The next quarter starts September 30 so I need to register for the next segment of the class.  I’ve been slacking and never bothered to take the necessary steps to get the $120 refund I’m owed from the school for cancelling a class.  I guess that money will transfer over for the next class I’m taking.

Biting off more than I can chew has cost me.  I was taking an online course as well (a bad idea, I know) and that course is set to complete this Friday.  However, I am nowhere near finished so I will have to pay $100 to extend the course for three more months.  I can’t afford to procrastinate again.

Mr. Savvy and I are contemplating starting another small business.  I haven’t done all the necessary research yet but if we do, it definitely won’t be until after the beginning of the year.

As to why I was out of town for two weeks – a much needed vacation.  Mr. Savvy and I went to New Zealand and Fiji.  Though the weather was horrid the first week (cold and rainy), we made the best of it.  We had great fun but it was definitely a hit to the finances.  Needless to say, budget talks are on the agenda for this weekend.

What’s going on in your financial world?

I have an international trip coming up soon as well as planning a domestic trip for early next year.  This means I’ve been spending a little more than usual.  We’ve bought two new pieces of luggage, booked airline tickets, and pre-paid lodging.  I’m also going to get a netbook this week in order to minimize the amount of stuff that I’m dragging across the globe with me.

I’ve been slacking on the finances though.  I like to re-evaluate our asset allocation twice a year.  Mid-year (the end of June) has come and gone without me doing that.  I also need to re-evaluate our budget if I’m going to come anywhere closing to maxing out the IRAs for this year.

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel though.  Things will calm down within two months and I can get back on track.  How are you guys doing with your finances? 

This is the first week of school for me.  I’m taking two classes this summer – one in person (ugh) and one online.  I’m already behind in the online class due to procrastination and vacation.  I originally wanted to take class on Saturday but that section was cancelled due to low interest.  Now I will have class on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  That means I need to be sure to plan ahead for dinner so that I don’t get into the habit of picking up take-out on the way home.  Also, even though it’s summer, I may need to pull out my crockpot again.

Coming up soon, I will review a copy of the book that I featured in my giveaway last week so stay tuned!

The other thing summer means is going to the beach. Mr. Savvy and I always spend a week at the beach at some point during the summer.  Last month, I was dismayed to discover that one of my favorite swimsuits doesn’t fit anymore.  I mean, I could still get in it but all body parts are supposed to stay IN the suit, not creep out.  LOL.  So I’m on a quest for a new swimsuit.  I refuse to wait until the last minute.

As I’m typing this, I’m starting to think that I could probaby use another beach hat, a pair of beach-appropriate sandals, a cuter beach purse and on and on.  I guess I’ve got my work cut out for me.  Where do you find summer deals?

photo credit: zayzayem

I promised the Frugalista that I’d get back on the bandwagon.  I’ve been slacking on my finances lately (like not contributing enough to my IRA) but no more.  This week, I’m going to actually do all the things on my financial to do list.

• I need to re-evaluate our asset allocation.
• I also need to try to convince Mr. Savvy to ditch the horrible variable universal life insurance he bought when he was fresh out of college (many moons ago).
• We have several trips planned (and a couple penciled in) that we need to budget for.
• I’m also delinquent in regard to registering for a class this summer (note to self – check on validity of tuition tax credits/deductions for 2009) and sending a wedding card/check to one of my favorite cousins.

Obviously, I haven’t been doing anything for the last few weeks.  What about you guys?  I hope you’ve fared better than I.

photo credit: PhotoDu.de

I just returned from two back to back trips – one for business, and one for pleasure.  Anyone who knows me, knows that I love to travel.  Therefore, here’s a re-post of some of my favorite travel tips.  What do YOU do to save money on travel?

photo credit: ronnie44052

The holidays are my favorite time to travel. No, I’m not a glutton for punishment. Dealing with long lines, flight delays and novice travelers really aren’t my idea of a good time. But now is a great time to get bumped. I’ve gotten many a free flight this way. If you’re in no particular hurry to get to your destination, it can be well worth your while. So here are a few tips to improve your chance at getting bumped as well as making it as painless as possible.

•  If possible, don’t check any luggage. You’re more likely to get bumped if they don’t have to pull your luggage from the plane. This also gives you more options for getting on the next flight out. For example, when I lived in the Bay Area, I was open to being routed to any of the airports in the area (SFO, OAK and SJC). This gave me three times as many options.
• If you must check luggage, put the essentials (including toiletries and a change of undies) in your carry-on. This makes it less of a hassle if you do choose to get bumped. I once got bumped off the last flight of the day and spent the night in Houston (IAH). I got a voucher for a free ticket, a night in a hotel and a first class seat on the first flight out the next morning. It was late at night and nothing was open or near the hotel. Imagine how UNpleasant that would have been without toiletries and fresh undies.
• Get to the airport early. Not only will you be less stressed but you can find out when you check in if the flight is full. If so, you can go ahead and volunteer to bumped. They generally won’t know if they need you until close to the last minute but this ensures you’re at the top of the list. There have also been occasions where they didn’t need to bump me but I got a meal voucher and/or upgrade simply for being willing.
• Come prepared and comfortable. If you have to sit around the airport for hours and perhaps walk from gate to gate, tight jeans and stilettos may not be the best choice. However, be sure not to let comfortable = looking like a bum. Whether you like it or not, better dress often equals better treatment. In addition, you’re more likely to end up in first class if you look like you belong. I also make sure to have plenty of reading material, laptop, iPod, etc. with me to make the time pass more quickly.
• Know what you’re entitled to and don’t be afraid to ask but also be reasonable. Getting bumped to a flight that’s an hour later is generally not going to get you a free flight. There are regulations in place that address the level of compensation that you can expect to receive. If your delay is two hours or less, you’ll usually get $200 max. A four hour delay will usually be worth $400. However, don’t be afraid to ask for meal vouchers that can be used within the airport or an upgrade. You’re not necessarily entitled to these things but you never know, they might just say yes.
• Last but not least, be polite! In addition to “getting more flies with honey”, it’s just the right thing to do. It’s not the airline employees’ fault that the airlines overbooked or that there are mechanical or weather problems. Everyone is already frazzled enough as it is without you adding to the situation.

That said, happy travels this holiday season.

A: The answer is…it depends. If you sell items for more than their original retail value (for example, vintage toys), you’re supposed to declare that income. If you’re merely selling clothing or household items for less than what you paid for them, you’re in the clear. While a lot of people don’t declare or under-report this type of income, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If the IRS comes calling, more than just your current year’s income tax return will fall under scrutiny.

photo credit: Roebot

Many people research ways to save money when planning a vacation such as airfare or lodging deals.  However, most fail to evaluate ways to save money while ON vacation.  Mr. Savvy and I recently returned from a week in Mexico.  Here are some of the tips we used to save money while we were gone.

• Set a budget before you leave – It’s easy to overspend if you aren’t careful.  Therefore I always set a budget for spending money before I leave.  I always have a notepad with me in general so I devote a sheet of this pad to my vacation spending.  I note what my budget is as well as how much of that is allotted for cash.  Then, as I spend, I jot down what I spent and when.  This also comes in handy when it’s time to reconcile your bank account or credit card statement.
• Don’t overpay for souvenirs – Souvenirs can pricey.  However, try to avoid the tourist areas and look for the same items in the areas where the locals frequent.  Also, only purchase items that you will truly cherish or use.  Do you really need yet another T-shirt?  On this trip, Mr. Savvy and I purchased a small sculpture for our home.  We’d been looking for an accent piece for our foyer and were able to kill two birds with one stone.  Now we have something memorable from our trip as well as home decor.
• Don’t bother with travelers checks or exchanging your money – Unless you’re going somewhere truly off the beaten path, travelers checks are of little use.  I prefer to use my credit card whenever possible as well as withdraw some local currency from the ATM for ‘walking around money’.  You can get a better exchange rate and avoid fees by making ATM withdrawals instead of exchanging money.  Also, if you withdraw more local currency than you need, don’t change it back to dollars (or your home currency).  The exchange rate is not as good.  Instead, apply your remaining local currency to your hotel bill and put the remainder on your credit or debit card.
• Consider the alternatives – Don’t be so quick to take advantage of the hotel offerings.  They’re often marked up.  As an example, instead of buying pricey snacks from the hotel shop, Mr. Savvy and I walked to a nearby convenience store and bought snacks and beverages to keep in our room.  Another couple in our hotel opted to take a taxi to Walmart to do the same.  Activities were also more expensive when booked through the hotel.  There was a snorkel tour being offered for $35 per person.  We took a cab to the same area (we had our own equipment) and snorkeled for $34 total.  We saved 50%.

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list but just a few ways you can save money while on vacation.  What are your favorite vacation money tips?

photo credit: lemoncat1

With Thanksgiving only two months away, now is the time to start thinking about your holiday travel. Here are a few tips to find the cheapest airfare -

• Book at least 21 days in advance (30 for international flights) – Airlines only allot so many seats for low fares. The farther in advance you book, the better chance you have at getting those fares. If you wait until the last minute, the fares can double or even triple.
• Consider neighboring airports – When I lived in the San Francisco area, I would often fly out of the Oakland airport. Smaller, nearby airports may have lower fares. For example, those in the NYC area could fly out of Newark.
• Fly on the days others don’t want – Instead of flying the day prior to Thanksgiving, fly on Thanksgiving Day. The airport will be less hectic and you’ll save money. Or instead of returning on that Sunday, return on Monday.
• Comparison shop – Rather than searching on the airline websites, look at sites that show multiple airlines. While the most popular sites are Travelocity and Expedia, I also like Kayak. However, once you find a fare, book directly on the airline’s site for better customer service if you have an issue.

What methods do you use to find low airfare?