I received my last paycheck as a salaried employee yesterday.

There are still negotiations to be had (like what the hell do I charge?), but as of January I’ll be a freelance Marketing Coordinator. I’ll be working in the same capacity for my current employer, I’ll just be billing them hourly for my services.

I truly did not realize the magnitude of this change until I was handed my last check. I instantly realized that’s all the money we have. That’s it. Nothing is guaranteed after I cash this final check. I’m confident that I’ll have a constant stream of work and I have some ideas to branch out on my own – but the anxiety!

Now I’m frantic to find a good accountant in Austin. I have questions. Oh, do I have questions.

How much do I set aside for taxes? Do I officially name and incorporate my one woman company? Does my blogging fall under the same heading as my freelance marketing work or are those two separate entities?

Anxiety. Hives. Panic attack. Trying to breathe deeply.

Only 3 weeks till we move and our checking account is officially on lockdown.

I’ve pretty much been in hybernation since before Christmas which, in addition to being relaxing, is very easy on the pocketbook.

• $39 AT&T
• $150 Chase
• $50 ING
• $66 Target
• $16 CVS
• $12 Starbucks

My sister and I ventured out the day after Christmas and I snapped up boxes and boxes of Christmas ornaments for next year. My husband and I have never had a real Christmas tree since we’ve been married, and we’re hoping to have a house by this time next year to decorate!

Congrats to the winners…Laura and Rose!

Our vision insurance covers new lenses every year but only covers new frames every other year. Needless to say, paying out of pocket for new frames isn’t in our budget.

Ficklets are fun eyeglass accessories that slip over the arm of glasses with a small rubberband to transform their look! They make glasses hip and cool so that kids aren’t so self conscious about wearing glasses – because lets face it, when you’re in 3rd grade, wearing glasses isn’t exactly the cool thing to do – but I think they are a great way for adults to prolong the life of their frames.

Ficklets add a hint of style that can be changed on a whim and cost a fraction of new frames. I added the silver petals to my glasses for an instant update!

And I have two sets of Ficklets for two lucky readers!

Main entry – that means you have to complete this entry to win!

• Visit Ficklets and tell me which Ficklet is your favorite.

Extra entries – you can complete any or all of these for extra entries!

• Subscribe to my blog by RSS feed or email subscription.
• Follow @CorrinRenee and @Ficklets on Twitter.
• Tweet the following:

Tired of your eyeglasses? Update your look with @Ficklets! http://brokeasaspoke.com/ficklets

REMEMBER to leave a separate comment for each entry!

The fine print… Entries will be accepted until midnight, Sunday, December 27th. One winner will be chosen at random and announced on Monday, December 28th. Winner will be contacted by email and/or Twitter and will have 48 hours to respond. Please use your real first name or web moniker and a valid email address when entering. I am not responsible for incorrect contact information. Prize will be shipped directly from sponsor. Good luck!

This is a sponsored giveaway. I received product samples in order to craft my review. Please read my site policy if you have any questions.

• $34 Tiny Prints – change of address cards
• $42 IKEA
• $48 gas
• $163 grocery -2 trips/3 weeks worth of food
• $1,050 ING – money to pay for the moving truck
• $490 car payment – Prius
• $376 car payment – Corolla
• $101 Capital One – paid in full, we’re trying to improve my husband’s credit score by making small purchases
• $350 Chase
• $276 new suit for husband’s big job interview
• $96 Toyota – oil change and tire rotation

Time has been flying by – we leave for Texas in less than 30 days and I’m slowly packing and working my way down a very long to-do list.

I can hardly believe that less than two weeks ago we made the decision to move from Chicago to Austin and in less than five weeks we load up and leave. Some of you may have read that we were turned down for a home loan, so the past two weeks have been devoted to finding someplace to live.

We’ve decided on a rental just south of downtown Austin, in an area where we’d eventually like to buy our first home. Our reasons for renting are numerous and had circumstances been different, rent to own homes may have been another great option.

I’m new to this concept, but just like rent to own appliances, rent to own homes are a way to easy into home ownership with the help of an investor that’s willing to buy and lease a property. If you’re interested in this path to home ownership, RentToOwn.org has a large database of homes that qualify and step by step instructions to lead you through the process.

This is a sponsored post. Please see my site policy if you have any questions.

Trying to get into the Christmas spirit but don’t want to spend money on a festive soundtrack? Then download 28 different holiday songs for FREE from Amazon!

I recommend Christmas Tree by Lady Gaga and Snow Angel by Tori Amos.