Savingbucks's Personal Finance Blog

Good News/Bad News? The Verdict is Out...

henkhaus@Netzero.net (Saving Bucks) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:52:42 PST

I went to jury duty today! Good news first: I got out early about 9:30 am. Bad news: I have to report back tomorrow for jury selection for a case that could last a month. We'll see what happens.....

On a financial and multi-tasking note: I used the early release time to...

Jury Duty and Multi-tasking

henkhaus@Netzero.net (Saving Bucks) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:00:25 PST

Tomorrow is my "lucky" day - I am pressed for jury service at my county's Superior Court. I am not one to shirk service, but it always seems to happen when I am busy at work. I am a local gov't employee, so my service time is unlimited! The last time I was at this courthouse I was...

Last Day Before Going Back to Work

henkhaus@Netzero.net (Saving Bucks) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 18:51:40 PST

My time off has passed by entirely too quickly. I was off from Christmas Day and will be back tomorrow. While I enjoy my job immensely, I never seem to get all (or even most) of my to-do list items done. Even when I was off for a year on maternity leave, I got very "little" done....

A Cold Day in California

henkhaus@Netzero.net (Saving Bucks) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 16:29:49 PST

Brrr! It is cold here in SOUTHERN California (for a change). Dull and dreary - looks like it might rain. I did go walk/jog in the am but I warmed up after the first block. Looks like DH will start a fire in the fireplace to warm up the house. We do keep the thermostat at about...

Happy New Year to All!

henkhaus@Netzero.net (Saving Bucks) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:49:03 PST

Just wishing everyone a wonderful New Year - hope everyone's plans and wishes come true (even better if they are financially viable!)

Got back from the farm - the girls had a great time feeding the sheep. The chickens stayed away from us and only one egg could be found (less...

Back to the Blog

henkhaus@Netzero.net (Saving Bucks) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:52:20 PST

Finally sat down to write a bit in this blog. I have been busy (I know - who's not?) with things.....

But I am resolving to be more frugal in the future - my first goal is to use our stockpile. The first stockpile I intend to tackle is the "giftcard stockpile." I have lots of...

Weekend BBQ

henkhaus@Netzero.net (Saving Bucks) — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 20:41:58 PST

We had our Labor Day BBQ a day early. DH is going dove hunting tomorrow and will not be home until late. Had my FIL over and enjoyed steak, coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, watermelon, and brownies. I was stuffed! I made the coleslaw, potato salad, and brownies. That is an...

Summer Summary

henkhaus@Netzero.net (Saving Bucks) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:33:01 PST

WOW! The summer has really flown by and I do not have much to show for it!!! I did not take much time off this summer due to job issues. But we did go camping at the Kern River in July for 4 days. It was fun but very warm. Usually we go to June Lake but the price of gas kept us...

$15 million richer.........NOT!!!!

henkhaus@Netzero.net (Saving Bucks) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:20:41 PST

I have noticed a virtual explosion in the volumes of phony emails wanting to give me money. At the rate it is going -- you would think that Nigeria is one of the richest nations of the world!
The story has shifted slightly from about a year ago -- the message used to be that I...

I Broke Even!

henkhaus@Netzero.net (Saving Bucks) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 20:18:52 PST

I broke even at bunco on Friday night - I was the biggest loser so I got my $10 back! I did well for the evening - a great Middle Eastern meal, wine, and gabbing with the girls!

Saturday was a busy day as well. DD had her end of year party for Girl Scouts at a local bowling...

Bunco Night

henkhaus@Netzero.net (Saving Bucks) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:22:51 PST

Tonight is bunco night with the girls - dinner, wine, and chitchat and bunco. We meet once a month - $10 is a good price for a good meal and enjoyment with friends. I win some money a few times a year so I just about break even. I especially enjoy the evening because I rarely get...

I Have Been So Busy that I ......

henkhaus@Netzero.net (Saving Bucks) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 20:27:04 PST

haven't had the time to deposit our state refund check into the bank!! We got our check from Gov. Arnold last week. I usually try to stop by the bank during lunch (I hate going after work because I would rather just go home) but too many meetings rolled into lunch. I also went running...

No Spend Memorial Day and Ramblings

henkhaus@Netzero.net (Saving Bucks) — Mon, 26 May 2008 12:01:56 PST

It's been awhile since I've posted, but life is always hectic! The work project that I am assigned to can be stressful since I have other duties other than that particular project.

But enough of that -- today is Memoorial Day - a time to remember those that have sacrificed for...

Spring Break Week

henkhaus@Netzero.net (Saving Bucks) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:32:34 PST

DD was off last week for spring break (although I still call it Easter Break). It was fairly uneventful. We went to my folks' farm for Easter and saw all the family. Yummy lamb was roasted whole on a spit (folks raise lamb and chickens) and lots and lots and lots of food and desserts!...

When Life Hands you Lemons, Make Lemonade!

henkhaus@Netzero.net (Saving Bucks) — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:31:55 PST

Went to dear FILs home yesterday. DH took care of some things around the house, and I looked at his bills and balanced his checkbook. FIL is in early stages of Alzheimer's (or other dementia) and still lives alone. He is doing OK but I do believe he is declining on the financial...

I am an ATM Dinosaur and Other Card Ramblings

henkhaus@Netzero.net (Saving Bucks) — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 22:03:58 PST

I think I am considered a financial freak by some folk - but that is OK because I usually have the last laugh (or dollar). I went to the bank awhile back (Wamu). They have a card swiping machine at each teller. One can swipe their ATM/debit card for an additional form of ID. I...

"America Saves" Week Starts Monday

henkhaus@Netzero.net (Saving Bucks) — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 11:35:03 PST

Just read about this in my local paper:
A national campaign starts Sunday that aims to help people improve their balance sheets by encouraging them to save automatically. "America Saves" week, starting Monday through March 2nd, brings together more than 1,000 gov't agencies, corporations,...

I "Won" at the Savings Rally!

henkhaus@Netzero.net (Saving Bucks) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:27:56 PST

Vons and Safeway are having a promotion - if you buy a certain amount of participating items, a Catalina coupon will "spit" out for savings off your next order of groceries. I believe the limit is once per day. I tried this promotion (buy 25 items get $20 back) last week at Pavilions...

Another Economic Indicator

henkhaus@Netzero.net (Saving Bucks) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 12:38:44 PST

There has been a lot of talk on the blogs about the direction the economy is going. Lines at the scrap heap as mentioned in the SA blog is so true. But another indicator at least in the Southern CA area) is the lines at the 99 cent store. The 99 cent store sells liquidated items,...

Economic Stimulus or Not?

henkhaus@Netzero.net (Saving Bucks) — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 20:09:53 PST

I am skeptical that the proposed economic stimulus package will do anything to stimulate anything. There is always a catch - it is not really free money at all. But.... this is just my opinion. For what it's worth, I intend to invest our share.

My 19 year old son on the other...