• $103 grocery
• $53 gas
• $35 pharmacy
• $78 Costco

Gas is creeping up to around $3 a gallon in the Chicago-land area, and I am none-too-pleased. That means an adjustment to the budget.

You might have noticed that a cable company is never mentioned in my daily spending lot. That’s because we don’t have cable. That’s right, for two years, we’ve been roughing it with a pair of rabbit ears and it’s KILLING ME. We just don’t have any reasonably priced options in our viewing area so we depend on the internet instead.

Now, if Charter on Demand cable was available, I’d be enjoying Project Runway, Top Chef, Weeds and more. Not only would I be in cable heaven, I’d be visiting the Win 10 Grand Contest Page every week for my chance to win cash and prizes!

Every week throughout May, Charter on Demand has been giving away a 52″ Sony Bravia HDTV to eligable entrants who answer a question about Charter on Demand correctly. Every week! That’s four huge televisions! Answer all four questions correctly, and be entered to win the $10,000 grand prize!

The contest ends this month, so hurry over to Charter on Demand to try and snag this week’s prize! If you’ve been playing along all month, don’t forget to answer this week’s question so that you’re eligable for the whopping $10,000 grand prize!

Don’t forget to follow Charter’s Twitter Feed for more contests and promotions!

I just finished reading Save Karyn on the recommendation of one of my favorite authors, Jen Lancaster, and I have to say that I wasn’t thrilled with her story.

Karyn moves from Chicago to New York and quickly finds herself $20,000 in debt. She starts one of the first “internet panhandling” sites, and becomes debt-free in 20 weeks.

Now, I’m not going to bash Karyn, because frankly, the book came out in 2002 and I’m sure someone has already said all the nasty things I’m thinking, but there are a few things that I can’t quite grasp.

Most of us, if we’re going to splurge, aren’t going to buy Gucci and Prada. We’re going to shop at GAP and Target. I do my fair share of splurging, but even I can’t comprehend charging $700 Burberry coats and $400 haircuts. I get queasy just thinking about someone else charging those things.

The buy and return scam Karyn pulled with AMEX also makes me ill. It’s far too unethical and deceitful than most people would consider attempting. Basically, because returns were credited to AMEX before charges were applied, she would make large purchases and return them to reduce her current amount due.

Finally, I totally agree that there was no harm in Karyn asking for money. Hell, anyone can ask for anything they want, but I didn’t think the tone of the website was cute or funny and I personally wouldn’t have been compelled to help. I don’t think creating a “silly little website” and having strangers help pay off your debt in under six months is much of a learning experience. I didn’t see the hardship or the struggle that millions of people have experienced, and I believe that’s part of the lesson to be learned.

So, have any of you read the book? What is your take on Karyn’s situation? Would you/did you send money?

My husband and I just got back from Las Vegas, and I’m not about to break out what we spent our allotted vacation money on. Lets just say it all went to support the city of Las Vegas.

• $1,000 Las Vegas
• $70 airport parking
• $6 Dairy Queen

I have a post up over at FabuDaily about the importance of being truthful in your budgeting. Go check it out!

Big thanks to FabuDaily for asking me to guest post!

We leave for vacation tomorrow, and I took my husband for his first manicure and pedicure yesterday to prepare! I, of course, had to partake as well, and we had a nice time. I think he really enjoyed being pampered! And who doesn’t love the massage chairs?

• $85 nails
• $55 Hooters
• $10 Old Navy

It’s also payday, so…

• $169 Sallie Mae
• $142 Chiropractor
• $817 Chase
• $20 donation

Every month, I share my paid blogging earnings. I tell you exactly how much I made and from which companies, but I’ve never taken the time to explain what a sponsored conversation is and why companies pay me to start the dialogue.

I don’t think I could explain the dymanics of sponsored conversations any better than this new video from IZEA…

Buzz doesn’t generate itself, and sponsored conversations are a way for companies to get people talking. It works not because I’m making money doing it, but because you comment on my posts and weigh in on the topics I blog about.

What’s your take on sponsored conversations?