Giving Used Gift Cards??? Puhleeze!

I know people regift, and I am torn about the practice. If the gift is something obviously generic, but yet of value, it may be OK to regift. But if someone has spent time and money, picking out the perfect gift for you, I don't think that is OK. I think it is hurtful to the giver. That aside, regifting a used gift card is lower than low. I went out to lunch with a teacher friend of mine, and she said she had gotten a gift card to the restaurant from one of her students. She asked the waiter if he could check on the balance, before we used it. The waiter came back and said there was a zero balance on the card. I was shocked. My friend said it has happened to her many times before. Her students' parents will give her used gift cards, sometimes with a low or zero balance. I am sorry--but that is just unacceptable. What are you thinking????

Christmas already?

I went out of town this past weekend to see a concert and stayed with a friend of mine. The next morning, we were drinking coffee and having a luxurious morning reading the paper. That of course includes reading all of the inserts. My friend chuckled and said "Look, they are advertising Christmas cards already, and it is not even Memorial Day!'' We both said we had never seen Christmas cards advertised so early.

But I guess like anything, you might get some of the better deals and a better selection when you shop early. You make look online if you are wanting to order Christmas cards or other special holiday card.

I remember one Christmas break when I was right out of college, and I dragged my younger sister all over town looking for just the perfect card. By the end of the day, she was so bleary eyed, and I was still on a mission. Of course, that was before the internet, so my search today would be much easier.

When Will I Be Able To Buy A House?

I have what financial guru Dave Ramsey would call House Hunger. I have a condo, but oh boy I want a house. Not just any house. A house with charm, in the right neighborhoods (right to me). A Victorian bungalow in a neighborhoond near me would be just fine. But how would I pay for it? Renting my condo would definitely help. Waiting until after I pay off my debt would help too. I don't want to buy something I can't afford, or buy too soon, or not think it through .Un huh--dont't want to do that. I am trying to save up as much money as I can while paying off debt as fast as I can. Not easy for me. I also have to do some repairs around my condo before I rent it out. The good part is that rents in my neighborhood are pretty high. But I would have to update it some first. Maybe I could get one of those things called a Home Loan Modification. Maybe that could reduce my mortgage on my condo enough, where I could free up some monthly cash that way too. Anyway--by hook or crook I want to be in the house of my choice in two years.

Biggest Mystery Shop Yet!

I will get my biggest reimbursement yet from a mystery shop--$125.00 for getting my dog an examination and vaccinations at an animal hospital. I had seen this particular shop before but didn't sign up because I didn't need it. This time my dog needed  a yearly exam and his shots, so I grabbed it! The animal hospital was a little out of my way, but no big deal.

I mainly take shops that don't require a purchase, so I don't have to put out any money up front. That way any money I make is pure profit. A lot of the shops require that you buy something you might not really need. Or buy it and take it back. That is too much hassle for me.

Many mystery shoppers, however, like to buy things they need and then get reimbursed for them. That way they are still making a profit so to speak. I am beginning to like that idea. If I need to get my dog an exam and shots, why not let the mystery shop company pay for them? Then I don't have the expense myself. You can do the same for gas, groceries, clothes, etc. I may come up with a game plan to do more of this.

Online Banking Scarier Than Ever

I just read this article on online banking that made me take notice. I am usually pretty good about not logging into my bank account online anymore in a public place, but this is saying how cybercrooks keep getting mroe and more sophisticated. One good thing is that if someone steals money from your basic checking or savings account, you may only be held responsible for the first $50. Not so for lines of credit, so beware!

What Degree Should I Get Next?

People would laugh at me if I said I was going back to school. After all, I already have both a master's and a JD degree. But even so, there are still degree programs I could benefit from. Thr are some gaps I could fill. For instance, a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) ciould give me the business skills I need. Granted, those with a law degree often run companies, but there are still some business type skills that aren't covered by a law degree. I would really like to work in the area of employee law, or just have HR credentials for a business, and you could get those in business school.

A friend of mine is now working on her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.). We often kid each other about all of our schooling, but to be honest, you never waste money when you spend it on education. In this day and age, a Master of Public Health (MPH) would really make sense. There are going to be lots of opportunities for people with good health care skills in the coming years. And with more and more degree programs being offered online, it is easier and easier to go back to school. No commuting!

The Small Things Count When Watching Your Finances

I am trying oh so hard to get ahead in my finances. I am starting to feel a little bit better about how I handle things. But I am still messing up in some areas. That makes me mad, especially when it is needless. I went to the grocery store on Friday night and got a couple of things, including a frozen lazagna. It is not the most expensive thing I have ever gotten, but it is not the cheapest either. I love frozen lasagna, so I went home and put it into the oven. I had had a long week, so poured myself a glass of red wine. Yum! The perfect way to unwind. The problem is that it takes so long for those frozen lasagnas to cook--about an hour and a half almost. By the time it was ready, I was already sleepy. I got a plateful and sat down in front of the TV and ate it. I thought that I would wait a little while before going back for seconds (trying to cut down on what I eat too). Well, that was a mistake. I never went back for seconds, which was a good thing, but I also never covered the remainder of the lasagna and put it back in the fridge! So no leftovers, and at least two more wasted meals. Mad at myself. But I will make sure not to do it again.