Starting May 2, Kroger will offer customers an extra 10% when they purchase a gift card with their tax rebate money. For example, if you purchase a $300 Kroger card, $30 will be added to your balance. If you received a higher federal or state tax refund, you can use that amount instead of your rebate. You do not have to bring the paper IRS or state check in order to take advantage of this offer. If you're already a Kroger customer, you can earn a quick 10% on money that you are going to spend anyway.
Sears is offering a 10% bonus as well; however, as of this writing, you will need to bring your check to the store in order to receive the bonus. Blogger Lisa Everitt thinks that Kroger is more likely to be successful. Why Kroger Will Get Your Tax Refund (and Sears Won't)
What about you? Do you plan on buying gift cards to receive the bonus?
I will probably buy some gift cards at Kroger. I shop there anyway, and it's hard to pass up 10% on my money! If we needed an appliance, I would take advantage of the Sears offer as well.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
2008 Financial Goal Progress - April
Two days ago I posted an update on my personal goals, and now it's time to highlight progress on our financial goals.
1. Pay for braces. Accomplished during the first week of February.
2. Refinancing our mortgage. Done - the closing was on February 4th.
3. Contribute 12% to retirement plans. Ongoing - my husband also receives a 2% match.
4. Find a job/source of income for me. I still don't have a steady source of income. I've applied for some jobs, but I haven't even gotten any interviews. Now that we've completed our refi, I want to start using credit card balance transfers to earn some extra interest again.
5. Consolidate retirement accounts. No progress yet. My husband doesn't want to move the accounts while the stock market is down. This will have to wait until he sees the light.
Overall, I'm pleased with my goal progress. I'll concentrate on finding a source of income, and wait a few months before working on the retirement accounts (and my husband) again.
1. Pay for braces. Accomplished during the first week of February.
2. Refinancing our mortgage. Done - the closing was on February 4th.
3. Contribute 12% to retirement plans. Ongoing - my husband also receives a 2% match.
4. Find a job/source of income for me. I still don't have a steady source of income. I've applied for some jobs, but I haven't even gotten any interviews. Now that we've completed our refi, I want to start using credit card balance transfers to earn some extra interest again.
5. Consolidate retirement accounts. No progress yet. My husband doesn't want to move the accounts while the stock market is down. This will have to wait until he sees the light.
Overall, I'm pleased with my goal progress. I'll concentrate on finding a source of income, and wait a few months before working on the retirement accounts (and my husband) again.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
2008 Personal Goal Progress - April
Lets review progress on my 2008 personal goals; Since the end of January, I've lost 5 more pounds, for a total of 12 pounds. Only 8 more pounds to go to get to my goal of losing 20 pounds. I've been exercising on the elliptical machine for 45 minutes 3-4 times per week, but I haven't been consistent about working out with weights. I'll set a goal of weight-lifting 2-3 times per week.
Date nights with my husband have become more frequent. I'm still working on the "date night every week" goal.
I have only worked on organizing photos two or three times. We just cleared out some stuff from our bonus room by having a yard sale, and now I'll have more room to spread out photos.
I haven't started working on the materials for the finance class I want to teach. I'm still looking into how to get my class added to the Continuing Education schedule.
My goal of going on vacation in Seattle is one step closer to reality. We booked our flights, and we'll be in Washington state for a week at the end of October. Now I need to get our passports in case we're able to visit friends in Vancouver while we're that close.
So overall, I've made decent progress on three goals. I need to step up my efforts with the photos and working on class materials.
The next post will be an update on my financial goals.
Date nights with my husband have become more frequent. I'm still working on the "date night every week" goal.
I have only worked on organizing photos two or three times. We just cleared out some stuff from our bonus room by having a yard sale, and now I'll have more room to spread out photos.
I haven't started working on the materials for the finance class I want to teach. I'm still looking into how to get my class added to the Continuing Education schedule.
My goal of going on vacation in Seattle is one step closer to reality. We booked our flights, and we'll be in Washington state for a week at the end of October. Now I need to get our passports in case we're able to visit friends in Vancouver while we're that close.
So overall, I've made decent progress on three goals. I need to step up my efforts with the photos and working on class materials.
The next post will be an update on my financial goals.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Living in the Real World/April 2008 Net Worth
The remainder of March and the first part of April have been a whirlwind. I've had several projects that have required time away from the computer, and blogging went by the wayside. Over the next few days, I'll get back up to speed, and I'll be posting 2-3 times per week.
Our net worth took a pounding from the drop in the stock market, but we're still continuing to put 12% (+ 2% match) into the 401(k) and the Roth 401(k). Hopefully we're getting some bargains right now.
Assets $466,983
Liabilities $200,926
Net Worth $266,057
In my next post, I'll update progress on my goals for the year.
Our net worth took a pounding from the drop in the stock market, but we're still continuing to put 12% (+ 2% match) into the 401(k) and the Roth 401(k). Hopefully we're getting some bargains right now.
Liabilities $200,926
Net Worth $266,057
In my next post, I'll update progress on my goals for the year.
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