Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Merry Christmas to ME...oh, and YOU too!

After a brief visit to the mall Thursday evening, I began to become a little worried about the status of my Christmas shopping. 1) I'd mostly shopped for myself up to that point and 2) Christmas was a week away. So I woke up early Saturday and trodded to the mall. I got there at 9:15am, and the mall had only been open for 15 minutes. I was delighted to find barely anyone who was brave enough to soldier the cold and leave their warm bed. My trip ended up being well worth it, here's what I got:

  • Bebe had all of their tops for $29...so I got my sister, who's a college student, two tops and a dress for $120! And those points are added to my reward card, not to mention...I saved about $110 off the retail prices! YAHOO! Deal #1 and I was on a roll from then on!

  • I got my mom a beautiful sweater to match the gold slouchy boots that boyfriend and I bought her in Chicago (she's going to be soo fabulous!), a cardigan/shirt matching combo to wear to work, and two pairs of socks that fit her personality...all for 50% off in NY&Co, that was a total of $63.26. I'm too good...my confidence is building! On to the next store...

  • In the Icing, I managed to spend $65.23 on jewelry for every one of the outfits I got my sister (I got six). YES...I know, it sucks. I was like "isn't everything buy one, get one?" Imagine my amazement when she told me only the earrings were...PSHHH!! Whatever lady...and when did earrings in these stores get as high as $14 a pair?!Good grief...ok, the Icing stuck it to me. But I solidered on...happy with my purchase since everything matched perfectly.

  • Next, I browsed H&M and Claire's for cheaper jewelry so I could return the expensiveness to the Icing. I found a bracelet in H&M for $6.90 and another bracelet in Claire's for $8.50, both of which didn't replace anything I'd previously purchased but still matched wonderfully, so I'm still happy.

  • Next, I sauntered into Steve Madden to be handed a scratch off (now, boyfriend and I got one of these in Chicago and I didn't do well) and imagine my amazement when I got 40%!!! OH HELL YES!!! 40%!!!I searched frantically for something to purchase, I called sister & mom, and neither one of them could think of anything...so I bravely decided to splurge on the grey boots I'd seen in Chicago. These boots originally were $269.95, marked down to $209.95 and I got 40% off that...bringing them to $125.97, AND...here's the KICKER, I had a store credit for $104.xx, which I applied bringing my grand total to $27.xx!!! TAKE THAT STEVE MADDEN!! HAHAHAHA!!! A GRAND HOLIDAY STEAL for me! Here's my winners...[image source]
  • The next day, boyfriend and I came back...and oh boy...I'm not even going to bore you with the details...but we stuck it to Urban Outfitters. I'd been wanting this dress that I saw in the summer catalog and it was $58, and I was NOT going to pay that...heck no. I found it...in TWO colors, for $4.99 each!! And I got a cute v-neck tee for $9.99! Boyfriend got some great grey pants...and I can't remember what else...but our grand total was $56, less than the original purchase price of ONE dress...we left out smiling ear to ear!

  • The lines in Brookstone were horrid...but we ended up finding a perfect gift for my dad...two of them for $50...so that's $25 a piece! YES!!!
  • Then...my last YES moment came yesterday when I got an email from Arden B, saying that they had a $9.99 sale. I go online to see these suede grey & dark red mary janes for $59.99 and an additional 70% off! hmm...let's say it together, $17.99!!! This was TOO good to be true! And I have $60 worth of rewards in there to use...however when I added them to my cart, the additional 70% didn't come off. So I call customer service...and she informs me that it's an error and she'll personally take it off later. I couldn't use my rewards (sad face) but I did score a cutesy pair of mary janes that are adorable for under $20...and I already got my credit back...plus I qualified for $10 next day shipping...which means, I'll have them by Christmas (cue the cheers). Here they are... [image source]


And I think that's all...oh...the shoes are no longer an additional 70% off...interesting, right. Yeah I thought so too.

Merry Christmas Fabulous Ones!!!

Friday, December 19, 2008

Skimming

Earlier this week, while watching the Today Show I heard a story about why it may not be as safe as you think to use your credit or debit card at a restaurant. Apparently, waiters have been known to take your card for payment and after swiping it through the register, they swipe it through a small device that then captures your 16-digit account number, expiration date, and name. They later download all of this information to a hotel key (which we all know is similar to a credit card). The interesting part is...who would notice this small device next to a restaurant register? Practically no one...with all the wires and chaos, no one is likely to wonder what this is or why it's there.

They skimmed the producer's credit card and then proceeded to shop at various retailers with no problems at all. Some stores did ask for ID, but the man presented his ID and credit card (which matched, of course) instead of the hotel key card he had just swiped with the producers information on it. So in essence, a thief would get away scott-free from a shopping spree with your credit or debit card. Interesting and scary, huh? Yeah...I thought so too.

So what can you do? The gentleman who was presenting the story advised against using your debit card while out at restaurants, gas stations, etc. since they offer you less protection in situations like this and the thief could drain all your money, leaving you with tons of overdraft fees and no money to pay your bills. Instead he suggested using a credit card, one with a low limit, say...$300-$500, that way if your information is stolen, the thief can only do so much damage and you have more protection through the credit card company.

Now I don't know about you...but that sure seems like a lot of work. Keeping your money safe is becoming more and more difficult. Maybe you could pay in cash as well...and gas stations are offering discounts for cash these days...well they were at least, I'm not sure now since gas prices have fallen so drastically. What else could be done in order to help alleviate skimming?

[image source]

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Two Small Victories


Two exciting things...last week one of my girlfriends sent me a Friends & Family coupon code from Sephora (yes, I'm sorry, I should've shared it) and I realized this would be the perfect opportunity to get all those small gifts that can add up so unmercifully. So I carefully chose gifts for boyfriend's grandmother, mother, and sister. I then picked out one more gift for one of my friends. The only dilemma was that I either had to get them all shipped to one place, or risk not being able to use the coupon code more than one time. I chose to get them all shipped to me...and I thought it was marvelous, until I realized I could've just coughed up the $5.95 and had them shipped separately to each person...but the key is that perhaps I couldn't have used the coupon code more than once. I'm going to say I couldn't...knowing Sephora (they NEVER give out coupon codes, so I'm sure they'd be stingy with it). My grand savings for the order ended up being $32 off with free shipping (cue the cheers)! I repackaged the gifts and paid $9.25 to send grandma & mom to the same place and $3.75 to send sisters and buy and envelope for it. So regardless I still saved...and had I opted to buy them separately, the coupon code may have only worked on one order. Next...


Today we did our white elephant at the office party and I didn't want to spend money (ughh). So instead I chose a toolkit type thing in a silver tin (from my parent's house) and a $5 Starbucks giftcard (also a gift that someone had given my mother). So out of the $10 we were supposed to spend, I spent nothing! HAHAHA! Take that!! AND my gift got stolen 3 times (the maximum) and someone tried to steal it a fourth time. Another small victory...

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Shop the Sale

I've taken to building my groceries for the week and my meals around what's on sale for the week. I first saw this on Oprah from a famed coupon clipper who also used coupons for these sale items and even went to stores that doubled coupons. Now I know this isn't practical for a lot of people, including me, since I don't receive the paper, nor do I plan on it...although she did mention that you could buy the Sunday paper for the coupons.
I started looking up what was on sale before I made my grocery list (yes, I make a list...it helps prevent impulse purchases). You can even have the weekly circulars emailed straight to your inbox! Ahhh, technology. I decide between Harris Teeter & Giant based on what I want to make that week or what grocery items I already have in mind. Then I make my list and head off to the store.
The first week, I spent about $35 on groceries and those lasted for a week and a half. The next time it was $16.92 for one week (and yes, I cooked a meal and made lunch 4/5 days with them). My most recent was for about $45 and I bought food for my investment group potluck, weekly lunch, and enough to make two meals.
So my advice is easy...simply Shop the Sale. It's as simple as that. Buy what's on sale, and only what's on sale. It's only one week and next week something different will be on sale. Now there are items that won't be on sale that you'll need...and you should get them, but try to be more mindful of actually building around what's on sale and watch the savings grow.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

A Personal Hiatus

Today during a very interesting gchat with boyfriend or Mr. Man as I sometimes refer to him, I realized that often I've set goals for myself and haven't followed through with them. Boyfriend is very good at setting goals and checking back on his goals...so...he suggested that I take a personal hiatus once a month to set goals, short and long term, follow up on goals from the previous month, and do major things related to personal finance. Now you see why I love him so much, he's a genius. I set goals during August, and much to my chagrin, I didn't follow up on them. So perhaps this would be a great monthly exercise for me and it would help me to stay on the grind continually.

On a monthly basis, I will now have a personal hiatus (with boyfriend, but separately). This way I can set, follow up, and maintain my goals. As well as, know his goals and we can both help one another as far as accountability is concerned. I'm so excited! I wonder when we'll start? Perhaps January...isn't that the time EVERYONE starts new goals and projects? (That was a rhetorical question.)

Maybe I can label them Personal Hiatus...doesn't that sound intriguing?! Like hmm, how classy, what's she up to?! Yep, the Personal Hiatus it is...a star is born. And more importantly, a great habit.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Oh, Christmas Tree?


I LOVE the holidays…I mean absolutely love them. People are in such great moods, there’s delicious food, and most importantly quality time with family & friends. However…as many of you know, I had a slight shopping problem. I can usually harness it, but when placed in the middle of insane holiday sales with a bank account full of Christmas funds…it becomes an all out war. A war between my now money-conscious self and my old shopaholic self. When I buy something for someone else, I typically purchase something for myself as well. I know, it’s terrible…but I just cannot seem to help it. They’re incredible deals. The hardest part is for my sister, because we shop at the same stores, so when there’s a great deal…I’m all over it. I called my mom last night and the conversation went like this:




Me: mom, I bought way too much for myself while Christmas shopping

Mom: WHY?! Didn’t you do the same thing last year?

Me: Yes…I know, and yes I did. It’s just so hard because of the great deals and all of the items are work wearable.

Mom: What did you buy?

Me: Slacks, shoes, sweaters…whenever I buy three things for [sister], I buy two for myself…so, I was thinking about just asking for money

Mom: That’s fine, get what you want…if you want to bring it home so I can wrap it, that’s fine, if not, just know that you won’t have as much to open because you’ve already bought yourself a lot.



So I definitely breathed a silent sigh of relief after this…I mean, from this point forward, I just have to buckle down and finish shopping for boyfriend, mom, and start shopping for dad. I just hope when I add up what I spent, I’m not sorry…for Christ’s sake!!! I have to get it together. I kept telling myself that I’d do it differently this year and put my Christmas funds on a prepaid debit card (which is a fabulous idea, if you haven’t started shopping yet). But December and the sales just snuck up on me without any warning at all! Ughhh…I have GOT to do better….I HAVE GOT TO DO BETTER…I WILL DO BETTER, I WILL. Next year…and for the rest of the Christmas season, I will NOT purchase anything for myself while shopping for others. There! I said it, I wrote typed it…so now I’m accountable. I’m going to finish the rest of my Christmas shopping with the funds I have left and not purchase anything else for myself…after all, that’s not what the season is about even if I did save all year so I could shop…lol. Updates coming…