NancyInADaze's Personal Finance Blog

Weekly Goal

(Nancy) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 12:34:58 PST

My goal this week was not to eat out; it was actually easier than I thought. Due to planning, I went to the market Sunday and bought food for the week. I did have an unusual situation Tuesday that took me out of the house all day AND I had an errand with a family member who needs...

Indy Mac and Economic Downturn

(Nancy) — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 17:43:51 PST

Indy Mac has some issues so I am not sending my savings to them; they did not pay quarterly divends, for example. I know they are FDIC, but so is Countrywide and I am not saving with them either.

My cat's food was 59 cents a can last week and is now 69 cents a can.

I do not...

Indy Mac 3 month CD at 4.25 APY

(Nancy) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:28:38 PST

I opened one of these accounts on the internet and am considering depositing 250K into it. IndyMac is FDIC insured and I list my other family members as beneficiaries to insure the full amount.

However I am thinking that putting all of my eggs into one basket might not be so good...

Crest White Strips

(Nancy) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:16:41 PST

I bought a box of Crest White Strips for 19.99; my teeth are reasonably good but they look dark due to the vast quantities of coffee I consume. I am on day 3 of the white strips.

In planning for packing for an upcoming trip to a place where a large mouse is popular, I am depressed...

The Gas Bill as in Propane for Heat

(Nancy) — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:04:47 PST

& cooking.

The propane truck came today to fill the tank; the last time it was filled was Jan 7th and today, it was filled with 154 gallons.

The price is 2.69 a gallon.

Looking at 2007, they filled up with 222 gals on 2-22-07 and then came back with 69 gals in May; they didn't...

This Week's Goal

(Nancy) — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 08:15:50 PST

I am going to make my food at home and not eat out at least until Friday. I will use up the food here, too. There is one day that this will be potentially difficult as I have an unusual morning engagement and will be away from home longer than usual (and God forbid I miss a meal!),...

Spendy Day

(Nancy) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 17:51:06 PST

I rarely buy clothes for myself but child needed some shirts.

At Kohl's, scored an Arrow shirt marked way down from 38.00 to 5.70.

Another shirt marked down to 5.10.

A shirt regularly priced at 12.97 that was not marked down.

18 reprints from the Kodak machine -- 5.83

The $AT

(Nancy) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 17:48:58 PST

Do they sell stock in the SAT?

I have spent thus far:

two PSAT tests -- about $60

one SAT (with the test copy) -- $60

one study guide for the US History Subject test -- $6.75 (EBay)

Anticipated costs:

A Math Subject Test guide

An SAT vocabulary CD (words set...

A Dramatic Change

(Nancy) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 00:15:43 PST

For many years, I was married to a man who spent money freely and charged whatever he could. I will not say that he was completely irresponsible because the mortgage was paid on time; we always had food; he worked everyday and made a good salary. And spent it.

For the most part,...

Ten Things I Have Learned From Going to Rock Concerts

(Nancy) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 23:13:57 PST

1. Buy a small flask, fill it with tequila, and tuck it into your sock. Drinks are pricey at concerts.

2. If you go to enough shows by the same band, then at some point, ask to be put on the guest list for a show. Or maybe they will offer.

3. Do not buy their overpriced...

Alaska is not Maine

(Nancy) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 23:00:32 PST

For the Alaskaphiles: I want to start in Fairbanks; go to Denali; then Anchorage and Seward and the Kenai Glaciers. I do not mind renting a car to do the driving; I found a place in Denali that has a shuttle to the bus tour. All good. I cannot go on the shoulder season as I wish...

SATs and Seward's Folly

(Nancy) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 17:05:08 PST

Child got SAT scores back

M 580 CR (Reading) 570 Writing 540

This is an average score and most of the schools we have looked at list a higher average score (mid range of 50%). So now I have to throw money at test prep books and such and pay for this test again.

Child...

The Road That Was Cheaper

(Nancy) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:33:32 PST

A close relative has a special day tomorrow (in addition to Valentine's Day), so I was going to drive to Town A to buy a balloon bouquet and then drive said bouquet to Town B to deliver them to close relative. There are no balloon sellers in Town B save for a florist.
I added the...

The WeekEnd

(Nancy) — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 21:20:14 PST

On Saturday, I spent $49 at Costco:

* toothpaste and cosmetics, 28.99

* 2.5 lbs of Starbucks French Roast beans,

18.49

The Starbuck's coffee is a great deal as 1 lb of coffee at a stand-alone Starbuck's is about 11.99 here; so 2.5 lbs for 18.49 is quite the deal. Initially,...

More on health insurance: Mr. Hit & Run

(Nancy) — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 19:14:08 PST

Awhile ago, I was driving along a local road and was hit by a bigass Escalade (that was racing another car) going 90 mph (according to witnesses); my car flipped and rolled 5 times down a hill.

Mr. Hit & Run was never found.

My child racked up $9K in med bills in about 2 hours...

What is challenge money? I want to play.

(Nancy) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:23:35 PST

I am a little confused by the references to challenge money and $20 challenge.

Can somebody clue this newbie in?

Muchas gracias!!!

How to shop at Target

(Nancy) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 07:53:49 PST

I used to be far more of a frequent Target shopper until I realized that I should be downsizing at this point as opposed to accumulating more -- but every so often, I like to go in and see what they have on clearance. Like last summer when my camo pants landed on the clearance rack...

Our luxury is -- health insurance

(Nancy) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:43:16 PST

My biggest expense each month is health insurance as I do not receive any health ins from my part time job.

I have a Blue Cross plan with a $750 deductible; it has an excellent Rx plan; I chose the plan because doc visits are $20 co-pay (the deducible doesn't factor into this...

Baselle's DRP Funds, etc.

(Nancy) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:29:39 PST

As I mentioned, I am here because I randomly found Baselle's blog and was utterly fascinated by her DRPs and her tip box and her accruing savings. I lived vicariously.

I need to do something smart with my savings that are sitting in a money market account at 3.9% interest.

So,...

I am a Baselle Junkie

(Nancy) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 12:20:28 PST

About 18 months ago, I found Baselle's financial diary online and have been reading it ever since. I feel like I know her. Recently, I discovered that her blog is part of a lot of financial blogs, so I read them occasionally.

I am starting my own.

Today I will be buying a tank...