I am basking in the glory of what is my new EnV Touch phone. I'm still obsessed with it and it has been 5 days since I got it. I had been deliberating between the EnV touch and the EnV 3. Once I tried them out, it was no contest; the touch was for me. Plus I'd like to think I try my best to keep up with the times.
The phone would have cost me $159.99 with my two year upgrade. INSTEAD, it only costme $100 thanks to the promotion Verizon has right now where their Blackberry phones are being advertisted as buy one get one free. Thankfully, my brother also had an upgrade and was planning on buying a Blackberry. His was significantly more expensive than mine. The original price on his was $300.00 with a $100.00 rebate. I asked the nice lady named April if there was any way I could get the EnV touch instead of a Blackberry (since these "regular" phones normally cost less than a Blackberry anyway). She was very accomodating and that is how not only I got my phone for $100 but my brother did too! I of course did have to put everything on my card first and am patiently waiting for my two hundred dollar rebate to arrive.
Even though it's nice to get a bundled package at the kiosk, be careful with all those add ons...screen protectors, cases, blue tooth headsets, navigation applications, etc. I went with a screen protector, which was thrown in with the phone, and a hard clear case. I asked about the blue tooth headset since I am pretty sure driving without one will be illegal soon. They were a little spendy so I opted to look for one on Amazon instead. Ten dollars and free shipping got me a nice LG headset to go with the phone. I am ready to be fully mobile yet again.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Cooking from the Pantry II
So the last installment of Cooking from the Pantry we madea fritata. This time we are making more of what people might call a full fledged meal.
1. Corn on the cob
2. Chicken breast filets
3. Risotto
Feeling the urge to be somewhat creative this week, I decided to try making risotto. I'm not an incredibly patient person so I tried my best to keep an open mind. I'm not gonna lie, it was rough. It was starting to smell DELICIOUS about ten minutes in to it. As the rice ($4.69)was soaking up that chicken broth (99 cents), I added some broccoli, cauliflower, and chicken (all of which I had in the fridge). Thirty minutes later, smells even better. Boiling my corn on the cob, decided to add some corn to the risotto too (5/$1 at the store) which brough the ingredients cost to a whopping $2.39 (I figure 99 cent broth, 20 cents for an ear of corn, and about $1,20 for the cup of rice I used). Forty minutes later I just can't wait any longer and take a big bite...only to feel some more than al dente rice. It would be one thing if i could just let it simmer or something but no...I have to stir the entire time. Risotto and I are not friends...UNTIL...voila! It's time to eat! Fifty minutes has gone by since I first stirred the rice...well worth the wait (well, it was as I put that first bite in my mouth...when I think of it now...no comment).
Cooking from the pantry, it's great. I had grilled chicken, corn on the cob, and a chicken, broccoli, cauliflower, corn risotto for the low low price of $2.39!!! (not including my precious stirring time of course).
1. Corn on the cob
2. Chicken breast filets
3. Risotto
Feeling the urge to be somewhat creative this week, I decided to try making risotto. I'm not an incredibly patient person so I tried my best to keep an open mind. I'm not gonna lie, it was rough. It was starting to smell DELICIOUS about ten minutes in to it. As the rice ($4.69)was soaking up that chicken broth (99 cents), I added some broccoli, cauliflower, and chicken (all of which I had in the fridge). Thirty minutes later, smells even better. Boiling my corn on the cob, decided to add some corn to the risotto too (5/$1 at the store) which brough the ingredients cost to a whopping $2.39 (I figure 99 cent broth, 20 cents for an ear of corn, and about $1,20 for the cup of rice I used). Forty minutes later I just can't wait any longer and take a big bite...only to feel some more than al dente rice. It would be one thing if i could just let it simmer or something but no...I have to stir the entire time. Risotto and I are not friends...UNTIL...voila! It's time to eat! Fifty minutes has gone by since I first stirred the rice...well worth the wait (well, it was as I put that first bite in my mouth...when I think of it now...no comment).
Cooking from the pantry, it's great. I had grilled chicken, corn on the cob, and a chicken, broccoli, cauliflower, corn risotto for the low low price of $2.39!!! (not including my precious stirring time of course).
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
To save for a phone...
To touch screen or not to touch screen, that is the question I've been asking myself the past few weeks. I need a new phone. I have been using mine for almost three years now and I have loved it the entire time. I will say now that I am partial to LG phones and enjoy not having to figure out a whole new interface when I switch phones. However, this preference of mine does leave my phone choices rather limited. Instead of opting for the free upgrade, I will be saving up for either the LG EnV Touch (I'll have to get used to the touch screen and possibly get over my annoyance of fingerprints on screens) or the LG EnV 3.
In my attempt to save more money to purchase this "luxury item", I am abiding by some more money saving tips:
In my attempt to save more money to purchase this "luxury item", I am abiding by some more money saving tips:
- No more baths...showers only AND changing the water pressure so that I can save on energy and water bills
- Not shopping on an empty stomach...I buy too many snacks when I do that. From here on out I will be shopping with a list of things I NEED (and probably buying store brands vs. name brands since for the most part they have the same ingredients), based on predetermined recipes I will be having for dinner and lunch
- That ties me with not going out for lunch or dinner anymore. Sure, sometimes it is ineveitable or there's a birthday of sorts but for the most part, I am cooking dinner and saving leftovers for lunch
- I also reuse those lil zip baggies when I am putting not too messy things in to them liek chips or fruit. Tupperware makes it easy to bring my lunch to work AND using my Umpqua cloth shopping bag sometimes gets me a discount at the grocery store for not using their plastic bags
- The other thing that helps me save is the fact that I can drink hot chocolate here at work! (no, I'm not a coffee person) but if I were, my Umpqua has an espresso machine that makes pretty much everthing from espresso to latte's so I definitely wouldn't pay whatever the going rate is at the corner St*rbucks
I am really hoping that all these things will add up so that I can soon purchase a phone that does not randomly shut off on me at the most inopportune times
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Money tip...
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson, on living within your means:
"But I know nothing more important to inculcate into the minds of young people than the wisdom, the honor, and the blessed comfort of living within their income, to calculate in good time how much less pain will cost them the plainest stile of living which keeps them out of debt, than after a few years of splendor above their income, to have their property taken away for debt when they have a family growing up to maintain and provide for."
-- From a letter to Martha Jefferson Randolph in 1808
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Fireworks
Oh how I love fireworks...
I believe that the fireworks I saw tonight in Kona were one of the best I've seen. When you group fireworks with crashing waves, 80 degree weather and a light breeze, it just doesn't get much better than that. Unless you want to be herded with a few hundred people, there's no need to pay for a spot to sit in the park. My view was more than ok on the second story of the outdoor mall downtown.
Hope everyone had a fun and safe Fourth of July!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Ah the Islands
What a few days...
1. Surf lessons (a splurge yes) but awesome when you catch a wave. Don't go to the "pro shop" just go to the local stands on the side of the road. Cheaper AND they're not so dead set on your two hour time "limit".
2. True time share presentations have a reputation of their own, but when it saves (your party of 6) over three hundred dollars...it's worth an hour of your time and the free lunch. And by lunch I mean sandwich and a lot of pressure to buy.
3. Having a condo where you can cook your own meals...AMAZING. Suggestion? Find the FARMER'S MARKET! So much fresh produce at half the cost! There were a couple different ones in town and searching for the right prices can take some time but it's worth it! We went out once, a steak house. Estimated cost for all six of us (with no dessert)? About $120. Buying steak, canned corn, a 5 lb. bag of rice (that has lasted all week) and napa lettuce? About $35. Ah the money you can save by just cooking for yourself! Easier for some than others (it helps when your parents own a restaurant and have done nothing but cook for decades).
4. One other "splurge" we have had however is the pineapple coconut ice cream from Baskin Robbins AND shaved ice. I love dessert...especially ice cream. Baskin Robbins prices are non negotiable. Shaved ice stands are a plenty. Normally the higher the price the bigger the serving...and they are BIG.
5. Our snorkel cruise is up next...
1. Surf lessons (a splurge yes) but awesome when you catch a wave. Don't go to the "pro shop" just go to the local stands on the side of the road. Cheaper AND they're not so dead set on your two hour time "limit".
2. True time share presentations have a reputation of their own, but when it saves (your party of 6) over three hundred dollars...it's worth an hour of your time and the free lunch. And by lunch I mean sandwich and a lot of pressure to buy.
3. Having a condo where you can cook your own meals...AMAZING. Suggestion? Find the FARMER'S MARKET! So much fresh produce at half the cost! There were a couple different ones in town and searching for the right prices can take some time but it's worth it! We went out once, a steak house. Estimated cost for all six of us (with no dessert)? About $120. Buying steak, canned corn, a 5 lb. bag of rice (that has lasted all week) and napa lettuce? About $35. Ah the money you can save by just cooking for yourself! Easier for some than others (it helps when your parents own a restaurant and have done nothing but cook for decades).
4. One other "splurge" we have had however is the pineapple coconut ice cream from Baskin Robbins AND shaved ice. I love dessert...especially ice cream. Baskin Robbins prices are non negotiable. Shaved ice stands are a plenty. Normally the higher the price the bigger the serving...and they are BIG.
5. Our snorkel cruise is up next...
Friday, June 26, 2009
Getting to Kona
Well, we booked the tickets and to save money, we shortened our trip by two days and flew out on a Wednesday instead of Monday...saved about $113 a person and when you multiply that by 6...
We arrived in Kona about mid afternoon on Wednesday and got in our rental car. If you are planning on renting a car, do it online before you get here. You will save about $50 a day (at least that was our experience) booking online through one of the "web specials". Rates change daily for the most part once you get on the island. We also were convinced to buy the "pre-pay" gas option; which ended up being a good buy since gas costs between $3.31 and $3.41 a gallon and we locked in at $3.13.
First stop leaving the airport? COSTCO! We're staying in a condo...it's a little off the "strip" and nowhere near the "luxury resorts" but since we have the rental car, we opted for this option. It's a very nice 3 bedroom 3 bath! And at less than $200 a night..definitely a better choice. Of course, you are giving up the maid service, room service, etc. that you would get at a chain type resort but something's gotta give. Our Country Club Villa does offer a great view of the golf course and the ocean from the balcony. We are also cooking our own breakfast and have snacks a plenty in our fully stocked kitchen. When meals for 6 (including two growing brothers of mine) can cost about $100 a meal, cooking at least a meal a day yourself can save a bundle!
We arrived in Kona about mid afternoon on Wednesday and got in our rental car. If you are planning on renting a car, do it online before you get here. You will save about $50 a day (at least that was our experience) booking online through one of the "web specials". Rates change daily for the most part once you get on the island. We also were convinced to buy the "pre-pay" gas option; which ended up being a good buy since gas costs between $3.31 and $3.41 a gallon and we locked in at $3.13.
First stop leaving the airport? COSTCO! We're staying in a condo...it's a little off the "strip" and nowhere near the "luxury resorts" but since we have the rental car, we opted for this option. It's a very nice 3 bedroom 3 bath! And at less than $200 a night..definitely a better choice. Of course, you are giving up the maid service, room service, etc. that you would get at a chain type resort but something's gotta give. Our Country Club Villa does offer a great view of the golf course and the ocean from the balcony. We are also cooking our own breakfast and have snacks a plenty in our fully stocked kitchen. When meals for 6 (including two growing brothers of mine) can cost about $100 a meal, cooking at least a meal a day yourself can save a bundle!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Meantime
Although I have not yet left for my trip, I can start with the entire process of planning the trip. This trip to Hawaii was actually unplanned to begin with. It stemmed from a last minute cancellation of a China trip. So we rallyed to plan another vacation. We had about 5 days...
Budgeting on Vacation
Alright ladies and gents, let me prepare you early for what will be my ten day trip to Hawaii. During my trip I will be documenting all phases of a vacation; starting from finding cheap fares to meals and activities and ending with souvenirs.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
To watch or not to watch
The question of the day is this:
Do you need cable tv?
I'll start with my twitter survey of whether people have or do not have cable: So far, everyone who has answered does not have cable...it could be because those who do are watching tv instead of online. Those without cable have noted that they watch tv on the internet, on hulu, and have netflix to get their fix. I will say this...my experience without cable gets me out of the apartment more than not. Life DOES exist outside of Sportscenter and the Food Network. Hanging out with friends and not just sitting in front of the television can lead to cooking dinners, going hiking, hitting up the beach, shopping (although I wouldn't recommend that activity if you're trying to save money), working out, or just having a leisurely chat while laying out in the sun (come on, you know you want to savor every minute of Summer we get here). All these options...they are ALL easily doable in Portland.
Secondly, I have read numerous articles on "reducing costs" and most of them have cutting cable in the 1st or 2nd spot. I have looked at the local cable offerings and you can get basic cable for around $10. You can also get cable for about $200. I don't think I have to tell you which option will save you money. If you can't live without cable and don't want to get a converter box (which works great by the way)...then get the basic $10/month plan. If you have time to be watching 900 channels of television for $200/month I am not sure if you can actually afford to have that package...but if you can, then by all means. I surely don't have $200 to spend on channels I will never watch. Of course there are options in between these two which are always there but anything over $100 is gonna put a pretty big dent in the account for bills.
There is the other side of this of course...everyone is too busy to hang out, you don't like to do things by yourself, you don't like to read and tv has always kept you company. AND you have a great tv so of course the natural next stage would to get cable so that you can host tv watching gatherings at your place. Can't do that without cable...or can you? Tv keeps you company? So can the internet...so can internet tv. Want to watch it on your sweet tv?...get an S-Video cord or any other cord that will be a one time purchase and hook your computer up to play video on that. Many sites are offering their shows in HD too.
Want to host that finals game?...Sometimes they stream that online too. OR they play it on a channel you could get with a converter box. Neither of those are options?...then yes, it's a bit of a drawback but you can still host...just perhaps at someone else's place. Better yet, you can help stimulate the local economy and go to a sports lounge that has the game playing on one of their sweet big tvs!
Overall, lots of options to reduce your monthly cable bill...
1. Cut cable (zero cost)
2. Downgrade from the expensive HD/Movies/NFL/Sports galore package to basic
3. Call your provider and see if they'll lower the price for you...otherwise you will downgrade
Get your fix like so many have said so at www.twitter.com/umpqualouie and watch tv online and netflix those movies (keep on eye on how much netflix would be compared to what you pay for cable). I love watching tv online...less commercials.
Do you need cable tv?
I'll start with my twitter survey of whether people have or do not have cable: So far, everyone who has answered does not have cable...it could be because those who do are watching tv instead of online. Those without cable have noted that they watch tv on the internet, on hulu, and have netflix to get their fix. I will say this...my experience without cable gets me out of the apartment more than not. Life DOES exist outside of Sportscenter and the Food Network. Hanging out with friends and not just sitting in front of the television can lead to cooking dinners, going hiking, hitting up the beach, shopping (although I wouldn't recommend that activity if you're trying to save money), working out, or just having a leisurely chat while laying out in the sun (come on, you know you want to savor every minute of Summer we get here). All these options...they are ALL easily doable in Portland.
Secondly, I have read numerous articles on "reducing costs" and most of them have cutting cable in the 1st or 2nd spot. I have looked at the local cable offerings and you can get basic cable for around $10. You can also get cable for about $200. I don't think I have to tell you which option will save you money. If you can't live without cable and don't want to get a converter box (which works great by the way)...then get the basic $10/month plan. If you have time to be watching 900 channels of television for $200/month I am not sure if you can actually afford to have that package...but if you can, then by all means. I surely don't have $200 to spend on channels I will never watch. Of course there are options in between these two which are always there but anything over $100 is gonna put a pretty big dent in the account for bills.
There is the other side of this of course...everyone is too busy to hang out, you don't like to do things by yourself, you don't like to read and tv has always kept you company. AND you have a great tv so of course the natural next stage would to get cable so that you can host tv watching gatherings at your place. Can't do that without cable...or can you? Tv keeps you company? So can the internet...so can internet tv. Want to watch it on your sweet tv?...get an S-Video cord or any other cord that will be a one time purchase and hook your computer up to play video on that. Many sites are offering their shows in HD too.
Want to host that finals game?...Sometimes they stream that online too. OR they play it on a channel you could get with a converter box. Neither of those are options?...then yes, it's a bit of a drawback but you can still host...just perhaps at someone else's place. Better yet, you can help stimulate the local economy and go to a sports lounge that has the game playing on one of their sweet big tvs!
Overall, lots of options to reduce your monthly cable bill...
1. Cut cable (zero cost)
2. Downgrade from the expensive HD/Movies/NFL/Sports galore package to basic
3. Call your provider and see if they'll lower the price for you...otherwise you will downgrade
Get your fix like so many have said so at www.twitter.com/umpqualouie and watch tv online and netflix those movies (keep on eye on how much netflix would be compared to what you pay for cable). I love watching tv online...less commercials.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Credit Card
So far it has been a unanimous NO on my twitter survey of "yes or no to department store credit cards". The question came up from a friend of mine who was asking me whether she should close about three of those dept store credit cards that she never uses or leave them open for "credit" reasons.
I happen to be one of those people with a few dept store credit cards myself...that I hardly ever use. Perhaps once every couple months? And when I do use them, I usually ask if I can pay it off right then and there. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. When it doesn't, I always set a reminder on my phone to login online so I can pay it off right away. I'm a stickler for this. I never spend money that I don't have.
I can't speak for how your credit will actually respond to closures or openings of these cards, but there is a nice little article that I found fairly informative...
http://www.ehow.com/how_4783703_should-cancel-credit-card-account.html
Let me know what you think!
I happen to be one of those people with a few dept store credit cards myself...that I hardly ever use. Perhaps once every couple months? And when I do use them, I usually ask if I can pay it off right then and there. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. When it doesn't, I always set a reminder on my phone to login online so I can pay it off right away. I'm a stickler for this. I never spend money that I don't have.
I can't speak for how your credit will actually respond to closures or openings of these cards, but there is a nice little article that I found fairly informative...
http://www.ehow.com/how_4783703_should-cancel-credit-card-account.html
Let me know what you think!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Social Networking
While reading the paper the other day at work (Umpqua Bank of course), an article about social networking caught my eye. These days though, anything talkign about or referencing "social networks" catches my eye. It is the wave of the future...or present. Many of us have been using these sites on a personal level for years; and now "Online profiles help employees learn about potentially productive people"-Julie Weed, The Oregonian: June 1st, 2009
I believe (obviously since I'm blogging)...and twittering (look for me "UmpquaLouie") that social networking does help get your name out there. I know that I am on my computer all the time...at work and once I get home. If i want to know something, I no longer HAVE to call someone or go to the library. I just turn on my computer. The more you put out there, the more people will have the opportunity to see you. There are pros and cons to this, like anything else out there but just think about the reach you can have by putting "yourself" on the internet.
So many businesses are on these networking sites that I barely have to go on to their individual websites. All I have to do is go to one networking site and if I am "following" (like on Twitter) someone's updates, then all the information comes to me. Being accessable on a social networking site is key to getting noticed. On a personal note, I have been keeping up with a lot of the goings on in Portland through Twitter because people/businesses are constantly updating different events or specials that are happening around the town.
Check out my updates at www.twitter.com/umpqualouie as well as who I am following!
I believe (obviously since I'm blogging)...and twittering (look for me "UmpquaLouie") that social networking does help get your name out there. I know that I am on my computer all the time...at work and once I get home. If i want to know something, I no longer HAVE to call someone or go to the library. I just turn on my computer. The more you put out there, the more people will have the opportunity to see you. There are pros and cons to this, like anything else out there but just think about the reach you can have by putting "yourself" on the internet.
So many businesses are on these networking sites that I barely have to go on to their individual websites. All I have to do is go to one networking site and if I am "following" (like on Twitter) someone's updates, then all the information comes to me. Being accessable on a social networking site is key to getting noticed. On a personal note, I have been keeping up with a lot of the goings on in Portland through Twitter because people/businesses are constantly updating different events or specials that are happening around the town.
Check out my updates at www.twitter.com/umpqualouie as well as who I am following!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Cooking from the Pantry
Cooking from the Pantry can be nice...why?
1. You are using what you already have
2. At some point you bought these ingredients because you WANTED to
3. You can have delicious things turn out like a fritata!
1. You are using what you already have
2. At some point you bought these ingredients because you WANTED to
3. You can have delicious things turn out like a fritata!
- 10 eggs
- potatoes
- sausage
- green onion
- white onion
- squash
- cheese
Add all those together with some salt, pepper, paprika and chili powder and you've got yourself an awesome fritata...all from stuff you may or may not have already had in your pantry or fridge. Oh yes, bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
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