Ethan @ 20 months

Ethan @ 20 months
Ethan @ 20 months

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

10 Biggest Money Wasters

Some I'm guilty of, some I'm not. Are you?

According to CNN Money...top ten money wasters:

1. ATM Fees
   * ATM! ATM! (Scream that in Dorothy's voice from The Wizard of OZ)
   * I am not guilty of this simply because I don't carry cash. My bank locations are few and far between so when I do go to an ATM it costs a gazillion dollars. Just say no...to ATMs.

2. Lottery tickets
   * Seriously people?! You have a better chance of being struck by lightning.
   * Only play when a gazillion dollars is on the line and whatever you do, DON'T go in with coworkers.
   * I did hear once that the money from VA Lottery goes into the school system. Confirm? Deny?

3. Gourmet coffee
   * GUILTY! I could (and should) cut back, I know. But what is going to keep me awake for my 1 1/2- 2 hour morning commute? Crack?! That's even more expensive.

4. Cigarettes
   * "Americans spend $80 BILLION on cigarettes per year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention." <---Holy Jesus! Pretty soon that's how much a tank of gas is going to cost.

5. Infomercial impulse buys
   * From Snuggies to the Magic Bullet Blender, it's all crap. What have you bought?

6. Brand-name groceries
   * I try to be conscious about this one. Family doesn't even notice (or care) if I buy generic and I try to as much as possible. Every time I go to the grocery store, I always think about product placement and how they try to reel you in. They're watching you.

7. Eating out
   * GUILTY! Not only do restaurants serve you portions for a giant (which contributes to our country's overweight issue), it's mighty expensive. It adds up, and so do the calories. I'm trying to get better about cooking at home...trying.

8. Unused gym memberships
   * I'm guilty of this in the past, but not anymore!

9. Daily internet deals
   * Oh good, I bought a $50 carpet cleaning deal today actually...oh wait, these are bad.
   * I read on...they are bad if you don't use them. Good. I use them.

10. Bundled cable or phone services
    * With Netflix and Hulu, who needs 500 cable channels? Not us! We haven't had cable in almost 3 years and the only channels I miss are E!, Bravo, and Comedy Central. I don't miss them enough to pay a lot of money to have the ability to watch them but then not watch them.

Do you think CNN Money left anything off the top ten list?

Happy Birthday to Me!

Ok, so it was on the 3rd and not today. My birthday was on a Tuesday this year so of course I did nothing special. Went to work, sat in traffic, worked out, went to bed.

BUT...on Friday the 13th, my lovely husband surprised me with a new iPad!!! I'm not sure if the gift was for me or both of us, but I'll take it.

Thank you honey!