Phone Gremlins

Gail recently had a post regarding telemarketers and this is a topic that can get me going! I don't know why but recently I have been getting more and more of these calls. A lot of the time they ask for somebody I've never heard of (its always different too) and when I say they have the wrong number they sudden want to speak to me. Worse, I get a lot of the auto dialed calls where you pick up and there is a delayed response and then somebody comes on suddenly and tries to sell you something. I even find some on my answering machine.

It's very aggravating! Once when I was a teenager I took a note from Jerry Seinfeld and called the telemarketer back with the number from our call display! Needless to say the woman was shocked and didn't find it nearly amusing as my family did. That company had been calling us every day for weeks on end before I did that. After my little returned call we never heard from them again.

The point is that I hate being solicited to all the freaking time. My PO Box has a no junk mail sticker on it so I never worry about it there but at home (where I receive no personal mail at all) is always stuff with old tenant mail and flyers galore. I am the type of person who will leave a store if the salesperson is too annoying and aggressive. These high pressure sales tactics turn me off.

I guess this is a good quality to have, so that I don't pushed into buying things often.Well, there is one local shop where the owner can always up sell me but its opened me up to so many new types of ingredients and delicious treats! I thought it was just me, but after talking to others I found out they always noticed it too but didn't mind it. Good salesman!

HEHEHE

Operation disconnect all phones - check

Had a great night out drinking and eating chicken wings - check

Went back to my old friends place and hung out with her parents (that i adore) - check

Ordered BF to bring back a greasy cheeseburger when he returns from his time out - check

Well it appears my work here is done. I'm off to put on my comfy pajamas and hop into bed to watch tv until my cheeseburger arrives. :)

A Day Off

So today I noticed I wasn't on the schedule for tomorrow. There wasn't a lot to do at the end of the day today and by the time the day was over my manager wasn't around to let me know if that was accurate or not. So what do I do?...Take the money and run... literally!

I asked the payroll office if they had my cheque made up so I wouldn't have to come in the next day for it and they did. Then I decided that if my manager doesn't call me some time tonight to let me know I'm working then I'm shutting off the phones before bed (evil grin). Who wants to be called at 5 am to be told you're coming to work. I can't call my ride that early at her home because it will disturb everyone there. Plus, my BF was quite annoyed last time they tried to call me in because they called 5 times and I just ignored it, lol.

I'm going to use the day off to spend some time with my best friend whom I haven't been able to see in awhile. Then I'm going to clean up the house for mothers day.

Um.... I have a budget challenge question. This weekend as my gift to my sister and mom I am throwing a BBQ for all my siblings and family. I'm making a cake and also giving them both a plant or something. The main gift is a nice BBQ where we call all relax together Sunday afternoon. Since its a gift do I include it in my grocery tally when I go pick up provisions for it?

Food Challenge Update

This month I am taking part in Krystal's Grocery Budget Challenge. My goal that I set forth was $200. Last weekend I know I did some serious damage but weekends is the only time I shop for things like that so I hope I'll be alright. Dang, I had to spend just after the month started!

So this is what I spent:

Buns Master ~ 12.01
Man Lee Oriental Food and Grocery ~ 24.29
Save On More ~ 89.27

Oh ... wait a minute... good thing I just double checked this receipt because it appears the teller never swiped my card at the Save On! Grrr! That cost me an extra $9.42!! Oh well, I know when I go next time if I bring the receipt I will get my money back but still...

Thats a total of $116.15 (including the refund)

Wow... I have a lot of month ahead of me too.

Oh! My guy just said he will take the receipt on his way to rock climbing after dinner and get my money back. Woohoo!

So there you have it folks..7 days in and already over half my budget is gone. I knew I spent a lot on food but this challenge is making me think it must be a lot worse than I think. Eek!

What's Cooking Wednesday!!! - Butter Bean, Sundried Tomato and Pesto Soup

For this installment of What's Cooking Wednesday I'm going to feature a recipe I haven't actually tried yet but think it looks good and super easy!

Butter Bean, Sun-dried Tomato and Pesto Soup

3 1/4 Cup Chicken or Vegetable Stock
2 - 14 Oz Can Butter (Lima) Beans - drained and rinsed
4 Tbsp Sun-dried tomato paste
5 Tbsp Pesto

Pour stock and butter beans into a pan and bring just to a boil.

Reduce heat and stir in sun-dried tomato paste and pesto.

Cook gently for 5 minutes.

Transfer soup to a blender/processor and blend until smooth.

Return puree to pan and gently heat again for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

Ladle into bowls and serve it up with with some tasty bread!

Enjoy!

Hard Day at Work

Something happened today at work that rarely happens to me and I was quite embarrassed. .... I cried.

Note to coworker: Just because your job is stressful it does not give you the right to yell at your fellow coworkers. You are no better than I am and I deserve to spoken to the same way you want to be spoken to. Nobody will come near your station because you are a Witch to work with. I've tried my best to be overly pleasant to you and to help you out but not anymore. I didn't want to report you today but you left me no choice after the scene you caused. The union representative made me spill the beans and thats why you got talked to today. It's not my fault that after the other workers caught wind of what was happening that they also decided to report you. I held my tears until break but I will never let you put me in that position again!

Anyways... in the words of Jay Z... I'm dusting that dirt off my shoulders.

Finding Money Mondays - 7

Note to self:

Dear Dolly,

If you know you are going to want a soda every day at lunch to give you that extra bit of pep for the second half of the work day... plan ahead. Spending $1 a day on a can of soda is ridiculous! From now own if you don't buy a case ahead of time and bring one from home then you will just have to do without. Spending 2.99 on a case of 12 is a lot better than the $12 dollars you would have spent daily in the machine.

You could be doing so much more with your money if you watched all the "small things" just as much as you do the "big ticket" items. So please try to be more aware of your casual spending here and there because it all adds up.

Have a good day,

A Kick in the A$$

Todays Events

I had a good sleep and woke up at 9am this morning. Oh how I love to sleep in seeing as I usually am up between 430-5am. I watched a little bit of television and relaxed on the couch for a bit. Then I woke BF up with breakfast in bed (bacon, egg and cheese omelet paired with a homemade strawberry/raspberry smoothie).

I may venture to the store later on to get some baking supplies and something yummy for dinner. Besides that I'm hoping to get into the garden as the rain has let up but the wind is not making it look inviting out there. The agenda to is... not much. Gotta love it!

TGIF

All I can say is I am exhausted today! Thank god its Friday... bring on the weekend!!

TCOB MAY 2008

1)Pay Student Loan Under $2500

2)Set Up Automatic Savings Plan with ING Direct.

3)Beef EFund up to $750

4)Plant Garden

This month there are only 4 goals. Anything else I pull off will just have to be a bonus! :-P