Mo' Money

My next job is going to pay me more money than my current job.  I'm sure of it.  I'd love to make somewhere between $50,000 and $60,000.  And I'd love to have add little lifestyle inflation into the mix, though nothing too crazy.  If I made $7,000 to $15,000 more than what I'm currently making, I would...

(1) have someone come monthly to clean my apartment
(2) move somewhere on the metro line (with a dishwasher, washer/dryer,
(3) get regular mani/pedis
(4) buy more clothes and get them altered to fit

What would you do with a bump in your salary?  And when you last switched jobs, what was the bump in your salary? 

Today I'm grateful for: talking it out calmly

I did it!

Lost Goat's comment on my confession post made me nervous.  She said:

You do want to use your rewards as soon as you acquire enough for whatever you are planning to get, because the card companies can change the program at any time, and they will often take away all your points if you are late on even one payment.


I never even thought of that!  I then I went back and realized that it was the case.  I have a rewards debit card that is linked to the my rewards credit card account.  While I have more than 19,000 points from the credit card, I barely had 100 points from the debit card.  That didn't sound right to me, so I called Wachovia and many transfers later I spoke with someone from Wells Fargo.  It turns out that somewhere in the transfer from Wachovia to Wells Fargo, I lost a ton of points that were associated with my debit card.  They are looking into the matter for me.  Here's hoping I can get those points back!
 
In the meantime, I went ahead and used 10,000 points to buy a $100 Visa gift card.  I think that gave me the most bang for my buck since I can use it anywhere.  I compared a few rewards and it appears that the pricing is consistent across stores (including the use-it-anywhere Visa).  You also get slightly more for your points once you get to 10,000.  I'm going to wait until I get another 1,000 or so points to redeem again for another Visa gift card.
 
Thanks commenters for giving me a kick in the pants to finally get the rewards I deserve!
 
Today I'm grateful for: money mantras and money coming at me from expected and unexpected places.

11 Ways to save green and go green!

Happy Earth Day!  Here are some simple ways that I save green and go green!

(1) Reusable bags

I try to get them for free (if you keep an eye out for this, it actually happens more than you'd think!) and then grocery shop at places where they give a discount (usually about $.05.). I keep a whole bunch in my car, so that I never forget. I also always carry a teeny foldable RuMe bag in my purse for spur of the moment purchases (usually clothes!). I have a system where I have different bags that I use for grocery-type items and clothing items, so that I don't worry about new clothes getting soiled. I also have given RuMe bags as gifts to help spread the eco-love.

(2) No more paper towels!
I have what I like to call the dirty towel/clean towel method. I have kitchen towels (old, ugly ones) that I know are for dirty things, like wiping up spills, cleaning counter and the like. And I have kitchen towels (new, pretty ones) that I know are for clean things, like wiping my hands or drying off fruit and the like. I have a sad roll of paper towels that I've probably had for about 5 months and I'm barely halfway through it!

(3) No bottled water
I just saw this awesome movie about how bad bottled water really is. I was never a big purchaser of bottled water, but this is going to make me think 3 times before buying! I usually carry my own reusable bottle, but if I do have to buy water I try to reuse the bottle a few times before recycling it. I also use a Brita filter to make the water taste better.

(4) No ziplock bags
I rarely use ziplock bags anymore.  If I do, I try to reuse a few times, but only if it's not something gross and squishy.  Instead, I use tupperware or simply just bring the full sized bag to work and bring home what I don't eat.

(5) Fans instead of AC
I live in an old building with window AC units, so I wait until the hottest days to turn it on. I definitely see the dramatic increase in my electricity bill in the summer. I try to use fans when possible or combine fans and AC to allow the AC to be on a slightly warmer setting. In the summer my shades are always closed when I'm not home to keep the sun (and heat!) out.

(6) Cutting back on mail
I get very little junk mail now after signing up for Life Lock (although I'm no longer a member).  I was pre-selected for every credit card offer under the sun and now I get none.  Win!

(7) Library
Free books! Sharing! Less clutter! Win!

(8) No plastic utensils
I've started bringing my own silverware to work when I pack something that needs utensils. It's a little way of saving money and I've found that food tastes better when you aren't eating it with cheap plastic utensils.

(9)CFLs
I'm slowly switching to CFLs as my bulbs burn out. I'm not stressing about this, but it does make me feel better.  I've also found some deals where I can get GE CFLs for cheap with a coupon, so I have a few on standby.

(10) Unplug
I don't do this everytime, but if I'm going away for a weekend, I go through my apartment and unplug unnecessary things (my fridge and tv are necessary... gotta make sure the DVR is working!). I have a few power strips that are clearly marked they are for unplugging, so it's easy to know which is which in the maze of wires.

(11) Hypermiling techniques while driving
Doing things like coasting downhill, rolling to a stop, turning on the car last (after buckling seatbelts and getting organized/settled), slowly accelerating, driving the speed limit and using my cruise control all help me use less gas and spend less money.  This is a major win now that gas is so freaking expensive.


What are some things that you do?

Today I'm grateful for: the Earth!

Dirty Little Secret

I'm a little nervous to tell you guys this, but I want to get it off of my chest.  I wrote a million years ago how I like to use my credit card to get rewards, but what I never mentioned is that I've never redeemed my rewards.  Yup, never.  I have about 19,000 points just floating around in the universe and I'm thinking it might be time to use them.

I'm a little overwhelmed with how many options there are though!  Gift cards, cash, travel... I don't even know where to start.  And sometimes when I don't know where to start, I just don't start.  And I let it fall lower and lower on my to do list.  But I'm going to do it!  I'm going to get my free money that I earned by spending my money.

I think I'll probably use my points to get gift cards to places I go regularly.  Somewhere like CVS or Target would come in very helpful, I think.  However, I am totally open to your suggestions.  Do you have a rewards card?  What have you spent your points on?  What advice do you have for a rewards points virgin?  What should I spend my points on and how do I get the most bang for my buck?

Today I'm grateful for: the best seder ever!

I'm coming out...

... as a couponer.  Kinda...

Mr. Cupcake doesn't know the extent of my frugal ways just yet, but I've slowly been dropping hints.  He took me to CVS to pick up a few things for him and he told me how he just gets whatever is on sale.  I thought this is a good start.  But then I told him that I mostly get stuff for free.  He didn't quite get it, but the seed has been planted.  He was super excited to save $5 from sales on his toothpaste, deodorant and body wash which wound up costing somewhere around $11.  In my head I was like, I could get all of that stuff for pennies. 

I'm reminded of an old post about the former boy and I think it's a similar situation now.  Except I do feel more comfortable with Mr. Cupcake.  He's so easy to talk to and he wants to have good communication. 

He has an Entertainment Book so I've been pushing trying new places based on those coupons.  He seems kind of into it.  But I am kind of worried about his spending habits.  He definitely has some debt, leases his car and doesn't have so much of an emergency fund.  Those things scare me, but I'm also scared to really talk money since it is still so early in our relationship.

Is there a specific way I should out myself as a couponing, deal-finding, freebie loving, sort of minimalist?  And how do I talk money without feeling like an awkward, gold digger?  Maybe this will be a way to be a good example and help him get out of debt?

Today I'm grateful for:  trains.  I love the sound of a train whistle.  I love the chugga chugga of trains down the track.  And I love a train trip.

Debt

I don't really understand debt.  I know I'm lucky not have any.  I get that part.  But I don't understand people who go into debt for things that don't include buying a house, buying a car or getting an education.  Credit card debt confuses me because I was always taught to live below my means and not to spend money that I don't have.  And I don't understand people who have credit card debt and (seemingly) aren't doing anything to pay it off.

I've inferred that Mr. Cupcake has debt.  Definitely student loans and it sounds like there might be some credit card debt mixed in there too.  He made a comment yesterday about things holding him back and he mentioned student loans, rent and credit cards.  But I don't understand.  He's 34.  He makes good money.  But he spends good money.  He wastes money.  He gets pride from seeming generous to his friends.  If I was in that position, I would cut my spending.  I would look for other sources of revenue. 

I know credit cards come in handy as a safety net for people on occasion.  But people who have jobs, who are in good health, and who seem to have it together otherwise, they shouldn't have credit card debt.  Right?

I know I'm lucky to be where I am financially.  I know I've been spoiled by coming from parents who have their financial house together.  But I also know that if I had to go into debt for whatever reason, I'd lower my standard of living until I got rid of the debt.  And I don't understand people who don't do that.

Correct me if I'm wrong here and help explain debt to me.  I just don't get it.

Today I'm grateful for:  positive mantras.  Today's is "things have fallen into place exactly the way they were supposed to."

Extra $$

(1) I wound up sending in 2 of those gift cards plus a third one that I've had lying around forever. 
I'm now $61 richer. 
(2) And I substitute taught for our religious school and made another $56.25. 
(3) And I'm up about $60 in Amazon gift cards from Swagbucks.  Those have been superhelpful because I've bought new printer ink and a party gift for FREE!  If you're not signed up already, consider using that link to sign up.  It's easy and fun!

I've been a little lax in 2011 about extra income, especially since I've stopped sitting for Munchkin regularly.  Will this extra $$ get me motivated to bring in some more money?  Here's hoping!

Have you been good about extra income in 2011?

Today I'm grateful for: an impromptu trip to visit my parents.

I told you so...

Subtitle: I hate being right all the time.

Mr. Cupcake sold his bed frame on Craigslist yesterday.  He's getting a new mattress, so the frame won't be the correct size any more.  Anyway, I told him to make sure he has the money up front.  As in, guy comes in to look at the bed frame.  Guy wants the bed frame.  Guy gives you the money in the amount you agreed upon.  Guy disassembles the bed frame and peaces out.

Here's the order it actually happened in.  Guy comes in to look at the bed frame. Guy wants the bed frame. Guy starts to disassemble bed frame and notices a tiny (miniscule) scratch.  Guy tries to negotiate the bed frame for $45 cheaper than orignially agreed upon. Mr. Cupcakes tells the guy no and tells him to reassemble the bed frame.  Guy finally negotiates the bed frame for $25 cheaper than originally agreed upon. Guy peaces out.

Mr. Cupcake was happy with the deal in the end because the amount that he wound up with was the amount he had hoped for from the start.  The extra $25 that was negotiated away was just a bonus for him.  But for me, this is negotiation strategy at its finest.  You have to do it in the right order or you don't get everything you're entitled to.  I love negotiating and I wish I was there to do it for me.  Mr. Cupcake is too nice sometimes.

Have you negotiated anything recently?  And don't you hate it when you're always right?

Today I'm grateful for: taking a mental health day tomorrow.