Groceries at Target

I never, before yesterday, bought groceries at Target. That's not entirely true, we picked up some deli offerings for the family when my Gramps passed away. I saw a couple items in the flyer and decided to head to Target, which is a bit farther from my home, but my youngest needs more hours behind the wheel to get his license.

Oh, the things a mom will do for her babies. :-)

My deals at Target

• 10 Sobe's - 10/$10 - 4/B1G1 = 10/$6 - $5 Target Gift Card = 10/$1
• 3 Kelloggs Frosted Mini Wheats = $1.88 ea - $1 off coupon = 88¢ ea
• Promise $1.52 -$1.25 off coupon = 27¢

The rest of my trip wasn't really a 'deal' as far as money, but the produce and other items I couldn't find in my local grocers, made it a great trip. Like the Black Grapes - Yummmmmm.

Guess where I went yesterday

Besides the Red Box visits it has been a long time since I went into Walgreen's. Finally, this weeks ad gave me a reason to visit. The deals have been only for things I don't want or need, if a deal even exists.

Kraft Mac & Cheese was what pulled me in. We have many mac and cheese lovers and with price increases it is floating between 79¢ and 85¢ a box at my Walmart. Much better then Walgreen's $1.50 (regular price), but Walgreen's trumped the cost this week.

My Walgreen's Purchases:

• 4 Kraft Mac & Cheese 4/$6.00 - in ad coupon ($3.24) - B3G1 =4/$1.26 (31 each)
• 4 Reach Toothbrushes - 3/$9 -$2 off coupon - B1G1 $3 - $1 off coupon = 4/$3 (75 each)
• Colgate Toothpaste - $2.99 - $1 coupon = $1.99

Total with tax $6.87. Of course to sweeten the deal, I also received $3 in Register Rewards for the Reach Toothbrushes & $1 for the Colgate. Rounding it off I paid with a gift card from Christmas.

Chase Freedom in the mail

My mailbox had another envelope from Chase today. Like taking away our bonus cash back wasn't enough, these jilted lovers are back to touch base again. Yes, you read that right, I logged into our account and they did change the whole rewards section. Thankfully we did get one $250 check. So, making that major sign purchase was not all bad. :-)

This letter once again is trying to sugar coat a change. Hey good marketers I guess, we will buy into anything if they make it sound good for us. Right America?

I have expected a rate change. I have been reading all about folks getting their rates raised at Chase, we have not received that notice yet and our online account shows the same single digit rate. Of course, we never pay the rate anyway.

This letter is blessing us with a 5 day payment extension. Yippee (note sarcasm)! Big whip, means nothing to me. My system is bill in, cash out. I have no intentions of falling victim to the floating payment date.

One caution to anyone with Chase, they are saying the change of payment will come in July or August. Did you catch that? July or August. How many are going to hold off their July payment an extra 5 days and pay handsomely?

Information for Red Box users

After painting all day, part of my list of things to do to ready this house for a sale, I could barely stand at the kitchen counter to make dinner. I was very happy that there were no complaints when I shared the menu plan of chicken salad and sweet corn on the cob (it is in season - Yay!). I had no intentions of doing anything else after dinner. Being a couch potato was the extent of my aspirations.

So, while the corn was grilling, I opened the net book and went to Red Box's website to reserve movies that DH could run and pick up, while I showered. If you have never done this before - DO IT! So much easier then standing at the machine while everyone is looking over your shoulder. Any courteous person would feel rushed - Oh, that's me. :-)

I found 2 movies we wanted to rent. I reserved one and then went to reserve the second, but I received an error code. Then it told me the movie had been rented already. BUMMER. This happened 3 more times and then I finally chose an available movie. FRUSTRATING.

DH hit the road to town and I walked through my office to the shower, when I noticed my email was open on my desktop. Holy Cow - 5 Emails from Red Box! I reserved 5 movies. We only wanted 2.

There is no way to cancel a reservation online - something you should know. I called the 800 # on their web page and received excellent help. The CSR said not to worry and advised me to return the extra movies while at the box and I would be charged for all 5 movies. Then the very nice CSR made restitution for my issue without even asking for it. She sent me 4 codes for 4 free movies. 3 for the movies we were to return and 1 for a bonus for our trouble.

Amazing, what company does this without being asked? I <3 RED BOX!!!!

Take my error as a lesson: If you are reserving movies online, have your email open as well. Should you receive an error, make sure you haven't reserved the movie before moving on to the next selection.

What have you gained?

Not long ago, there was a contest for cash online from a major bank, it's name is on the tip of my tongue, where if you shared a dream you could win cash. I tried but did not win, not that I expected too, but you can not win if you do not try.

Today I see this contest from Charter, where they are exploring how technology has changed our lives and what we have gained from it. Maybe this is a contest geared more towards folks that grew up without technology, I am pretty positive that my kids have always had it and would not know what they gained from it today. It just is. You would have to have a base where you did not have, to gauge what you gained - right?

I never saw Charter on Facebook, but this has definitely been something that has changed my life. I can not imagine how I would have found my long lost friend without the inventions that we love from technology and the Internet. I am actually feeling my life enriched from this experience. There is something so comforting with re-connecting a part of your past.

This is not the only gain I have received, there are many like being able to stay connected with family that do not live in my area. I do not think, heck I know I could not go backwards and live without my computer or the Internet. They help to make my world smaller and my life richer.

Anyone game? What have you gained? Care to share?

There is a contest on Charter to win prizes, one 52” HFTV, one 15” Laptop, and a free year of the Charter Bundle with includes Digital Cable with HD and a DVR, Charter High-Speed Internet and Charter Telephone, I'm just curious if anyone else sees what they have gained from the fabulous technology we all live with now.

I will never understand insurance

When it comes to our main bread and butter business we do not extend any bills. What I mean by that is that when given an opportunity to pay annually, semi-annually, quarterly or monthly - like with insurance, we will always hit it with one payment and be done with it. It is easier that way and it costs less, seems everyone wants to add a fee if you do not pay at once.

As with all business policies, we must complete an audit of activities each and every year for the insurance company. This is a way for them to monitor us for rate increases and a way to insure we always have enough coverage, just in case. You can not be too careful in a SUE Happy society.

It has always been my thought that rates climbed with sales. In my mind and from what I have seen in prior years, if your sales increase, then your risk increases and your insurance costs will climb. It makes sense, right?

This year our audit returned to us a 21% refund of cost. For the life of me, I can not figure out why. Our sales rose 21% in the last year, so my initial theory is off. Does not seem likely that they would decrease their income, when ours increases. Which can only mean they base rates on exposure from subs and labor. Wrong, there was increase there of 20%.

This is why insurance companies make so much money - no one knows what the heck they are doing!

Looking for something

*** Update - All I needed was to post it here - I found it! In case you are interested it is MyWoozie.com.

I have been watching channel 5, instead of Oprah, when I run this summer. Even with the contest Oprah is running, a re-run is a re-run and I have no reason to watch.

Anyway, on the Today Show with Kathy Griffin, they showed the coolest thing and I have to have it and I want to buy for the female stocking stuffers this year. The problem is I can not find it on the web. I'm frustrated from looking and thought I would see if any of you have seen it or know where I can find it.

It is called a Woozie. I'm most likely spelling it wrong, but it sounds like I spelled it. It is much like a can coozie or a bottle coozie you use at outdoor events to keep your drink cold and keep moisture to a minimum. However this one is for wine glasses. I HAVE TO HAVE IT! I think all the females will love this as a stocking stuffer. Let me know if you find anything. Thanks!!!!

I want to say the price was just under $8.

IE8 is the worst

Yesterday was a terrible day for me and in the end all my troubles came from Internet Explorer 8. I had a couple reminders to update Internet Explorer and this time keeping up was not the best choice. I had a dozen programs throw a tantrum over this upgrade, but none scared the crap out of me like QuickBooks. I made many attempts at re-installing the file that got tossed in the trash with the upgrade, but it did not work.

To say the least, I was not in a good mood - especially after I lost a $1 at the grocer!

If you have QuickBooks 2007, do not upgrade to IE8. I ended up having to un-install this terrible upgrade and reinstall this QuickBooks version, which is a necessity for what I do. I'm just grateful everything is up and running smooth, including my payroll systems which electronically file and IE8 decided I did not need or couldn't work with it.

Just a taste please

I have never liked the taste of energy drinks, but after learning about BluFrog and the differences between them and the other drinks, I wanted to at least try a can. You know somewhere around 2 or 3 pm when I am desperately trying not to nod off at my desk. Although the energy would be nice, it is the additions to the energy drink that makes them stand out against the other drinks. The big one is calories (68 compared to 100 or more in others), but when they add in vitamins (the list looks like a shorter version of Total Cereal) to make it healthy and an easy way to supplement I had to at least try it. Sad thing is, I can not find it. I just want one can, no interest in purchasing cases.

For those of you interested there is still time to join the BluFrog contest. The prices are fabulous, including an Ultimate Gaming Package, Blullapalooza trip in Chicago, a Richard Petty Driving Experience and my favorite-A Happy Blu-Year in New York City!!!! Can you even not enter? I'm not much of a gamer, but even that price could save me money on Christmas.

Too bad I don't have that store anymore. I would use my tax exempt number and buy a couple cases of BluFrog, so I could taste and sell off the rest. I just can not get myself to spend $65 a case (+s/h) to sample a drink. I would sample, one time, at $3 though to satisfy my curiosity.

Bummed by the local grocer

and my only complacency.

During my lunch hour today, I took my youngest to the barber while I ran to the bank and the grocer. My great multi-tasking move. More to save fuel in my car though. Ever since the days of $4 a gallon gas, I just don't drive more then I have too. There is one problem with this, I am not as sharp when grabbing a deal. It is hard when you are rushing to get it all in over lunch.

I do not shop often at the local grocer, due to the high cost and terrible produce. Produce is my most important area of any grocer. Let's just say you have to have great produce or great prices to see me on a regular basis.

The local grocer does get a portion of my dollars though, because they are local. My shopping is dictated around their sales and liquor both that have enough draw for me to make the stop. Other wise they are my convenience store, cheaper then a 7-11 or a White Hen Pantry, but still not cheap. :-)

They had Cheerios today 4/$6, which around here $1.25 a box is cheap. Plus, I had 2/55¢ off per box coupon and a $1 off of 2. This made them worth the tip immediately at 97 1/2¢ a box.

Well the cashier took but didn't scan my $1 off. I didn't realize till I got home. Now I feel robbed! :-(

I know it is still a good deal, but......

2 Choices on my mind

I am pondering two seperate issues right now and can not make a decision, except for inactivity. What I am trying to decide upon:

• I have a taxable investment account at the same location I have my I.R.A. I am wondering if it would be a wise choice to sell off the taxable fund and claim the long term losses this year and move the money into my I.R.A. which is looking less and less likely to be fully funded this year. Should I eliminate an account and roll the dollars into my tax exempt account and gain a capital loss for our tax return?
• Then there is our recent large purchase for one of our investment properties. As the credit card becomes due, I will move the money paid from there to our home equity line of credit. All interest accrued on this loan will be written off and paid by the investment property income. However, I have dollars in savings at HSBC that are making only 1.55%, like nothing. These dollars are for real estate taxes for this investment, our home and other investments. Should I clear out the savings to pay on this sign, saving interest until the taxes become due and bring the balance back up again - or should I keep everything segregated for accounting simplicity?

Wish I knew who to scream at

Everyday we are being hit with another thing that screams...

"Hold on, it's going to be a bumpy ride!"

People are dropping like fly's around us. Work is just drying up as fast as rain on the desert and folks are not looking good. If I hold on any tighter, I may burst into a zillion pieces.

NONE of my neighbors are back to work. NONE of them have anything promising on the line. NONE of them have hope.

Then this weekend we were at the 4Th celebrations and activities, though not spending money, just being there and boy were there signs. We ran into a customer whom was set to retire and planned on selling his estate and building out on new property acquired, all work that we were to do, and he is not doing anything now. This very, very wealthy customer is holding up neon signs of worse things to come. With absolutely no belief of a turn around in the immediate future or even a bottom.

The next person we ran into was in a very promising position. I'm talking same job since 16 quality benefits and perks and a future looking at early retirement. Instead this person has been laid off long enough to eat away his entire booked union benefits. After September, with no job prospects in site, he will be without work and without any form of cash coming in, with a family and a home to support.

Add these folks to my tenants not paying rent and the business buyer looking to get out and I see nothing but struggling times in our future. I avoid the news and the media as much as possible, but when it enters your neighborhood, there is no where to hide. I'm scared and I feel it physically.

Every gal needs one (contest inside post)

One pair of fabulous jeans that is. Did anyone see Oprah's show about finding the best jeans? I loved that show, because much like the best bra is a necessity so are the best jeans. I know perfectly well that our closets can not be filled with all designer named items, well not if we like eating or a roof over our head, but we can afford to have one pair that dresses us to the nines.

This photo shows a pair of my dream jeans from Armani. Armani has labeled them the AX Pocket Boot Cut and where Armani has more affordable $98 pairs, these at $125 would flatter my size more.

The Wing Printed Boot Cut would also be a selection for more relaxed times, but I tend to shy away from the bleached out versions and stick to the rich deep colors of denim. Maybe this comes with age, because my daughter is all on those Indigo Destruction Skinny Leg jeans. Holes are in and her taste is like my $125 as apposed to the Armani Exchange's New Premium Denim starting at $98. Not good for me.

$6 shipping and FREE Returns. You read that right. After my incident with Sears at Christmas, this is an important tidbit for ordering online. Of course, I would prefer 100% free shipping always.

There is a contest at Armani that you don't want to miss if you intend on shopping. There is a chance to win a free pair of denim by sending a text AX. Every day in July Armani is giving away a pair. To enter just text "DENIM2" to ARMANI (276264). Do it today and for the rest of the month. Or don't it raises my chances if you are lazy!

Also should you decide that you have to have Armani today, do not forget that by purchasing from 7/7/09 to 7/19/09 you will receive, with your jeans, a $20 gift card off your next purchase of $100 or more. Gift card is good on any purchase between 7/30/09 and 8/15/09, so if you wish for 2 pairs, because you have a high fashion daughter, order one now and one later.

Remember Armani is a splurge, not a necessity, so don't risk the farm to look fabulous. You may also be interested in AX Blog, where we can all learn about high fashion. I can not wait to be rich! Having wealth is going to bring a pair of Armani into my closet!

My guess is no butts look fat in Armani.

Save your nickels

I went ahead and tried the Dry Idea Clinical Strength deodorant. I don't know if it is age or what, but seems like my regulars don't work that great anymore. I have a great fear of stinking, so I was willing to give this power horse of a deodorant a try. Okay, I also got it free, I have a hard time paying $7.99 for deodorant. OUCH!

Well, all I can say is - save your money. This is probably the worst deodorant I have ever purchased. I sweat immediately through this stuff, making me question if I even put it on. Gross!!!!

Do what you want, spend where you want. That is just my 2 cents of input.

What is with my house(s)?

When it comes to where I live, I have never (so far) had to list my home with a realtor. I am not sure why, but there seems to always be someone that wants my home. I don't understand it at all. It isn't like I walk into other homes and say "how much?", yet this seems to be happening to me......again.

I sold my last home this way, with no realtor. Worked perfect, when I found this foreclosed home that we live in now.

At the moment we have two different families asking if we would be interested in selling. I am not kidding, two. Isn't that crazy? Both, from what I understand, looked at the house while it was bank owned and backed away, afraid of the work involved. Both are bragging about my home as though it was theirs. Who does that?

Granted, DH & I both like a well kept and manicured home. Messes inside drive me crazy, as well as an outdoor yard mess does. I worked days to clean up where we made our multi-stem apple tree a single stem and I love flowers and trimmed bushes. DH is one of those guys, you know the type, that has to have the lawn PERFECT. Much like the garage you could eat off the floor, even though he is re-doing an old Chevy truck with our two vehicles and all that is already in the garage, it is organized and clean.

Looks like we may be moving though. If either of these 'got to have-r's' pans out. Both want to talk dollars soon and with another child leaving for college, this is a good time for us to down size. We do not need this huge house anymore. We will probably rent and build, in case you were wondering.