Champagne or Beer Budget

Ok! Before you judge me... I should clarify... I don't currently live a champagne lifestyle on a beer budget... but I am trying to recover from when I probably was... My debt to income ratio isn't awesome, but like everybody, I'm working on managing it. Read on for my take on some online financial tools I've been using.

In serious need to evaluate my spending on wants vs. needs I scoured the Internet for tools that would help me keep better track of my spending.

There are credit and loan calculators that'll tell you to input your Balance, Minimum Payment and Interest Rate and it'll tell you how much you'll pay in the by paying the minimum. Those are handy, but I needed something I could log into daily to look over my spending and evaluate the direction I'm headed.

If you need that kind of guidance, right now I'm a part of 2 websites: http://www.mint.com/ which I've been a member of since April-ish 2008 and just this past mid November I became a member at Quicken.intuit.com .

Best thing is, they are both FREE services!

My financial position is fairly average (for a single childless female). I have a steady job, I have credit debt and student loans. I don't have any kind of investments, car loans, or mortgages but both of these websites are great tools for me, and can be to you even if you do have a more complicated financial lifestyle.

Before you sign up! I will tell you that you should look into the services thoroughly and decide for yourself if you feel they are reputable companies because they BOTH ask for information that most outlets will tell you to never give up. These sites ask for log-in info to your banks online service. That is how all of your financial info is gathered up and displayed in one place.

I have had no problem as of yet with either company. Personally I feel my information is secure, but please look into it for yourself.

I really like using both services, and while it is probably not necessary to use two competing services because they ultimately are doing the same exact thing, there are little features from each that I like. I'll give you a couple examples.

What I like about Mint.com

1. "Trend" reporting is better, I like the pie chart better, aesthetically and functionally. Overall, to me, Mint.com is more aesthetically pleasing.
   
2. Comparison spending, you can compare your spending to others in your state, the United States, or choose from many large cities across the country. I like to compare my Fuel and Food spending habits especially.
   
3. "Ways To Save" this will give you ideas and options on ways to get lower interest rates on debt, higher rates on savings and so on. This feature so far hasn't benefited me at all, but probably because of my debt amounts and credit score. So I look forward to seeing that feature become useful.

What I like about Quicken

1. Text message alerts are very customizable and Quicken offers more options than Mint does. (Quicken is also on http://www.twitter.com/ although, to be fair I haven't searched for Mint.com there)(edit: Just found Mint on Twitter too)
   
2. The front page shows "What's Left" until your next paycheck and your risk of having a low balance and overdraft. And there's a "view chart" option that forecasts into your next paycheck future to try to show you what you'll have left after your typical spending.
   
3. Transactions section offers an "Upcoming Transactions" category, so you can schedule things you know are coming up and it can show you your potential balance after that transaction(s). It will load many of your recurring expenses automatically and input the average debit. It is customizable and quite enlightening.

I could go on an on about both services, and I'm going to use both for a while and if one outshines the other dramatically I may cut back to just one account.

One feature neither company offers, and is incredibly irritating... Cash Accounts. Neither offer a good way to track any cash that you spend. So if you take $60 out at the ATM and give $20 as a gift use $20 to buy a card and other miscellaneous and hold onto $20 for dinner and drinks later there is little to no way of tracking this cash. There are things you can do to distinguish how to spent it, by 'splitting' transactions with mint.com or with notes or tags... but it's a hassle to split the transaction and still have it incorporated with your bank rather than an 'envelope account'. Possibly a more valid argument is, let's say you owe your grandma money she lent you for car repairs (or whatever) Tracking balance owed to your grandma is impossible with these services, so you can't track the money that you paid back to her efficiently either. Pen and paper works, sure, but how can you get a full scope of your spending if you can't manually manage this account online??? RARG.

That's really my only complaint truthfully, I'll keep using the services whether or not they have that feature, but the one that does add it, wins!

(actually I found out about Quicken's online version through a Mint.com message board I was searching to find out if I could track cash through mint.com, on the message board users have been requesting this addition for about a year and obviously it hasn't happened. One user pointed out that with competition (Quicken and others ie: Rudder.com, Wesabe.com and Yodlee.com) now offering free services and choices it's a wonder there is no cash account option...)

Just found this link... so click it for a more comprehensive comparison of Mint and Quicken : http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20081015-hands-on-mint-com-vs-quicken-online.html.

I realize this blog is incredibly long, and applaud you for getting to the end.

(I began working on this entry on 11/25/08 if that explains the length...)

Bankrupt this, Bailout that

How do you help cuts costs at work?

Seems like everybody has to tighten their belts a notch or three... so how can you help your business or employer prevent from the Too Little Too Late scenario we're seeing happen quite a bit the last few weeks.

Or is it too little too late already? Could your job be at risk and if you could turn back time what would you change?

Lots of offices use lots of paper... is going "paperless" a possibility? Which will also save lots of toner, and probably a little electricity too.
Do you use a space heater at work that you could do without? Do you turn off a light and open a window?

If you have any ideas for cutting costs or saving money in your personal life I'd love to hear about that too.

Personally, I've been collecting pop cans. It doesn't add up to -that- much, but it does add up over time. Last time I made a drop off aluminum was 50cents a pound.

I also started actively using Upromise.com to help pay my college loans. Please shop through my online link to help me out (just click and search): http://www.upromise.com/guest/2981031749





What kinds of changes are you making?

I'm excited to post a blog I've been working on for a while... it'll give you great ideas for keeping track of your personal budget. Look for that coming soon. (It's a long read right now, so I'm going to tighten it up and then I'll let you have at it!)

Thanks for reading!

Last Minute Christmas Gifts

Compiling a quick list of gift ideas for you, if you're having a hard time figuring out what to get someone who has everything, says they want nothing, or you don't know well enough to get them something you know they would want (like a co-worker gift exchange).

Gifts for any age, male or female.

Are you cold or do you know someone who is cold? Why not GetSnuggie? Yes, it's a blanket with sleeves... and yes, some may think it's cheesy... but it could be the perfect gift for the cold blooded. (I don't know that a -Manly man would like it, but a boy might...)

Pillow Talk for someone special... Some like to fall asleep with background noise, some can't fall asleep with background noise... Everyone can fall to dreamy sleep with this Pillow.

Watch your change add up with this Digital Coin Counter. Fun gift for all ages. Really adults like it too! And kids can get excited about learning to count and save money. Browse around, they offer Piggy style ones and different colored ones for kids too. OU!! Check out this awesome one for the car cupholder!! (browse that site a little bit, and you'll find golfball/baseball/football digital bank(s) too!) I totally want the car cupholder one! hint hint... ;)

For girls-women...

I recently got this for my birthday and I LOVE it! Mine was from Coastalscents.com and they even gave me a free sample eyeshadow too! This is the 88 Ultra Shimmer Palette, it's about $24. plus shipping. I first learned about this palette watching this YouTube.com video.

There's a list to get you started... Leave your comments on some of your last minute gift ideas! Merry X-mas!

I'm a Scorpio, just barely...

Today is my B-day. Woo! That makes me just barely a Scorpio, but a Scorpio is a Scorpio is a Scorpio! ;)



Yesterday I got a very nice gift from a co-worker. :) My Scorpio Sister. Her Birthday is today too.

I try not to make too big-a-deal of my birthday... and I suppose the older I get the less big-a-deal I'll make of it...


I got an email from Sparkpeople.com for my birthday...





I like it... and then it makes me think of the past year... Not everything that I wanted to make happen did I. And the one thing I want most and need most, I didn't commit enough to. And on top of that, I -could have- completed my weight loss goal and been on a maintenance routine.
I won't dwell on it. I won't 'hope to lose weight' because then I'm waiting for something or someone else to do the work for me.

I'm ready for another year of 'making things happen'. Or even 'fakin' it til I make it' a little closer.

And now I'm ready for a birthday nap. ;)

New Website Stuff

SUPER RADIO AUCTION Check out a partial list of items available during the Super Radio Auction that we'll hold November, 15th. The preview starts at 8am. Bidding starts at 9am.

New pictures are up from the United Wireless Text Master Contest! We've also got some slightly lengthy videos up on youtube. See yourself possibly!

If you're not signed up for Free Text Alerts from your favorite radio station yet.... what are you waiting for??? Sport Scores, Daily and Severe Weather, Secret Contests... Pick and choose what you want to be alerted to. We're excited to bring you this service for free. (your service provider charges will apply though)

Transitioning from one sport to the next so keep your eye out, we'll have updated schedules posted for you so you know when to listen for your favorite local team.

Last but not least. Q Jocks will be updating their bio pages and contact info. I'll let you know when that happens.

Talk to you again soon.
-Carissa

Back from Vaca, Back to Business

No matter how awesome the vacation... it's always good to be back home. Back to normal routine...

First night on the boat (correction: ship! ;) ) was a woozy one. I'm sure the 2 glasses of champagne didn't help much. Then Joey and I went to the company cocktail party... we were excited to get drink on the company's bill... I sipped on one Bahama Mama... I couldn't finish it, we were in the Viking Crown Lounge and that's the 14th floor... the very top of the ship, and that made things more woozy. hehe


Nassau was the first stop and it was just as windy as Kansas... but the temperature was nice. When we got off the ship we were bombarded with locals trying to sell us taxi rides and tours and scooter rentals and hair braiding! It was nutty... I got hustled... Tell you about that in a second though...
Nassau was pretty neat, Joey and I walked around together checking out shops and picking up little souvenirs here and there. We went to Senor Frogs, the public beach and even Haagen Daz. While checking out Bay Street a guy asked us "You guys gonna party tonight?!" I was like "Woo ya! We're gonna party!" He said "I've got weed, coke..." I chuckled "Oh Man! Not -that- kind of party!" I'm so naive! Why did I even chat with him at all. :P
Later a man waiting along with us to cross the street said "Are you an American citizen?" I said "yea" he said "Are you going to vote for Barack Obama???" I giggled and said "Oh well, I don't know, I suppose I might... are you going to vote for him?" He said "I pray for him every day that he'll win, that Palin lady is a wacko" we laughed along with him... Neat to hear some one's perspective like that.
On the way back to the ship in Nassau Joey and I were prepared to be harassed by the locals for cab rides and more hair braiding... As we walked I saw a group of three girls approach the ladies in front of us and get rejected... I was ready to reject them too, but the one with the huge colorful beehive tricked me and quickly put a cheap and cheesy bracelet in my hand as I was walking... she put one in Joey's hand too and said 'no one leaves the Bahama's without a souvenir. I thought "cool, bye!" and she followed us and told us some story as we were walking about the disabled kids who made the bracelets and could use a donation. I thought "CRAP!!" so I reached in my bag... I had $13 and I wasn't giving her the $10 even though she said she could make change, I pulled out just the $3 as she was saying that usually people give at least $5. I handed it to her and said "that's all I have." She asked Joey for money, he said he had no cash and then she said "alright well we'll just take this one back then" and took the bracelet back from Joey. LOL. It was funny and irritating all at once. I was in a little bit of shock at how fast it all happened...


Next Port of Call: CoCo Cay (aka Little Stirrup Cay) A Beach Day. Joey and I hung out quite a bit... so we went Kayaking together on CoCo Cay (which is the commercial name of the island, if you want to look it up on the map look up Little Stirrup Cay). It was a simple Kayak journey... out a ways from the shoreline, then park a little ways down on a different part of shoreline, then back to the starting point. While we were parked we saw a really big Star Fish and a member of the Conch family shell fish. Also another shell creature... can't remember the name of it, but she said that Sponge Bob Square Pants has this animal as a character... a snail type that only pokes it's eyeball-tentacles out of the shell... Similar to picture. The tour guide also yelled for our attention as a sting ray swam under us on the way back to the main beach. I bought a severely overpriced water camera so when i can come up with a few bucks I'll get the camera developed and post those pictures... I'm hoping I got a picture of the sting ray... barely.
After Kayaking we had a BBQ lunch and then hung out in a hammock! Super relaxing. Somehow I even got a little burn on my back while in the shade... I used sunscreen for my face and arms! (heart) Sunscreen!


Last Port of Call: Key West! I think that Key West was my favorite day. Joey and I went on Lloyd's Original Bike Tour. I won't talk much about it here because I'll have plenty of video of it and I'll link that up later. It was a great time! Really fun, and Lloyd is a comedian! Or at least, funny!
After the bicycle tour we went to Margaritaville. I got Conch soup and some fries... the fries were sooo tasty and the soup was super good too. I also got some kind of blue margarita. Joey had a regular margarita and a Cheeseburger in Paradise, of course! We walked around to shop a little... ran across a curb side bar and got a Strawberry Daiquiri Slushy in a souvenir cup. Delish! Then got turned around and started freaking out because we thought we could miss the ship. We hustled back, to figure out we were fine... there'd be an hour before we set sail! :P

The trip was a lot of fun... I don't think I have any real regrets, except for that I didn't actually try the Conch Fritters that were everywhere... every time I thought to get some it was bad timing... Next time... If there is a next time. :P



I've got some great pictures up at a couple different places and eventually I'll have video too.

Try me on myspace: www.myspace.com/djladycarissa

or if you have facebook (I'm brand new on face book this week...)



Check out my Twitter


I think that'll wrap things up for now. Thanks for reading!

Cruisin' to Key West

View Larger Map

Try this link if you can't see the google map, or you want to see the pictures and stuff that I'll mention later in the blog.

What you're looking at is the directions to Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville.

I was lucky enough to win a cruise from my employer and I decided to take Joey from The Late Show as my guest. So lucky him too!! He wants to go to Margaritaville, so I've mapped it out. Because we'll also be going to Sebago Watersports and we won't have time to waste to get from one to the next.

The cruise will also include stops at Nassau and CoCo Cay, Bahamas and it leaves from Miami and arrives back in Miami.

I'm excited that I finally have a camera so plan on seeing tons of pictures! I'm even going to grab an 8G SD card so I make sure I have room for video too. Can you believe that they make 8G SD cards now... and it's just 35 bucks! I remember when my first SD card was 30 bucks for 256MB!!

I'll tell you what... I love Google Maps. I was actually able to look down the road through a webcam 360 view of the street that Margaritaville is on. So I'm sure I'll be able to find it because I know what the surrounding area looks like. I googled a picture of the front of Margaritville and just looked for that in the google maps webcam! And you can even post pictures of places, historical buildings or of certain beaches and link them on the google map.

Anyway. Other than those couple of plans I think I'll play the rest of the trip by ear... a floating beach mat for rent all day at ten bucks sounds very nice... even the giant water slide would be great! :)

A Glass Bottom Boat ride will be cool if I'm too scared to snorkel at Sebago...

Anyway, I think that'll be it for now. Thanks for reading. TTYS.