So I went back yesterday to get the pennies...LOL They were still there, but someone was sitting in front of them...damn it!

SO, I went back this morning...as I rounded the corner, I saw windows, sunlight, and...empty chairs!!

But alas, the pennies were gone. Too bad for me, but kudos to whoever grabbed them.

On a related note, that is now at least 5 cents (plus who knows how much from the lady who dropped change in front of me in a crowd and walked off...I, too, was stuck in the crowd, which was moving, and if I had stopped, I would have been trampled...) I have found in Boston, but have been unable to pick up because of other people in my way. But I did find a dime at the train station the other day and you can bet I grabbed it!

And you know I will be kicking myself over those 4 pennies for a while to come...

At least I know I'm not the only one obsessing over pennies!

I just can't stop thinking about them!

I was at the B&N next to my office the other day on my lunch break, and I was sitting in a chair in front of a window. I noticed 4 pennies on the windowsill in front of the chair next to me, which was empty. Just as I was about to grab them, someone came over and sat in front of them. I thought, well crap, I have to wait until they leave.

But, by the time my lunch break was over and I had to go back to work, the other person was still there (copying recipes from a cookbook she had no intention of buying, by the way). So, I left the 4 pennies behind, and went back to work.

Now, three days later, I am still thinking about them and wondering if they are there.

Oh goddess; I'm obsessed.

(PS, I am so going back over there to check on my lunch break...)

One of my goals for 2008 is to have 10 No Spenders each month. This forces me to think about what I am spending money on, as well as when I am spending it, and if it is worth it to forgo the No Spend Day.

And, I am proud to say, yesterday, Sunday, I had my 10th No Spender for January!

If I can get more than 10 a month, kudos for me, but my goals is at least 10. At the end of every month, I put $1 per No Spender into my savings account. I may be able to squeeze in one more before the end of this month, we'll see. But if not, I'm still happy.

Had another No Spender on Friday. Yay me! Of course yesterday, Saturday, was a spend day, with dinner for almost $40, meds for $40, and a stop to pick up some new to us used CDs for $20.

Gonna try to keep today as a No Spender.

January No Spenders: 9

I got everything straightened out. Turns out my insurance company wanted the Dr. to call them and tell them he was a real Dr. and these were real meds. Right, cuz I am going to willingly inject myself with some med I don't really need. Sheesh!

Then after that, I had to use a special pharmacy that my insurance compnay has a contract with for these types of meds. Cux you know, the bottom line is more important here, not my health. At any rate, they will be here on Tuesday, so I can get started them. And my co-pay???

$40 a month!!!

SO much better than $1,800! Kickarse! I guess it was worth it to go through the hassle with the insurance company, ay???

I went to pick up my first monthly supply of Copaxone, the new med I will be taking for MS. I knew it was going to be expensive; without insurance it is about $24,000 a year. But luckily, I have insurance.

Except for some reason, my insurance won't pay for it! When I picked it up (or went to, anyways), the pharmacy gave me a AAA member discount, but it was still $1,800!!! A month!!!! ACK!!!!!

So, I came home without the meds, freaked out, and called the insurance company. They were closed. Grrrr... Calling today to find out what is going on. Something about it being a brand name drug and me not being at a network pharmacy, I think. Of course, this is the same pharmacy I go to for all my other generic and brand name meds every month...

I just go so angry and frusterated at insurance companies. In my mind, they are helpful in one way b/c they keep you from paying astronimical fees, but sometimes, it seems like they are just in it for the money and they think it is OK to mess around with their clients prescriptions and health. Grumble, grumble...

Another No Spender this week (thanks for lunch, Mom!).

Maybe I will get to 10 this month after all!

January No Spenders: 8

Just got another DD from selling books on half.com (Can I just tell you how much I love being a once-book-obsessed-will-buy-any-book-no-matter-what person and now being a -just-get-rid-of-the-books-you'll-never-read person??).

Adding it to the Challenge/Taxes

$20 Tax Old Balance: $154.34
Half.com DD: 14.09
----------------------------
$20 Tax New Balance: $168.43

I had Monday out of work for MLK day, but we just hung around the house all day. Did some cleaning, did some napping, just relaxed and enjoyed the day off. Was also a No Spender.

January No Spend Days: 7

I got a nice sweater from Mums for X-mas, but it didn't fit right, and there were no other sizes for me to try. So, Mums returned the sweater, and have me the $24 instead. I really want to put it towards a fun savings, but right now my two $2o Challenges are for my EF and my taxes. They're not fun! So, I am putting $5 of it into the EF to bring the total to $100 and I think the other $20 I will use to purchase a computer game I've wanted for a while, which conviently, is only $20.

Old EF Total: $95.00
Sweater money: $5.00
---------------------------
New EF Total: $100.00

The other day we had a big snow/ice storm, and I didn't clean off my car. The next day when I went to go to work, I had a layer of ice 3 inches thick covering my windshield. After 20 minutes, I ended up with a small space to see out of, two broken windsheild wipers and a broken snow scraper. Sheesh! Went to Wally World today and got new wipers (the whole part, not just the blades) and a new snow scraper for about $10. Dad showed me how to attach the wipers, and now I am good to go.

I love car repairs I can do on my own.

GOt a check in the mail for doing surveys, for $10. yay! I love that. Also have a roll of quarters to deposit at the bank from CITB, so that is another $20 for the Taxes!

$20 Tax Old Balance: $134.34
Survey check: $10.00
CITB:$10.00
----------------------------
$20 Tax New Balance: $154.34

Back in the beginning of this past December, I was diagnosed with MS. It wasn’t a total shock; I used to work for the National MS Society so I knew a lot about the disease, and a part of me had a feeling I had MS. I had a lot of the classic signs, but my Dr. kept telling me it was something else. When I was in Vegas over Thanksgiving, I lost almost all my vision in my right eye. As soon as I got home I went to my eye Dr., and I was diagnosed with optic neuritis. My eye doctor sent me for CT scans and an MRI, and then to a neurologist. The MRI showed areas of MS activity, and my neurologist diagnosed it.

I have been doing OK with the disease (I start preventative medications this upcoming week and my vision is back to 100%), and since I already know a lot about it, I am not really panicking or freaking out. I’ve told my family, some extended family, and my friends. One woman at work knows; maybe more, for all I know.

Anyways, I wanted to share this with all of you even though it is not financial, because, in a way, you all are like an extended family to me. This actually will affect finances, with the meds being so expensive (between $10,000 and $15,000 a year!), more doctor visits and if, Goddess forbid, something serious happens, trips to the hospital, possible physical therapy, or even equipment to help with disability issues. But for right now, I just wanted to share with all of you, not only because I know you will give me massive amounts of moral support, but because when I do start to mention the financial aspects of it, I wanted you all to know what I was talking about, without having to explain it several times.

You all have been wonderful in terms of listening to (or reading) my rambling, sometimes mindless posts, cheering me up when I feel defeated, and encouraging me when I am doing well with finances. I just felt like this was something I wanted to share with all of you, not only as my financial buddies, but also as just my buddies.

Anywho, enough of this for now. Feel free to ask any question you may have, or feel free not to say anything. But whatever your reaction is, thank you for the support and the (hopefully) continuing support.

Both Monday and Tuesday were No Spenders. Yesterday I had to stop at the store for bread and chips, but other than that, nothing. I may be spending some days, but I am getting much better on not spending on wants.

My goals is to make it to 10 No Spenders a month. Sounds easy, but that means I need to be more organized and work on doing all my spending money errands on the same days (gas in car, groceries, post office, etc).

January No Spenders: 6

I just signed up for medical benefits from my new job. They are so much cheaper than the Cobra I was paying! At my old job, I had Tufts, and I was paying $204 a month. Then, when I lost that job, I picked up Cobra. That was even worse: $341.40 a month!! If I wasn't on so many prescriptions, I might have just said forget it until I found a new job. But Cobra was actually cheaper than paying full price for my meds.

Anyways, my new benefits will be with Tufts, and I am only paying $169.60 a month. That's $170.81 cheaper a month! I am so relieved about this. Especially as I am starting a new medication next week and the copay might be up to $100 a month.

This job just keeps getting better and better.

Happy Happy!

We went out and did all the errands we had to do on Saturday (grocery store, post office, bus station...do you know they charged me $55 for ONE monthly bus pas??? It's not even good for 30 days, only until Feb 1st!!! We will NOT be buying one of those again, but just pay the $1.50 each time we need to take the bus!).

So, Sunday we hung around, played video and computer games all day, and had a realxing day. It was a No Spender for us.

And today I am working from home because of the Nor'easter we are having right now: LOTS of fast snow with wicked high winds. I don't plan on leaving the house at all, so it should be another No Spender. I won't count it yet though, because with us you never know!

January No Spenders: 4

Finally got paid for some Spiderman Fabric I sold on ebay before Christmas! I was starting to give up on this buyer, I really was. Anyways, another $6 to add to the Challenge.

$20 Tax Old Balance: $128.34
Spidey ebay payment: $6.00
----------------------------
$20 Tax New Balance: $134.34

When we went to the grocery store today, we returned some bottles and cans we had. We ended up returning $4.50 worth! We still have a few more to do; I can't believe we drink that much soda! We are usually really good about only drinking water, but latey we have been craving soda like crazy. Gonna have to watch it.

We also needed lightbulbs, so we bought a 3 pack of those energy-saving ones. They were $2 off the original price, and we want to convert all our lightbulbs over as they die, so this was a good place to start.

So, overall, another $6.50 to the challenge.

$20 Tax Old Balance: $121.84
Bottles and Cans: $4.50
Lightbulb coupon: $2.00
----------------------------
$20 Tax New Balance: $128.34

We seriously need grocery shopping. Lunch yesterday was a bowl of plain rice. Anyways, we decided to order dinner from our fave chinese place. It came to $16, but we didn't have cash and they don't take Debit cards, so we pulled $16 in bills from our CITB. To replace it, I transferred $16 from our checking account into the Taxes Fund this morning.

$20 Tax Old Balance: $105.84
CITB Bills: $16.00
----------------------------
$20 Tax New Balance: $121.84

Since I don't get paid until the end of the month, I still can't put anything major on my CCs. I can't wait til I cam slap a $300 payment on each next month!! But until then, here is my Jan payments.


Old LBCC Total: $1,177.07
PLUS Finance Charges: $22.59
PLUS clothes for work: $123.00
------------------------------
LBCC Balance: $1,322,66
LBCC Payment 1/12/08: $100
------------------------------
New LBCC Total: $1,222.66

TOTAL PAID OFF: $277.34

****************************************
Old ATTCC Balance: $3,282.83
Monthly charges: $92.45
Small payment $5
-----------------------------------
ATTCC Balance: $3,380.28

Paid off: $119.72

I have Citizens Banking, and they have this new rewards program. When you earn enough points for a $25 reward, you can either get it as cash, have it go into a savings, an IRA or a Money Market Account. I was thinking it's free money to start an IRA or MMA with, but I don't know much about them.

Is this a good idea, or should I wait til I have a bigger amount?

Yesterday was kind of a No Spender for me. I did pick up 2 of my meds, so I had to pay the pharmacy for them, but they are a necessity, not a want. And not even a necessity I can out off for a few more weeks. So, even though I did spend money on them, it is budgeted for, and I kinda had to.

I also got a new book, but I had a gift card from X-mas, so that wasn't really spending either.

But I did resist the cappaccino that was calling my name all day.

Go me!

January No Spenders: 3

Got another DD from half.com today. I love the. I get to clean out all my old books (and believe me, I have A LOT of old books), plus I get cash for them! Sweet!

$20 Tax Old Balance: $91.24
Half.com DD: $14.60
----------------------------
$20 Tax New Balance: $105.84

Back over $100. Yay!

Finally got some money from one of my ebay sales. Added that to my Challenge. Also, I went to the bookstore at lunch today. I had a 10% off coupon, plus then I got another 10% off because I have a members card there. Saved $2.24 there so I am adding that to the challenge as well.


$20 Tax Old Balance: $75.00
Ebay sales: $14.00
Bookstore savings: $2.24
----------------------------
$20 Tax New Balance: $91.24

Saturday was a No Spender.

January No Spenders: 2

Sold some more on ebay. It went for about $26 plus shipping. The bummer part is that I had to pay $7 in ebay fees from last month, plus $6 for an item I bought on ebay. So it gives me about $14 to add to the challenge. But I have to wait to get it in my account so I can transfer it to the $20 Challenge account.

Anyways, also sold a trio of books on half.com today, so that will be a nice addition as well, when I actually get the money.

Tried to sign into my account on the website for my health insurance to see what was up with some claims I submitted, but it is acting all funny. Oh well, guess I'll have to just keep checking the mail for my checks!

Magazine: $4
Dinner out: $32

Not bad, but still too much. I just found out I get paid ONCE a MONTH, at the END of the month, so we really have to be careful and be on our budget as much as possible. I also found out since I am considered a freelancer, I don't get taxes taken out. Which means not only do I have to save for this years taxes, but I will need to save for next years taxes. Grumble, grumble...

Today was my 1st day at the new job and it was great! I felt right at home. Eveything was really casual and relaxed (I love wearing jeans to work and listening to my iPod while I work!) and everyone was really nice. A nice bonus too, is I actually knew what I was doing. Guess I did pick some stuff up at my last job!

The commute was OK. I get home about 7:30 so it is about a 13 hour day for me. I just keep telling myself it is only 4 months, and then, if by any chance I can get a permanent job there, we can afford to move closer to the city so the commute will be better. But for now, it's only a short time, the money is excellent, the experience is great, and I can read ofr na hour on the way home every night.

I am really going to try to stick to my budget, as I found out today I get paid once a month! Eeek! Time to be responsible! That being said, here are my expenses for the past 3 days.

Jan 1: No Spend Day
Jan 2: $18.07 CVS (meds ($10), deoderant, twizzlers)
$3.00 post office
Jan 3: $1.25 bagel
$3.00 coffee
$7.75 ride to Boston
$4.00 subway tickets
$250 monthly T Pass Jan
(much cheaper than $19.50 each day!)

The bagel and coffee were on my way to/from work today. Tomorrow I am going to bring something from home for breakfast, and try to resist the hot cup of latte that made my hour train ride relaxing on the way home!

So I posted some Red Sox fabric on ebay. When I wrote down the measurements and posted it, I wrote down it was 60x90 inches. So the fabric sells, I send it out, and then I get an email from the buyer saying it was only 60x45 inches. She asks if I have the rest of it, and if so can I send it to her. If not, she wants a full refund and will return what I sent her. I tell her it was only one piece, but I measured it and it was 60x90. I tell her if she wants a refund, send it back. If I measured wrong, I will give her a full refund, if not, she will only get a refund minus fees, shipping, etc. Then she asks if she can keep what I sent her but "since it is only half the size I said it was" can I giver her a paretial refund. I tell her no, sorry.

SO, I got the fabric back today. It was ironed and refolded (I know b/c it was folded evenly and when I sent it to her it hadn't been ironed and was folded crooked). I measured it. It was 60x47 inches. The thing is, I swear I measured it right. And I think when I measured it, I had to fold it in half and measure then double the measurment b/c it was too big to do it the other way.

I am thinking she may have cut some off, and is trying to scam me.

Am I being paranoid? The thing is I really don't know. Should I give her the full refund? If I knew for sure she cut it, I'd give her a partial refund, but I can't be 100% sure. I'm just not sure what to do. I want to refund the money if I was wrong, but I don't want to get scammed...

Advice?