Penny For My Thoughts

A Personal Finance log

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Entries from December 2008

Termination Travails V-New benefits update

December 31st, 2008 · 2 Comments

Enrolled in my new benefits yesterdayy.  I was pleasantly surprised to learn that my new medical coverage includes an eye exam, so my concerns regarding vision coverage are moot.

I was, however,slightly disappointed to learn that I don’t qualify for the HCFSA until 90 days after my date of hire-I need to order contacts, and I [...]

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Tags: Termination Travails · retirement

Zenni Optical-your source for Holiday Frames

December 31st, 2008 · No Comments

One stocking stuffer which I am fond of getting for my mother’s Christmas stocking (and Easter basket, as well) are reading glasses, especially ones which are a little different or fancy. However, I have found that the price of non-prescription reading glasses that are cute are becoming pricier and pricier (I blame the aging population, [...]

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Tags: Shopping

“I thought there was supposed a recession economy”

December 28th, 2008 · No Comments

Thus was the sentence utter by a shopper next to me at the local Coach outlet yesterday; which was quite crowded.  Of course, the 50% sale plus the 10% off coupon handed out as you enter the store (which isn’t a localized thing, I got handed the same coupon at the Las Vegas outlet two [...]

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Tags: Shopping · current events · millenial · recession beaters

Saving $ on a Vegas vacation-reality

December 27th, 2008 · 1 Comment

So I’ve been home from my trip to Vegas for a bit, so I thought I’d do a wrap up on what worked and what didn’t:
I used one of my Restaurant.com gift certificates, the one to the Ocean One Bistro at Miracle Mile Shops-it was quite inexpensive and good.  I did not use my gift [...]

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Tags: vacation

Termination Travails IV-Piecemeal updates

December 26th, 2008 · No Comments

I received my COBRA packet in the mail.  I was able to enroll online in my medical coverage (I am still waiting on my benefits orientation, to see if I want to COBRA my vision coverage).  Of course, I received my bill as I was leaving for Vegas (I couldn’t pay online, and I had [...]

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Tags: Termination Travails · medical

How very vintage!

December 10th, 2008 · No Comments

In perusing the latest round of news about the economy going to heck in a handbasket, I’m struck by how vintage, or “old school” some of these money-making ideas are-they make eBay looks absolutely new fangled.  I was reminded of pawn shops today when Good Morning America discussed the high-priced items* that are currently being [...]

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Tags: current events

I’m going to Vegas on Friday (Oh my!)

December 9th, 2008 · 2 Comments

Yes, I am off to Vegas on Friday, and thought I would do a quick pre-trip from a financial standpoint.
Perhaps the biggest thing, money-wise, is that we just switched our hotel on Sunday.  We’re staying at a hotel which is signifigantly cheaper than the one we were staying at to begin with.  While I had [...]

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Tags: how to · vacation

Business loans

December 3rd, 2008 · 1 Comment

As we are now officially in a recession, someone may find themselves in need of a loan for their business in order to help it grow. However, because of the recession, some traditional sources of business loans, such as a HELOC, may not be available. However, Onlinecheck.com offers their “Fast Business Loan,” which [...]

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Tags: Debt

December 1 Networth

December 2nd, 2008 · No Comments

Sigh.  This month is one of those months when I’m reminded why people don’t like Networth assessments-it’s just a snapshot in time, and nearly every item had an addendum.  But I like having it for continuity’s sake, so I’m just putting the numbers out there sans comparisons.
Assets:

ING-$12014.68 (low due to me no longer having direct [...]

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Tags: net worth

Termination Travails II-401K, continued

December 2nd, 2008 · No Comments

I called up the recordkeeper of my current 401K, as I wanted to see whether they had me as terminated yet or not (they did, yay!)  While I was on the phone, I got some happy news-my former employer had an extra retirement plan.  I was aware of this, but never thought I’d be there [...]

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Tags: Shopping · Termination Travails · current events · retirement