Luck & a New Car

After a tough week at work, on Friday, January 13, 2012, I got into a car accident. This happened at 7 am as I was driving to work. I was just coming out of an ally way and went to take a left. It was difficult to see oncoming traffic since there was a row of cars parked alongside the curb. I looked left, right, left, and right and went for it. Out of the corner of my left eye, I see a car coming closer and closer. I thought it was going to hit me and slammed on the brakes, but it was too late for my 2007 Toyota Corolla. The oncoming car and my car hit each other. Luckily no one was hurt.

My car didn't end up making it and was totalled. I was completely bummed and was renting a car that I wasn't too fond of. I had to find a new car fast, no excuses. With the help of my mom, dad, and the insurance company, I received a pretty good check to pay for another car. After a long day of car shopping, I decided on a 2011 Toyota Corolla S. Although it is the same model, it had modern updated features and I felt so comfortable and safe driving it. That is exactly what I wanted.

The price was good for a brand new car and had some nice rebates with that. I drove off the lot on January 24 with my brand new car. I used my all of my check, but I still owed almost $3,000 out of my own pocket. I knew I had the money but I had other plans! I'm trying to save up for my own place, go out to eat, and wanted to travel a little. It's hard for me to spend $3,000!

Well, I had to sacrifice. I didn't eat out as much, was careful what I was spending, and had to fore go a free 2 night stay in Denver because I didn't want to pay for airfare. I wanted to make sure I saved every penny to pay this car off quickly.

Due to my rebate, I had to finance the car. I wasn't going to wait to pay my car off while gaining interest. I was determined and able to pay off the car in less than two months due to the money I had saved.

Not only am I very proud of myself for paying it off, but lucky to be alive and survive the accident. If I didn't see the car out of the corner of my eye and hit the brakes hard; something more serious would've happened. God has a plan for me and saved me. This accident taught me lessons and even made me become a stronger and person. I'm still figuring out exactly what God's plan is for me, but I believe things happen for a reason. And I am still standing here for a reason.

Please be careful on the road friends!

The little ways I gain a little bit of money

As of right now I have just one job. The hours are pretty regular and consistent: 9 am -5:30 pm, Monday-Friday. I have thought about getting a good second job but I already work 40 hours a week plus a lot of time stuck in my car during traffic. I know I would get pretty exhausted, tired, and feel that I don't have much of a life. (Yes, a lot of people have two jobs, and I applaud them for that. But if I really needed to, I would get one.)

When I moved back home, I was trying to think of ways of how I can gain a little money on my own time. Here are a few things that help a little.

Recycle:
In California, many plastic bottles, glass bottles, and soda cans have a cash refund. Depending on the size and type of container, when consumers buy a drink in plastic, glass, or a can in California, they pay an extra 5 or 10 cents  deposit. When those bottles and cans are returned to a recycling facility, you get that money back.  I recycle as much as I can without having to dig through trash cans. 

Some items are recyclable but you do not get cash back, such as wine bottles and milk containers. To know that you will be get the cash back, look for the wording "CA CASH REFUND" or "CA CRV"

Check out these links: http://replanetusa.com/ or http://www.recyclingcenters.org/  for more info on recycling in California and to find the nearest location near you! I still encourage you to recycle if even you don't get cash back.

Taking surveys:
I've always heard that people can make money while doing surveys. I was very hesitant because I wasn't sure what information was going to be taken from me and I was afraid of getting any viruses. But I did my research and and found www.mysurvey.com. I read good reviews and was just going to test it out. It was really easy to sign up and getting the surveys is easy. Depending on the survey, I get an X amount of points after finishing it. Once I gain enough points, I can claim cash, gifts cards, and other prizes.

About 9 months later, I am still using it and I legitimately gain some money. Trust me, it's not a lot, but it's some. I definitely don't take them every day and I only make about $10 a month. Very once in a while, the surveys can get a little tedious. But it works, and is a good cure for boredom.

Credit Card Rewards:
Some money-saving blogs will tell you to only use cash when buying items. That is good and it doesn't create temptation into buying extra things that are not on your list. However, with cash only, I don't gain rewards.

For a long time, I used my Chase Debit card for almost everything. I liked the idea of not waiting to pay a bill and having money automatically taken out. But I have a friend, Nick, who helped convince me I shouldn't use my debit card so much and use a credit card so I can gain rewards. At first I ignored his advise, but it wasn't until months later that I did some research and got myself a Chase credit card. The rewards were awesome and I am glad I did it. Thanks Nick! You can redeem rewards for cash, merchandise, travel and other things. I choose to get cash and put it directly in my savings.

Do keep in mind that I still save money, only pay for things that I need such as gas, food, etc., and I always make sure to pay off my credit card on time.

I do not buy something just because I know that I will get rewarded for it later. I buy something because I need it at the moment and I know I can afford it. Getting some money back is great, but saving money is the best reward.

Thanks for reading. I hope these tips help for you as much as they help me!

A new show I am looking forward to. Finally!

I went on Facebook today and I have the HBO Facebook page in my "likes." I saw that there is a new show premiering April 15 called "Girls". The title caught my attention. It was simple and made you want to find out about it. My intuition just said "click it!"

I watched the trailer and really did like it! This show follows a 20-something women through their triumphs and humiliations. It is centered on one character, played by Lena Dunham, who is trying to figure out her own life.  Even though I'm not living in New York and her love life seems different than mine, the show is something that I can identify with and I know a lot of people can too.

I am marking my calendar and looking to watch the show. HBO does some great work  and I hope it's good!

http://www.hbo.com/girls/index.html#/girls/index.html

Trying to Save Money

I'm 24 and living with my parents. Last year I was in Aspen, CO working and living with 3 roommates paying $450 a month.

I could have stayed up there but I missed home. I missed my friends, family and not having to worry about snow. When I came back in April 2011 I looked and found a job. I told myself that I would save money and move out as fast as possible. I still have my job but I can't afford to live on my own right now. My monthly income is just a few dollars more than what the monthly expenses would be if I had an apartment for myself.

I am still living at home almost a year later and saving as much money as I could. I love my family more than anything but I am determined to live the life that is my own. I am starting and here are just a few things that help me save money.

Other blogs & websites:

In my spare time, I look through other blogs and websites, of how to save money. Most of them are geared toward mothers, (which I don't plan to be in the near future!) but it is good to get ideas and maybe use those ideas in my own life and toward the future. Unfortunately, I've seen very few legit blogs or posts from people in their 20's, but hopefully I can change that.) I take inspiration from each of the blogs I use and mostly apply it to my everyday life.

Coupons:
Before I know I will go out and buy something, I will try my hardest to find a coupon. Not only is it for groceries, but also services and restaurants. I am not an extreme couponer by any means, but I always believe saving a little money goes a long way. I do have a lot of rules regarding my coupons though. (I'll put that in another post.) But I am just starting out and sometimes I can get a little overwhelmed.

Free entertainment:
There is a lot to do in So Cal and some of those things are free. Going to the beach, the park, the library, borrowing a movie, bike riding are all free things to do that are accessible everyday. (When I worked for Disneyland Resort it was nice to get free parking and free admission in. It used to be one of my forms of entertainment.)

I also look in the newspaper, city websites, city blogs, and other resources for special events happening. I usually am mindful of the extra costs that come along with free events, such as parking and food, and I usually ask myself if it's worth it. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't.

Just saying "No"

I am not a cheapskate, but I've had to say no to some friends when they suggest things that are a little out of my price range or I know I just should not buy. My friends will probably tell you I am pretty restrictive with my money but I am just looking toward my future. Like couponing, a little can go a long way. I do ask myself, do I really need more (fill in the blank)? My boyfriend, Ryan, has taught me that it is always good to meet in the middle. In my experience, when done right, compromising turns out great!

Hopefully these little suggestions help. And hopefully I will be writing more posts in the future!



Went to Bayshore Beach to do some kayaking for my birthday. Cheap and awesome!