Purple Flower's Finance Blog

As I said before, August was slow for the snowflakes. I received the following:

Swagbucks $25.00
Found Money .25
Ebay Sales Proceeds 36.48

Total $61.73


That brings the total for the year to $497.20. I'm thinking of sending the majority of this to CC debt, as it has just been sitting in a savings account...

Today was a NSD. I did a few loads of laundry which I dried on the line. I also earned over 200 Swagbucks, most of which were from doing surveys!

Tomorrow I have to work 4 hours, which may give me a couple of hours of overtime this week with the holiday pay. It won't be much, but certainly a few extra dollars!

I've definitely been spending a lot of money this weekend. Yesterday DS and I spent some time shopping for clothes and shoes. Normally I don't make a big deal out of buying him a new wardrobe for back-to-school, but he is a teenager and has outgrown many of his clothes. We went to Kohl's (which is where I generally shop for him--he doesn't care about brand names)and I spent $222 for 17 pieces of clothing and 1 pr of sneakers. I used a 15% off coupon plus $10 off $25 purchase. In addition I got $40 in Kohl's cash. I'm very careful when spending the Kohl's cash too so that I don't go much over the value amount!

We also stopped at Chili's, which is one of my son's favorite restaurants, for lunch. I must admit I love the chips and salsa, which I had a free email coupon to redeem.

Today I made a another quick trip into town to get some canning jars and some veggies that I forgot yesterday. Since I have an abundance of cucumbers, I figured I should try to make some pickles. I have never canned anything in my life, but I found and made a pickle recipe on Pinterest. I'm concerned though because I don't think the lids sealed on the jars properly...

Other than that, I found a penny today in the store parking lot. I also have two loads of laundry hanging out to dry. I'm planning on listing a few more items on Ebay. Oh, and I want to spend some time on the Swagbucks site

Snowflakes have been a little slow coming in this month. I did receive $25 from Swagbucks in my Pay Pal account.

I spent some time today doing surveys on Swagbucks. I think I will meet my goal as I only have a few more points to go, and I haven't even watched the videos yet today!

I have one item on Ebay that will end tonight with 4 watchers but no bids yet.

It seems like today will be a NSD!

Here are the final numbers for July:

Swagbucks $75.00
Credit Card Rewards 75.00
Insurance Co Refund 24.12
Doctor Copay Refund 30.00
Found Change .15
Ebay Sales Proceeds 14.60
Selling Coupons 3.50

Total $222.37


This brings the total for the year to $435.47. July has clearly been my best month in 2013!! Although I haven't been updating my snowflake income on here, I have been tracking on a money app on my phone. I do plan to update on here at least monthly now.

The question now is "how do I allocate this money?". Definitely a large percentage should go to CC debt. I do want to start saving some money for a new dishwasher, and don't want to take it out of my EF. The appliance is still functional; however, the latch doesn't always stay closed and the dishes do not get clean consistently anymore. I'm estimating it is about 15-20 years old because it was here when I purchased the house.

Thanks so much CCF for inspiring me to get more involved in Swagbucks! Even though I've probably been a member for about a year, it hasn't been until the last couple of months that I've devoted more time and effort to it. My favorite ways of earning Swagbucks are surveys and shopping online (mostly hotel reservations).

I'm very happy I didn't spend any money this weekend. I stayed home again today! Besides, it was too hot again to go anywhere.

I spent today listing several items on Ebay as Buy It Now. I've found that for some things that works better than the auctions. Sometimes with the auction-style, I don't feel like I get what the item(s) are worth...

I cooked some chicken in the crock pot today. I made a salad & cubed up some of the lemon-pepper chicken in it for work tomorrow. After four days off of work, I still don't feel like going back!

It's 88 degrees here and the heat index is 101! I'm sure glad I did the yard work yesterday. I have no desire to go outside much today, let alone go anywhere; therefore, I'm planning a no-spend day in the air-conditioned house:-)

I do have some items I want to put on Ebay and try to de-clutter a bit. I really dread listing stuff on Ebay--writing descriptions, taking photos, etc.--and tend to put it off for months. Ugh! Anyway, I did list and sell some items last week and currently have 2 listed as auctions.

I also want to devote some time to updating my snowflakes from June and total that. I don't have much accumulated in 2013, like I mentioned previously but know that every little bit adds up I also need to figure out where to allocate the $ that I currently have set aside in the snowflake account. Any ideas? We just came back from vacation last week (that I paid for in February), but we did stay an extra day. Maybe I can pay for that expense from the snowflakes. Also, I have accumulated some CC debt in the last couple of years that I've been absent from blogging! Actually, I could probably put a greater percentage to CC debt and a lesser amount to a slush fund. Advice?

I plan to do some more swagging today. I have already met my goal with a survey I took earlier this morning. I don't have problems exceeding my goal on my days off work, but when I work I simply don't have the time to devote to it...

I have some laundry hanging out now and made some homemade chocolate mint tea that I picked from my garden. Enjoying a glass over ice!! Yum!

Have a great, frugal weekend!

Since I last posted on here regularly 3 yrs ago, my employment status has changed a little. In March 2012, my full-time job was cut from a 5 day work week to 4 days/week in an effort to cut overhead costs in the office. Given this news along with ever present financial problems (unable to order supplies, paychecks bouncing, etc.), I decided it was past time to get my resume updated and sent to potential employers. In addition, I got 1-2 weeks of unemployment b/c the owner had no problem taking vacations, even though the business is in financial distress. Unbelievable IMO, but it isn't any wonder he has these money problems!! He doesn't have an office manager or accountant to manage the finances and continues to live a lavish lifestyle rather than making his employees happy or trying to increase morale among the staff. After all, I worked there 7 years and never got a raise, as other workers didn't either. The excuse was always, "we can't afford it".

Anyhow, a co-worker who I worked with at my Saturday job in the past (which I no longer have that income due to cutbacks), informed me that she knew of an office that needed a part-time, to eventually full-time clinician. I immediately called the office and set up an interview, then a subsequent working interview. After the working interview, I didn't hear from the office manager in over a week so I called back to find out the status, plus I wasn't paid for my working interview. Apparently, the office manager was busy with a new imaging system that was getting installed and forgot to call me back. I guess they knew they were hiring me.

The office manager offered me 2 days to start, which quickly became 3 days. I cut back my hours at my once full-time job, so I ended up with 2 PT jobs (although my previous employer allowed me to keep my medical insurance...I paid a minimal amount towards the premium). After a few months, the office manager approached me to see if I would like to cover a 3 month maternity leave w/ M-F hours! That was perfect, and the previous employer took the news very well (after all it would save him $ since business was slow anyhow). At the beginning of the three months, the office manager asked if I could start full-time beginning June 2013. Of course, I took the job.

As with any job of course there are pros and cons. The pros include a substantial pay increase ($13/hr), more job security, hours, and benefits. Oh, and I get to choose my own hours--I went with M-Th 9-7. The negative aspects include the hour long commute each way, longer hours/day, and the great relationships I had w/ previous co-workers. Another con would be that I bought an SUV to make sure I can make it to work in bad weather. With the nature of my job in the medical field, snow days don't exist. My 2005 Honda Civic is very reliable & economical otherwise, it just isn't good for driving in the snow. The Honda has been paid off for years; however, I still owe on the Toyota Highlander. I do have 0% financing though.

Back to swagging now! Have a great Friday!!

I'm looking for some different ideas for how to accumulate snowflakes. Since I don't have the time to post on here very regularly anymore (although I do read the blogs), I thought I would take a few moments to read some of my own blog entries too. I noticed that compared to a few years ago, it takes me much longer to accumulate extra money. A huge source of my extra income previously had been my Saturday job (which I no longer have). I also rarely do mail in rebates anymore either. Plus, I certainly don't find nearly as much "found" money as in the past.

I have done Swagbucks for several months now, which I've been able to cash out for gift cards or Pay Pal--that is helpful. CCF, how are you able to accumulate so many Swagbucks per month? I do some surveys; however, I don't qualify for many of them.

Other than the extra ways of earning money posted on the side bar, does anyone have any other suggestions?? Thanks!

Wow! I can't believe that it has been over 2 years since I posted on here. Even though I haven't written on my blog, I've been reading others' entries! Financially, many things have changed over that time. I will give an update in the next couple of days.

Have a great weekend everyone!!

I'm off work today, which is nice since I worked the last 2 Saturdays. By the way, I had $440.83 DD yesterday for those days that I will add to my extra income account.

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I have a couple of items listed on both Ebay and Craigslist. As usual, not much activity with the Craigslist stuff...I will most likely end up donating those things to the local thrift shop. The 2 Ebay listings have plenty of watchers, bids only on 1 item so far. The auctions end tomorrow.

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I plan to do some yard work later. I bought a tomato, basil, and cilantro plants at Home Depot that I need to plant. I have some weeding to do + trim some bushes.

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I have some laundry hanging outside. It should be a NSD, unless I get a mystery shop at a restaurant that I signed up for earlier today.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

I've worked the past two Saturdays to fill in at the job where I was once a regular employee. If there was a need for me to be there every Saturday I would definitely do it. In a way it has been relaxing to only work my FT job with the weekends free. It was difficult for me to keep up with the house and yard work + children's activities when I worked so much.

Anyway, I am looking forward to a nice addition to the extra income fund next week when I get paid for the past two Saturdays!

I haven't updated my extra income funds on here since 2/28/10!! I have added the following to the extra income account:

$212.40...Saturday Income
$074.00...Surveys
$000.69...Interest
$220.92...Mystery Shop Reimburse/Fees
$001.26...Found Money
$002.00...Coupon Trade
$000.19...You Data
$135.55...Citicard Rewards Checks
$069.38...Refund Checks
$040.38...Ebay Profits

The total for a little over 2 months is $756.77. I now have $9,510.79 in my account!!

Just wishing all the mothers, grandmothers, etc. a great Mother's Day celebration!

Today will most likely be a NSD for me.

since I last posted an entry on here! I have been so busy with my children and doing yard work that I've only had time to occasionally get on here and read the blogs.

I also have participated in lots of surveys (both medical & general) plus I have been doing so many restaurant mystery shops too!

Even though I've been lax about posting on here, I am still tracking my expenses and extra income. Right now I need to run a few errands, but will post my total extra income deposits since it was last updated on 2/28 later on today.

This past weekend I completed a Pine Cone survey. Yesterday I got $3 DD for that. I also got an email rewarding me $10 for doing a medical survey. I need to choose a retailer from which I want a GC.

I'm getting lots more invites to Pine Cone surveys than I have in the past, so that's a good thing!

I got a call a few weeks ago asking if I would be available to work yesterday. At the time I didn't really want to commit to it since I was off Good Friday at my FT job and I would have had a 3 day weekend. But since I did not have any plans, I thought I should take the opportunity to make some extra $. Besides since I don't work there regularly (every Saturday) like I once did....I would probably regret it if I turned down the offer. It was a good day, not crazy, just a steady flow of patients. I'm actually happy that I did it!! Since I don't work there regularly, my extra income fund isn't growing as quickly as it had more than six months ago.


In other news, I found a dime yesterday at the convenience store where I stopped to use the ATM.

Yesterday I found a dime and a nickel while I was at the grocery store. I also got a $3 DD from Pine Cone in my Pay Pal account.

So I am adding $3.15 to my extra income account!

I'm hoping to list some items on Ebay today. I sold 1 item so far, four others are listed all with bids which will be ending in a couple of days. I also have to contact someone that may be interested in an item I listed on Craigslist a few weeks ago.

Yesterday while at the grocery store I found 5 pennies on top of a gumball machine. So a bit of extra income there!

Friday evening I did another restaurant mystery shop. It ended up being about $7, after reimbursement, for 2 people at a casual restaurant. Not bad IMO!

I received a DD in Pay Pal for $30 for a mystery shop payment, so more $ to the extra income account!

I got a DD into Pay Pal today from Pinecone, so I will add $3 more to the extra income fund. I did that survey over the weekend.

Today is a NSD!! I haven't even left the house.

Yesterday I found a dime and a penny while running some errands. We did another mystery shop on Friday evening.

I received an Amazon GC by email from Reward Port Surveys. It was for $10.

Today I listed 5 items on Ebay today. One of them had a bid on it. Another one has a watcher.

Other than that...not much going on here.

Have a wonderful day!

Today I did a few loads of laundry, which I hung outside. One of the children didn't empty their pockets, so I have 51 cents to contribute to my extra income for this week.

In addition, I received a $10 survey check today from Global Opinion Panels.

Last month I did a restaurant mystery shop which I got a $35 DD in my Pay Pal account for a couple of days ago.

Gotta love extra income!!

I have done three restaurant mystery shops in the last week. The food has been delicious. The service, on the other hand, especially at the one place was not very efficient with less than acceptable wait times after ordering meals. But all in all, not bad considering we can eat out for minimal OOP expenses due to reimbursements and shopper fees. I have another casual restaurant assignment scheduled for tomorrow night.

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I have found a total of 2 dimes, 1 nickel, and 2 pennies over the course of the last few days while doing these assignments. So 27 cents in found money.

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I got a $2 check from Survey Savvy on Friday. Yesterday, I received my Rite Aid monthly check rebate for $12.99. So a bit of extra money to send to the extra income fund.

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Today is another NSD! Yeah!!

Not much financial going on here. I did a mystery shop at a restaurant for dinner earlier in the week. I have another one scheduled for tonight...

I've found a nickel and penny in the last few days, so 6 cents to the extra income fund!

Have a wonderful Friday!

I didn't go anywhere today or spend any money...

I did do some yard work--picking up sticks and raking some residual leaves from the fall.

Nothing much financial going on today. I got a Prevacid rebate ready to mail out tomorrow.

Have a great evening!

A couple of weeks ago I completed a mystery shop at a local chain restaurant. Yesterday a $25 reimbursement was deposited into my Pay Pal account. In addition a PP deposit was made from You Data for $0.19!!

I will add this amount to my extra income fund!

I got Staples Rewards in the mail yesterday for $31.30. I'm thinking about using it to get some ink cartridges for my printer.

I would prefer to get cartridges refilled at WAG, but I haven't had much luck with that. When I had my Dell printer, I inquired about refilling those but the rep told me that they can't refill that brand. Now I have an Epson printer, but I haven't inquired about getting those cartridges refilled.

I received a check in the mail today from Citibank that I requested a little over a week ago. It is for $62.45. I will add that to my extra income fund!

Today I found a penny at work in the bathroom. Another small addition to the extra income fund!

I have $481.66 to add to the extra income fund since my last deposit:

$428.22....Ebay Profits
$012.98....Refund Checks
$033.17....Mystery Shop Reimburse
$000.09....Found Money
$002.20....Coupon Trade Sale
$005.00....Survey Checks

That brings the new total in this account to $8,754.02!!

I sold 4 items on Ebay this month. All of them were electronic/computer items. After fees/shipping, I made $428.22. I feel that is definitely a nice addition to the extra income fund.

I think I have a few more items I can list next month before the seller fees change again at the end of March!

Yesterday, I listed 3 items on Craigslist. So far the responses have been spam I don't have much luck selling merchandise on Craigslist.