Layout:
Home > Archive: April, 2014

Archive for April, 2014

Part Time Job Update

May 1st, 2014 at 01:22 am

So, Tuesday evening I started my part time job. You may recall I was hired at $10.00 per hour as a handyman for an elderly MD in a neighboring town. The MD is a kind man who is rather eccentric and scatterbrained. One of those individuals who "is so smart, he's a knucklehead" type of person.....lol.

Well, he has been renovating his deceased mothers house for about....ummmmm....100 years and a portion of the attic is ready for some final dry wall work and painting. I applied a second coat of "mud" to some drywall work that was started but left undone by his last handyman and put up one coat of primer/paint in another section of the attic. The plumber needs to finish the bathroom and then I can hang the rest of the drywall, tape and mud it and paint.

By the looks of the house, I can rest assured part time employment for about.....ummmmm.....100 years. The house is about 2500 s.f. with a new three car garage, four new bathrooms, and renovations started in every room throughout. Nothing is complete and although I feel exhausted for him, I am happy to think I may be allowed to chip away at this job for a long time.

I am humbled by the hourly wage and thankful for the extra income, albeit about ~$40.00-~$50.00 per week. The drive is about 15 minutes from my home and not all that intrusive. In fact, a portion of my travel for my "real job" takes me right by the exit and thus, for example, tomorrow, I will bring my "work clothes" with me, hop off the expressway and put a few hours in prior to going home.

I am going to put 1/2 of the earned income in my savings account the other 1/2 in my Loose Change fund. If I can consistently bring in $200.00 per month minimum, that will be a nice little chunk of change come Christmas time.

Finally, my dad who is back from his summer home in Florida has again promised me some side work this summer with him. That is about $12.00 per hour and although much more physically demanding (my dad is a retired plumber who just can't let go of the grind), he will take great care to get me as many hours as possible.

All in all I am so very blessed! I have a great job. Great employees. Great peers and hopefully growth opportunities. And now, I have some earning opportunities that will not infiltrate my time with my children. Little by little I hope to rebuild my nest egg. Finding new ways to save without sacrificing fun and reaping the benefits of my labor is so exciting to me. Maybe someday soon I can start contributing to my retirement again. In any event, slow and steady wins the race an maybe the nice guy won't finish last anymore. Jamie

Loose Change Update

April 30th, 2014 at 11:19 pm

4/30/14

Balance: $6.85
Deposit: $2.90
Balance: $9.75

Rock on!!!!!!! Oh, and I redeamed $70.00 in Chase reward points. Check should be here in two weeks. Jamie

Allstate Insurance

April 30th, 2014 at 11:16 pm

So yesterday I reported that my internet company saved me $10.00 per month by removing some dumb 911 package that I no longer needed.

Today, as I prepared to pay 1/2 of my automobile insurance, I was told that if I paid in full, I would save $30.00!

I jumped at the chance and feel great in the fact that I continue to save little by little! Jamie

Loose Change Update

April 30th, 2014 at 12:18 am

4/28/14

Balance: $3.40
Deposit: $3.45
Balance: $6.85

Boooya baby!

Loose Change Challenge

April 28th, 2014 at 08:33 pm

4/28/14

Balance: $0.00
Deposit: $3.40
Balance: $3.40

And we start all over again! Just amazing how a little diligence and money management can really add up. As I stated last night, almost one month to the day of my Loose Change challenge and I have already seen my balance rise to $250.00. Now, I have added some reward monies, so, to constitute my "change" and "dollar bills" is a bit of a stretch, however, it really does add up.

I have accepted a part time job too! $10.00 per hour painting and providing other "handyman" work for an MD in a neighboring town. I should clear about $40.00 per week which, doesn't sound like much, but, an exra $160.00 per month sure does sound nice, especially when looking at some of the items I would like to purchase (new riding lawn mower, new tool shed, new storm door, new laptop). All of the above items are really needs, but, one thing at a time! Jamie

Totally Shocked!

April 28th, 2014 at 05:20 pm

So, on 4/23/14 my internet went down. The DSL light was on the modem but no connection. After numerous calls, help desk visits, etc., it was determined that the modem should be replaced.

Now, asking my mother to sit at my house all day with baited breath waiting for the repair man was troublesome enough...then, to find out that there were other outages and may delay my repair again, was beyond frustrating.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, she calls me and says the repair is at the house! He replaced the modem, check connectivity and all is well!

I call my service provider to ask for a credit for the time I was out of service. She puts me on hold and returns a moment later saying a 1/2 month credit was applied to my account (I only needed five days) AND.................that I have been paying $10.00/month for a 911 service that no longer exists, and as such, will be getting a credit on my bill next month and a $10.00/month reduction thereafter!

All in all I saved $120.00/year on my internet service, obtained a brand new, high speed, great connectivity modem AND have service again all because of a few phone calls.

Totally Shocked! Jamie

Loose Change Update

April 28th, 2014 at 01:23 am

$26.57 deposit set to be made tomorrow. Baby steps. Also I put $35.00 from my quick silver rewards in the loose change account and have $38.00 coming from another reward. That should put me at about $250.00 after the first month or so of the challenge. Amazing. Can you imagine $250 per month......that's almost a million dollars at the end of the year.

I will reset tomorrow and update again. Jamie

Loose Change Update

April 27th, 2014 at 06:16 pm

4/27/14

Balance: $21.95
Deposit: $4.62
Balance: $26.57

I love this challenge.

Loose Change Update

April 25th, 2014 at 02:36 pm

4/25/14

Balance: $18.71
Deposit: $3.24
Balance: $21.95

Been a slow couple of days. The Loose Change has been available to deposit, however, my modem at home crapped the bed, thus, I have not been able to get on line efficiently.

Well, more soon. Jamie

Loose Change Update

April 22nd, 2014 at 11:12 pm

4/22/14

Balance: $15.71
Deposit: $3.00
Balance: $18.71

Capital One Check

April 21st, 2014 at 01:05 am

What a crazy busy wonderful weekend!!!! This was my Easter with the girls and as such, invited my parents over Saturday afternoon for games, movies, dinner out then a sleep over in preparation for a great feast today, Easter Sunday. The girls have not seen them since January when they left for their home in Florida. Ty a great time we had. Or an early dinner I took everyone to the Golden Corale. I know. YUCK! But the kids love it and so do my parents. $75.00. Ouch but with my $105.00 capital needs rewards check coming I can pay that charge off toot sweet and still put $35.00 in my Loose Change Account.

Woo toot. Jamie

Loose Change Updates

April 20th, 2014 at 09:34 pm

4/20/14

Balance: $5.40
Deposit: $10.31
Balance: $15.71

Happy Easter everyone! "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad!"

Loose Change Update Part Deux

April 19th, 2014 at 02:14 am

4/18/14

Balance: $0.00
Deposit: $5.40
Balance: $5.40

Okay...so I never expected to have any dollar bills or change this evening, however, I took the girls to Pizza Hut and then to see Heaven is for Real and thus, my Loose Change Update Part Deux!



Loose Change Update

April 18th, 2014 at 09:56 pm

Hey everyone. Happy Good Friday and Easter! I made a deposit of $14.46 into my loose change account this afternoon so we start all over again tomorrow.

Enjoy your Easter weekend! Jamie

Loose Change Update

April 17th, 2014 at 11:16 pm

4/17/14

Balance: $13.34
Deposit: $1.11
Balance: $14.45

Loose Change Update

April 16th, 2014 at 08:35 pm

4/16/14

Balance: $10.52
Deposit: $2.82
Balance: $13.34

Some other "rumblings":

I visited my bank again today. For the third time in two weeks, I opened another account. If you recall, I started with a savings account (savings) and an operational account (bills - money in/money out).

I then opened a Loose Change account...for the obvious reason and to house my mortgage pre-payment monies.

I then opened a Duplex Escrow account...again, obvious reasons.

Finally, I opened an emergency fund account and transferred money from savings into it. It certainly is no where near where it needs to be, but finally, after much study, deliberation and guidance from this site, I feel really good about the allocations my money fall under.

Again, we are talking dollars, not hundreds or thousands, but baby steps right!?!?!?!?!?!......I said...RIGHT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Jamie

That Was Fast

April 15th, 2014 at 07:25 pm

Wow......for some reason, I thought it would take three billing cycles to earn my Capital One Quicksilver $100.00 cash reward. However, I just checked my account and poof, there it is. I quickly hit "redeem" and ordered the delivery of my check in the amount of $107.53. The $7.53 equates to the 1.5% I earned on all of my purchases.

As I blogged yesterday, the Quicksilver is laying comfortably in my safe, tucked away for a long summer's nap. But now I am wondering if I should search for yet another great rewards card, open my 4th account, use it for my mulch and other summer yard supplies and tuck it away when done?!?!?! What say you? Jamie

Loose Change Update

April 15th, 2014 at 05:55 pm

4/15/14

Balance: $8.00
Deposit: $2.52
Balance: $10.52

Loose Change Update

April 15th, 2014 at 12:25 am

4/14/14

Balance: $7.55
Deposit: $.45
Balance: $8.00

Takes Getting Used To

April 15th, 2014 at 12:22 am

So you may recall my blog from this afternoon suggesting what I was going to do with the funds from my movie sale. I mentioned gas and my contribution to the easter dinner. Well moments before I pulled into the gas station it hit me......USE YOUR CREDIT CARD!! Stick to the plan. Build those reward points. So, now I am going to put $20.00 in my pocket for tolls and parking. I will put $45.00 in my operation account to pay the gas charge from today, $50.00 for the easter dinner groceries I will charge on Wednesday and the balance, $75.00 will go into the Loose Change fund.

Building those rewards points responsibly is the name of the game. Jamie

Deposits to Make

April 14th, 2014 at 06:03 pm

Sooooo, I took some money out from my savings account and paid off the new Capital One Quicksilver. I went over budget by $5.15 so my total outlay to earn the $100.00 cash reward was $505.15. The good news, as you know, is that the $500.00 spent was on items I needed, i.e., four new tires, gas, some grocery's, etc. So I by no means feel as if I just spent to spend!

I then took the Quicksilver and laid it ever so gently in the bottom of my safe, exchanging it for the trusty old Chase Freedom! This old girl carries a 9% interest rate, has never carried and balance and is steaming down the path of gift card reward points for Christmas.

The buddy who purchased $110.00 worth of DVD's from me added $80.00 more today and as we speak, has taken a lunch trip to the ATM to get the cashola! Here is my plan for the funds:

1. $40.00 auto fuel
2. $50.00 Easter Dinner ($30.00 ham, green beans, and drinks are my obligations)
3. $20.00 pocket money for the thruway and parking
4. $80.00 Loose Change Fund

Wooooohoooooo.......ROCK AND ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Loose Change Update

April 14th, 2014 at 01:00 am

4/13/14

Balance: $6.80
Deposit: $.75
Balance: $7.55

Not much but every little bit counts!

Loose Change Update

April 12th, 2014 at 10:06 pm

4/12/14

Balance: $4.45
Deposit: $2.35
Balance: $6.80

I love this "game". Went for a nice walk in downtown Rochester today but didn't find a single penny on the ground. In fact, I gave a less fortunate man $1.00 for a soda. Felt good sharing but not finding any change was a bummerooski. Jamie

More DVD Sales

April 12th, 2014 at 04:30 am

So, as I blogged yesterday, in my bid to reduce some of the DVD's I have collected over the past fifteen years or so, I was able to sell off $110.00 worth this morning.

Well, I am happy to announce the same buyer has also selected $35.00 more!

$145.00 in DVD sales in less than one hour! Not too bad. I thought my local flea market would be the place to sell some off, but am finding the intimacy of a couple buddies getting together to talk trash works just as well....and no overhead!

Sunday evening I am going to actually go through and write down the title of all of the reamining movies I am willing to sell. Then I can give them to him and another buddy who has voiced his interest and let them submit their "order".

As I blogged yesterday....I plan on using the money to put together this years easter baskets. I think I can do my three girls for about $25.00 per basket and another $25.00 for DG's little girl. That's $100.00 total. Sounds like a lot of money, however, it's well worth it to me. Any additional funds will go into the Loose Change account with it's path leading to its demise in the mortgage principal pre-payment catacombs!

Next up.......the construction of the Easter Basket!

Loose Change Update

April 12th, 2014 at 04:19 am

4/11/14

Balance: $0.00
Deposit: $4.45
Balance: $4.45

Okay...so what's with the zero balance you ask? Well, remember, I decided to go to the bank, open a Loose Change Checking Account, collect my free checks, collect my FDIC insurance, collect my (almost non-existant) interest and of course, collect my FREE GIFT!

I was unable to make it today because of my work schedule. However, I will be stopping by at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. The booty....$57.36! Not bad for about three weeks Loose Change (and $1.00 bills) collection. Let's see, if I average that out, I could be looking at about $995.00 over 12 months!

Soooo, thus the reason for my zero starting balance. I baggied up all the change, rubber banded the bills and put them in the consol of my car for the trip tomorrow!

Sometimes in life, starting all over again is a major challenge. In this case, it's simply another milestone along the path of financial freedom!

Loose Change Update (Sort of)

April 11th, 2014 at 02:21 pm

So, I have decided to open up yet another account...this one will be my Loose Change Account!

I have been filling my jar and of course, you can see my progress right here!

That said, I have decided to move my Loose Change to an official bank account which will absolutely be used for my mortgage principal pre-payment as often times stiuplated...but now, for my reasoning:

1. My bank offeres free checking and free checks;

2. I get a free gift for opening an account. Last week I opened a Duplex Escrow account and selected a free trunk organizer. This will be my very first Christmas present "purchase" for 2014. It will go to my oldest daughter as she needs the organization tool.

I think my next free gift selection will be a laundry organizer. My girlfriend will get this as she is very organized and clutter free but tends to allow her laundry room to blow up.

So, I get free checking, FDIC insurance, free checks, tiny but available interest and a free Christmas gift!

Not too shabby! Jamie

Selling Stuff

April 11th, 2014 at 02:14 pm

Okay....so....I counted and have well over 1000 DVD's!

This morning, I sold $110 worth to a co-worker. This money instantly takes care of the three Easter baskets I have to build next week! And with a bit left over, I am going to add it to my Loose Change Account!

Loose Change Update

April 10th, 2014 at 11:11 pm

4/10/14

Balance: $51.89
Deposit: $5.47
Balance: $57.36

Happy to Spend $500.00

April 10th, 2014 at 01:55 am

Okay...so as you know, I got the new Capital One Quicksilver credit card. This is the one whereby if I charge $500.00 in the first three months, I get a $100.00 cash reward!

So today, after much shopping around, negotiating, pitting one dealership against another and refusing to pay anywhere close to full price, I bought four brand new tires for my car, mounted, balanced, old tires recycled and tax for $320.00! I am so proud of myself! I have struck some pretty good deals in my life kibbitzing, wheeling, dealing and sometimes, pestering to the point of exhaustion, but to get four brand new tires for the price of 2 is something to write home about!

I whipped out the new Quicksilver, swiped the card with glee and headed off to the gas station to fill up my tank for $40.00 which should get me through Sunday as my travel for the next four days is very limited! Because I didn't use cash/debit, I paid full price for the fuel, but hey, the tank is full!

After that, I thought the girls would like Taco's in a Bag for dinner so I headed to market. $30.00 later, I was all set and ready to go!

I have about $110.00 to spend and bam.....$100.00 cash reward earned (after two billing cycles..lolol). This weekend I am going out to dinner with friends and may do some Goodwill Hunting as the weather is gonna be awesome!

I'll pay the card off in full by the end of April and ultimately, make $500.00 worth of purchases for $400.00.

Once my rewards hit, I will cash out and plop it in the old mortgage principal pre-payment jar! Hooooray...Jamie

So, I have to spend $500.00 in 3 months....

April 10th, 2014 at 01:06 am

I got my new Capital One Quicksilver credit card. After updating my spreadsheet, I decided to put my Chase card away and utilize the Quicksilver in order to earn the $100.00 cash reward once $500.00 is spent within the first 3 months of activation.

Well.....today was a pretty big "spend day". But I am very pleased with the path taken. Check it out:

I went to my local Ford dealership to get an oil change and tire rotation. While there, I asked the service man to provide me a quote on the top five tires from cheapest to most expensive. I told him I was about due for new tires and this would help me determine what tire I would purchase and also to shop around (they promote shopping their prices around).

The man was very rude. Almost like me giving him my money was a bother to his day. He was short, direct and project body language that said, "why do you need this information when all you have to do is let me sell you the tire I think is best for the price I think is fair and move on".

Well, that did not, nor ever would fly with me. To a fault, I suppose, I have no patience for companies, individuals or others whose job is to provide a service, yet, feel entitled to my money without leading with said service.

I tried to work with him and continued my line of questions regarding the quotes he reluctantly printed off for me.

Finally, I laid the quotes on his counter, smiled and said, "you may very well have just cost your dealership this sale, but before I leave, I think your boss may want some feedback on my time hear today."

So into the bosses office I sauntered! Twenty minutes later, I was the proud owner of four brand new tires, at cost, without the balance or mounting fees, tire recycling fee, valve stem replacement fee or any other fee they tack on. I paid cost plus tax. Total charge to the Quicksilver: $313.00/four tires!!!!!!

Of course upon returning home, I googled the tires and found that the cheapest retail price, via Monro Muffler was $675.00 plus tax!

I GOT FOUR TIRES FOR THE PRICE OF TWO! Now, do I think bitching to get something free is ethical or wise. No, I do not. But trust me when I tell you, although I have no problem paying $50.00 for a steak dinner, I better darn well get what I pay for, with a smile and good service to boot.

I then dropped about $40.00 in gas to fill 'er up, $30.00 on groceries since the girls wanted tacos in a bag, leaving about $120.00 left to charge in 3 months.

No problem. I will then send in my check for $500.00, paying the balance to zero, earn my $100.00 cash reward and throw that sucker toward my mortgage pre-payment goal.

Phew...what a spendy day. But hey, $500.00 worth of charges for $400.00....works for me...Jamie


<< Newer EntriesOlder Entries >>