Nowadays, a dollar doesn’t seem to stretch as far as it used to, or as far as we’d like it to, but there is one place where a dollar could turn into one of a zillion cool items.
“Dollar stores” have been around for as long as I can remember; offering cheap prices on tons of brand name products. My favorite is the store where everything truly is a dollar or less. I pick up anything and everything that I need for my home there. Dish soap, detergent, plates (I mean, REAL plates!), cards, decorations – EVERYTHING!!! Why spend three times as much on the exact same items? Those who haven’t been to the dollar store lately may believe that what’s sold there is nothing but junk, expired, or generic items, but it’s not true! Most dollar stores buy brand name products from major retailers who are simply getting rid of their overages. And you can benefit greatly from it.
BUT….
Just remember that when you go to the dollar stores that you CAN easily overindulge! Everything is so cheap that you may walk in and grab a basket, then realize you need a cart, then stroll up to the counter with $50 worth of items. I’ve certainly been guilty of this myself. Not often, but sometimes I go there and go a little crazy. If you’re buying everything that you absolutely need, that might be alright. If it’s something you’re doing once a week, and finding that you’re taking home more “wants” than “needs,” you could be digging yourself a hole. Keep yourself on a tight leash by taking a list (& sticking to it!), as well as only the specific amount of money you plan to spend there (and maybe an extra buck or two for something fun).
If you haven’t been there lately, get out there & rediscover the power of the dollar.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Every little bit helps
I found out that I got a raise. It is not huge, but every little bit helps.
And I guess this little raise is appropriately timed as last week I finally set up my 403B retirement plan. It actually works out that I won't be "missing" much of the money that I have allotted for my retirement.
2009 is off to a good start!
Jessica
And I guess this little raise is appropriately timed as last week I finally set up my 403B retirement plan. It actually works out that I won't be "missing" much of the money that I have allotted for my retirement.
2009 is off to a good start!
Jessica
Friday, January 2, 2009
Windfall Budgeting, and the New Year...a blog entry in two acts.
Act 1
As some of you may know, I'm in a commissioned sales position. This means that my income can vary somewhat. This is a bit more complicated in my case, as my primary industry is tax preparation...making my sales very seasonal.
One of the things our wonderful coaches have helped us with is averaging the income. This time last year, I had a lot of money. But like many of us, it bled out of my checking account in little "why nots" and "we can afford its". New TV. Nights out. Dinners at good restaurants. None of these things are necessarily evil, but when they're not coupled with some form of discipline...well, suffice to say that by summer we were back in the same old boat.
This year, we took a look at the big sales commissions in a very different light. Each dollar is an opportunity to save or pay down debt. And the lesson we've taken this year is to put aside a large portion into savings, to average out the income. In July, when a sale is hard to come by, I will have a supply of funds from this sales season, left there with forethought. If this seems like a no-brainer, perhaps you're right. But sometimes the most obvious solution can be the hardest to see. When you boil it right down, there's just no such thing as "extra money."
Act 2
On New Year's Eve, we attended the Harlem Globetrotters game/performance as guests of Wright-Patt Credit Union. Other families in the Race attended as well, and it was very nice to be able to chat with them and get to know them even more. It was also very nice to see the Globetrotters. I grew up in the days of Meadowlark Lemon, Geese, and Curly. When I was a little boy, I wanted to be a Globetrotter...like every other little kid. Suffice to say, by half time I think I had reverted to about 11 years old. Unfortunately, we had to leave a few minutes early to get home and prepare for our New Year's Eve festivities. As we rang in the new year with close friends (and I'll admit that those fellows Captain Morgan, Jose Cuervo, and DeKuyper were in attendance) we reflected a bit on what's ahead. Amongst other things, we have another several months of the Race in front of us. With all the tools we've learned, I already feel like a winner. I am already less stressed about money, just from making progress thus far, and making some sacrifices in spending to get where we are. We've changed this year.
New Year's Day dawned, but honestly I didn't know it until around ten in the morning. But in any case, it did in fact dawn, and I'm pretty sure it dawned on a good year. If fortune's wheel hasn't turned, then at the very least Jess and I are looking at that wheel from a different perspective. May your new year be as full of promise as it may.
Dave
As some of you may know, I'm in a commissioned sales position. This means that my income can vary somewhat. This is a bit more complicated in my case, as my primary industry is tax preparation...making my sales very seasonal.
One of the things our wonderful coaches have helped us with is averaging the income. This time last year, I had a lot of money. But like many of us, it bled out of my checking account in little "why nots" and "we can afford its". New TV. Nights out. Dinners at good restaurants. None of these things are necessarily evil, but when they're not coupled with some form of discipline...well, suffice to say that by summer we were back in the same old boat.
This year, we took a look at the big sales commissions in a very different light. Each dollar is an opportunity to save or pay down debt. And the lesson we've taken this year is to put aside a large portion into savings, to average out the income. In July, when a sale is hard to come by, I will have a supply of funds from this sales season, left there with forethought. If this seems like a no-brainer, perhaps you're right. But sometimes the most obvious solution can be the hardest to see. When you boil it right down, there's just no such thing as "extra money."
Act 2
On New Year's Eve, we attended the Harlem Globetrotters game/performance as guests of Wright-Patt Credit Union. Other families in the Race attended as well, and it was very nice to be able to chat with them and get to know them even more. It was also very nice to see the Globetrotters. I grew up in the days of Meadowlark Lemon, Geese, and Curly. When I was a little boy, I wanted to be a Globetrotter...like every other little kid. Suffice to say, by half time I think I had reverted to about 11 years old. Unfortunately, we had to leave a few minutes early to get home and prepare for our New Year's Eve festivities. As we rang in the new year with close friends (and I'll admit that those fellows Captain Morgan, Jose Cuervo, and DeKuyper were in attendance) we reflected a bit on what's ahead. Amongst other things, we have another several months of the Race in front of us. With all the tools we've learned, I already feel like a winner. I am already less stressed about money, just from making progress thus far, and making some sacrifices in spending to get where we are. We've changed this year.
New Year's Day dawned, but honestly I didn't know it until around ten in the morning. But in any case, it did in fact dawn, and I'm pretty sure it dawned on a good year. If fortune's wheel hasn't turned, then at the very least Jess and I are looking at that wheel from a different perspective. May your new year be as full of promise as it may.
Dave
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Warp Speed Ahead!
Wow. It’s hard to believe that the year is almost over already!
As we prepare for 2009, many of us are making new resolutions. I haven’t yet made any personal resolutions for the New Year, but for the Savings Race, I thought it would be fun (since we’re only going to be involved for about half the year) to do a “new month’s resolution” at the beginning of every month from now, until the end of the race. Then at the end of each month, I’ll update everyone in a blog, to let you know if I cheated or succeeded. I’m also going to try to convince Jayme, Kim & the Bledsoes to pick a new resolution for each month, but since I like them, I won’t force them to do it. :)
*So I’ll start with my January Savings Race resolution: This is going to be a recycled one of sorts, as a month or two ago, while Jayme and Kim started their “weight-loss” race, I said that I would stop going to Starbucks for the Pumpkin Spice Lattés that I love. I cut back a lot that month, having only ONE “PSL,” but I still went there for other delights. For the month of January, I have decided to dedicate myself to NOT going to Starbucks AT ALL.*
We’ll see how it goes… please, don’t wish me luck, wish me SAVINGS! :)
A SAFE & HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!
As we prepare for 2009, many of us are making new resolutions. I haven’t yet made any personal resolutions for the New Year, but for the Savings Race, I thought it would be fun (since we’re only going to be involved for about half the year) to do a “new month’s resolution” at the beginning of every month from now, until the end of the race. Then at the end of each month, I’ll update everyone in a blog, to let you know if I cheated or succeeded. I’m also going to try to convince Jayme, Kim & the Bledsoes to pick a new resolution for each month, but since I like them, I won’t force them to do it. :)
*So I’ll start with my January Savings Race resolution: This is going to be a recycled one of sorts, as a month or two ago, while Jayme and Kim started their “weight-loss” race, I said that I would stop going to Starbucks for the Pumpkin Spice Lattés that I love. I cut back a lot that month, having only ONE “PSL,” but I still went there for other delights. For the month of January, I have decided to dedicate myself to NOT going to Starbucks AT ALL.*
We’ll see how it goes… please, don’t wish me luck, wish me SAVINGS! :)
A SAFE & HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!
The Holidays
In this Yule season, the days have reached their shortest and are heading back to longer sunlight. In other words, the darkness has passed. Metaphorically, I can really buy into that this year. We reexamined the way we celebrate as a family: what gifts we give, what we recieve, what is important. And this year feels like a pretty bright beginning, even with some challenges.
We spent less than we ever have on a Christmas morning, but somehow this year was every bit as good as previous years, if not better. I've got the obligatory new socks and underwear, Jess made me a box of "why-I-Love-Yous", the niece and nephew had bright smiles, and we enjoyed each other's company. And even if it is cliche to say so, family and friends is what it's all about.
Of course, it's not all sunshine and lollipops, as we've had a couple of home repair issues crop up. This week, we have to have some wiring done upstairs, as the light fixture in Jess' closet, and in the hallway, have gone the way of the dodo. It turns out the circuit is old knob and tube, so it's a bit tricky for me to replace. Fortunately, a co-worker of mine does home improvement on the side, so the price tag will be less than it could have been.
Now we're heading into New Year's Eve, and the promise of a new number on the calendar. What will the next year bring us? Well, if the Race so far is an example, it'll bring some more saving and debt reduction. And if luck and perseverance hold out, perhaps there will be an addition to the family in our future.
Dave
We spent less than we ever have on a Christmas morning, but somehow this year was every bit as good as previous years, if not better. I've got the obligatory new socks and underwear, Jess made me a box of "why-I-Love-Yous", the niece and nephew had bright smiles, and we enjoyed each other's company. And even if it is cliche to say so, family and friends is what it's all about.
Of course, it's not all sunshine and lollipops, as we've had a couple of home repair issues crop up. This week, we have to have some wiring done upstairs, as the light fixture in Jess' closet, and in the hallway, have gone the way of the dodo. It turns out the circuit is old knob and tube, so it's a bit tricky for me to replace. Fortunately, a co-worker of mine does home improvement on the side, so the price tag will be less than it could have been.
Now we're heading into New Year's Eve, and the promise of a new number on the calendar. What will the next year bring us? Well, if the Race so far is an example, it'll bring some more saving and debt reduction. And if luck and perseverance hold out, perhaps there will be an addition to the family in our future.
Dave
Saturday, December 27, 2008
What will the New Year bring?
Well, now that we are winding down from the Holidays and getting ready for the new year, it is time to say goodbye to old habits and hello to new habits.
The Bledsoe family is doing such a great job at putting more money toward their credit card debit and now are putting money into a savings plan. They have learned some great information and hints from the classes that they have taken and they are very excited about their plan.
As coaches, we are gearing up for the new year with our own challenges. The weight loss race will be in full swing as of January 1st and I am personally doing my own budget for savings and paying off some personal debt.
The Bledsoe family is doing such a great job at putting more money toward their credit card debit and now are putting money into a savings plan. They have learned some great information and hints from the classes that they have taken and they are very excited about their plan.
As coaches, we are gearing up for the new year with our own challenges. The weight loss race will be in full swing as of January 1st and I am personally doing my own budget for savings and paying off some personal debt.
A New Kind of Present....
My sis-in-law, Cathy, told us that what she wanted for Christmas was a deposit receipt from our savings account. So, as gifts we gave my parents, my brother, and my sis-in-law receipts showing them the amount we deposited into our Balance Builder for them. Because of this, and our wise spending for everyone else, I am happy to report that we tripled what we normally put in the Balance Builder this month, and nothing went on our credit cards for Christmas.I <3 my Family.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Pick Up a Habit
When we think of habits, we may start to imagine someone who smokes, or incessantly bites their nails. Generally, we put a negative connotation on the word “habit;” but, by definition, it is simply a behavior pattern that has become nearly or completely involuntary (i.e.: second nature).
Some sources say that it takes 28 – 30 days to form a habit, but depending on how frequently during that time you are performing the act, other sources say it can take between 21 days and 6 weeks for the act to become truly automatic.
Our Savings Race families have been working hard to save, and have already learned new spending habits which will last a lifetime. You too can learn good spending habits, and like anything you’ll need to practice, practice, practice. In a few weeks you’ll find yourself making better spending choices and saving more money with less effort.
So next time someone asks what your worst habit is, you can wink & tell them, “saving money.”
Some sources say that it takes 28 – 30 days to form a habit, but depending on how frequently during that time you are performing the act, other sources say it can take between 21 days and 6 weeks for the act to become truly automatic.
Our Savings Race families have been working hard to save, and have already learned new spending habits which will last a lifetime. You too can learn good spending habits, and like anything you’ll need to practice, practice, practice. In a few weeks you’ll find yourself making better spending choices and saving more money with less effort.
So next time someone asks what your worst habit is, you can wink & tell them, “saving money.”
Thursday, December 11, 2008
More Info on Scams
Coach Andrea brings up a very valuable point. Not only will they send checks, they'll send emails to you constantly. I've seen countless scam emails such as this, and here's something you might not know. The vast majority of these originate in Nigeria, the product of nefarious individuals sending out the scams at internet cafes, of all places.
A site that I like to visit to stay up to date on the latest scams is www.419eater.com I'm not necessarily agreeing with everything that goes on there...but suffice to say that if you want to keep the scammers busy getting scammed themselves, this is a good website to visit. At the very least, it's a great place to get an education about those scams you receive. Bottom line: if it's too good to be true, it probably is a scam. You haven't wont the Irish lottery, there is no Saudi Millionaire with no inheritor, and there is no cancer patient looking to give you his millions. Ultimately, the scams can be pretty easy to spot, once you look at them with a skeptic's eye.
Dave
A site that I like to visit to stay up to date on the latest scams is www.419eater.com I'm not necessarily agreeing with everything that goes on there...but suffice to say that if you want to keep the scammers busy getting scammed themselves, this is a good website to visit. At the very least, it's a great place to get an education about those scams you receive. Bottom line: if it's too good to be true, it probably is a scam. You haven't wont the Irish lottery, there is no Saudi Millionaire with no inheritor, and there is no cancer patient looking to give you his millions. Ultimately, the scams can be pretty easy to spot, once you look at them with a skeptic's eye.
Dave
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
If You're Reading This, You've Won!!!
Ahhh the holidays. A time when we get together to celebrate with friends & family, eat great food, open gifts, & spend, spend, spend! This time of year can also leave you feeling like you need a money miracle; and it’s the time of year when criminals are counting on it to fill their pockets with YOUR money.
Here’s how it works:
A mysterious check arrives with a letter informing you that you’ve been “randomly” selected to do a “Secret Shopping” gig; or perhaps you’re the recent winner of an overseas lottery that you didn’t play; or even still, maybe you’ve received a grand inheritance from a relative whom you’ve never heard of, or met, in your life. If this is the case then you are the newest, unwitting participant of a SCAM!
Very clever thieves create these checks (which look 100% real!) & send them to you in hopes that you’ll deposit the check & send them a portion of the money back via Western Union. Then, when the check is returned as a fraudulent item, YOU become responsible for the funds.
As a teller, I see this happen frequently. The thieves are non-selective about who they choose as targets, but it’s especially sad to see older persons affected by this situation. I even have one member who receives these nearly once a week and they’re made out to her husband, who passed away several years ago. Disturbing - to say the least.
But you don’t have to fall victim to these scams. If you receive a check that seems too good to be true, (as the old adage goes) IT PROBABLY IS! If you’re unsure, you can call the financial institution where the check was drawn to verify funds, or take it to your financial institution, and have them look into it. DO NOT DEPOSIT THE CHECK OR HAVE IT CASHED!!!!!!!!!! I can’t stress that enough.
The scam has been around for several years, but is still going strong because people are still falling for it. Truth is, they’re good at what they do. It’s your job to be better. Keep an eye out for this and other types of fraud this holiday season, and keep your money where it belongs – in YOUR pocket (or safely tucked away in your savings account)!
Here’s how it works:
A mysterious check arrives with a letter informing you that you’ve been “randomly” selected to do a “Secret Shopping” gig; or perhaps you’re the recent winner of an overseas lottery that you didn’t play; or even still, maybe you’ve received a grand inheritance from a relative whom you’ve never heard of, or met, in your life. If this is the case then you are the newest, unwitting participant of a SCAM!
Very clever thieves create these checks (which look 100% real!) & send them to you in hopes that you’ll deposit the check & send them a portion of the money back via Western Union. Then, when the check is returned as a fraudulent item, YOU become responsible for the funds.
As a teller, I see this happen frequently. The thieves are non-selective about who they choose as targets, but it’s especially sad to see older persons affected by this situation. I even have one member who receives these nearly once a week and they’re made out to her husband, who passed away several years ago. Disturbing - to say the least.
But you don’t have to fall victim to these scams. If you receive a check that seems too good to be true, (as the old adage goes) IT PROBABLY IS! If you’re unsure, you can call the financial institution where the check was drawn to verify funds, or take it to your financial institution, and have them look into it. DO NOT DEPOSIT THE CHECK OR HAVE IT CASHED!!!!!!!!!! I can’t stress that enough.
The scam has been around for several years, but is still going strong because people are still falling for it. Truth is, they’re good at what they do. It’s your job to be better. Keep an eye out for this and other types of fraud this holiday season, and keep your money where it belongs – in YOUR pocket (or safely tucked away in your savings account)!
We've Been Spotted!
In the past 2 months we have gotten hilarious phone calls from friends as they have walked into the member centers and seen our large card board cut-outs. And the looks we get as we sit in the Mad River location on the bench next to the cut-out waiting for our weekly meetings are priceless. But last week we had our first "official" celebrity sighting.
We dropped by Tim Horton's for some coffee (I am proud to admit I might have weaned off expensive coffees!). I ordered my basic coffee and the employee took at a look at us then asked, "This might sound really weird, but are you two in the Savings Race at Wright Patt?"
We laughed and told her yes.
Jessica
We dropped by Tim Horton's for some coffee (I am proud to admit I might have weaned off expensive coffees!). I ordered my basic coffee and the employee took at a look at us then asked, "This might sound really weird, but are you two in the Savings Race at Wright Patt?"
We laughed and told her yes.
Jessica
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Back from Vegas!
Well, we're back. We had a great time, we met up with some friends from way out of town...one from New York, one from San Francisco. This trip has been planned for about a year, and we were very happy to get together and kick back. We did go out with a budget firmly in mind, and I'm glad to say we came out ahead. Here's a bit of what we did to keep costs down, but still have a much desired vacation.
First, we didn't gamble much. I spent $33 overall on gambling, and Jess spent $10. For my $33, I played Poker in a tournament format, and lasted about 2 hours. Unfortunately, I didn't place in the money, but I think I got my money's worth in entertainment. I don't think of a poker game as "I will win X dollars", but rather as "I will have fun, and might get my money back."
Another thing we did was to be very firm on our meals. The Luxor has a food court...so in the morning, rather than go to that tempting breakfast buffet, I went to the golden arches. $4.84 vs $16.95. Not a difficult decision at all. Lunch? Same thing for lunches. Ate cheap, with a mind on fine dining in the evening. Dinners? That's where we used our budgeted food amount for the day, and treated ourselves nicely, which I wouldn't have avoided. One of my favorite things about Las Vegas is the high volume of very good food, of any cuisine you might like.
Even in this, we went with some fluid decision making...we had planned on a very fine dining on Sunday, opting to go to Craftsteak. We discovered higher prices than we expected (over $60 a plate!), and it wasn't going to fit the day's budget. So, rather than follow through, we decided to downgrade...we had dessert only, and then went to a cheaper meal elsewhere in the MGM Grand. We saved a lot with that decision, and yet still managed to preserve the "experience" of eating there.
And for another very easy savings trick...we did a lot of the free stuff on the strip. We wandered around a few of the casinos, seeing their claims to fame...New York New York's skyline, MGM Grand's lion habitat, Venetian's Canals, and of course the Bellagio's fountain show. Grand total for all of those things? Zero dollars. ZERO.
We had plans to see two shows. We did see Cirque du Soleil's Ka, which I highly recommend. No, really, if you don't see it next time you're there, don't talk to me. You are not human. ;) An unexpected saving came up on Sunday, as we decided to opt out of seeing our second show, due to several factors, including Jess's back killing her (still dealing with the aftermath of the accident) and my getting very sleepy. We hadn't bought tickets for it yet, so, with good friends along, we just headed back to our room to hang out and jabber away into the wee hours.
Our coaches have really helped me learn how to stick to a budget, and can't wait to see what other great things we'll learn during this race. Now that we've had a relaxing time, we're ready to charge into the holidays and use this budget stick-to-itiveness to get out on the other side of them in good shape!
Dave
First, we didn't gamble much. I spent $33 overall on gambling, and Jess spent $10. For my $33, I played Poker in a tournament format, and lasted about 2 hours. Unfortunately, I didn't place in the money, but I think I got my money's worth in entertainment. I don't think of a poker game as "I will win X dollars", but rather as "I will have fun, and might get my money back."
Another thing we did was to be very firm on our meals. The Luxor has a food court...so in the morning, rather than go to that tempting breakfast buffet, I went to the golden arches. $4.84 vs $16.95. Not a difficult decision at all. Lunch? Same thing for lunches. Ate cheap, with a mind on fine dining in the evening. Dinners? That's where we used our budgeted food amount for the day, and treated ourselves nicely, which I wouldn't have avoided. One of my favorite things about Las Vegas is the high volume of very good food, of any cuisine you might like.
Even in this, we went with some fluid decision making...we had planned on a very fine dining on Sunday, opting to go to Craftsteak. We discovered higher prices than we expected (over $60 a plate!), and it wasn't going to fit the day's budget. So, rather than follow through, we decided to downgrade...we had dessert only, and then went to a cheaper meal elsewhere in the MGM Grand. We saved a lot with that decision, and yet still managed to preserve the "experience" of eating there.
And for another very easy savings trick...we did a lot of the free stuff on the strip. We wandered around a few of the casinos, seeing their claims to fame...New York New York's skyline, MGM Grand's lion habitat, Venetian's Canals, and of course the Bellagio's fountain show. Grand total for all of those things? Zero dollars. ZERO.
We had plans to see two shows. We did see Cirque du Soleil's Ka, which I highly recommend. No, really, if you don't see it next time you're there, don't talk to me. You are not human. ;) An unexpected saving came up on Sunday, as we decided to opt out of seeing our second show, due to several factors, including Jess's back killing her (still dealing with the aftermath of the accident) and my getting very sleepy. We hadn't bought tickets for it yet, so, with good friends along, we just headed back to our room to hang out and jabber away into the wee hours.
Our coaches have really helped me learn how to stick to a budget, and can't wait to see what other great things we'll learn during this race. Now that we've had a relaxing time, we're ready to charge into the holidays and use this budget stick-to-itiveness to get out on the other side of them in good shape!
Dave
It's a Virus!
Well, sometimes a virus can be helpful. And I'm glad to say, we've been spreading a bug around amongst our friends and acquantainces. That bug is savings. And it's spreading.
It's a little bit awesome to hear stories from some of our friends of late telling us how they've changed their savings habits and budgeting methods. Not only are people watching us, but they're using us to fuel their own races. Granted, some of our friends are tired of hearing about our tips and tricks...but they mostly indulge us, and we have noticed they are putting money into their savings accounts when they didn't before.
This excites me. A lot. Not only are our good friends watching from the sidelines, they're participating. They're making the changes in their own budgets, and I've toyed with the idea of making a sort of unofficial race-along, with a silly prize for the winner. It's awesome to hear "I can too" instead of the same thing I used to say..."I would but..."
On an only mildly related note, we're back from Vegas, had a great time, and owned our budget. We came in well under the mark, and I'll be posting soon about the trip. They tell me that 4 page blog entries are bad, so there will likely be several. ;)
Dave
It's a little bit awesome to hear stories from some of our friends of late telling us how they've changed their savings habits and budgeting methods. Not only are people watching us, but they're using us to fuel their own races. Granted, some of our friends are tired of hearing about our tips and tricks...but they mostly indulge us, and we have noticed they are putting money into their savings accounts when they didn't before.
This excites me. A lot. Not only are our good friends watching from the sidelines, they're participating. They're making the changes in their own budgets, and I've toyed with the idea of making a sort of unofficial race-along, with a silly prize for the winner. It's awesome to hear "I can too" instead of the same thing I used to say..."I would but..."
On an only mildly related note, we're back from Vegas, had a great time, and owned our budget. We came in well under the mark, and I'll be posting soon about the trip. They tell me that 4 page blog entries are bad, so there will likely be several. ;)
Dave
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Our Second Radio Interview with Larry Hansgen at WHIO Radio
This was just Great!!! We just had our second radio interview Monday morning with Larry Hansgen.
The Bledsoe Family just did Amazing; it was so perfect!! We had a lot of fun with this interview.
I want to send a BIG THANK YOU to all of our followers, Wright-Patt Credit Union's Partner Employees, and Mad River Station Member Center for reading and assisting with our Savings Race. We love having fans!! :0) Thanks again to everyone that has been so excited for our Bledsoe Family. I want to also send a THANK YOU to our Coaches Kim & Andrea for being the BEST EVER!!
Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!!
The Bledsoe Family just did Amazing; it was so perfect!! We had a lot of fun with this interview.
I want to send a BIG THANK YOU to all of our followers, Wright-Patt Credit Union's Partner Employees, and Mad River Station Member Center for reading and assisting with our Savings Race. We love having fans!! :0) Thanks again to everyone that has been so excited for our Bledsoe Family. I want to also send a THANK YOU to our Coaches Kim & Andrea for being the BEST EVER!!
Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!!
Decisions...
The Christmas lists and sale ads are starting to come in, and I'll admit to stressing a bit already.
I love this time of year because I love giving gifts. I am trying to find the balance between saving/budgeting and being able to get the gifts I want to get for my friends and family.
We already made one "wise choice." We had plans to go on a cruise with my parents and brother's family for Christmas. With the Savings Race, and truthfully with saving for the adoption, we really did not need to be spending that money. So, sigh...we aren't going. It's for the best, right? Sacrificing a week in the Bahamas is nothing compared to the feeling of finally being able to hold our child. I need to keep reminding myself that.
This year we are getting one gift per family member (and really that's only 8 gifts) and then a few for close friends. Every year my mother and I make an Irish Mint Mocha Cream Liqueur. So, I will expand the yield and give that out in bottles as gifts.
Now Dave and I need to talk about gifts for each other...
Jessica
I love this time of year because I love giving gifts. I am trying to find the balance between saving/budgeting and being able to get the gifts I want to get for my friends and family.
We already made one "wise choice." We had plans to go on a cruise with my parents and brother's family for Christmas. With the Savings Race, and truthfully with saving for the adoption, we really did not need to be spending that money. So, sigh...we aren't going. It's for the best, right? Sacrificing a week in the Bahamas is nothing compared to the feeling of finally being able to hold our child. I need to keep reminding myself that.
This year we are getting one gift per family member (and really that's only 8 gifts) and then a few for close friends. Every year my mother and I make an Irish Mint Mocha Cream Liqueur. So, I will expand the yield and give that out in bottles as gifts.
Now Dave and I need to talk about gifts for each other...
Jessica
Somebody Cue Elvis
Viva Las Vegas. When we applied for the Race, we had already booked a vacation (long weekend) in Las Vegas. We paid for tickets and room well in advance, and I'm happy to say we are taking off on Friday. We discussed with our coaches the concept of vacation viewed through the frame of the Race, and we're agreed that vacationing is a real budget item. Perhaps more so than everyday spending, you have to stick to a budget, watch your spending, and keep discipline. Vegas? Perhaps the ultimate destination to test one's mettle. I've been to Vegas at least once a year for the past 7, for business. It'll be different to be there on vacation!
We're meeting up with friends that have since moved away, one in NY and one in San Fran, and spending the weekend there. Now, when one thinks of Vegas, often the first thought (right after Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin and Elvis) is gambling. Spending money to win! Well, I'm a poker player, and I play poker for a reason. I don't like heavy risk. Most of the games you can play in a casino are designed for one thing: to make that casino money. Remember that, because I certainly will. You won't catch us this weekend at a slot machine, blackjack table, or roulette wheel, because I just don't want to throw my money away. You also won't catch us being silly with our money. We will not play games that are skewed toward the house...if I gamble, for instance, I'll play poker. And what's more, I'll do it with a set budget, and if I lose that money, I will be finished. This is something that far too many people don't do in Vegas, or any casino...stop. The "next big win" is not just around the corner.
Here's another trick I learned early. Let's say you show up with 20 dollars to spend at the casino, and you start off "up". You win something. Each win, whatever game you play, should go into your pocket until you've got that 20 dollars set aside. And then forget the 20 dollars. It doesn't exist, and never existed. That way, you're playing with Other People's Money. The flip side of the coin? If the 20 dollars is gone, so are you. Don't go for another 20...stick to the budget! Enough about gambling...Here's our game plan: sensible breakfast and lunch. Not eating the expensive buffet in the morning, no, no, no. We save that money, eat small and cheap, and then we utilize what we saved to allow ourselves a treat, and have a very nice dinner. We will see shows. (We have a 2-for-1 coupon for one of them!) We will see a lot of the FREE things in Vegas...the Bellagio fountain, the Pirates show, the Volcano, and wander around looking at the sights of the Strip architecture. We'll hike Red Rock Canyon. We won't buy pay-per-view movies in the hotel room.
It'll be a challenge this weekend to stick to the budget...but we have our game plan, and despite a whole city that wants us to spend our money, we're going to let that city show us a good time...but on our terms!
Dave
We're meeting up with friends that have since moved away, one in NY and one in San Fran, and spending the weekend there. Now, when one thinks of Vegas, often the first thought (right after Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin and Elvis) is gambling. Spending money to win! Well, I'm a poker player, and I play poker for a reason. I don't like heavy risk. Most of the games you can play in a casino are designed for one thing: to make that casino money. Remember that, because I certainly will. You won't catch us this weekend at a slot machine, blackjack table, or roulette wheel, because I just don't want to throw my money away. You also won't catch us being silly with our money. We will not play games that are skewed toward the house...if I gamble, for instance, I'll play poker. And what's more, I'll do it with a set budget, and if I lose that money, I will be finished. This is something that far too many people don't do in Vegas, or any casino...stop. The "next big win" is not just around the corner.
Here's another trick I learned early. Let's say you show up with 20 dollars to spend at the casino, and you start off "up". You win something. Each win, whatever game you play, should go into your pocket until you've got that 20 dollars set aside. And then forget the 20 dollars. It doesn't exist, and never existed. That way, you're playing with Other People's Money. The flip side of the coin? If the 20 dollars is gone, so are you. Don't go for another 20...stick to the budget! Enough about gambling...Here's our game plan: sensible breakfast and lunch. Not eating the expensive buffet in the morning, no, no, no. We save that money, eat small and cheap, and then we utilize what we saved to allow ourselves a treat, and have a very nice dinner. We will see shows. (We have a 2-for-1 coupon for one of them!) We will see a lot of the FREE things in Vegas...the Bellagio fountain, the Pirates show, the Volcano, and wander around looking at the sights of the Strip architecture. We'll hike Red Rock Canyon. We won't buy pay-per-view movies in the hotel room.
It'll be a challenge this weekend to stick to the budget...but we have our game plan, and despite a whole city that wants us to spend our money, we're going to let that city show us a good time...but on our terms!
Dave
Open a Sub Account!
Opening a sub account can get you more involved in saving. A sub account, like a Club, or Secondary Savings account, can be opened right at home through online banking, or at any WPCU Member Center.
A Club account is generally opened for a specific savings purpose like Christmas, Back to School, or Taxes, and has a specific maturity date (time of year when funds will be used), but can be set up for many other reasons.
A Secondary Savings account is essentially just like a traditional savings account, which gives you the flexibility to save for exactly what you want, while allowing you to withdraw from it any time you want.
Both types of accounts can be named to reflect exactly what the account was set up for (ex: “Vacation Club” or “Girl’s Night Out”), and can help you keep track of all the things you might be saving for. They’re easy to track with online banking, and can be accessed through Call-24, as well.
Sub accounts are a fun little way to watch your money grow, and you’ve gotta love that.
A Club account is generally opened for a specific savings purpose like Christmas, Back to School, or Taxes, and has a specific maturity date (time of year when funds will be used), but can be set up for many other reasons.
A Secondary Savings account is essentially just like a traditional savings account, which gives you the flexibility to save for exactly what you want, while allowing you to withdraw from it any time you want.
Both types of accounts can be named to reflect exactly what the account was set up for (ex: “Vacation Club” or “Girl’s Night Out”), and can help you keep track of all the things you might be saving for. They’re easy to track with online banking, and can be accessed through Call-24, as well.
Sub accounts are a fun little way to watch your money grow, and you’ve gotta love that.
Friday, November 21, 2008
The Holidays are Coming!!
Can you believe the Holidays are just around the corner; it's that time of year again!!! It's the hardest time to save money and lose weight. :0)
It is exciting to see how motivating this race has become for everyone involved. The staff at the Mad River Station Member Center is very excited too. We even had a partner employee by the name of Amanda design a budget sheet for our Bledsoe Family. That is just Awesome!!! :0)
I just love the spirit and excitement that this brings to the Miami Valley; I feel blessed to be a part of something that is making a difference in our community.
I hope everyone is making their budget plans for the upcoming Holidays!! If you need help please feel free to visit your local Wright Patt Credit Union Member Center for assistance.
That's all I have for today; talk to you next week,
Coach Jayme
It is exciting to see how motivating this race has become for everyone involved. The staff at the Mad River Station Member Center is very excited too. We even had a partner employee by the name of Amanda design a budget sheet for our Bledsoe Family. That is just Awesome!!! :0)
I just love the spirit and excitement that this brings to the Miami Valley; I feel blessed to be a part of something that is making a difference in our community.
I hope everyone is making their budget plans for the upcoming Holidays!! If you need help please feel free to visit your local Wright Patt Credit Union Member Center for assistance.
That's all I have for today; talk to you next week,
Coach Jayme
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
The Devil is in the Details
How often has this happened to you...some stressful situation pops up, you focus on it to deal with it, and you miss something important? It happens to us all, I imagine. And it happened to Jess and I last week. In a day of preparing to run an event on the weekend, and having to drive down to Middletown to pick up the now-repaired car, and trying to cram more into the day...we forgot our class. No, really. The mandatory class we have to take to complete the race, and we up and forget. Fortunately, we hauled ourselves to Huber Heights to take it there, resulting only in incovnenience to ourselves, and rescheduling of another meeting...inconveniencing others.
But what does this remind me of? Has this happened to me before? Have I missed the due date on a bill and gotten a late charge, forgotten to make a deposit, or something like that? Oh, yes, yes I have. And so to the list of lessons learned this race, I'm adding this one: the devil is in the details. Just because something pops up to claim our attention, doesn't mean we can drop everything else (outside of an emergency).
How many late charges have we paid from simple forgetfulness? Wouldn't those dollars be better used in savings, or paying balances, or really anything else at all? I think the answer is pretty obvious.
Dave
But what does this remind me of? Has this happened to me before? Have I missed the due date on a bill and gotten a late charge, forgotten to make a deposit, or something like that? Oh, yes, yes I have. And so to the list of lessons learned this race, I'm adding this one: the devil is in the details. Just because something pops up to claim our attention, doesn't mean we can drop everything else (outside of an emergency).
How many late charges have we paid from simple forgetfulness? Wouldn't those dollars be better used in savings, or paying balances, or really anything else at all? I think the answer is pretty obvious.
Dave
Get a Mug!
For weeks before my birthday, my boyfriend begged me to tell him what I wanted from him as a gift. Generally I’m not a very lavish person, but if I am, I spend my own money, I never expect someone to buy something extravagant for me; so I told him I wanted a coffee mug, plain and simple. I explained to him that most mornings on my way to work I buy my hazelnut coffee at the gas station, and I don’t normally fill it all the way up, because the lids aren’t great and it always leaks on me. So by the time I get to work, I end up with only a 16 oz coffee, and a hazelnut smelling hand. I figured that a mug would be a practical & smart gift, plus, cheap!
I figured he’d just go get one somewhere & that would be that. Oh no, not my boyfriend, bless his heart. He scoured the planet looking for the best coffee mug money could buy. *lol* He found a mug that doesn’t leak - AT ALL - and in fact, the company is so convinced that it won’t leak, that they put a clip on it, so you can clip it to a purse or belt. AWESOME!
But he didn’t count on the fact that it would potentially save me a LOT of money.
The first time I took my shiny new mug to the gas station and filled it before my workday, the attendant gave me the total - only 69 cents! It was always $1.09 before! Granted, I downgraded from 20oz to 16oz (that’s all the new mug holds), but that is a HUGE difference in price. I told the attendant, had I known there was such a big price gap, I would have been getting the 16oz size long ago. She explained that the reason it’s so cheap was because I brought my own mug, and they only charge for refills in that case. WOW! I never even thought about the fact that they might do something like that.
So to break it down…
Before:
20oz @ $1.09/cup – can be up to $5.45/work week, which can be up to $21.80/month!
After:
16oz @ $0.69/mug – can be up to $3.45/work week, which can be up to $13.80/month.
That means effectively (were I to go get coffee every day of the year before work), I can save up to $96.00 per year! Not only that, but I don’t have to use one of their styrofoam cups every morning, so hopefully I’m helping the environment daily, too.
It’s amazing what a huge difference one little mug can make.
I figured he’d just go get one somewhere & that would be that. Oh no, not my boyfriend, bless his heart. He scoured the planet looking for the best coffee mug money could buy. *lol* He found a mug that doesn’t leak - AT ALL - and in fact, the company is so convinced that it won’t leak, that they put a clip on it, so you can clip it to a purse or belt. AWESOME!
But he didn’t count on the fact that it would potentially save me a LOT of money.
The first time I took my shiny new mug to the gas station and filled it before my workday, the attendant gave me the total - only 69 cents! It was always $1.09 before! Granted, I downgraded from 20oz to 16oz (that’s all the new mug holds), but that is a HUGE difference in price. I told the attendant, had I known there was such a big price gap, I would have been getting the 16oz size long ago. She explained that the reason it’s so cheap was because I brought my own mug, and they only charge for refills in that case. WOW! I never even thought about the fact that they might do something like that.
So to break it down…
Before:
20oz @ $1.09/cup – can be up to $5.45/work week, which can be up to $21.80/month!
After:
16oz @ $0.69/mug – can be up to $3.45/work week, which can be up to $13.80/month.
That means effectively (were I to go get coffee every day of the year before work), I can save up to $96.00 per year! Not only that, but I don’t have to use one of their styrofoam cups every morning, so hopefully I’m helping the environment daily, too.
It’s amazing what a huge difference one little mug can make.
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