Earn, Save, and Live Joyfully.
As usual my husband and I received a number of gifts for Christmas this year that need to be returned or exchanged. I absolutely despise the return process, it seems things never go smoothly. My husband who is the sweetest man on earth has a horrible habit of losing receipts. Two gifts had to be … Read more
For the past few years I have been maintaining a list of gifts I purchase for friends and family throughout the year. Included in the list is a description of the gift, the store where it was purchased, the cost of the item, and at times extra notes like what the receiver said as he … Read more
I just finished wrapping the last of my Christmas gifts and noticed that somewhere between the hustle and bustle of holiday activities The Digerati Life hosted the 132nd Carnival of Personal Finance. I haven’t had a chance to pick out my favorite articles yet, but if you have a moment you should definitely check it … Read more
My grandmother recently told me that women today don’t realize how big of an impact modern day appliances have on our lives. She vividly remembers her mother hunched on her knees, leaning over the claw foot bathtub washing the bed linens and bath towels. Her mother crawled out of the third story window, (they lived … Read more
Last year I received a gift basket from Bath and Body Works with a not-so-pleasant scent. I was in a hurry on the day I arrived at the store to exchange it so I simply returned the basket for a merchandise credit. On Sunday, I grabbed that merchandise credit and headed for the store. I … Read more
In December of 2003 my husband bought me a digital camera for Christmas. He immediately opened the box and read the manual and less than thirty minutes later he used it to capture Christmas 2003. Although the camera was a gift for me I rarely used it. My husband, on the other hand, was always … Read more
My brother-in-law is on a very tight budget. Due to numerous indiscretions throughout his late teens and early twenties he was forced, through poor decisions and lack of money, to live with his parents. This past summer at the ripe old age of twenty-five he moved out into an apartment of his own. To his … Read more
I went to the mall today to return a few pairs of pants I purchased online from Ann Taylor Loft that did not fit. Women’s clothing stores are very odd. No two items fit exactly the same. I originally purchased a pair of brown corduroys. When they went on sale for much less than I … Read more
Have you ever wondered whether you should pay off a credit card or fund your 401(k)? Save in a Roth 401(k) or a regular 401(k)? Lease a car or buy one? Prepay your mortgage or invest? Buy a home or rent one? Take Social Security early or late? I have wondered about a number of … Read more
This past week I was rummaging through my gift stockpile in search of Christmas presents for my niece and nephew. They are too young to create toy lists for Christmas, (one is 1 1/2 the other is 3 1/2), so whenever I find discount prices on quality toys I succumb to the bargains. Obviously I … Read more