Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Glasses

I went to the eye doctor today for a regular eye exam and a contact exam. I have vision insurance through work, and it was still expensive!! It's been over two years since I have been to the eye doctor, so I decided I better go. I was debating between getting contacts or new glasses. I can only get one per year with my insurance. I ended up going with the glasses since my contact prescription didn't change, and I have a few boxes left. (I decided to get an exam even though I had some because I have been getting headaches and I wasn't sure if it was due to needed a different strength.)

The cost. I had a $15 copay. The frames were fully covered. The lenses were $54. I added anti-reflective and scratch coating which was $61. The total was around $133 after tax. I pay about $45 a year for my vision insurance premiums. I really debated about getting vision insurance. I priced out glasses elsewhere and decided that the insurance really did help me save money.

I also stopped by Hallmark when I was out today. I had a $5 rewards certificate. I needed some birthday and congratulations cards. I was able to get 5 cards and only spend $0.29 since I had the certificate. I am very excited about this!!

Side note - Gas prices have been decreasing here. I hope this trend continues.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Long Weekend

I am currently on "vacation". I decided to take Thursday and Friday off from work to head home to visit my family. I am hoping for a relaxing weekend.

I headed to my parents after work today (a 4 hour drive) and noticed that gas prices decreased more and more the further I got from where I live. I hope they stay like this (or go down more) so that I can fill up for less than I was expecting before I head back on Sunday.

On Thursday we are planning to go to a resort at an area lake for two nights. My parents have this week off and were planning to go somewhere local for a mini-vacation. It has now turned into a family vacation. It's been a number of years since we've done something together other than going to a relatives house out of town for one reason or another. We will be enjoying a nice meal out and maybe going bowling at night.

On Friday my mom and I are going to a spa for an hour or two. (I decided to treat myself. I have been stressed lately and really need to relax.) My dad and brother will be golfing. We will also hang out on the beach at the lake and probably the hot tub at the resort.

Saturday my mom and I are planning on going to some quilt stores and little shops in the area on our way home. My dad and brother said they are not interested in this. (Not surprising.)

I am hoping that I will be able to eat some good grilled food while I am here this weekend. I can't have a grill at my apartment, so I love coming home in the summer time.

Financially this weekend shouldn't be too bad. The biggest expense will be gas. The massage is not in my normal budget, but I really want it. I have to treat myself every now and then. My parents are paying for the room and most meals. (How nice of them!!!)

Have a great rest of the week.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

This Weekend

It sounds like it's going to be a gorgeous weekend here after another storm filled week. I really wish the severe weather was done for awhile. I have a few things I am hoping to do this weekend, so money will be spent. It is all budgeted for though which is great.

1) Dinner with my mom. She is in town for the weekend, so I will be seeing her tonight for dinner. It's nice to see her even if it's only for a short time since we don't live in the same state.

2) Black sweatpants. I have been wanting another pair of sweats for awhile now. I love sweats!!! I wasn't planning to buy these until the fall (they are in my clothing budget for Sept), but I have a coupon and a gift card. I have a hard time finding clothes that I like and/or fit, so I decided to just get them now. As long as I am going out to see my mom later, I figure it works out great since it's not an extra trip.

3) Groceries. I am hoping not to buy too much. I will make my list prior to going. I have some leftovers from yesterday, but I need fruits and veggies for the week. I also may stop at a specialty store if there's time later when I see my mom. This would eliminate a trip there in a few weeks, but I don't know it will work out today.

4) Gas. This one may hurt. gas prices inched up here again yesterday. I was hoping they wouldn't since I am waiting until after I see my mom to get gas. I put everything on my credit card and pay it off twice a month. Right now I am getting 5% cashback on gas, so that helps with these high prices.

5) Other. I have a few other coupons for stores I love. I am hoping that I won't be tempted to buy anything, but I do have about $35 extra budgeted in July just in case I find something that I want. Since I have a hard time finding clothes that fit me, I usually go to the mall and come home with nothing. I have a coupon for a bookstore though. That could be dangerous!! I also need another pair of dress pants, but I am hoping to wait until September to buy these. They will be replacing a pair that are not looking so great. I will be waiting until I get more coupons for my favorite stores and then I will head to the mall to search for a pair.

I hope everyone has a safe and great weekend.

PS - I did really well 4th of July weekend with my spending. I went out with friends and only spent $5. I bought groceries, but kept it within my weekly budget.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Holiday Weekend

I am so glad that it's a holiday weekend. I am looking forward to having tomorrow off and not having to use a vacation day. I am hoping to have a quiet weekend to get a few things done that I have been putting off for awhile now. This should help me resist the urge to spend any money that I don't need to. I bought groceries today after work so I should be set for the next week. I spent $25 and came home with one bag. That's never a good sign!

With the start of the new month comes my final numbers for the last month. June was not a good month for my net worth. While it did increase, it was a much smaller increase than in the past. This was due to my 401k not doing so hot with the way the market was over the past month. I was able to stay within my budget in each of my categories. I put a little extra into my car payoff fund since I didn't use all of my spending money. I hope that I can continue to control my spending and save! I also hope that my 401k turns around soon.

Looking ahead . . . I should be able to save in July. I don't have anything big planned. My mom is in town for a meeting one weekend, so I will be driving to see her and go out to dinner. I need to save up for August. I am planning to go home to visit my family. I always end up spending more than planned when I go home.

I hope everyone has a good holiday weekend!!