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Home > Archive: July, 2009

Archive for July, 2009

Student Loan

July 21st, 2009 at 07:51 am

So just a quick blurb about my student loan.

The interest rate dropped again on it. It's around 2% now. The balance is $13,129. Will most like be under $13000 after tomorrow when the July payment gets taken from my account tomorrow. I have yet to consolidate my loans. I should look into that to see if I can lock in the low low rate at a fixed. Because right now it's variable and it's been fine not consolidating because the rate has been on a steady decline since I've started paying my loan off. I think my payment amount has also dropped. I'm not so sure about it yet but I think so according to the front page of my account when I log in. But, I'll have to wait to see how much they take out tomorrow to be sure. My required payment per month has also dropped steadily since I've started paying back November 2007. It started out at $198/mo, now if the new rate is right it's about $158/mo.

But I'm thinking, since the rate is so low that I should just throw more money at my loan to bring down the balance faster so that if the rate does go back up my balance will be a lot lower and save money on interest.

Just a couple of things.

July 10th, 2009 at 06:03 am

So, I have my first assignment. I started working on Tuesday. It's an interesting position. I'm an "accounting assistant" but really... I'm working along side the controller and doing some clerical stuff in the down time. I'm getting some really good experience I think.

But let me just say. So, I have to take care of the petty cash. And of course I get the cash from the bank today and I open up the straps of $20s. The bills were every which way. Ugh! You've got to be kidding me. Shame on that bank. As a former teller, I was taught to have all the bills facing the same direction. It took me twice as long to count the money because I had to sit there and fix the bills, because I'm so use to handling large sums of cash, but facing the same way. I fixed it all, because it was just buggy (even my wallet has all the bills facing the same directions with $1 in the front and larger bills in the back). So now this company has a petty cash drawer that is in organized.

But enough with work.

I'm starting a new project. Last night laying in bed trying to go to sleep, but secretly wishing it was the weekend so I didn't have to go to work in the morning, I started thinking about starting a project. A project purely not based on profit or obligation. I was just thinking that some thing really positive just needs to come out of this year. After having a horrible April with losing my dad and nothing being the same since I just need something good. Because even after everything I still feel incredible lucky. So I've thought about it and I want to take a part of my paycheck each week maybe like $20-30 and buy pet supplies and donate them to the local animal shelter (a no kill one, of course). And hopefully with my new ventures in coupon clipping I can double my donation. And hopefully by the end of the year I can drive up with a car full of goodies. Well I haven't decided how often I plan on making the drop-off yet. Some of the things I don't even have to buy, like newspaper, old towels/blankets so that's something. Actually what I really wanted to do is donate to an animal food bank. I know sounds crazy, food bank are for people not animals. Well, I found one back in my hometown. They just opened a Pet Food Bank to help people feed their animals. Because during hard times like people are more incline to do without to feed their pet instead. And the Pet Food Bank sorta helps both by providing pet food to those who need it so they can use their money to buy food for themselves. I haven't found one around where I live now yet. I haven't really had a chance to look into it. I actually wanted to donate to the American Heart Association, just because of my dad but... I wanted to make sure my donation was actually going to be used for the cause and not to pay some CEO's salary. So since I can't control that I figure I rather do something where I know that my donation is getting to the cause. And I love animals so I'm helping the animals, lol.

Okay, that's pretty much it for now. I can't wait for the weekend. Too bad tomorrow's Friday and not Saturday. lol. Smile

Nervous

July 2nd, 2009 at 08:41 pm

So I have an interview for an assignment. Since the company I work for assigns people to certain projects, it's up to the client company to interview possible candidates to carry out their projects. So, I have to go interview with them today before I can be put on their project. Apparently I'm the 6th person that my company has put into interview. None of them made it so now they are putting me it. Ugh... now that makes me really nervous. I've been on a couple of interviews for assignments so I can actually start working... but nothing. So I'm getting a little discouraged even though my manager said it had nothing to do with me per say more that I didn't have the right kind of experience they were looking for for their project.

So today I have to go through 3 rounds of interviews. One with the supervisor, then I have to interview with the possible co-worker that I could be working with on the project, and last... ah... the assistant controller.

The interview is in 3 hours. I'm trying to relax a bit before I go because when I get nervous I get all antsy and tend to talk fast. So... drinking some tea and just chilling out until then.

I just need to start working again. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I get this assignment so that I can go back to work.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

my money news today is that I haven't spent anything today... yet that is. Well I don't plan on spending any money today, the only thing maybe gas for my car. But I have some to last me until the weekend, so I may just come straight home after the interview and wind down by hanging out and tend to my garden. Smile

Grocery Shopping

July 2nd, 2009 at 07:38 am

So today I was sent to the grocery store to pick up 3 things.

-5 Bananas
-5 Nectarines
- 1 Jar of Mayo because it was on sale for $1.99 at Safeway w/coupon.

So anyways, I actually decided to look at the Safeway ad because of the 4th of July specials. So I made my list, checked it twice... everything on the list was on sale and I had coupons for. Everything... except for the Bananas and Nectarines.

I ended up spending $80. But... total savings... $69.10. This is with coupons and in-store sales. I've never saved that much grocery shopping ever. Well this was the first time I actually made an effort to make a list and stick to it. I had my coupons already sorted out, pulled already.

On my list also included stuff I didn't really need right now but the sale combined with the coupon couldn't resist. Like aluminum foil. I bought two... I didn't really need it but it was on sale and I had two $1.00 off coupons that were about to expire.

So... yeah. I ended up spending a little more than i was originally planning on spending considering I only was suppose to get those 3 things. But I'm just excited to see how much I saved, usually it's no more than $30. But $69.10. I'm going to try to out do myself next time and get the bill down lower. I think it would be so cool to be one of those people you hear about buying all these groceries and spending like $5.00.

But this is how I set up my grocery list

-(5) Bananas
-(5) Nectarines
- Mayo (Coupon)
- (2- 75cu) Reynolds Aluminum Foil (Sale 2For, Coupon)
- Viva Papertowel (6pk) (Sale, Coupon)
- Oceanspray Cranberry Juice (Sale, Coupon)
- (6) Cat Treats (1 BOGO Free, 1 B2GO Free, $1.00 off one, $0.50 off one coupon, Sale)
- (5) 12pk Soda (Sale B2G3 Free)

and then other things. But yeah I know there is still room for more savings in my list. But this is the first time I actually made a list like this. So, it helped me save a lot of time by have it all written out and know exactly what size I need to make the coupon or sale valid.

Does anyone else have helpful ideas that they use to help them save money grocery shopping? Just curious. I'm always open to new ideas.