Well, it looks like I’m safe for about another year at my job.  There is talk that they won’t be switching over branches in my area to the new bank until third quarter of next year.  Also, I heard that they’ll look to find me a comparable position to the one I’m in currently, and if they can’t find me one, I’ll most likely get three months pay as a severance package.  I’m breathing a sigh of relief.  Rather than wallowing in my sorrows, I’m going to make a financial plan and stick with it for the next 9 months or so. I am planning on paying off the last student loan in nine months.  We owe $6850 on it.  That’s a payment of $760 a month.  It sounds astronomical, but I think we can do it if we really focus.  Any extra snowflake money will go towards it.  I think that the peace of mind from having that gone, and having one less payment will be worth it.  Then it’s to attack that car loan. I will still save [...]

I think my dishwasher has bit the dust.  This morning when Mr. Money woke up it was washing dishes.  I had turned it on last night at 7 P.M.  There is no reason it should have still been going at 6 A.M.  When he opened it to turn it off, he saw the casualty.  My beautiful stainless steel blender’s plastic bottom had warped beyond repair. When he came into the bedroom to inform me, I almost cried.  I use this blender pretty much every day to make smoothies.  I was really looking forward to my breakfast this morning too!  Luckily he went onto the blender manufacturer’s website and ordered replacement parts, and I think the total with shipping was under $20.  I am still peeved, for two reasons. One, I am now not going to be able to use my blender.  I can’t make smoothies and eat them for breakfast like I normally do.  I’ll have to get up earlier and make oatmeal or something else.  It also cost me $20!  That is not a nice surprise. Two, now I [...]

I have been dying to buy an electric blanket or bed warmer for our bed but the frugal side of me overcomes the urge every time. I’ve thought about looking on craigslist or ebay, but I think they are going to be in high demand now and I won’t find one for a price I want to pay. Ever since turning down the thermostat it’s been nippy at night in our bedroom, but we use a space heater to keep it warm when absolutely necessary. It stays pretty warm in there with the door shut and us and the two dogs. I prefer to sleep with it cold too. The other night I got this great idea that I was going to make a bed warmer. I did find patterns online, but they were all ones you fill with corn cobs or beans and then put in the microwave or oven to heat. That was a problem for us because we don’t have a microwave, and what is the purpose of trying to save money on heating if I’m using [...]