I’ve always dreamed of having a little shed in the backyard, that I could rig up with electric and air conditioning and all my ‘stuff.’ Somewhere to get away and work and blog and relax.

The Office Pod is almost exactly what I had in mind. I saw it on a design blog (sorry, can’t remember which!) and thought it was perfect. Maybe a bit bigger to put a comfy chair to lounge and read.

I’d be scared to find out how much it costs, but it is mighty practical and dream worthy.

I mentioned that I stopped into Old Navy earlier this week and took advantage of the additional 50% off all clearance items. I walked away with three BAGS of clothes for $70!

This Friday and Saturday, the savings are even BIGGER at Old Navy. The entire store is an additional 30% off.

Including sale and clearance items.

No coupon needed!

If your Old Navy is anything like mine, there are some great items in the clearance section that are just waiting to be added to your wardrobe!

As I said on Twitter…

• $11 Juan in a Million
• $56 Central Market
• $39 AT&T
• $816 rent
• $275 Chase

The one glimmer of good news is that our rent in Austin is over $300 a month cheaper than Chicago! We sacrificed a bedroom and bathroom, but the building and amenities are nicer.

• $8 Mighty Fine Burgers – lunch with @WheelchairMommy
• $16 Sonic – late night slushie runs are becoming a bad habit
• $92 Gamestop
• $42 The Salt Lick – lunch with @nataliejanette and family
• $70 Old Navy
• $10 Amy’s Ice Cream

My husband got a new job so he was rewarded with new video games. Since he got new video games, I got to stop and Old Navy, where all clearance items were an additional 50% off! $70 got me three BAGS of clothes, including dress shirts suitable for job interviews.

Speaking of job interviews, I have my second (phone) interview for a Communications Specialist position with a non-profit in Austin tomorrow morning!

The short version is that I don’t have a job. The long version gets me too whipped up to blog about just yet.

I’ve been polishing my resume (feel free to smack me upside the head if you see any grammatical errors) and perusing the job boards. I’m working on some freelance projects and have blog advertising opportunities available for those interested (mention “unemployed” for 20% off yearly rates).

The last time I was in the market for a job, it took 6 weeks to receive a formal offer – and I honestly thought I’d stay at that job for a very very long time. I’m optimistic and hoping to be employed within the month!

Oh my. After two days and 1,200 miles, my husband and I have finally arrived in Austin.

We did really well at bringing the necessities in our cars (detergent, cleaning supplies, dishes) to get us settled, but we’ve still made two trips to Target and a trip to IKEA in the past 24 hours.

• $150 gas gas gas
• $75 food food food
• $90 Comfort Inn
• $161 IKEA
• $270 Target

Now…if only our furniture would arrive. I’m too old to sleep on an inflatable mattress for a week.

• $65 Sprint
• $57 State Farm – renter’s insurance
• $20 CVS – prescriptions
• $66 Barnes & Noble
• $31 Post Office
• $88 Ace Hardware – moving supplies

With our move only one week away, we’re on a necessities only budget. I’m coming up with creative ways to use all the food in our cabinets and trying to use up the last of cleaning supplies and any open bottles of anything.

Money is going to be tight.tight.tight but we did buy a hand truck (why does everyone look at me like I’m a silly girl when I call it a dolly?) to make moving a little easier – especially since we have to move all our belongings across the parking lot in 9 inches of snow (and counting)!