Nix9to5

March Budget: Good news, bad news.

// March 31st, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Budget, Money Matters

First, the bad news. I’m just going to get that out of the way like ripping off a band-aid. We did a terrible job with our budget this month. We were way over in automotive (new tires) and way over in “allowance” (night at a B&B, dinners out, highlights for my hair). I can’t really fault myself for the tires, because we had to have those. As for the overnight getaway and my hair, I’m not really going to fault myself for that, either, because . . . well, because I don’t want to. However, those things alone weren’t all that did it, so I do know that we need to re-focus and pay more attention to our spending.

The good news is that I knocked nearly $100 MORE dollars off of our grocery budget. For the first time in over a year, our grocery spending for the month was under $300. That seems much more reasonable to me than the $700/month we averaged in 2009. Good grief.

I’m excited to see what April holds in store.

Consistent, reliable copywriting

// March 31st, 2010 // No Comments » // Opportunities, Work at Home

No, that’s not an ad for my copywriting business, even though I am, of course, consistent and reliable. And fantastic. And pretty. It is a description of my newest opportunity.

I am so excited. I just got a new copywriting client. The project pays well, and best of all, it is ongoing. It isn’t a full-time job, but it is consistent. I know exactly what I need to produce each week, and I know approximately how much time it will take. The hours are flexible; it doesn’t matter when I do the research and writing, as long as I meet the deadline each week.

Uncle Awesome connected me with this client through his graphic design and website development firm, Travis Langley & Associates (shameless plug for my big brother), which makes him, well, awesome. Never underestimate the power of networking and nepotism.

Diapers on your doorstep

// March 31st, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Children and Babies

We live on the outskirts of a suburb.  We’re not quite out in the country, but it does take me about 15 minutes to get to my nearest grocery store and WalMart.  That means when I run out of something (and I’m always running out of something), it’s kind of a hassle.  We have a Dollar General, but  . . . eh.

That means for diapers, I have to either really plan ahead, or I have to try to finagle a stroller or shopping cart, squirming toddler, overstuffed diaper bag, froggie, taggie, sippy cup, Puffs, purse, wallet, keys, phone, and extra-large super-industrial jumbo case of diapers through the store.  Awesome.

What I would really prefer is that the Diaper Fairy miraculously swoop down and deliver diapers to my doorstep before I run out.

Luckily, the Diaper Fairy does exist.  In fact, there are two Diaper Fairies . . . Diapers.com and Amazon.com.

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PineCone Research

// March 30th, 2010 // 4 Comments » // Opportunities, Work at Home

I mentioned PineCone Research in an earlier post about getting paid to take surveys.  One thing I like about PineCone Research is that they pay cash for each survey, rather than rewarding in points.  With my first survey, I received a check within about a week of taking it.  Now, I’ve signed up to have my compensation delivered via PayPal.

PineCone is unique in that it doesn’t take unsolicited referrals, nor does it pay for referrals (meaning I don’t get any compensation if you sign up).  However, I got an email from them today that says that they are, in fact, looking for additional panel members.  If you are interested in joining PineCone Research, the text of the email, including referral link, follows:

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Tonight’s Clip SmART Seminar

// March 29th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Couponing

I really enjoyed the Clip SmART seminar tonight.  We had a great turnout, and Amanda had great tips for everyone.  In fact, I’m going to have to go clip a few more coupons before I go to bed so that I can get a couple more bargains before the current sales expire!  I see another free gallon of milk in my future . . .

My new favorite toy.

// March 28th, 2010 // No Comments » // Children and Babies, Life in General

For Easter, I bought Bear a LeapFrog My Puppy Pal Scout.  I had seen it before and thought it was pretty cute, but didn’t think it was something Bear just couldn’t live without.  However, a co-worker brought her son’s toy to work to show me, and I fell in love with it.

First of all, you can personalize this little guy with your child’s name, and it just has the cutest little voice when it says, “Hi, Bear!” (only, of course, Scout says Bear’s actual name) and when it says, “I love you, Bear.”  I mean, how could any mommy not just swoon over a toy that tells her little angel it loves him!

You can also program Scout (or for the girls, Violet) with your child’s favorite food.  Scout says, “I’m feeling hungry.  May I have a snack?  I really like crackers” (or bananas or applesauce or empanadas–there is quite a list to choose from).  You can program the child’s favorite color and animal as well.

The LeapFrog Puppy Pal teaches colors, animal sounds, and even feelings (“I’m feeling sad.  Will you give me a hug?”).  It teaches counting when it gets the hiccups (“I have the hiccups.  Let’s count to five and see if they go away.”)  It has lullabies (on a timer) and daytime music.  On of the songs even spells your child’s name!  You can select the songs you want the Puppy Pal to play when you customize it using your computer.  LeapFrog is even courteous enough to include the necessary USB cord.

Aren’t they cute? And did I mention that they tell my baby they love him?

Super Couponers

// March 27th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Couponing

Did you see this story on ABC’s Nightline?  It’s pretty crazy.  They gave two “extreme couponers” $50 and sent them off to the grocery store to see what they could get.  The “Coupon Queen” got $118 worth of groceries for $50.61, but got $20 in catalinas (the coupons that print at the register) to use on her next purchase.  “Mr. Coupon” got over $500 worth of groceries for $30-something.  “Mr. Coupon,” from WeUseCoupons.com,  showed his stockpile in his garage, which looked more like a grocery warehouse.  He has a 3-year supply of toilet paper which cost him $30.

Now, I don’t personally think it’s necessary to have 3-years worth of anything stockpiled, but it is pretty incredible what these people are able to do.

Maybe the Clip SmART seminar on Monday evening can point me in the right direction.  OKC friends, I hope to see you there.

Groupon: Bourbon Street Cafe

// March 26th, 2010 // No Comments » // Couponing

Okay, Groupon.  You’re starting to scare me a little.  Are you spying on me?  Have you bugged my house and tapped my phone?  Are stealthy Groupon ninjas hiding behind potted plants and following my every move?

No?

Then how, oh, how have you managed to pick two of my favorite restaurants for your daily deals in the last week or so?  First Bellini’s and now Bourbon Street Cafe.

Today’s Groupon will get you $40 worth of food for only $20 at Jazmo’z Bourbon Street Cafe in Bricktown.  I loves me some Bourbon Street Cafe, and for half-price?  Even better.

If you want to get in on the deal while it lasts, or if you want notification of all the daily Groupon deals (without waiting for me to get off work and post them), click here.

As for me, I foresee some half-price etouffee in my future.  Hooo-eeee!

Marriage and communication skills, courtesy of Nix9to5.

// March 25th, 2010 // No Comments » // Family, Life in General

Recently, I discovered that I have the #1 Google page rank for the keyword search “my husband gripes too much.”  I find this to be completely awesome.  It pleases me to no end that someone, somewhere stumbled upon my site in searching for a refuge from her whiny husband.

This poor, beleaguered woman simply had enough of her husband’s negativity, and did what any reasonable woman would do . . . turned to the interwebs for a solution.  Now, I realize that when she clicked on my site, she did not find the answers for which she was looking.  However, I will attempt to remedy that situation now.  Oh, Stoic Wife of Gripey Husband, if you are still following this blog, here is my advice to you, based on nearly 15 years of marriage and lots of Oprah.  I am going to share with you the magic words to use to effectively communicate both your love for him and your need for him to become a more positive, supportive, uplifting individual.

Next time your husband whines, complains, or otherwise gets snippy, I want you to turn to him.  Take him by the hands, look directly into his eyes, and utter these words:

“Suck it up, Princess.”

Yep.  That ought to do the trick.

Sweet Repeats Kids’ Consignment

// March 25th, 2010 // No Comments » // Children and Babies, Money Matters

Sweet Repeats Kids’ Consignment will be holding its Spring/Summer sale from April 16-18 at the Edmond Armory building, located at 600 S. Bryant.  They have a nicely organized website including consignor information if you are interested in selling as well as buying.

For the complete list of upcoming kids’ consignment sales in and around OKC, click here.