I’m always up for a vacation, especially Panama City vacation rentals which may end up being free. WeNeedaVacation.com just announced their Summer Photo Contest winner who walk away with a $1,000 credit towards their next vacation for submitting a picture that best represents their summer vacationing experience.

The winning photo is to the left with the caption “no day is over if it makes a memory.” A little hokey, but it obviously got the job done since they’ll be taking another vacation in the near future!

Even though summer is coming to an end, it’s not to late to book a vacation to Cape Cod or Florida through WeNeedaVacation.com and enjoy the perfect vacation rental on a beautiful beach.

Credit cards companies are sneaky and I pride myself to be on to their evil tricks.

• mystery interest rates – not being upfront about rates
• slanted reports – not reporting all credit information
• soaring rates – raising rates for no reason
• big fees – outrageous fees for overlimit and balance transfer
• multiple cards – issuing multiple cards for the same account
• paying twice – charging interest on a schedule that may double charge

My husband’s birthday is next month, and I have to start thinking of gift ideas now because he’s super hard to shop for. It’s not that I don’t know what he likes, he just always says he doesn’t need anything when you ask him for ideas.

I know that he loves astronomy so a telescope from Optics Planet would be perfect. They sell a full line of telescopes, binoculars, sunglasses, goggles, and more. Where else can you get a pair of military binoculars for $69.95 and then take advantage of free UPS shipping on all orders over $29.95?

We spent way too much money on food today.

• $15 McDonalds
• $11 Lincoln’s
• $18 Chipotle
• $7 Dollar General

Gosh, I’m almost embarassed that we ate all three meals out today. That’s not good for our waistline or pocketbooks.

I’ve made enough financial mistakes in my day to fill a dozen vessel sinks, but those are the experiences that I’ve learned the most from, which is why I was so interested in the 12 Investing Mistakes I’ve Made at Get Rich Slowly.

1. Not investing soon enough.
2. Not knowing the basics.
3. Chasing past performance.
4. Experimenting.
5. Not paying attention to expense ratios.
6. Not paying attention to distributions.
7. Not paying attention to asset allocation.
8. Ignoring diversification.
9. Selling winners and keeping losers.
10. Cost averaging down.
11. Investing without a goal.
12. Selling on corrections and buying at the top of the market.

I’m in no position for major investing, but it’s good to read and learn from other’s mistakes before I have a chance to make them myself.

I know that eating at home will save us big money, so I’m pulling out my aprons this weekend and making some meals that can be individually bagged and freeze well. I’m starting with Italian…

• spaghetti sauce
• meat balls
• lasagna

Next weekend, I will move on to casseroles and the weekend after that will be baked goods.

If you’ve got a good money saving recipe, leave a comment!

I finally broke down a few months ago and bought some new luggage. I had it in my head that new luggage was going to cost me a fortune, but I was in TJ Maxx and found some Kenneth Cole luggage in the discount section for $30!

I’ve always been a fan of Marshall’s and TJ Maxx, but the $30 Kenneth Cole luggage made me a devote follower. I can’t believe some people don’t shop at either store!