Tessa's Ramblings: All rambles. All the time.

A Few Graduation Photos

2008-10-06T20:22:00.008-06:00

First of all, here is my cute leopard print dress for all of you frugalites. It was $7 and the belt was $4.

Have I mentioned before that my mom laughs at me when I take pictures of my outfits in the mirror?

Before the ceremony in the ultra-flattering robe and tam.

And after being hooded and receiving my degree. I'm done!!!

Graduation Day

2008-10-04T08:08:00.003-06:00

Today is the graduation ceremony for my doctoral degree. While I have officially been "doctor" for over a month, this is the day that I have been looking forward to for eight years. I'm not sure how eight years went by so quickly (even though there were moments where they seemed to drag on forever!).

There's no way that I would've been able to get through this without the support of my family and friends. That has meant so much to me and helped to carry me through the dark times. Thanks also to my bloggy friends who have written such kind words of support over the past two years!

Finally, and most importantly, there is no way that I would have been able to accomplish this without the strength I received from my relationship with God. I knew that this was His plan for me, and that kept me going. He carried me through this entire experience.

And now, on to the celebration. :)

"That my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever." Psalm 30:12

Getting Stuck

2008-09-29T20:22:00.002-06:00

Hi, my name is Tessa and I have arthritis.

I'm 26, which in joint terms is not that old. It started when I was 17- I remember this very clearly. I took dance lessons from age 5 to age 15 and then danced on my high school dance team from age 14 to 18. If you do the math, that's 13 years of wear and tear. During my senior year, we were learning this really cool (and somewhat difficult) dance. One move involved going from a standing position to a squatting position, turning in a circle, and then coming back to a standing position. My knees started hurting a bit whenever I had to do this move, but I ignored it.

In college, I had to climb a flight of stairs every day to get to my psychology classes. That made my knees hurt, too. When I stood on my feet for long periods of time while working at a pharmacy, my knees started swelling and burning. By age 19 I was taking a Glucosamine/Chondroitin supplement daily. This helped a lot.

Within the last year, two things have happened. I have had to increase my Glucosamine dosage and my hip joints started hurting. I was not pleased. During a pain management class in grad school, I observed an acupuncturist for a day and thought I might try that in the future.

A couple of months ago, I visited my nurse practitioner. She thought I might have Rheumatoid Arthritis- the crippling, potentially disabling kind. My initial blood test came back clear and I decided to try something different. Now I am going to an acupuncturist.

People, it works!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My knee pain is GREATLY reduced. My hip pain has had less success, but I am thrilled with the results. Definitely not frugal, but 100% worth the cost. Even if I do have to lie there for 20 minutes with a bunch of needles sticking out of me. :P

Battling the Cranky

2008-09-25T13:37:00.002-06:00

I'm at home sick today, and as I've discussed before, I am not a good sick person. I am cranky and bored. My good friend Amy called me to check on me and brought me some cold medicine (the good stuff), so that warmed my bitter little heart. And is making me feel slightly strung out, but better.

Anyhoo, I am trying to entertain myself on the internets. One blog that I enjoy is Stuff Christians Like. It's in a similar vein to Stuff White People Like, but, you know, with more Jesus. It has a lot of funny stuff on it. I just laughed out loud at this post. If you've ever been to a Christian concert or heard a Christian CD that was recorded live at said concerts, you've heard that guy that screams "Jesus!". It's funny 'cause it's true.

Updating the Coupon Binder

2008-09-22T20:43:00.007-06:00

The time has come to update my coupon binder. I have had it for almost two years, and it was falling apart at the seams (literally!). It also was too small. I was able to get a new binder free after rebate and I used dividers that I already had- sometimes it pays to have an office supply addiction. The baseball card holders were fine so I just transferred them over.

Here is the front of the old binder:

Inside the old binder- it's nice and messy:

Also inside the old binder:

Here is the new PINK binder. Complete with a ClipArt decorated front cover and of course a label on the binding (not shown). Because I enjoy looking crazy.

Inside the new binder. One new thing that I have done is buy two of those zippered pencil pouches. In the front pouch, I put the coupons that I am going to use in a particular store. Then I can just grab the pouch and not have to take the whole binder with me. In the second zippered pouch I keep scissors for easy access.

The Sewage Incident: A Pointless Post

2008-09-17T20:21:00.004-06:00

Last week there was an incident at the casa de Tessa. There will be no pictures to accompany this post as I do not document disgusting-ness.

Occasionally my air conditioner unit has (supposedly) been backing up and I will have puddles on my kitchen floor and in the garage. The kitchen, garage, and ground floor bathroom are all located near each other. Last Monday, it started again. My landlord- who normally is really quick to respond- had seemingly disappeared (later I found out that he had gone out of town). By Thursday, the floor in the kitchen near the bathroom had a lot of water and I was struggling to keep up with getting towels dry enough to put down. On Friday morning, sewage started to back up in the bathroom.

I do not do well with gross things. I have serious issues with public bathrooms due to the pure disgusting-ness that lurks within. But after a few phone calls to family members and then to a plumber, all was taken care of. The plumber came within ten minutes of my phone call and had fixed the problem within ten minutes of arriving. Thank God for this going smoothly!

Of course I had to go buy a Shop Vac and then complete a five-step cleaning process: vacuum, sweep, scrub on my hands and knees, mop, and wash towels one million times until I feel they are approaching clean again. But I am getting reimbursed for the plumber costs ($60- I should have been a plumber) and all is well for the time being.

Except that now I have dreams of finding puddles in the floor. :P

Irony

2008-09-15T21:48:00.002-06:00

Here I am at age 3. I was crying because my brother (age 8 at the time) got to go to school and I didn't. I even went so far as to make up my own "Pretend School" and every day I would go off to "Pretend School" when my brother went to real school. That's about where it would end, though, because I had no idea what one actually did all day in school. I just thought it sounded very exciting.

If I had only known that I would be in school for 21 years, maybe I wouldn't have been crying.

I'm Back! With a Walgreens Post!

2008-09-13T18:17:00.004-06:00

Of all the things that I do for this blog, I find it the most amusing when I get home from a shopping trip and try to artfully arrange groceries and HBA items so that I can take a picture of them. I don't know why, but I find that pretty funny. :D

Anyhoo, as you may or may have noticed, I have been absent from this blog lately. This means that I have been absent from deal-shopping, too. When I saw the $10 off $40 coupon WG put out for yesterday and today, I decided it was time to get with it. Incidentally, those coupons are also how I typically solve the toilet paper problem. Frugal folk with easy access to CVS are ALWAYS getting free TP, but the closest CVS is an hour away. I use toilet paper as filler to get up to the required amount when WG puts out the $10 off X amount coupons.

Today's purchases and totals:
3 Quilted Northern (3 x $4)= $12.00
2 South Beach Living Cereal Bars (2 x $2.50)= $5.00
2 Crest Rinses- I had the cashier ring them up separately- (2 x $4.49)= $8.98
1 Nivea for Men Body Wash= $4.99
1 Chemistry Hair Product= $7.99
1 WG Acid Controller= $7.99
1 LypSyl Lip Moisturizer= $1.99
1 Excedrin Express Gels= $3.99
1 Revlon Nail Polish= $4.49
__________________________________________________________
Total: $57.42
- $16.00 coupons
= $41.42
- $9.00 Register Rewards generated from the Crest
= $32.42

AND I will be getting $31.44 back in rebates, so my total was .98 before tax (I paid 2.86 tax). I also got a couple of coupons that printed with my Register Rewards. One was for Glade Wisp ($3 off) and I will combine it with the $5 manufacturer's coupon whenever that goes on sale to get it for free.

Most of the stuff was free after rebate or free after Register Rewards. I thought the cereal bars were a particularly good deal as they were .50 per box after coupons.

This is why I love coupons and rebates.

Nothing to Post?

2008-09-02T20:06:00.003-06:00

Nope, nothin'. I haven't done any new and exciting frugal things lately. I'm drawing a blank...

Break

2008-08-18T19:45:00.003-06:00

Will be on a bit of a break this week as I wrap some things up with internship/work. I'm going on vacation next week at work and will post then!

The Winner!

2008-08-15T11:38:00.002-06:00

Congratulations to Chris from St. Mary's! You are the new owner of Millionaire Women Next Door. Here's the winning comment:

"I'm new to personal finance and everything I've read has been online. I don't have a favorite personal finance book because I've never read any. I've tried getting TMMO through local library, but don't want to wait forever to get to the top of the hold list. I'd like Millionaire Women Next Door to be my first."

Thanks to all for entering! I was surprised that so many said they'd never read any personal finance books. In the future I will talk more about some of my favorites.

Chris, email me at thefrugalshrink AT yahoo DOT com with your name and address and I'll get this sent out to you.

For Those With Foot Issues

2008-08-12T21:12:00.003-06:00

The expensive-but-very-comfortable-and-well-made Born brand of shoes is on sale for $30 per pair at 6pm (the shoe store, not the time). This is no $10 sale, but it is a good price for Born and those suckers will last you for years. Their boots are even on sale for $30, and they normally cost $180 and up. Worth checking out for those with problematic feet.

Book Review and Giveaway: Millionaire Women Next Door

2008-08-11T13:00:00.000-06:00

I really learned from Stanley & Danko's book The Millionaire Next Door, so when I saw this book for cheap I grabbed it. Like The Millionaire Next Door, there are definitely dry patches that you can easily skip over. However, there was still much to be gleaned.

What I learned:

1) Millionaire women have very clear goals (daily, weekly, monthly, annual, lifetime). They are more likely than their male counterparts to have these clearly defined goals.

2) Millionaire women largely have parents that set them up to succeed. Most millionaire women (not all) had parents that exhibited the following values/traits: empathy, leadership, happiness, independence, and responsiveness. These parents taught their daughters how to get along well with others, how to lead, how to be happy with where they are, how to be independent, and how to respond well to others.

3) Millionaire women began earning money at an early age. Most of these women were not the products of well-to-do parents, and their entrepreneurial spirit was evident early on.

4) Millionaire women are givers. They give a great deal to church and charity. Sometimes they give too much to family and enable their children to become economically dependent on them.

5) Millionaire women are self-employed. Sometimes they are engaged in unusual businesses. They see a need and figure out how to fill it and fill it well. Top earning careers for these women are management and consulting.

As with all of the Millionaire books, I think the most interesting part are the individual case studies. It's pretty interesting to see why people become what they become.

Want your own copy? I snagged an extra off of Paperback Swap to give to one of my readers. Leave a comment below telling me what your favorite personal finance book is and you will be entered into this giveaway. I'll draw a winner on Friday. Open to all in the U.S.

So I'm Really Going to Graduate

2008-08-06T22:39:00.004-06:00

Today I picked up a belated birthday gift from one of my friends. It is a beautiful red leather portfolio, and on the front there is a plate that she had engraved with "Dr. Mylastname." Looking at that engraved plate is the strangest experience for me. Even though I have written "Dr. Mylastname" about a thousand times before just to see how it would look. ;)

Also today I picked up some white 100% cotton bond paper for free at Staples (used my rewards certificate) to print my dissertation on. I've had to make a few minor changes following the defense, but it looks like I will be ready to print and turn in the required copies in the next week or so.

Both of these incidences were very clear reminders that I am getting ready to graduate with my doctorate. This is not something that my brain has accepted yet. I will be done with my internship at the end of August and will officially have the doctorate September 1st, although my graduation ceremony isn't until October. I have been focused on this goal since I was 17 and I have just been running as fast and as hard as I can since that time trying to get to where I am now.

Now here I am at the finish line, and I don't quite know what to do with myself. It's definitely a happy thing, but something that is going to take some time for me to wrap my head around.

Bulk Food Stores

2008-08-04T09:00:00.000-06:00

I love bulk food stores! There is a new-ish bulk food store in my hometown that I recently visited for the first time. There were tons of great deals, but I limited myself to just a few things. I picked up some powdered milk, natural peanut butter, carob chips, lentils, and chocolate covered pretzels (for the ride home ;) ). If I were more organized, I would preplan out a month's worth of menus and do more shopping in bulk. Unfortunately I will have to make do with the little organization that I currently manage.

I Have Plans...

2008-08-03T13:00:00.000-06:00

...and they will probably go horribly, horribly wrong. Much like the Great Tomato-Plant Murders of 2007. But I have to keep trying, right?

Deal Alert: $9.99 Shoes at ShoeTrader

2008-08-02T12:38:00.007-06:00

ShoeTrader has a bunch of shoes on sale right now for $9.99 with free shipping and free returns. Use code 943706 if the prices don't show up correctly in your cart. There is no good way to sort the items, so be prepared to be frustrated. However, if you have the patience there are some cute things in the midst of some frankly hideous stuff.

I'm trying to stop buying unreasonably tall and/or uncomfortable shoes due to joint problems. I've been getting rid of my unreasonable shoes but let me tell you it is no easy task to find cute low-heeled shoes!!

Here's what I bought:

Green linen sling back sandals- originally $35:

Sofft (love this brand for comfort!) leather sandals- originally $70:

Black leather sandals- originally $60:

Boring but functional leather loafers in tan and black- originally $40 each:

Original total: $245

Paid: $50 shipped

Not bad.

Vintage Purse

2008-08-01T06:47:00.004-06:00

I found this cute little vintage purse at a flea market last weekend. It's in great shape and was $7. Look at how the clasp is on the handle- I've not seen that before. The print lining and inner metal zipper are also indicators of its age. And how cute is that lining!

The New Staples Ink Rewards Program: I Like You Better. I Think.

2008-07-30T13:00:00.000-06:00

I have been quiet about my beloved Staples lately since they have taken away nearly every perk that kept me shopping there. They even changed their ink recycling policy, and I wasn't sure that I even understood it. So I waited to report back.

And I'm pretty sure I like it better than before! Basically, you can take in three ink cartridges (Dell, HP, or Lexmark) per day and they will periodically mail you one coupon for all of the ink cartridges that you've redeemed. I like it better because I could potentially save up and have quite a large coupon to spend at one time.

The downside is that I'm not frequently near a Staples store anymore, so I will have to carefully plan on recycling cartridges when I'm in the area. I have been saving ink cartridges in the trunk of my car until I could be sure that I wanted to continue with the Staples program, so I guess it's time to start recycling!

Library Book Store Guilt

2008-07-29T18:48:00.002-06:00

I love, love, love the library book store in my tiny hometown. Rather than having a yearly or twice yearly sale, the "friends of the library" open up this little book store one day a week for a few hours. I go once every month or two and buy a bunch. Because I love hearing my friends and family complain about having to lift 52,341 heavy boxes of books every time that I move.

Anyhoo, prices are cheap. The lady working at the store (incidentally, she was my first-grade teacher) tried to charge me $4 for this stack. "How about $5?" I asked, feeling guilty for spending so little and getting so much. Then I just gave her a ten and told her to keep it. I am terrified that they will close this place down, so I try to donate something extra every time that I'm there. Also, I seem to be the kiss of death for stores. If I love it, it will close.

So I say keep the change as long as you keep your doors open and let me feed my addiction.

Recent Cheapie Clothes Buys

2008-07-27T13:00:00.007-06:00

I have been finding a lot of good clothing deals lately. Here's some of my recent purchases!

Bitten by Sarah Jessica Parker suit- $8.98 per piece at Steve & Barry's. I was in need of a suit since I've lost weight and none of mine fit me right now. It's even a wool blend! Jacket is lined but skirt isn't- it definitely needs a slip underneath.

Banana Republic jacket- originally $148. Was $27.xx on sale and I had a $15 off coupon. Paid about $13. Did I tell you guys that I am going to be presenting at a national conference in November? Whoo hoo! So this is a legitimate purchase for that occasion. Ahem.

Rue 21 short-sleeved jacket- $5. This store has great clearance- I don't ever pay more than $5 here. Their stuff is not wonderfully made, but you will definitely get your $2-$5 out of it. I recently also got a cute red button-down shirt for $5. Their jewelry clearance is $3 and less.

Cato skirt- $5. It's fully lined!

Express skirt- originally $69.50, paid about $7. It has pockets! I *love* pockets on dresses and skirts!

Cato shoes- paid $4. I don't buy a lot of cheapie shoes, but these were too cute to pass up!

And the winner is...

2008-07-26T17:48:00.002-06:00

Beachnerd! Here is her winning entry:

Wow Dr. Tessa, this is a generous offer! I was flying home from a business conference and tried a friend's ipod. I declared right then and there that I want one for my birthday. Ok: I'm frugal when I make homemade pizza or salads for dinner and then use our bogo Dairy Queen coupons after seeing the free big band music on the weekends for our "date out". I'm not frugal when my daughter has the same day off of work as me. Then we go to lunch wherever she wants to go, mostly because it doesn't happen that often.

Her entry was randomly selected through one of those internet number generator thingamajigs, not just 'cause she called me Dr. Tessa and that made me smile. ;)

I have so enjoyed reading all of your entries! It is really interesting to see what is important to each of you. To be honest, I did this contest in part to make some of you comment here for the first time! I can "see" the number/location of the people who visit, but I wanted to know who you guys are. Thanks to all who commented and entered the contest.

Beachnerd, email me at thefrugalshrink AT yahoo DOT com with your name, address, what color Ipod shuffle you want, and what you would like to have engraved on it. Congratulations! :D

This Week's Walgreens Trip

2008-07-22T20:34:00.002-06:00

I'm ashamed to admit that it had been weeks since I'd hit up WG. None of the deals have looked too tempting and I've been busy, so that means no shopping. You should see my hideous pile of unorganized coupons. Terrible.

Anyhoo, this week's deals:
Therabreath Starter Kit 9.99 (will be FAR)
Dawn dish soap .49 (used a .50 manufacturer's coupon)
Air freshener 1.50 for two (used a BOGOF coupon- not a great price, but my stockpile is low)
Reynolds wrap .34 (used a .55 manufacturer's coupon)
Nature Made Vitamins 9.99 (will be FAR)
Sandwich baggies .99 (needed these)
Scotch tape 3/1.00 (remember my traumatic no-name tape story?)
Pilot 2-pack of pens 1.00 (will be FAR)
3 packs of Papermate mechanical pencils .15 total
Chocolate bar .99 (will be FAR)

Total spent after taxes (I used a previous WG gift card): $28.32.
Total that I will get back in rebates: $24.16 (including the 10% bonus)
Total spent: $4.16

Also, I told myself that this would be the year that I would stay away from the school supply deals. I'm still trying to get rid of/use up supplies from two stinkin' years ago. However, the siren song of .05 packs of pencils was too much for me to handle. It is a sickness, I tell you! One that apparently runs in my family- not that I'm blaming anyone. ;)

Ipod Shuffle Giveaway!

2008-07-21T21:04:00.000-06:00

Let me tell you about my Ipod shuffle.

For many years, I have guffawed at how everyone had to have an mp3 player, let alone one made by Apple. I should just never open my mouth.

For my birthday (June 4th), my mom offered to get me a shuffle. I thought that sounded good, since I could use it when I exercised. Since that time, I have had an ongoing love affair with this tiny thing, except for one traumatic incident where I accidentally threw away the headphones. People, it makes *everything* better!! Need some motivation for exercising? Ipod shuffle. Hate doing chores around the house? Ipod shuffle. Want to tune out your children/spouse/boss? Ipod shuffle.

I love it so much that I am going to pony up the money for one of you to have one. All you have to do is leave a comment telling me one way that you are frugal and one way that you aren't. I will randomly draw a winner on Saturday. Make sure your comment includes some way that I can reach you. This is open to anyone in the U.S., including people that I know in real life and/or relatives. 'Cause I totally believe in nepotism.

Go!

Coming next week...

2008-07-19T20:16:00.002-06:00

...a fun giveaway/contest.

What could it be???