Melissa’s blog

QotD: Happy Birthday To Me

nobody@vox.com(Melissa) — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 21:03:52 -0800

How do you feel about your birthday? Do you look forward to it and remind all your friends, or do you dread it and try to keep it a secret?

I have always loved birthdays, probably because my mom made a big deal about them when I was a kid. I used to have dreams about my birthday and about opening gifts and all that. When I was a kid, I used to get really excited- especially since I have a summer birthday- and I usually had a pool party because we used to have a pool. I still anticipate my birthday each year but it has lost some of its charm since I've gotten older. This is probably because I'm not going to have any milestone birthdays for a while. I turned 21 last year and that was pretty much just like any other birthday.

I'll never forget how excited I was to turn 10 and 13...16, 18, 20...each of those years seemed to be something special or more grown up. I'm glad I have a future career with children so I can make their birthdays special too.

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QotD: Penny Pinching

nobody@vox.com(Melissa) — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 20:06:00 -0800

What are some ways you save money?
Submitted by Pixiemom.

1. Not drinking - Honestly, not buying alcohol or going out to bars has saved me a bundle over the years :)
2. Buying off brand stuff
3. I pay for most essentials (food and gas) with my Borders Rewards card. In turn, they send me gift cards to use at Borders...so I don't have to pay for my books :)
4. Not spending more than I make...my paychecks are never cashed. They are either directly deposited into my account or I deposit them myself. I never have cash. I think being frugal is mostly a frame of mind. I don't view myself as making money to spend on things I want, I view it as making money to replenish the money I spend on things like gas, food, bills and the occasional book. I don't buy expensive name brand clothes, I shop sales, I use coupons. I've been like this since I was a kid hording babysitting money in a box under my bed.

5. I shop at Wal-Mart ;)

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QotD: Worth Your Money

nobody@vox.com(Melissa) — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 23:25:41 -0700

What are some things that are worth (and not worth) spending money on?
Submitted by pinejar.

Worth it:
BOOKS!!!
Food, especially ice cream
Travel
Gifts for loved ones

Not worth it:
Alcohol
The food at Bambino's
A parking pass

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QotD: Halloween Costume Prep

nobody@vox.com(Melissa) — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 21:34:14 -0700

Have you figured out what your (or your kids') Halloween costume will be this year? What's it going to be?

I'll be Hermione, Tim will be Ron and Elvis will be Crookshanks :) I just hope I can actually put this together!!

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