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Archive for November, 2013

Huge Sunday To-Do List

November 24th, 2013 at 08:14 pm

I am running a very long To-Do List and it just keeps accumulating. I am planning on reinstating my 5 Things List. Essentially, each day, a minimum of 5 things need to be taken care of on the ever expanding To Do List.

Today's To Do's are numerous

- Go to friends to care for cat (pet sitting) [DONE]
- Grocery store #1 [DONE]
- Grocery store #2 [DONE]
- Put away groceries [DONE]
- Make breakfast [DONE]
- clean kitchen [DONE]
- do dishes [DONE]
- put away dishes [DONE]
- clean kitchen floor [DONE]
- clean out fridge [DONE]
- pick up living room [DONE]
- dust & vacuum living room
- move lawn mower to basement [DONE]
- move dehumidifier to basement
- do laundry [DONE]
- make lunch [DONE]
- study for professional exam
- wedding to dos [DONE]
- update wedding budget [DONE]
- go through mail/papers [DONE]
- clean out purse [DONE]
- clean bedroom [DONE]
- dust/vacuum bedroom [DONE]
- clean upstairs bathroom
- scrub bath tub [DONE]
- scrub toilet [DONE]
- shower [DONE]
- do nails [DONE]
- make dinner (baked ziti)[DONE]
- pack lunch for Monday [DONE]
- put away laundry [DONE]
- make bed [DONE]
- clean downstairs bath [DONE]
- enter mycokerewards [DONE]
- clear personal emails [DONE]
- clean hand vac [DONE]
- refill pill bag [DONE]
- budget
- to do list for the week
- take cat litter to basement
- bring in soda from the car

Small Good Deeds Rewarded

November 24th, 2013 at 05:12 pm

My fiancee and I are pet-sitting for a friend's cat while she is out of the country for a week or so. The cat, actually a kitten, is a cutie and a joy to spend time with. I absolutely don't mind stopping by once a day to feed her, play with her and clean out the litter box.

When we got to her house on Friday, there were 2 $15 gift cards to Wawa on the table for us! Really sweet gift and I am happy to have it.

Meanness on Saving Advice

November 23rd, 2013 at 03:15 pm

Normally, I keep my trap shut regarding snark online. However, in keeping up with the blogs and message boards on this site this morning, I saw some absolute nastiness.

I have been with SavingAdvice for a long time and I have always found this site to be encouraging. Even when having differences of opinion, people value other's input.

I want to thank those that have encouraged such a strong, caring environment and hope that they will inspire others will live up this legacy.

Brand New Niece!

November 21st, 2013 at 02:16 am

I have spent the last 40 hours or so at the hospital helping my sister through a very strenuous and long delivery. Finally, at around 3:30, we were able to meet her!

I was lucky enough to be able to leave work early on Tuesday & work from home on Wednesday (i.e. work from the hospital. I probably spent about $30 on food & drinks at the hospital, but it was 100% worth it to not have to leave in case I was needed.

I am exhausted on only 3 hours sleep and due to some family drama out of my control. Mama & baby are doing well and I am happy for them.

Tonight, things go back to normal & I am planning out my spending for the next week and a half of this pay period. Tomorrow, I have plans with a friend for dinner, plus I want to bring my fiancée to meet the baby after work tomorrow.

Friday, I am hoping to stay in. Saturday night, we are going to Fogo de Chao (Brazilian Steak Place) for a birthday dinner. Definitely pricey, but I want a really nice date & celebration night. I put it in the budget & I am happy to treat him!

Christmas Coming!

November 18th, 2013 at 02:50 am

I took a look at my gift closet & gifts I have gathered specifically for Christmas.

Compared that to my Christmas List & here is where I stand:

FH (future Husband)
TBD Budget $30 (We agreed)
Mom - TBD Budget $40
Dad - TBD Budget $40
Sister - [DONE]
Wine Money Clutch ($4)
Scarf ($2.2)
Homemade magnets
Nephew K
$25 Gamestop gift card (from MyPoints)
$50 GC to clothing store (Need to buy)
Xbox Live Membership (To be purchased)
Nephew K Birthday (in December)
$25 into Car fund
$40 cash for sports needs
$1.73 Baseball Hat
Niece 1 month old) - [DONE]
$2.99 Crinkle Toy
$3.25 Finger Puppets
Kid B - [DONE]
$20 Gamestop gift card (from CokeRewards)
Kid B December Birthday - [DONE]
$20 Regal Gift gards (from Mypoints)
Kid J - [DONE]
$1.45 Bracelet & headband
$3.89 Hello Kitty Watch
$3.00 Hello Kitty Jewelry
FMIL (future Mother-in-Law)
Magnets
TBD gift
FSIL A (Future Sister - in Law) - [DONE]
Magnets
FSIL M [DONE]
Magnets
FSIL JM [DONE]
Magnets
FBIL (Future Brother-in-Law)
TBD
Friends M&E [DONE]
Magnets
Friend L [DONE]
Magnets
Friend NB [DONE]
Water Bottle ($3)
Scarf, pink ($4.34)
Friend NG [DONE]
earrings ($2)
magnets
book ($3)
Friend MC
TBD
Friend L [DONE]
Scarf holder $2.99

Wedding Expo

November 11th, 2013 at 01:38 am

I found out there was a Wedding Expo being held at the location for my wedding. Because I am already booked there, I scored 2 free tickets for my Mom & I and we went this afternoon.

We received a few small freebies (candy), some coupons for vendors (still looking for a photo booth & flowers) and got some helpful tips on honeymoon ideas.

We entered a bunch of drawings (quite a few were available). Some will get calls if I win, but one drawing was while I was there - for a travel agency & I scored a big bottle of tequila from the Caribbean and a Bahama Rum Cake, as well as a reusable tote bag. Score!

Afterwards, my mom & I grabbed a quick lunch and I have been home just chilling since.

I am off tomorrow (yay) and hope to get some house stuff done!

Updates again

November 9th, 2013 at 11:01 pm

Plenty of updates!

-called & got a credit back for an auto-renewal of a magazine that I had gifted my dad last year. $23.93 back

-Ordered free Julep 3 pack of nail polish & nail file as part of a free trial. Will cancel the trial on Monday. Will use for Christmas gifts!

-Picked a 2014 health plan (increasing $2/paycheck) and adding $33.33 per check towards HSA

-Earned & cashed in $5 Amazon Gift Card from Bing Rewards

-Sold a freebie 8GB Memory Stick ($6) and an old framed poster (FROM COLLEGE!) ($5) via a FB classifieds group

-Used a Fandango Gift Card to see the matinee of Thor today

-Used a Barnes & Noble gift card for a few books & enjoyed time browsing & getting ideas for requests for the library! Very fun!

-Entered in more MyCokeRewards - am just 80 away from a $20 gift card to GameStop for one of my nephews!

-Signed up for a free to me Bridal Show tomorrow. I am taking my mom with me and I hope to score some freebies

Oh, the JOYS of Home Ownership

November 2nd, 2013 at 04:55 pm

In the last 2 weeks, I have replaced the downstairs toilet, replaced all the interior of the upstairs toilet. Fixed a leaky faucet.

And this week, a pipe leading to the hot water heater started leaking. We attempted the repairs ourselves, but without luck. So we had a professional come by $190 later, all fixed!

We are left with the problem of the pipes. The home builders used an inferior piping. I knew that buying the house (and it factored into the pricing). However, joints are gathering moisture & some are leaking. Replacing parts of the piping will not stop further issues in other areas, so I got a quote for replacing the pipes in the whole house. $5950. Yeesh. I will be doing research & certainly working out a budget & getting other quotes. We have time to plan, but its likely it will need to be done.

ARRRRGH - another post lost

November 2nd, 2013 at 04:38 pm

For the 4th time in the last 2 weeks, I have written a post & lost it. I NEED to remember to cut the text prior to submitting in case.

I will be posting one in a minute!