Purple Flower's Finance Blog

Yesterday I received two checks in the mail. One was $7 for completing a mystery shop. The other was from Toluna Surveys for $10.

After work yesterday I stopped for gas at a convenience store and found another penny in the parking lot!

Have a great Sunday!

I get a monthly FICO score update as a free service with my credit union. For about the last year, my score has decreased then stabilized a few months ago. The last two months my score increased...this time by 7 points!!

Oh I found another penny in the Wal-mart parking lot yesterday morning!

Have a great evening!

I haven't been working at my Saturday job since August. I was laid off because of a decline in business. I was only given a couple of days notice, but was given 2 weeks of severance pay. The severance was certainly not expected, but was a very generous gesture. On occasion I fill in for employees who need a day off, but those opportunities have been very limited. Believe me I have enjoyed only working 5 days/week, but I miss the Saturday income!
I haven't even been able to find another position to fulfill that void, but I will keep looking!

Today I was pleasantly surprised when I received a phone call asking if I could work for another co-worker this Saturday! I don't really *FEEL* like it, but I will work since I could use the extra money...plus I didn't have any real plans for Saturday anyway!

I got a rebate check from the October Rite Aid Single Check program in the amount of $114.60!!! It was all FAR items that consisted mainly of cold products. I had several coupons for the items too, so I made some extra money. Some of the products I won't use, but I want to donate them to a homeless shelter or another charity.

Also, I received a check from Citi Rewards for $65.21.

So a few more dollars for the extra income fund!!

This weekend I found a total of $0.17!! Friday night, while doing a mystery shop, I found a nickel. Last night at the grocery store I located a penny. The today when I stopped at the convenience store to use the ATM, I scored a dime and a penny!!

It has been more than a month that I have posted on my blog. I just haven't really been in the mood...too busy with my children, work, and continuing education courses. I have been reading some of the blogs occasionally though.

+++

I took my Honda in for a state inspection, oil change, and tire rotation today. It turns out the car didn't need any work to pass inspection! Yeah! Actually, other than maintenance (oil change/filter and air filter) the only item that I replaced so far were the tires, wiper blades, and the headlight bulbs. It has 79K miles on it. I bought the car new in 2005 and am well pleased with it. I would definitely purchase another Honda again in the future, but probably a certified used vehicle. In comparison, the Ford Escort that I've also purchased new in 1998, has a lengthy repair history. DD is currently driving it until she can afford to buy something more reliable and less costly.

Anyway, I had coupons for an oil change with free tire rotation for $18.99 + 1/2 price inspection. With taxes I paid less than $36!!

+++
I plan to update my sidebar and post an entry bringing everything current since my last extra income deposit. Hopefully, I can frequent my blog on a more regular basis!

Have a great evening!

I found more money today. I located a dime at the exit door at CVS. Then leaving CVS on the sidewalk there was a penny!

So 21 cents now that I've found in 2 days!!

Today when I was at Wal-mart I found a dime at the checkout area.


This week I received $49.43 in refund checks from Rite-Aid plus a few others. So a little extra money for the extra income fund!

Have a great evening!

So the buyer that I filed a dispute against didn't respond to that either. After sending a couple of messages through Ebay, I opened the case over a week ago. I just closed the case, since the buyer made absolutely no attempt to communicate with me and/or pay for the item which she won the auction.

I ended up relisting the item. Hopefully this time if it sells, the buyer will have the decency to actually pay for the item!

Yesterday I filed a dispute with a buyer on Ebay who has failed to pay for an item. They haven't responded to any emails that I sent them either. I'm thinking I will probably end of relisting the item. That is usually what happens. My experience is that by filing a dispute it has never resulted in payment of the item. Ugh!!

This is what makes me so unmotivated to list items on Ebay, Craigslist, etc. It seems I have some sort of issues to deal with every time I list a group of items to sell. It almost seems easier just to donate the stuff to Goodwill, Salvation Army, or another charity.

I've had another NSD today! Didn't leave the house in 2 days now.

I ended up doing some yard work today + some laundry and that's about it.

Tomorrow it is back to work!

Have a great evening!

Yesterday was a NSD for me. I haven't had one of those in a long time.

+++

I am still awaiting payment for an Ebay item that sold over a week ago. I sent the buyer 2 invoices so far + an email and I haven't received a response to any of those. My next step will be to file a dispute with the buyer, and probably end of relisting the item.

There isn't any interest in the item I have listed on Craigslist...

+++

I recently did a little research on choosing a different cell phone plan. Initially, both DD & I had individual plans through ATT, although it is considered one account under my name. Her plan was 450 anytime minutes with unlimited texting. Mine was 900 minutes. By reviewing previous bills, I determined that she barely uses 100 minutes/month. On the other hand, I use around 700 min./month. She would rather text than talk on the phone.

Since we have some rollover minutes accumulated, I opted to switch to a family plan of 550 shared minutes with early nights/weekends (7PM-7AM). I think we should be fine without going over each month.

It will end up saving us $30/month, which we will both benefit from since she pays her own portion. I should have probably changed this a long time ago, but initially when she got her cell phone a couple of years ago she went over her minutes (and that was my concern). Now, however, she texts almost exclusively!

Happy Labor Day everyone!

The last time I posted an extra income update was 8/15. Since then I have accumulated the following extra funds:

$692.62...Saturday Income
$150.22...Mystery Shop Reimburse/Fees
$072.12...CC Rewards
$029.51...Refund Checks
$017.74...Ebay Profits
$005.94...August Interest
$000.27...Found Money
$000.18...You Data Earnings
$008.00...Survey Checks

I will add $976.60 to the extra income account.

That brings the total to $6,879.02!

Yesterday I got several checks in the mail. One was $4.64 for a Rita's Italian Ice mystery shop reimbursement, a $2 refund check, and a $2 survey check. So a total of $8.64.

I also got a sample box of cereal from Vocalpoint--Kashi Honey Sunshine.

I did another restaurant mystery shop last night. I should get $35 reimbursed for that in the next month or so.

I have a shop to complete tonight at another restaurant. The reimbursement for that one is $40.

I enjoy doing these because we get to eat out with minimal OOP expense!

Have a great Friday!

I recently sold 4 items on Ebay. I have received payment for 3 of those items. After the fees, I have netted $17.74. Not a lot, but certainly a little bit to add to the extra income fund, which I need to update on my blog.

I have still been keeping track of all my extra income, but will update my sidebar with the figures possibly later today.

Oh, I also got $3 in my account from Pinecone for a survey I completed last night!

Today I received $25.51 in refund checks from Staples and Swiss Tea.

I also got the CC rewards that I requested a few days ago from Citicard. The check was for $72.12.

So a little less than $100 in extra income in one day!!

Yesterday I listed four items on Ebay. I checked today and I have bids on three items and plenty of watchers on all of the items.

I also listed something on Craigslist too yesterday.

I'm trying to reduce some clutter again. I'm thinking about having a yard sale in a couple of weeks too. We will see if that happens or not.

I found another penny yesterday at Walmart.

Have a great day!

This week I got a total of $134.92 reimbursements in my Paypal account for 3 restaurant mystery shops I completed in July.

I'm leaving soon to do another restaurant mystery shop assignment tonight. Then, tomorrow I have a retail one to complete.

Oh I found a penny also the other day at the store.

It has been awhile since I updated my extra income fund. I have the following to add for the last couple of weeks:

$480.22...Saturday Income
$046.56...Refund checks
$007.88...July Interest
$000.24...Found Money
$010.00...Survey Check
$000.80...You Data

The total is $545.70. I've updated the sidebar.

I received a survey check from Your2Cents(now Toluna)today for $10. In addition, I got 2 refund checks totaling $26.77.

So there is another $36.77 in extra income to add to the account, which I will update later this weekend.

Have a great day!

Today I got a $7 refund check in the mail, I found a penny, plus earned $0.51 from You Data.

So I have $7.52 to add to the extra income fund.

Over the weekend, I did another Cheesecake Factory mystery shop. I wasn't as impressed by the service at this location as I have been at the other three that I've done.

Tonight I completed an assignment at Texas Roadhouse.

Tomorrow I have 2 to complete...one at a local hardware store plus a Rita's Italian Ice.

Nothing is scheduled yet for Friday, but Saturday I have an Orange Julius assignment scheduled.

So, I'll be quite busy mystery shopping the next couple of days!

I got another refund check in the mail yesterday for $4.50.

Today, I was out and about with DD and found a dime and 3 pennies in the mall while shopping for school clothes.

So I have another $4.63 to add to the extra income fund!

I received a refund check in the mail today for $5, plus I earned a whopping 29 cents from YouData. So that will get added to my total for the week.

Have a great evening!

Yesterday I found a penny in the Wal-mart parking lot. Then today at the mall I found another penny.

I got a Pinecone survey DD into my Paypal account today for $3.

So $3.02 to the extra income fund!

Today I went to CVS and got some school supplies, Softsoap Body Wash, and Blink Tears Eye Drops, and a bag of Sun Chips (just to bring my total to a bit over $20). After manufacturers' coupons, ECBs, CVS ($4 off $20) coupon, I made $2.73!!

I also had another $0.50 EB which I earned based on my spring spending. So that actually brings the savings to $3.23!!

Like usual, on my way to work, I stopped by the convenience store to fill up my gas tank. It is normally much less expensive there. Today it was 14 cents less/gal. than in this area. I think that's a record difference in the year since I've been commuting there. Of course, it is in a different state, but near a large city. I live in a small town. Oh well, I can't begin to figure out the logic behind the gas price differences!

+++
After I got home I mowed the yard with the help of DS. Then, I just got finished cutting his hair...the usual buzz cut style. His hair is so thick and grows quickly. I'm happy to have spent the $20 or so on electric clippers about a year ago. It sure has paid for itself.

Have a great weekend!

I got a refund check in the mail today for $3.29!

So it looks like I have $3.39 for the week (includes the dime I found yesterday)to add to the extra income fund!! Woohoo!!

...that I wouldn't have any extra income to add to my account this week, I found a dime! I went to Panera for lunch and right there on the counter at the register was 10 cents just waiting for me!

Hopefully I will have more to add to the fund for the week, but it isn't looking too good!