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Archive for October, 2008

Benefit enrollment

October 30th, 2008 at 06:04 pm

It's Thursday, and farmers' market day. I stopped by and bought 6 Asian pears ($1.50 per lb and paid $6.50), 4 bell peppers ($1), 3 tomatoes ($1), and grape ($.80 per lb. and paid $2) Total spending $10.50. My DD loves Asian pears, and they're in season now.

Benefit enrollment is due tomorrow for my DH. He just called me and told me he completed his enrollment. I finished mine last week. We are lucky that both of our employers offer really good benefits. Actually, it is one of main reasons I'm staying with the company. I cover DD with my medical because my premium is cheaper than DH's. My medical insurance premium is $7,239 per year for me and DD. I also have dental, vision, life insurance, etc. All and all, total cost for these benefits are $9,165 and my employer's credit is $8,170, that makes my out of pocket $995 for one year which is not bad at all. My co-pay for regular doctor visit is $15, and I use FSA money for it. Fortunately, the only time I visit my doctor is annual check-up and other preventative things. I'm glad my family is pretty healthy.

Our DD's Europe trip fee is due in November. $4,100. Ouch!! We have been saving up for it, but it will hit my EF. I originally had 5K for my EF goal, but had to revise it due to payment for the trip. We could use other payment plans and make smaller payments each month, but it does not give us price guarantee (i.e. price adjustment due to fuel charge, etc.). So, we decided to pay up front as we can afford it. The good news is, after this payment, it will free up some money we have been setting aside each month, and we can start building up our savings again.



Americans are saving more

October 16th, 2008 at 08:11 pm

I guess free-spending days are officially over.

"Get this: Americans saving more.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/10/15/news/rainy.day.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2008101614

And, it is time for this saver (ME!!) to go deal hunting. When economy is down, there are so many good deals around. I love liquidation sales that can be discounted up to 75%. Great time to stock up on gift items.

Tax or Audit

October 10th, 2008 at 12:24 am

As usual, time is flying by.

I'm taking three classes this semester, and they're all accounting. Blahhh..... One of them is Auditing and, to be honest, it is not for me. At least, not yet. I'm not talking about the subject itself, but I just don't feel auditing has much teeth in it. Of course, I have no auditing experience, so I don't know and I could be wrong. But if SOX is effective, how did this financial crisis happen all of a sudden? Where were the auditors? I was debating if I should take Corporate tax or Audit II next semester, and I decided to take tax class.

As for my job, things are really peachy. My company is doing really good and we have huge order backlog. Thanks for high gas price. Needs for public transportation is high and demand is strong. My department hit all the target figures, and everyone is happy. I will get a bonus in December for sure.

Since I've been super busy, I'm not even paying attention to deals. Well, I bought 15 bottles of softsoap body wash last week that I paid approx $3 for 15 of them. I was using the last bottle I got for free 2 years ago (I got more than 20 bottles for free from Rite Aid), and the deal does not come around very often. But, that is about it. I may stop by today to get a Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner from Walgreen today. There's $10 internet coupon and Walgreen has $10 rebate for the product that make it free this week. I may not use it but I can donate it for silent auction item when my DD's marching band host holiday dinner.

Talking about donation, I just donated a bunch of travel size shampoo/conditioner/lotion to holiday stocking program. I also donated 5 bottles of Windex to fund raising car wash DD's marching band had last week. These free/cheap items are really handy during holiday season because people are asking to donate many things.




Free falling

October 7th, 2008 at 06:49 pm

Stock market is falling again. I guess media is getting used to it. Not much screaming going on today.

I don't even want to look at my 401k balance.

So, I decided not to Smile