“Misc” Archive

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Poof… there goes the Health Insurance…

I received a letter of healthcare cancellation for my husband this weekend. His benefits run out at the end of the month.

I expected his benefits to expire but I did not expect the high cost to maintain his health insurance through COBRA. We’re looking at $250 a month for an active healthy guy who hasn’t been to the hospital for a medical reason since birth.

This expense isn’t an option for us. It’s either healthcare or our mortgage payment and since healthcare won’t keep us sheltered at night… it lost.

In light of this, I have restricted him from doing anything dangerous. He is officially banned from riding a dirt bike, surfing near sharks, standing on ladders, and clipping his toe nails. I have also encased him in bubble wrap and tied large sofa cushions to his stomach.

I think it will work.

Posted by Beks on October 20, 2009 at 5:00 AM in :), Keeping Motivated, Misc, job loss | 34 Comments »
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Weighing in on the Cash for Clunkers…

I promised myself I’d never talk about politics. Political topics are a surefire way to create chaos.

But…

All I have been hearing about for the last week on every news station in San Diego is the Cash for Clunkers program and about angry car dealers who have decided to cut off the program early. Dealers have found themselves swimming in paperwork and unable to get timely reimbursement for the Clunkers (most dealers in this area have been reimbursed for less than 25% according to the reports). The Clunkers program was expected to last until November but quickly ran out of money in the first few days. More money was added to the pot, but it was used faster than expected as well.

And of course…

The local news stations have tied this topic to the heated healthcare reform debate. The ‘failure’ of this program has caused people to worry about governmental competence when it comes to their health.

What do you think?

Posted by Beks on August 24, 2009 at 5:00 AM in General Personal Finance, Life Experiences, Living Frugal, Misc | 30 Comments »
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What do you think of this financial quote?

Flipping through my Time magazine this week, I read this quote from Steve Wynn (genius casino mogul)…

‘The whole country got overpriced. Bloated. Swollen. It wasn’t predatory lenders. It was greedy, shortsighted homeowners. ’

What do you think? Agree? Disagree?

Posted by Beks on August 18, 2009 at 5:00 AM in Life Experiences, Misc | 26 Comments »
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For the Fathers…

I’m not sure how I got him but… I have the world’s best father.

Patient, wise, brilliant, loving… he’s an all around great guy.

He encouraged creativity and made me feel like I could do anything. Now that I’m striving to become debt free, he is one of my biggest supporters. We I get frustrated, he is the voice of reason. When I get stressed about life, he brings things into perspective. When I get confused about the finance world, he knows all the answers.

I think he secretly has Google software in his brain because no one should know THAT much.

Thanks for being such a great dad.

I love you.

Posted by Beks on June 21, 2009 at 2:34 PM in About Me, Misc | 4 Comments »
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Where’s the financial shock collar?

Since I don’t rent movies anymore, and at times my library rental list is a bit sluggish, I watch more TV. I’ve jumped into Grey’s Anatomy with careless abandon… and now I’m paying for it.

Whenever someone on the show says something clever, an elevator in the background dings. Not a big deal… unless you work in a building with elevators. Now every time the elevator dings, I act like Pavlov’s Dog and wait for someone to say something clever.

I’m onto you Executive Producer Betsy Beers. Thanks to you, TV watching has caused a semi-normal person like me to live in a complete state of confusion for 10 floor dings up… and 10 floor dings down each day! But while you’re out creating chaos in the world, I was wondering if you’d take some precious time from your schedule and somehow work your Pavlovian magic on my finances. I’d like to be completely numb to the charms of the evil ones, ie… Target, Macy’s, and their best friend Nordstom.

Come on Betsy! A little help please!?

DING!

Posted by Beks on May 28, 2009 at 5:00 AM in About Me, General Debt, Misc | 3 Comments »
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Landscaping Help

The beautiful spring weather has inspired me to spend more time outdoors in my yard. I’m working with the plans drawn by the landscape architect at the free garden show to create an inviting space.

I excitedly went to our local nursery and realized the 15 bucks I budgeted for landscaping each month would allow me to complete my dream backyard sometime in 2037.

Um. Someone forgot to tell me how expensive plants are.

Disappointed, I went to work and lamented to a co-worker about my landscaping situation. She sweetly offered me some cuttings of her plants – several of which were on the list from the landscape architect. While we were talking, another one of my co-workers walked by and joined the conversation. He suggested I contact local garden clubs including water saving cactus clubs. He happened to be moving and offered to bring in several of his plants that matched my list. Let’s just not tell these generous co-workers about my history of plant killing OK?

Inspired, I can home and did some research and thought I’d share it with you.

I found several garden clubs – some of which offer spring plant sales.

Our local college offers a degree program in Ornamental Horticulture. Students grow plants and sell them for less than half of what they retail for at nurseries.

Our local dump (should I be politically correct and call it a ‘Solid Waste Disposal Site’?) offers high quality mulch in several different colors and sizes. If you are willing to load it yourself, you can save a fortune.

And perhaps the most odd place to find plants… our local 99 cent store!

Any ideas I missed? Where do you get your plants?

Posted by Beks on May 5, 2009 at 5:00 AM in Good Info, Home Ownership, Life Experiences, Misc, Saving Money, Spending Money, Ways I Save Money | 15 Comments »
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This is So Sad

Sometimes you read something and it makes you sick to your stomach.

New York Times Article

A 34 year-old Walmart temp employee was killed by Black Friday shoppers when they rushed into the store and trampled him.

Like I mentioned, it makes me sick to my stomach. Those people wanted deals so bad that regard for human life went out the window. I don’t get it! What is so important about stuff that you trample people to get what you want? I think there is plenty of blame here. There could have been more security, there could be a different system for controlling crouds – but it all comes back down to the people outside of those doors. Their behavior was unacceptable and I hope they are held accountable for what they did. It’s just stuff!

If anyone from that man’s family happens to read this, I offer you my deepest sympathies for your loss.

Posted by Tricia on November 29, 2008 at 10:35 AM in Misc | 16 Comments »
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