, specifically.

Oftentimes I will buy one of those $4.49 12-packs at QuikTrip and it will be gone the next day. I’m really not exaggerating here.

So, I was a bit surprised a few weeks ago when my husband asked me not to buy any Coke at the grocery store. Apparently I had told him about the lady who did lab experiments on rats where they developed tumors after consuming diet soda, and it really had an effect on him.

“Great!,” I thought. “We’re really going to save money on groceries!” (Obviously, not too concerned about the whole cancer angle.)

I wasn’t too worried about my next Coke fix either, since I have a never-ending supply of the stuff at work.

However, our savings was short-lived, as last week we again started making runs to the gas station for a cold 12-pack.

I guess it’s back to printing $1 off coupons from My Coke Rewards and hoping for weekly 3/$9 sales. Sigh.