Got this from my friend annaofthemoon 

Take a quick read, and click so she gets paid. She gives some good ideas for basic budget living. While I know alot of us already do many of these things, it never hurts to look for new ideas.

 I am scheduled to begin training with Univeristy of Phoenix on 29 July. Assuming I pass the four-week training course, I'll be hired on, assigned a mentor, and teaching my own course.

Still no word from Mountain View about whether I still have a job.

Office Depot has not yet delivered my new toner and paper so I'm not sure how much work I'm going to get done up here at SMU tomorrow, since I am critical levels on both supplies.

Somehow I have to squeeze out enough hours to finish (for values of finish that equal "start") a handful of reviews for PanGaia. Those run at least $15 a pop, and a check for five or six of them would mean a load of groceries for the Stronghold.

Proofreading client picking up completed work tomorrow and dropping off more with me.

Other proofreading clients are promising me more work but are being veeeeery quiet -- they must be about as productive in front of the keyboard as I am these days.

 I cannot get going today. I'm just...exhausted...and not just in the physical sense. Sometimes I don't know if I have the stamina for this whole "starting my life over" thing. There is something to be said for routines, even if they sometimes turn into ruts. There is something to be said for having a way that you do things, for having things that  you accept as givens. Once all that is taken away, you're really starting from square one.

All hardback, all used but in good to excellent condition. 

I'd like to get rid of these fairly quickly -- by Wednesday of next week if possible, at which time I'll put them up on my Amazon sellers account.

I accept money orders or PayPal. If you're local to DFW, I'll take cash. Shipping is $2.40 per book. If you'd like to buy several items, let me know and I'll see what kind of deal I can cut you. If you're local, I can arrange a pick up and save you the shipping costs as well.

 

 Head behind the cut for listings. I'd like to sell these pretty quick -- I'll leave them here until Monday, when I'll list them on my Amazon sellers account, where the shipping costs run higher. So if you want any of these, and you want a bargain, get 'em while there here! 

PayPal preferred. If you're local, I'll take cash. If you want several items, make an offer and I'll see what I can do for you.

Shipping is $2.40 per book (new media mail rates). If you're local to DFW, we can arrange a pickup and save you the shipping costs.


 

 It's going to be a weird day. I did my entire commute in to the dulcet strains of Erasure today. Really.

I am considering a CostCo membership. At this point, it's just considering mind you. Here are my reasons:

-- Since my move and life transitions, I cook a great deal more. I mean alot. And I use a lot of the same ingredients over and over so I'm looking for ways to buy them cheaply and keep a good stash on hand.

-- There are a number of prepackage products -- the big one that springs to mind is granola bars -- that this household goes through a lot of. And while we shop the sales and with coupons, at some point I also feel bad about all the packaging I put in the landfill. I'd rather buy one box of 48 granola bars than 8 boxes of 6, you know?

-- My previous experiences shopping CostCo taught me that they carry a number of all natural, fair trade,and organic products, which is important to me. 

-- My research shows that CostCo supports a number of social causes and issues that dovetail with my own values.

Now, my concerns/things that are giving me pause:

-- Membership fee. Will it be worth it to pay for the priviledge to shop there?

-- Impulse buying. I don't want to be one of those people who ends up tripling their grocery budget rather than saving!

-- Storage for bulk items

So, dear readers, what has your experince been? If you belong to a wholesale club other than CostCo, do you have insights for me? I'm not considering a membership at Sam's or BJ's but I imagine there are simliar benefits and drawbacks no matter where you sign up.

I know Sam's has/used to have a "guest pass" where you could come in for one day for free, and you paid an extra 10% on your bill. This gave you a chance to look around and see if this was something you would use. Any of you CostCo members know if CCo has something similar? I can't find any information on their webpage.