• $37 grocery
• $36 Target
• $926 rent
• $168 State Farm – car insurance
• $75 utilities
• $47 internet
• $325 Chase
• $23 Post Office

Rent went up $75 a month this starting in April, which is pretty sneaky considering the yearly increase is almost exactly how much it would cost, between deposit and moving expenses, to move into a new apartment.

They’ve got it down to a science.

Have any of your usual expenses increased?

So, yesterday was my birthday, and the internet bought me a present. True story.

• $35 Marshalls
• $137 Target
• $40 doctor visit
• $23 CVS
• $31 gas
• $36 Walmart

I stopped at Marshalls for new socks (Okay, and a spring scarf – it was my birthday!) and I wondered, why do I wait so long to buy something relatively cheap ($10 for 6 pairs of socks) that provides comfort and makes me so happy? I can’t remember the last time I bought new socks and my morning walks are much more enjoyable now.

Where’d you spend your money this week?

You can’t see it, but I assure you, I’m doing a happy dance. A very enthusiastic happy dance.

See why…

• $376 car payment – Corolla
• $165 Sallie Mae
• $14 vet
• $26 Maudie’s takeout (craving queso!)
• $164 Sprint
• $300 Chase
• $1,864 Banana Republic PAID IN FULL
• $2,157 Bill Me Later PAID IN FULL
• $640 ING savings

Those last few items are courtsey of our tax return, which was deposited today! I couldn’t wait to write those checks and get those accounts paid off. I litererally let out a sigh of relief when I put the stamps on the envelopes.

I’ll be posting an update to our 2011 financial goals in April. Are you working towards any financial goals this year? How’s your progress?

Tax time has me rummaging through shoe boxes full of receipts, which is always quite the eye opener. While filing away all the 2010 FSA paperwork, it became abundantly clear that prescription eye glasses are my biggest health care expense.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m quite grateful that an astigmatism is my biggest health care concern, but the price of a yearly exam and new glasses can be a strain, and I understand why people put it off until absolutely necessary.

One great way to keep health care expenses in check is by ordering prescription glasses from Zenni Optical. For as little as $6.95 a pair, you can get frames and prescription lenses with anti-scratch coating and UV protection.

I’ve been a customer of Zenni Optical for years, and I can tell you firsthand that my orders have always been accurate, prompt, and stylish. Their website was just redesigned, making it much more user friendly, and much more tempting to order a pair of glasses for everyday of the week. Especially these full frame glasses which look like my everyday glasses but with a pop of color (green – my favorite color).

Do you order from Zenni Optical? Do you have any other tips for keeping health care costs down?

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% mine. Please see my site policy with any questions.

Cold, flu, and allergies have been a plague on this house since Christmas. The worst of it isn’t the running nose or sneezing, it’s the congestion and sinus pressure which inevitably causes horrible headaches and much whining and complaining.

79% of Americans don’t know that sinus pressure caused by nasal inflammation is a potential cause of congestion, which means they probably aren’t taking the right medication to alleviate their symptoms.

Wrong medications mean wasted money and far too much time spent feeling cruddy.

You want to make sure you’re spending your money on something that works, and Advil products are a staple in our medicine cabinet for that very reason. The new Advil Congestion Relief treats the real problem, which for us, is sinus pressure, congestion, and headaches caused by nasal swelling and inflammation.

Advil Congestion Relief is available at major retailers nationwide (Psst…if you’re a couponer, I find the best prices on Advil at CVS) and just 1 tablet every 4 hours can alleviate symptoms.

Here’s to hoping everyone is happy and healthy!

I was provided Advil Congestion Relief information, gratis samples, and coupons by Phizer Consumer Healthcare. As always, all opinions are 100% my own. Please see my site policy with any questions.

• $30 grocery
• $62 car repairs – Corolla
• $28 car repairs – Prius
• $19 Target
• $3 parking
• $48 Home Slice Pizza

The weather was beautiful in Austin yesterday evening, so we took advantage of the opportunity to enjoy the patio, pizza, and people watching on South Congress.

Where did you spend your money this week?

Pssst…I’m super excited for next week because we should have our tax return and an extra paycheck, so we’ll be paying off some BIG bills. Stay tuned!

I have pretty much everyone fooled. They think we’re rich. Rolling in dough. Money in the bank. Burning holes in our pockets. Related to the Rockefellers.

Okay, that might be a slight exaggeration.

But we have heard mumbles of how do they afford it and they’re always spending money among friends and family that shall remain nameless.

Even though it’s none of their business, I do enjoy helping them get a clue and turning them on to websites like http://www.savings.com, which is exactly how we’re able to buy all the things we need and want.

I don’t make a single purchase without first comparing prices online and off and then searching for coupons, coupon codes, rebates, and other perks to sweeten the deal. The majority of the time, I find online purchases to be the better deal and by using savings.com, I can search by store, brand, or keyword to find additional savings on all the items we’re looking for.

Thanks to a little time spent online, I can’t remember the last time I paid full price for anything. There’s really no other way to shop..or to make people think you’re loaded.

This is a sponsored post. As always, all opinions are 100% my own. Please read my site policy if you have any questions.