Monthly Archives: August 2011

My Big Birthday Splurge This Year – Fogo De Chao Brazilian Steakhouse

spending money
I've told y'all I'm planning a big FIVE-OH birthday party for myself, and I've continued to plunk $20 each month into my sinking fund in anticipation of this party.  In the meantime, I turned 48 a couple of months ago, and this year I did something I've never done before. Since my husband and I eat out so rarely, I decided to do what I consider to be a major splurge.  My mother-in-law and my mom always give me $50… Read the rest

Eat Out, Eat In? Which Is Your Choice?

saving money
I've never been a big fan of eating out.  It's typically not a frugal practice since it usually costs more to eat out – unless you're comfortable eating off the dollar menu at your local fast food joint – and to be honest I found myself often disappointed in the quality of the food when eating out. Jackie over at Money Crush wrote a post recently where one thing she's done to cut back on eating out was to prepare… Read the rest

Wells Fargo Preferred Checking – My “New” “Free” Checking Account

plan of action
I've enclosed the words new and free with quotation marks because this account is not actually new and while it does not have a monthly fee, it does require that I transfer at least $100 each month into my savings, so it's not really free either.  Well, with regards to actual money it is free, but there is an action tied to it that must occur each month, or I will be changed a fee.  I can move that money… Read the rest
Image of Checkbook

Switching Checking Accounts – I Changed My Mind

plan of action
A couple of weeks ago I told you about how Wells Fargo is eliminating free checking accounts and how I planned to close my account and start with a different one.  I did not receive notice that this was happening until one day when I was doing my banking the teller let me know.  I'm glad she said something, but somewhat frustrated that I'd not received notice by any other source like snail mail or email.  At any rate thankfully… Read the rest