Just Simply Holly

It saddens me to see the path our country is taking. I seen example after example of how bad our economy is during my recent road trip. Gas prices are ridiculous! When we left NW Ohio, the average price of a gallon of gas was $4.09. As soon as we crossed into Indiana it dropped to around $3.89. For most of the rest of the trip the average price for a gallon of gas ran between $3.79 and $3.95, with one small station outside of Las Vegas advertising the lowest price we seen of $3.59. It wasn’t until we got into California that gas prices went back up over the $4.00 a gallon price.

Throughout many of the areas that we drove we noticed business after business that was closed and boarded up. Some areas seemed to flourish while others seemed to be virtual ghost towns with the majority of businesses no longer open.

I received a funny email from a friend the other day that included several funny cartoons about gas prices. One cartoon showed a man offering an arm with the person behind the counter saying “I’ll need your left leg too”, another showed a couple with a baby sitting at a desk and the man behind the desk was saying something like “And you have proof that this is your first born”. As cute as these cartoons were, they do somewhat reflect what the common person is going through right now.

Thousands upon thousands of families are struggling to make ends meet, and are often having to decide which bill to juggle until the next pay day. Many struggle to survive from paycheck to paycheck and don’t have the benefit of financial security from good investments through a futures broker. It’s sad to see the daily news stories about the unemployment rates going higher and higher, which go hand in hand with higher foreclosure rates and higher homeless rates. Yet our government continues to deny that this country is in a recession. What is it going to take to make them open their eyes and wake up?

With the anticipation of a check in the mail comes the debate as to where the money is going to go. Fortunately we’re in a position right now where our bills are caught up for the most part, so it’s not a matter of getting the bills caught up for a change. And since it would be way too expensive to board four dogs for a few days to take a quick vacation, so that is also not an option right now.

I think we’ve narrowed it down to a couple of options. One option is to get the new counters and sink for the kitchen, as well as a nice sized Island. I found an island that is the perfect color and size and even has built in wine racks on one end. Another option would be to build the new deck off the side of the house and the small patio out back. Finishing the kitchen is the better option because it’s something that is used daily. But the new deck and patio are also a good option because we do spend a good chunk of time outside!

No matter what we end up doing with our stimulus check, I’m just glad that for once it’s not going to have to be used to catch up the bills!

OK, I’ll finally admit it! I am TOTALLY addicted to shopping online! It allows me to see a wide range of products from several different merchants, all from the comfort of my own home. If I don’t feel like getting dressed up, I don’t have to and I also don’t have to deal with crowds or rude sales people. With a little bit of searching and a few clicks, I can usually find just the item I am looking for. When you add the fact that I don’t have to drive, use gas or deal with traffic, it makes online shopping even more appealing. But, as they say in the commercials, “BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE”. Now there are places online that actually offer online coupons for your favorite online retailers! For instance, I’m going to use a Bluefly coupon for $30 off any purchase of $150 or more and buy my daughter some really awesome spring clothes that will make her say “You’re the best mom in the world”….LOL! So you see, it’s a win/win situation for me, I save money AND make my kid happy AND I don’t have to go outside into the freezing temps to do it! AHHHHHHH….life is GOOOOOOOD!

As much as I love my job, sometimes my boss makes it too complicated. The things that I have to do are related to each other in one way or another whether it’s billing, inventory control, parts ordering or invoicing. A fixed asset accounting program would do wonders and make my job much easier. On top of that it would give my boss up to the minute information about the business that would allow him to stay on top of the business better.

As you know, I am currently going to school and working on a 2 year Associates Degree in Commercial Art. My plan is to get that degree and get a job in my field. Once I get that part done, then my hope is to go back to school and get my 4 year Bachelors Degree. But while I was checking things out I discovered that none of the schools in this area offer a 4 year degree in Commercial Art, Graphic Design or anything close.

That means I’m going to have to check into schools that aren’t in my area and try to find one that does offer a 4 year degree. Since our financial situation is changing for the better, this also means that unless I want to foot the whole bill by taking out student loans, I’m going to need to do a college scholarship search to try and help pay for my education. It also means that I’m going to have to work hard at getting good grades, because many scholarships are awarded on merit, but that’s not a problem, I’m going to work hard anyway because my education is something that is very important to me!

Current Mood: Esctatic

With all of the struggles we’ve gone through in the past 6 months, I was honestly wondering if we were ever going to get a break.  It’s been one thing after another and I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t feel like giving up a time or two.  But the struggles are finally going to come to an end.  One of us has just gotten a job that will give us a much needed break from the financial struggles we’re currently in.  It almost feels like a miracle, because there were times that I didn’t think this day would come.  But I also knew that if we were just patient and kept at it, things would eventually change.  So today I am thankful.  I’m thankful that I’m not one to give up easily and I’m thankful for the gift that we have been given!

I have been doing a lot of shopping around lately for credit cards. I was told since I am a full time student, I should be able to get a pretty good interest rate and possibly even a card that has 0% balance transfers. With all of the different credit card options that are available, it is really hard to know which one to choose. And since I currently do not have a balance to transfer over I am thinking I like the looks of a credit cards 0% offer, which allows me to pay 0% interest on my first few months worth of purchases.

Current Mood: Happy

Not to me!!!!  But to the furniture that I shopped for for what seemed like FOREVER!  The furniture that it took weeks to find because hubby and I couldn’t agree, he would like something that I would dislike, and I would like something that he would dislike.  That was until we found this living room set.  It was so awesome to see the boxes come in and be opened and the furniture put together.  It was even more awesome to sit on it and know that no one else’s toosh had ever been where mine was….LOL!  What wasn’t awesome was the time that one of the dogs barfed on it….YUCK!  But it cleaned up easily and I am the only one that knows that it happened, because it never even left a stain.

Say hello to reality, and the fact that we’re not quite able to keep our heads above water financially right now.  Thus the reason we’re saying bye bye to the furniture.  But it’s ok, HONEST!  We went shopping last night at a second hand furniture store and were able to pick up two VERY nice pieces of furniture that actually match.  We purchased a love seat and recliner that are mission style furniture.  The wood on them is in near perfect condition.  The love seat is covered in a clay brown leather that is worn, but not damaged and the recliner is covered in a patterned fabric that is also worn but not damaged.  I am TICKLED with the “new to us” furniture!  We got the 2 pieces for a STEAL! ($80 bucks).  So like I said, I am TOTALLY OK with this!  Less bills = less stress and less stress = a happier hubby!

With so many different credit card offers going on, it’s really hard to know how to choose which credit card is right for you. And with so many different credit cards now offering 0% balance transfers, the choice can be even more difficult. Thankfully there are websites that can help you compare credit cards and decide what will best suit your personal needs.

But one of the most important things to be sure of when you are shopping around for credit cards is to be sure that you get a card from a company that you know has a good reputation. So just be sure to shop around and do your research rather than grabbing the first card you see, you’ll be sure to be happy with the decision you made if you do!