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Archive for December, 2011

Unexpected income

December 31st, 2011 at 06:46 am

I was checking my bank account balance as usual and noticed the amount was larger than I expected. Then, I realized my incentive was paid out from my previous dept.

I was managing a project in my previous dept. and we were incentivized by project milestone. I left the organization about a year ago (but I still work for the same company in different dept.) and I heard from my ex co-worker that our project reached a milestone to pay out incentive.

Of course, it was nice surprise for me. I was not planning this income at all, so it will go straight to my EF.

Landline cancelled....

December 28th, 2011 at 06:09 pm

I called a phone company and cancelled our landline.

We all have cell phones and hardly use our landline. For some strange reason, maybe it is called a peace of mind, I've been procrastinating to cancel it. But I finally did it.

We were paying about $30 per month, so this is about $360 savings per year.

Last minute run to use up my FSA

December 27th, 2011 at 09:57 pm

I have two doctor's app today.

One for vision and one for regular physical. I took my daughter to check her vision as well.

My vision got slightly worse, but still not at the level I need glasses. I still got a pair of sunglasses with prescribed lenses since it was within coverage. I only paid $25 ($10 copay to exam and $15 for lenses) for the exam and a pair of brand name sun glasses.

My daughter also got a new pair of glasses as her vision has changed. She picked more expensive frames and got special coating for lenses. The final price for the glasses and exam was $116.

I had $176.6 left to spend and the cost of vision exams and glasses were $141.2 that leaves me $35. I have a couple of receipt from Kaiser that should fulfill $35.

My $1,000 FSA fund is now fully utilized.

White sale

December 27th, 2011 at 04:35 am

We will have a guest from Thursday, and we needed a twin size comforter for our guest bed. So, here I went to JC Penny. I bought a comforter, sheets set, and a nice warm blanket. Everything was 50% off.

I also found a electric blanket. Original price $120 and it was 60% off and I had a $10 off coupon. I couldn't resist and bought it for myself.

I will sleep well tonight for sure : )


Shopping with DD

December 24th, 2011 at 02:00 am

My DD came home for Christmas and my husband and I took her shopping at Outlet. She found a jacket she was looking for. According to her, it was exactly what she was looking for.

We also bought her a couple of pairs of pants, a skirt, and a nice coat.

This outlet offer free membership in their website that members can receive extra discount with coupons, but I didn't print out these coupons because I didn't know which store she wanted to go. I stopped by the information center and asked them about the coupons, then they told me to go to the website with out smart phone and show the store cleark coupon code.

We did with my husband's iphone, and it worked and we received extra 15% discount at a couple of stores.

It never hurts to ask.

Claiming money for FSA

December 22nd, 2011 at 09:23 pm

It is December and I am claiming money I spent on medical related stuff.

I have $1,000 in FSA account and claimed $823.40. I need to look for receipts to claim the rest of the money that is $176.60.

I also made an appointment for vision exam for me and my daughter so that I won't waste my FSA money. Hopefully, I can find enough qualified receipt to claim this money.

Time to think about next year.....

December 22nd, 2011 at 02:11 am

I have been out of this blog for a while as many things happened during last 13 months.

I was offered a job in Bay Area that I could not resist.... So, I took it and started weekend commute between Sacramento and Bay Area. It is 140 miles one way and I'm getting used to this. It is only once a week drive anyway.

Then, we bought a condo in Bay Area. I was looking for a nice apartment, but couldn't find anything nice and reasonable. One bedroom apartment for $1500? I almost sign the contract and realized.... wait! It is as much as my mortgage in Sacramento house! Since my hubby is a vet, we took advantage of VA and managed to buy a condo.

Now, I'm deeper in debt with another mortgage and motivated to be more frugal.

Since I was busy with my new job, I didn't have much time to stock pile, either. I just found out I'm running out of shampoo from my stock pile!! Unthinkable!! I need to PAY for shampoo??? Nooooo!!!!

Time to tighten the belt and hunt for deals. Back to my cheap self.