And so much has happened...
I have continued reading people's blogs and lurking about but I just couldn't get myself the excitement to continue writing my blog. But now I am feeling interested again.
When last I wrote I was waiting to hear if my car was going to be totaled or not. It wasn't and I got a few more years out of it until it reached 12 years and little things started happening that needed repairs...every other month or so. When the mechanic said "I can keep it running but it might be time to look for another newer car and save the money" I took his advice and the money I had saved for a new car and purchased a 2013 Toyota Prius. I love knowing it gets incredible gas mileage but most importantly the peace of mind I get when driving is worth more than anything! I purchased in March, on Easter, got a great deal, and when they kept me waiting for two and a half hours for the finance office I got a better deal when I started to walk out of the dealership. The GM stopped me, asked what was wrong, asked how he could rectify it, and gave me another amount off.
In fairness it was the last day of the month, they were getting the bonuses from HQ for selling Prius' for the first quarter and they got additional money for beating their sales goals so I don't feel bad saying I would only purchase for another $750 off. It was the cheapest sale in a few months but they still made almost two thousand from HQ. I hope to not have to deal with car salesmen for another dozen years!
I am still paying off some credit card debt and also my student loans.
I have an interview schedule for my dream job in September in Washington. I am excited and will start studying once this large project at work ends on June 28. That is one reason why I haven't had the energy or time to post. It has been a two years project and I have "gifted" many hours to my employer in overtime to make sure it is successful. But I am also burned out and exhausted.
I am taking almost three weeks off in July. And I need the break! I may take a road trip (and really test the car out) but it depends upon a couple of clients who may need some house/pet sitting during that same time. Making some extra money while taking a few weeks off work sounds good, too!
The house and pet sitting business is still doing well. I am designing a new website, logo and marketing package with the help of a friend. He has a degree in marketing and after a few years doing something else wants to get back into the field. Having a few projects he can showcase would be helpful in his portfolio, so we negotiated a very fair price for his services and over the next few months I hope it makes the business even more profitable.
It is good to be back and join the group.
Savings activity this weekend: NSD today. All laundry except one load was dried on the drying rack. Four loads dried on the rack in just a few hours yesterday even though it is shaded on my patio. Sacramento's 107 degrees certainly helped me save money!
I started the spring cleaning of the apartment and the living room looks good. I washed the seat slip covers of one of the couches and they dried outside today. There are a few more to day over the next few weekends.
It's been years...
June 10th, 2013 at 03:56 am
June 10th, 2013 at 04:39 am 1370839182
June 10th, 2013 at 10:25 am 1370859915
June 10th, 2013 at 01:43 pm 1370871784
June 10th, 2013 at 02:03 pm 1370872998
June 10th, 2013 at 02:29 pm 1370874590
June 10th, 2013 at 09:01 pm 1370898104
June 10th, 2013 at 09:18 pm 1370899083
When I calculated the total cost of ownership of the car (using a website, I will try and find it) I figured it would take me 6 years to balance the price of the car (which wound up being a little over $24k for the hatchback model with the solar sun roof) and gas savings but actually I think it is going to be a lot shorter as my gas bill has been cut by somewhere between 60 and 70%.
I fill up every Sunday (if I am out and about) and the highest I have paid to fill the car (usually about 4-5 gallons) thus far was a $21 and change. And I have to figure in the cost of the gas because in just the two months I have had the car it feels like the price of gas has bounced around a lot, or I have chosen to fill up at a more expensive station because I was close to there.
I love that the car can calculate the cost of the last trip taken every time you turn off the car if you have entered the price of the latest fill up in the car computer. I know it costs about 20 cents to drive to work (when the price of the tank of gas is $3.80 or higher)
So, with the gas savings I think it will be close to somewhere under 4 years, I need to do the calculation again. Either way, I am happy with the car and LOVE it.