• $12 movies (Sophia Copolla’s Somewhere was perfection.)
• $18 Target
• $490 car payment – Prius
• $168 State Farm – car insurance
• $86 utilities
• $41 internet
• $350 Chase
• $55 grocery
• $850 rent

The big disappointment this month was having to take money out of savings to pay rent – but I guess that’s what the emergency savings is there for! I’m aiming to replace the money over the next two paydays.

Some of you may not know that in addition to being a personal finance and frugal blogger, I also blog about fashion and style. I’m always looking for a bargain when it comes to the latest trends, but I value quality above all else, which is why I’m a big fan of Lands’ Ends.

Next Friday, February 4, Lands’ End is hosting a Facebook contest where they will be giving away 50 of their new mesh polos.

Be sure to like Lands’ End on Facebook and look for this message next Friday…

Nearly 30 years and 40 million polos later, Lands’ End has been the go-to place for men’s polos. Guys, what are some of the other “go-to” things that have stood the test of time in your life? A timeless movie that never gets old? Something passed down to you by your dad? The classic car in your garage? Tell us about it and you could win a New Mesh Polo.

Also keep an eye on my other blog – I’ll be giving away three polos just in time for Valentine’s Day!

I received a gift certificate to Lands’ End in exchange for my post. All opinions are 100% my own. Please see my site policy with any questions.

Fine. I admit it. I’m a shopper. I like to shop. When I’m bored, shopping is a viable option to pass my time. When I’m upset, a new purse does make me feel better.

What I’m not, is a fool.

I know how to shop smart, compare prices, and hunt for bargains. Whether I’m looking for a laptop messenger bag or new dishes, CSN is a great place to start my search. With over 200 online stores, they carry most anything I could want and their prices continually beat their competitors – I know, I’ve compared!

There’s no shame in shopping! Are you a shopper? Do you have a go-to bargain hunting strategy?

CSN provided me with gift certificate in exchange for my post. All opinions are 100% mine. Please see my site policy with any questions.

• $10 gas

I’ve been a hermit this week. Great for the pocket book, not so great for the social life.

• $376 car payment – Corolla
• $100 Banana Republic*
• $35 Bill Me Later*
• $110 Chase
• $100 Capital One
• $165 Sallie Mae (this one hurts after a 6 mo unemployment deferral)
• $71 Sprint ($5 off for completing a survey)
• $19 Walmart
• $11 USPS
• $9 Uncle Billy’s BBQ (thank to a recent Groupon)

*2011 Q1 financial goals

• $125 Costco
• $122 HEB
• $16 movies (Black Swan – yawn.)
• $108 Marshall’s
• $16 movies (Country Strong – weak.)
• $28 Hobby Lobby
• $70 Ulta

You know life is exciting when I go to the movies twice in one week.

Was your New Year’s resolution to help more people? Be more generous? Reach out to your community more? The January Love Drop is the perfect opportunity to jump right in!

(If you haven’t heard about Love Drop, you can check out all the detail in this post.)

Every month, the Love Drop community will come together to support and help one person in need. The inaugural Love Drop has set out to help Jill from Chicago. Here’s her story…

If you want to get involved (and you totes should) there’s a few ways to do so…

• Join the Love Drop Team – donate whatever amount is comfortable for you.
• Join the blogger network – help spread the word about Love Drop by blogging about each month’s drop – just like this post!
• Give a gift – want to send a gift card, some clothes, or household item to a Love Drop recipient? You can do that, too! There’s a mailing address on their contact page.
• Give a service – have a skill or service you can donate? It’s always appreciated!

I love Love Drop so hard, I can’t even tell you. It’s so unbelievably easy to help that there’s just no reason not to. I’m excited to be part of the team and am putting together a care package for this month’s recipient. Will you get involved?