Yesterday and today, we had the long awaited yard sale. I can't tell you how glad I am that it's over. But, then again, if you've ever had one, you know. The clutter factor is not as low as it could be in the house, but I gained an entire closet and a bit of cash. Can't complain about that.
When pricing everything, I wanted to make sure it would move. I made the pact with myself that anything I did not sell would be donated. I swore it would be done before sundown tonight. So, I kept prices quite low. All baby and little boy clothes were fifty cents each. Cloth diapers were a nickel. Most toys were fifty cents, a quarter, or a dollar.
We had very few big ticket items. I sold two car seats for $20 each, one for $10, the baby swing for $20 and two barely working lawn mowers for $10 each. That's only $90. We ended up making $340.
There are some things I wished I had priced a little higher. Before we could even get open (dang car port! If I had a garage, I could've ignored the sharks that got here just after 7am on Friday) the dealers were all over us. I know that most of the people here before 8am have booths at the local flea market. The first lady jumped on the entire box of shoes and took it out on the lawn to check them out. They were all in great shape and went from first booties to the pair of Cars light up shoes we replaced just a couple of weeks ago. She didn't even attempt to haggle. Hmm, must have been a great deal.
I figured I had the car seats right when the dealers wanted to get me to take $10 for them. I suspected that it meant that they could sell them for $20 at the flea market. One lady was very, very mean about it. She thought she could intimidate me! Right on my own front lawn? Yeah, right. She finally backed down. I think she realized she was only amusing me.
The only other mean haggler we had was a woman who wanted to haggle over a fifty cent pair of short overalls from Gymboree. Um, hey lady, if you don't want them, don't buy them. I kept thinking I could get a lot more at Once Upon a Child or even eBay, but that wasn't all the yard sale was about.
This yard sale was also about lightening the load and letting go. Poor Hoot learned that when he peeked out the front window to see an old dinosaur toy being carried away. Now, he hasn't played with that dinosaur in ages, but he knew it was his. Oh, what a fit. DH kept him away from the house most of Friday.
For the longest time, we couldn't decide if we wanted to sell the Cozy Coupe play car or the Little Tikes table and chairs. Poor Hoot, he loves the Cozy Coupe, but he's so tall and his legs are so long, he never gets inside anymore. At 3 1/2, he's mentally into the car, he's just too big for the car! The table and chairs set he has never, ever sat at. He only used them to climb things and they kept going to "toy jail" because he began to stack the chair on the table to reach the ceiling fan chain. We decided to put the table set out, but kept the Cozy Coupe in the house. Alas, we didn't sell the table and chairs today. But, we had lousy weather today as we woke up to a wet, cold morning. I broke my oath of donating in both of these cases. I figure I can put them on Craig's List later.
A lot of shoppers bought bags and bags full of clothes. It was totally awesome. I had a big box of clothes in each size from newborn to 3T. (Great garage sale tip here: We had so many people rave that it was sorted by sizes!) When we packed up the clothes to donate, I only had 3 boxes left. As we were closing up, I packed a half of a box full of the best stuff and dropped it off at Once Upon a Child. I'll go back tomorrow to see what I get from them.
My biggest excitement was over how quickly those pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters added up! I made $250 on things priced a dollar or lower. Wow. It re-affirmed to me that it all adds up. Making money or spending money: Every single penny counts.
On the homefront:
Can I go back to work yet? I need a break from my vacation.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Justifying AAA Costs
In the last 8 months of my No Buy project, I have been continually going over our expenses and re-evaluating what we spend. One of my first impulses was to do away with AAA. However, I began this new lifestyle in August, about three months after I had renewed my AAA membership, so I had almost a year to really evaluate the service.
I first became a member of AAA courtesy of Tee. I was six months pregnant and about to drive a thousand miles to Walt Disney World with my other sister and my 12 year old niece. I was a little apprehensive about driving so far being pregnant and my sister has multiple medical conditions that would make her unable to assist with even changing a tire. Tee stepped in and gave me a gift membership to AAA. It gave me great peace of mind for the drive, and we didn't use it at all.
The next time my membership came up, I had an eight month old baby and routinely took day trips to Houston. It was totally worth the $55 for peace of mind. For the next two renewals, it was just a bill that came in the mail, so I sent out a check. I had never used the membership for anything other than discounts.
So, during the first few months of No Buy, I decided I wouldn't renew the membership. I just didn't see the value, but alas, I was soon to learn.
In January, DH had parked his Saturn in the driveway, blocking in the Bug. Somehow, DH had gone to get something out of the Saturn and Hoot had tagged along. I really have no idea what happened, but I know the keys were laying in the front seat and the doors got locked. Blame in on DH, blame it on Hoot. Doesn't matter. I tore up the house looking for the extra set of keys before I gave up and called AAA. I figured I might as well use the service I was paying for, right? Well, I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly someone came, and in under 30 minutes, the keys were free. Hm, maybe I should look at this a little closer.
Earlier this month, when I was at the mall buying my glasses, I came out to the parking lot to find a flat tire. I almost dialed AAA again, but decided against it. Heck, it was only a flat and I have never taken more than 10 minutes to change a tire. So, 8 minutes later, I was tooling down the road on a donut. This did not make a great case for renewing AAA. The score was tied 1-1. However, I have to be honest, if it had been over 85 degrees outside, I totally would have called!
Last weekend, we took the trip to my parents' house for Easter. As we were a whirling mess getting out of town and arrived a bit out of sorts, it should have come as no surprise when I locked my keys in Penny's trunk. Now, it is really hard to lock your keys in a New Beetle. If the driver's side door is open, you can not lock the doors or activate the alarm. However, if the car is armed and you only pop the trunk, it can happen. It can also happen if you go in through the passenger side door, but the trunk was our issue.
Around 8:30 pm on Saturday night, I was out front fishing through the Easter basket supplies I had hidden away in the trunk. Hoot was in the house getting ready for bed, or so I thought. Then, the front door burst open and Hoot was dashing across the lawn. I scrambled to get things recovered and quickly shut the trunk. Yep. And I didn't even need to bother. He just peed on the side of the house and DH herded him back inside. (At 3, he just loves to pee outside!)
My parents live in Westhoff, Texas. It only has a flashing caution light on the highway and a post office. That's it. You can't even buy gas. It's so small, they don't even have a population sign. The nearest town is Cuero, fourteen miles away. If you want to go to the city, you have to drive to Victoria or one of the San Antonio suburbs. I thought this would be a great test of the AAA service.
I gave AAA a call and while I had to spell Westhoff twice and give the zip code at least three times, the agent assured me that it would be no issue. She gave me an hour window. We received the call from the wrecker service within 10 minutes. My mother spoke with the guy and gave him directions. He recognized the road they lived on because it is very long and stretches about 30 miles. She told him at least 3 times to not take Cheapside Road (yes, they live on Cheapside Road, but they used to live on Poverty Point Circle!) all the way to their house. He took Cheapside anyway and was 20 minutes late getting to us. Glad I wasn't in the middle of nowhere, oh, well, I guess I was, but at least I was at a house and not stuck in the car with DS.
So, Mr. Congeniality gets out of the truck, apologizes for being late, admits that he took the bad road, and says it will be no problem to get into my car. He uses his air cushion to pry open the door and is amazed that when he pushes the unlock button nothing will happen. Um, yeah, Volkswagen, alarm.... These are not friendly cars to steal. I like it that way. So, he tries the unlock button again and again. I kept thinking, "Good Lord, just let me do it" but you know.... So, I suggest he try the door handle from the inside. He pries and pries and finally, she gives. Boy, does she ever! Penny's door bursts open and this guy is put onto his back in the driveway. Her alarm is going crazy and in the back of my head, I remember the salesman telling me that if the car is breached and left armed for so long, the computer will shut down. I totally didn't even check on him. The trunk latch will not pop and the locks still won't unlock, so I dive into the back seat. It's full of car toys, blankets, and books for the drive, so I have to shove it all up into the front seat. Then, I have to throw the car seat out onto the driveway so I can put the back seat down and get into the trunk. I finally have the key and I shut off the alarm. Mr. Congeniality is still going on and on about how the door burst open like that and how crazy it was. I was wondering if he had ever seen a Herbie movie!
And just like that, AAA pulled ahead on the scoreboard. As our cars get older and we put more miles on them, the score will probably get even bigger. So, as I have been evaluating, it looks like I may raise rather than lower my AAA bill. DH's Saturn will hit 200K miles this spring or summer, looks like I'll be adding his coverage as well. Also, as curiosity got the better of me, I asked Mr. Congeniality what it would've cost me without AAA. With the mileage, it would've run almost $110! Well, actually it wouldn't have because for $45 in gas, I could've just come home in my mom's car for the extra keys.
On the hunt:
He was so busy running for eggs, he couldn't even be bothered with his basket!
Overheard at the bookstore:
Don't know! I haven't been there since Friday and I'm not going back until Monday! Yippee!
I first became a member of AAA courtesy of Tee. I was six months pregnant and about to drive a thousand miles to Walt Disney World with my other sister and my 12 year old niece. I was a little apprehensive about driving so far being pregnant and my sister has multiple medical conditions that would make her unable to assist with even changing a tire. Tee stepped in and gave me a gift membership to AAA. It gave me great peace of mind for the drive, and we didn't use it at all.
The next time my membership came up, I had an eight month old baby and routinely took day trips to Houston. It was totally worth the $55 for peace of mind. For the next two renewals, it was just a bill that came in the mail, so I sent out a check. I had never used the membership for anything other than discounts.
So, during the first few months of No Buy, I decided I wouldn't renew the membership. I just didn't see the value, but alas, I was soon to learn.
In January, DH had parked his Saturn in the driveway, blocking in the Bug. Somehow, DH had gone to get something out of the Saturn and Hoot had tagged along. I really have no idea what happened, but I know the keys were laying in the front seat and the doors got locked. Blame in on DH, blame it on Hoot. Doesn't matter. I tore up the house looking for the extra set of keys before I gave up and called AAA. I figured I might as well use the service I was paying for, right? Well, I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly someone came, and in under 30 minutes, the keys were free. Hm, maybe I should look at this a little closer.
Earlier this month, when I was at the mall buying my glasses, I came out to the parking lot to find a flat tire. I almost dialed AAA again, but decided against it. Heck, it was only a flat and I have never taken more than 10 minutes to change a tire. So, 8 minutes later, I was tooling down the road on a donut. This did not make a great case for renewing AAA. The score was tied 1-1. However, I have to be honest, if it had been over 85 degrees outside, I totally would have called!
Last weekend, we took the trip to my parents' house for Easter. As we were a whirling mess getting out of town and arrived a bit out of sorts, it should have come as no surprise when I locked my keys in Penny's trunk. Now, it is really hard to lock your keys in a New Beetle. If the driver's side door is open, you can not lock the doors or activate the alarm. However, if the car is armed and you only pop the trunk, it can happen. It can also happen if you go in through the passenger side door, but the trunk was our issue.
Around 8:30 pm on Saturday night, I was out front fishing through the Easter basket supplies I had hidden away in the trunk. Hoot was in the house getting ready for bed, or so I thought. Then, the front door burst open and Hoot was dashing across the lawn. I scrambled to get things recovered and quickly shut the trunk. Yep. And I didn't even need to bother. He just peed on the side of the house and DH herded him back inside. (At 3, he just loves to pee outside!)
My parents live in Westhoff, Texas. It only has a flashing caution light on the highway and a post office. That's it. You can't even buy gas. It's so small, they don't even have a population sign. The nearest town is Cuero, fourteen miles away. If you want to go to the city, you have to drive to Victoria or one of the San Antonio suburbs. I thought this would be a great test of the AAA service.
I gave AAA a call and while I had to spell Westhoff twice and give the zip code at least three times, the agent assured me that it would be no issue. She gave me an hour window. We received the call from the wrecker service within 10 minutes. My mother spoke with the guy and gave him directions. He recognized the road they lived on because it is very long and stretches about 30 miles. She told him at least 3 times to not take Cheapside Road (yes, they live on Cheapside Road, but they used to live on Poverty Point Circle!) all the way to their house. He took Cheapside anyway and was 20 minutes late getting to us. Glad I wasn't in the middle of nowhere, oh, well, I guess I was, but at least I was at a house and not stuck in the car with DS.
So, Mr. Congeniality gets out of the truck, apologizes for being late, admits that he took the bad road, and says it will be no problem to get into my car. He uses his air cushion to pry open the door and is amazed that when he pushes the unlock button nothing will happen. Um, yeah, Volkswagen, alarm.... These are not friendly cars to steal. I like it that way. So, he tries the unlock button again and again. I kept thinking, "Good Lord, just let me do it" but you know.... So, I suggest he try the door handle from the inside. He pries and pries and finally, she gives. Boy, does she ever! Penny's door bursts open and this guy is put onto his back in the driveway. Her alarm is going crazy and in the back of my head, I remember the salesman telling me that if the car is breached and left armed for so long, the computer will shut down. I totally didn't even check on him. The trunk latch will not pop and the locks still won't unlock, so I dive into the back seat. It's full of car toys, blankets, and books for the drive, so I have to shove it all up into the front seat. Then, I have to throw the car seat out onto the driveway so I can put the back seat down and get into the trunk. I finally have the key and I shut off the alarm. Mr. Congeniality is still going on and on about how the door burst open like that and how crazy it was. I was wondering if he had ever seen a Herbie movie!
And just like that, AAA pulled ahead on the scoreboard. As our cars get older and we put more miles on them, the score will probably get even bigger. So, as I have been evaluating, it looks like I may raise rather than lower my AAA bill. DH's Saturn will hit 200K miles this spring or summer, looks like I'll be adding his coverage as well. Also, as curiosity got the better of me, I asked Mr. Congeniality what it would've cost me without AAA. With the mileage, it would've run almost $110! Well, actually it wouldn't have because for $45 in gas, I could've just come home in my mom's car for the extra keys.
On the hunt:
He was so busy running for eggs, he couldn't even be bothered with his basket!Overheard at the bookstore:
Don't know! I haven't been there since Friday and I'm not going back until Monday! Yippee!
Budget Defense
I've been re-reading The Millionaire Next Door. One of the concepts that I really like is "playing defense" in regards to wealth. When you play defense you are saving money; playing offense is earning, or creating wealth. I like thinking in those terms; I get it. I loved the story in the book where the husband tells his wife he is giving her 8 million dollars in stock and she tells him how much she appreciates it, but keeps on clipping her coupons. She plays great defense!
I haven't been playing the best defense lately. I've been behind on my coupons for quite a while and it seems like I've been throwing money around. I picked up my Bug last Wednesday and plunked down $1071. Then, we paid another $379 on Friday to fix the a/c unit at the house. Add to that Easter purchases and a quick road trip down to see my parents and I have a bit of a financial headache. Quick, lower the lights before it turns into a migraine.
Spending always tips the scales for me. I have found myself, not for bad reasons, spending a large sum on repairs. It seems like when I have money to spend on the big things, it's easier to spend on the little things. But not spending on the little things, or playing budget defense, is how I was able to spend on the big things without it becoming a disaster. I've got to get back to that defensive mindset and this last weekend and the coming week are not helping.
I spent quite a bit on Easter. We took a great trip down to see my parents. That always requires spending on gas if nothing else, but it was far easier to spend on the road this time. We stopped at the half way point in both directions. On the way down, we bought drinks and snacks. On the way back, I filled up the car and we bought drinks. I just didn't have it together enough to pack a cooler. Heck, we barely made it out the door as it was. I also spent a pretty penny on Hoot's (our nickname for DS) Easter Basket and trimmings.
This week, I am on vacation. We're having a garage sale on Friday and Saturday. I've got to go put a listing in the paper and buy supplies to make a few signs. I also have to consider food as my parents are coming to help and dump some of their own things. So, again, I find that I will be needing to spend a bit more than usual. Here's hoping I can make up for some of my spending with a great garage sale!
In the meantime, I will begin to work on April's budget soon. We have the Saturn's car tags coming due and the Tax Man will be taking a small bit around the 15th. The new month should help me get back into the groove of the No Buy thing. I certainly hope so.
On the home front: The opossum has been missing. I haven't seen him in at least 3 or 4 weeks. Did he run off with the white opossum? I'm not really sure. I've kind of been missing him. I haven't had a marsupial stalker watching me through the window in weeks.
I haven't been playing the best defense lately. I've been behind on my coupons for quite a while and it seems like I've been throwing money around. I picked up my Bug last Wednesday and plunked down $1071. Then, we paid another $379 on Friday to fix the a/c unit at the house. Add to that Easter purchases and a quick road trip down to see my parents and I have a bit of a financial headache. Quick, lower the lights before it turns into a migraine.
Spending always tips the scales for me. I have found myself, not for bad reasons, spending a large sum on repairs. It seems like when I have money to spend on the big things, it's easier to spend on the little things. But not spending on the little things, or playing budget defense, is how I was able to spend on the big things without it becoming a disaster. I've got to get back to that defensive mindset and this last weekend and the coming week are not helping.
I spent quite a bit on Easter. We took a great trip down to see my parents. That always requires spending on gas if nothing else, but it was far easier to spend on the road this time. We stopped at the half way point in both directions. On the way down, we bought drinks and snacks. On the way back, I filled up the car and we bought drinks. I just didn't have it together enough to pack a cooler. Heck, we barely made it out the door as it was. I also spent a pretty penny on Hoot's (our nickname for DS) Easter Basket and trimmings.
This week, I am on vacation. We're having a garage sale on Friday and Saturday. I've got to go put a listing in the paper and buy supplies to make a few signs. I also have to consider food as my parents are coming to help and dump some of their own things. So, again, I find that I will be needing to spend a bit more than usual. Here's hoping I can make up for some of my spending with a great garage sale!
In the meantime, I will begin to work on April's budget soon. We have the Saturn's car tags coming due and the Tax Man will be taking a small bit around the 15th. The new month should help me get back into the groove of the No Buy thing. I certainly hope so.
On the home front: The opossum has been missing. I haven't seen him in at least 3 or 4 weeks. Did he run off with the white opossum? I'm not really sure. I've kind of been missing him. I haven't had a marsupial stalker watching me through the window in weeks.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
The Blue Bug Affair
Twenty years ago (really? surely not.) I climbed into my first Volkswagen. It was a shiny silver 1982 Rabbit. Oh, how I loved it. I have fond memories of that car and the many road trips she provided. I spent some money on the repairs, but overall, it was a great car. I drove it until the Spring of 1995. The dealer gave me $500 trade in for it and I pried the Rabbit emblem off the back before I would let them have it.
My next VW was a red 1992 Fox. I took out 36 payments at 18% interest and was happy as I had no credit to speak of. Miss Lissie, my beautiful golden mutt, loved that car. If the weather was nice, I'd put down the window and she would rest her head on my shoulder, ears flapping in the breeze, as we drove. If the window wasn't down, she'd jump up into the back window and block my rear view. In the early spring of 1996, with only 5 payments to go, DH killed the Fox. It was a brutal and totally avoidable death. I was heartbroken. I cried and cried when I saw her smashed face in the junkyard.
After the Fox, we bought Maudie. She was a 1994 Ford Ranger pickup that was an impulse buy after a fight with a Saturn dealer. After having first told me it was fine, when I went to pick up the new car, the man told me I only qualified for 10K without a co-signer. Over his shoulder, I could see Maudie, with $9999 on her windshield. Even as I peeled out of the lot, giving them a high five minus four, I knew it was never really for me. But, soon we would be a two car family for the first time.
Clementine came to me on a U-Haul dolly behind my mother's big red truck. Meme found the car in a barn in West Texas, bought it for a grand, and towed it to Mississippi. Tee & I drove from Atlanta and met them for a weekend of gambling. I knew it would be a great car when I won enough to pay for the trip and recouped most of what I had just repaid my mom for the car. A pale blue '74 Beetle bundle of joy. Not knowing the car, Tee followed me and we prayed our way back to Georgia. OK, Tee prayed, I sweated. It was the summer of 1997 and she was my daily driver until the summer of 2000.
I was in love with my pale blue bug and had resisted the first year of the New Beetles. Oh, I had car lust every time I saw one on the road and pressed my face against their window stickers when the dealers were closed, but I was good. Then, in 2000 VW kicked off their Internet sales campaign with two colors you could only buy online: Reflex Yellow (think school bus) and Vapor Blue. Vapor Blue looked a lot like Clementine's faded blue, when, after a rain, the primer began to seep through the paint. I kept thinking if I could only hold out until 2003, the convertibles would be launched. I only made it until June, when late one night, after having built a Vapor Blue Beetle online for at least the hundredth time, I dropped it into the shopping cart and bought her. Well, leased her really. I did a three year lease that would end just as the convertibles came out. A perfect solution. Vapor Blue now, topless later.
My first contact with Penelope, or Penny, was an email from her when her cargo ship docked in Savannah. I kept the email for years before I deleted it. I test drove no bug before she arrived. She had everything I could get except for Turbo. I am a speeder at heart, and I didn't dare go Turbo. I couldn't drive her enough in the early days. I would shiver in the air conditioning and laugh at Hotlanta's weather. The first time I saw her snowflake show up on the outside temperature gauge we were up in the mountains and it actually snowed. Since it was snowing, I turned on the heated leather seats and scoffed at the North Georgia weather.
(Read this paragraph as: How NOT to buy a car!) When her lease was almost up, I drove Maudie to the VW dealer to check out the new convertibles. The backseat was so much smaller in them, I was hesitant to cramp Miss Liss. We had just come through the darkest time of our financial lives and I was afraid to purchase one of the new topless models. Our credit was in the dumps, so when VW called me to ask my intentions on the end of my lease, I jumped at the offer of 1% interest to refinance if I would go with the five year option. My payments dropped by over $100 a month, and I figured if I kept making the payments at the higher rate, I would be paid off in no time. It was my intention to do so, and we know what road that paves. So, in just a few months from now, my Penny will be paid off. Eight years to buy a car. Not the best financial decision of my life.
Tonight, my Penny is at the mechanic's. I've not been driving her much lately as her oxygen sensor light has been tripping on and off. I've been waiting until I could pay for it out of pocket. Before I took Penny to VW dealers for her service. She has not been cheap. The VW dealer here is crappy and if I thought I knew it before this week, I didn't know nothing. She's been sadly mistreated by them. I let them make me feel bad about my Penny. Late last year, I cleaned her up and came very close to trading her in for a bigger car. I even took my Mickey antennae ball off of her.
Our new garage of choice is a fabulous place. Their VW/BMW certified mechanic is sharp. He quickly picked up that I could "car talk" and we covered many issues on the phone Monday. As he went over her top to bottom, he would call and we would discuss her history and what had been done, or supposedly done, when. We agreed on what needed to be done now 100%. So, tomorrow, I will go to the garage and shell out $1041. That would just about pay her off if I sent it to VW.
As gas prices keep going up, I am reminded that I get great mileage. I only have a few payments left and soon she will be debt free. I have a great mechanic who will deal fairly with me. This weekend, when we drive her down to my parent's, I will have fun as it's a great road to drive. As I write this, I remember: I love this car. Think I'll go dig out a pair of Mickey Ears for her antennae.
Current reading: I am just starting The Millionaire Next Door. I read it years ago, but am picking it up again with renewed interest.
Special thanks to DL for her friendly description of "the bird" that I used.
My next VW was a red 1992 Fox. I took out 36 payments at 18% interest and was happy as I had no credit to speak of. Miss Lissie, my beautiful golden mutt, loved that car. If the weather was nice, I'd put down the window and she would rest her head on my shoulder, ears flapping in the breeze, as we drove. If the window wasn't down, she'd jump up into the back window and block my rear view. In the early spring of 1996, with only 5 payments to go, DH killed the Fox. It was a brutal and totally avoidable death. I was heartbroken. I cried and cried when I saw her smashed face in the junkyard.
After the Fox, we bought Maudie. She was a 1994 Ford Ranger pickup that was an impulse buy after a fight with a Saturn dealer. After having first told me it was fine, when I went to pick up the new car, the man told me I only qualified for 10K without a co-signer. Over his shoulder, I could see Maudie, with $9999 on her windshield. Even as I peeled out of the lot, giving them a high five minus four, I knew it was never really for me. But, soon we would be a two car family for the first time.
Clementine came to me on a U-Haul dolly behind my mother's big red truck. Meme found the car in a barn in West Texas, bought it for a grand, and towed it to Mississippi. Tee & I drove from Atlanta and met them for a weekend of gambling. I knew it would be a great car when I won enough to pay for the trip and recouped most of what I had just repaid my mom for the car. A pale blue '74 Beetle bundle of joy. Not knowing the car, Tee followed me and we prayed our way back to Georgia. OK, Tee prayed, I sweated. It was the summer of 1997 and she was my daily driver until the summer of 2000.
I was in love with my pale blue bug and had resisted the first year of the New Beetles. Oh, I had car lust every time I saw one on the road and pressed my face against their window stickers when the dealers were closed, but I was good. Then, in 2000 VW kicked off their Internet sales campaign with two colors you could only buy online: Reflex Yellow (think school bus) and Vapor Blue. Vapor Blue looked a lot like Clementine's faded blue, when, after a rain, the primer began to seep through the paint. I kept thinking if I could only hold out until 2003, the convertibles would be launched. I only made it until June, when late one night, after having built a Vapor Blue Beetle online for at least the hundredth time, I dropped it into the shopping cart and bought her. Well, leased her really. I did a three year lease that would end just as the convertibles came out. A perfect solution. Vapor Blue now, topless later.
My first contact with Penelope, or Penny, was an email from her when her cargo ship docked in Savannah. I kept the email for years before I deleted it. I test drove no bug before she arrived. She had everything I could get except for Turbo. I am a speeder at heart, and I didn't dare go Turbo. I couldn't drive her enough in the early days. I would shiver in the air conditioning and laugh at Hotlanta's weather. The first time I saw her snowflake show up on the outside temperature gauge we were up in the mountains and it actually snowed. Since it was snowing, I turned on the heated leather seats and scoffed at the North Georgia weather.
(Read this paragraph as: How NOT to buy a car!) When her lease was almost up, I drove Maudie to the VW dealer to check out the new convertibles. The backseat was so much smaller in them, I was hesitant to cramp Miss Liss. We had just come through the darkest time of our financial lives and I was afraid to purchase one of the new topless models. Our credit was in the dumps, so when VW called me to ask my intentions on the end of my lease, I jumped at the offer of 1% interest to refinance if I would go with the five year option. My payments dropped by over $100 a month, and I figured if I kept making the payments at the higher rate, I would be paid off in no time. It was my intention to do so, and we know what road that paves. So, in just a few months from now, my Penny will be paid off. Eight years to buy a car. Not the best financial decision of my life.
Tonight, my Penny is at the mechanic's. I've not been driving her much lately as her oxygen sensor light has been tripping on and off. I've been waiting until I could pay for it out of pocket. Before I took Penny to VW dealers for her service. She has not been cheap. The VW dealer here is crappy and if I thought I knew it before this week, I didn't know nothing. She's been sadly mistreated by them. I let them make me feel bad about my Penny. Late last year, I cleaned her up and came very close to trading her in for a bigger car. I even took my Mickey antennae ball off of her.
Our new garage of choice is a fabulous place. Their VW/BMW certified mechanic is sharp. He quickly picked up that I could "car talk" and we covered many issues on the phone Monday. As he went over her top to bottom, he would call and we would discuss her history and what had been done, or supposedly done, when. We agreed on what needed to be done now 100%. So, tomorrow, I will go to the garage and shell out $1041. That would just about pay her off if I sent it to VW.
As gas prices keep going up, I am reminded that I get great mileage. I only have a few payments left and soon she will be debt free. I have a great mechanic who will deal fairly with me. This weekend, when we drive her down to my parent's, I will have fun as it's a great road to drive. As I write this, I remember: I love this car. Think I'll go dig out a pair of Mickey Ears for her antennae.
Current reading: I am just starting The Millionaire Next Door. I read it years ago, but am picking it up again with renewed interest.
Special thanks to DL for her friendly description of "the bird" that I used.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Throwing a Budget Temper Tantrum
On the message boards where I post my No Buy thread, one of the other posters posed the question, "Have you ever thrown a budget temper tantrum?" It got me thinking about wants vs. needs, and wants vs. strong, strong desires. In order to throw a real temper tantrum, the object in question must fall into the strong, strong desire category.
Sometimes, responsibility sucks. We all know it. It makes for hard choices, or for some people, very easy choices. It depends on how responsible you are or want to be. I have a strong, strong desire to change our financial habits. But, what throws me in to a true budget temper tantrum is the unpredictability of life. Carpe Diem? Or retirement planning? *sigh*
I know that my own sense of Carpe Diem gets in the way of my money goals all the time. The older I get, the more I understand why. When I was a child, we had what I call the decade of tragedies, or the Seventies. While I have many, many happy childhood memories, the shadow of these things gives me a heightened sense of mortality. In the first part of the decade, my family lost seven members in a plane crash. In one phone call, I lost my grandmother, two aunts, an uncle and three cousins. A few years later, I survived in a dog attack when a St. Bernard attempted to remove my face. Move forward a few years, and my sister was shot but came away with no lasting damage. We capped off the decade with our restaurant being burned down by an arsonist.
By nature, I am a planner. I honestly believe I can solve any problem or do anything if I can just sit down, dissect it, and put it back together with a blueprint in place. Yeah, I may have to dig through a book, or ask a lot of questions, but once all the variables are in place, it's only a matter of completing the Sudoku puzzle. But, this planner is always in competition with Carpe Diem.
I know people who never go anywhere or do anything they talk and dream about. If you really want to go to Disneyworld, or Paris, or Italy or wherever, but you always say you can't afford it, you will never go. If you want to own a home, but just keep saying "someday" without taking action, you never will. If you are waiting for a surprise windfall, it may or may not ever happen. Even if it takes years, I believe it is possible to do anything or go anywhere, but you have to work for it. You have to take action.
When my sense of Carpe Diem conflicts with my planner, that's when I have the biggest budget temper tantrum of all. But, when I have a really big budget temper tantrum, that's when I know something really means a lot to me and I go back to the old drawing board. I may not give in, but you can believe I will spend some time crunching the numbers.
At the bookstore:
Last night, a twelve/thirteen year old boy discovered that we had a sexuality section. When I noticed him, he had out about 8 or 9 books. I walked up and asked him if he needed any help, he stammered "no"and fled. But, oh no, he was back just 3 minutes later. It was really cute how he thought he was sly, hiding behind the bookcase when I would come back. After 2 times of him slipping away as I approached, I cornered him and told him that the next time he came back over into that area, I was going to tell his mother. That finally did it. He never went back over, but I saw him head in that direction two more times, only to turn around when he saw me. I laugh when I think about his friends asking him what he did on Spring Break. I'm sure I will be portrayed as an ogre. I doubt that he noticed I was a highly amused ogre!
Sometimes, responsibility sucks. We all know it. It makes for hard choices, or for some people, very easy choices. It depends on how responsible you are or want to be. I have a strong, strong desire to change our financial habits. But, what throws me in to a true budget temper tantrum is the unpredictability of life. Carpe Diem? Or retirement planning? *sigh*
I know that my own sense of Carpe Diem gets in the way of my money goals all the time. The older I get, the more I understand why. When I was a child, we had what I call the decade of tragedies, or the Seventies. While I have many, many happy childhood memories, the shadow of these things gives me a heightened sense of mortality. In the first part of the decade, my family lost seven members in a plane crash. In one phone call, I lost my grandmother, two aunts, an uncle and three cousins. A few years later, I survived in a dog attack when a St. Bernard attempted to remove my face. Move forward a few years, and my sister was shot but came away with no lasting damage. We capped off the decade with our restaurant being burned down by an arsonist.
By nature, I am a planner. I honestly believe I can solve any problem or do anything if I can just sit down, dissect it, and put it back together with a blueprint in place. Yeah, I may have to dig through a book, or ask a lot of questions, but once all the variables are in place, it's only a matter of completing the Sudoku puzzle. But, this planner is always in competition with Carpe Diem.
I know people who never go anywhere or do anything they talk and dream about. If you really want to go to Disneyworld, or Paris, or Italy or wherever, but you always say you can't afford it, you will never go. If you want to own a home, but just keep saying "someday" without taking action, you never will. If you are waiting for a surprise windfall, it may or may not ever happen. Even if it takes years, I believe it is possible to do anything or go anywhere, but you have to work for it. You have to take action.
When my sense of Carpe Diem conflicts with my planner, that's when I have the biggest budget temper tantrum of all. But, when I have a really big budget temper tantrum, that's when I know something really means a lot to me and I go back to the old drawing board. I may not give in, but you can believe I will spend some time crunching the numbers.
At the bookstore:
Last night, a twelve/thirteen year old boy discovered that we had a sexuality section. When I noticed him, he had out about 8 or 9 books. I walked up and asked him if he needed any help, he stammered "no"and fled. But, oh no, he was back just 3 minutes later. It was really cute how he thought he was sly, hiding behind the bookcase when I would come back. After 2 times of him slipping away as I approached, I cornered him and told him that the next time he came back over into that area, I was going to tell his mother. That finally did it. He never went back over, but I saw him head in that direction two more times, only to turn around when he saw me. I laugh when I think about his friends asking him what he did on Spring Break. I'm sure I will be portrayed as an ogre. I doubt that he noticed I was a highly amused ogre!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Garage Sale Blues
In two weeks, we are having a garage sale. My household usually borders on insanity. It's always a fine line from control to chaos and it doesn't take much to cross it. This garage sale, has pushed us to the edge and heaved us into the abyss. Like Alice before us, we have no idea when it will stop.
In the living room, we have boxes lining up to the ceiling behind the chairs. We have baby and toddler clothes in 7 boxes sorted by size. I have a big box of baby and toddler shoes. There are bibs, bottles, tummy mats, sterilizers, and so on and so on. Right now, it looks a lot like a junk heap because items that won't fit neatly into these boxes are piled on top. Just pile a baby bathtub and bathseat on even the neatest stack and you have instant dissarray. Throw in a few well used strollers at the bottom and a big box of toys DS just can't stay out of and you up your chaos ratio big time.
Why have I done this to myself? Why, oh why? I'm going to blame Dave Ramsey. When I first began the new No Buy lifestyle, I read several of Dave Ramsey's books: Financial Peace Revisited and The Total Money Makeover. I liked them both, but felt like they were the same book, but that Total Money Makeover had more true life stories. In both books, he talks about ways to raise cash for an emergency fund and for paying off debt. One of them was a garage sale. I remember he said to sell as much as you could of anything you could and something along the lines of selling so much stuff the kids begin to fear they are next. And what do you know? Seed planted.
I open a closet, see clutter and boxes of stuff that hasn't been unpacked in 2 1/2 years of living in this house and wonder, can I get a quarter for what's in that box? A buck, maybe five? It's like Monty Hall is going to try and make me a deal! I've got two dead mowers in the shed, would anyone give me $5 for a dead mower? Maybe someone fixes mowers and they'll snap them up. I keep pointing my beady little eyes at everything. Remember the old Looney Tunes cartoon where the two characters are in a lifeboat and they keep staring at each other? And as one looks at the other, he turns into a hamburger or chicken leg? Yeah, it's kinda like that. Only, I see a buck! Oh, Monty, Monty, pick me!
Pricing all this stuff is driving me insane as well. I walk the line between get something and be done with it and you're just giving it away. I'm leaning towards fifty cents for each piece of kids clothes, but dang, does that make some footed jammies a steal! However, I would rather get rid of it for a few coins than have to haul it away for nothing. I've already decided that whatever doesn't sell goes into a donation box. It's not coming back across that threshold if I have to haul away junk all night!
As I'm sorting, pricing, boxing and storing all this stuff, I am trying to decide what to do with our garage sale money. I'm optimistic, but who knows? The last garage sale I had was in the spring of 2003. It coincided with the first day of "Shock and Awe" bombing in the middle east. Talk about putting a bummer on a garage sale. We had almost no traffic as everyone was listening in or watching the reports. At any rate, I'm getting rid of a lot of stuff and that has got to be a good thing.
We also haven't decided on what to do with anything we make. There are so many things we would like and need. A new mattress for us would be great. But, I am also putting my car in the shop tomorrow to get the oxygen sensor replaced and new brakes. And I'm finally breaking down and calling the a/c guy on Monday or Tuesday. *sigh* Guess we'll just wait and see how we'll do.
Current reading: I've just finished The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory. I couldn't put it down. It was fantastic and I want to read more of her stuff. However, it was so good, I got even further behind on chores and garage sale stuff. I don't dare start another one of her books until after the sale!
Overheard at the bookstore:
Sir, this coupon expired last August.
It's okay, I just printed it today.
No, I'm sorry it is expired.
That's alright, just go ahead and use it.
I'm sorry I can't, it expired several months ago.
It's alright, I give you permission.
In the living room, we have boxes lining up to the ceiling behind the chairs. We have baby and toddler clothes in 7 boxes sorted by size. I have a big box of baby and toddler shoes. There are bibs, bottles, tummy mats, sterilizers, and so on and so on. Right now, it looks a lot like a junk heap because items that won't fit neatly into these boxes are piled on top. Just pile a baby bathtub and bathseat on even the neatest stack and you have instant dissarray. Throw in a few well used strollers at the bottom and a big box of toys DS just can't stay out of and you up your chaos ratio big time.
Why have I done this to myself? Why, oh why? I'm going to blame Dave Ramsey. When I first began the new No Buy lifestyle, I read several of Dave Ramsey's books: Financial Peace Revisited and The Total Money Makeover. I liked them both, but felt like they were the same book, but that Total Money Makeover had more true life stories. In both books, he talks about ways to raise cash for an emergency fund and for paying off debt. One of them was a garage sale. I remember he said to sell as much as you could of anything you could and something along the lines of selling so much stuff the kids begin to fear they are next. And what do you know? Seed planted.
I open a closet, see clutter and boxes of stuff that hasn't been unpacked in 2 1/2 years of living in this house and wonder, can I get a quarter for what's in that box? A buck, maybe five? It's like Monty Hall is going to try and make me a deal! I've got two dead mowers in the shed, would anyone give me $5 for a dead mower? Maybe someone fixes mowers and they'll snap them up. I keep pointing my beady little eyes at everything. Remember the old Looney Tunes cartoon where the two characters are in a lifeboat and they keep staring at each other? And as one looks at the other, he turns into a hamburger or chicken leg? Yeah, it's kinda like that. Only, I see a buck! Oh, Monty, Monty, pick me!
Pricing all this stuff is driving me insane as well. I walk the line between get something and be done with it and you're just giving it away. I'm leaning towards fifty cents for each piece of kids clothes, but dang, does that make some footed jammies a steal! However, I would rather get rid of it for a few coins than have to haul it away for nothing. I've already decided that whatever doesn't sell goes into a donation box. It's not coming back across that threshold if I have to haul away junk all night!
As I'm sorting, pricing, boxing and storing all this stuff, I am trying to decide what to do with our garage sale money. I'm optimistic, but who knows? The last garage sale I had was in the spring of 2003. It coincided with the first day of "Shock and Awe" bombing in the middle east. Talk about putting a bummer on a garage sale. We had almost no traffic as everyone was listening in or watching the reports. At any rate, I'm getting rid of a lot of stuff and that has got to be a good thing.
We also haven't decided on what to do with anything we make. There are so many things we would like and need. A new mattress for us would be great. But, I am also putting my car in the shop tomorrow to get the oxygen sensor replaced and new brakes. And I'm finally breaking down and calling the a/c guy on Monday or Tuesday. *sigh* Guess we'll just wait and see how we'll do.
Current reading: I've just finished The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory. I couldn't put it down. It was fantastic and I want to read more of her stuff. However, it was so good, I got even further behind on chores and garage sale stuff. I don't dare start another one of her books until after the sale!
Overheard at the bookstore:
Sir, this coupon expired last August.
It's okay, I just printed it today.
No, I'm sorry it is expired.
That's alright, just go ahead and use it.
I'm sorry I can't, it expired several months ago.
It's alright, I give you permission.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Two days off the wagon
Yesterday and today, impulse purchases were made. Unnecessary meals were bought and lattes were consumed. Why, oh why?
On Sunday, I worked the mid shift and was giving the new glasses a good try. I was warned by the eye doctor, the glasses technician, and Tee that they would probably give me a few headaches. Since I haven't worn glasses for anything other than reading in a long, long time, I had to adjust to them being on my face as well. As the day drug by, I felt the headache creeping up and staved it off for a while with some Tylenol and lots of water. By about 4:30, my head was pounding. I went to the Cafe to buy my Sunday paper (for coupons) and gave in to impulse. I bought a latte and a brownie.
The latte was marvelous. Oh, how I've missed them. I had it slightly under steamed and it was, well, perfect. As I was sipping on it, I began to wonder about adding a little pocket money back into the budget. Or maybe I could buy a gift card at the beginning of the month so I could have a few treats when the going gets rough. I sat sipping and musing, and then started to nibble on the brownie. Let me first state that the brownie was very good in its own right. There was nothing wrong with the brownie. However, as a child, I have very fond memories of Sara Lee Brownies that you could buy in the freezer section. They came in the foil pan and I totally loved them. Alas, you cannot find these Sara Lee brownies anymore. Well, the brownie that I bought has a distant resemblance to those brownies of old. I guess I was expecting them to taste so much like them that I was disappointed. Combine that with guilt for spending money and well, it doesn't make for such a great treat. It wasn't worth the money, guilt, or calories.
As I finished my latte, I realized I was still contemplating "adding a little pocket money" back into my budget. Hm, that didn't settle very well, because I still give myself an allowance of $20 cash each week. I promptly deposit that allowance into a cookie jar and I love counting it every single week. I used this money to pay for Christmas presents last December and it's barely recovering. I am also contemplating buying a chest freezer with this money so I can buy my meat in bulk and save more grocery money. As I thought it through, it dawned on me that it would be breaking my own set No Buy rule. So, thought discarded and victory was mine. I dang sure didn't want a latte to set back into old spending habits.
This morning, DH & DS set out to take care of the flat tire on the Saturn. They went to Discount Tire and spent the morning there. They replaced the flat tire using the existing road hazard warranty, so it only cost $14 out of pocket. The last time we had a flat back in the fall, they replaced a tire using the road hazard warranty, but pointed out that we were not far off from needing to replace two tires on the car. So, I had DH buy one tire today and we will get the other one at the beginning of April. So, between the one they replaced last fall, they one they replaced today, and the new one we bought today, we are up to 3 new tires! Yippee! We spent a little over $130 today. Unplanned, but necessary. I can live with that.
After the tire adventure, DH & DS stopped by to see me at work. It's always a surprise when they come in and it breaks up the day. DH was tired from keeping up with DS at the tire shop and he rewarded himself with a mocha. Who was I to complain? It hadn't been 24 hours since I had sipped a latte and contemplated slipping off the wagon. So, he got his coffee and went on his way. By this time, it was rapidly approaching lunch. DS was a tad cranky, so they drove thru and bought lunch. *sigh* Another $18 down the hatch.
Tonight, when I got home from work, the headache was creeping back up on me. I laid down for a bit, but it's hard to relax with a 3 year old who hasn't seen you all day. He was all over me, I felt like crap, and everyone was hungry. It was oh, too easy to go out to dinner. As we climbed into the car, I at least had the good sense to go to our favorite El Cheapo Mexican food place, so it wasn't much at all. Just another $15.
But, again, it was just $2.75 yesterday, just $2 for the mocha, just $18 for lunch and just $15 for dinner. Wait a minute. It was just $37.75 that we have nothing to show for! Holy Guacamole. What was I thinking? When I look back at the old lifestyle and budget, I can see how often I just spent a few bucks for dining out. I can buy a lot of groceries for $37.75 and it would make more than two meals and two cups of coffee.
As I've spent a little time off the wagon lately, I have to wonder: Does the occasional fall from the wagon renew your desire to ride? I think it just might.
On the home front:
New pics! I have the new camera up and going. I've really missed having one around all the time.
It's nice he didn't give up his ability to ham it up for the camera!
On Sunday, I worked the mid shift and was giving the new glasses a good try. I was warned by the eye doctor, the glasses technician, and Tee that they would probably give me a few headaches. Since I haven't worn glasses for anything other than reading in a long, long time, I had to adjust to them being on my face as well. As the day drug by, I felt the headache creeping up and staved it off for a while with some Tylenol and lots of water. By about 4:30, my head was pounding. I went to the Cafe to buy my Sunday paper (for coupons) and gave in to impulse. I bought a latte and a brownie.
The latte was marvelous. Oh, how I've missed them. I had it slightly under steamed and it was, well, perfect. As I was sipping on it, I began to wonder about adding a little pocket money back into the budget. Or maybe I could buy a gift card at the beginning of the month so I could have a few treats when the going gets rough. I sat sipping and musing, and then started to nibble on the brownie. Let me first state that the brownie was very good in its own right. There was nothing wrong with the brownie. However, as a child, I have very fond memories of Sara Lee Brownies that you could buy in the freezer section. They came in the foil pan and I totally loved them. Alas, you cannot find these Sara Lee brownies anymore. Well, the brownie that I bought has a distant resemblance to those brownies of old. I guess I was expecting them to taste so much like them that I was disappointed. Combine that with guilt for spending money and well, it doesn't make for such a great treat. It wasn't worth the money, guilt, or calories.
As I finished my latte, I realized I was still contemplating "adding a little pocket money" back into my budget. Hm, that didn't settle very well, because I still give myself an allowance of $20 cash each week. I promptly deposit that allowance into a cookie jar and I love counting it every single week. I used this money to pay for Christmas presents last December and it's barely recovering. I am also contemplating buying a chest freezer with this money so I can buy my meat in bulk and save more grocery money. As I thought it through, it dawned on me that it would be breaking my own set No Buy rule. So, thought discarded and victory was mine. I dang sure didn't want a latte to set back into old spending habits.
This morning, DH & DS set out to take care of the flat tire on the Saturn. They went to Discount Tire and spent the morning there. They replaced the flat tire using the existing road hazard warranty, so it only cost $14 out of pocket. The last time we had a flat back in the fall, they replaced a tire using the road hazard warranty, but pointed out that we were not far off from needing to replace two tires on the car. So, I had DH buy one tire today and we will get the other one at the beginning of April. So, between the one they replaced last fall, they one they replaced today, and the new one we bought today, we are up to 3 new tires! Yippee! We spent a little over $130 today. Unplanned, but necessary. I can live with that.
After the tire adventure, DH & DS stopped by to see me at work. It's always a surprise when they come in and it breaks up the day. DH was tired from keeping up with DS at the tire shop and he rewarded himself with a mocha. Who was I to complain? It hadn't been 24 hours since I had sipped a latte and contemplated slipping off the wagon. So, he got his coffee and went on his way. By this time, it was rapidly approaching lunch. DS was a tad cranky, so they drove thru and bought lunch. *sigh* Another $18 down the hatch.
Tonight, when I got home from work, the headache was creeping back up on me. I laid down for a bit, but it's hard to relax with a 3 year old who hasn't seen you all day. He was all over me, I felt like crap, and everyone was hungry. It was oh, too easy to go out to dinner. As we climbed into the car, I at least had the good sense to go to our favorite El Cheapo Mexican food place, so it wasn't much at all. Just another $15.
But, again, it was just $2.75 yesterday, just $2 for the mocha, just $18 for lunch and just $15 for dinner. Wait a minute. It was just $37.75 that we have nothing to show for! Holy Guacamole. What was I thinking? When I look back at the old lifestyle and budget, I can see how often I just spent a few bucks for dining out. I can buy a lot of groceries for $37.75 and it would make more than two meals and two cups of coffee.
As I've spent a little time off the wagon lately, I have to wonder: Does the occasional fall from the wagon renew your desire to ride? I think it just might.
On the home front:
New pics! I have the new camera up and going. I've really missed having one around all the time.
It's nice he didn't give up his ability to ham it up for the camera!
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Six Eyes!
Sometime during the first few months of No Buy, I misplaced my reading glasses. I remembered having them as I left for work, but couldn't find them there or in the car. So, with life being a disorganized mess at the time, I turned my house upside down and inside out. Two days later, I parked in the driveway instead of up on the carport. Guess what I found? I've gotta say, those Titanium bounce back frames bent right back into place, even if they were lopsided. The lenses were not so lucky. I figure that if I lost them that first trip out of the carport, I ran over them at least nine times! The lenses were intact but after all that grinding into the concrete, you couldn't see through them at all.
Since I only wore my glasses for reading, I staved off an eye exam by purchasing a cheap pair of magnifiers at Target. They weren't the best, but they did the job and I paid less than $10. They also didn't last long. DS is obsessed by glasses and I would tend to leave them on my bedside table when I fell asleep. As DS is usually my alarm clock, I woke many times to him playing with my glasses. I was back at Target just before Christmas getting another $10 pair after he broke them.
When the New Year's resolution time was in fever pitch, I promised myself a visit to the eye doctor and new glasses. January rolled on and before I made the appointment, open enrollment for benefits happened at work. For the first time, I was eligible for a flexible spending account with my health plan. I took the entire enrollment period to decide how much I wanted to dump into the new account. Finally, on the last day, I dropped a grand into the account. Then I had to wait until I received all my information and make sure the account was active.
March came along, and determined, I made the appointment for today. I was a little apprehensive because I don't really care for dental, medical, or eye appointments. They always make me a little crazy. But, here it was, glasses time.
I arrived at the appointment early so I could shop around for frames while I waited. I got a great technician who pulled me tons of frames and walked me through my vision plan coverage. Frames have really changed in the last ten years. So many big designers have frames now. Dolce & Gibanna, Anne Klein, DKNY, Ralph Lauren, Farragamo! And, I had a license to buy! Ooh, my inner shopper came out with a vengeance. I almost forgot to pause and get my eye exam.
So, I fill out my paperwork, get my eyes puffed and hit the dreaded chair. I spent another 20 minutes playing "better or worse" and then he hit me between the eyes. OK, maybe not really, but it felt like it. "I think you'll find the progressive bifocals will really help you at work." Um, excuse me? BIFOCALS? Yep, that's what he said. I guess he thought I liked the sound of that because I was too stunned to speak. I pulled out the unused MasterCard, paid my bill and stumbled into the mall.
Bifocals. Not four eyes, but six eyes! Dear God, how old am I? When did this happen? Can I lodge a complaint? WTH? I just kind of rambled around in the mall for a few minutes, trying to let it all sink in before I went back to the glasses store.
I sank myself back into the bliss of sanctioned shopping, but I could still feel a bit of panic. I mean, I was totally not prepared to decide between lined or progressive. I called Tee and without preamble, blurted out my question about which to get. Now, between you and me, I think she took it harder than I did. Her little sister was old enough to need bifocals. But, she convinced me to go with the progressive lenses because I didn't need to "look like an old woman!"
In the end, I picked out my frames without looking at the prices. I had gone over my vision plan earlier, and I was only going to have to pay 60% of the frames cost, and I had my flexible spending account to pay the bill when it came due. But, again, I was unprepared for all the decisions and costs associated with bifocals. I picked a sharp pair of Ray Bans for $160 thinking they would cost me just under $100. Now came the time to pick lenses.
Really, they need some kind of wall chart explaining all the different types of lenses, complete with prices. A menu would be great. A menu with explanations, prices, scratch resistance ratings, weights, well, I could go on and on. Given DS's obsession with my glasses, I figured I needed superior scratch protection. Given the fact that I haven't worn glasses daily since I was in elementary school, I wanted something light. Given Tee's suggestion, I wanted progressive. I was totally lost. Without a clear cut menu, I chose Featherweight Plus, Progressive lenses. I felt like I was Mr. Magoo bumbling along.
And, here's where the money got nasty. We ran the numbers on everything using my vision plan, paying 60% on the frames and I forget the percentage on the lenses. It came out to about $345. Then, my technician ran the numbers using a coupon that had been mailed out for 50% off of lenses, and the total came out to be $309. So, I used the coupon, and handed over my MasterCard.
On the way to the car, I was starting to second guess myself and the vision plan. Sure, the exam was cheap, but I didn't have to buy my glasses from them. I should shop around. I was getting out my car keys when I decided to turn around and cancel my order. Then, I saw it. The flat tire on the Saturn. Talk about the last thing I needed. I totally put all thought of glasses out of my head and focused on the immediate problem.
I pulled out the cell phone and started to dial AAA. I carry AAA because our cars are higher mileage and I never want to be stranded out with DS. But, I almost never use it except for discounts, and since I'm not shopping, I've barely used it this year. I used them once about a month and a half ago, when DH & DS locked the keys in his car. The response time was about 40 minutes. Well, it wasn't too hot and I can change a tire in under 10 minutes so I set to work.
After talking to Tee later in the day, I realized that I came out pretty cheap versus what she has to pay for her glasses, but it still makes me crazy. I've already gotten my forms to get my reimbursement and it'll go out in the mail on Monday. I'm really glad that I didn't decide on a pair of sunglasses today. I'm going to really shop around before I buy them. I've already spent time at Zenni Optical and I expect I will experiment with them for sunglasses and a pair of plain reading glasses.
Now, I have to admit, the glasses look great. They fit great. They are light and I have already started to effortlessly wear them only four hours later. But, two phrases keep running through my mind:
Guys don't make passes at girls who wear glasses.
Four eyes! (or in my case, Six eyes!)
Overheard at the bookstore:
Do you have some sort of Rolodex or something where we can look up stuff? We don't really know how this place works.
Since I only wore my glasses for reading, I staved off an eye exam by purchasing a cheap pair of magnifiers at Target. They weren't the best, but they did the job and I paid less than $10. They also didn't last long. DS is obsessed by glasses and I would tend to leave them on my bedside table when I fell asleep. As DS is usually my alarm clock, I woke many times to him playing with my glasses. I was back at Target just before Christmas getting another $10 pair after he broke them.
When the New Year's resolution time was in fever pitch, I promised myself a visit to the eye doctor and new glasses. January rolled on and before I made the appointment, open enrollment for benefits happened at work. For the first time, I was eligible for a flexible spending account with my health plan. I took the entire enrollment period to decide how much I wanted to dump into the new account. Finally, on the last day, I dropped a grand into the account. Then I had to wait until I received all my information and make sure the account was active.
March came along, and determined, I made the appointment for today. I was a little apprehensive because I don't really care for dental, medical, or eye appointments. They always make me a little crazy. But, here it was, glasses time.
I arrived at the appointment early so I could shop around for frames while I waited. I got a great technician who pulled me tons of frames and walked me through my vision plan coverage. Frames have really changed in the last ten years. So many big designers have frames now. Dolce & Gibanna, Anne Klein, DKNY, Ralph Lauren, Farragamo! And, I had a license to buy! Ooh, my inner shopper came out with a vengeance. I almost forgot to pause and get my eye exam.
So, I fill out my paperwork, get my eyes puffed and hit the dreaded chair. I spent another 20 minutes playing "better or worse" and then he hit me between the eyes. OK, maybe not really, but it felt like it. "I think you'll find the progressive bifocals will really help you at work." Um, excuse me? BIFOCALS? Yep, that's what he said. I guess he thought I liked the sound of that because I was too stunned to speak. I pulled out the unused MasterCard, paid my bill and stumbled into the mall.
Bifocals. Not four eyes, but six eyes! Dear God, how old am I? When did this happen? Can I lodge a complaint? WTH? I just kind of rambled around in the mall for a few minutes, trying to let it all sink in before I went back to the glasses store.
I sank myself back into the bliss of sanctioned shopping, but I could still feel a bit of panic. I mean, I was totally not prepared to decide between lined or progressive. I called Tee and without preamble, blurted out my question about which to get. Now, between you and me, I think she took it harder than I did. Her little sister was old enough to need bifocals. But, she convinced me to go with the progressive lenses because I didn't need to "look like an old woman!"
In the end, I picked out my frames without looking at the prices. I had gone over my vision plan earlier, and I was only going to have to pay 60% of the frames cost, and I had my flexible spending account to pay the bill when it came due. But, again, I was unprepared for all the decisions and costs associated with bifocals. I picked a sharp pair of Ray Bans for $160 thinking they would cost me just under $100. Now came the time to pick lenses.
Really, they need some kind of wall chart explaining all the different types of lenses, complete with prices. A menu would be great. A menu with explanations, prices, scratch resistance ratings, weights, well, I could go on and on. Given DS's obsession with my glasses, I figured I needed superior scratch protection. Given the fact that I haven't worn glasses daily since I was in elementary school, I wanted something light. Given Tee's suggestion, I wanted progressive. I was totally lost. Without a clear cut menu, I chose Featherweight Plus, Progressive lenses. I felt like I was Mr. Magoo bumbling along.
And, here's where the money got nasty. We ran the numbers on everything using my vision plan, paying 60% on the frames and I forget the percentage on the lenses. It came out to about $345. Then, my technician ran the numbers using a coupon that had been mailed out for 50% off of lenses, and the total came out to be $309. So, I used the coupon, and handed over my MasterCard.
On the way to the car, I was starting to second guess myself and the vision plan. Sure, the exam was cheap, but I didn't have to buy my glasses from them. I should shop around. I was getting out my car keys when I decided to turn around and cancel my order. Then, I saw it. The flat tire on the Saturn. Talk about the last thing I needed. I totally put all thought of glasses out of my head and focused on the immediate problem.
I pulled out the cell phone and started to dial AAA. I carry AAA because our cars are higher mileage and I never want to be stranded out with DS. But, I almost never use it except for discounts, and since I'm not shopping, I've barely used it this year. I used them once about a month and a half ago, when DH & DS locked the keys in his car. The response time was about 40 minutes. Well, it wasn't too hot and I can change a tire in under 10 minutes so I set to work.
After talking to Tee later in the day, I realized that I came out pretty cheap versus what she has to pay for her glasses, but it still makes me crazy. I've already gotten my forms to get my reimbursement and it'll go out in the mail on Monday. I'm really glad that I didn't decide on a pair of sunglasses today. I'm going to really shop around before I buy them. I've already spent time at Zenni Optical and I expect I will experiment with them for sunglasses and a pair of plain reading glasses.
Now, I have to admit, the glasses look great. They fit great. They are light and I have already started to effortlessly wear them only four hours later. But, two phrases keep running through my mind:
Guys don't make passes at girls who wear glasses.
Four eyes! (or in my case, Six eyes!)
Overheard at the bookstore:
Do you have some sort of Rolodex or something where we can look up stuff? We don't really know how this place works.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
A Bulldog of a budget book!
One of my new favorite people is Larry Winget. I first noticed him when I was shelving new releases several years ago. I pulled the book Shut Up, Stop Whining, and Get a Life off the cart and thought, "Oh, please, please, please, be a self improvement book!" There is a photo of Larry on the cover that is all tough guy. I will say that while I didn't ever read the entire book, I immediately thought of several people that I thought should read the book. Really, for me, the title said it all.
Then, one day some time later, I pulled a new release off the cart called It's Called Work for a Reason and recognized the tough guy on the cover as the "Shut up" guy. Again, I thumbed through it, looked around at some of my fellow employees and thought, if you were on my Christmas list...
Then, at the beginning of this year, I pulled You're Broke Because You Want to Be off the cart and smiled. I was really beginning to like this guy and I hadn't even read one of his books. I picked up the book that day.
Since last October, I've been reading more and more personal finance books. I worked my way through Dave Ramsey's books, one of Suze Orman's books and several that aren't worth mentioning. Larry's book was just the kick in the butt that I needed to re-affirm my No Buy project. If you're looking for kinder, gentler inspiration, this is not the book for you. If you are serious about making changes and need to face cold, hard facts of life, it just might fit the bill.
As I read Larry's book, I couldn't help but get my financial butt kicked. Some of the examples made me physically cringe as I read about people blowing thousands of dollars on clothing and keeping Neiman Marcus credit cards as their emergency credit card. Even if you aren't a living the "high life" of some of these people, you can see and apply these principles to your own situation.
There is not a bunch of new information in this book. There is no magical formula, no get rich quick scheme, or repair your credit in 30 days here. It's just a simple telling of the truth. Well, maybe not simple. It's a kick butt telling of the truth. If you want money, earn it. If you want to be rich, stop blowing it, save it and invest it.
I wish that I had A&E so that I could watch Larry's show Big Spender, but somehow, I think he'd be proud I won't pay for that much cable!
You can check him out on NBC's Today Show on March 24th. You can bet I will.
Heaven help me if he writes a diet book.
On the home front:
Last week, as the opossum slowly picked his way across my porch without a care in the world, I noticed a second opossum out in the honeysuckle bushes. The second opossum was behaving naturally, hiding in the shadows, avoiding human interaction. But, I am a bit concerned. Last time I saw two opossums was a few years ago, when Old Opossum was still alive and would surprise me on the carport. Then Old Opossum met his match with a car and the current opossum, just a tiny thing then, was spotted on my window sill just two nights later. Yes, it was very circle of life. Now, I am wondering if there will be little opossums soon.
Then, one day some time later, I pulled a new release off the cart called It's Called Work for a Reason and recognized the tough guy on the cover as the "Shut up" guy. Again, I thumbed through it, looked around at some of my fellow employees and thought, if you were on my Christmas list...
Then, at the beginning of this year, I pulled You're Broke Because You Want to Be off the cart and smiled. I was really beginning to like this guy and I hadn't even read one of his books. I picked up the book that day.
Since last October, I've been reading more and more personal finance books. I worked my way through Dave Ramsey's books, one of Suze Orman's books and several that aren't worth mentioning. Larry's book was just the kick in the butt that I needed to re-affirm my No Buy project. If you're looking for kinder, gentler inspiration, this is not the book for you. If you are serious about making changes and need to face cold, hard facts of life, it just might fit the bill.
As I read Larry's book, I couldn't help but get my financial butt kicked. Some of the examples made me physically cringe as I read about people blowing thousands of dollars on clothing and keeping Neiman Marcus credit cards as their emergency credit card. Even if you aren't a living the "high life" of some of these people, you can see and apply these principles to your own situation.
There is not a bunch of new information in this book. There is no magical formula, no get rich quick scheme, or repair your credit in 30 days here. It's just a simple telling of the truth. Well, maybe not simple. It's a kick butt telling of the truth. If you want money, earn it. If you want to be rich, stop blowing it, save it and invest it.
I wish that I had A&E so that I could watch Larry's show Big Spender, but somehow, I think he'd be proud I won't pay for that much cable!
You can check him out on NBC's Today Show on March 24th. You can bet I will.
Heaven help me if he writes a diet book.
On the home front:
Last week, as the opossum slowly picked his way across my porch without a care in the world, I noticed a second opossum out in the honeysuckle bushes. The second opossum was behaving naturally, hiding in the shadows, avoiding human interaction. But, I am a bit concerned. Last time I saw two opossums was a few years ago, when Old Opossum was still alive and would surprise me on the carport. Then Old Opossum met his match with a car and the current opossum, just a tiny thing then, was spotted on my window sill just two nights later. Yes, it was very circle of life. Now, I am wondering if there will be little opossums soon.
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