Costco is my downfall. I went because I was bored. I know that’s a bad idea, but I did it anyway. I bought books, pizza, lemonade, watermelons, avocados, pasta, and kettle corn. I know have to survive on that combination of ingredients until payday.

• $60 Costco
• $31 gas

Thankfully, I’ve kept myself credit under control and haven’t had to resort to Bad credit credit cards. I don’t use plastic for unnecessary purchases, and I only use credit cards that reward me for using them. My credit card of choice is my Disney Visa which earns Disney Dollars. Thanks to work expenses, which I am reimbursed for within a week, all of our food during our Disney visit this October will be paid for by the Disney Dollars we earned. My little sister earned my parents lots of free gas during her stay in London by using their BP Visa after credit card UK options didn’t have as lucrative of a rewards program.

Back in college, I used to make a pretty decent penny selling things on eBay. Today while I was in TJ Maxx, I found some Harajuku Lovers purses on deep discount, so I bought them with the idea that I was going to sell them on eBay.

Unfortunately, they aren’t going for what I thought they were, so I am probably going to return them, though I am seriously considering keeping the black and white bag.

So, help me out. Is it worth $32?

One of my “hobbies” is researching vacation destinations and dreaming about places I’d like to visit. My husband and I try to get away at least once a year, but financially, sometimes it isn’t possible. Looking at pictures and planning itineraries for future vacations is free though, so I take advantage of that!

My sister and her boyfriend just got back from Mexico and had a great time, so I’ve been checking out Cancun Hotels as our latest vacation destination.

SideStep has some great search feature that checks over 150 travel websites and 150,000 hotels for the best deals no matter where you’re visiting. They also allow travelers to come back and post a review of the hotel they stayed in, so you get first hand feedback on the amenities.

I’m big into day trips when I travel, because I like immersing myself in a specific site and having a guide to show me the sites, and there are plenty in Cancun. How fun would it to take the Cap tin Hook cruise aboard an authentic 18th century replica of the Spanish galleon! There’s drinks and dancing and a steak and lobster dinner aboard the ship! It’s entertainment, history, and great food all in one.

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Many people have their own mountain vacation home. Others book hotels to spend their holidays. For example new york hotels. If one needs to make one’s trip exciting and comfortable, one can even book chicago hotel reservations. Many airlines will take you there. The cheap flight deals are also available. The hawaiian airlines are also cheap and convenient for long distance travel. The travel nursing agencies arrange really adventurous trips for their clients. Some of them even book boat hotels and arrange paties and concerts. But one should be very careful in such regard. Often when credit cards are stolen they create huge loss.

Since Oliver celebrated his first birthday this month, I’ve been reflecting on how much he has actually cost. MSN has an article on hidden costs with a section on puppies.

The upfront cost for a medium-size dog can run from zero (“Mom, he followed me home . . .”) to hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a purebred. For most people, though, the costs really begin after little Beauregard is part of the family.

 

You should figure on “capital” expenditures of about $270, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a sum that includes collars, leashes, carriers and the price of neutering or spaying your pet. Annual costs run an average of $620, which covers $310 for a year’s supply of premium-brand kibble, $175 for medical care, $15 for a license and $120 or so for miscellaneous costs, toys and treats.

Given that a medium-size dog lives an average of 15 years, that would add up to a total cost of $9,570, or about $1.75 a day for unconditional love and all the poop you can scoop.

Of course, I know folks who have spent more than that just on vet bills. Improvements in animal medicine mean more conditions are treatable, but that also means one serious accident or illness can cost you thousands of dollars.

A tip: If you’re a treat-at-any-cost sort of pet owner, strongly consider setting up a special savings account for vet bills or purchasing pet insurance.

Oliver cost $550, his first few vet visits toppd $250, and neutering cost $300 (and that’s after I switched vets because the first one wanted to charge $450), so I think the article’s estimates are quite conservative.

Add a $100 pet carrier, $20 a month to have his nails clipped, $25 on food and treats monthly, an assortment of collars and doggie t-shirts, trips to the doggie bakery, and a few stays at the doggie hotel, and I think Oliver has cost me around $3,000 in the past year.

But, he keeps me company, protects me, and insists that I go on a daily walk, so I think he’s worth it.

I work full time in marketing and I consider my websites my part time job. I am constantly trying to increase my readership and I make a nice amount of money from advertising, so what better way to learn more and improve my skils than a Free Internet Marketing Discussion in Las Vegas.

Tony Baker is the CEO of Xeal Precision Marketing and thought, since he was going to be in Las Vegas on 07/07/07 meeting with clients, why not get a group of internet marketing professionals together to brainstorm and exchange ideas about the latest and greatest internet marketing strategies and techniques.

Las Vegas is such an energetic and non-stop destination, just like the internet, that it is the perfect location for this event. Ideas and converstaion are sure to be invigorating and enthrawling.

The event is free, and being held at The Signature at MGM Grand. Refreshments and cocktails will be served, which is always good for stimulating conversation. Copies of Baker’s book and internet marketing services will also be raffled off to attendees.

Even if you aren’t able to attend Xeal’s website is full of useful information that can help you step up your internet marketing game. Professional services are also available that have worked to improve over 1,000 companies in the US, Asia, and Europe. If you’re interested, you can read more than you ever wanted to know about the company.

Space is limited, so make sure to RSVP through Xeal’s contact page to make sure you’re able to join in this great internet marketing mind meld.

July is an extra paycheck month for me so I am trying to decide what to do with the extra paycheck.

All of my bill payments are on a schedule according to biweekly paychecks, so I usually don’t realize it’s an extra paycheck month until I notice that I’m paid a month ahead on my school loans. That means I throw an extra $400 at my school loan debt every year.

$500 of each extra paycheck gets thrown at any outstanding credit card debt, so chalk $1,000 off the debt column.

The rest either goes into a high interest savings account or thrown at incidentals like car repairs or medical bills.

Not a bad usage of an extra $2,500 a year.