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Random tips and reports
Sep. 2nd, 2007 10:21 amDamnit, I completely forgot about the BBC America Doctor Who marathon! (Yes, I can watch the whole series without commercials via DVD. But still. I wanted to see the Torchwood tidbits.)
Sunday 7
I didn't post a Sunday 7 last week because I didn't do a Sunday 7 last week. This was supposed to be the point where I type "and in penance I did a first-level purge of my entire bedroom" but I haven't done *that* either and don't really plan to. I have, however, started a clothing box for Goodwill and am making a point of getting at least 14 items into it. It's late enough in the season that I have a very good grasp of what I wear, what I don't, and what isn't worth the bother of ironing.
The AmEx Points Poll
Okay, y'all talked me out of the combo TV. The winner of the poll is pretty much what I think I'm going to do. The ipod Nano is already ordered; when it arrives, it will be loaded with the exercise mixes and put on "shuffle" mostly. So at least it will be getting almost daily use.
I also noticed, as I looked around for accessories, that I could put in points for wireless headphones, so I did. iPod earbuds hurt my ears, and the TV in front of the treadmill can't get loud enough to overcome the noise of treadmill and dehumidifier. So the headphones will let me listen without putting the sound up *or* dealing with earbuds.
This leaves enough points to get the Amtrak voucher, plus a play ticket via Ticketmaster, *plus* a $25 AmEx gift card (I found a menu online and did the math; the base price of my favorite meal from Da Rosina is $24.70.) So I'm thinking of an early December day trip to look at windows and see The Drowsy Chaperone, which should still be playing. The only cash I'd need is the $40ish to make up the difference between voucher and Amtrak ticket w/AAA discount, tax and tip for the restaurant, and a little bit spare in case I see something shiny in a street market. About $100 in all, probably... less if I pay for the Amtrak ticket with the voucher *and* a $50 AmEx gift card if I have enough points for that as well.
An AmEx-sponsored trip to NYC may become an annual tradition!
The Mathematics of Salad Bars
The Post is raving this morning about a book called Rich and Thin: How to Slim Down, Shrink Debt, and Turn Calories Into Cash. The idea is that we save too little and eat too much in America, and how much money (and calories) you can save if you stop doing certain things. I'm interested in the concept but usually find these books to be a waste of money, in that they tell me to stop doing things I'm not doing in the first place. I don't drink soda. I don't buy juice or coffee daily. Etc.
On the other hand, there is one unexpected place you can save a little $$, and that's salad bars. But you have to do it *right.* ( Salad bars and bento boxes )
Sunday 7
I didn't post a Sunday 7 last week because I didn't do a Sunday 7 last week. This was supposed to be the point where I type "and in penance I did a first-level purge of my entire bedroom" but I haven't done *that* either and don't really plan to. I have, however, started a clothing box for Goodwill and am making a point of getting at least 14 items into it. It's late enough in the season that I have a very good grasp of what I wear, what I don't, and what isn't worth the bother of ironing.
The AmEx Points Poll
Okay, y'all talked me out of the combo TV. The winner of the poll is pretty much what I think I'm going to do. The ipod Nano is already ordered; when it arrives, it will be loaded with the exercise mixes and put on "shuffle" mostly. So at least it will be getting almost daily use.
I also noticed, as I looked around for accessories, that I could put in points for wireless headphones, so I did. iPod earbuds hurt my ears, and the TV in front of the treadmill can't get loud enough to overcome the noise of treadmill and dehumidifier. So the headphones will let me listen without putting the sound up *or* dealing with earbuds.
This leaves enough points to get the Amtrak voucher, plus a play ticket via Ticketmaster, *plus* a $25 AmEx gift card (I found a menu online and did the math; the base price of my favorite meal from Da Rosina is $24.70.) So I'm thinking of an early December day trip to look at windows and see The Drowsy Chaperone, which should still be playing. The only cash I'd need is the $40ish to make up the difference between voucher and Amtrak ticket w/AAA discount, tax and tip for the restaurant, and a little bit spare in case I see something shiny in a street market. About $100 in all, probably... less if I pay for the Amtrak ticket with the voucher *and* a $50 AmEx gift card if I have enough points for that as well.
An AmEx-sponsored trip to NYC may become an annual tradition!
The Mathematics of Salad Bars
The Post is raving this morning about a book called Rich and Thin: How to Slim Down, Shrink Debt, and Turn Calories Into Cash. The idea is that we save too little and eat too much in America, and how much money (and calories) you can save if you stop doing certain things. I'm interested in the concept but usually find these books to be a waste of money, in that they tell me to stop doing things I'm not doing in the first place. I don't drink soda. I don't buy juice or coffee daily. Etc.
On the other hand, there is one unexpected place you can save a little $$, and that's salad bars. But you have to do it *right.* ( Salad bars and bento boxes )
