CB in the City

A Shoe Story

elizwith@yahoo.com (CB in the City) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:39:45 PST

I did my monthly recap of my spending last month, and it was a very expensive one -- not that I'm surprised. I had a car repair, had company, bought a mattress and box spring, went downtown for a day (which cost $45 in parking alone)... oh, the list goes on. Here's to a more frugal...

I boo'd!

elizwith@yahoo.com (CB in the City) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:01:28 PST

Yesterday I bought 6 $2 candy bars to put in my boo bags. They were being sold by a sorority who was fundraising for school supplies in Africa. That satisfied my philanthropic streak. Along with some hot chocolate packets and a few hard candies they made a nice presentation. Left...

Halloween treat

elizwith@yahoo.com (CB in the City) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:56:22 PST

First of all, I want to thank you for your warm welcome back! I had no idea I would be missed, and I'm grateful for your kind comments.

Last night I arrived home from work to find a bowl of candy and a note at my doorstep. It turned out it was one of those "Secret Santa" type...

Here's the deal

elizwith@yahoo.com (CB in the City) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:47:01 PST

I just updated my sidebar with a few un-fun facts.

I have debt from my move (after becoming debt-free! oh! painful!) I put it on a card that was charging 0% interest, but I think that rate will expire soon. I expect to get whopped with interest on my next bill.

My emergency...

It's been a long time....

elizwith@yahoo.com (CB in the City) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:44:36 PST

And so much has happened!

I un-retired, found a job in the Chicago metro area, and moved cross country. I am near my kids again (about 40 minutes away), and pretty happy in my employment -- it's not a lot of money, and more than a little stress, but the people are all great. And...

Good news all round.

elizwith@yahoo.com (CB in the City) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 10:24:36 PST

Feelin' good today! I was called back after a mammogram so they could "take a better picture." Although they told me not to worry, I worried. Today the radiologist gave me an all clear. Getting that good news helped me refocus on what's really important.

Today I sent off a claim...

Dentist visit sucks away more money

elizwith@yahoo.com (CB in the City) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:07:28 PST

I had to take $145 out of my emergency fund today to pay the dentist for x-rays, periodontal check and cleaning. Interestingly enough, that makes my emergency fund $491, exactly what my credit card debt is.

I am paying 0% interest on my credit card for the rest of the year, so...

Carolina Unbound?

elizwith@yahoo.com (CB in the City) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:51:34 PST

It's been a long time -- and I even considered just fading away from here -- but I thought I ought to let you know what's happening.

I may be moving back to the Midwest.

I won't go into detail, but I had a big, long, ongoing discussion with my cousin, and because of the way the...

Too Clean?

elizwith@yahoo.com (CB in the City) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 05:28:20 PST

I gather from hints from my cousin and sister that I am considered "too clean." That is, they think I shower too often and wash clothes too often. There have been some comments about the water bill. Of course, that hits me where it hurts, because I am trying so hard to encourage...

Eight garage sales, and still standing

elizwith@yahoo.com (CB in the City) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 07:23:23 PST

My sister and I went to eight garage sales yesterday. Between us we spent about $60. Our haul:

Windowpane wall mirror with shutters
Espresso coffee set for 4, made in Poland
Banana Republic knit top
Full set of Lemony Snicket books
4 old children's schoolbooks
1 old casserole...

More good news!

elizwith@yahoo.com (CB in the City) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 13:20:52 PST

I can hardly believe this, but a friend of mine was poking around on an unclaimed property site and found insurance policies taken out by my (deceased) parents, with a total value nearing $7,000! I had no idea!

I am now in the process of collecting proofs -- they need death certificates,...

Coins, watches, jewels, shoes and ????

elizwith@yahoo.com (CB in the City) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:29:59 PST

Yesterday my sister and I took an old coin/currency collection to an appraiser/buyer. On the way we stopped at my uncle's house to ask if he wanted us to take his stamp collection. He didn't, but he had a bunch of old watches and jewelry handed down from an uncle of his.

Well....

Here I am in Florida

elizwith@yahoo.com (CB in the City) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 08:28:26 PST

I made the trip down for less than $50 in gas. Once I arrived, my refund appeared in my bank account, so I paid $1900 to my credit card debt. I kept out some cash to pay for an oil change, a haircut, one meal out and $20 for garage sales.

I feel much better, but will be better...

Packing up

elizwith@yahoo.com (CB in the City) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 07:15:40 PST

I'm getting ready for my trip to Florida on Thursday. I have about $100 to make it down there. Once I'm there, my tax refund should be in the bank, so I'll be able to make it back.

After I get my refund, I'll need to get my oil changed, and when I get back I'll have a dentist...

A Comedy of Errors

elizwith@yahoo.com (CB in the City) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 06:06:42 PST

So yesterday I wake up to a cold house. I check the thermostat, and, although it is set on 72, the temp is 63.

To me, this means trouble. It means in another hour the temp will be 53, then 43, because something is wrong with the furnace.

I call the company who services us,...

I Made It!

elizwith@yahoo.com (CB in the City) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 15:01:13 PST

A whole week without spending or driving.

Today the first of my two pension checks was in the mail, so I bought some gas and groceries, mailed my son's birthday package, and paid the rental for the booth (sales didn't cover the rent this month). Total spending was $78.

The State...

Checked my bank account

elizwith@yahoo.com (CB in the City) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 07:54:25 PST

And found that my pension check was not deposited. So I will have two more days of no spending, no driving. Oh well. I'm up to the task.

I did my taxes yesterday, as soon as my 1099-R arrived in the mail. I just got an email that it's been accepted, and I'll get the money deposited...

Drizzle, drizzle, drizzle

elizwith@yahoo.com (CB in the City) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 09:11:54 PST

I look out my window and the rain just keeps coming down. We're getting the warmer edge of the ice storm that's inching across the country. I'm thinking it's a good day to stay inside and spend nothing!

However, once again, I sold a book on half.com (I'm not complaining!) and...

No-spend week

elizwith@yahoo.com (CB in the City) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 07:57:18 PST

Well, I'm determined to spend nothing and go nowhere till I get paid. Which I think will be next Monday (since the 31st falls on a Saturday).

As I planned, I called the dentist's office early this morning and left a message on their machine saying that I wouldn't be able to make...

Lean times

elizwith@yahoo.com (CB in the City) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 12:25:15 PST

So I have practically no money at all till I get paid on the first. Two big looming problems:

My son's birthday. It's on the sixth, but he lives in Chicago so I have to ship soon.

Here's what I've done: I went "shopping" in my basement, where I store my finds for the booth...