Cutting the Biggest Expense of All

By christina | February 15, 2010

Now that I’m looking at my budget and trying to find other ways to cut costs, I’ve come to the grim realization that the biggest expense of all which needs trimming, is my living arrangement. True, my rent is equal (if not less) to what I would probably pay anywhere else, at the same time it costs quite a bit to run a house this large. It is only myself and a 6 year old living here…do we need all of this?

Here are the cuts I’ve made in the last year:

I canceled the land line.
I stopped eating out.
I’ve stopped using my credit cards (which means no extra spending on the frivolity of cute shoes and handbags at the very least).
I take my lunch to work.
I do not have my hair done professionally, even though my cousin is pretty professional.

Here are the cuts I have not made but intended on:

My cellphone bill is still too much. I have not tried the Walmart pay as you go plan that I had considered.
I have not yet tried to make my own dryer sheets with coffee filters.
I have not traded my 2007 G6 for a cheaper clunker (okay, this wasn’t ever my intention anyway).
I have not grown any of my own food or really tried to make anything except the Valentine card box.
I have not tried sewing our clothes.
I have not canceled the Dish Network, even though my contract is expiring at any minute.

My goal is still, to be in a position to comfortably buy a house for my daughter and myself, especially since small town bank specifically said I’d never be able to. The problem right now is that a) my expenses are still not lowered enough to afford a house and everything it entails. b) my credit is a bit askew because of the medical bills and credit cards.

Most likely I will move into my parents’ home for a little while to save some money and get my bills paid off. I will still pay rent and expenses, but it’ll be considerably less than renting an entire home. Granted, I don’t look forward to having to move myself and my daughter into mom and dad’s but…you do what you gotta do.

I’ve also looked into a position as a resident manager of an apartment complex, which could also save me quite a bit of cash. Unfortunately, trying to squeeze a house full of stuff into an apartment could be hell, not to mention adding yet another job to my current list could end up sending me to live with the Amish. I’m not sure, but I did apply.

It’s a lovely house I live in. I think sometimes we have to sacrifice in order to make it to the end, though. I know there’s some kind of deep and meaningful saying somewhere about living like a bum in order to afford a house one day, but right now I can’t think of it.

Ugh…here’s to paying things off early and getting what we want…

Posted in Budget Cuts, Financial Goals | 4 Comments

Updates on Medical Bills and Getting them Organized

By christina | February 12, 2010

I took some time out to call all of the medical bills that I’m paying to make sure nothing’s behind or late. I think I have everything with the special discount programs at the hospital down as low as possible and the monthly payments on all total are pretty reasonable.

My biggest problem, of course was keeping track of everything. I’m eternally wondering if I’ve paid something, if I forgot to pay something or if I’m going to forget to pay something. Unfortunately, not paying or paying late isn’t an option for me on the medical bills, because this could result in voiding the payment plans or discount I’ve received on the bills. I definitely can’t afford to let that happen.

Tips for Keeping Payments Organized

Keep a Calendar: Whether online or printed, a calendar with big enough spaces to write when things need to be paid helps out a lot. I prefer printed calendars, and for a while even used just printed pages of each month of simple Word program calendar pages. Now I’m trying out a small monthly pocket calendar, but I think the daily spaces are too small for the things I need to keep track of.

Keep a Notebook: Even if you happen to be uber organized and file your statements religiously in the appropriately tabbed folders, it is still nice to have a notebook with account numbers for utilities, phone numbers, and other contact information. I wrote everything down in a small notebook that I carry with me today, while on the phone with each facility. Let’s face it, we aren’t always at home next to the filing cabinet when we need that information.

Keep Envelopes and Stamps Handy: This may seem strange because almost everything is accessible online now. Who still needs envelopes and stamps? I do, that’s who. I have one bill that does not accept payments online or over the phone and for this reason gets forgotten quite often. It does help to have the supplies I need right with me so I can write out the check and send it out while I’m sitting in the car or at work. My electric bill, for example does accept online payments but costs I think 3.95 to pay that way, which I won’t do. Paying online is convenient and nice, but I won’t pay anything extra for it. So, that bill has to be mailed in as well.

With all of the iPhone apps available, I’m sure there are pretty cool apps that can probably handle all three of these tips. I happen to not have an iPhone yet, though it’s at the top of my list of things I absolutely, really want and will starve for. There are also a number of computer programs that will regulate everything for you, but I don’t always have access to my computer. This, my friends, is why I carry around such a big bag (dubbed my “suitcase”) by many that know me. I need everything in that bag. Okay, maybe not the empty gum wrappers and Barbie sunglasses, but this is how I remember and keep track of my bills.

What do you do to help keep your bills organized? (And don’t worry if you’re using a method from the 90s, I’m still dragging around notebooks and stuff…)

Posted in Paying Bills and Collections, medical bills | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Cheap Valentine’s Day Gifts for Anyone

By christina | February 10, 2010

I figured I should post something helpful for Valentine’s Day since my last post was whining about my disastrous attempt at a Valentine’s Day card box for a Kindergartener.

Anyone on a budget (and who happens to have a Valentine) knows that Valentine’s Day can be just as spendy as any other holiday. When you consider the cost of a nice dinner, a movie, flowers, a gift, or all of these things together, you could be looking at hundreds of dollars. Does it cost that much to tell someone you love them? Not always.

So here are a few suggestions for Valentine’s Day that may be within your budget:

1. Make a Nice Meal at Home. Eating in is always cheaper, and frankly quite a bit cozier. If you feel up to it, decorate the food in heart shaped designs or red food coloring. I personally prefer eating food not decorated and transformed into Valentine shapes, but some people get a kick out of that. Find out what your Valentine’s favorite food or meal is and go from there. If you get a romantic bug pull out some candles.

2. Personal Coupons. With computers and printers, personal coupons can be created cheaply and quickly without looking like a Kindergarten craft project. Of course, I wouldn’t even attempt handmaking anything, but I would definitely consider printing some out with cutesy clip art. Coupons can be for everything of course, from kisses to massages.

3. Write a Love Letter. I write, so therefore I am a sucker for love letters. And I don’t mean a cute text or email. Take some time and handwrite a letter…yes people still use pens and paper, believe it or not. Handwritten letters are cherished and put away forever. I’m not quite sure how long a text message lasts.

4. Create a Picture Book of Love. The problem with digital cameras is that a lot of us don’t ever print out the pictures and just let them build up on the computer or camera. Print out some of those pictures that you have together and create a picture book. Even I could do this because all you need are the photos, and since my handwriting is pretty okay, I could even add comments and messages with a red Sharpie on each page.

5. CD of Love Songs. If that sounds too corny to you, just create a CD filled up with “our songs”. Every couple has songs that remind them of certain events, even if it’s Uncle Joe’s karaoke performance of Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time”. It doesn’t have to be a CD of mushy love songs, as long as you put relevant songs on it that will remind the person of you and the relationship.

There is always an alternative to spending gobs of cash on Valentine’s Day. Many couples agree to not buy each other anything. After all, love shouldn’t cost a bunch of money, nor should it put us in debt. Also make sure you know if your Valentine is going to be okay with a cheap Valentine’s Day, otherwise you could be in some trouble.

Either way, have a great one…

What’s your cheapest Valentine’s Day idea?

Posted in Cheap Events and Holidays | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Valentine’s Day is Not for Uncrafty Parents

By christina | February 8, 2010

Dear Kindergarten Teacher:

Please don’t assign homework that involves crafts. Daughter’s Mother is the uncraftiest person on earth. And I don’t even care if that’s not a word. You know what I mean. Why a Valentine box? I think we used to bring our Valentine cards to school in old plastic shopping bags. I’m seriously wondering if the assignment was just so I’d get glue all over my pants, my hands, my couch and everything else within a 2 foot radius of me. If it was, I deserve an A+.

Thanks,

Miss Bankrupt, the Uncraftiest

Anyway, before everyone attacks me with “why are you such a loser mom”, I’ll add that I do understand the concept of the Valentine card box and think it’s a very cute idea. But, I found out tonight that I am even worse at crafts than I had ever imagined.

Valentine Card Box Donts

Don’t try to wrap a box with construction paper. First of all, the pages aren’t big enough and you’ll have to kind of put together a patchwork design. Construction paper is also extremely difficult to fold and maneuver, especially if it’s sopped in Elmer’s glue.

Don’t wait until the last minute to make the Valentine card box. Even if you think you already have an old Valentine heart box that only requires adding a slot. Because, as life goes, you will find out the night before that you through that dumb thing away a long time ago.

Don’t try to cover the half of the box not covered with the glued, messy, falling off construction paper, with tissue paper. Gluey tissue paper is almost as bad as gluey construction paper and ends up looking really bizarre.

Valentine Card Box Do’s

Do use pink or red wrapping paper and tape to wrap the box. Much easier to work with and no mess.

Do keep trying. After all, do you want your kid to be the only one without a Valentine’s Day box? No. Most moms have probably been working on theirs since January, so I suggest taking it seriously.

Do make sure you have someone crafty to help in case of emergencies such as this. Craftiness apparently skips generations, which is lucky for my daughter.

Even with help, that Valentine’s Day box was the most difficult thing I’ve attempted in a long long time. Finally got it done with the help of Grandma, and whipped up the cutest dang Valentine’s Day box ever.

I think so anyway. And so does dear daughter…

Posted in Cheap Events and Holidays | 2 Comments

Trouble for Experian and How to Really Get a Free Credit Report

By christina | February 5, 2010

I don’t know about you, but I love those freecreditreport.com commercials. In fact, we’ve talked about the curse of the commercial at work. Once you hear that jingle you’re pretty much stuck with it all day. I’ve included a video in case you’ve been in a cave and haven’t yet seen one of the commercials. Beware though, if you’re planning on doing anything important afterwards, you’ll definitely be whistling or singing the jingle.

It seems though, that freecreditreport.com isn’t actually free. You do get a free credit report, but according the a class action lawsuit headed by Erica Possin, a college student in Wisconsin, you also have to pay for something, which means it’s errr, not actually free.

I’ve read different comments on different sites, and some people are saying that it’s clear if you don’t cancel, you’ll be billed $14.95 a month for a credit monitoring service. Of course if you’re expecting something free as the guy in the commercial merrily sings of, you probably don’t pay much attention to the little details that include payment of something.

Here are ways to get a free credit report that is actually free:

One Free Credit Report Per Year- The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires that each of the three credit bureaus, TransUnion, Experian and Equifax, provide one free credit report each, every 12 months. You can request your reports from each agency or you can request all three at annualcreditreport.com.

Credit Denial- If you’re denied credit, insurance or employment, you can request a free credit report within 60 days.

Other Ways to Get a Free Credit Report- If you are unemployed and plan on looking for work in 60 days, if you are on Welfare and if your report is wrong because of fraud or identity theft, you are also entitled to one free report every 12 months.

I would suggest using one of these methods if you need a copy of your credit report and you don’t want to pay the fee of at least $10.50 per report. Otherwise, make sure you read through any agreement thoroughly. Haven’t we learned that from credit card companies? Okay, maybe I didn’t. If you do agree to a service in exchange for something free, mark the date on your calendar or cell phone and make sure you call and cancel if you don’t intend on keeping the service. Also make sure you call before the final day so you aren’t risking any charges you didn’t want.

Here is the copy of the lawsuit

Have you ever signed up for something you weren’t aware of? Let me know, and Happy Super Bowl XLIV!

Posted in Credit Reports | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Making Up With Chase Bank

By christina | February 3, 2010

Dear Chase Bank:

I know things haven’t been right with us, especially after I wrote the blog post claiming I was being raped by credit card. Our relationship has resembled a crappy high school relationship in a lot of ways. You don’t like listening so I doubt you’ll get it. Well, after a long, more stressful than a boyfriend relationship, Chase Bank, you and I are friends again…kind of.

So here’s how I think it happened and granted this is through the eyes of a disgruntled cardholder. I knew we were done when I began rejecting your phone calls. It’s not like I enjoy hitting the “reject” button everytime one of your representatives calls me. I did it for your own safety, because I honestly felt like talking to one more person would result in a headline similar to “Girl Chokes Someone at Chase Bank”. I mean, when I was with Washington Mutual before you, I was the most loyal cardholder on earth. It seems that when everything changed to Chase Bank all hell broke loose. Why would you raise my interest rate to 28%? If you were resentful of my previous relationship with Washington Mutual you should’ve said something.

Then, to make matters worse, you canceled my card. Fine. I didn’t want to tell you, but because of my journey to becoming financially intelligent, I stopped using it and was planning on leaving you one day anyway. Everyone, and I mean everyone suggested that I call and work something out, (ie beg you to come back), and I did. After all, you’ve always been cool with Mom and Dad. So, I called to ask that you drop the interest rate. I called to see if there was anything I could do to fix what had happened.

Nothing.

In the meantime, you raised my monthly payments to around $170.00 which I could not pay. What kind of unfriendly crap is that? So after you kick me you want to punch me too? I don’t know if you know, but Chase Bank, I’m a girl. You’re not supposed to punch and kick girls. For years I had these cards and paid them on time. I did nothing wrong in this relationship to deserve anything you did to me.
Yet, I still hoped for the best and decided to try one…more…time.

Since I couldn’t make my payments, I continued to pay what I could every month. This was causing all kinds of additional fees which meant the total I was past due all of a sudden was around $700. After praying and rehearsing my get back together speech, I called you, dear Chase again.

“Is there any way I can get this taken care of with suitable payments?” I begged in my nicest voice. And you know me, I’m not always nice to your representatives.

“No, now you have to pay the past due amount of $700 in a month or we can’t work with you,” said the Wicked Witch of Chase Bank.

“What? I can’t pay $700. That’s insane? Are you stupid? (Okay, I didn’t ask if she was stupid. Honest, and if she said I did she’s lying.)

“Nope. As long as that past due amount is there we can’t help you,” she growled. What’s that all about?

With my heart broken in two, I told the Wicked Witch of Chase Bank “Thank you, I’ll see what I can do” and hung up the phone knowing I was lying out of my clenched teeth. I didn’t mean to lie, but geez what do you expect? To be fair, you did tell me once that I needed that wrinkle cream and I didn’t, so we’re even. Not to mention you were dishonest in multiple other ways.

I still continued to pay what I could pay. After all, you’d kicked me, punched me and spit in my face. What else could you do? Cancel my card? Hahaha…you already did, remember? And I suspect you didn’t want to turn my account over to collections because…don’t you lose money if you do that?

Anyway, fast forward two months. When I received the call from the Chase Bank representative I was a bit shocked, first of all because I thought I blocked your stinking numbers, all 4 of those strange numbers I never recognized. I must’ve been tired because my finger wasn’t so quick on the “reject” button but alas, I’m glad I took the call. Your rep asked me what the problem was. I was like “Duh, ask Mr. Big. I just called two months ago about this,” but I still repeated everything I anyway…just because you know I like hearing myself talk. Well, surprise, Chase Bank, the representative must’ve liked my new $6 haircut .

“You might qualify for an exception,” said the Good Witch of Chase Bank.

“Sure,” I replied, waiting for her to request a million bazillion dollars or something else ridiculous.

To make a long story short, I did qualify for the exception. My payments were lowered to an amount even lower than when we first began dating and my interest was lowered to 6%- a ridiculously low rate for a person in my situation and way lower than any rate I’ve had since I had the cards. Either you’re drunk or your rep doesn’t like you either.

Some will say I should’ve just let the account go to collections and let the statute of limitations run out and whatever other ways there are to not pay a bill. I’m not sneaky like you though. My intention has always been to pay the bill, I was just begging for someone to help me out with a suitable arrangement. I am nervous that this deal will somehow hurt me in the long run and I’ll regret getting so damn happy about it–and I mean practically dancing on my desk happy. Still, for now I choose to be satisfied. My bill with Chase Bank can now be paid with payments I can afford. That’s all I ever wanted. I’m still not elated about being forced into this friendship with you for as long as the cows come home (or whatever that saying is about the cows that means practically the rest of my life.) It’s nice to at least have the option now to make double payments so I can ditch your ass sooner.

My dad joked that afterwards you’ll probably offer me another card. I want to say you can kiss my you know what. I forgive but I don’t forget.

You will regret treating me badly.

You will miss me. I could’ve been the best credit cardholder you ever had. Okay, that’s probably stretching it.

Thanks for the memories and thanks for making up with me.

Sincerely (and I mean that),

Miss Bankrupt

Posted in Credit Cards and Bills, Paying Bills and Collections | Tagged , | 2 Comments

So What Do You Do With Old Toys?

By christina | February 1, 2010

Honestly, if I didn’t feel so guilty about it, I’d love to just set all of the totes of toys on the curb next to the garbage can. Easy. They’re gone. I have more room for more junk…I mean toys.

But that truly would be a waste of a lot of money and believe it or not, there are kids out there that only can only dream of the toys that our kids have forgotten about. Is it just my kid that only plays with things a handful of times? We’re talking about practically new loot here and not just old Dollar Store gizmos.

So what in the heck do you do with all of those old toys? Well, I have some suggestions. Sure they take a little more energy than el garbage-o but trust me, you’ll sleep better.

1. Save toys for unborn siblings. Okay, this isn’t the greatest suggestion because we’re trying to actually move stuff out, and if you’re like me, you can’t even fathom the thought of anymore kids. If you’re not like me and you do plan on having more, I’d save the toys. Go through and organize everything. Make sure Dora’s wearing both shoes and all of the Littlest Pet Shop animals are hanging out with the equipment they came with. Put it in a big plastic tote marked “JUNK” “TOYS” and shove the tote away into the basement.

2. Sell the toys online. Everything can be sold online. I mean everything. People sell used blenders for pete’s sake. Again, clean up the toys, which shouldn’t be a big ordeal, and make sure you have all of the pieces together. Take a picture and throw it on eBay or Craigslist. Bundle toys together and get rid of more. For instance if you have Dora, Boots, and Swiper, you’ll have better luck selling all of them together than just one. People will buy used toys, especially now that almost everything is electronic. My daughter had a mini laptop that she played games on since she was 2. Now that she’s graduated to mommy’s real laptop, she barely touches the thing.

Zwaggle.com is a website that you can join and earn Zoints (or points) which can be used instead of cash. They offer everything from Arts & Crafts to Video Games. Mykidscloset.com is another site where you can buy and sell used toys.

3. Look for consignment shops in your area. There are stores that buy and sell toys and kids clothing. In my area, Once Upon a Child not only pays you for gently used stuff but also sells some pretty sweet stuff. I have made up to $40 unloading kid’s stuff there and was able to turn around and buy something practically new for my daughter. Call the stores in advance just so you’re not dragging around a bag of toys all day.

4. Donate to Goodwill and thrift stores. This time of year everyone’s looking for tax breaks, don’t forget that your kids can help by not only being the dependents that they are, but by donating their old toys. Also check churches, daycares, children’s homes and schools to find out if there is anything particular that they can use. Don’t forget a receipt.

5. Garage sales and yard sales. I’ve been planning this for years because my town has a citywide garage sale every year and you wouldn’t believe how many toys are bought. The key, according the pros (read: my mom and aunt) is to put everything together nicely. Make sure you’re not trying to dump off dirty teddy bears and broken pieces of plastic. If you’re selling puzzles and don’t have the box, put them in ziploc bags with labels-and of course all of the pieces. Even if it’s a quarter, remember that some kid will be playing with that and deserves to have all of the pieces. A lot of kids are rewarded with a couple dollars to spend on themselves in exchange for being dragged around to stinky garage sales. And guess what, they very rarely spend their cheese on machinery or old loafers.

These suggestions do take a little work but it’s better than just tossing out the old toys. Children also like to help getting things organized and can be rewarded with a new book or sketch pad or you could just add any money made to their piggy banks.

Now does anyone wanna buy a slightly scribbled on LeapPad? Let me know…

Posted in Children, Make Extra Money | Tagged | 4 Comments

Debt Collect Phone Calls and What Not to Do

By christina | January 29, 2010

Ah…it’s Friday and it’s been a hard week so I’m just adding this video of some guy being silly on the phone and pretending he’s talking to debt collectors. Hope it gives you a little Friday laugh. Enjoy your weekend!

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Great Trade In at Babies R Us

By christina | January 27, 2010

I have not yet found a place that will pay me for the entire room full of toys and plastic that my daughter has stashed away in totes, but I did come across The Great Trade In by Babies R Us.

I also don’t have a baby or need any new baby stuff, but thought it would be helpful to somebody. It is still a great idea even though it’s of no use to me, and I do know a few people that have babies.

Beginning January 20th until February 20th, you can trade in old baby stuff and get 25% off of something new. Before you start thinking about all of the baby stuff you have, they are only accepting certain baby things. Cribs, strollers, playards, and high chairs are just some of the used products that qualify and there is a long list of manufacturers that are participating in the 25% discount, some of which are Carters, Graco and Eddie Bauer.

Check this list to see if your item has been recalled first, because if it has you may be eligible for a full refund (which of course trumps a 25% discount). Otherwise, according to the Babies R Us website, any old baby items on the list will qualify for the discount. If you’ve been considering an updated crib or high chair, this would be a good deal on something shiny and new, as well as if you’re planning on more children in the future.

If you need a few different items, you can take in multiple baby things, you will still only receive 25% on each new item. This just means if you bring in 3 cribs you won’t get a 75% discount, rather 25% on 3 new items.

Check out the website for more details, now on to find a place to sell all of these unused toys…

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Another Place to Sell Old Electronics

By christina | January 25, 2010

By chance, I stumbled upon yet another site to unload old electronics. Seriously, if you’re not using your old cameras, cell phones and video games than you’re missing out on at least a couple bucks. The reason, in my opinion, that people hold on to electronics that are outdated and not being used is because they don’t feel like they’ll get what they paid for it so they’d rather hold on to it…just in case.

The worst part about holding on to it though, is eventually if you hold on to it long enough, it becomes worth absolutely nothing. Think VCR tape of Top Gun. As a matter of fact, think VCR. You can’t sell these things and might not even be able to give away a lot of electronics from the 90s. You have, if anything, many sizes and shapes of paper weights. If you’re not using your electronics, make a few bucks and get rid of them while you can.

Anyway, besides Craigslist, eBay and just trying to sell your stuff at garage sales, I’ve come across another way to get some cash back. It’s a program that Target has through Nextworth. You enter your product, answer some questions, and it’ll let you know what they’ll give you for it. You then print out a prepaid shipping label and ship your product to Nextworth and in about 10 days you receive a Target gift card. Okay, not really cash, but if you shop at Target at all, it’s probably worth it.

So, I began hunting around my house for old junk…I mean electronics and this is what I’ve come up with:

Old Digital Camera: I’d have to dig up everything that came with it but I’d get $5.40 for my old digital camera that occasionally works if I did…

Old Cell Phone: With or Without the Manual is $21.90. Sweet…here I thought it would only be a good walkie talkie for my daughter.

An Even Older Cell Phone With Water Damage: Has no cash value according to the site but they will recycle it. Or it’s a good walkie talkie. (Minus the lithium battery of course).

Okay, so it’s fun to walk around the house and see how much the Target machine will give you. They even take DVDs and I could give them our Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer DVD for $5 if I were willing to take an arse kicking from my daughter. I don’t know if $5 is worth all that.

Anyway, if anything it made me realize how much junk I have around here that isn’t being used.

Next I’ll find a site that takes plastic kid’s toys that are only played with once…

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