http://creditcardfree.savingadvice.com Some For Now, Some For Later info@savingadvice.com Creditcardfree en-us http://creditcardfree.savingadvice.com/2009/11/06/small-hang-up_54887/ In saving for our taxes and homeowner's insurance, I've come upon a snag. It's my error really.<br /> <br /> I told the bank with our money market account to pull money from our regular savings account with our primary bank. Um...we don't have a savings account with our primary bank!! Opps.... Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:00:07 PST carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) http://creditcardfree.savingadvice.com/2009/11/05/kids-clothing_54849/ My daughter's have concerts (vocal and band) next week for school where they need to dress nice. My youngest has a dress, pants and a shirt that will work, but she needs shoes. My older daughter needs everything!<br /> <br /> Last night, we went to the mall and hit JC Penney's. My older daughter... Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:59:25 PST carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) http://creditcardfree.savingadvice.com/2009/11/04/some-news_54824/ My daughter's rodents all passed away in October. The hamster died first. Then exactly two weeks later one mouse died. Our oldest mouse, who was getting thin and arthritic, died two days later. <br /> <br /> Cause: unknown<br /> <br /> They are all buried by one of the trees in our yard. They each had... Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:07:28 PST carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) http://creditcardfree.savingadvice.com/2009/11/03/my-mail_54802/ We received a card from Qwest our internet and phone provider. They want to rewards us for being long term customers with a $50 Restaurant.com gift certificate! Nice. Too bad we have to call to claim it. Not nice. <br /> <br /> Our water bill was in the mail, too. The amount was as expected,... Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:41:54 PST carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) http://creditcardfree.savingadvice.com/2009/11/02/calculating-escrow_54763/ Remember, we deleted the escrow account with our mortgage? Here's the breakdown of how we will save for our own homeowners insurance and county taxes: <br /> <br /> $1361.00 March Taxes<br /> $1361.00 September Taxes<br /> $658.47 Homeowner's Insurance (October)<br /> ---------<br /> $3380.47 Annual Total<br /> $281.71... Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:33:46 PST carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) http://creditcardfree.savingadvice.com/2009/11/01/two-months-of-2009-left_54714/ There are only two months left of 2009. Have you accomplished your goals for the year? If not, can you still wrap them up?<br /> <br /> I looked at our goals that are on the side bar. We are most definitely on track to save 15% for retirement. It helps that that the goal was automated!!<br /> <br /> The... Sun, 01 Nov 2009 07:26:46 PST carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) http://creditcardfree.savingadvice.com/2009/10/31/escrow-check-in-the-mail_54702/ Remember how we canceled the escrow account on our mortgage? Of course you do! The remaining funds, $404.34, were returned to us. I found the check in the mail yesterday. We had received a statement the day before from the mortgage company that indicated it wouldn't be sent for another... Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:15:22 PST carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) http://creditcardfree.savingadvice.com/2009/10/30/candy-confession_54685/ I'm a planner. I plan ahead. Ocassionally, too far ahead. Two weeks ago I bought a large bag of candy for our trick or treaters. I told the family: have a couple pieces and save the rest. <br /> <br /> A day later, my husband realizes he can't resist the candy, so buys another bag for us to... Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:38:59 PST carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) http://creditcardfree.savingadvice.com/2009/10/29/getting-collection-calls_54662/ Yep...but not for us!<br /> <br /> One is for a woman who lived in this house prior to us. The debt seems to be in her maiden name. The company only leaves messages. If I do answer the phone, then I hear the same recorded message.<br /> <br /> The second collection call is for my brother in law!! He lives... Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:50:23 PST carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) http://creditcardfree.savingadvice.com/2009/10/28/no-extra_54635/ Payday is Friday. Unfortunately, I don't think I have extra for our home equity loan!<br /> <br /> Turns out our gym membership is about to expire on November 14th. We paid in full for a 3 year membership...well, three years ago! We need at least two more years. So, the extra cash needs to be... Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:54:28 PST carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) http://creditcardfree.savingadvice.com/2009/10/26/ebay-challenge-update_54583/ I sold 7 of the 8 items I listed last Sunday on ebay for $35.96. The total isn't great, but it is better than a garage sale! I also sold two more Halloween costumes Sunday morning that were listed on craigslist for $10.<br /> <br /> Here are my new Ebay Challenge totals:<br /> <br /> Oct Total = $87.96... Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:13:40 PST carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) http://creditcardfree.savingadvice.com/2009/10/25/pictures-living-room_54555/ Without further delay, here are the pictures of our new couch and ottoman in our front living room. I'm standing by our front door. I wish I had a wide angle lens to show the room off better!<br /> <br /> <a href="http://blogs.savingadvice.com/image.php?blog=creditcardfree&id=7126&original=1"><img hspace="5" src="http://blogs.savingadvice.com/image.php?blog=creditcardfree&id=7126&&" alt="" align="" border="2" /></a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://blogs.savingadvice.com/image.php?blog=creditcardfree&id=7127&original=1"><img hspace="5" src="http://blogs.savingadvice.com/image.php?blog=creditcardfree&id=7127&&" alt="" align="" border="2" /></a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://blogs.savingadvice.com/image.php?blog=creditcardfree&id=7128&original=1"><img hspace="5" src="http://blogs.savingadvice.com/image.php?blog=creditcardfree&id=7128&&" alt="" align="" border="2" /></a><br /> <br /> Guess who likes the ottoman. The kids and the cats!!<br /> <br /> I'm going... Sun, 25 Oct 2009 07:33:22 PST carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) http://creditcardfree.savingadvice.com/2009/10/24/the-couch-arrived_54538/ A month ago we bought a couch and an ottoman. They were special order. Today they arrived!!<br /> <br /> It's been a long month without a couch in our living room. I found myself just laying on the floor in there!!<br /> <br /> It looks so much better and fills in the space nicely. Now...I just need some... Sat, 24 Oct 2009 10:26:06 PST carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) http://creditcardfree.savingadvice.com/2009/10/23/ebay-update_54524/ I did sell one item as a Buy It Now, earlier this week. Right now I have 4 items with bids out of 7 listings! The listings end on Sunday, so I will give you a final update early next week.<br /> <br /> I have already thought of a few more items I could list! Not sure when I'll get them up though.... Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:00:54 PST carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) http://creditcardfree.savingadvice.com/2009/10/22/escrow-deleted_54493/ I took care of it yesterday. I emailed Bank of America and confirmed that we did indeed like to delete our escrow account. They emailed back within a couple of hours that it was complete and a check with our escrow balance is on its way!!<br /> <br /> As of November 1st, we will only send Bank... Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:43:23 PST carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) http://creditcardfree.savingadvice.com/2009/10/21/h1n1-experience_54488/ My daughter has been home since Friday with what started out as a sore throat and no fever. I kept her out of school as a precaution. <br /> <br /> Over the weekend her temperature was never over 100. She began coughing and was low on energy. She had a stuffy nose. She was still able to play... Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:07:44 PST carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) http://creditcardfree.savingadvice.com/2009/10/21/quite-the-savings_54472/ My family started taking probiotics this summer. I first bought them at the local health food store. A package of 30 capsules was about $18. That is $0.60 per capsule. We all shared a couple packs with in a matter of weeks. <br /> <br /> I decided if we wanted to continue to take them they needed... Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:55:58 PST carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) http://creditcardfree.savingadvice.com/2009/10/20/would-you-do-it_54451/ I recently inquired with our mortgage lender about handling our own escrow. Their answer: Yes!<br /> <br /> The primary loan is for less than 80% of the homes value, so I'm not sure why I didn't think of this before! <br /> <br /> So...should I do it? <br /> <br /> I do our own escrow for things like auto insurance,... Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:01:19 PST carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) http://creditcardfree.savingadvice.com/2009/10/19/cough-cough_54428/ My youngest daughter has been home since Friday with a cold virus. The fever is mild, but just won't go away. There is coughing, too. No aching, so I don't think its the flu. She's been up and around everyday, but feels low on energy. So...tomorrow we are going to the doctor. <br /> <br /> I'm... Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:51:57 PST carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) http://creditcardfree.savingadvice.com/2009/10/18/8-sales-fingers-crossed_54408/ I finally listed some items on ebay. Eight items to be exact. Now I have my fingers crossed for 8 sales!<br /> <br /> I've been away from ebay for awhile. I think my craigslist success brought back my motivation. That and the upcoming holidays!<br /> <br /> While I'm here I will update my Ebay Challenge... Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:53:31 PST carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree)