Why I Use a Credit Card

Lately, I've been reading books, articles on the internet, and blogs on how to decrease debt and save money. Throughout the articles and books I've read, some suggest that using a credit card is awful! Well, I completely disagree, if you have the power to pay everything in full. I was so tired of reading these money saving blogs talk about only using cash. I just had to get this post out there! Many of this information is not new, but it's always good to be reminded.  I am no expert on credit card information but for the average consumer here is what I learned and why I use a credit card.

1) Establish Credit
This is the most important reason why I use a credit card. When making big purchases like a car or even a house, the businesses will always check your credit. And with that, you need to use a credit card. Now, don't make big purchases if you don't have the money and you use your credit card. My mom gave me a credit card just buy books for college and she would pay me back. (My parents were able to afford my college tuition and expenses, plus I lived at home during college.) The first thing she told me about the card, was that I needed to establish credit, and when having a card always pay on time.  When you don't pay your bills on time, the credit gets worse. Many of you readers already know that but if you are like me, it's always a good reminder.

2) Getting Points and Rewards
Before you read this, I must warn you: DO NOT go on shopping spree just to get rewards from your cards.

When I got my first two credit cards, I didn't understand how much I should spend before I got the rewards. I just used it to buy things and never paid attention to my rewards. Now, after seeing what is offered, it is better to do your research and see what you can be rewarded for. I used to have a Disney card Their reward was basically having a Disney gift card but then I realized that I wasn't spending very much on Disney products.  Although, Disney has some great products, I don't need what they offer at this moment in my life.

I replaced that card with a Chase Freedom card, which offers me cash back. (I probably need cash more than anything right now.) And since I do have a Chase account, extra rewards are offered. You can even get more cash back (or extra points) when you go on their website and online shop through many of the list of companies they offer. Each company has a different percentage of how much cash back they will give. And with the Chase Freedom card, their are certain categories that I will get 5% cash back every quarter. Usually with those quarters, match the season. For July-September, I can get 5% more cash back when I spend it at gas stations, Kohls, and Theme parks. But always read the fine print on what you spend is considered cash back. The theme parks portion is only if you buy a ticket for a theme park directly through the park. Not if you spend money on the food or merchandise in the park.

With my card, and other cards, that promise to give cash back, they also have gift cards available and other products. Sometimes, it is better to get an "on sale" gift card because it will use up less of your points. For example, a $5 gift card will normally cost you 500 points. But for those on sale, $5 gift cards will cost you 450 points. Before you get the gift cards, just make sure it is in your budget and you know for sure you will spend it in that place. They are also good for gifts as well.

3) Cards don't allow you to carry a lot of cash
For safety reasons, I don't like carrying a lot of cash. While working on a college campus in my early college days, I had about $100 stolen out of my wallet. It was heart wrenching and made sure it didn't happen again. It is good to keep cash on hand if it's your way to stick to a budget or when stores don't accept anything but cash. However, the more cash you have in your wallet, or in a safe, it is at a higher risk of getting stolen. And if it's stolen, most likely you won't get it back. If a card is stolen or lost, the credit card company can just issue a new one and can stop payments on the stolen one.

4) Pay on Time
Before getting a credit card, you NEED to do your research, read the fine print and also see how much YOU SPEND! Credit cards are a way of borrowing money and that could come at a cost if you don't pay on time. Think about it, when you loan a friend or family member $50 and they say they will pay you back, but you don't get the money until months later! Doesn't that frustrate you a little bit? Credit cards want their money back so they charge you interest rates. Interest rates are high and I hate spending extra money on something that I don't need to. And with interest rates, it's like your getting charged for not spending anything, just owing money. With today's technology, it is easy to pay on time. You can always check your balances online and pay the outstanding balance even when the billing cycle is not finished. Unless you don't have the money, pay your balance in full. And also when you don't have the money, don't spend it unless it is a NEEDED item like food or gas.

5) Track your spending
Check on your credit card website to see how you can track what your spending. It will help you be a little more wise on your spending habits and see what you are actually spending. This summer was pretty crazy with many activities and events. Tracking my spending helped me put myself into perspective and I found that I was not saving any money during two months. There are many free apps and websites that help you track your spending. My boyfriend introduced me to a free app called: Spending Tracker from the MH Riley Ltd. I love it but you have to manually input everything you spend or recieve. It does not ask for any credit card info or your checking account. Or you can do the old fashion way and use a notebook. Also, having a credit cards statement may help as well, but that can take time. However you do it, tracking a good thing.



If you are still uncomfortable at the thought of using a credit card, don't use it for everything. You can use it for one or two categories, like gas, going out to eat, or groceries. Or you can start using a bank issued debit card that is also the same as a credit card. They will take your money automatically from your checking account. Either way, you need to establish credit.

Also, for anyone that is starting college this is really good information to have. So many people on campus will sell students a credit card and it's easy to get caught up in the hype. Always read the fine print and make sure you are spending smartly.

Have wonderful day!

My Grocery Shopping Must Haves

It's pretty much a given fact: most people have to go to the grocery store. And for many people, it is every week. As a kid, I would go to Ralphs, Vons or Pavilions all the time with my mom or dad. At the time, I never really paid attention to the prices, what was on sale, or what brand was better quality. But I did pay attention to the free samples, kid snacks, and the coupon dispenser that was in the aisles (it was just fun to pull the coupons out.)

Since my young childhood days until now, things have changed a lot when it comes to grocery shopping. Now that I am grocery shopping on my own, I've definitely paid attention to prices and what I bring home to our small dining room table. I could go on and tell you about grocery store tips, but I feel I'm not exactly a seasoned shopper (yet!). So here are just a few things that I would never EVER leave at home when I go to the grocery store.

1) My coupons
I don't get the newspaper at home, so I mostly just get them online and print them out. I use www.swagbucks.com and they have online coupons available. When I am going to my parents house, I'll ask them to save coupons for me. (I never ask them to save every insert every single week, they don't like that hanging around)

Top: What I carry my coupons in when I go to the grocery store.
Bottom: My coupons in my coupon binder.

Now, I used to bring my whole coupon binder (another post on that later) with me to the grocery store, but that was kind of a pain to carry around. It is big and it got inconvenient when I would unpack my groceries considering our parking spots are not right at our front door. I used to have a blue pencil holder with different pockets. It worked out great...till I lost it! Well, I used envelopes for a little while and finally I broke down and bought this little mini accordion folder that says coupons on it. It was $1 at Target (can't beat that Dollar section) and I thought I would try it out. So far, only used it once and it works out great!

I also have coupons on my iPod. I only have Target coupons so far. (Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by how much is out there!) Target has a great app & website called Cartwheel. You choose items you plan or might get and you can get 5-25% off. And that is on top of your coupons and your 5% off if you have a Target card.

2) My Club Card
Trust me, it's the best thing to happen for me and my shopping. I'm glad these came out before I had to do my own shopping.

I mostly go to Vons, so I have my club card next to the cards I do use often. Many items that are on sale, you can only get for that price if you use your club card.  Not only that, more and more stores are adding coupons, free items, or items specially priced for you when you go on their website and add the deals straight to your card. Vons has the Just for U program, and I know for sure Ralphs and Stater Bros. do something similar. And most of my coupons are already added to my card.

Furthermore, many times, you get rewarded when you do use your card. At Vons, when you get 100 points, you get 10 cents off a gallon at Chevron or Texaco gas stations. It's like it was meant for me because Chevron gas stations are my preferred choice. Ralphs has something similar. And with pharmacy stores like CVS, Walgreens, etc. you can get extra bucks back. It's like getting a little gift card for that store.

3)My List
I usually don't want to make impulse buys, spend so much time at the grocery store, or forget things. So the list a must have. When I do go to Vons, we are able to make a list from their website and add the coupons/ special prices we have on our card, on our list. The Vons list shows what items you need to get, how much, what a coupon is worth, and when it will expire. I prefer to not use my iPod touch as a list and do it the old fashioned way and use paper. I don't really like putting my password in every time I need to check something off.


4) My Reusable Grocery Bags
When I think about how much plastic grocery bags are being used and how much it fills our landfills, it makes me feel guilty every time I have to use one. So, one less plastic bag that is used, the better I feel about using my bags. And I don't really care if the baggers like them or not. (I've heard complaints from them while my items were being put in them) They are also easier for me to carry when I unload my groceries from my car to our apartment.

Getting reusable grocery bags do not have to be expensive. They can be $1 usually, but I mostly get them for free. And they don't have to necessarily be the same shape or type of material. I've used a bag I got from a bachelorette party 4 years ago. I've gotten bags from work. I got a free bag from Vons using the Just for U program. And recently after attending a convention I've gotten several more bags that are perfect for groceries.

If reducing the amount of plastic bags in our landfills doesn't convince you, many stores are rewarding customers for using reusable bags and many cities/ counties are making you bring your own bags. Through my experience, Target and Sprouts takes off 5 cents per bag used. And some stores add extra points to your club rewards. Also, in Los Angeles County, it is pretty much a law now that you have to use reusable grocery bags. If you don't have them, grocery stores will charge an extra 10 cents or so for every bag used. (I predict it won't be long till Orange County puts that law into effect.)

So, I'm still learning the best way to save money while grocery shopping but hopefully for those of you who are just starting to grocery shop on your own, maybe these little tips will help you out.

See ya later!

Shay

Inspiring to get Organized

This video got me hooked! It gets me inspired! I subscribed to her on youtube and it might help organizing your home or office. Although some things she has are out of my budget or I just cannot do because I live in an apartment, it always creates ideas in my head. After watching another few of her videos tonight, I got an urge to do something I've been meaning to do for a little bit now: Organize LAUNDRY care items!

Although my family says I have a great memory, sometimes I forget things. And all the time, I'm usually forgetting something when I do my laundry here at the apartment complex. I have to go back up the stairs and grab the dryer sheets before I dry my items. It was easy to forget because our items were in different places. Our laundry card was in one drawer while the soap and dryer sheets were in another cabinet.

Rearranging the "clothes care" items literally took me less than 5 minutes to do it and it didn't cost me a thing! Now, I know some people would put labels or made it look neater, but I had an itch and did what I could at 8:30 pm. I wish I took a before picture, but I guess you'll have to settle for the after picture.

We don't have and we don't need a lot of products to keep our clothes neat and tidy. And I wanted to put all clothing care items in ONE location. So in our linen closet, where the iron was located, I removed a laptop case I have (and barely use) and some light bulbs to another location in the closet. I'm a little tired right now to do the whole closet so this one shelf will do for now.  

As you can see in the picture: all my items I use to take stains outs, lint off, and wash my clothes are in one location. Not only was it items that we need (detergent, iron, dryer sheets), but items I had on hand left over from a "bridal emergency" kit I gave as a gift to my cousin to use on her wedding day. (Tide to-go pens, small lint brush) Another post on that later!

I took a tip from the Extreme Couponing show on TLC and lined my detergent together. We needed to get more detergent and there was a sale on our last grocery trip, so I stocked up. I usually always forget the dryer sheets so I put them in front and I don't use the iron much (because I hate doing it!) so I put that in the back. I put the lint rollers in the front too because it's easy to reach before we go to work.

I didn't want the smaller items to lay around and accidentally fall, so I found a clear glass we don't use and put them in it. Any small items can easily get lost and it's always a good idea to have a spot for it to be held. This glass is actually significant to both of us in different ways. Most notably it says Long Beach, CA, where we both grew up in the area. In the glass includes our apartment issued laundry card, Tide to-go pens (from the bridal emergency kit) and Downey wrinkle reducer (also from the bridal emergency kit that I had to quickly put in my purse before my cousin's wedding started. I ended up accidentally bringing it home with me).  

Well, I hope this inspires you and I know this will help me in the future. 

Have a great night!

Shay L. Hust

3rd times a charm

So I pulled up my own blog with the intention of deleting it. I haven't had a post in just over a year and I thought it was time to give more space to the internet. But as I read my own title, something in me told me that maybe I should try and start again, after the 3rd TIME!

I love reading blogs, especially ones that will help me cut down my expenses and finding creative things to do. I feel like I do have some advice to share, and to share what my friends and family have taught me. Especially, I have grown since last year and moved out of my parents. We are all on this earth for a reason, and hopefully this will identify as to why I am here.

What I didn't have before was an actual plan. I had a creative idea, but I didn't have a goal and a plan. My days off are Sundays, Mondays, and Fridays. Mondays and Fridays seem like a good day to put up some posts. I'll start off like that, and we'll see where this takes us.

So, as I raise a glass to trying this again, please pray, and hopefully I'll keep up.

Thanks for reading,

Shay L. Hust

PSA: Keeping The Beach Clean

Hello Friends!

Well summer is in full swing here in Seal Beach. The weather is acting weird but today is a perfect beach day which made me think of how much people will be visiting.

I have lived and worked in places that are prime destinations for summer, winter, and holiday vacations (ie. Aspen, Disneyland Resort, Seal Beach, Newport Beach). Often I forget that I live or work in destinations that many people would die to live in. However, I soon remember that I'm in a destination area when I see more people come out during peak summer/holiday times. For example, my place of residence right now, Seal Beach, gets a little crowded during the summer.

I'm OK with tourists coming to this little seaside community. It is after all, what a lot of cities want. We want local businesses to thrive, go to our attractions, and for you to enjoy a place that is different from the normal. The problem though, I do have with some people is what they sometimes leave behind at the beach: TRASH!

Many people often forget that destinations they like to go to is not just a place to "get away." They are people's homes and place of work. Sure, there are some homes that are used only for vacation, but mostly people live and work here all year around. I get so mad when I see families and groups of people just leave so much trash and other things. The more that people do this, the more of my home they are destroying. And please, think about the tourists that want to come in after you have arrived. Would you like to go to a place to relax and have a good time, only to discover it was trashed by the people before you?

So people, please be respectful of the beach you are visiting. They are people's homes and you wouldn't leave trash if you were a guest in someones house.

For those that do clean up after yourselves, THANK YOU! I look up to you and what you are doing for the community. If you read this, please spread the word and re-post this if you strongly agree. I, and maybe some residents, would be very appreciative. I would love to hear some comments as well!

Cabin fever & what I'm doing to not get it.

Ok, so I haven't been up to date with my blog and the hotel tips. And there is no excuse, so I'm just going to keep on writing.

So it's a fact: I do not like job searching. I do not like being unemployed. And I do not like going out and spending money while I'm unemployed. (I'm a penny pincher) With that said, I'm spending a lot of time at home. Even though I am a home-body and I love my room, I can only spend so much time at home before I get annoyed at little things. My mother has said that I need to get out of the house more and she is right. But I do get in a mode of staying at home and the next thing I know, it's afternoon and my parents are on their way home from work. And when my boyfriend is off work, I like to go straight to his apartment because it is my way of "getting out of the house" and it doesn't cost anything except gas money.

My mom gave me an empty Starbucks coffee bag and a Starbucks gift card she found. She mentioned I should go and apply for jobs there instead of staying at home. So today, I traded in the Starbucks coffee bag for a free Tall regular coffee, and brought my laptop. http://instagram.com/p/M8iRZMgy07/

I had never been one of those people who go to Starbucks or any other coffee shop and sit with a laptop. I like to make my own coffee (hot & cold) because well... it's a whole lot cheaper and I'm not too disappointed if I mess up! Also, I'm those type of people that likes her quiet time.

And now I get it. I can't speak for everybody, but I'm sure they go to coffee shops to get out of the house. Especially for people searching for jobs or spend a lot of time at home on the computer. I used to spend time at CSULB and do my homework there because it was a bigger and different setting than my room in Lakewood and I didn't have much distractions. Maybe, I have coffee in my system right now but I'm loving it and being out of the house is amazing! I have actually have a little more confidence and happier thoughts. I'm all about natural light and this Starbucks, on Seal Beach Blvd. in Seal Beach, CA, has plenty of it.

So as long as I have money on a gift card and I can get free coffee by trading in a Starbucks coffee bag, I might just go to a Starbucks with plenty of seating and bring my laptop more often. We'll see how it goes. I plan on going at different times. The store is right by Boeing, a small hotel, and other businesses, and plenty of people come here in the morning to get their coffee fix before work. And there is a worker here that is super-uber-uber friendly and loud, it almost seems fake and she's trying to impress a manager or something.

Either way I'm out of the house and even getting inspiration to write more.

Using what I learned from my hotel career

Well, Memorial weekend is over and the start of summer vacations has begun. I have worked a lot of summers and see some travelers forget things that they really need or seen some misinformation that really scare travelers.

So, today I decided that I am posting hotel tips, or facts. I'll try and do this daily. Having experience in the hotel industry, I see a lot of things, and misinformation has become an increasing problem.

Right now I cannot afford to stay at hotels, but I wanted to use my knowledge and share it with people. Hopefully I can make your vacation a little bit better. You'll be able to catch those tips on my twitter page: https://twitter.com/#!/Shay2010 and you can follow me @Shay2010

So here it goes:
Hotel Security Suggestion #1:
Add names to the other people staying in the room.Your friend wants to go the room, and forgets their key OR you have different friends coming to the hotel at different times. The front desk needs to identify who is allowed in your room.

Trying to find the bright side

As you may have noticed, I haven't posted in a while. I feel like I'm going through a rough patch with myself. I don't like posting things on the Internet that are negative.

Almost 2 months ago I was let go of my job as a Sales Admin Assistant. I was on a probation, but I know that I worked really hard at the job, helped out the team as best as I could and followed the rules. I wasn't doing anything against policy procedure. I tried to stay positive and kept on thinking that everything is going to work out. However, the job was stressful and I wasn't completely happy there.

Finally, the day came, and I was told that I needed to go. Yes, I was sad and scared. This was a job I wanted for  a long time. I wasn't going to earn a wage anymore especially since I planned on moving out of my parents. The place I worked at was well known and people would get excited when I told them where I worked.

But I felt a sense of relief. I was taking a break from all the stress I endured in the past 10 months. My anxiety level came down a lot and I had more free time to figure out what I really wanted to do in life. Plus, I am using less gas and I get to sleep in.

Although not needing to go into work has it's upsides, I will feel down at times that I don't have a job. I am a college graduate, living with my parents and jobless. I see my friends having jobs, they travel the world, and I get jealous. Dealing with the unemployment insurance isn't as easy as I thought and sometimes the topic of conversation in small talk turns into me looking for a job.

But I do have to remember that I do have a roof over my head, food to eat, a great boyfriend, great family, and wonderful friends. I know my life can be worse. And I live in a great place right now. When I am down, I have a great support system.

So, I'm trying to stay positive and know that things will work out. God has a plan for me.

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!

Cheese Bread & Deviled Eggs

This post is for you Heidi Hust! Thanks for the idea. And sorry for the delay.

So this holiday was different. I wasn't with the family this year, but I was with my work family. It was a little hard but I did much better than I thought. Some people hosted parties and gatherings. It was a lot of fun and it was a little comforting to know that we were all in the same boat.

On Christmas Day, I wanted to contribute to the Christmas gathering being held at Brett & Dan's place which is in the same apartment complex as mine. Everyone was bringing something, so I attempted to bring in a little Hust tradition to Aspen for the first time. Every holiday dinner Grandma Hust makes cheese bread. It is so so good! I try and sneak in two when I can.

So, I called up the fam and got the directions of how to make it because I knew it was going to be simple. Here are the main ingredients: french bread, sharp cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and green onions. I could added a little garlic salt, but I don't think I needed it. (Some family members add it, and some don't.) There were no exact measurements. For every 2 cups of grated cheese, add 3 knife heapings of mayo, and half a bunch of green onions. I did follow those directions but added a little more mayo. Then you mix it all together and spread it on the bread. Broil it till it turns golden brown and cheese it melted. It was a hit and I made extra when I could. The only set back was that I did activate the fire alarm as some bread did burn a little. (It was my first time making it.) I can't wait to make it again.

So, as Grandma Hust makes her cheese bread, my Grandma Tangemann (my mom's, mom) always makes deviled eggs. My cousins, sister, and I look forward to them every year. To my surprise on New Years Eve, my co-worker and new friend Kristen pulls out her deviled eggs at a little dinner gathering before hitting the big party. They were so good with a hint of tangyness to them. I cant tell you all the stuff put in there, but they were awesome and brought me back to the family gatherings I had.

The holidays were great and I am just looking forward to new things this year. I am getting better at skiing each time I go, having fun with Skype, and concentrating at work while having fun at the same time.

Making that cheese bread made me feel a little like I was at home. So whenever anyone gets the chance, bring a little family tradition to some friends when your family isn't there. I know it made me feel a little toasty inside.

Chocolate Cake and a Turducken

Working in a hotel you come across so many things it's pretty ridiculous.

You'll get people with lots of money or who can only spend a certain amount. You come across people who are super nice or those guests who had a looong trip to the final destination. The people you meet are all different.

For someone who never turns down free food, it's always awesome when a guest gives you food. Not only is it thoughtful, but you know that you are appreciated. The other night, we helped a guest store a chocolate cake for his friend's birthday. Luckily I worked the next day and they didn't finish it. They gave it to the front desk and we  finished it. It's almost like a tip to me. Not only did we receive a cake, but also a full box of these chocolate covered pecan caramel things from another guest. And this was all before 10 am in the morning. Most of the time, a guest can't bring the food with them on the plane or they have extra of whatever they are making, so they end up giving it to us. Other times guests will actually make things for us and that's just as sweet, if not more.

Where I work, it's not a normal hotel. It's a condominium resort and we get lots of families who want a little extra space on their vacation. I don't blame them. I love hotels but having an extra bedroom and nice kitchen and living area makes things a little easier. So many families are coming now to Aspen for the holiday season and with that, we are receiving so many packages. I give props to our bell staff and front office for dealing with all that is being handled and keeping their cool about it.

Very recently, we came across a perishable item that needed to be refrigerated. This was for a big family who are all coming out to celebrate the Christmas season. They had so many packages being delivered but the most important was the turkey. One of the family members kept on calling to make sure we had it. When it finally arrived it wasn't a turkey. No, it was a "Turducken" It kinda made me smile in that it was pretty unique and a little fun for the family who is from Louisiana. And for those who don't know what it is, it's a duck stuffed inside a chicken, stuffed inside a turkey. It's a little too much for me, but maybe it's a family tradition. Who knows, we got a kick out of it! I'm wondering how they are going to cook that thing and what is it going to taste like?

So whatever you are having for the holiday season or whatever you give to those at the front desk, I'm sure it's pretty awesome! We try to give memorable vacations and memories to families who stay with us. And thanks to those guests who give us memorable moments and memories we can cherish.

Me-n-Eds

This post is a little late due to my internet troubles.

Thanksgiving was a little different this year. You see, this was the first time I was away from home & family. This year I didn’t have my Grandma’s awesome cranberry sauce or her pumpkin pie. Don’t even get me started on the turkey and how good that is. I work in Aspen, CO away from my family. So, I couldn’t even have the leftovers. And I am not going to enjoy my dad’s really good turkey noodle soup he makes every year after Thanksgiving. That soup is so hearty and perfect for cold weather. It’s made with egg noodles, turkey, celery, carrots, and more.   I spent the holiday at work as I started at 3 pm. Thankfully, my work provided a Thanksgiving meal for lunch, but the atmosphere wasn’t the same. I did have my work family though and the deep-fried turkey was so good. All the food was good!

Even though Thanksgiving is a day for family and friends to get together and be thankful for what you have, I sort of had an early Thanksgiving. I was home for my dad’s birthday in early November and we all gathered at our favorite pizza place, Me-n-Eds in Lakewood, CA. I’ve been going there since I can remember and my dad grew up there as well. The pizza is crispy & wonderful and my favorite toppings are sausage and mushrooms. When I was younger my cousins and I would also watch them make pizza through the glass case and I would always play pinball or the car race game.  I’ve had several birthday parties there and a band plays every Friday and Saturday night.

So you could say that going to Me-n-Eds was my family Thanksgiving. My family was there and it was basically a feast. We all enjoy it and our stomachs get so full. And my Grandma made her famous carrot cake. I was thankful for everything and love that surrounded me.