ToshaQ

I found this really cool How To Wiki site that really has some great tips on how to do different tasks in life. From really humorous topics, to really serious ones, the site can be pretty helpful!

The first article that caught my eye was How To Save Money. Here is what the author(s) suggest:

• Set savings goals
• Establish a time frame for such goals
• Figure out how you’ll have to save per week, per paycheck, or per month to reach your goal
• Track expenses! If you can’t keep your checkbook in order it will be hard to save money. Use different tools like Excel, websites like PearBudget, or ClearCheckBook.
  
• In order to track your expenses, you’ll need to get into the habit of saving your receipts! Keep a spot in your wallet/clutch/purse specifically for receipts as well as a spot on your desk to add up and use when balancing your bank.
• Trim your expenses. Are there ways you can save money? Not eat out as much? Consolidate your debt? PearBudget’s Excel spreadsheet is AMAZING at having specific categories for your expenses
• Stop using credit cards! I know this is sooo hard and sometimes you don’t have a choice. BUT be sure that every SINGLE new transaction you add to your card, you can pay with either your next paycheck or the money already in the bank.
  
• Have your savings account separate from your checking account. Your expenses should not be coming from your savings (unless an absolute emergency, like today when I just could not wait any longer for new tires!)
• Pay yourself before your frivolous spending. Commit to putting a certain amount of money ($$ or %) in savings each paycheck, each month, or each week. In my 101 in 1001 post, one of the tasks is to save $1/day and depositing $7/week into savings. I’ve yet to do that, but I plan to catch up for each day of the year so far when we get Greg’s tax returns.
  
• We all love shopping, so when you go leave your debt/credit cards at home and take out your already budgeted shopping money with you.
  

Other Wiki How To’s that I thought are totally cool are: How to Save Money on Food, Shape Your Eyebrows, & Increase Your Metabolism.

Well, well, well. It sure was nice waking up this morning to a hefty (for me) tax return sitting nicely in my bank account. Wow. What a relief. I had an early meeting at work, and immediately went out and did my shopping for work clothes. Hey, at least it’s a tax write off, right?

So, where did I go, you ask? After my much needed hair cut, I ventured to Forever 21 (for some reason in our mall, Gadzooks is the name of the store, but they carry all Forever21 stuff. Weird? Yes.) not expecting to find anything. I’m a pretty big girl. I’ve got a really big chest, broad shoulders, and let’s face it… I’ve struggled with my weight my entire life. HOWEVER, I was pleasantly surprised when I found a few really cute pieces. I usually like my tops to fit snug (not skin tight, though) so the loose-looking tops fit just the way I like them to on my curvaceous body. YAY! We’ll call this Score #1!

I headed to Payless Shoes Source to find some shoes. Yes, I work at Nordstrom…where they’re known for their shoes. BUT I wear between a 10 Wide and 11 Wide… and while Nordstrom is great about carrying extended sizes, they’re typically never cute enough or fashion forward - which is a requirement for work. Plus, I was on a budget so $80 on shoes just wasn’t feasible. I did find two great pairs at Payless for only $27 total. This will be deemed Score #2.

Old Navy was next. I try not to buy a lot of my work tops there because they fade like CRAZY (did I mention how HARD it is to find BLACK clothing?? I’ll get to this later!). My goal was to find a pair of pants, maybe two. They had zilch I did end up with a cute cover-all/shrug type thing that will be worn with my tanks. Since we can’t show any skin. I’ve actually been looking for a black one of these so, Score #3! I also got some black sleep pants - but they’re actually cute enough I could probably wear them to work under a long tunic/dress!

All in all, I spent under $150 and left with five shirts, a pair of pants, two pairs of shoes, some hair care/styling balm, and a few accessories. Not to bad, right?

Now, to get to my next point… WHY IS IT SO HARD TO FIND BLACK PROFESSIONAL CLOTHING?! I need something that doesn’t fade, that won’t shrink, and that will stay looking nice. I’ve had to dye my work clothes THREE times since I’ve started (some pieces are old, some are new) about 8 months ago. Working at MAC has it’s bells and whistles, but I tell you… the struggle to find clothes that not only FIT me, but don’t look old-lady and grandma-ish on me gets so frustrating at times!! Ahh well, it was a successful day nonetheless.

I came home and instantly paid the bills. I paid half of my balance on my Chase card. Which is a little disappointing because I was hoping to pay it completely off. But, between both of our paychecks and my tax refund (and spending WAY too much money in Las Vegas), I didnt want to neglect other bills and be strapped for cash for two weeks. You’ll be proud, though, for someone who used to be SO bad at managing her credit cards, I paid the balance on my Discover card.

I got what I like to call a “second chance” credit card. You know… one of those with a really low limit, an annual membership fee, and a REALLY high interest? Yeah. I decided that I would sign up for one, and when I used it I’d only use it if I could turn around and pay what I used it for the second the transaction was done. So, I bought my MAC Fafi stuff with the card on Tuesday, and paid it today. I have a 20 day grace period, so I dont have to pay the crazy 22% interest on it.

I’ll more than likely post some pictures in my next post. Anyone have any ideas for blogging?