Which Dress Should I Choose?

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

I am attending a conference at the end of November and there is a formal event that is apart of it that I'd like to go to for the opportunity to network and also becuase I love any opportunity to dress up. I will allocate $50 in total for an outfit. I will most likely carry a bag and wear shoes I already have. I'd like to keep it simple and not too trendy so I can wear the dress for other occasions. Here are a few dress options I can afford. I am pretty petite and short, so I can get away with a cocktail length at a formal event because everything is always longer on me. I better enjoy these last few opportunities to shop, because my 6-month shopping moratorium will be in effect starting January 1, 2009.

So, any suggestions on which one I should choose or suggestions of options?

Cutting Spending: I Downgraded My Cable Service

My Comcast bill (Internet/Phone/Cable service) was a little high this month, so I looked at the bill and noticed that I was paying for HBO service I rarely watch. I do watch a lot of the other channels, but I just don't watch enough HBO to substantiate paying extra for it. It came free for the first six months of the service and I just never went back to cancel after that six month period was over. So my next bill should be $18.95 less, which was the cost of the HBO.

The only reason why I have a land line is because my cell phone gets terrible service in my apartment. It works everywhere else just fine, even on the Metro, but not so good where it would be most useful...figures. I can't get rid of the cable all together because my TV won't work in February if I do that and I refuse to buy a new one until the old one dies on me. I am a part time grad student and need the Internet to write papers and things of that nature, but I would really consider getting rid of that also if I had a PDA with good Internet service. I just don't live close enough to campus to get rid of that though. I realize, that if I'm going to start making more progress on my financial goals, I have to seriously cut my spending.

I do have a few habits that don't need changing like rarely eating out unless it's a special occasion (when I do eat out I don't purchase alcohol) and packing my lunch on a regular basis. Here are a ways I have come up with to cut my spending that I have mentioned before that I plan to implement in the near future:

1. Learn how to style and trim my own hair (the trimming part is a little lofty but achievable).
2. Learn how to hem my own pants and skirts.
3. Don't put my clothing in the dry cleaners and wash/iron them myself.
4. Stop buying coffee, tea, hot drinks and make them at home or at work.

I want a new (to me) car, but won't start saving for one until I pay off my credit cards and have more in my emergency fund...so I have to remind myself of this when I want to make a purchase that isn't a necessity.

Does anyone else have any other suggestions on ways to my lower spending?

What do you get your 89 year old grandfather for his birthday?

A very special person to me, my grandfather was born on this day, 89 years ago. And he is not even the oldest relative I have! I realize that I am blessed to have grandparents that are still living, because several people I know even at my relatively young age, didn't grow up close to their grandparents, let alone enjoy a relationship with them into adulthood. I have learned alot from both of them. They have taken to some frugal and lifestyle habits for decades that I hope to one day master like: maintaining a vegetable garden, being able to fix just about any household applicance or problem you can think of, eating most of their meals at home, exercising on a regular basis to combat old-age ailments, and more. One questions comes to mind as I wish him a happy birthday is: What do you get your 89 year old grandfather for his birthday? He has gadgets, wallets, ties, sweaters, tv's...the list could go on. So I'd rather him have either a memento or an experience that will be more meaningful than yet another money clip. So here are my ideas:

1. Cook him a meal.
2. Watch football with him this weekend.
3. Frame a picture of us.

That's what I've got so far...but I'll think about it a little more. Any suggestions?

Investing in Meaningful Experiences

Aesthetics matter to me, so having nice surroundings, being able to partake in my interests, and looking my best are kind of important to me. But the older I get, the more I realize, that this does not mean that I should be spending more money than I can comfortably afford to. I am just learning about the dynamics of money, and how you can really pay for money and personal decisions you make when you are young later in life. I definitely want to have more meaningful professional and personal experiences in the future, but I don't want to necessarily spend a lot of money, or incur more debt (than I have already!). To me, meaningful experiences include:

• Spending time with my loved ones (family and friends)
• Adding to my circle of friends and acquaintances
• Learning (hobbies, skills, information, random facts)
• Volunteering my time to causes I believe in
• Traveling
• Daydreaming...which leads to figuring out what I want in life and setting measurable goals to make them happen

Most of these meaningful experiences listed above can either be saved for like travel or cost little to no money, like spending time with the people I deem important in my life. Meaningful experiences don't include shopping or comparing where I am in life professionally, personally or financially to my peers or people I read/learn about. Lately, I have found that I have been looking at my finances (or lack of much discretionary money to spend) as prohibitive to having experiences that I find meaningful, but that is simply not true and not a very positive way to look at life. It's just and opportunity to be more creative. No, I can't just buy that cute dress I saw on my last window shopping excursion, but I can learn how sew and make my own dress (sewing is a long term goal I plan to start tackling in 2009). No I can't take a trip to Europe at the drop of a hat as much as I'd like to. But I can put money aside each month for this goal which will eventually add up to enough money for me to take my European vacation. No I don't have the extra money to spend to go to a hot new club in my city with my friends. But I can invite them over and cook a meal, or we can have another fun, less expensive outing. Your attitude about things really determines weather the glass is half full or half empty, and I choose to be an optimist.

What is a Tax Lien Certificate?

My friend asked me today what a tax lien certificate was, and I had no idea, so I decided to Google it. According to Investopedia, a tax lien certificate is: "A certificate of claim against property that has a lien placed upon it as a result of unpaid property taxes." Investopedia also said that: Tax lien certificates are "available in many states, this certificate allows the owner to collect unpaid taxes in addition to a set level of interest. These investments are not insured or necessarily backed by property, and therefore great risks are involved with each purchase."
Another site stated that: "Individuals have been snapping up tax liens more and more because of these two benefits. A fixed percentage rate, mandated by a government agency, or the title to property at a substantial discount are incredible benefits rarely seen with other real estate transactions."

They seem a bit risky, but I've learned something new today...

Is anyone else familiar with these types of investments?