Finance Gets Personal

I’ve had it with vacuums!

Four vacuums in the last five years! Four!

After the first one broke (I don’t remember what brand that one was), I turned to Consumer Reports and bought this Hoover WindTunnel Bagless for about $200:



It lasted about a year and a half, and then I bought this #1 Consumer Reports rated Kenmore Progressive Vacuum for $300:


One year and nine months later, it’s time to go shopping again.

The question is, since we’re still trying to get out of debt, do we buy a cheap vacuum (under $100), or get this Dyson DC17 Animal?:


I can get the Dyson for $439.99 after using a 20% off coupon from Bed Bath & Beyond, and that’s the cheapest price I can find. (A few weeks ago there was a refurbished one on Overstock.com for under $300, but those are no longer available.) I plan to use the money from our emergency fund and pay it back with half of tomorrow’s extra debt payment.

I thought about having our Kenmore repaired, but we think the motor is the problem and that’s an expensive repair. Everyone I know who has a Dyson swears by them, but I tend to be pretty skeptical and want to make sure I’m not just paying for their marketing.

But I also know that if I buy a cheap vacuum, I’ll probably be in the same situation again before we’re out of debt.

I want to be frugal, but I also don’t want to be cheap.

What do you think?

January 9, 2009

CVS Caremark Corporation
Corporate Headquarters
One CVS Drive
Woonsocket, RI 02895

Dear Sir or Madam,

I began shopping at CVS regularly last May, and I have generally been pleased with your company’s customer service.

However, my experience tonight left much to be desired.

I came to the store with a list of specific items to purchase based on the deals I found by studying your weekly circular, CVS store coupons, Internet manufacturer coupons and manufacturer coupons from my local paper. Since sale prices were not marked on the shelves, I carefully consulted my list and checked the price of all my items at the ExtraCare scanner to make sure I was purchasing the correct items.

When I got to the register, the cashier rung up all my items, then started going through my coupons one by one. Without scanning any of them, she read each one and looked through all my bags to make sure I had purchased each item, and challenged some of my coupons (”Did you purchase three of these? I only see one.” “Yes, the other two in the second bag.”) Because I had a lot of coupons, this took quite a while.

Although I gave her my coupons in the correct order for them to go through the register correctly without causing any problems (store coupons, then manufacturer’s coupons, then ECBs), she then scanned them through in the opposite order, again reading each one aloud and hesitating before she scanned them.

I have enclosed a copy of my receipt, but here are the items I purchased and coupons I used:

• For the $10 ECB when you purchase $20 worth of Johnson’s products:
  1 Listerine Whitening Pen ($10), 1 Carefree 92 count liners ($4.50), 2 Stayfree 32 count pads ($4.50 each), 1 BandAid 20 count character bandages ($3).
  Total Before Coupons: $26.50.
  Coupons Used: CVS coupon for $5 off $25 of Johnson’s products (received in the mail), CVS coupon for $3 off Listerine Whitening Pen (from the CVS Beauty Book), manufacturer’s Internet coupon for $2 off Listering Whitening Pen, manufacturer’s buy one Stayfree product get one free coupon, manufacturer’s $1 off Carefree product
  Total After Coupons: $11

• For the $5 ECB when you purchase $15 worth of Bayer, Aleve or Alka-Seltzer products:
  3 Bayer 100 count tablets ($5 each)
  Total Before Coupons: $15
  Coupons Used: CVS coupon for $3 off any $15 purchase of FSA-eligible items (from CRT), CVS coupon for $2 off any $10 purchase of pain medication (from CRT), CVS coupon for $1 off any Bayer purchase (from CRT), 2 manufacturer’s $1 off Bayer product
  Total After Coupons: $7

• One Revlon Lip Gloss
  Originally priced at $7.99, on clearance for 50% off
  Total Before Coupons: $3.99
  Coupons Used: CVS coupon for $2 off any Revlon color cosmetic, manufacturer’s $2 off Revlon color cosmetic
  Total After Coupons: Free

• 2 Boxes of Hallmark Christmas Cards
  On clearance for 75% off

Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to use so many CVS coupons for the $5 ECB when you purchase $15 worth of Bayer products, but I thought that since I had four FSA-eligible products totaling $18, including $15 worth of pain medication, it would be OK. However, I have been wrong before, and I don’t argue with the cashier if the register beeps and I’m told the coupon cannot be accepted.

After giving me a hard time about having $4 worth of Revlon coupons for a product that cost $3.99 ($4, had the register rounded in the store’s favor), this cashier manually pushed through the CVS coupon for $2 off $10 in pain medication that beeped without saying anything about it.

Then, she came to my CVS coupon for $3 off $15 worth of FSA-eligible products coupon. “I don’t know what this is,” she said, and I tried to explain that it’s for medicine and other items that are indicated on the receipt. She tried to scan it, and it beeped. She said the register was telling her I didn’t purchase enough eligible products - that I had only $6.35 worth of eligible products. I tried to explain that this was probably because she scanned the manufacturer’s coupons first, so now the register thinks I only purchased $6 worth of FSA-eligible products, when I actually purchased $18. She then manually pushed through the coupon, saying, “I’ll do it this time, but don’t come to me next time you’re here because I’m not going to do it. Something is wrong. I don’t think this is right. You have too many coupons for the same thing.”

I responded that I should be able to use one CVS coupon and one manufacturer’s coupon for each product. She then said that because I was using so many coupons, I was basically getting paid to purchase the items (technically, I used $3.99 in ECBs, paid $20.42 in gift cards and cash, and received $15 in ECBs). “That’s why people shop here,” I said. “I come here every week and never have any problems. It’s completely legitimate.” She replied, “Maybe to you it’s legitimate.”

Obviously, I was angered and embarrassed, especially since there was now a line behind me.

While I understand that coupon fraud is a growing problem, I don’t expect to have my ethics questioned and be treated like a criminal when I am, in fact, a paying customer. Given these economic times and people’s increasing desire to save money, I would suggest you properly train your employees in your coupon policies and in basic customer service. If the number of people taking advantage of these deals is a threat to your bottom line, I would rather see your loyalty programs eliminated than be treated like I’m “getting away with something.”

If I have misused or misunderstood your coupon policy, please let me know. Also, I hope that you will personally contact the store’s manager about this issue. In the meantime, I have shared this letter with the readers of my personal finance blog, Finance Gets Personal: www.financegetspersonal.com.

Sincerely,
Finance Girl <—– no, that’s not really what I’m going to put!

Yes, that’s right, everyone. I have something special to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, and it ain’t turkey.

It’s termites.

No!!!!!

Monday night, my husband and I went to the Smashing Pumpkins concert. On our way out, we ran into a friend he used to work with. So, we joined the friend and his girlfriend at the bar next door for a drink. Only they knew the bartender…and people kept handing me free drinks…so pretty soon I was trashed.

It was not pretty. Since I have no alcohol tolerance anymore and since I’m on medication that I technically shouldn’t be drinking with, I proceeded to throw up in the passenger’s seat of my car on the way home. And again in my bed. And in the earshot of my father, who was babysitting for us. Again, it was not pretty, and I’m extremely embarrassed about the whole thing.

My husband cleaned out the car as best he could that night, but I needed to give it a more thorough cleaning. So after work tonight, I went to the car wash with the free vacuum cleaners, and took one of each type of cleaning supply I own. My stepson was dying to get out of the house, so I took him with me.

Of course, after going through the car wash and vacuuming, my stepson was about ready to pee his pants and there was no bathroom there. So, we headed home.

Of course (again), it’s dark, cold and my side of the garage still has a lot of leftover crap from our June garage sale in it (Yes, June. Have you seen the Oprah episode about the Messy House Tour? I’m totally working on that now). So, in order to have enough light to clean up my crusty car, I needed to make room for my crusty car in the garage.

One hour into cleaning the garage, I discovered intruders…termite tunnels running up the side of the garage foundation behind some ladders.

This is horrible! Horrible, horrible, horrible! And what timing!

But I don’t think they’ve been there long since we just reorganized the garage in the Spring, and I’m sure I would have noticed the tunnels then (there are just three of them).

So, I guess you could almost argue that getting so drunk that I puked in my car and called in sick to work the next day might have actually saved me a lot of money.

We shall see.

Photo Credit: angel by ilselieve, used under Creative Commons licensing.

I am by no means an economics expert. In fact, the only reason I passed that class in college is because it was graded on a major curve (true story: I once got a D on a test and it ended up an A-).

Regardless, here is my take on the current financial “crisis.”

Something needs to be done. I am not sure that a $700 billion bailout is the answer. It seems unfair to bail out the major corporations on Wall Street, when little concern is given to the economic crises of individuals. Which is not to say that I believe individuals should be bailed out either.

In other words, I don’t really have an answer about what should be done. I really wish we could just ride it out, but apparently that’s not going to work this time (or we’re not willing to take the chance).

What I do know is that I’m not really too worried about my investments in the long run. I believe the market will go up again, if not now, then in five years, or ten years. I’ve got time…I can wait it out. In fact, in times like these, I wish I was out of debt and had even more money to invest.

What goes down, must come up. So try not to worry too much.

I’ll try too.
Photo Credit: Bear Statue by taberandrew, used under Creative Commons licensing.

As I’ve mentioned before, my 10 year high school reunion is coming up in a few weeks. Many people are not going because the cost is $50 per person with a cash bar, which is quite expensive for my city.

Well, it turns out that the actual cost is only $35 per person, but they are charging $50 per person so they can use the extra money for next time’s deposit (in 10 years!). I am pretty ticked about that since who knows if I’ll even be alive in ten years and because they aren’t being up front about it.

So, my main group of friends has decided not to go to the evening event. However, we’ll be going to a picnic at the park that afternoon with the rest of the class. It has been suggested that we donate $20 per family to attend this event because most of the food is provided (we just have to bring a side). However, I believe the food has been donated by sponsors, so I’m not too happy about that either. It seems to me like the people organizing this event are upset that they’ve had to put out for the $300 deposit on the evening event’s facility, and are trying to recoup the money in whatever way possible (even from those not attending).

Argh!

(Photo Credit: Senior Ball - King and Queen by clarkstown67, used under Creative Commons licensing)

Six years ago:
I graduated from one of the country’s top journalism schools with a degree in advertising…
I had held part-time jobs and internships in marketing, graphic design and public relations, where my duties included writing copy for websites and designing ads…
I was accepted into a well-regarded advertising portfolio school in Atlanta with hopes of becoming an art director…
I began a graphic design program at a highly-regarded art school…

Today:
I’m an analyst who was lucky enough to sit in on the meeting discussing our small company’s new logo and website, which is being designed and written by friends and family members of my bosses…

This was not a good day.

Photo Credit: Kern this… by clared23, used under Creative Commons Licensing

My 10-year high school reunion is next month.

There is going to be a barbeque on Saturday, an evening event with dinner, a DJ and possibly a mechanical bull (!) on Saturday night and an afternoon outing at the lake on Sunday.  People are ticked though because the evening event is $50 per person with a cash bar.  In our town, that’s a little ridiculous…

Still, I am probably going. 

But that is not the end of the drama.  Apparently the popular people planning the event left out some of the class officers, can’t find a bunch of people’s addresses and planned all of the events except for the barbeque outside of the town we graduated from (thus not contributing to its economy) and scheduled the reunion for the same weekend as the town’s annual “Community Days.”  So now other class members are blasting them on MySpace and scheduling their own events for that night.

Can we say high school all over again?

Photo Credit: High School Yearbook Photo by stillthedudeabides, used under Creative Commons licensing

Recently, my husband and I have been diverting our regular debt payments to savings to take care of some potential foundation problems. The longer the money sits there, however, the more ideas we have for things we “need” to spend money on.

Here’s one example:

My husband’s ex-wife, who used to have joint physical and legal custody of their son, decided in July 2006 that she was going to move across town and concentrate more fully on her education by limiting her visits to every other weekend. Basically, my husband would have full physical custody and she would return the child support money he sends to the state every month. But of course, she didn’t want to make any legal changes.

My husband told her that the change would have to be legal, or no deal. Fine, she said.

Nearly two years later, we still haven’t hired a lawyer because the estimates we’ve gotten say it’s going to run about $1500-$1800, and we’ve been unable to figure out how to do what should be a simple process ourselves.

As far as we can tell from the hours and hours we’ve spent researching the situation, my husband needs to file a motion to modify the divorce decree and submit a new parenting plan (which has already been written and approved by the ex). However, no one can seem to tell us how to actually go about filing all the necessary paperwork. Ask a court clerk, and they all say, “I’m sorry, but we’re not allowed to dispense legal advice.” JFC, if administrative help constitutes legal advice, then give me a freaking law degree!

We’ve visited the law library, bought books from Nolo and checked the city and state courts websites. Most of the pro se information available focuses on defending yourself in criminal court, and the rest reads like a bunch of conflicting goo with no instructions for the actual filing process.

Clearly, we need to get this taken care of in one way or another eventually, because we are in a constant cycle of paying $350 and not being paid back until the next $350 is due (and sometimes after a second $350 has been paid). But more importantly, we are taking the risk that she won’t change her mind and pretend like this informal arrangement never occurred.

I was an honors pre-law student in college, so it’s not like I’m a complete idiot (although I’m starting to feel like one…). You’d think our court system would be able to give people better advice than “consult a lawyer.” What gives?

Photo Credit: Library visitor by umjanedoan, used under Creative Commons licensing

If you come in with a wad of one dollar bills, I assume you’re either a waitress or a stripper. As soon as you leave, I’m washing my hands.

I know you think you’re smarter than me. Yes, I know how to spell “mortgage,” but maybe I should spell it wrong on your cashier’s check just to piss you off.

I’m sure you’re a nice person, but I really hate you, Avon Lady. First, you bring in 50 different checks to deposit whenever you come in. Your deposit slip never matches the actual total. And then you have the nerve to expect me to buy makeup from you!

I’m getting a contact high from you despite the bullet-proof glass. Nothing wrong with smoking a joint in the car on the way to the bank. But could you maybe roll down the windows next time?

I’ll be cleaning your kid’s sticky fingerprints off the glass tonight after we close. And your toddler pretending to be a blow fish - not cute.

Young attractive guy who comes in every Friday: I’m making a note of your account number so I can dig a little deeper into your finances later. DOB? Check. No overdrafts? Check. Joint account holder? Just your mom from when you opened the account in 6th grade - Check.

It’s getting close to impossible to cash your entire paycheck using only the “old” twenty dollar bills. Yes, I know that you think the government has implanted tracking devices in all the new twenty dollar bills. But they are also phasing out the old ones!

I wish you would teach your children not to put paperclips and Chuck E Cheese coins in their piggy bank. Once I finally shake everything out of your ceramic pig’s tiny, tiny hole, something gets stuck in the coin machine and I’m back there for twenty minutes while your kid slobbers on my teller window.

Creepy old man: I know the only reason you come to the bank everyday is to stalk my coworker. She is currently hiding in the bathroom and sent me out to help you. She’s “out to lunch,” and no, I have no idea when she’ll be back.

To the old lady who threw her driver’s license at me: I’m pretty sure you’ll be in hell soon. Maybe I can help you get there a little more quickly. But again, I do apologize. I’m only trying to protect your money from any effing stranger that walks through the door.

I don’t think you’re anything special if you have a lot of money. You see, I’m a bank teller. I see people with money every day. And typically, the more money someone has, the more of a prick they are to me.

Looking at your account is as awkward for me as it is for you, my friendly acquaintance. So, Mrs. Templeton, I’m dating your son. How’s that IRA rollover working out for you?

I still think “Hello” is a perfectly acceptable greeting, no matter the time of day. But thank you for informing me that “Good Morning” is the only polite greeting prior to 11 a.m.

I’ve never rolled a bag of pennies without finding a pube or two. How on earth do they always end up in the coin machine’s penny collector? Are people rolling around naked in piles of pennies? Or are there just some extremely poorly paid and poorly groomed strippers coming to this bank?

For the past week, I’ve been getting daily messages on my answering machine for Shawn Connely. Now, I don’t know who Shawn Connely is, but he hasn’t had this phone number for at least two and a half years.

My husband was off work Friday, and answered the phone. The woman asked for Shawn, and my husband’s name is John. So, John thought it was for him for a minute, and then realized they wanted Shawn. So he politely told them they had the wrong number.

Well, I took off work on Monday, and my stepson answered the phone. He told them that John wasn’t here, could he take a message? Well, my stepson is not the best at message taking, and I didn’t see why whoever it was couldn’t talk to me, so I made him give me the phone. The woman asked to speak to Shawn Connely (my stepson had misheard the name). I told her she has the wrong number, and she’s like, “So there’s no one named Shawn Connely at this residence?” No, lady! Then, she has the nerve to ask me if I know Shawn. At this point, I started getting snippy with her and asked if this was a debt collector. Of course, they aren’t allowed to say. She just said that this was (insert generic corporate-sounding company name here).

This is not the first experience I’ve had with debt collectors calling for someone who used to have our phone number, but these people obviously think we’re lying because we keep thinking they’re asking for John. I’m off work again today, and if they call me, I am going to go off on them!