My “New” Bench

13 May 2012 / Emily / No comments

On Friday, The Mister and I were headed out for some pre-birthday shenanigans, when I noticed a sign posted by the mailboxes of my building.

When I saw this, my eyes got wide and I think I may have actually done a little happy hop to show my enthusiasm.  “Should we get it?”  The Mister asked me.  “Of course!”.  As we headed to the top of the building, The Mister asked if we’d have room for a bench.  My reply – “We’ll make room!”

I have always wanted one of these.  I think they’re super cute and the built-in storage rocks my socks off!

Once we got it back to the apartment, we discovered there was enough room for it in our living room.  We just had to move a few things around a little to make it work.  Now, we have extra space for guests to sit AND extra storage!  That’s a win-win when space is at a premium.

It’s not in perfect condition…There’s a bit of noticeable chips in the wood and the cushions are worn, as promised in the flier.  But, all in all, I’m extremely excited to have this addition to our living room and the price was right!

I like to think it was an early birthday gift from the universe :)

Category: Home Life / Tags:

The Big 3-0

12 May 2012 / Emily / One comment

Hi friends.  How are ya?  I hope all is well…

I feel like I’ve been an absentee blogger here lately.  Life has been kind of crazy all of a sudden.  I have a ton of updates and posts floating around in my head, it’s just finding the time (and motivation!) to sit down and get them all out.

It won’t be today, because today is my birthday.  Hooray!  I’m officially a 30-something. I keep getting asked “Are you freaking out?”  Well, no, I’m not.  Am I supposed to magically feel different from age 29 & 364 days to age 30?  It’s just another day.  I’m going to continue to get older, no matter how badly I may not want to, regardless.  I’m okay with that.  I actually enjoy myself a lot more the older I get.  With age comes wisdom and I dig that.

When I step back to realize I’m thirty years old, it’s a little weird because I don’t feel thirty.  When I was 20 years old and thought of 30, it seemed soooo ooooold.  But, I don’t feel ooooold and I think that’s what counts.  Not that this thought hasn’t crossed my mind a few times…

For those of you who are also new to the 30 something club, (and for those of you who are vets of said club), here are some things that might tickle the funny bone…

You Know You’re 30 When…

You Know You’re Turning 30 If…

I hope you all have a fantastic day and I’ll be back soon.  I promise!

(Oh and Happy Mother’s Day tomorrow, for all you mamas out there :) )

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Category: Home Life / Tags:

Wheeling and Dealing. Well, Sort Of…

6 May 2012 / Emily / No comments

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A couple of months ago, I took my car to Grease Monkey for an oil change.  I usually don’t go there unless I feel like I’m in a pinch and in desperate need of a quick oil change.  I often don’t trust the folks who work at my local Grease Monkey to do anything but change my oil.  In my experience they’re always trying to up-sell me or tell me that something is terribly wrong with my car when I know it isn’t.  When I got my oil changed there last, they told me that a bunch of my fluids needed changed, which of course would be another $100 to the bill.  I declined their invitation to fix it and now I’m glad I did.

As a general rule of thumb, I don’t trust mechanics.   My dad is a mechanic and always took care of my vehicles for me as a teenager, so I never had to deal with any shiesty ones.  Once I moved out on my own, I learned first hand how ridiculous some mechanics can be.

The silver lining in all of this is I have found a Firestone close to me that seems to have good mechanics, great customer service and coupons!  They have never once tried to sell me something I didn’t need.  They’ve even told me that I can hold out on doing certain things if I wanted to, which doesn’t seem like the mechanic way.  I dig ‘em.

I took my car in for an oil change late last week.  I told them that Grease Monkey had said I had a bunch of dirty fluids, but of course I couldn’t remember which ones.  I did nothing to help break the stereotype of the car ignorant woman. Since I couldn’t remember, the guy offered to do a full car inspection for $10 instead of the normal $20.  Of course I took him up on the offer!  When I got my car back they told me everything looked fine.

Up your nose with a rubber hose, Grease Monkey!

My bill came out to $48, which bummed me out.  Not because of the price but because I had a coupon for $30 off the purchase of $50 or more!  I told the front of house guy that and was about to ask him to charge me full price for the vehicle inspection. (as a back up I also had a 25% off an oil change coupon ;) )  He told me if I applied for their credit card he’d give me $10 off plus 2 free oil changes.

Nah, I’m good.  I don’t need another credit card…

Then he sweetened the deal…

Apply for it get $10 off plus 2 years of free oil changes! 

SOLD. 

The beautiful part is I didn’t have to pay with that credit card and I can just cancel it when I get it if I want. He made out 5 cards for free oil changes and I ended up paying $38.

I feel like getting all math-tastic here, so paying $38 for – basically – 6 oil changes comes out to $6 and some change, per oil change.  Not too shabby I must say.

Category: Car Stuff / Tags: , ,

The Money Museum

5 May 2012 / Emily / No comments

This past winter a friend and I were downtown one afternoon to ice skate.  After we left the rink, we noticed this really big sign on the Federal Reserve Bank branch on 16th Street Mall that intrigued both of us…

We tried to go, but unfortunately it was 4:30 on the dot when we discovered this.  At that point I vowed to see the money museum in the future.

Yesterday I got off of work early and had to take my car in for an oil change.  Since the place I go was downtown, I figured this would be my chance to finally see the money museum.

I have to say I was somewhat disappointed because it was rather small.  But, I did get to see it and that’s what matter.

When I got through security and into the entrance of the museum, there was a big vault thing with “free money”

They have all these baggies filled with shredded money in them.  I guess when paper money is no longer able to be circulated (uncirculitable? ;) ), they shred it and give it as souvenirs.

The museum itself was really really small.  It was a little corner of the lobby of the bank branch.  Basically there were some things on the wall that tell you of the history of the modern financial system in the US.  There’s an interactive section where one can make their own money.  I think it was aimed at children, but that didn’t stop me…

I guess I didn’t try too hard to make it actually look like money.  I was just excited about Amelia Earhart, the beaver and the corn (blue). :)

There was also a little room to watch an informative video about the Federal Reserve.  The move was terribly dry and boring, but I’m a trooper and sat through the whole thing.  I’m not sure I really understand the system any better than before.

Obviously this promotional video was not well attended.  I was the only one in there.  Once in a while someone would peek their head in and decide it wasn’t worth their time.

The only other interesting thing to note was a glass case filled with $30,000,000.  I will never in my life be closer to that much money.

All in all, it was worth the 20 minutes I spent looking through the museum and watching “The Fed and You” movie they showed.  I figure, eh, it was free.  Might as well.  If you’re ever on 16th Street Mall in Denver during normal business hours, it’s worth taking a few minutes to see.

Category: Fun & Entertainment / Tags:

The Man Who Quit Money

3 May 2012 / Emily / No comments

Earlier this week I heard a promo on NPR for a story called “The Man Who Quit Money”.  I was bummed when they said I would have to wait 20 minutes before I heard this story, as I often forget to start listening again in that allotted time.  Of course, I got busy doing something else and forgot to tune back in.

All week I’ve been thinking about it and meaning to look it up, but kept forgetting.  Maybe I need to start taking ginkgo biloba or something? Eh, who am I kidding, I probably need something like Ritalin more…

Well, I’m happy to say I FINALLY remembered to look this up and I’m so glad I did.  This NPR piece is about a man living in the Utah Desert and yes, he did quit money. (Listen HERE)  You can also read Daniel Suelo’s blog HERE.  He also happens to have a website where he talks about living without money and his thoughts on money and how it relates to different aspects of life.  Check out his website HERE. You can check out the book published about him HERE.

I found listening to the radio piece terribly interesting.  This man seems to have it together – he knows what he wants out of life and he’s getting it, without the all mighty dollar.  Do I respect that? Absolutely!  Will I be following in his footsteps?  HELL NO.

I love hearing about people who have done things like this or live in some “alternative” way to break free from our financial system.  I admire their will, dedication and convictions. I admire the freedom this provides them.  Because lets face it, being tied to the financial system can be quite the burden.

I will continue to admire these folks from afar because I also appreciate the lifestyle I have.  I’m continually looking for ways to free myself a little more and do more with less, but I am by no means interested in abandoning my current life style completely.  Stories like Daniel Suelo’s does make me think a little more about my chosen lifestyle and really appreciate the things I have.

Category: Articles of Note /

Find That Inner Child

1 May 2012 / Emily / No comments

At the last presentation I did at the Denver Public Library, I encouraged people to think back to when they were children and to think more like a child when it comes to fun.  As I was standing up there telling this to the people in the room, I thought to myself “they probably think I’m a little off…” I was discussing the issue that I’m sure we’ve all faced – I’m boooooored and I don’t have any money! or There’s nothing to do that doesn’t cost money!

We often get stuck in this idea that fun equals money spent.  Often “grown up” activities do cost money, but if you’re able to take a step back and look outside of the normal “grown up” things you might like to do, there’s a whole world of possibilities!

We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open. - Jawaharlal Nehru

Recently a friend of mine told me I was a toddler.  One might think I would get offended at such a statement, but honestly it’s not the first time I’ve been accused of having a child like demeanor.  I am basically a big kid who can be mature when the situation calls for it but otherwise I try to live on the lighter side.

When said friend called me a toddler, I was in the midst of telling her about this cool worm I had seen recently.  I was walking along with The Mister after a run in the park and I noticed what looked to be a ridiculously long worm.  After further inspection (well…squatting down like a 2-year-old and saying “eeewwww”), it appeared to be 2 worms doing 1 of 2 things – having an intimate moment or fighting to the death.  It’s hard to say really – worms are odd creatures.

This is how I too look at stuff on the ground.

How many adults do this?  I would like to think there are more adults out there like me who tend to look at the world with children’s eyes and appreciate the beauty around them. I seem to be most content walking down the street, admiring the spring blooming.  I often stop and smell the flowers, literally.  In the last couple of week the lilac bushes have been in full bloom and I’ve stuck my face in every lilac bush I see.

What about flying a kite?  I recently went to the park with some folks who had a kite.  Unfortunately we couldn’t get the kite to cooperate, but we had a fantastic time trying!

I’m grateful that these same friends also had the desire to throw a Frisbee around shortly before the kite flying. We also checked on our cart-wheel skills and I’m proud to report, we still got ‘em.

Now maybe we can’t find fun in all things children do, but just stepping outside of that “grown up” façade can be fun.  It really makes me wish I was around children more.  One doesn’t look as weird doing child like things when there’s an actual kid around. :)

Category: Fun & Entertainment /

It’s Finally Hiking Season!

29 Apr 2012 / Emily / 2 comments

Well, it’s hiking season for me at least.  I’m not down with winter hiking.

Last year I wrote about my hiking adventures and I have a feeling this year will be no different.  Unfortunately, The Mister and I may not get to hike as much as we did last year as his schedule may not allow it :(   But, we will take advantage when we’re able to.

Hiking is definitely one of my favorite summer activities for a few reasons.  First of all, its generally free.  Secondly it’s active and fun, which is sometimes a difficult combination for me to find. It’s also a great way to get out of the city and enjoy some nature – some peace and quite away from the noise of the city and grind of every day life.  No cell phones. No TV.  No internet.

Last weekend we went to Poudre Canyon up by Fort Collins. We hiked the Greystone Trail. Since I’ve been working out consistently and feeling more and more bad assness bubbling up inside me, we decided to do a longer, more difficult hike and this one certainly met that criteria.  The hike was about 7 miles and took us about 4 hours to complete.

When I was researching this trail, all the websites I read mentioned the possibility of seeing mountain lions (eek!) and lots of poison ivy.  Luckily The Mister and I didn’t see either, but we did see 2 wild turkeys!  Every time I go hiking, I always feel a little ripped off because I rarely see any cool wildlife.  I tried to snap a picture of the turkeys, but they were too quick for me.

The hike was difficult enough for me and it was beautiful.  I highly recommend it to anyone who lives in Colorado and likes to hike.  The terrain seemed to change throughout the hike and I always appreciate variety.   One section of the hike goes through an area destroyed by wild-fire. It was amazing to see the destruction first hand and the slow regrowth that has started.

Taken toward the summit

Soaking my tired feet in the river

Yesterday, The Mister and I were tired from a late night out and didn’t feel we could make a long, difficult hike.  We headed up to Evergreen to Alderfer/Three Sisters Park.  We’ve been to this park before, but it’s been a couple of years since the last time.  Hiking in this park is relatively easy and it’s a lot of dense forest.  It was a bit chilly, which decreased my level of enjoyment, but the surroundings made up for this.  Sunny or cloudy, one cannot help but be in awe of the beautiful surroundings in this park. We sort of meandered through the park for 2 hours.

The "Three Sisters"

We hit the jackpot with wild life siting on this hike.  Lots of pretty birds, a chipmunk or two and a weird squirrel breed.  I’m sure you all know how much I dig squirrels, so seeing this little dude was pretty exciting.

After seeing this, I was convinced this was some sort of weird mutated squirrel/rabbit hybrid, but thanks to my future mother-in-law I found out it’s a “Abert’s squirrel“.

All in all, I have thoroughly enjoyed hiking over the last 2 weekends.  It’s such a great opportunity to do something different.  I never know what I’m going to see and best of all the only cost associated with it is the gas it takes to get to the hike!

Category: Fun & Entertainment / Tags: , , , ,

Things I Hate Paying For: #6

27 Apr 2012 / Emily / 2 comments

Drum roll please…

Yep. Air.  You know, that stuff we breath?  Oh, and that stuff we must put in our tires.  I absolutely HATE paying for the stuff and I think it’s a rip off that I’m charged for this.

I hate it when I realize my car tire is low on air, I pull into a gas station and it’s $.75 to start the stupid air machine.  Especially since I rarely carry cash, let alone coins.  I definitely don’t carry quarters – those are prime laundry doing necessities.

Sometimes the machine is free for customers, which means you have to pay for something else to get their precious air.  This works out fine if you’re already getting gas and realize you need the air, but it doesn’t work so well in other circumstances.

A couple of weeks ago I noticed a different kind of air machine as I was pulling out of a gas station.

I have mixed feelings about this.  It would seem that the keepers of the air have caught on to the fact that people are carrying cash less.  They seem to be keeping up with the times to help make sure they still get their money.  This is a concept Denver used when they switched to “Smart Meters” a while back.    It’s thought that people will be more willing to pay if credit cards can be used.  I get it.  And it’s true.

I hope people aren’t charging up their credit cards with all that air…

While logically I get the fact that gas stations probably charge for air because they have to have an air compressor which requires upkeep, it doesn’t make me hate it any less.  I figure, on average, people spend enough money at gas stations, buying their overpriced snacks and other impulse buys.  Can’t they just give us their air?

In my home town and surrounding area, air has always been free.  It wasn’t until I moved to a metropolitan area that I realized this isn’t always free.  This has bothered me for 8 years now and it’s time I get it out of my system!

Category: Car Stuff /

3 Impulse Purchases I Don’t Regret

24 Apr 2012 / Emily / No comments

Okay, I know.  I’ve been the queen of “don’t be impulsive” over the last year.  I’ve also been the queen of delaying gratification.  I promise, I do practice what I preach, but I haven’t always.  Before I took my nagging anti impulse stance, I made a few impulsive purchases that turned out to be fantastic.

I mean, FAN-TASTIC.

Okay.  To be fair, I also made a TON of impulse purchases that were less than fantastic.  We don’t need to talk about those though…

There are 3 items I bought at least 2 years ago on impulse, that I’ve found to be completely worth it.   Even though I spent more than I had wanted to on these items, it turned out okay in the end.  Sometimes this happens and it’s a beautiful thing when it works out so well.

The Bunn Coffee Maker

4 years ago, my mom asked the family for a Bunn Coffee Maker for Christmas.  When I was looking for one to get her, I was astounded that you couldn’t find one for under $100.  ”What the heck do you need such an expensive coffee maker for?!” I asked her.  ”It makes a full pot of coffee in under 3 minutes!” Well, okay then…We got her one.  I used it.  I fell in love.

I love coffee, but I HATE waiting for a pot to brew. When I get up, I want my coffee and I want it now!  I used to have one with a timer function, which was great in theory.  It didn’t work well when I forgot to set the timer the night before. It also didn’t work so well when I forgot to put the damn carafe in the proper place.

Then one day, about 3 years ago I was at Big Lots.  It was one of those clouds parting moments.  They had a shelf stocked with high altitude Bunn Coffee Makers for $70!  I immediately called my mother.  ”Oh My God!  They have Bunns for $70!  That’s a good deal right?  Should I get one?”  This was usually what I did when I knew I was being impulsive.  I’d either get talked off the ledge or encouraged to buy.  My mom encouraged me to buy it.

I gleefully entered the apartment, new Bunn in hand and enthusiastically set it up.  When The Mister got home I was so excited to show him our new coffee maker.  He got a little scared when I told him he wasn’t allowed to use it without a tutorial.  Now, he’s hooked too.

When we started registering for wedding gifts, he suggested we register for a fancy new coffee maker.  Then he thought about what it would be like to wait for coffee and immediately took back his suggestion.  We’re not going to wait for coffee.  No way.  No how!

Our Microwave

About a year and a half ago, I decided it was time to have a more grown up microwave.  The one I had still worked, in the sense that it would eventually cook my food.

For 8 years I had used the microwave I bought for college.  It was a little white, $30 thing with a turn knob and a button to open the door.  Nothing fancy, nothing special.  It never had much umph, but what umph it did have decreased over the 8 years I owned it.

When the decision was made to buy a new one, I decided to get one from Kohl’s because I had some Kohl’s cash and a 30% off coupon.  I knew this was impulsive, so I figured I should probably save a bit of money.

This thing was so powerful, relative to the old one, that The Mister and I scorched just about everything we put in it for the first week.  It took a while to get used to this high-powered machine. We quickly adapted.

We were in awe of the different features it had – time and weighted defrost buttons, buttons for specific foods, quick start buttons – all these wonderful features in one microwave!  Truly, this isn’t the fanciest microwave ever, but it’s just fancy enough for us.  No regrets here!

Hiking Shoes

When The Mister and I went on our first hike, I wore some old tennis shoes that I wasn’t worried about getting dirty.  All was fine, until the end of the hike.  This was when I discovered 2 gigantic blisters, 1 on the outside of each big toe.  I couldn’t walk normally.  I had to buy special blister band-aides just to walk.  After almost a week, they were finally gone and I made the decision to suck it up and get some proper footwear.

I really wasn’t sure if we’d continue hiking year after year, but I wanted to be ready if we did.  I went to a sporting goods store, tried on a few pairs and eventually bought a $100 pair.  Then I decided that we had to keep hiking, because I have a $100 pair of hiking shoes and I’ll be damned if I don’t get my money’s worth.

Almost 3 years later, I have zero regrets. I have been on many hikes in these wonderful shoes and have yet to get a blister.  They have fantastic tread and they keep my tootsies dry.  I couldn’t ask for anything more.  They’ve served me well.

 

While thinking about and writing this post, I had a good reminder : Sometimes cheap isn’t always better.  Sure, saving  money is great, but quality is a factor that should be considered.  I could have bought a cheap coffee maker, a cheap microwave and a cheap pair of  hiking shoes.  The cheap versions may have served their purpose, but I’m not sure they wouldn’t stand the test of time.  I have no doubt that we will make the coffee maker and microwave last as long as possible and I’ll be damned if I buy another pair of $100 hiking shoes until these are properly worn out.

Category: Home Life, Past Experience, Shopping / Tags: ,

Weekly Money Check-Up: 4.23.12

23 Apr 2012 / Emily / No comments

Weekly Money Check-Up is a weekly series by My Pretty Pennies.

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on dresses. With 2 bridal showers next month, a wedding in July and hot weather coming, I’ve been looking for new dresses.  I was able to find 3 dresses at Ross and spent a total of $45.  1 of the dresses was $3.99 and will be perfect for the hot July Louisiana weather.

2. Today I am thankful for my determination.  I’ve been throwing myself out of my comfort zone quite a bit lately and if it wasn’t for that determination, I’d still be stuck in so many ways.

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was going for a looooong hike with The Mister on Saturday.

4. I will consider this week a success if I get some wedding planning done.  T minus 6 months until the big day!

5. I am currently wearing a Cubs T-shirt, yoga pants and slippers. I love comfy clothing!

Category: Weekly Money Check-Up / Tags:
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