Winston85's Personal Finance Blog

We were running low on snacks and other such food products today, but instead of going to the grocery store I decided to check out CVS, Walgreens, and the like.

CVS was it. They actually sell a lot of different food products and if you have a CVS card you can save a significant amount of money, plus get "Extra Bucks" in return.

I also found a coupon on their website: $4 off a $20 or more purchase.
I combined the coupon with only sale items and here were the results:

1. 2 boxes of brand name cereal $5 - saved $3.58

2. 2 boxes cereal bars $5 - saved $1.98

3. 2 boxes fruit snacks $5 - saved $0.98

4. 2 cans cranberry sauce $0.64 - saved $1.94

5. 2 cans of pringles $1.76 - saved $1.82

6. 1 box cheese crackers $1.99 - saved $0

Total saved (+ coupon) = $14.30

I also received more coupons to use for my next visit at CVS.

Walgreens also has hundreds of store coupons you can find on their website, which can be combined with sales.

Happy Shopping!

I've made some small improvements in my daily routine, which will keep me on the track toward my financial goals:

1. Sold a book a half.com and made $3.78 after commissions. Hopefully the rest will sell as well.

2. Made lunch for me and my fiance two days in row - which is saving us $15-$20.

3. Also made dinner at home for two days in a row - this can be challenging as we are both busy and get home around 7 PM every night.

4. I'll be starting some graduate classes next week, though I am still trying to get the student loan/tuition thing settled. I'm excited to get started, and hoping I won't be stretched to thin.

Tomorrow = gym at 5 AM. Wish me luck!


- Cheers

I began to de-clutter my office today, and I started with text books I have been carrying around since my undergraduate days.

I kept almost every book at the time, as I thought I would surely need them again someday. But, three years later and I have never looked at most of them.

So, I listed them on Half.com and I hope to make a few extra $ to pad the wedding fund. Though not extremely lucrative, every penny will help.

My next task is to de-clutter the cds and dvds (probably to my fiance's dismay) and sell them as well.

- Cheers!

Here is a list of goals I have set for this upcoming year - though I think most of them will be ongoing efforts.

1. Reach my wedding fund goal by July - so I can be an Economist in the not-for-profit world rather than at my current corporate gig.

2. Work on completing my Masters.

3. Live a simpler, greener, more meaningful life - i.e. "live more on less"

4. Spend more quality time with family/friends - especially my puppies Winston and Rowan.

5. Begin some major projects at the house - master bathroom, walk-in closet, and laundry room.

Hopefully, I am able to reach all the goals I have set for myself. And now that they are in writing I think it will motivate me to follow through with them!

- Cheers!

Hi all,

I've decided to begin this blog to help track spending, savings, and all other financial goals in my life....

With a wedding coming in about two years, getting my Master's, and transitioning into a more meaningful non-profit career, I hope to get and remain on track financially.