https://tinapbeana.savingadvice.com Me vs. the Almighty Dollar =P info@savingadvice.com TinaPBeana en-us https://tinapbeana.savingadvice.com/2007/07/16/my-life-is-officially-surreal_28333/ Good grief, where to start... <br /> <br /> <B>Remember this cat?</B><br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.savingadvice.com/blogs/image.php?blog=2863&id=2267&original=1"><img hspace="5" src="https://www.savingadvice.com/blogs/image.php?blog=2863&id=2267&&" alt="" align="" border="2" /></a><br /> <br /> Well, two days after my last blog post, Summer's rear-end exploded all over me when I picked her up from the floor. There was still a deep-tissue infection below the nicely healed top layer, and it just sat there and... Mon, 16 Jul 2007 15:32:02 PST TinaPBeana https://tinapbeana.savingadvice.com/2007/06/14/creepy-mutant-tomatoes-week-8-and-9_27198/ Have no fear, the tomatoes are still here!<br /> <br /> Actually, we're down to one, but boy is this one hearty.<br /> <br /> Here were the two remaining tomatoes on Saturday, after 8.5 weeks. As you can see, once has a bad end (that could so be cut off and the rest of the tomato could be used). <br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.savingadvice.com/blogs/image.php?blog=2863&id=2410&original=1"><img hspace="5" src="https://www.savingadvice.com/blogs/image.php?blog=2863&id=2410&&" alt="" align="" border="2" /></a><br /> <br /> For... Thu, 14 Jun 2007 01:55:44 PST TinaPBeana https://tinapbeana.savingadvice.com/2007/06/08/confession-i-am-a-design-junkie_27010/ Hello.<br /> <br /> My name is Tina, and I am a Design Junkie. (Hi Tina)<br /> <br /> If you don't know what I mean, then read on and it might get a little clearer.<br /> <br /> The concept of a junkie can apply to any type of design, really. Do you collect paint chip cards, fabric and wallpaper swatches, and pages... Fri, 08 Jun 2007 14:19:36 PST TinaPBeana https://tinapbeana.savingadvice.com/2007/06/07/paycheck-update_26956/ In case you missed the drama, I found out today that <div style="display:none;">Text is my paycheck from 5/31 bounded and Link is http://tinapbeana.savingadvice.com/2007/06/06/my-paycheck-bounced_26930/</div><a href="http://tinapbeana.savingadvice.com/2007/06/06/my-paycheck-bounced_26930/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">my paycheck from 5/31 bounded</a>. Ugh...<br /> <br /> Well, for a bit I thought I was the only one. At lunch, a co-worker called from the office and said someone else's check bounced. By the time I got back from lunch, two more met the fate for a total of four. Bear in mind, we only hand out seven paychecks, so this is over 50%.<br /> <br /> Our office manager (who also cuts our payroll, and yes her check bounced too) spent the afternoon on the phone with the CFO in Florida and our overseeing VP in Chicago. See, my current company was bought a year ago by a company based in Chicago who uses a bank from PA and the accounting is overseen by a CFO in Florida. Confused yet?<br /> <br /> At any rate, we're expecting new paychecks overnighted for all seven of us, so we should see them tomorrow. Their story? They're in the middle of switching bank accounts and payroll was drawn on the old one... <img src="https://www.savingadvice.com/forums/core/images/smilies/rolleyes.png" alt="Rolleyes" /><br /> <br /> Perhaps it's just me, but that sounds too much like the "I forgot to sign the check" gambit when someone can't pay their electric bill.<br /> <br /> At any rate, I made a call at lunch to my former boss. Yes, the one I'm doing contract work for. He's in the middle of starting a new venture (hence the contract work) and he and his new partner have already expressed interest in luring me away from my current job. My phone call was basically to let them know they could get started with the luring.<br /> <br /> See, this company I'm at now was this guy's baby, and was in great shape when he was there. Things started to go downhill fast once it got bought last year, even more so when he left the organization in December/January. <br /> <br /> The partner I mentioned? He's another cigar store customer we've known for about 7 years now who has been running his own successful local business since retiring at 50. I know several of his employees (also cigar store customers) and can confirm that this business hasn't once had a financial hiccup thus far. To put it in some kind of weird perspective, he drives a Lamborghini and paid cash for it...<br /> <br /> Lessons readers may want to take from my odd-ball day:<br /> <br /> <b>1. It pays to keep some cash locally, not just in an online savings account. </b><br /> Having cash meant I could get gas today with no worries (yeah, I'd been riding the light for a day). I could have used a credit card, but what if they check thing didn't get cleared up for a month and I couldn't pay the bill in full?<br /> <br /> <b>2. Apparently it's easy to meet future employers at a cigar store.</b><br /> OK, not exactly. My family's cigar store is where I 'network' with a lot of people from a lot of different industries, and as a result I can quickly and easily put out feelers when it comes time to look for another job. If I get hired on with Mr. Lambo's company, that will be the third job I've gotten from that store. Not to mention the contract work it helps generate.<br /> <br /> Networking isn't the bad word some people seem to think it is. And there's nothing smarmy or unseemly about it, it's simply being friendly and personable, listening to people and getting to know them. You might know it under another name: "fellowship". No matter what you call it, it's getting to know the folks around you, and being there for one another when needed. <br /> <br /> Take the cigar store: we've been there for customers during marriages and divorces, births and deaths, illnesses and celebrations. We have a lunch crowd, a Friday afternoon crowd, etc. Customers come in and hang out for a couple of house, and many of them bring their computers and work (they call it the field office!). We even have potlucks once a quarter. People bring in their pets, their kids, and friends and family from out of town.<br /> <br /> If we have a customer who has a widget for sale, chances are we'll hear of someone this week looking to buy a widget. Need a plumber, carpenter, electrician, mechanic, police officer, golf pro, realtor, computer guru, or doctor? I know one (or more) of each, and every one of them has had dinner at my house or my parents'. <br /> <br /> You probably don't network at a cigar store, but the principle is the same no matter where you do it. Trust me, it's not a dirty word. Thu, 07 Jun 2007 00:52:53 PST TinaPBeana https://tinapbeana.savingadvice.com/2007/06/06/my-paycheck-bounced_26930/ Yes, you read that correctly. <br /> <br /> I deposited my paycheck of $1300+ on Thursday 5/31. My bank automatically credits deposits, so the amount was immediately available in my account. I took out my $200 allowance and the weekly $100 for groceries.<br /> <br /> On 6/3 my monthly automated savings... Wed, 06 Jun 2007 15:06:37 PST TinaPBeana https://tinapbeana.savingadvice.com/2007/06/02/luv-me-some-flea-market-veggies_26773/ Went to the flea market for produce around 1pm. Was back at the house and unloaded before 2pm.<br /> <br /> Spent $19.80. <br /> <br /> Got the following:<br /> <br /> 3 purple onions<br /> 3 green bell peppers<br /> 5 avocados<br /> 4 jalapenos<br /> 6 ears of corn<br /> 2 regular pears<br /> 3 weirdo pears (I like trying new foods for cheap!)<br /> 1... Sat, 02 Jun 2007 18:20:54 PST TinaPBeana https://tinapbeana.savingadvice.com/2007/06/02/ssssb-is-starting-to-take-off_26765/ My slightly super-secret side business is generating some interest, which is great! A lot of it is still from people I know locally, and I'm actually AOK with that. Personally, I think some of the less tech-savvy businesses in the area would prefer to deal with a web host that has... Sat, 02 Jun 2007 13:56:50 PST TinaPBeana https://tinapbeana.savingadvice.com/2007/06/01/the-secret-of-money-saving-sleep_26700/ Your parents always said you needed your rest, but did you know that not getting your Z's could actually be costing you big bucks?<br /> <br /> That's right, folks: not getting enough sleep can hurt more than your health. <br /> <br /> <b>- Poor sleepers spend an average of $4200 more on medical costs.<br /> <br /> - Insomniacs visit both doctors and hospitals twice as often as those who sleep properly.<br /> <br /> - People with poor sleep habits are three times more likely to miss work.<br /> <br /> - According to a US Navy study, insomniacs are promoted less often and are more likely to leave their job.<br /> <br /> - Essential job skills like problem solving, creativity, and ability to handle stress are severly affected when you're deprived of sleep.<br /> <br /> - Going 24 hours without sleep impairs a driver as much as a blood alcohol level of .10. Remember, in many states DWI means 'driving while impaired', not driving while intoxicated.</b><br /> <br /> So,... Fri, 01 Jun 2007 02:37:51 PST TinaPBeana https://tinapbeana.savingadvice.com/2007/05/30/creepy-mutant-tomatoes-week-7_26606/ You read it, folks: we're on week 7 of these creepy, space age tomatoes!<br /> <br /> Two more are down, but the remaining two are looking AOK for now. Anyone want to wager how long these tomatoes will hold out?<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.savingadvice.com/blogs/image.php?blog=2863&id=2302&original=1"><img hspace="5" src="https://www.savingadvice.com/blogs/image.php?blog=2863&id=2302&&" alt="" align="" border="2" /></a><br /> <br /> I've decided that if they make it to week 8 (2 months!), I'm likely going... Wed, 30 May 2007 01:17:22 PST TinaPBeana https://tinapbeana.savingadvice.com/2007/05/28/top-7-reasons-businesses-need-website_26528/ OK, as someone who hosts websites I realize I have a vested interest in convincing people that they do in fact need a site. I've been doing the internet thing for a while, so it comes second nature to me. But the fact remains that if you have a business you really do need a site. Not... Mon, 28 May 2007 02:08:14 PST TinaPBeana https://tinapbeana.savingadvice.com/2007/05/28/slush-fund-third-times-the-charm_26522/ You ever hear that old saying that bad things come in threes?<br /> <br /> Well, after taking cat number two to the vet this past week, I was joking with DH that I was going to hide my third and final cat in the house until June arrived. <br /> <br /> We both had a good laugh.<br /> <br /> Then, yesterday afternoon,... Mon, 28 May 2007 01:05:41 PST TinaPBeana https://tinapbeana.savingadvice.com/2007/05/25/reveal-my-slightly-super-secret-side-bus_26459/ Ooooooooh, are you excited yet?!??<br /> <br /> If anyone read my articles last month on PFAdvice.com about starting a business with pocket change, then you probably already know what this is. Yeah, I know that means it's not exactly super-secret, ergo the addition of the word 'slightly' to... Fri, 25 May 2007 20:21:49 PST TinaPBeana https://tinapbeana.savingadvice.com/2007/05/25/slush-fund-strikes-again_26438/ So, apparently 2 of my 3 cats were involved in some kind of massive turf war street fight the weekend of Mother's Day. <br /> <br /> The boy, Samson, was gimpy on his paw so I took him to the vet Monday of last week. Sure enough, puncture wounds. A few days of forcing antibiotics down his throat... Fri, 25 May 2007 13:17:25 PST TinaPBeana https://tinapbeana.savingadvice.com/2007/05/24/passive-income-perfectionism-pitfall_26398/ <b>First, Some Background</b><br /> I'm in an odd place right now: I've got so many things rolling around in my head that I've not been able to focus on any one particular thing and feel I can do it justice. As a result, I've not been blogging as much and I've not written a single PFAdvice article... Thu, 24 May 2007 12:15:33 PST TinaPBeana https://tinapbeana.savingadvice.com/2007/05/23/creepy-tomatoes-week-6_26349/ Yup, six weeks of crazy creepy mutant tomato fun!<br /> <br /> Here they are<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.savingadvice.com/blogs/image.php?blog=2863&id=2251&original=1"><img hspace="5" src="https://www.savingadvice.com/blogs/image.php?blog=2863&id=2251&&" alt="" align="" border="2" /></a><br /> <br /> One tomato is obviously on the down and outs. There's another one in the back of the bag that's a little harder to see, but it's funky by the stem.<br /> <br /> So, after 6 weeks, only two of the tomatoes are bad. The... Wed, 23 May 2007 03:55:32 PST TinaPBeana https://tinapbeana.savingadvice.com/2007/05/22/funny-with-language-warning_26322/ <b>If foul language bothers you, you might want to stop reading now.<br /> <br /> If foul language can sometimes make you laugh, by all means continue!</b><br /> <br /> <br /> I've been on the internet a long time, going on half my life now. Geez, how sad is that... Anyways, one thing that has always been consistent... Tue, 22 May 2007 15:04:45 PST TinaPBeana https://tinapbeana.savingadvice.com/2007/05/22/pumpkins-tickets_26314/ Came home from work last night and DH mentioned that the radio station was giving away tickets to a Smashing Pumpkins show in Asheville. Neither one of us have ever seen them, and being GenX wanabes from the 90s the Pumpkins are one of those bands that throws me into the "Way Back... Tue, 22 May 2007 12:16:03 PST TinaPBeana https://tinapbeana.savingadvice.com/2007/05/21/what-counts-as-saving_26260/ Really more of a philosophical musing than anything else, but feel free to respond!<br /> <br /> I ask because I don't feel I'm saving enough. Then again, do you ever feel that you are?<br /> <br /> On the surface it looks like my household ain't doin' that bad. I send almost 20% of our net off to the... Mon, 21 May 2007 12:29:03 PST TinaPBeana https://tinapbeana.savingadvice.com/2007/05/21/homeowners-bill-arrived-and-i-dont-care_26247/ *evil grin*<br /> <br /> OK, lemme re-phrase that: the homeowner's insurance bill came in and it's so not even a big deal. <br /> <br /> Number one: the bill isn't due until 7/7/07 (which is neat, but I digress). I never knew they sent these types of bills out so far in advance!<br /> <br /> Number two: I've been... Mon, 21 May 2007 00:36:02 PST TinaPBeana https://tinapbeana.savingadvice.com/2007/05/17/todays-time-waster_26118/ For anyone with some time to kill <br /> <br /> OR<br /> <br /> For anyone who severly needs a laugh<br /> <br /> <div style="display:none;">Text is http://icanhascheezburger.com/ and Link is </div><a href="http://icanhascheezburger.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://icanhascheezburger.com/</a> Thu, 17 May 2007 13:37:59 PST TinaPBeana