Fresh Flowers That Don't Die In Two Days

Lasting Luxury, Minimal Hassle

 

I love the luxury of fresh flowers. In a vase on the kitchen table, they make everything seem to smell good and look just a little prettier. Problem is I don’t want to spend a lot of money on flowers. I just made the bouquet that Sean bought me last almost two weeks.

Eight Pounds Later

How Weight Loss Has Saved Me Money

I have previously asked the question “Will losing weight also save me money in addition to making me hotter and healthier?” I think my now eight pounds slimmer self has found the answer.

It seems like a coincidence that my grocery bill is lower this month than it has been in about five months (or since I moved here). What I have noticed though are fewer trips to the convenience store during work hours. My trip to my local country store in walking distance of work gave me crappy coffee and close-to-expiring snacks, though somehow it seemed like I almost needed it. To cut down on these trips, my coffee/snack budget was set at $10 a month in November but crept up to $20 in December.

Book Review: Helping Me Help Myself by Beth Lisick

Beth Lisick’s Self Help Analysis Helpful, Fun

I have a great friend named Sarah who works at a San Fran bookstore and just sent me a couple books. The one I was most tempted to start (and finished quickly) was “Helping Me Help Myself” by Beth Lisick. It came out in early January and but Sarah had gotten the proof copy earlier. (So that’s how those book store types have already read the book when it has just come out!)

First of all, I am one of those people people on a constant quest for self improvement. I don’t usually seek help; I often reasearch things a little on my own and mostly go it alone. Beth has summarized all those books I’ve been meaning to read including “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People“. I have actually read myself “Organizing From The Inside Out” and “Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus“. In other words, I understand why Beth would undertake this. It is a similar reason to why I’ve done this blog: to learn more about money and entertain others in the process.

I skipped (of course) to the financial chapter (Chapter 8) where she consults Suze Ozman, a financial planner who has her own show, column, and is Oprah’s buddy. I’m working on a post about Suze Ozman so I’m not going to talk too much about her now.

The single most valuable thing that Beth got out of her book (and you can too) is to advocating for herself. She called her credit card company, who had put her interest rates through the roof (over 20%). She pointed out she was a loyal customer who could take her business elsewhere and they brought down her rate a bit. She insisted on zero percent and she got it. “In under five minutes’ time, I just saved myself about $80 a month.” she writes, only wishing she had made the call earlier. I think this is a great illustration about sticking up for yourself.

I think in the areas of our lives that we are least confident in, we are afraid to advocate for what we want. Or maybe we don’t know what to advocate for. Which is why we need to make it our business to know at least a little and then become the squeaky wheel with our credit card companies, banks, insurance companies, and anyone else who isn’t giving us a fair shake.

I have since read the rest of the book (the Richard Simmons part ended up being my favorite) and it’s great. If you’re looking for a good read from a funny lady, this is it. And I now understand a few little tricks gleaned from some of the most popular books of all time.

See Beth’s YouTube video…
Hear the NPR piece about the book…

Giving Blood: Not A Bad Deal

Last night, My friend Jessica was going to the big citay to give blood so I decided to go with her. The good ol’ Red Cross can use all the donations they can get I figure. So we gave our blood and got 1) A free movie rental, 2) a coupon for a free Personal Pan...

Losing Weight: Pure Vanity or Money Saver?

It all started this summer when I realized that I only fit into a fraction of the clothes I owned. I hadn’t worn them since moving to Vinalhaven two years earlier (and it’s really not a trouser kind of place) and I clearly was unable to wear them. I had apparently had some weight sneak up on me.

Beer, desserts, lack of exercise and age can catch up to us all. It seems like it happens all of a sudden but really it’s creeping on your for months or years on end. Like many Americans, it is time for me to lose weight.

Now I’m not (at least I don’t think) what anyone would call fat but my BMI was 25 and I was winded going for a hike.

New Year, New You

I don’t know if it’s the New Year approaching or the fact that new cameras and old friends seem to be out and about a lot more this month but something about December makes me long for some kind of change. It’s easy to get in a rut. So what’s a girl (or guy) on a...

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