It’s hard to believe that the holiday season is in full-swing, but the weather in Austin has finally gotten brisk (well, at least in the early mornings), Christmas lights are twinkling in every window, and I’m craving big red cups of fancy hot beverages, so it must be true.

What’s also true is that those big red cups of fancy hot beverages are not in my budget this month. But armed with my coworker’s Keurig® and hazelnut cream K-Cups from Millstone Coffee Company and I’ve got the holiday spirit. Not to mention one perfectly brewed cup of fancy coffee at a fraction of the cost of the home of the red cup.

You know what else would put me in the holiday spirit? $10,000.

Now through December 27, 2011, coffee lovers can visit Millstone Coffee and share what matters most when enjoying their daily cup of coffee to be automatically entered for a chance to win a grand prize of $10,000, a Keurig® Single Cup Brewer, and a year supply of K-Cups from Millstone. There’s also 32 weekly prizes up for grabs, which includes a $100 grocery gift card, a Keurig® Single Cup Brewer, and a month supply of K-Cups from Millstone.

Happy brewing!

The lovely people at Millestone Coffee Company provided a variety of K-Cups for myself and my co-workers. All opinions are 100% my own and you can read my site policy if you have any questions. Please visit www.millstone.com for full contest rules.

Just some random thoughts after reading a slue of personal finance blogs over the past few days. Thoughts?

There are certain assumptions that some people make when they learn that others live paycheck to paycheck. These are some of my observations and some of the judgments I’ve felt.

• they are financially irresponsible
• they are uneducated
• they work a menial job
• they don’t save
• they spend frivolously
• they don’t know how to budget

I live paycheck to paycheck and I don’t consider myself any of those things.

• I know where every penny of my money is spent
• I have a master’s degree from a Big 10 University (and the student loans to prove it)
• I have a professional career
• I have an emergency account and pay myself first every payday
• I consider purchases carefully
• I’d argue that I’m much more budget conscious than those with money out of sheer necessity

Do you live paycheck to paycheck? (No judgment, obviously.) Do you have a rebuttal? Do you get defensive, (admittedly) as I do? Do you get the same vibe? Do you feel that these are lessening or getting worse as more and more people are living paycheck to paycheck?

• $5 grocery store sushi (don’t judge)
• $28 grocery
• $6 Chick-fil-a

I’ll be traveling home to Chicago to spend Thanksgiving with family so I’ll confess all my money-spending sins when I return.

What are your plans for the holiday? Hosting a big dinner? Doing it on a budget?

Lost or stolen, there are financial repercussions when an item goes missing. Whether it’s a laptop, a phone, or a library book; the cost of replacement is going to impact your budget.

But I’ve noticed a trend – people losing things and saying they have been stolen.

Someone says their laptop was stolen but it was really left on a plane. Someone says their iPhone was stolen but it was really left in a grocery cart. Just because something hasn’t been returned to you doesn’t mean it’s not sitting in a lost and found somewhere. Do we really think that poorly of people? Does it makes us feel better to lay the blame on someone else?

And I won’t even mention the Twitter storm when someone leaves something someplace and blames the retailer/airline/restaurant for its disappearance.

In the words of Kris Humphries (yes, I’m quoting Kim Kardashian’s estranged husband): You shouldn’t own anything you can’t afford to lose.

And I’d add: Or would accuse someone of stealing if lost.

Thoughts?

Photo Source

• $22 Homegoods – silverware
• $126 Target – bedding
• $71 grocery
• $21 Sur La Table

Had a lovely lunch with a friend this weekend thanks to a gift certificate to McCormick & Schmicks and picked up food for the week (with enough to freeze for later).

Where’d you spend your money this week?

You know how whenever you move into a new apartment or house you always need something? No matter how fully stocked and functional your last home was there’s always a closet that needs a shelf, a bathroom that needs a rug, or a light fixture that needs a bulb in a different wattage. Well, my divorce is final and my (ex) husband moved out last weekend and I’ve noticed that I’m severely lacking some necessities and want to do some redecorating for a fresh start.

Since money isn’t exactly plentiful, I’ve separated my list into things I’ve purchased, need, and want.

Things I’ve Purchased:

• new bedding – sheets, pillows, bedspread
• silverware

Things I Need:

• towels
• lamps – bedroom and living room
• mattress topper

Things I Want:

• area rug
• bedroom curtains
• kitchen curtains
• artwork for kitchen and living room
• living room television
• living room furniture

What was on your list of priorities the last time you moved (or got divorced)?

The first of the month takes on a whole new significance when all your bills are due at the same time. One paycheck once a month is brutal. How often do you get paid?

• $939 rent
• $490 car payment – Prius
• $165 Sallie Mae
• $47 internet
• $400 Chase
• $85 Sprint
• $33 Target
• $14 breakfast with a friend
• $8 Whole Foods